Keep the change...

Stealing a line from a bank that has a program touting its "savings" plans, I thought I would recall what happened yesterday when we went thru the Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru.

Warning: this story is not the slightest bit exciting or sexy, but it is an example of how I save.

I got a small coffee and donut for me, and for my son, I got what has to be one of his very favorite foods in the whole world: Cinn-Raisin bagel. The bill was $3.48. I handed the lady $4.

When she handed me my change, the quarters fell to the ground. There was really no debate. I opened the door, got out on the ground and picked up my 50 cents, plus the misc change from other drivers who had done the same thing. When I got back in the car I had more than $1 in change!

This money went into a small compartment in the car. That's where I keep my change. So that whenever the mood strikes me for coffee or for a milkshake for my son, I never worry about not having money. This "change" bin is always full. I put all the leftover change from various purchases, of whatever I find at the bottom of my purse, in there.

A closing note: things have been pretty hectic around here lately, and I haven't been able to write as much as I want. Hoping that they are calming down now and I can do more of my daily posts. Thanks for reading.

Cooking and cleaning....

Cooking Light is one of my favorite (if not my very favorite) magazines. My MIL 'Marie' gives it to me every year and it's the best gift because it gets used often, is very much appreciated and never ever goes out of style.

So when I saw on one of the blogs I follow (they are on the right side of the homepage of this blog) that Cooking Light was now $5 for a FULL YEAR I had to repost and find out more. Sure enough, Amazon is running the deal. Click the above link for more details.

I can honestly say that even if I didn't get this as a gift, it would remain, no matter what our financial straights the one magazine we kept. I get so many ideas from it, and just love sitting on the couch and sifting through the recipes. And they are timeless. My husband knows not to dare pitch the 2000 issue with post-it notes plastered on the inside from my days at 1616.

Happy Eating!!!

As for cleaning, my anger at Shoppers has subsided. One silver lining is the fact they double-bag all their plastic bags. This came in handy this week since bag our son's diapers in them before placing in trash can.

In addition to double bagging we put left over dryer sheets in the trash can too, so the smell is completely eliminated. Even if you don't have diaper issues, the left over dryer sheets would also work well in a linen closet and in clothes drawers.

Reader reports...

First up, from my college friend JL.

This AP story contains a lot of useful advice! I always follow a list and also write down on a piece of paper what coupons I have so I don't waste time flipping through flimpsy pieces of paper in the meal aisle wondering if I have to buy 2 or 3 Hamburger Helpers to get the 75 cents off.

Second, reader MTS (we went to hs together, she'll always be MT, just like I am likely always to be MS) sent this comment in:

I used coupons at the grocery store for the
first time in my life. I went on shopathome.com printed the coupons and
saved $14. Not bad for the first time, but I want to be one of those crazy
people that can get $150 in groceries for $50 or less!

I had never heard of shopathome.com before her email. But I checked it out, and not bad! Our printer is not hooked up so I didn't get the chance to use the coupons before I went out last night. I think someone at Shoppers had gone there though since I saw (and used, thanks anonymous donor) a printed coupon in the stock aisle.

I look forward to using that site, so thanks MTS!!!

Still stewing

A day later I am still really miffed about paying $3 more for a TGIF meal on Shoppers than I would have at Harris Teeter. The big BIG lesson learned: before shopping with coupons, especially coupons for fun items that I normally wouldnt buy (and a nearly $9 TGIF meal that will barely feed my husband certainly qualifies), check the circulars. Had I spent less than 5 minutes I would have seen that HT had it on sale...ugh!

Also, more on my dislike for Shoppers, their selzer is not as good as HT or Giant.

The bright spot of the day was our dinner. The recipe is courtesy of my friend Cathy. I will have to check if I have blogged this before, but to feed both of us a full and very filling meal cost about $9! That's $4.50 per person. What was this meal???

Crock pot pulled pork!!!

Ingredients:
Pork shoulder/butt (on sale a few weeks back, I paid $6.32)
Hamburger buns (we have so many from our hamburger nights, but they are about $1 pack at Target I think)
Bottle of BBQ (your choice, we used Trader Joe's)
Bottle of beer (bought last night, 6 pack was $5.99, so bottle was less $1)

I am sitting here stuffed. I didn't even eat dessert, something I never pass up!!!
Crock pots really are the greatest invention ever!

Triple coupons -- they paid off

A friend recommended Shoppers Food Warehouse, and since they along with Harris Teeter were having a triple-coupon special this week, I decided to give it a try. I went there first. I had gone to Shoppers in the past when we lived elsewhere but was never all that impressed.

I am sorry to report that my impressions from four years ago remained the same.

The prices were not THAT much cheaper, and infact they were were more expensive in some regards (milk for $3.69!) Campbells Chix noodle was more expensive ($1) than HT (.89), and butter was too (Shoppers $2.59, HT $2.49). They had some good promotions, such as Campbells Gravy 2/$1 (vs. HT $1.59/bogo), and Rice-a-roni for $1 always, but nothing in the store that will get me to come back without the triple coupons and even with them if another store has the same deal.

Bottom line at Shoppers, spent $63.93 for:
2 boxes of generic cereal (Oats&Almonds and Raisan Bran)
Generic cranberry sauce
3 boxes of ricearoni
2 boxes Hamburger Helper
Soft Scrub
2 patches of Ortega Taco Seasoning
3 bottles of generic seltzer
2 cartons of Progressive Chicken Broth
3 cans of Campbells Chix Noodle
4 cans of Campbells Gravy
1 jar of Paprika
1 package of Smithfield Bacon
1 package of Blueberry Waffles
2 packages of Totinos Frozen Pizza
1 package of TGIF Complete meals
1 package of Dole Frozen Fruits
1 package of Shredded Cheese
1 package of Unsalted Butter
1 package of generic Parmesan cheese
1 package of Nestle Choc Chip Cookie Dough
1 bottle of Suave

Total: $63.93
Total coupon savings: $18.65

According to the receipt I saved 23% of my bill with my coupons.

But, because I am rather certain they over charged me for one item (that if it was closer I would go back and complain) AND I paid full price for the TGIF meal when it was $3 off at HT, I do not feel like I saved that much. Ugh.

Then after coming home, having hubby unload car I went to HT.

Aside from the aforementioned TGIF meal savings (which I didn't buy since I already had used coupon), they had some good sales. They organize the coupon differently, so this is what I bought:

1 Reynolds Crock Pot Liner
1 can of Lysol Spray
1 package of Tostitos Lime Chips
1 jar of Franks Hot Sauce
1 box of Raisan Bran
1 bottle of V8 Fusion
1 box of HT cereal bars
1 box of Wolfgang Puck Stock
1 box of Wolfgang Puck Broth
1 bottle of Karo Syrup
1 6-pack of beer
1 gallon HT ice cream
1 carton of Welch's Grape Juice
1 roll of HT cinn breakfast rolls
1 package of Hormel Pepperoni

I spent a total of $34.05
I received $20.32 in coupon savings and an additional $8.93 in VIC promotions. So based on their prices and my coupons I saved nearly half the price of my bill...sweet.

I found that HT has better sales, as in the items are reduced by a greater amount when they are on sale. This is one reason I will remain loyal to HT.

Also, going over the list, you'll notice a lot of gravy and stock. My husband was confused and couldn't figure out why I got so much. The reason is because of the triple coupons and the sale price for these items because its the holidays they became super super cheap, especially the Wolfgang Puck which I would never otherwise buy. So now we are stocked up, no pun intended.

Triple coupons and more!!

Wow! Shoppers and Harris Teeter are doing Triple Coupons this week! And it appears Giant and Safeway are doing some pretty decent sales as well.

So, instead of going line by line am going to try to attach the respective fliers here.

These are likely to bring about serious savings....happy shopping! I plan on going out Monday and Tuesday nights! (yeah, I know the sad, exciting life of a suburban mom)

Shoppers (must enter zip code or pick store to see specifics)

Harris Teeter (only 20 coupons a day per household)

Safeway (made me enter a specific store, but you can change location. Highlight is coupon for free eggs!)

Giant (again had to enter a location, but you can change)

A carseat from Bridget for Bridget

I have been slammed of late, lots going on. I hope this dies down next week or so. We'll see.

Tonight's post is brief, but I am super excited. Last month I visited my old roommate in Connecticut and we lamented how great it would be for her to take the train to DC with her daughter (Bridget) and we could hang out down here like we did in Connecticut. But what about a carseat, she asked?

Ugh, hadn't thought that far ahead. She is pregnant and Amtrak is notorious about not being that helpful. I love Amtrak mind you, have taken it cross country and numerous other places...but customer service is sadly not their strong suit.

Then tonight, while procrastinating on a project, the top listing on Freecycle for my area was a 2008 car seat. Never been in an accident. I checked reviews, its safe. So we now have an extra car seat which is likely a good thing anyway, and hopefully that means Bridget can come visit next month and we can take her and my son to see the Christmas lights in DC.

Yippee!