Well - I am not down any this week. I was in Disneyland last week and by no means was watching what I ate. (Not to mention the ice cream was way too tempting.) But I am glad to say I didn't gain any.
I continue to not have many problems eating any particular item. (*knock on wood*) I definitely have reached my limit a couple of times - but luckily not had any of the "normal" ill affects. Which is good and bad... maybe if I had the bad affects I would be more careful.
So - the journey continues now that I am back to normal after all of these holidays.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Lapband upate 12/12/09
I am officially one month since surgery. I can't believe it has already been a month. Since Nov 3rd (when they put me on the liquid diet) I am down 26 pounds. I am down another 2.2 since last week. By the way this also marks that I am down over 40 lbs since February. So the pic on Facebook and here - shows me 40 lbs heavier, crazy huh?
I can't say this week has been easy. I have been crazy hungry. I do really well for breakfast, egg beaters on a piece of toast. I have even been bringing lunch to ensure I don't eat too much. But the in between times have been getting me. I have brought half an apple, celery w/peanut butter and even some wheat thins to snack on at work. But I will still be hungry. Then as I am making dinner I tend to have a couple crackers... I know none of this "sounds" like a lot but when you are only supposed to have 4oz three times a day... it isn't good.
I had a mini-break down last night - felt like I was failing. I went on a rapid walk, 2.2 miles. The dog protested about half way through - boy I think she needs the excerise more than I do! It helped clear my head a bit though, and getting on the scale this morning and seeing that I was down a bit more definitely helped.
It is not an easy journey but I definitely want to succeed. I can't keep carrying the extra weight. So one step at a time I guess.
I can't say this week has been easy. I have been crazy hungry. I do really well for breakfast, egg beaters on a piece of toast. I have even been bringing lunch to ensure I don't eat too much. But the in between times have been getting me. I have brought half an apple, celery w/peanut butter and even some wheat thins to snack on at work. But I will still be hungry. Then as I am making dinner I tend to have a couple crackers... I know none of this "sounds" like a lot but when you are only supposed to have 4oz three times a day... it isn't good.
I had a mini-break down last night - felt like I was failing. I went on a rapid walk, 2.2 miles. The dog protested about half way through - boy I think she needs the excerise more than I do! It helped clear my head a bit though, and getting on the scale this morning and seeing that I was down a bit more definitely helped.
It is not an easy journey but I definitely want to succeed. I can't keep carrying the extra weight. So one step at a time I guess.
When your original Grocery Bill is $425...
Try NOT TO PANIC!
I mean good grief - who needs $425 worth of groceries! But hey, I do have three teen age boys and a husband who tends to think he still is also.
Now before I break it down - I did have $60 worth of iTunes gift cards in there (which got me $10 off toward my next shopping trip.) So total groceries 365.51.
Albertson's
Total Bill: $425.51 (with the Gift Cards) $365.51 without
Club Card: -$114.37
Coupons: - $28.85
Total Savings: - $143.22
Out of pocket: $202.29 (Without the GC)
Total number of items - 119 (w/o GC) $1.70 an item.
So this week in addition to the usual (milk and juice - the boys go through 4 - 5 gallons in a week, at least 4 gallons of OJ ) I picked up some scallops (that were 9.99 a pound!) for a recipe I found - I will let you know if it turns out.
I picked up their beef roast for 1.99 a pound, several boxes of Cocoa Puffs, cake mix and frosting, WAY too many pillsbury bisquit/pie crust/cinnamon roll tubes, 24 ct Aquafina water, shrimp for jambalaya, steak they had on sale that I cut up for use in chili and a recipe I found called "Coal Miners Pasties." Which also called for a turnip - which I did pick up. Another I will have to let you know how it turned out. I have never had or used turnips so this should be interesting.
I have decided that some of my holiday baking needs to include cupcakes - I have over 15 boxes of cake mix - so I think my neighbors might be getting cupcakes. (They may also get cinnamon rolls - considering the ridiculous amounts of tubes I have.)
Here is a yummy thing to make - super easy. I made home made pizza the other night. I used the Betty Crocker recipe for pizza crust. (water, flour, yeast, sugar and oil I think), then in the food processor - processed a can of tomatoes - with basil, garlic and oregano (already in the can.) I pre-baked the crusts a little as per directions, poured about 1/3 to almost a half of the sauce on each of the crusts. Added browned hamburger seasoned with onion, garlic salt and pepper, pepporoni and two kinds of shredded cheese. (I was out of mozz - so I used monteray jack and mild cheddar.) I baked about 12 - 15 minutes. They LOVED it! They ate both pizzas!
This week I also made an enchilada caserole - so easy to make.
1 lb Browned hamburger with onion which I seasoned with pepper and garlic salt. Heated up refried beans to make them easier to deal with. I put a bit of canned enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 13X9 pyrex dish, put about 4.5 corn torillas on the bottom (had to break a few in half) I only let them overlap a small bit. Then took about half the refried beans and covered the tortillas. Then half of the burger and onion, half a can of diced green chilis, shredded cheese, a bit of sauce and repeated the steps for a second layer. I covered that with another layer of tortillas, sauce and cheese. Baked for about 25 minutes. Again, they loved it. Even had seconds!
So on the list for this week:
Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Chili
Jambalaya
Seared Scallops
Coal Miner Pasties
Island Chicken with a mango/pineapple salsa - thought it would be a great change to traditional "winter fare"
Josh wants me to make home made corn dogs for his birthday dinner next Sunday. I picked up corn bread mix, again I will let you know how it goes.
I mean good grief - who needs $425 worth of groceries! But hey, I do have three teen age boys and a husband who tends to think he still is also.
Now before I break it down - I did have $60 worth of iTunes gift cards in there (which got me $10 off toward my next shopping trip.) So total groceries 365.51.
Albertson's
Total Bill: $425.51 (with the Gift Cards) $365.51 without
Club Card: -$114.37
Coupons: - $28.85
Total Savings: - $143.22
Out of pocket: $202.29 (Without the GC)
Total number of items - 119 (w/o GC) $1.70 an item.
So this week in addition to the usual (milk and juice - the boys go through 4 - 5 gallons in a week, at least 4 gallons of OJ ) I picked up some scallops (that were 9.99 a pound!) for a recipe I found - I will let you know if it turns out.
I picked up their beef roast for 1.99 a pound, several boxes of Cocoa Puffs, cake mix and frosting, WAY too many pillsbury bisquit/pie crust/cinnamon roll tubes, 24 ct Aquafina water, shrimp for jambalaya, steak they had on sale that I cut up for use in chili and a recipe I found called "Coal Miners Pasties." Which also called for a turnip - which I did pick up. Another I will have to let you know how it turned out. I have never had or used turnips so this should be interesting.
I have decided that some of my holiday baking needs to include cupcakes - I have over 15 boxes of cake mix - so I think my neighbors might be getting cupcakes. (They may also get cinnamon rolls - considering the ridiculous amounts of tubes I have.)
Here is a yummy thing to make - super easy. I made home made pizza the other night. I used the Betty Crocker recipe for pizza crust. (water, flour, yeast, sugar and oil I think), then in the food processor - processed a can of tomatoes - with basil, garlic and oregano (already in the can.) I pre-baked the crusts a little as per directions, poured about 1/3 to almost a half of the sauce on each of the crusts. Added browned hamburger seasoned with onion, garlic salt and pepper, pepporoni and two kinds of shredded cheese. (I was out of mozz - so I used monteray jack and mild cheddar.) I baked about 12 - 15 minutes. They LOVED it! They ate both pizzas!
This week I also made an enchilada caserole - so easy to make.
1 lb Browned hamburger with onion which I seasoned with pepper and garlic salt. Heated up refried beans to make them easier to deal with. I put a bit of canned enchilada sauce on the bottom of a 13X9 pyrex dish, put about 4.5 corn torillas on the bottom (had to break a few in half) I only let them overlap a small bit. Then took about half the refried beans and covered the tortillas. Then half of the burger and onion, half a can of diced green chilis, shredded cheese, a bit of sauce and repeated the steps for a second layer. I covered that with another layer of tortillas, sauce and cheese. Baked for about 25 minutes. Again, they loved it. Even had seconds!
So on the list for this week:
Monte Cristo Sandwiches
Chili
Jambalaya
Seared Scallops
Coal Miner Pasties
Island Chicken with a mango/pineapple salsa - thought it would be a great change to traditional "winter fare"
Josh wants me to make home made corn dogs for his birthday dinner next Sunday. I picked up corn bread mix, again I will let you know how it goes.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Bariatric Surgery and Me
So I thought I would also use this space to talk about recent changes to my life.
I had bariatric surgery on 11/13/09. They installed the "lap band" device on my stomach. For more information on the actual device and how it works - click here.
To recap what has happened since Insurance Approval:
On 11/03/09 - they told me I had to go on a liquid diet - this consisted of 3 - 4 protein shakes per day and one salad. In this process I found out, the hard way, I was a bit "lactose intolerant." So I felt like crap for a week and a half. However I lost 9 lbs during that time frame.
11/13/09 - I worked that morning until noon. I arrived at the hospital at 130pm and wasn't taken for surgery until after 4pm. I remember on my way to the surgery room having a mild panic attack thinking I had lost my mind for doing this...I woke from surgery feeling like I had been hit by a mack truck a bit after 7pm. The procedure for a normal Lapband is about 45 minutes. They said that mine took a bit longer because I had a bad "hiatal hernia." By the time they got me into a room it was after 9. Darren was a trooper and stayed with me until after 11 - which I told him to go home as I was in and out of sleep by this time. I walked some, slept some and was in general pain most of the time even with the pain killers they were giving me.
The next day after they checked me for "leaks" (much less common in a lapband proceedure) I was able to have "food." They gave me 2 tbls each of broth, crystal light lemonade and diet jello. This I was barely able to tolerate. I luckily was released at lunch time. Which Darren took me home and I was able to repeat my 2 tbls each of the above and promptly hit the bed.
Sunday 11/15, I took some loratab (liquid) and had Darren take me to the grocery store to walk (and buy our essentials.) I really was questioning what I had done to myself since I felt like such crap.
Monday 11/16 - I called out of work and took it easy this day. I went back to work on Tuesday, I was sore and my shoulders and neck felt like they were in bad need of a massage. They say that is because of the gas they put in your belly to be able to do the proceedure.
The rest of the week was uneventful, from not feeling well I was not drinking enough water and by the next week, felt run down and beat up. I managed to get through Thanksgiving - had a tbls of the things I liked. but was bad when it came to the left over goodies, I picked at my birthday cake and the pies over the weekend. So I threw them out on Sunday.
When I returned to work on Monday 11/30, I was taking extra special care to eat small portions. I had (and still use) a scale by my dinner setting each night.
Last week I bought a couple cases of water to have at work since my skin dried out, my legs broke out and I generally was feeling crappy. I had no more soreness from the surgery.
This week marks that I am down 24 lbs since 11/03/09. I am down a total 39 lbs since my heaviest weigh in this year, back in February.
From here out I will let you know how I progress. Right now my focus is - DRINK WATER!
I had bariatric surgery on 11/13/09. They installed the "lap band" device on my stomach. For more information on the actual device and how it works - click here.
To recap what has happened since Insurance Approval:
On 11/03/09 - they told me I had to go on a liquid diet - this consisted of 3 - 4 protein shakes per day and one salad. In this process I found out, the hard way, I was a bit "lactose intolerant." So I felt like crap for a week and a half. However I lost 9 lbs during that time frame.
11/13/09 - I worked that morning until noon. I arrived at the hospital at 130pm and wasn't taken for surgery until after 4pm. I remember on my way to the surgery room having a mild panic attack thinking I had lost my mind for doing this...I woke from surgery feeling like I had been hit by a mack truck a bit after 7pm. The procedure for a normal Lapband is about 45 minutes. They said that mine took a bit longer because I had a bad "hiatal hernia." By the time they got me into a room it was after 9. Darren was a trooper and stayed with me until after 11 - which I told him to go home as I was in and out of sleep by this time. I walked some, slept some and was in general pain most of the time even with the pain killers they were giving me.
The next day after they checked me for "leaks" (much less common in a lapband proceedure) I was able to have "food." They gave me 2 tbls each of broth, crystal light lemonade and diet jello. This I was barely able to tolerate. I luckily was released at lunch time. Which Darren took me home and I was able to repeat my 2 tbls each of the above and promptly hit the bed.
Sunday 11/15, I took some loratab (liquid) and had Darren take me to the grocery store to walk (and buy our essentials.) I really was questioning what I had done to myself since I felt like such crap.
Monday 11/16 - I called out of work and took it easy this day. I went back to work on Tuesday, I was sore and my shoulders and neck felt like they were in bad need of a massage. They say that is because of the gas they put in your belly to be able to do the proceedure.
The rest of the week was uneventful, from not feeling well I was not drinking enough water and by the next week, felt run down and beat up. I managed to get through Thanksgiving - had a tbls of the things I liked. but was bad when it came to the left over goodies, I picked at my birthday cake and the pies over the weekend. So I threw them out on Sunday.
When I returned to work on Monday 11/30, I was taking extra special care to eat small portions. I had (and still use) a scale by my dinner setting each night.
Last week I bought a couple cases of water to have at work since my skin dried out, my legs broke out and I generally was feeling crappy. I had no more soreness from the surgery.
This week marks that I am down 24 lbs since 11/03/09. I am down a total 39 lbs since my heaviest weigh in this year, back in February.
From here out I will let you know how I progress. Right now my focus is - DRINK WATER!
Finally a day of savings! Saved over $100
The last couple weeks I have been very disappointed in the grocery sales ads. Seems that more emphasis has been on the retail outlets than groceries. This week though - I had to break down and restock my freezer with meat - thank goodness Smith's did a meat sale! I also picked up some additional items to do some holiday baking, plus all the normal weekly items. (Milk, juice, eggs.)
Total Bill: $323.82
Club Card: -$89.05
Coupons: - $14.75
Total Savings: - $103.80
Out of pocket: $220.02
Number of Items: 116 ($1.90 an item) Remember that is with two large packages of boneless/skinless chicken breasts, 2 max packs of hamburger meat - plus I grabbed some "reduced price" meats like seasoned pork tenderloins, hamburger patties, turkey burger patties. My cart was so full we had to grab a second cart for the juice, milk and some canned goods like Chunk All White Tuna in Water (10 for $10!) We also grabbed the sale priced and couponed NAME BRAND cereals (which my youngest still says "Who are you and what have you done with my mother" when he sees them.)
Long gone are the days of "generic"!
Also - on a previous shopping trip I picked up "Aussie" hair care products on sale and with coupons. Let me just say - AWESOME! I have very dry hair. With living in the desert, washing my hair every day and blow drying it - a special "moist" conditioner is needed. Aussie's Moist - is one of the best! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this to go on sale again and use my coupons to get it for less than a $1.50 a bottle!
I do keep an eye out for other coupons. This week I had seen a coupon for the Scrubbing Bubbles Auto-Shower - which I just so happened to run out of last week. So although they were not on sale - at least I had a "$2" off of 2 coupon to get me through.
One more bonus in getting the Sunday paper: as I was looking through the ads, I found a coupon for Guitar Center: "Take and additional $25 off a purchase of $199 or more" - this is perfect because we had planned on getting my middle son a guitar with amp and they have a bundle for a Strat with Amp for $199! So I will be saving on Christmas Presents! (Ok so actually this is his birthday present - but let's not split hairs. His b-day is the 22nd.)
So great savings this week!
Total Bill: $323.82
Club Card: -$89.05
Coupons: - $14.75
Total Savings: - $103.80
Out of pocket: $220.02
Number of Items: 116 ($1.90 an item) Remember that is with two large packages of boneless/skinless chicken breasts, 2 max packs of hamburger meat - plus I grabbed some "reduced price" meats like seasoned pork tenderloins, hamburger patties, turkey burger patties. My cart was so full we had to grab a second cart for the juice, milk and some canned goods like Chunk All White Tuna in Water (10 for $10!) We also grabbed the sale priced and couponed NAME BRAND cereals (which my youngest still says "Who are you and what have you done with my mother" when he sees them.)
Long gone are the days of "generic"!
Also - on a previous shopping trip I picked up "Aussie" hair care products on sale and with coupons. Let me just say - AWESOME! I have very dry hair. With living in the desert, washing my hair every day and blow drying it - a special "moist" conditioner is needed. Aussie's Moist - is one of the best! I will definitely be keeping an eye out for this to go on sale again and use my coupons to get it for less than a $1.50 a bottle!
I do keep an eye out for other coupons. This week I had seen a coupon for the Scrubbing Bubbles Auto-Shower - which I just so happened to run out of last week. So although they were not on sale - at least I had a "$2" off of 2 coupon to get me through.
One more bonus in getting the Sunday paper: as I was looking through the ads, I found a coupon for Guitar Center: "Take and additional $25 off a purchase of $199 or more" - this is perfect because we had planned on getting my middle son a guitar with amp and they have a bundle for a Strat with Amp for $199! So I will be saving on Christmas Presents! (Ok so actually this is his birthday present - but let's not split hairs. His b-day is the 22nd.)
So great savings this week!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Thanksgiving AND necessities - AND saved????
Well I did it. I managed to buy everything I needed for Thanksgiving dinner (minus the bird), got our weekly needs and still saved! I love Couponing!
So here is the low down:
Total Bill: $282.06 (which I could have sworn it said 287 but hey...)
Club Card: -$94.27 (I also used my $17 points gold coupon that was mailed)
Coupons: - $10.15
REUSABLE BAG credit!: -.35
Total Savings: - $104.77
Out of pocket: $177.29
Number of Items: 98 ($1.81 an item)
I got our milk, juice, eggs, lunch meat as well as the $5 pyrex 9X13 dishes! I got cool whip, readiwhip, veggies, stuffing, 10 lbs of potatoes for $1.50 - all I needed for the big day this week.
Now one thing to note - I did go to Walgreens last week - they had coupons for cranberry jelly, french's onions, sweet potatoes and the campbell's gravy that I picked up.
One extra note - I ordered a Honey Baked Ham last week. (I ordered the "mini" since we are doing a HUGE bird, 4 lbs should be plenty for the 12 - 16 I am expecting.) The reason I mention this is... on "retailmenot.com" they have coupons for SO many sites. I found one that worked and saved $5.20! I did have to try a couple to get one to go through but it did work. The ham was delivered in two days. (I could have saved more off shipping if I had paid better attention to the site and found that I could have picked up in store!)
So here is the low down:
Total Bill: $282.06 (which I could have sworn it said 287 but hey...)
Club Card: -$94.27 (I also used my $17 points gold coupon that was mailed)
Coupons: - $10.15
REUSABLE BAG credit!: -.35
Total Savings: - $104.77
Out of pocket: $177.29
Number of Items: 98 ($1.81 an item)
I got our milk, juice, eggs, lunch meat as well as the $5 pyrex 9X13 dishes! I got cool whip, readiwhip, veggies, stuffing, 10 lbs of potatoes for $1.50 - all I needed for the big day this week.
Now one thing to note - I did go to Walgreens last week - they had coupons for cranberry jelly, french's onions, sweet potatoes and the campbell's gravy that I picked up.
One extra note - I ordered a Honey Baked Ham last week. (I ordered the "mini" since we are doing a HUGE bird, 4 lbs should be plenty for the 12 - 16 I am expecting.) The reason I mention this is... on "retailmenot.com" they have coupons for SO many sites. I found one that worked and saved $5.20! I did have to try a couple to get one to go through but it did work. The ham was delivered in two days. (I could have saved more off shipping if I had paid better attention to the site and found that I could have picked up in store!)
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Update from 11/07/09
I didn't think I had much on my list of items to get. But I managed to fill up my cart that is for sure. Although I didn't do as well as I have done in previous weeks... still not too shabby.
Smith's was my target on Saturday.
Total Bill: $289.72
Club Card: -$81.59
Coupons: - $9.35
Total Savings: - $90.94
Out of pocket: $198.78
Number of Items: 96
About $2.07 an item - and to give you an idea of what was in my cart:
Dog food, milk, 4lbs of hamburger, name brand cereal, lunch meat, Aussie Hair products etc... so nothing to shabby!
So keep on trying out there... this week I am looking forward to actually not having to shop. With Lapband surgery coming on Friday, I won't be up to doing much this weekend. (Who knows maybe I will get a wild hair and go anyway :) that's what kids are for right?
Smith's was my target on Saturday.
Total Bill: $289.72
Club Card: -$81.59
Coupons: - $9.35
Total Savings: - $90.94
Out of pocket: $198.78
Number of Items: 96
About $2.07 an item - and to give you an idea of what was in my cart:
Dog food, milk, 4lbs of hamburger, name brand cereal, lunch meat, Aussie Hair products etc... so nothing to shabby!
So keep on trying out there... this week I am looking forward to actually not having to shop. With Lapband surgery coming on Friday, I won't be up to doing much this weekend. (Who knows maybe I will get a wild hair and go anyway :) that's what kids are for right?
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Couponing has impressed me yet again!
This week was Smith's week. Looking through the three main grocery store lists - Smith's had more things that caught my eye.
I had to go tonight after Girl Scouts because I am off to Portland in the morning and didn't want to leave it to the end. So when I got there... it didn't start off too well. The Gala Apples were "supposed" to be on sale for $.69 - they weren't... so I got the Golden Delicious instead (which were .69) and then they were out of the Dole Garden Salad bags that were $1 a bag. THEN they were out of the $1 Hormel Salami and Pepperoni... I was starting to get disappointed. However, I got just about everything else I had wanted, plus my usual weekly needs.
SO!
Total Bill: $333.37
Club Card: -$143.67
Coupons: - 47.25
Total Savings: -190.92
Out of pocket: $142.45
Number of Items: 110
So I definitely saved more then I spent - HURRAY! That is a $1.30 an item. That includes my milk, eggs, lunch meat, chicken at reduced price... However, to be honest, the checker didn't seem to check the coupons too closely. If something didn't ring properly he forced it through. I did manage to catch (before he forced it) a toilet paper coupon - realizing I had bought two and not three - so I stopped him for that. But as he was searching for the price to give me off for the Ricola (coupon was buy a reg Ricola get the Berry flavor free) - I realized that he had already rung and forced through the Tombstone Pizza coupons when I realized - Oops they said buy TWO get $1.50 off... I bought five, he rang five coupons. Then as he rings up the Ricola Coupon (he had done some fancy key stroke and got a print out of the cost of the Ricola - which told him that it was 2.19.) He gave me 2.19 off for each coupon... the Ricola was on sale for a $1 each - um so essentially I got ALL TEN of the Ricola FREE plus an additional .19 off.
I certainly wasn't trying to pull a fast one, I gave up my coupons as I always do and try to watch to see if they have problems. Because lord knows I am not the best most meticulous couponer and have made mistakes and will likely make them again. The checkers usually say something if they have a problem... however this guy just immediately started "fixing" them.
So winner week for me! I am off to Portland! (Which by the way... I used a free flight I earned while flying on the company dime!)
I had to go tonight after Girl Scouts because I am off to Portland in the morning and didn't want to leave it to the end. So when I got there... it didn't start off too well. The Gala Apples were "supposed" to be on sale for $.69 - they weren't... so I got the Golden Delicious instead (which were .69) and then they were out of the Dole Garden Salad bags that were $1 a bag. THEN they were out of the $1 Hormel Salami and Pepperoni... I was starting to get disappointed. However, I got just about everything else I had wanted, plus my usual weekly needs.
SO!
Total Bill: $333.37
Club Card: -$143.67
Coupons: - 47.25
Total Savings: -190.92
Out of pocket: $142.45
Number of Items: 110
So I definitely saved more then I spent - HURRAY! That is a $1.30 an item. That includes my milk, eggs, lunch meat, chicken at reduced price... However, to be honest, the checker didn't seem to check the coupons too closely. If something didn't ring properly he forced it through. I did manage to catch (before he forced it) a toilet paper coupon - realizing I had bought two and not three - so I stopped him for that. But as he was searching for the price to give me off for the Ricola (coupon was buy a reg Ricola get the Berry flavor free) - I realized that he had already rung and forced through the Tombstone Pizza coupons when I realized - Oops they said buy TWO get $1.50 off... I bought five, he rang five coupons. Then as he rings up the Ricola Coupon (he had done some fancy key stroke and got a print out of the cost of the Ricola - which told him that it was 2.19.) He gave me 2.19 off for each coupon... the Ricola was on sale for a $1 each - um so essentially I got ALL TEN of the Ricola FREE plus an additional .19 off.
I certainly wasn't trying to pull a fast one, I gave up my coupons as I always do and try to watch to see if they have problems. Because lord knows I am not the best most meticulous couponer and have made mistakes and will likely make them again. The checkers usually say something if they have a problem... however this guy just immediately started "fixing" them.
So winner week for me! I am off to Portland! (Which by the way... I used a free flight I earned while flying on the company dime!)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Shopping for 10/24
So I was very disappointed in the lists last week. I think the Grocery Stores are waiting for people to really be shopping for Thanksgiving to put out the good deals.
So I went to Vons as they seemed to have decent deals on a couple things. Not to mention their milk has moved onto their "low price everyday" deal at $2.09.
Total Bill - $144 (have no idea how it could be even)
Card: - 42.06
Coupons: -8.28
Total Savings: $50.34
Out of Pocket - 93.66
Items: 47
So not to bad. A couple of my coupons made the computer beep - the clerk said "I think we are only allowed to scan three per item." (To which I thought "whaaaa??") But didn't say anything. She entered them anyway and she gave me a tip about their "in store"ads. They are only good for the limit on the coupon - but you CAN do multiple transactions. For example Vons' had an in store ad for Simply Juice bringing the price down to $1.99 (from 2.50 the sale price) limit 2. I bought four and tore out two coupons - it beeped. The nice clerk rang them up anyway but gave me the "for next time; do two seperate transactions" spiel. Keep that in mind!
So I am ready for this coming week. Again not impressive ads. But I saw a few things of interest. I will let you know how it goes... likely after I get back from Portland.
So I went to Vons as they seemed to have decent deals on a couple things. Not to mention their milk has moved onto their "low price everyday" deal at $2.09.
Total Bill - $144 (have no idea how it could be even)
Card: - 42.06
Coupons: -8.28
Total Savings: $50.34
Out of Pocket - 93.66
Items: 47
So not to bad. A couple of my coupons made the computer beep - the clerk said "I think we are only allowed to scan three per item." (To which I thought "whaaaa??") But didn't say anything. She entered them anyway and she gave me a tip about their "in store"ads. They are only good for the limit on the coupon - but you CAN do multiple transactions. For example Vons' had an in store ad for Simply Juice bringing the price down to $1.99 (from 2.50 the sale price) limit 2. I bought four and tore out two coupons - it beeped. The nice clerk rang them up anyway but gave me the "for next time; do two seperate transactions" spiel. Keep that in mind!
So I am ready for this coming week. Again not impressive ads. But I saw a few things of interest. I will let you know how it goes... likely after I get back from Portland.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Even more disappointed going into this weekend
Good grief... I couldn't believe that the "list" could get much worse than last week - but it did!
I went through the Albertson's list and really found two things I could use and about the same for Smith's.
I think I will look again Friday night or something... maybe I am tired and missed something.
I went through the Albertson's list and really found two things I could use and about the same for Smith's.
I think I will look again Friday night or something... maybe I am tired and missed something.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Follow up to my "disappointed" post
So I printed out my list, got my coupons and decided this week was Vons and Albertson's for the best deals.
Vons
Original Total: 171.14
Club Card Savings: - 70.56
Coupon Savings: - 20.14
Total Savings: - 91.05
Spent: $80.09
Items: 26
From Vons - I got some of their reduced meats (hamburger w/ additional 50% off, some boneless ribs with additional 30% off.) I managed to grab some of the steak for $1.97 a pound (only had a couple out when I was there.) I also did their by 5 juices and got $5 off plus I had coupons for the Welch's. I bought Tide which increased my spending somewhat. But I had a $1 off coupon.
Then back to Albertson's this week
Original Total: 145.54
Big Relief Price Cut: - 42.51
Card: -18.77
Coupons: -7.50
Total Savings: -$68.78
Spent: $76.76
Items:42
So I chose Albertson's for my weekly needs instead of Smith's. I picked up Milk, lunch meat, cream cheese and tomato sauce - but looked for either the marked down item or things further discounted with the card.
OH!!! And because of they I bought things - I got a $5 off my next $40 purchase, a $10 off my next purchase AND because I have been shopping there so much - I got one of their 5% off that I can combine with other 5% off (you get one every $250 spent with Card). So my next purchase is looking better and better!
So not too bad this week. I actually didn't need much, but still spent $156 this week. I think Darren is hating all the cereal in the cupboard. :) But didn't do the amazing $1 an item... bummer!
I went to Walgreens to use up my check out rewards, I got bags of candy for my work bowl and a Cover Girl Eyeshadow I needed... and paid nothing out of pocket. I like those trips!
Vons
Original Total: 171.14
Club Card Savings: - 70.56
Coupon Savings: - 20.14
Total Savings: - 91.05
Spent: $80.09
Items: 26
From Vons - I got some of their reduced meats (hamburger w/ additional 50% off, some boneless ribs with additional 30% off.) I managed to grab some of the steak for $1.97 a pound (only had a couple out when I was there.) I also did their by 5 juices and got $5 off plus I had coupons for the Welch's. I bought Tide which increased my spending somewhat. But I had a $1 off coupon.
Then back to Albertson's this week
Original Total: 145.54
Big Relief Price Cut: - 42.51
Card: -18.77
Coupons: -7.50
Total Savings: -$68.78
Spent: $76.76
Items:42
So I chose Albertson's for my weekly needs instead of Smith's. I picked up Milk, lunch meat, cream cheese and tomato sauce - but looked for either the marked down item or things further discounted with the card.
OH!!! And because of they I bought things - I got a $5 off my next $40 purchase, a $10 off my next purchase AND because I have been shopping there so much - I got one of their 5% off that I can combine with other 5% off (you get one every $250 spent with Card). So my next purchase is looking better and better!
So not too bad this week. I actually didn't need much, but still spent $156 this week. I think Darren is hating all the cereal in the cupboard. :) But didn't do the amazing $1 an item... bummer!
I went to Walgreens to use up my check out rewards, I got bags of candy for my work bowl and a Cover Girl Eyeshadow I needed... and paid nothing out of pocket. I like those trips!
Friday, October 16, 2009
After such a big week... a bit disappointed going into this weekend
So I went and created the list and looked over what I could get and what I needed.
Unfortunately it doesn't look like I am going to have as big a week as last week. There just wasn't much on the sales ad that appealed to me and the family. So this week may be a week of just getting buy with our necessities instead of stock up items.
I will let you know.
Unfortunately it doesn't look like I am going to have as big a week as last week. There just wasn't much on the sales ad that appealed to me and the family. So this week may be a week of just getting buy with our necessities instead of stock up items.
I will let you know.
Friday, October 9, 2009
My Friday Coupon Frenzy
OH MY GOODNESS!
It was a great day at Albertson's! Are you sitting down? You might want to be if you are reading this on a mobile device...
Total items purchased: 106
Grand total prior to savings: $355.15
Total Savings: -253.63
Total out of pocket: $101.52
That is LESS than a DOLLAR an item!
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Look closely - I have Multi-vitamins in there, C&H sugar, name brand stuff! So I know the yogurts shouldn't be $.96 each but we could easily knock those down to their usual .50 and add the difference to the vitamins, C&H Sugar, Press and Seal Wrap, etc and STILL be way under their normal price.
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It was a great day at Albertson's! Are you sitting down? You might want to be if you are reading this on a mobile device...
Total items purchased: 106
Grand total prior to savings: $355.15
Total Savings: -253.63
Total out of pocket: $101.52
That is LESS than a DOLLAR an item!
Look closely - I have Multi-vitamins in there, C&H sugar, name brand stuff! So I know the yogurts shouldn't be $.96 each but we could easily knock those down to their usual .50 and add the difference to the vitamins, C&H Sugar, Press and Seal Wrap, etc and STILL be way under their normal price.
So then I went to Smith's because it is still in my head as the "better priced" store... not sure why exactly since my savings there this week were dismal. (Their milk IS cheaper so I am not completely insane.)
Total Items Sold: 38
Grand Total: $113.81
Total Savings: -$24.38
Total out of pocket: $89.47
I did miss in the picture a water jug for Josh, a super size bag of Malt O Meal cereal and 2 jugs of milk.
So tell me what you think of my shopping frenzy! My pantry is starting to burst at the seams!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Excited about this weeks shopping
So as usual my obsession has kicked in. I jumped online this morning and already printed out my lists and corresponding coupons... found the coupons in my inserts - cut those out. I won't even be able to go shopping until tomorrow night. I have to go Friday because of Alex's Eagle Scout project.
This will be my biggest use of coupons to date. I will let you know how it goes.
A couple people have told me they are reading this. Please comment and let me know!
This will be my biggest use of coupons to date. I will let you know how it goes.
A couple people have told me they are reading this. Please comment and let me know!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Little Disappointed
So I went to try my hand at shopping using coupons at Walgreen's and CVS. And honestly I am not really impressed there either.
I picked up the Playtex that gets you the $3 rewards, a razor that got another $3 - these had to be done in seperate transactions. My first disappointment (besides the seperate transactions) is that one of the other razors that you are "supposed" to get a $6 reward for - they were out of. (Gillette MVP) then they had the space filled with the "Gamer" but of course that was not included in the reward. So I have to go back on Wednesday... which I really am not sure I need all that badly.
I then went to CVS for the Colgate - I had a coupon for a dollar off plus you get a $2 reward - I got it for the toothpaste (you have to swipe your CVS card for this) but didn't get it on the toothbrush even though I did two seperate transactions.
So it wasn't really worth all the extra trouble. I am seriously considering not even paying attention to the CVS/Walgreens opportunities.
I picked up the Playtex that gets you the $3 rewards, a razor that got another $3 - these had to be done in seperate transactions. My first disappointment (besides the seperate transactions) is that one of the other razors that you are "supposed" to get a $6 reward for - they were out of. (Gillette MVP) then they had the space filled with the "Gamer" but of course that was not included in the reward. So I have to go back on Wednesday... which I really am not sure I need all that badly.
I then went to CVS for the Colgate - I had a coupon for a dollar off plus you get a $2 reward - I got it for the toothpaste (you have to swipe your CVS card for this) but didn't get it on the toothbrush even though I did two seperate transactions.
So it wasn't really worth all the extra trouble. I am seriously considering not even paying attention to the CVS/Walgreens opportunities.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
My first October Shopping Trip
So I am thinking I didn't score like I did last week. However, I still didn't do badly...
I went to two - actually 3 stores tonight.
I started at Albertson's - my total bill was 82.50 with my card, coupons and their Big Price Relief savings - I paid $44.64 - so nearly saved as much as I spent. (savings - $37.86)
I then went to Smith's which is where I prefer to do my weekly regular shopping. My bill came to $115, I spent - $80.97 so another savings of over $30. But not the save as much as I spend rule again.
Because Smith's (nor Albertson's that I saw) carry the max pack Lemonade and I needed Ibuprofen, sheet protectors and Darren's favorite Dill Pickle Relish - I went to Walmart. That was not a good idea... *sigh* - Another $50+ because of course I couldn't just get those four things...
A little disappointing in my second week. I did however make it all week bringing my lunch. (With of course the BWW Thursday allowable exception.) Tomorrow I head off camping. So no more getting into trouble money wise I hope!
I went to two - actually 3 stores tonight.
I started at Albertson's - my total bill was 82.50 with my card, coupons and their Big Price Relief savings - I paid $44.64 - so nearly saved as much as I spent. (savings - $37.86)
I then went to Smith's which is where I prefer to do my weekly regular shopping. My bill came to $115, I spent - $80.97 so another savings of over $30. But not the save as much as I spend rule again.
Because Smith's (nor Albertson's that I saw) carry the max pack Lemonade and I needed Ibuprofen, sheet protectors and Darren's favorite Dill Pickle Relish - I went to Walmart. That was not a good idea... *sigh* - Another $50+ because of course I couldn't just get those four things...
A little disappointing in my second week. I did however make it all week bringing my lunch. (With of course the BWW Thursday allowable exception.) Tomorrow I head off camping. So no more getting into trouble money wise I hope!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Suckered in
So I got suckered in to buying magazine subscriptions. I am so glad the guy mentioned they do that buyers grace period. I am calling them tomorrow to cancel. Sheesh I am a knuckle head some times. Just say NO!
I can't wait to look at the Shop Smart list tomorrow. The ads came in the mail today, I do know that Albertson's had some coupons in them. I am camping again this weekend so I will have to do my shopping early again.
I hope I do as well as I did last week.
I can't wait to look at the Shop Smart list tomorrow. The ads came in the mail today, I do know that Albertson's had some coupons in them. I am camping again this weekend so I will have to do my shopping early again.
I hope I do as well as I did last week.
Monday, September 28, 2009
My message to Collette
The lady who did the "Shop Smart Class" that I mentioned in my first post is, Collette.
I think my email below describes my success!
Hi Collette -
I attended your class at Maria Beake's house on 09/19/09. You might remember me, I was the heavy set one that talked about getting the great deal on hamburger and getting angry when I shop... oh and shopping based on the narrow size of my Fridge. :)
I wanted to share with you my success!
I went to Albertson's and Smith's this past weekend. I went to Albertson's first knowing I wanted to get the $1.99 milk from Smith's.
My original Albertson's total was $115.29, he then rang up my card and my coupons. One of my coupons wouldn't ring properly, so I immediately mentioned - oh I am sorry did I not get the right quantity or... - he said - no worries and rang it up anyway! (So cool.) I was fully prepared to apologize profusely and tell him not to worry about. (I read your blog about the lady who said to fight tooth and nail and was appalled!)
My savings with "Big Relief Price Cut", Preferred Savings, Coupons = $91.30! For a balance of $43.99
With the gift card I got at the class - I spent $23.99!
I then went to Smith's which I like their prices on things better then Albertson's.
Smith's total bill $156.21. After my card (and I only had 2 coupons) my Savings was $64.76 - for a balance of $89.45. I can also add another $2.40 savings to that since I needed to get gas and used my $.15 fuel reward!
Although I didn't do the save as much as I spent at Smith's - I have to say my percieved value there was quite high since I was able to buy meats they had that were not shown on the sale ad for $1.99 a pound with card! My freezer is stuffed full of meats!
I am a very happy shopper this week!
Thank you!
Sharon Ruesch
(I got all 5 of my newspapers this week - the collection has begun!)
I think my email below describes my success!
Hi Collette -
I attended your class at Maria Beake's house on 09/19/09. You might remember me, I was the heavy set one that talked about getting the great deal on hamburger and getting angry when I shop... oh and shopping based on the narrow size of my Fridge. :)
I wanted to share with you my success!
I went to Albertson's and Smith's this past weekend. I went to Albertson's first knowing I wanted to get the $1.99 milk from Smith's.
My original Albertson's total was $115.29, he then rang up my card and my coupons. One of my coupons wouldn't ring properly, so I immediately mentioned - oh I am sorry did I not get the right quantity or... - he said - no worries and rang it up anyway! (So cool.) I was fully prepared to apologize profusely and tell him not to worry about. (I read your blog about the lady who said to fight tooth and nail and was appalled!)
My savings with "Big Relief Price Cut", Preferred Savings, Coupons = $91.30! For a balance of $43.99
With the gift card I got at the class - I spent $23.99!
I then went to Smith's which I like their prices on things better then Albertson's.
Smith's total bill $156.21. After my card (and I only had 2 coupons) my Savings was $64.76 - for a balance of $89.45. I can also add another $2.40 savings to that since I needed to get gas and used my $.15 fuel reward!
Although I didn't do the save as much as I spent at Smith's - I have to say my percieved value there was quite high since I was able to buy meats they had that were not shown on the sale ad for $1.99 a pound with card! My freezer is stuffed full of meats!
I am a very happy shopper this week!
Thank you!
Sharon Ruesch
(I got all 5 of my newspapers this week - the collection has begun!)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Tomorrow might be the day
I have a girl scout camp out this weekend. And apparently since Albertson's is doing a 3 day sale I should try to hit it early since I will miss it if I try to wait til I come back.
I went to my Grocery Smarts site and printed off my stock up deals. Although I am thinking I should likely review them again and compare to what we actually need.
Anyhow... wish me luck.
I went to my Grocery Smarts site and printed off my stock up deals. Although I am thinking I should likely review them again and compare to what we actually need.
Anyhow... wish me luck.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Kids throw you off track
So here I am TRYING to be good. I have even brought my lunch for pete sake! (Those who know me - know how much I love going out of the office for lunch.)
So what happens... my middle son, the football fanatic, finds a football league to join through friends at school. I have now dropped $240 to join the league (and stuff for the team) and another $200 for the freaking equipment.
I'd like to see the day that I save $440 on groceries to be able to pay for this.
Thank goodness I have $15 in cash in my wallet so I don't have to miss BWW Thursdays with the gang.
It is just hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when stuff like this keeps popping up.
So what happens... my middle son, the football fanatic, finds a football league to join through friends at school. I have now dropped $240 to join the league (and stuff for the team) and another $200 for the freaking equipment.
I'd like to see the day that I save $440 on groceries to be able to pay for this.
Thank goodness I have $15 in cash in my wallet so I don't have to miss BWW Thursdays with the gang.
It is just hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel when stuff like this keeps popping up.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Excercising Self Control
So - I have been scouring the internet for grocery coupons. Which isn't completely a bad thing. However, there is a site where you can actually BUY coupons...(whole newspaper inserts you may have missed) can you believe this? Granted you pay pennies compared to the savings you can get for the coupons but still!
I know I need to build my stock of savings/coupons up - but I don't think buying coupons is exactly the way to go.
So even though I had $13 worth (including shipping) - I clicked off the site. now if I can just make it until my next shopping trip.(Thank goodness I have a Girl Scout camp out this weekend... that should keep me in check.)
I know I need to build my stock of savings/coupons up - but I don't think buying coupons is exactly the way to go.
So even though I had $13 worth (including shipping) - I clicked off the site. now if I can just make it until my next shopping trip.(Thank goodness I have a Girl Scout camp out this weekend... that should keep me in check.)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
09/20/09 Family Dinner
So I am not doing well with the not spending much. Family came to dinner tonight and last minute I decided to add a dish or two. Another $53. I will get it right one of these days.
Next month - I think we will attempt German. (We do different pot-luck themes of food each month.)
So far we have done
Italian (Lasagna)
Italian again... Chick Cacciatore
Hamburgers/Hotdogs
Mexican
Chinese
I will let you know how it goes :)
Next month - I think we will attempt German. (We do different pot-luck themes of food each month.)
So far we have done
Italian (Lasagna)
Italian again... Chick Cacciatore
Hamburgers/Hotdogs
Mexican
Chinese
I will let you know how it goes :)
the day after
So I went to a "Shop Smart" class yesterday. I think I am having sticker shock attack today. So as usual you have to spend money to save money right? I hope...
The whole "process" sounds GREAT! I mean if I could go to the store and buy twice as much for half the cost - well then maybe grocery shopping wouldn't make me so angry. I hate that I have to check every price, buy generic, scrimp on some and feel bad for splurging.
So - I am going to give this a try. If you would like to check out the program - the basic thing - is FREE! I know I was shocked. Basically - there is a website that checks for all the great deals. Which you can access, for free, and know what things to "stock up" on. Now if you want the SUPER BIG savings - you sign up for one of their classes and/or order a newspaper(s).
The free website is Grocery Smarts - that may take you to the NV one, but you can always navigate to where you need to go. The lady who taught our class, who, by the way, I can tell LOVES to shop using this program, has a blog also. She showed us actual receipts from local stores where she saved hundreds of dollars. Saved as least as much as she spent, if not more!
So my plan... to blog about my progress. Why am I obsessing? I truly am a shopaholic. I have no idea where all my money goes and I am hoping by getting it out of my head and to here - that maybe I will stick to it and get a better handle on things.
To start - yesterday's grocery bill - three trips.
Smith's (2) = $167.66
Sam's Club = $92.02
For a grand total of = $259.68
According to the receipt with my shopper's card - I saved $34.69 - not nearly the "saving as much as I spend" rule that the program has. But I also shopped before I went to the class.
Some of those items were for my "stock pile" and things like Milk, Juice, eggs - are the things we burn through in a week.
So here are some bonus things to know:
In Redbook Sept'09 - pg 162 - one lady posted about a site for coupons "couponsurfer.com" that looks promising. She also mentioned another site that is similar to Shop Right, but they charge a membership fee that Shop Right doesn't. Also, Shop Right has people who search sites like "Coupon Surfer" so you shouldn't have to spend a lot of time "cutting coupons."
Wish me luck.
The whole "process" sounds GREAT! I mean if I could go to the store and buy twice as much for half the cost - well then maybe grocery shopping wouldn't make me so angry. I hate that I have to check every price, buy generic, scrimp on some and feel bad for splurging.
So - I am going to give this a try. If you would like to check out the program - the basic thing - is FREE! I know I was shocked. Basically - there is a website that checks for all the great deals. Which you can access, for free, and know what things to "stock up" on. Now if you want the SUPER BIG savings - you sign up for one of their classes and/or order a newspaper(s).
The free website is Grocery Smarts - that may take you to the NV one, but you can always navigate to where you need to go. The lady who taught our class, who, by the way, I can tell LOVES to shop using this program, has a blog also. She showed us actual receipts from local stores where she saved hundreds of dollars. Saved as least as much as she spent, if not more!
So my plan... to blog about my progress. Why am I obsessing? I truly am a shopaholic. I have no idea where all my money goes and I am hoping by getting it out of my head and to here - that maybe I will stick to it and get a better handle on things.
To start - yesterday's grocery bill - three trips.
Smith's (2) = $167.66
Sam's Club = $92.02
For a grand total of = $259.68
According to the receipt with my shopper's card - I saved $34.69 - not nearly the "saving as much as I spend" rule that the program has. But I also shopped before I went to the class.
Some of those items were for my "stock pile" and things like Milk, Juice, eggs - are the things we burn through in a week.
So here are some bonus things to know:
In Redbook Sept'09 - pg 162 - one lady posted about a site for coupons "couponsurfer.com" that looks promising. She also mentioned another site that is similar to Shop Right, but they charge a membership fee that Shop Right doesn't. Also, Shop Right has people who search sites like "Coupon Surfer" so you shouldn't have to spend a lot of time "cutting coupons."
Wish me luck.
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