Free Coupons Galore

I'm pretty new to couponing to the extent that I do it now, so at the beginning it was hard to get a good stockpile. A good stockpile, I have learned, is necessary to really get the best deals that are out there. Luckily, there are companies out there that want you to buy their products - so they give out free coupons. Get started with some great coupons AND some great healthy eating tips for the New Year and sign up for the Eat Better America newsletter. Get yours now - these don't last long!

Awesome Albertson's

Albertson's did it again! It was running a great spend $30 get $15 off your next order promo this week. I still had coupons from last weeks great diaper deal. Additionally, it was running a double coupon promo and had some essentials on sale so I decided to make a trip and wow! was it worth it. Here's what I got:

2 for $5

2 boxes Bisquick heart healthy

2 boxes Fiber One muffin mix

2 boxes Betty Crocker blueberry muffin mix

3 for $5

6 boxes Chicken/Tuna Helper

3 boxes Betty Crocker Scalloped/Au Gratin potatoes

The promo did not actually include the blueberry muffin mix shown but since the store was out of the promo item, my wonderful cashier let me get these instead. She rang the Bisquick twice to make sure my $15 in coupons for my next purchase generated.

I also got 10 Kashi Go Lean bars on sale 10 for $10. I had 5 $1/2 coupons for those and then got back an additional $3 off coupon for my next purchase.

I also got:

2 dozen Alb eggs $.99 each

1 32 oz. Cheddar cheese block $4.99

2 1lb Alb butter $.99 each

1 kids sleep pants $7.99

Coupons used:

2 $1/1 Bisquick

2 $1/1 Fiber One muffin mix

2 $1/1 Betty Crocker muffin mix

2 $.40/1 BC potatoes

Coupon double took off $3

plus 6 $5 off my next purchase coupons

Total oop: $13.57 and I got $18 ONYO coupons! Total coupon savings: $82.35!

I always thought that it was too much hassle, too much work to spend the time to coupon. After a trip like this, how could you not believe - it is totally worth it! The next question is - where I am I going to put all this stuff?

Grocery Budget Update

At the beginning of the year, after analyzing the nice chunk of change that I saved by meal planning, shopping wisely, and using coupons, I set a yearly grocery budget of $1,003.50.

That's $83.62 per month or approximately $20.90 per week. For me, I think a monthly amount is an easier model to follow because I do have weeks where I don't shop at all because hubby is out of town or we just simply don't need to because we have stockpiled enough to last through a week. I also don't include personal care items or things like diapers in my budget.


So here's what I've spent so far this month on grocery items:


1/2/09 Fred Meyer. Coupon Savings: $3.00; Total spent: $12.62

1/2/09 Target. Coupon Savings: $0; Gift Card used: $5 Total spent: $9.59

1/6/09 Albertson's. Coupon Savings: $0 Total spent: $13.98 (You can read about this transaction here. I bought the coffee as insurance that my total would get me the Catalina coupons for $15 off my next purchases at Albertson's)


Total spent as of January 13, 2009: $36.19


Budget remaining: $47.43. I still have $40 in coupons from Albertson's to use by next week. That deal alone is going to keep me right on track to stay on budget and hopefully get some good stockpile items.


What is your budget for this year and how do you keep it on track? I'm always interested to hear other people's methods and ideas.

Menu Plan Monday

My husband and I were with some friends this weekend and somehow we all decided that we are going to run the Rock 'n Roll half marathon on June 27 of this year! Like I always say, the first step to reaching a goal is to set it. I have run 5K and 10K races before but never anything close to a half marathon. I also haven't run since I was pregnant with my daughter, who was born this summer so it is going to be interesting to see how I can fit training into my busy schedule. So this meal plan is step one to getting back on track with planning healthy meals!

Chicken stir fry

Beef and barley soup

Waffles

Quiche

Meat loaf

I am going to try a new version of the beef and barley soup and if it turns out well you will see it here on Friday for the Grocery Cart Challenge recipe feature.

This week's meal plan and other great meal planning and organizing ideas can be found on orgjunkie.com!

Hope you all have a great week and check back for my Grocery Budget Challenge update!