I love couponing...

I went shopping today at CVS, Target, and Walmart. Between the three stores, I saved a total of $47.15 and only spent a total of $24.32 (including tax and stuff not bought with coupons). Plus, I now have $6.99 in ECBs (CVS money).

Here's a picture of what I bought at CVS.
My total without coupons or sales would have been $40.50, but using coupons (including one that printed at the register last time that I was there for $5 off a $30 purchase) and $9.99 in ECBs, I got everything shown above for only $9.50. I saved $31.00 or 77% off of the original total. I also received $6.99 in ECBs.

U by Kotex Tampons (18 count) -- $5.29
On sale for $4.99
Get $4.99 in ECBs (Limit 1)
$1 off (here)
FREE +$1 moneymaker after coupon and ECBs

Sobe Lifewater (20 oz.) -- $1.59
On sale for $0.88
Buy 1, get 1 free (here) You can play once a day and print the coupon 4 times each time that you win. I had 4 coupons total.
$0.44 each after coupon

Palmolive -- $2.39
On sale for $0.98

Colgate Wisps (4 count) -- $2.59
On sale buy 2, get 1 free
$0.50 off (7/25 SmartSource)
$1.56 each after coupon

Arm & Hammer Liquid Detergent -- $6.99 Buy 2 of these.
On sale 2 for $7.00
Get $2.00 in ECBs when you buy 2
$1 off 2 (here)
$2 each after coupon and ECBs

Ritz Crackers -- $3.99
On sale for $2.50

Filippo Berio Olive Oil (17 oz.) -- $8.49
On sale for $3.99
$1 off (here or here)
$2.99 after coupon

Here's a picture of what I bought at Target.

My total without coupons would have been $19.53, but using coupons, I got everything shown above for only $7.13. I saved $12.40 or 63% off of the original total.

Sobe Lifewater (20 oz.) -- $1.00 (price cut) Buy 2 of these.
Buy 1, get 1 free (manufacturer) You can play once a day and print the coupon 4 times each time that you win. I had 4 coupons total.
$0.50 off (Target)
Both FREE after coupons

Bagel Bites -- $2.24 (price cut till 7/31)
$1 off (6/13 SmartSource or here)
$1 off (Target)
$0.24 after coupons

Snyder's of Hanover Pretzels or Nibblers -- $2.24
$1 off (5/23 or 6/27 or 7/25 SmartSource)
$1 off (Target)
$0.24 after coupons

Hershey’s Bliss Chocolate Bar (1.3 oz) -- $0.99
$0.55 off (4/25 SmartSource)
$0.44 after coupon

Nature Valley Granola Bars -- $2.39 (price cut till 8/21) Buy 2 of these.
$0.75 off 2 (manufacturer)
$1 off (Target)
$1.02 each after coupons

Pepperidge Farm Milano Cookies -- $2.64
$0.55 off (here) Use 2 of these.
$1 off 2 (Target peelie coupon found on the packages)
$1.52 each after coupons

Here's a picture of what I bought at Walmart using coupons.My total without coupons would have been $3.77, but using coupons, I got everything shown above for only $0.02. I saved $3.75 or 99% off of the original total.

Schick Disposable Razors Slim Twin Pack (12 count) -- $1.99
$3 off (7/25 SmartSource)
FREE + $1 moneymaker after coupon

Nature's Own Bread -- $1.78

$0.75 off (here) Use zip code 28547.
$1.03 after coupon

Weekend Recap

This weekend was definitely a good one.

After work on Friday, I met Abby for lunch and then ran some errands before picking up G and heading out to my Aunt Liz's house for dinner. We had a great time catching up, eating dinner, playing fetch with Truman (Audrey's dog), and playing a very competitive game of Pictionary. Audrey left early Saturday morning to do mission work in the Dominican Republic for the next 6 weeks, so please keep her in your prayers.

On Saturday, Ben went in to work while I slept in. Once he got home (and I woke up!), we spent the rest of the day just doing things around the house. We tried to see Toy Story 3 in 3D at the Alamo Drafthouse that night, but unfortunately, it was sold out by the time that we go there, so we just ended up going to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings and then watching Avatar at home.

On Sunday, we went to church, ate lunch at Torchy's Tacos, and then ran by the grocery store before spending the rest of the day at home.

I think it's pretty safe to say that this weekend was a lot more lazy than our usual ones. Unlike most of our weekends, we didn't have a whole lot planned, and it really was so nice to just be able to lay around the house and enjoy each other's company.

I'm pretty sure Annie and Amos would have to agree.
Hope you had a wonderful weekend, too. :)

Drug Store Savings

I went shopping yesterday at CVS and Walgreens. Between both stores, I saved a total of $20.54 and only spent a total of $3.29 (including tax and stuff not bought with coupons). Plus, I now have $8.99 in ECBs (CVS money).

Here's a picture of what I bought at CVS.
My total without coupons or sales would have been $17.05, but using coupons (including one that printed at the register last time that I was there for $3 off a $15 purchase) and $5 in ECBs, I got everything shown above for only $0.30. I saved $16.75 or 98% off of the original total. I also received $8.99 in ECBs.

Bausch & Lomb Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution (2 oz.) -- $2.99
Get $2 in ECBs (Limit 2)
$2 off (here)
FREE + $1 moneymaker after coupon and ECBs

Pretzel M&M’s (snack size) -- $0.89 Buy 2 of these.

On sale for 2 for $1.00
Get $1 in ECBs when you buy 2 (Limit 1)

Both FREE after ECBs

Dentyne Gum -- $1.29
$1 off (6/13 SmartSource)
$0.29 after coupon

Gillette ProGlide Power or Manual Razor -- $10.99
On sale for $9.97
Get $5 in ECBs (Limit 1)
$4 off (6/6 P&G)
$0.97 after coupon and ECBs

Here's a picture of what I bought at Walgreens.
My total without coupons or sales would have been $6.78, but using coupons, I got everything shown above for only $2.99. I saved $3.79 or 56% off of the original total. I also received $3.50 in RRs.

Colgate Total Advanced Clean Paste or Gel or Advanced Whitening Paste -- $4.49
On sale for $3.49
Get $3.49 in RRs
$1 off (7/11 SmartSource)
FREE + $1 moneymaker after coupon and RRs

Kettle Chips (5 oz.) -- $2.29
On sale for $1.50
$1 off (6/13 SmartSource)
$0.50 after coupon

Music Video

Check out Ben's cousins' bands' first music video...

From Where They Run -- "Sleep When I'm Dead"

Tyler Wheeler -- Stand-Up Bass
Nolan Wheeler -- Guitar & Vocals
Patrick Wheeler -- Cajon & Percussion
Danny Matthews -- Guitar & Vocals
A.J. Molyneaux -- Guitar
(left to right)

Weekend Savings

I went shopping this weekend at CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart. Between all 3 stores, I saved a total of $53.83 and only spent a total of $20.40 (including tax and stuff not bought with coupons). Plus, I now have $3.99 in ECBs (CVS money).

Here's a picture of what I bought at CVS.
My total without coupons or sales would have been $27.40, but using coupons (including one that printed at the register last time that I was there for $3 off a $15 purchase) and $8 in ECBs, I got everything shown above for only $0.14. I saved $27.26 or 99% off of the original total. I also received $3.99 in ECBs.

Trident Layers Gum -- $1.49
Get 1 package free (coupon that printed at the register last time)
FREE after coupon

Gatorade -- $1.99
On sale for $0.77

Biotrue Multi-Purpose Solution (2 oz.) -- $2.99
Get $2.99 in ECBs (Limit 2)
$2 off (here)
$0.99 + a $2 moneymaker after coupon and ECBs

Welch’s Grape Juice (64 oz.) -- $4.99 Buy 2 of these.
On sale for $3.00 each
Get $1 in ECBs when you buy 2 (Limit 1)
$1 off (here) Use 2 of these.
$1.50 each after coupon and ECBs

Q-tips (375 count) -- $2.99
On sale for $2.50
$0.30 off (5/23 RedPlum)
$2.20 after coupon

Here's a picture of what I bought at Walgreens.
My total without coupons or sales would have been $18.34, but using coupons, I got everything shown above for only $5.27. I saved $13.07 or 71% off of the original total.

Scunci Hair Accessories Value packs -- $2.99 Buy 2 of these.
$1.99 each (in-ad coupon) Will apply to both of them.
On sale buy 1 get 1 free Will deduct $2.99 from the total.
$0.25 each after coupons and sale

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish (6.6 oz.) --$2.19
On sale for $0.99
$0.35 off (here)
$0.64 after coupon

Nature's Valley -- $3.99
On sale for $2.00
$0.50 off (here)
$1.50 after coupon

Here's a picture of what I bought at Walmart using coupons.
My total without coupons would have been $22.60, but using coupons , I got everything shown above for only $9.10. I saved $13.50 or 60% off of the original total.

Degree Deodorant (travel size) -- $0.97
$1 off (here)
FREE after coupon

Tide Laundry Detergent (travel size) – $0.97
$1 off (7/4 P&G)
FREE after coupon

Suave Professionals Shampoo -- $1.84
Get 1 free (coupon that I received in the mail)
FREE after coupon

Red Baron Pizza by the Slice -- $2.96
$2 off (here)
$0.96 after coupon

Yo-Plus Yogurt -- $1.92
$0.50 off (7/11 SmartSource)
$1.42 after coupon

Yoplait Smoothie -- $2.88
$1 off (5/30 SmartSource)
$1.88 after coupon

Kashi Cereal -- $2.88
$1 off (coupon that came in another cereal box)
$1.88 after coupon

Blue Bell Ice Cream -- $4.25
$1 off (here)
$3.25 after coupon

In just 50 days...

We will be leaving Austin to spend a long Labor Day weekend here.
Destin, FL -- here we come!!! I can hardly wait!

A Little Bit of Couponing

I didn't have too much on my grocery list for this weekend (most likely due to the fact that I went grocery shopping at 5 stores last weekend), so today's trip involved only one store -- CVS.

Here's a picture of what I bought at CVS.
My total without coupons or sales would have been $27.07, but using coupons (including one that printed at the register last time that I was there for $3 off a $15 purchase) and $2 in ECBs, I got everything shown above for only $0.24. I saved $26.83 or 99% (WOW!!!) off of the original total. I also received a couple of coupons at the end of my receipt to be used on my next trip. The first once is for $3 off a $15 purchase, and the other is $1 in ECBs.

Sobe Lifewater -- $1.59
On sale buy 1 get 1 free (Limit 6)
Buy 1 get 1 free (here)
12 bottles FREE after coupons

Charmin Toilet Paper -- $7.99
On sale for $5.49
Get $1 in ECBs
$0.25 off (7/4 P&G)
$4.24 after coupon and ECB

Pretty good, huh??? Percentage-wise, this was definitely my best couponing trip yet!

Happy Birthday Steve & Fan!

After work today, Ben and I met his family downtown to celebrate Steve's birthday at Perry's Steakhouse & Grille.
Bud, Jeanne, and Tony from APAC came, too, and it was so nice to finally meet the people that Ben's parents have been working so closely with since Wheeler Coatings was bought out -- except for Jeanne, of course. She's more like family now. Although, I'm not sure if she would consider that a good thing or not. :)
This was our first time to eat at Perry's, and the food was amazing! I had the petite surf and turf -- the steak was great, and the lobster was definitely the best that I've ever had. The desserts were pretty delicious, too. We ordered a couple of pieces of chocolate cake for the table, and Perry's brought out a dessert trio (creme brulee, Grand Marnier truffle, and praline cheesecake) for Steve's birthday. I, of course, just had to have a bite of each one, which I knew was going to leave me feeling miserable later, but it was totally worth it.

Happy 61st Birthday, Steve! I hope this year is the best one yet.

Today is also the birthday of one of my favorite grad school friends, Fan. Unfortunately, we weren't able to celebrate it with her in College Station, but hopefully, she'll visit us again soon.

I love this picture of the birthday girl with her birthday flowers.
Happy 31st Birthday, Fan! I hope that you had a wonderful day and that you know how special you are to us!

Two Week Recap

I realized today that I haven't written a "real" blog post (a.k.a. one that is not coupon related) in a little over 2 weeks, and I'm thinking that it has something to do with the fact that we've been just a little on the busy side these past couple of weeks. We've done so many fun things, and I really did have the best of intentions to blog about each and every event, but unfortunately, it just never happened. Therefore, in order to catch all of you up on my super exciting life (yes, I do realize that I may be a little biased), here are some of the highlights from the past 2 weeks:

• We went over to G's house for dinner. She served Swiss steak and mashed potatoes (my favorite!) and even made her famous chocolate pie.


• I went to Cheryl's baby shower at The Belmont. Everything about the shower was so cute and coordinated in blue and brown -- even her precious nieces Lily and Sadie.
• We went to Alex and Philipp's wedding at the Salt Lick. We had a great time catching up with old friends and were so glad that we were able to be there to help celebrate Alex and Philipp's big day.


• We went to Abby's family's lake house in Marble Falls for Allen's birthday and spent the day out on Lake LBJ swimming and soaking up the sun.


• I went to see the Twilight Trilogy at the movie theater with Abby, her mom Debbie, and a few of Abby's sisters-in-law and nieces. The first movie started at 7:15, and the last one came on a little after midnight. Needless to say, my rear was a little sore after sitting there for over 6 hours, but it was lots of fun.
  
• I took the day off from work so that I could sleep in after being at the movie theater all night the night before. I planned to clean house, but because I have such a wonderful husband, he surprised me by doing almost everything while I was at the theater the night before.


• We met Ben's family for dinner at Guero's on South Congress, and then Ben and I swung by Hey Cupcake on the way home to get a couple of Michael Jackson cupcakes.


• Ben's cousin Matt and his girlfriend Lexi came in town from Corpus Christi, so we met the two of them and Aunt Kim, Uncle Matt, Sam, Josh, and Nolan at Pappadeaux for dinner.


• We helped Ben's friend Garrett and his parents move into their new house. In addition to helping load and unload the truck, I also pulled the weeds that were growing in their new flowerbeds. At one point, my arm brushed up against what looked like poison ivy, but I wasn't exactly sure.


• We met Jason and Cheryl at Baby Acapulco's for dinner. The food was delicious -- especially after a long day of helping the Whites move, and the conversation was pretty interesting, too.
  
• We met John and Arian to watch the fireworks downtown. We were a little unsure as to where to go to watch them since we had never been before, but we found the perfect spot at the edge of the bridge on South 1st.
• We went to PF Chang's to celebrate Cheryl's birthday with a surprise dinner that Jason had arranged with all of their friends. Unfortunately, one of the girls didn't know it was a surprise and said something to Cheryl earlier that day, but nonetheless, we still had lots of fun.
  
• I realized that I do in fact have poison ivy on my arm and that is spreading. I put some lotion on it and made a late-night run to Walgreens to get some Benadryl, so hopefully it will clear up soon.

Well, I think that about sums my past 2 weeks. Hopefully it lived up to your expectations and you don't feel like you just lost 5 minutes of your life. :)

A Coupon Post

Because this weekend was a long one, I was able to go to to several different stores to get lots and lots of deals. I went to Walgreens and CVS on Friday (so unfortunately those deals are no longer running), Target on Saturday, and HEB and Walmart today. Between all 5 stores, I saved a total of $43.11 and only spent a total of $90.76 (including tax and stuff not bought with coupons). Plus, I now have $7 in ECBs (CVS money) and a coupon for $3 off a $15 purchase at CVS.

Here's a picture of what I bought at Walgreens using coupons.

My total without coupons or sales would have been $16.47, but using coupons and $2 in RRs, I got everything shown above for only $3.99. I saved $12.48 or 76% off of the original total.

Finesse Shampoo or Conditioner -- $3.99 Buy 2 of these.

On sale buy 1, get 1 free

$1 off (5/16 SmartSource)

$3 off mail-in rebate (5/16 SmartSource)
FREE after coupon and rebate

Purina Dog Food (4 lb) -- $8.49

On sale for $5.00

$2 off (6/27 SmartSource)
$3.00 after coupon

Here's a picture of what I bought at CVS using coupons.

My total without coupons or sales would have been $8.55, but using coupons, I got everything shown above for only $1.50. I saved $7.05 or 82% off of the original total. I also received a couple of coupons at the end of my receipt to be used on my next trip. The first once is for $3 off a $15 purchase, and the other is $7 in ECBs, which represents the 2% cash back (in the form of ECBs) on every purchase in-store and online that prints out every three months.

Pretzel M&M’s (snack size) -- $0.89 Buy 2 of these.

On sale buy 1 get 1 free

Buy 1 get 1 free (6/27 RedPlum)

Both FREE after coupon

Package of Birthday Cards (6) -- $4.99
On 75% off clearance shelf
$1.50 for the package or $0.25 each

Here's a picture of what I bought at Target using coupons.

My total without coupons would have been $14.28, but using coupons and a $5 gift card that I received last time, I got everything shown above for only $0.99. I saved $13.29 or 93% off of the original total.

Bull's Eye BBQ Sauce -- $1.25 (price cut till 7/17)
$1 off (here)
$0.25 after coupon

Betty Crocker Brownie Mix – $0.69 (price cut) Buy 2 of these.

$0.75 off 2 (5/20 General Mills)
$0.32 each after coupon

Ocean Spray Blueberry Juice Cocktail (64 oz) -- $1.98 (price cut until 7/17)

$1 off (5/2 RedPlum or here)
$0.98 after coupon

Red Baron Pizza by the Slice -- $2.99
$2 off (here)
$0.99 after coupon

Nature's Valley Granola Bars -- $2.44
$0.50 off (here)
$1.94 after coupon

Here's a picture of what I bought at HEB using coupons.
My total without coupons or sales would have been $14.02, but using coupons, I got everything shown above for only $5.98. I saved $8.04 or 57% off of the original total.

Kibbles 'n Bits -- $11.52
On sale for $9.48
$2 off (HEB coupon that I received at the register last time)
$1.50 off (6/6 RedPlum)
$5.98 after coupons

Skinny Cow Ice Cream -- $1.25
On sale for $1.00

$1 off (here)

FREE after coupon

Here's a picture of what I bought at Walmart.
My total without coupons would have been $7.26, but using coupons, I got everything shown above for only $5.01. I saved $2.25 or 31% off of the original total.

Yo-Plus Yogurt -- $1.92

$0.50 off (here)

$1.42 after coupon

Nature's Own Bread -- $1.78

$0.75 off (here) Use zip code 28547.

$1.03 after coupon

David's Sunflower Seeds -- $1.78 Buy 2 of these.
$1 off 2 (here)
$1.28 each after coupon