I've always found that late at night is the best time to coupon. The stores are generally dead, so if you take forever in line, no one really cares. But it can also be a great time to source additional coupons.
I enjoy a good treasure hunt, so I really get a kick out of dumpster diving. Around here there are several paper recycling dumpsters. They seem to crop up around schools and churches. Whenever I take my paper for recycling I always take a peek to see if I can find any coupon inserts, in whole or in part. My ground rules for this are (1) that I always deposit more paper than I take from each bin; I've heard that the church/school is rewarded based on the amount of paper collected. (2) I have to be able to reach the paper. I'm not going to climb into a dumpster. I'm far too clumsy for that foolishness. (3) I only take coupons. Here's a handy tip for everyone. DO NOT recycle whole credit card applications. Shred them first, then recycle. I've never not found CC apps when digging for gold.
Recently I discovered that the local 'free' paper that runs Wednesday and Saturday carries the SmartSource insert in their Saturday edition. Around here it's a pesky little publication that no one reads and few people even bother to collect from the end of their driveway. The past couple of weekends I've gone for a little walk around the neighborhood and have gotten some excellent results. I've set myself some ground rules for this as well. (1) I only collect Sunday night or afterwards, giving people at least 24 hours to collect their papers if they want them. (2) I take the whole paper, and in some cases, all of the papers. Call is neighborhood clean up, and I can sort them out at home. (3) I only take the free one. I had the opportunity to snag 2 Sunday papers, but since those people paid for that paper, I left it alone. In fact, I left them the free one too.
Tonight I managed to get 12 full inserts on my little stroll. The best part is that my Sunday paper didn't have any inserts this week...
I'm not 100% on the legality of these activities, so I'm not recommending anyone else do what I do. I'm just telling my tale.
And now that my recycle boxes are full I think I'll go dump them at the church down the road. Their dumpster is usually packed full after Sunday service. :D
Monday, October 24, 2011
Friday, October 14, 2011
10/14/11 Meijer trip - frozen pizza cats!
Meijer's sale this week is 10 for $10, get the 11th free.
Transaction:
8 cans Campbell's soup (chkn noodle and tomato), $0.59 ea
6 cans Campbell's 'cream of' soups (chkn and mushroom), $0.79 ea
6 cans Spaghettios, $0.50 ea
6 DiGiorno pizzas, $3.99 ea
2 California Kitchen pizzas, $3.99 ea
2 bags of Snickers fun size, $2.50 ea
2 bags Wonka fun size candy (3 lb bags), $6.99 ea
7 Pepsi 2L, 10 for 10
6 boxes Hamburger Helper, 10 for 10
7 boxes Betty Crocker potatoes, 10 for 10
6 cans Hunt's diced tomatoes, 10 for 10
4 cans Rotel, 10 for 10
2 cans Chef Boyardee pasta, 10 for 10
Coupons:
6 $2/1 Digiorno's (Facebook coupon)
1 $0.55/1 Pepsi Max (10/2 Pespsi insert)
1 $1/2 Sierra Mist Naturals (10/2 Pepsi insert)
3 $0.50/2 BC potatoes (10/2 GM & coupons.com) - only the first 2 double
2 $0.75/3 HHelpers (10/2 GM)
2 $0.45/3 Hunt's tomatoes (10/2 SS)
2 $0.55/2 Rotel (10/2 SS)
1 $0.50/2 Chef Boyardee (Sept All you)
1 $1.50/2 Mars candy bars (Sept All you)
2 $0.40/4 Campbell's CN or tomato soup (10/2 SS)
2 $0.40/3 Campbell's cream of soups (9/11 SS)
2 $1.40/1 Wonka 32 oz or larger (coupons.com)
2 $0.40/3 SpaghettiOs, (9/11 SS)
Catalinas received:
2 $1/2 California Kitchen Pizzas
3 $1 ONYO from DiGiornos
Raincheck:
Wolf Chili, 10 for 10, ($0.40/1 in the 10/2 SS)
Tendered: $63.13
Saved: $76.34, about 55%
Notes:
Check the forums at weusecoupons for more printable Qs. I would have picked up a number of other items if I'd seen the extra Qs.
NOT a bad trip. Getting better than 50% has been really difficult since Extreme Couponing started airing...
The raincheck is good for 5 cans of chili. If I use my 3 cats from this trip and my 2 $0.40/1 Qs I can get 5 cans for $0.40!
DON'T FORGET if you go tomorrow you can get an additional 5% off all food items from mPerks.
Transaction:
8 cans Campbell's soup (chkn noodle and tomato), $0.59 ea
6 cans Campbell's 'cream of' soups (chkn and mushroom), $0.79 ea
6 cans Spaghettios, $0.50 ea
6 DiGiorno pizzas, $3.99 ea
2 California Kitchen pizzas, $3.99 ea
2 bags of Snickers fun size, $2.50 ea
2 bags Wonka fun size candy (3 lb bags), $6.99 ea
7 Pepsi 2L, 10 for 10
6 boxes Hamburger Helper, 10 for 10
7 boxes Betty Crocker potatoes, 10 for 10
6 cans Hunt's diced tomatoes, 10 for 10
4 cans Rotel, 10 for 10
2 cans Chef Boyardee pasta, 10 for 10
Coupons:
6 $2/1 Digiorno's (Facebook coupon)
1 $0.55/1 Pepsi Max (10/2 Pespsi insert)
1 $1/2 Sierra Mist Naturals (10/2 Pepsi insert)
3 $0.50/2 BC potatoes (10/2 GM & coupons.com) - only the first 2 double
2 $0.75/3 HHelpers (10/2 GM)
2 $0.45/3 Hunt's tomatoes (10/2 SS)
2 $0.55/2 Rotel (10/2 SS)
1 $0.50/2 Chef Boyardee (Sept All you)
1 $1.50/2 Mars candy bars (Sept All you)
2 $0.40/4 Campbell's CN or tomato soup (10/2 SS)
2 $0.40/3 Campbell's cream of soups (9/11 SS)
2 $1.40/1 Wonka 32 oz or larger (coupons.com)
2 $0.40/3 SpaghettiOs, (9/11 SS)
Catalinas received:
2 $1/2 California Kitchen Pizzas
3 $1 ONYO from DiGiornos
Raincheck:
Wolf Chili, 10 for 10, ($0.40/1 in the 10/2 SS)
Tendered: $63.13
Saved: $76.34, about 55%
Notes:
Check the forums at weusecoupons for more printable Qs. I would have picked up a number of other items if I'd seen the extra Qs.
NOT a bad trip. Getting better than 50% has been really difficult since Extreme Couponing started airing...
The raincheck is good for 5 cans of chili. If I use my 3 cats from this trip and my 2 $0.40/1 Qs I can get 5 cans for $0.40!
DON'T FORGET if you go tomorrow you can get an additional 5% off all food items from mPerks.
Meijer sale
I'm just about to leave for Meijer's. They are having their 10 for $10, get the 11th free sale. Included in the sale are a number of ConAgra tomato products including Hunt's tomatoes and Rotel. Both are perfect for chili, a winter time favorite here. (Check the SS inserts for September and October for tons of Qs).
Another great deal this week is DiGiorno pizzas for $3.99 ea. check their facebook page for a $2/1 Q. That's quite a deal!
Also, if you are shopping tomorrow, check mPerks for a 5% off food items coupon. Not a bad Q at all, but I *really* hate couponing during the weekend. It clogs the checkout lanes.
Finally, I've had a few questions about how frequently I post. I post when I shop. Generally, if there are no sales that interest me, or I've stocked up recently, I don't post. I also don't post if I'm not couponing. For example, a couple months ago Marsh had pork chops and chicken on sale. I bought 40 pounds of pork chops and 20 pounds of chicken, and I still have a bit of each. My pantry is still packed so all I've really purchased is produce, dairy and eggs.
If today's trip is completely awesome I'll post the transactions later today or tomorrow.
Another great deal this week is DiGiorno pizzas for $3.99 ea. check their facebook page for a $2/1 Q. That's quite a deal!
Also, if you are shopping tomorrow, check mPerks for a 5% off food items coupon. Not a bad Q at all, but I *really* hate couponing during the weekend. It clogs the checkout lanes.
Finally, I've had a few questions about how frequently I post. I post when I shop. Generally, if there are no sales that interest me, or I've stocked up recently, I don't post. I also don't post if I'm not couponing. For example, a couple months ago Marsh had pork chops and chicken on sale. I bought 40 pounds of pork chops and 20 pounds of chicken, and I still have a bit of each. My pantry is still packed so all I've really purchased is produce, dairy and eggs.
If today's trip is completely awesome I'll post the transactions later today or tomorrow.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Today's trip to Marsh
It's not often you can save big at Marsh. I did a decent job of it today.
Purchases:
2 Hershey's syrup, $3.24 ea
1 pk Chi-Chi's Tortillas, $2.59
2pk Aunt Millie's hot dog buns, $1.18
1 head lettuce, $1.29
1 bunch scallions, $0.59
1 bottle Chi-Chi's Salsa, $2.99
1 bottle Food Club ranch dressing, $1.50
1 jar Food Club pasta sauce, $1.59
1 can black beans, $1.19
6 pk, Butterball turkey bacon, $2 ea
4, 12pk Coca-Cola, $3.99
5.87 lb split chicken breast, $0.98/lb
14.81 lb pork shoulder roast, $0.98/lb
13.48 lb assorted pork chops, $1.48.lb
5.82 lb ground beef, $2.40/lb
Coupons:
2 $0.65/1 BB turkey bacon, 5/22 SS
1 $0.50/1 ChiChi's salsa
1 $0.50/1 ChiChi's tortillas
2 $0.55/1 Aunt Millie's buns
1 $1/2 Hershey's syrup
1 $3/5lb ground beef wyb $25 in groceries (Marsh circular)
1 $5.96/4 Coke 12 packs wyb $25 in groceries (Marsh circular)
Total: $89.10
Savings: $64.15, 42%
Notes:
The register crabbed at the cashier when she scanned my second Chi-Chi's Q. She actually handed it back to me saying she already had one, but took it again when I pointed out that one was for salsa and one was for tortillas.
Many items were purchased because we simply needed them, and they haven't been on sale anywhere for a while.
I could have picked up some free Handi-foil cake pans for purchasing over $50 in groceries, but I really didn't think I'd use them. The coupon is available through Sunday at www.marsh.net
I normally wouldn't be proud of 42%, but getting a decent price on meats is VERY difficult, and the freezer has been looking a bit too spartan lately...
Purchases:
2 Hershey's syrup, $3.24 ea
1 pk Chi-Chi's Tortillas, $2.59
2pk Aunt Millie's hot dog buns, $1.18
1 head lettuce, $1.29
1 bunch scallions, $0.59
1 bottle Chi-Chi's Salsa, $2.99
1 bottle Food Club ranch dressing, $1.50
1 jar Food Club pasta sauce, $1.59
1 can black beans, $1.19
6 pk, Butterball turkey bacon, $2 ea
4, 12pk Coca-Cola, $3.99
5.87 lb split chicken breast, $0.98/lb
14.81 lb pork shoulder roast, $0.98/lb
13.48 lb assorted pork chops, $1.48.lb
5.82 lb ground beef, $2.40/lb
Coupons:
2 $0.65/1 BB turkey bacon, 5/22 SS
1 $0.50/1 ChiChi's salsa
1 $0.50/1 ChiChi's tortillas
2 $0.55/1 Aunt Millie's buns
1 $1/2 Hershey's syrup
1 $3/5lb ground beef wyb $25 in groceries (Marsh circular)
1 $5.96/4 Coke 12 packs wyb $25 in groceries (Marsh circular)
Total: $89.10
Savings: $64.15, 42%
Notes:
The register crabbed at the cashier when she scanned my second Chi-Chi's Q. She actually handed it back to me saying she already had one, but took it again when I pointed out that one was for salsa and one was for tortillas.
Many items were purchased because we simply needed them, and they haven't been on sale anywhere for a while.
I could have picked up some free Handi-foil cake pans for purchasing over $50 in groceries, but I really didn't think I'd use them. The coupon is available through Sunday at www.marsh.net
I normally wouldn't be proud of 42%, but getting a decent price on meats is VERY difficult, and the freezer has been looking a bit too spartan lately...
Monday, June 6, 2011
Shopping at Meijer - I forgot a deal!
I forgot to mention a deal in my last post. This week Popcorn, Indiana Chipins are $2/ea. The 5/22 SS has $1/1 coupons for these. I didn't know about the sale so I was not prepared, but I did have these over the weekend and they are really quite good. Worth $1, IMO.
Meijer trip today
Yesterday we picked up some things for our aquarium at a pet store. Our total came to $50.77. Luckily it was the wrong size. I took it back today and stopped in at Meijer to price their aquarium hoods. I also had a $3 catalina and a couple rainchecks to use up...
Items
5 DH Brownies, $1.09 ea (raincheck)
2 BC Brownies, $1.67 ea
3 Mrs. T's Pierogies, 1.67 ea
5 dozen eggs, $0.99 ea (raincheck)
2 tubs Parkay, 13 oz, $0.99 ea
1 half gallon Meijer ice cream, $3.49
1 Heinz Ketchup, 36 oz, $1.79
1 bag Ore-Ida sweet potato fries, 2.34
1 aquarium hood, $32.39 (reg 34.99)
1 charcoal chimney starter, $14.99
Coupons:
1 $0.50/1 DH Brownies, printable, no longer available
2 $0.50/1 BC Brownies, 5/1 SS
1 $1/1 Mrs Ts pierogies, June All You
1 $1/1 Ore Ida SP Fries, 5/22 SS
2 $0.50/1 Any Parkay Printable
1 B2G1 DH Products (cashier took $1.09 off)
1 $0.50/1 Heinz Ketchup Any 5/22 SS
1 $3 OYNO from a previous trip
Rainchecks:
DH Family size Brownies, $1.09, limit 5
1 doz Meijer large eggs, $0.99, limit 5
Instant Savings:
FREE ice cream wyb 3 Mrs Ts Pierogies ($3.49 off)
Total $63.25
Saved: $31.97
Since the chimney starter and the aquarium hood are treats for me that I track separately, I removed them from my grocery total...
Grocery total: $15.87
Savings: 29.37 or about 65%
Items
5 DH Brownies, $1.09 ea (raincheck)
2 BC Brownies, $1.67 ea
3 Mrs. T's Pierogies, 1.67 ea
5 dozen eggs, $0.99 ea (raincheck)
2 tubs Parkay, 13 oz, $0.99 ea
1 half gallon Meijer ice cream, $3.49
1 Heinz Ketchup, 36 oz, $1.79
1 bag Ore-Ida sweet potato fries, 2.34
1 aquarium hood, $32.39 (reg 34.99)
1 charcoal chimney starter, $14.99
Coupons:
1 $0.50/1 DH Brownies, printable, no longer available
2 $0.50/1 BC Brownies, 5/1 SS
1 $1/1 Mrs Ts pierogies, June All You
1 $1/1 Ore Ida SP Fries, 5/22 SS
2 $0.50/1 Any Parkay Printable
1 B2G1 DH Products (cashier took $1.09 off)
1 $0.50/1 Heinz Ketchup Any 5/22 SS
1 $3 OYNO from a previous trip
Rainchecks:
DH Family size Brownies, $1.09, limit 5
1 doz Meijer large eggs, $0.99, limit 5
Instant Savings:
FREE ice cream wyb 3 Mrs Ts Pierogies ($3.49 off)
Total $63.25
Saved: $31.97
Since the chimney starter and the aquarium hood are treats for me that I track separately, I removed them from my grocery total...
Grocery total: $15.87
Savings: 29.37 or about 65%
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Grocery deals this week
Kroger has a frozen food sale, mega-event style. Unfortunately, nothing looks particularly cheap or impressive.
Large eggs, $1/dz
Pepsi 2L, $0.84 ea wyb 6
Meijer has a somewhat impressive list of sales and some decent cats.
Corn on the cob, $0.16 ea
Large eggs, $0.99/dz
Check We Use Coupons (link on the right) for a lovely coupon matchup.
Marsh has fallen off the radar again. They did so well last week...
Large eggs, $1/dz
Pepsi 2L, $0.84 ea wyb 6
Meijer has a somewhat impressive list of sales and some decent cats.
Corn on the cob, $0.16 ea
Large eggs, $0.99/dz
Check We Use Coupons (link on the right) for a lovely coupon matchup.
Marsh has fallen off the radar again. They did so well last week...
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