$192 for $25 at Publix!

I didn't really feel like shopping today, but since it is the last day of the month and many coupons expire today, I made a quick trip on the way to daycare. It felt like a marathon. I was in the store for exactly 35 minutes. I wanted to get in and out as quickly as possible. I'm starting to feel better but still not exactly myself. Stupid plane trips... Anyway, perhaps I am a better shopper when I am trying to get out of the store fast. This turned out to be quite fun. The people behind me got really excited as the register total continued to drop. I ended up saving 87%.



2 Tidy Cat 30 lbs, 4.89
-(2) $2/1 Publix Qs
Final Price: 2.89 ea

4 Friskies Dry Cat Food Bags, 3.99 ea
-(4) $3/1 Publix Qs
-(4) $1/1 MF Qs
Final Price: Free plus .01 overage each

Chetos, Large, 2.89 (bribery for the kids when I pick them up)
-.50/1 MF Q from Kroger Mailing, doubled
Final Price: 1.89

Post Mix Crunch, 3.99 BOGO
-(2) $2/1 IP Qs
Final Price: Free

2 Kellogg Pop Tarts, 2.39 BOGO
-(2) .55/1 MF Qs
Final Price: .95 ea

5 Energizer Batteries, 8 pk, 5.49
-(5) $1.50/1 Publix Qs
-(5) $2/1 MF Qs
Final Price: 1.99 ea

9 J&J Med Products, 1.79
-(9) $1/1 MF Q
-(3) $5/3 Publix Q from "Back to School Savings" Publix Green Advantage Buy
Final Price: Free plus .88 overage ea

6 Hunt's Ketchup, 1.75 BOGO
6 .20/1 MF Qs, doubled
Final Price: .48 ea

6 Tuna Helpers, .99
-2 .75/3 MF Qs
Final Price: .74 ea

Publix Bleach, 1.79
-Free Q from HG Hill advertisement in Wed.'s Franklin Review Appeal
Final Price: Free

2 Country Crock Margarine, 1.99 BOGO
-(2) .75/1 MF Q
Final Price: .24 ea

Publix Milk, 2.25
-Free IP Q when you purchase $100 in groceries (rang up $4 off)
Final Price: Free plus 1.75 overage

Chocolate Milk, 1/2 Gallon, 3.35
-Free IP Q when you purchase gallon of white milk (rank up as 3.75 off)
Final Price: Free plus .40 overage

12 Milkbone Dog Biscuits, 3.69 BOGO
-(6) $2.50/2 MF Qs
Final Price: .60 ea

3 Publix Cola, 2 ltr., .50 ea
-$1/3 Food Lion Q
Final Price: .17 ea

6 Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks, 2.79 BOGO
-(3) .50/2 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: .90 ea

-$5/$50 HG Hill Competitor Q
-$10 Gift Card Rebate from previous purchases

Total before sales/coupons: $191.91
Sales: 49.95
Gift Card: 10.00
Coupons: 106.54
Final OOP: $25.42 (including 10.81 tax, saving 87%)

Bargain Meal of the Week 7/30/09

It's time for another week of Bargain Meals! Erin over at $5 Dinners (a great read!) is hosting a gathering of bloggers all over the internet, creating frugal meals straight from the sales circulars of their favorite stores. Check it out for even more inspiration. I contribute every Thursday for the current sales at Publix, which run from Wednesday to the following Tuesday. Keep in mind that you do not need to purchase two of a product to get the buy one get one price. Publix marks down their products to half price for the BOGO deals.

Items on sale that can be used in this meal:

Purdue Ground Chicken, 2 for $5
Bird's Eye Frozen Vegetables 50% off

Chicken Sausage Patties with Apple and Sage
from Epicurious.com

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground chicken breast
• 1 small Golden Delicious or Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and shredded (3/4 cup)
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh sage
• 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten

Directions:

Prepare grill for cooking.

Stir together all ingredients in a large bowl until combined well.

Form rounded 3/4 cups of sausage mixture into 2 inch diameter patties using moistened hands. When fire is medium hot (you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack 3 to 4 seconds), grill patties on lightly oiled grill, rack, turning once, until cooked through, about 6 minutes.

Serve with vegetables of choice.

Stockpile Recipe: Meatloaf Muffins

Meatloaf Muffins

1 lb. extra lean ground beef
1 box stove top (low sodium)
2 egg whites or equivalent amount of egg beaters
1 small diced onion
1 can diced tomatoes
dash of steak seasoning, garlic powder or your favorite meatloaf seasoning
dash of Worcestershire sauce or steak sauce

Mix all ingredients, add water if needed. Portion into 12 muffin cups. Bake at 375 for about 40 minutes.

Free Aluminum Foil at Walgreens

So I caught the crud on the plane coming back from Florida, and I ended up spending a goodly amount of time sitting at Walgreen's Take Care clinic today. As I sat there waiting I flipped through their circular and saw an in-store coupon (good through Sat.) that I had used in the past and was very happy to see again. It is the one that makes Reynold's Wrap aluminum foil .99¢.

From past experience I know that Walgreen's carries the 20 ft. variety and most Reynold's Wrap coupons only exclude the 25 foot variety. Remember that Reynold's Wrap booklet (called Signature Family Recipes with coupons expiring 12/31/09) I picked up at Harris Teeter and mentioned a month or so ago? I still had six $1/1 coupons left. If you stack that coupon with the store coupon in the circular, then the aluminum foil is free!

While you are there, check out the band-aid section. There is a Johnson & Johnson booklet that you can pick up which has $1/1 J & J product coupons in it. You can use that stacked with Publix's store coupon until the 31st for free+ Johnson & Johnson medical products. Publix frequently has store coupons for J & J products so you may be able to use this coupon for stacking purposes after the 31st as well.

Great Weekend to Buy Newspapers!

There will be five inserts in this Sunday's paper. Check out Attention Target Shoppers for a preview of the coupons. When there is this many inserts, I like to purchase 10 papers. It only happens a few times a year.

Favorite Deals of the Week

Harris Teeter:

Large eggs $0.88

1 lb. Strawberries $1.25 (this is usually a stock-up price)

1 pint Blueberries $1.25

Dole All Natural Fruit Jars $2.50
-$0.75/1 August All You
Final Price: 1.50 ea

Dole Canned Fruit sale $1.00
-Various coupons

Finish Electrasol, 7.99 BOGO
-$2.50/1 07/12 SS
Final Price: 1.49 ea

Knorr/Lipton Pasta and Rice Sides $0.78
-$0.60/2 05/17 SS2, doubled
-.45/1 Knorr Product, Any printable
Final Price: Free - .18 ea

Lay's Potato Chips $1.99
-$1.00/2 July All You
Final Price: .99

Peter Pan sale $1.67
-$0.50/1 IP, doubled
Final Price: .67

Wacky Mac $1.00
-$0.50/1 05/10 SS, doubled
-.75/1 Wacky Mac Pasta printable Final Price: Free

Thanks to Coupon Teacher for this information.

Publix:

Shedd’s Spread Country Crock, $1.99 BOGO
-.25/1 or -.35/1 Shedd’s Spread RP 5/17
-.75/1 Shedd Spread “All American Savings” booklet
-.55/1 Shedd Spread with Calcium printable (IE) or printable (FF)
-.50/1 Shedd’s Spread Country Crock Calcium RP 5/17
Final Price: Free -.49 ea

Mueller’s Pasta, 12-16 oz, $1.31 BOGO
-$1/3 Mueller’s Pasta printable
Final Price: .32¢ ea

Mt Olive Sweet Relish or Pickles, 16 oz jar, $2.19 BOGO
-.75/1 or .50/1 Mt. Olive Product, Pickles, Peppers & Relish, Any SS 7/19
-$1 off, or .50/1 Mt. Olive Product SS 6/28
Final Price: .09 -.34¢ ea

Hunt’s Tomato Ketchup, 24 oz, $1.75 BOGO
-$1/2 Hunt’s Ketchup August All You Mag.
-$1/2 Hunt’s Ketchup ConAgra Home Mailer or SS 6/21
-.20/1 MF Q (SS 6/21)
Final Price: .37 - .47¢ ea

Kraft Velveeta Shells & Cheese Dinner or Deluxe Mac & Cheese, 9.4-14 oz box, $1.99 BOGO
-$1.50/2 Kraft Velveeta or Deluxe printable (IE) or printable (FF)
Final Price: .24¢ ea

Milk Bone Dog Biscuits or Snacks, 16-26 oz, $3.69 BOGO
B1G1 Milk Bone Snacks RP 6/07
-$2.50/2 Milk Bone Snacks RP 6/07
Final Price: .59 - .92¢ ea

Muir Glen Tomato Paste or Sauce .99¢ ea
-$1 off Muir Glen products printable
Final Price: Free +

Betty Crocker Hamburger, Chicken or Tuna Helper, 4.7-7.5 oz, .99¢
-$1/3 Hamburger, Tuna or Chicken Helper SS 6/07
-.75/3 Hamburger, Tuna or Chicken Helper SS 6/07 or printable
Final Price: .66 - .74¢ ea

Tide Detergent 100 oz $11.99
-$2 off Tide printable (Food Lion)
-$1 off Tide PG 7/05 (exp 7/31)
-$1 off Tide PG 8/02
Final Price: use FLIP and MF Q together makes $8.99

Publix 2 ltr Soda, .50
-$1/3 Food Lion Printable
Final Price: .17 ea

Thanks to Southern Savers for this information. Check out her site for complete match-up.

Kroger:

Kraft Easy Mac Cups, 2.05 oz or Macaroni and Cheese Shapes 5.5 oz $1

-$1/5 Kraft Easy Mac cups tearpad
-$1/2 Kraft Easy Mac Cups printable

Final Price: .50 to .80 ea

Betty Crocker Hamburger ,Tuna, or Chicken Helper , 4.8-8.4 oz $1 STOCKPILE

-.75/3 Betty Crocker Helper Meals SS 6/07
-.75/3 Betty Crocker Meals Shortcuts e coupon

Final Price: 50¢ (using both Qs)

Crest Toothpaste 6.4 oz, Selected Varieties $1 STOCKPILE

-.50/1 Crest Toothpaste PG 6/07

Final Price: FREE

Oral-B Indicator Single Toothbrush $1 STOCKPILE

-$1 off Oral B Toothbrush PG 7/05

Final Price: FREE

Thanks to Frugal in Franklin for this information. Check out her site for complete sale/match-up information.

Cheap Ragu at Publix or Food Lion Today

Ragu Pasta Sauce, price unknown
-$.75/1 Ragu Sauce in “Family is it’s Own Reward” Booklet- Expires 7/29 (Today)
-$2/2 Food Lion Printable
Final Price: buy 2, use two of the manufacturer coupons and one Food Lion coupon for $1.75 off of each

Online Games that Teach Your Kids About Money

Check out The Great Piggy Bank Adventures, online games produced by Disney and T. Rowe Price to help teach kids about money management. HERE is an article about it. If you have kids that already play online games, they may really enjoy these and learn something at the same time!

The Children's Place Monster Sale

Extra 40% off + 15% off coupon

The Children's Place chops an additional 40% off already-reduced kids' clothing items during its latest Monster Sale. Plus, take an extra 15% off via coupon code "FAMILY79". It's a great sale! Prices start at 49 cents before coupon. (Discounted price is reflected on the item page.) Shipping is a flat $5 per order and sales tax is added where applicable.

Notable are select kids' shorts and more for $1.99 or less after the above coupon.

Thanks to dealnews.com for this information!

HG Hill Deals 7/27/09

Here are the best deals at HG Hill. For the complete circular, go HERE. Be sure to look out for a possible $5/$50 coupon that is usually printed in the Franklin Review Appeal on Wednesdays. It generally comes with the Tennessean when you live in the Franklin area.

Assorted Pork Chops, 1.29 per lb

Boneless Sirloin Tip Roast, 1.99 per lb

Ground Round, 1.99 per lb

Bone-in Split Chicken Breasts, 1.49 per lb

Dole Bananas, .39 per lb (Great Price)

Best Choice Large Eggs, .79 (Great Price)

Charmin 12 Rolls, 4.99
-.25/1 MF Q (PG 7/5)
-$1/2 MF Q (PG 7/5)
-$1/1 MF Q Home Mailer
Final Price: 3.99 - 4.49 ea

Lay's Potato Chips, 2 for $5
-$1/1 MF Q for Baked Lays, All You Mag, August 2009
-$1/2 MF Q for Lays, All You Mag, Jul 2009
Final Price: 1.50 - 2.00 ea

Kraft Dressing, 2 for $3
-$1/1 MF Q from Sunset Magazine, July 2009
Final Price: .50 ea

Pillsbury Biscuits, BOGO (no price listed)
-Various Pillsbury Coupons

Watermelon, 3.99 ea
-$3 on watermelon when you purchase Ball Park franks and Sara Lee buns (tearpad)
Final Price: .99 when you purchase other two products

Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip, 32 oz, 2.99
-$1/1 MF Q from Sunset Magazine, July 2009
Final Price: 1.99

Hunts Tomato Ketchup, 24 oz, .99
-.20/1 MF Q (SS 6/21)
-$1/2 MF Q (SS 6/21)
Final Price: .49-.59 ea

Powerade Sports Drinks, .89
-.75/2 MF Q from tearpad
Final Price: .52 ea

SoBe Life Water, 2 for $2
-.50/1 MF Q from tearpad, doubled
Final Price: Free

Kraft Pasta Salad Mix, .99
-$1/2 Peelie (reported to be found on product)
Final Price: .49 ea

Bob Evans Pork Sausage, 2.50
-.50/1 MF Q (SS 6/21)
Final Price: 1.50 ea

Bob Evans Sausage Links & Patties, 2.59
-.50/1 MF Q, Any (Found In Recipe Booklet At Bob Evans Restaurant)
Final Price: 1.59 ea

Johnsonville Cooked Bratwurst, 2.69
-1/2 Peelie
Final Price: 2.19 ea

Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs, 1.67
-$1/2 Blinkie or SS 6/21
-$1/1 MF Q Kraft Food and Family June 2009
Final Price: .67 - 1.17 ea

Smithfield Sliced Bacon, 2.50

Smithfield Smoked Sausage, 2.49

5 lbs Idaho Potatoes, 1.69

Blueberry Pint, 1.99

Bing Cherries, 2.49 per lb

Harris Teeter Super Doubles Trip 7/27/09

I was totally surprised when I got home this weekend to find out that Harris Teeter is in Super Double full swing. So for lunch I pulled out some high value coupons (in the parking lot) and made a quick trip inside. While I generally like shopping at Publix better, there are things that you can get at Harris Teeter during their sales that you can't get as a good deal at Publix. This is just my personal opinion, but I think the corporate sale planners are better at Harris Teeter than Publix. Harris Teeter lets fewer freebies/fantastic deals get by them than Publix. You definately have to work harder.

Here is what I purchased:

Green Tabasco (large), 3.49 (husband's favorite)
-.75/1 MF Q (picked up at food demonstration at Publix), doubled
Final Price: 1.99

2 Glad Plastic Wrap, 2.69
-(2) $1/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .69 ea

2 Hefty Fresh Bags, 2.79
-(2) $1/1 IP Qs, doubled
Final Price: .79 ea

3 KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce, 2.09
-(3) $1/1 MF Qs, doubled
Final Price: .09 ea

Ocean Spray Cranergy, 2.99
-$1/1 IP Q, doubled
Final Price: .99

6 Dannon Yogurt, .71 ea
-(3) .75/2 MF Q from display attached to shelf, doubled
Final Price: Free

2 Turkey Hill Tea, 1/2 Gallon, 1.25
-$1/2 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .25 ea

3 Danactive Yogurts, 1.99
-(3) $1/1 MF Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free

Starbucks Espresso Shot, 2.19
-$1/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .19

3 Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing, 2.39
-(3) $1/1 MF Qs, doubled
Final Price: .39 ea

Total before coupons: 52.90
Coupons/Vic Savings: 42.67
OOP: $10.23 (saving 81%)

Free Online Movies

It costs more than $10 to go to a movie in some cities, plus traffic, parking, babysitter and overpriced treats at the concession stand! Forget it! Stay at home and crank up the microwave popcorn instead, because SONY is making nearly 100 of its films available on CRACKLE.com, the company's online movie and TV video Web site. Some of the listed movies are clips and some are full movies. Check out Ghostbusters, Jumanji and Muppets from Space for your kids!

Menu Planning Monday 7/27/09

Monday: Beef and Cabbage Bake
Tuesday: Caribbean Rice and Sausage
Wednesday: Crescent Roll Casserole
Thursday: Mexican Chicken Spaghetti
Friday: Ho-Bo's
Saturday: Clean the Pantry Frittata
Sunday: Chili or Cheeseburger Bread

Check out I'm and Organizing Junkie for more menu ideas!

Publix Trip 7-26-09, Saved 85%

This is a good week to buy pet food and coffee at Publix (which we always need)!

Here is what I purchased and the coupons I used:

8 8 O'Clock Coffee, 4.99 BOGO
-(4) $2/2 IP Qs
Final Price: 1.49 ea

4 Chef Boyardees, .85 ea
-(4) $1/1 IP Qs
Final Price: Free plus .15 overage ea

Publix Parmesan, 2.50 ea

4 Friskies Dry Cat Food, 2 for $6
-(4) $3.50/1 IP Qs
Final Price: Free plus .50 overage ea

20 Kool Aid Packets, .20 ea
4 Publix Brown Sugar, .85
-(2) $2/1 Sugar when you purchase 10 Kool Aid Packets
-(4) Food Lion tearpad Qs $1/1 Food Lion Sugar when you purchase 5 Kool Aid Packets
Final Price: All Free plus total .60 overage

5 Reach Floss, 1.49
-(5) $1/1 Publix Qs
-$3/3 MF Q
-(2) $1/1 MF Qs
Final Price: Free plus .51 overage ea

6 J & J Med Supplies, 1.79 ea
-(2) $5/3 Publix Qs
-(6) $1/1 MF Q from tearpad found at Walgreens in Florida
Final Price: Free plus .88 overage ea

2 Muir Glen Tomato Sauce, .85
-(2) $1/1 IP Qs
Final Price: Free plus .15 overage ea

Publix Ginger Ale, 12 pack, 2.79 (not pictured)
-$1/1 Food Lion Q
Final Price: 1.79

2 Rainier Cherries, 4.99 BOGO
Bunch of Parsley, .79
-$2/$5 Produce Food Lion Q
Final Price: Total for produce $3.78

Cascade Rinse Agent, 3.49
-Free Q
Final Price: Free

12 Pedigree Dog Food, 22 oz, $1 ea
-6 BOGO IP Qs
-Buy 10 Get 2 Free Publix Q (rang 2.38 off)
Final Price: .30 ea

Publix Hot Dogs, .01 (Penny Item)

Total Before Sales/Coupons: 131.33
Sales: 32.74
Coupons: 78.86
Final OOP: $19.73 (12.42 + 7.30 tax, Saving 85%)

Super Delicious Blueberry Muffins Recipe

I was in the mood for some comfort food this Sunday morning so I flipped through my cookbooks looking for something good to make. I came across this recipe in my Dining with the Daughters (Daughters of the American Revolution) Cookbook.

It's an easy recipe and it tastes great!

Delicious Blueberry Muffins

Ingredients:

2 c. plain flour
3 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. milk
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 stick melted butter
1 c blueberries, fresh or frozen

Directions:

Sift the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar together twice. Add milk and beaten egg to melted butter. Add to dry ingredients, mixing just enough to moisten. Lightly fold in blueberries. Pour into well greased muffin tins no more than 2/3 full. Bake at 400 for about 20 minutes or until lightly brown. Makes about 12 muffins.

Florida Car Rental Deal!

Thanks everyone for your condolences! As I had to travel to Florida, it was necessary to get a rental car. Here is the great deal I found and used to rent online:

Thrifty Rental Car
Use Corporate Code: 004M001010 (Be sure to put in corporate # area not Promo #)
This is the corporate discount for holders of Orlando Magic Card which you can download for free.
You can get up to 75% off the rental charge and it appears to work in all of Florida. The rental agent never even asked for the Orlando Magic Card, which I had printed just in case.

Gone Until Friday...

I will be gone until Friday for a funeral. My grandfather passed away on Sunday. He was a brilliant man, an actual rocket scientist, a beautiful painter and an outstanding musician. He will be missed.

Family Recipe: Red Cabbage

This comes all the way from Denmark. It is one of our family recipes. We usually serve it for all major holidays!

Red Cabbage

Ingredients:

1 medium red cabbage
1/4. pt. vinegar
1/4 pt. water
2 oz. butter
2 to 4 Tbsp. red currant jelly
1 1/2 oz. sugar
salt

Directions:

Shred cabbage. Melt butter and add vinegar, water, sugar and a little salt.

Simmer for about 2 hours, then add red currant jelly. The flavor should be both sweet and sharp.

HG Hill Deals 7/20/09

Here are the best deals at HG Hill. For the complete circular, go HERE. Be sure to look out for a possible $5/$50 coupon that is usually printed in the Franklin Review Appeal on Wednesdays. It generally comes with the Tennessean when you live in the Franklin area.

Fresh Ground Chuck, 1.69 per lb

Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks, .99 per lb

Boston Butt Pork Roast, .99 per lb

Angel Soft Bath Tissue, 12 Rolls, 4.99
-$2/2 Sparkle Paper Towels And Angel Soft Tissue, printable (IE) or printable (FF)
-.50/1 Angel Soft 6 double roll or larger RP 6/21
-$1/2 Angel Soft 6 double roll or larger RP 6/21
Final Price: 3.99 - 4.49

Kool-Aid Packets, 10 for $1
-MF Q Buy 10 Kool Aid, Get $2 Off Sugar
Final Price: Possibly Free with Free Sugar

Purity Ice Cream 2 for $4
-$1/1 MF Q (06-07-09 SS)
Final Price: $1. ea

Pepsi Products 12 packs, 3 for $20

Red Gold Ketchup, .99

Kraft Mayo or Miracle Whip, 32 oz., 2.99
-$1/1 Various Peelies and Magazines
Final Price: 1.99

Musselman's Totally Fruit Apple Sauce, 3 for $5
-.30/1 IP Q Printable (reported that you can print 4)
Final Price: 1.07 ea

Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs, 3 for $5
-$1/2 MF Q
Final Price: 1.16 ea

Roma Tomatoes, 1.29 per lb

Bing Cherries, 2.99 per lb

Kraft Singles 2 for $4
-various Magazine, Home Mailers and Tearpad Coupons

Suave Mousse or Hair Spray, 1.89
-.75/1 MF Q from Publix Family is its own reward
Final Price: 1.14 ea

Crayola Crayons, 24 ct, .20 ea (cheapest I have seen so far)

Elmers School Glue or Glue Sticks (2), .20 each

Bic Pens, 10 ct, .50

SATURDAY SALE:

Ground Beef, 1.29 per lb

Bone in Split Chicken Breasts, .99 per lb

Boneless Pork Loin, 1.39 per lb

Cantaloupe, 1 ea 10 lb

Idaho Potatoes, 2.50 ea

Pepsi Products, 24 cans, 4.99 ea
-1/1 Peelies
Final Price: 3.99

Frito Lay Variety 24 pack, 4.99

Menu Planning Monday 7-20-09

Monday: Mushroom a la Stroganoff and Cream Cheese Squares
Tuesday: Crockpot Beef Stew
Wednesday: Hamburgers
Thursday: Spaghetti
Friday: Calzones
Saturday: Mexican Chicken Lasagna
Sunday: Apple Cheese Pizza and Eggs

Teaching My Kids at Publix and Saving 81%!

I actually took the whole family shopping with me today! I would give the boys an assignment and they would go with dad to find it. I let them pick what they wanted from the bakery since I had a $2.50 off $10 coupon from Kroger. My 8-yr-old actually paid attention this time to the screen as we checked out and was announcing to all that could hear him about the money we were saving. It was fun and hopefully a learning experience for the kids. Here is what we purchased:



8 McCormick Grinder Seasonings, $1.99 BOGO
-(8) $1 off any McCormick Spice “Nothing Goes To Waist” booklet
Final Price: FREE

2 Fresh Express Salad Blends Baby Spinach, $2.79 ea
-$2 off $5 in Produce printable (Food Lion)
-(2) .75/1 IP Qs
Final Price: 1.04 ea

Milk, 2.25
-.75/1 IP Q
Final Price: 1.50

10 Kool Aid Packets, .20 each

2 Publix Brown Sugars, .85 ea
-MF Q Buy 10 Kool Aid, Get $2 Off Sugar
-(2) Food Lion Tearpad Qs Buy 5 Kool Aid Get $1 Off Food Lion Sugar
Final Price: Free plus 1.17 overage

Duncan Hines Cake Mix, 1.59
-$1/1 Food Lion Q
Final Price: .59

4 Reach Dental Floss, 1.49
-(4) $1/1 Publix Qs
-$3/3 MF Q
-$1/1 MF Q
Final Price: Free plus .51 overage

3 J&J Med Products, 1.79
-(3) .50/1 MF Q, doubled
-$5/3 Publix Q from "Back to School Savings" Publix Green Advantage Buy
Final Price: Free plus .88 overage ea

3 Bandaids, on sale 2.19 ea
-$5/3 Publix Q from "Back to School Savings" Publix Green Advantage Buy
-(3) $1/1 MF Qs
Final Price: Free plus .48 overage ea

Sudafed OM Spray, 6.99
-$2/1 IP Q
Final Price: 4.99

5 Tylenol Arthritis, 3.48
-(5) $2/1 MF Q
-(5) $2/1 Publix Q from Summertimes Savings
Final Price: Free plus .52 overage ea

4 Bush's Beans, .97 BOGO
Final Price: .49 ea

L'Oreal Haircolor, 9.99
-$5/1 Publix Q
-$3/1 MF Q
Final Price: 1.99

3 Danonino Yogurt, 1.66
-(3) $1/1 MF Q
Final Price: .66 ea

7 New York Texas Toast Croutons, 5 oz, $1.49 BOGO
-(7) .50/1 MF Qs, doubled
Final Price: Free plus .25 overage ea

Digiorno Flatbread Melt, 2.50
-Free MF Q
Final Price: Free

Publix Honey Wheat Bread, 1.79
-Free Coupon from HG Hill Advertisement in Franklin Review on Wednesday
Final Price: Free

Publix Eggs, 1.29
-Free Coupon from HG Hill Advertisement in Franklin Review on Wednesday
Final Price: Free

8 Cesar Dog Food, .67
-(2) B3G1 Blinkies
Final Price: .50 ea

6 Sheba Cat Food, .99
-.50/6 MF Q
Final Price: .82 ea

4 Washable Crayola Markers, 3.69 BOGO
Final Price: 1.85 ea

Tuscan Garlic Loaf Bread, 3.99
Tres Leche Chocolate Cake, 6.19
-$2.50/$10 Bakery Purchase Kroger Q from mailing
Final Price: 7.68 bakery purchase

-$5/$50 from HG Hill Advertisement in Franklin Review on Wednesday

Total before sales/coupons: 159.33
Coupons: 97.96
Sales: 30.57
OOP: 30.80 (including $9 in tax, saving 81%)

Do You Need Kleenex for School Supplies?

Go HERE to print a Target Coupon for Kleenex facial tissue single packs, Excludes trial size - $1/3

Go to Coupons.com to print .50 off of 3 boxes or 1 bundle pack. Use ZIP code 30303 if your ZIP does not show coupon.

Use both at Target or Publix (if yours accepts Target Qs) for cheap Kleenex.

$5/$25 Walgreens Coupon Today Only

Go HERE to print your $5 off of $25 purchase at Walgreens good through today only.

Big Lot's 20% Off This Sunday Only

Big Lots is offering a 20% off Coupon good this Sunday for your entire purchase. This can be a great opportunity depending on what you need. A couple of years ago we purchased two Ashley sofas that they had for sale at a great price using this coupon. Big Lots also usually has good prices on can goods.

Bought Band-Aids to Get Milk!

We were totally out of milk, paper towels and coffee creamer. I haven't had time to come up with a great scenario but really didn't want spend a lot of money (especially after the excesses of vacation). So after being inspired by I Love Publix I made a quick trip to Publix! It went very well, except I purchased the wrong variety of creamer which was not BOGO. Even with that, my total before taxes was a negative, which was really cool! Here is what I purchased:


2 Coffee Mates 32 oz French Vanilla (Original is BOGO, oops), 3.27
-(2) .55/1 IP Qs
Final Price: 2.72

Publix Milk, 2.25

5 Viva Paper Towels, regularly 2.29, on sale 1.89
-.50/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: .89 ea

12 Bandaids, on sale 2.19 ea
-(4) $5/3 Publix Q from "Back to School Savings" Publix Green Advantage Buy
-(5) $1/1 MF Qs
-(7) .50/1 MF Q, doubled
Final Price: Free plus .48 overage ea

3 J&J Med Products, 1.99
-(3) .50/1 MF Q, doubled
-$5/3 Publix Q from "Back to School Savings" Publix Green Advantage Buy
Final Price: Free plus .68 overage ea

Tylenol Arthritas, 3.48
-$2/1 MF Q
-$2/1 Publix Q from Summertimes Savings
Final Price: Free plus .52 overage

-$5/$50

Total before sales/coupons: 70.24
Coupons: 55.10
Sales: 11.99
OOP: -1.13 + 4.18 tax =$3.15 (saving 96%)

Bargain Meal of The Week 7/17/09

It's time for another week of Bargain Meals! Erin over at $5 Dinners (a great read!) is hosting a gathering of bloggers all over the internet, creating frugal meals straight from the sales circulars of their favorite stores. Check it out for even more inspiration. I contribute every Thursday for the current sales at Publix, which run from Wednesday to the following Tuesday. Keep in mind that you do not need to purchase two of a product to get the buy one get one price. Publix marks down their products to half price for the BOGO deals.

In my never ending quest to find tasty and healthy recipes, I came across this one. I love mushrooms and am happy to see that they are on sale this week. For this recipe you need to purchase three packages of mushrooms, a couple of onions and various other herbs. Don't forget to use the Food Lion $2 off of $5 produce purchase.

Items on sale that can be used in this meal:

Baby Portobella Mushrooms 8 oz package, 2/$3
-$2/$5 FLIP Q

Mushrooms a la Stroganoff

From "Eat More, Weigh Less" by Dean Ornish, M.D.
Yield: 4 servings

• 1 C. dark vegetable stock (or beef stock)
• 1 1/4 lbs. mushrooms (3 8-oz packages)
  
• 2 C. sliced onions
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp. dry sherry (optional)
• 1 Tbsp. sweet paprika
• 1/8 tsp. cayenne
• 1 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• black pepper
• 1/2 C. nonfat plain yogurt
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh dill
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
• 1 6-oz package egg noodles

1. Trim away stem ends of mushrooms and wash. Slice thinly and set aside.
2. Put onions and garlic in large sauté pan with 1/2 C. stock. Simmer, covered, until onions are tender, 10-15 min. Stir occasionally. Add mushrooms and simmer 5 min, stirring occasionally. Add sherry and cook 2 min.
3. Stir in paprika, cayenne, lemon zest and remaining 1/2 C. stock. Simmer, uncovered, about 10 min or until reduced by one-third. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat and let sit 5 min. Stir in yogurt, dill and parsley. Heat on low heat.
4. Cook noodles. Reserve about 1/3 C. cooking water; drain noodles. Stir noodles into mushroom sauce, adding some of reserved water if needed to coat noodles. Serve immediately.

Note: A tablespoon may seem like too much paprika, but the entire amount should be used. Not only is it a flavor and color agent, but it also serves as a thickener.

Purell Hand Sanitizer Printable Coupon

For those of you who are gearing up to fill your school supply list, here is a .60/1 printable coupon for Purell Hand Sanitizer. Use Internet Explorer to print. There is also a .75/1 Target Coupon that was recently mailed in the "This is a summer worth saving" booklet. You can use these two together for cheap hand sanitizer.

Pretzel Crisp Printable Coupon

I think these are great! I was really happy to get this in my email this morning and thought I would share it with you. Go HERE to print your $1/1 Garlic Pretzel Crisps Coupon. Now if only Publix would have a BOGO sale...

Free Coldplay Album to Download

Check out Faithful Provision's post about how to download a free album by Coldplay. Isn't free music great?!

Favorite Deals of the Week

Food Lion:

Cabbage, .39 ea
-$2/$5 FLIP Q

Cherries $1.99 per lb
-$1 off any Guiding Stars printable
-$2 off $5 in Produce printable

Grade A Whole Fryers .69¢ lb
-$1 off any Guiding Stars printable

Publix:

Nestle Coffee-Mate Creamer 32 oz, $2.39 BOGO
-.50/1 Coffee-Mate RP 6/28 or June All You Mag.
-$1 off Coffee-Mate printable
-.55/1 Coffee-Mate Sugar free or fat free printable
-$1.50/2 Coffee-Mate printable
Final Price: .19 - .65

Kozy Shack Pudding, 22 oz, $2.99 BOGO
-.35/1 off any Kozy Shack product SS 3/29
-.35/1 off Kozy Shack “Nothing Goes to Waist” booklet at Publix
-$1 off Kozy Shack SimplyWell SS 4/26
-.55/1 off Kozy Shack June or August All You Mag.
Final Price: .50 - .95

Whole Fruit Sorbet, 1 pint, $2.89 BOGO
-.50/1 Whole Fruit Sorbet RP 6/28
Final Price: .44¢ ea

Gorton’s Premium Fish, Grilled Shrimp or Shrimp Temptations, $7.49 BOGO
-$1 off any Gorton’s Shrimp item March All You Mag.
-.75/2 off any Gorton’s Items coupon inside product boxes
-.75/2 off Gorton’s Grilled Fillets printable
Final Price: 2.74 - 3.37

Kellogg’s Eggo Waffles: Original, Nutri-Grain, or Special K, $2.39 BOGO
-$2 off Fresh Fruit WYB any 2 pkgs Kellogg’s Eggo Frozen Waffles “Fuel for School”
-$1 off Eggo Frozen Product, Any 6 ct. “How Do You Eggo” Booklet
Final Price: .19¢ ea

New York Texas Toast Croutons, 5 oz, $1.49 BOGO
-.50/1 any New York Brand Croutons June All You Mag.
-.55/1 New York Croutons RP 4/05
-$1/2 New York Croutons RP 4/05
-.50/1 New York Croutons RP 4/05
Final Price: FREE plus overage!

Zatarain’s New Orleans Style Mix & Rices, $1.99 BOGO
-.75/2 Zatarain’s Rice Mixes or Pasta Mixes RP 6/07
-$1.25/3 Zatarain’s Rice Mixes or Pasta Mixes RP 6/07
Final Price: .58 - .62

McCormick Grinder Seasonings, $1.99 BOGO
-$1 off any McCormick Spice “Nothing Goes To Waist” booklet
-$1 off McCormick Black Pepper RP 5/10
Final Price: FREE!

Fresh Express Salad Blends $2.50 ea
-$1 off Fresh Express Salads (store coupon) “Smart Summertime Savings” Booklet
-$1.50 off Fresh Express Salad (store coupon) Publix Family Style Mag. Summer 09
-.55/2 Fresh Express Sweet Tender Greens, or Cafe Salads, SS 6/14
-.75/1 any Fresh Express Salad Blends Kroger Mailer “All American Picnic”
-$2 off $5 in Produce printable (Food Lion)
Final Price: Buy 2, use (2) 1.50/1 Qs and $2/$5 FLIP Q and they are FREE or (2) $1/1 Qs and $2/$5 FLIP Q and they are each .50

Snack Factory Pretzel Crisps, $2 ea
-$1 off Everything flavored Crisps printable (IE) or printable (FF)
-$1 off Buffalo Wing flavored Crisps printable (IE) or printable (FF)
(this are in the Deli in most stores)
Final Price: $1 ea

Dannon Dan-o-nino Yogurt 6 pk $1 ea
-$1 off Dan-o-nino Yogurt “Smart Summertime Savings” booklet
(some store have this at $1.66 ea)
Final Price: Free - .66 ea

Apples & Eve Fruitables Juice 3 to 4 pk, reg. $1.39 -$1.59
-$1 off any Apples & Eve product store coupon “Smart Summertime Savings” booklet
-.50/1 Apples & Eve product SS 4/05 or Greenwise Magazine
Final Price: use both coupons together makes it FREE plus overage

Muir Glen Tomato Paste .99¢ ea
-$1 off any Muir Glen product printable
Final Price: FREE

Chef Boyardee, .85¢ ea
-.35/3 Chef Boyardee cans SS 5/31
-$1/4 Chef Boyardee Cans May All You Mag.
Final Price: .61

Bic Mechanical Pencils, 10 pk, $1 ea
-.50/1 off Bic Mechanical Pencils printable (IE) or printable (FF)
Final Price: FREE

Band Aid Adhesive Bandages, 10-80 ct $2.19 ea
-$5.00/3 Band-Aid Brand (store coupon) Green Advantage Buy Flyer
-$1 Band-Aid Bandages SS 6/28
-.50/1 Band-Aid Bandages RP 4/26, 5/17
Final Price: FREE plus overage when you buy 3

Sparkle Towels 6-8 roll $5.49 ea
-$2/2 Sparkle Paper Towels And Angel Soft Tissue, printable (IE) or printable (FF)
-$1 off Sparkle Paper Towels, Any 2-Giant Roll Package + RP 6/21
Final Price: 4.49

Thanks to Southern Savers for this information. Check out her site for complete sales/coupon match-ups.

Harris Teeter:

Hefty Easy Grip Cups (20 ct) – $2.60 BOGO
- $.75/1 Hefty Easy Grip Party Cups in 5/17 RedPlum (regional?)
Final Price: FREE

Ground Beef 80% Lean $1.47 lb

Blueberries, 1 pint, $1.50 ea

Thanks to Faithful Provisions for this information. Check out her site for more deals.

HG Hill's Deals 7/13 - 7/19

Here are the best deals at HG Hills this week. Visit HG Hill to see the complete circular.

Boneless and Skinless Chicken Breasts and Tenders, 1.99 per lb

End Cut Pork Chops, .99 per lb

5 lb Idaho Potatoes, $1.50

Blue Bell Ice Cream, 3 for $10
-$1.50/1 Printable
Final Price: 1.83 ea

Pasta or Rica A Roni, 10 for $10

Fresh Ground Round, 1.89 per lb

Boneless Bottom Round Roast, 1.69 per lb

School Sale:

24 count Crayola Crayons, .20

10 count Bic Pens, 2 for $1

150 ct filler paper, 2 for $1

10 ct #2 Pencils, 2 for $1

Spiral Notebooks, 10 for $1

Elmer's Glue, .20

Need a Destination for an Inexpensive Vacation?

Because I am always looking for a fun place to visit with the family and someone to tell me about such a place, I thought I would share our experience.

Camping is one of the least expensive vacations next to visiting family (which for many is merely an event to be endured). So if you are the camping type, I have an awesome place for you to go. Let me first tell you that we are not expert campers. Due to Cub Scout Camp we have had some resent practice at it, but by no means are we camping connoisseurs.

The Aloha State Park in Northern Michigan is beautiful. It is next to a lovely and large lake and has a beach for the kids to play. The camp sites were large and the bathrooms were clean and maintained daily. Each site had a wonderful metal fire pit. Entrance into the park is quite strict. You are stopped every time you enter. It costs $30 per night with an additional parking fee of about $8 per day. What is cool is that you can register online and pick your site from a map. They will even send you a confirmation email.

The other campers there were obviously professional campers. Each site generally had an RV camper and a tent. There was even one camper who each evening put up a projection screen and showed movies. What a great idea! Our kids made instant friends with the other children and were constantly racing around between camp sites. The weather was very nice with low humidity and around 75 degrees each day. The nights were a little cold with the temperatures sinking into the 40s. You could purchase stacks of wood nearby. Frequently you could buy from locals who had a lock box next to the wood and you just had to deposit money into it and then take the wood. Just outside the park there is a camping market that has everything you forget in it. It even has delicious doughnuts in the morning according to my husband (because they never seemed to make it back to me). There are two impressive nearby towns to explore, Petoskey and Harbor Springs. Both have a lot of local artwork which you can purchase. Mackinaw Island (only horse and buggy transportation and really cool) is less than an hour away.

You really felt like you were part of a neighborhood while there. The only less than positive incident that occurred was the rather loud vocal performance that a nearby tent put on around 2 am. While the adults snickered about it around the fire the next day, it is probably not something you want your kids to hear!

Did I Mention Wilderness?

Sorry about the few posts lately. We have been camping in the wilds of Northern Michigan. I thought that I would be able to find some Internet connections at restaurants, etc., but I didn't find one until today at Dairy Queen! I will be home on Wednesday and look forward to checking back in to all my favorite deals and stores. See you then!

For the Locals: Cheekwood's Reciprocal Privileges

If you are traveling this summer and need activities for your kids, you may want to check out the many museums that honor a reciprocal agreement with Cheekwood. What a deal -- for $75 you can get a family membership to enjoy all year and free entrance to some of the great museums the United States has to offer! For instance, you could visit the Orlando Museum of Art for free when you take your kids to Disney. For a family of five, that is worth $31 for just that one visit. While in Orlando, you could also visit the Orange County Regional History Center to see 12,000 years of history and save $36.

Smokey Bones $10 off of $20 Coupon

$10 off $20 In-store Printable Smokey Bones Coupon [Exp. 07/21]

HG Hills Deals for the Week

HG Hill, a local middle Tennessee store which has been in business here since 1895, runs their sale cycle from Monday to Sunday. There are thirteen locations in the local area. They will double coupons up to .50 cents. Here are this weeks best deals. Some of the products in their circular can be found cheaper elsewhere this week so they are not listed. Usually, HG Hill will have the best deals on meat and fresh vegetables. They also will frequently print a $5/$50 coupon in the Wednesday edition of the Franklin Review, which can also be used at Publix as a competitor coupon. Check out the complete circular here.

Boneless Pork Loin, 1.59 per lb

Ground Beef, 1.39 per lb

T-Bone Steak, 6.99 per lb

Fresh Whole Chicken, .99 per lb

Boneless Shoulder Roast, 1.69 per lb

Whole Mushrooms, 8 0z pack, 5/$5

Kraft Dips, 2/$4 (I could not find Kraft Dips at Publix, just FYI
-.35/1 MF Q (SS 6/21)
-.60/2 MF Q (SS 6/21)
Final Price: 1.30 - 1.70

Carl Budding Wafer Thin Sliced Lunch Meat, 10/$5
-Free Q Home Mailer
Final Price: Free - .50

10 lb Idaho Potatoes, 2.00 (Great Deal)

Fresh Peaches, .89 per lb

Best Choice 4 lb Sugar, 2 for $3
-$2/1, Buy 10 Kool-Aid Unsweetened Packets And Save $2.00 On Any Sugar (SS 06-21)
Final Price: Free Sugar when you purchase 10 Kool-Aid Packets

Banquet Frozen Meals, 12 for $10
-.75/1 Peelie (if you can find it)
Final Price: .08-.83 ea

Breyers or Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, 2 for $5
-.75/1 off Breyers (RP 5/17)
-$1.50/1 Breyer’s “Family is its own Reward” booklet
-$1/2 Printable (Breyers)
-$1/2 Ben & Jerry's (RP 6/28)
Final Price: $1 - 2 ea

Klondike Bars, 2 for $5
-1.25/1 Family is Its Own Reward Booklet
-$1/2 Printable
Final Price: 1.25 - 2.00 ea

Crisco Cooking Oil 2 for $5
-$1/2 MF Q (RP 6/7)
-.55/1 MF Q (RP 6/7)
Final Price: 1.95-2.00 ea

Charmin 9 roll, 3.99
-.25/1Charmin product PG 7/05
-$1/2 Charmin PG 6/07
Final Price: 3.49 ea

Coca Cola, 6 pack .5 liter, 4 for $10

Coca Cola, 2 Liter, 4/$5

Smart Water, 1 Liter, $1
-$1/2 MF Q (SS 6/28)
Final Price: .50 ea

Pepsi Products, 12 pack, 4 for $9 (with In-Ad Coupon)

Best Choice Bottled Water, 24 pack, 2.99

Chicken of the Sea Tuna, .79

Stokely Vegetables, .69

Knorr Rice or Pasta Sides, 4/$5
-.45/1 Any Knorr Product Printable
-.50/2 MF Q (RP 5/17)
-$1/3 MF Q (RP 5/17)
-.75/2 MF Q (RP 5/17)
-.60/2 MF Q (RP 5/17)
-.55/1 MF Q from Family is It's Own Reward
Final Price: .35 - .95 ea

Dukes Mayo, 2/$5
-.55/1 Printable
Final Price: 1.95

BC Warm Delights, 3/$5
-.50/1 BC Warm Delights or Minis SS 5/31 or printable
Final Price: .67 ea

Local Frugal Bloggers!

It's really great having local frugal bloggers because they often report on deals of which you can take advantage, and they catch deals that you might have missed. I have recently come across a few more so I thought I would list the frugal bloggers in the Nashville area:

Faithful Provisions
Frugal in Franklin
Nashville Cheapster
I Love Publix
Faithful and Frugal
Vanderbilt Wife
Ms. Cheap
Like Merchant Ships
Seed To Sow

If I have missed anyone, or if you know of another local frugal blogger, please leave me a link!