A Thrifty Mom

At my local Albertsons I noticed they had several displays of Lays All  Natural  Chips.  They are on sale for buy one at $3.99 get one free.  They all had coupons taped to the front of them for $1.00 off 2…..these can be doubled.  So you can get 2 for only $1.99.  Remember double coupons are only good till tomorrow.  I am not sure if all stores have these displays up with coupons…but worth looking for.

Spring is just around the corner, which means BBQ and picnic time, I am always looking for a good deal on chips and $1.00 a bag is normally about as low as they go.

Before sale price or coupon these would have cost $23.94

I was able to get them all for $3.01

• I bought 6 bags $3.99 each
• got 3 free with store promo
• used 3 coupons for $1.00 off 2
• used 3 double coupons took another $3 off
• Paid with a $3.50 catalina from fruit snack promo
• Final price $3.01

Before sale price, promo, catalinas or coupons this would have cost $80.50

I was able to get it all for $2.76

Plus after 2 transactions I still got back a $10.00 catalina which makes it a money maker

To view the full Match up for Albertsons deals this week click here.

CON AGRA PROMO, spend $25 or more in participating Products, get back a $10.00 catalina

5 differnt Dannon products all $2.00 only $1.20 after catalina (normal price $2.99)

• Crushcups or Coolisions $1.00 off coupon from smart source 2/28
• Dan-O-Nino $1.00 off coupon  from Smart Source  2/7 & 2/28
• Final price .20-.45 cents or FREE with twice the value coupons

I did two transactions, 13 of each per transaction to get to the $25 mark…..

• I paid with 13 coupons for ($1.00 off),
• used 3 double coupons which took another $3.00 off,
• paid with $10.00 catlaina from prior purchase.
• Which brought my total down to only $1.38
• after I paid a $10.00 catalina printed.

First off let me say yes, I know this is a lot of yogurt.  But we are a family of 5 ( soon to be 6)  and will have not problem eating it all up before the use by date.  Second, when I was doing my Albertsons Match up post,  I saw how cheep the yogurt was going to be so I called my store, and made sure they ordered in tons…and asked to make sure they had 13 of each for me…. The shipment came in yesterday and I went to pick it up…..so I was not clearing the shelves.

side note- Sarah is due in about 3 weeks, she is snippety at the moment

Yes I had 13 of each coupon, they came twice in the last month, Once again it goes to show that having Multiple Sunday papers for coupon inserts and for Doubles, really pays off.  This has been the secret to my saving buying multiple Sunday papers and for only $13 a month it is totally worth it!  To find out how to get the Idaho Press Tribune or the Idaho Statesman A Thrifty Mom Paper deal click them.

Before sale price or coupons this would have cost $71.36

I was able to get it all for $3.51

Plus after 5 transactions I still got back a $3.50 catalina…so it was like paying .1 cent for everything!

While I was there I also bought some more fruit snacks ( for my sister who does not have an Albertsons near her) and I used my rain check for the Tuna that was out of stock last week, and was free with double coupons.

Before Sale price or coupons this would have cost $55.80

I was able to get it all for $4.77

Plus after 3 transaction it was a $12.03 catalina money maker

Orchard Juice Blends .99 cents ( normal price $1.79)

• $1.00 off 4 coupon here
• link for the $1 off 4 Old Orchard Juice coupon

Use these with the Juice blends on sale for .99 cents, you can double them too…it turns them into a MONEY MAKER.

• 10 cans of apple juice =$9.99
• use two coupons for $1.00 off 4
• use two double coupons
• final price $5.99 ( I paid with a $5.00 catalina so my total was only .99 cents plus tax)
• after you pay get back a $10.00 catalina turns into a $4.01 money maker!!!

TO view my full Albertsons Match up this week click here, or to view the post I did on the full details of the Old Orchard juice deal click here.

Before sale price or coupons this would have cost $24.24

I was able to get it all for $1.39

Plus I got back a $10.00 catalina so it was a Money maker

Purchase 10 participating items that are part of the Chill,and receive a $10.00 catalina to use on your next order!

Hot Pockets  $1.69 only .69 cents after catalina

• use the  $.75 off 1 coupon from the 1/3 red plum
• final price FREE

Used 10 coupons for .75 cents off, used 3 double coupons, paid with $10.00 catalina from prior chill purchase….brought my total down to .36 cents plus $1.03 tax.  After I paid a $10.00 catalina printed.

To view the full Ad Match up for Albertsons click here.

Before Sale Price or Coupons this would have cost $45.84

I was able to get it all for $2.40

Plus I got back a $10.00 catalina so it was a $7.60 money maker

P&G Kraft EASY Promo buy $30 or more in participating  products get back a $10 catalina

Puffs Facial Tissue cube 60 ct $1.19 only .83 cents after catalina

• use the .50 cents off 3 coupon from the 2/21 P&G insert
• final price .66 cents or with double coupon .50 cents each

Febreze Air Effects 9.7 oz $2.49  $1.49 after catalina

• use the $1.00 off any Febreze product from the 2/7 P&G insert
• final price .49 cents or with double coupon FREE

Coconut $2.50 only $1.50 after catalina

When you do a transaction  that you have to spend $30 to get a $10 catalina is is very important that you get to $30 BEFORE tax.

If you get to the $30 with  tax your catalina WILL NOT PRINT.  I took a photo of my total, on this transaction.  My total was $32.83, so you would think i was spending $2.83 more than I needed to….but $1.68 of that was tax my product total was only $31.15, which puts me over  $30.00 mark which means my catalina should print.

I then brought my total down with coupons

• 10- coupons for $1.00 off Febreze
• 1- coupon for .25 off puffs
• used 3 twice the value coupons which took another $3.00 off
• 2- $5.00 Chill catalina coupons from juice I bought earlier
• 2- $3.50 GM fruit snack catalina coupons from fruit snacks I bought earlier
• My total was then .72 cents plus $1.68 tax
• after I paid I got back a $10.00 catalina, turns into money maker

Other reasons your catalina may not print, wrong size of product, or wrong variety, hope these tips help.

Before sale price, promos, catalina or coupons this would have cost $136.48
I was able to get it all for $11.42

After watching women walk out of the store with cart loads of  fruit snacks, you may wonder why I did not buy more?  After all I said this is most likely the lowest price of the year!   Like I said before, I plan to get a rain check, being that I can get more with the catalina till 3/21.  PLUS the store was crazy busy, I can only do one transaction at a time, then get back in line…..my pregnant tummy was telling me it was time to GO HOME.  I hope to get some more once they restock in a week or so….and when the store is not so busy.

Darigold Sour Cream 16 oz, .99 cents limit 3

• use the the buy one get one free coupon from 1/24 smart source insert
• final price 2 for .99 cents

Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks 2/22 good till 3/21

• Buy 3, get back a $1.50 catalina
• Buy 4, get back a  $2.50 catalina
• Buy 5 or more, get  back a $3.50 catalina

Here are a few deal scenarios for you:

No coupons still a good deal buy 5 boxes

• Pay $5.00 plus tax
• After you pay get back a $3.50 catalina
• Get 5 boxes only $1.50 ONLY .30 cents a box
• You can then use the $3.50 catalina to pay for another set of 5, pay $1.50 cash and get back another $3.50 catalina…

Buy 5 boxes

• use  .50 off 2 coupon printable here, here, here, here, You can print them twice off each site, most of them say do not double.
• use 2 coupon for $.50 cents off
• Pay $4.00 plus tax
• after you pay get back a $3.50 catalina
• 5 boxes for only .50, only .10 cents a box

If you are lucky enough to find peelie coupons for $1.00 off 2 it will turn into a money maker!

• buy 6 boxes
• use 3 $1.00 off 2 coupon found stuck to the box at the store
• pay $3.00 plus tax
• After you pay get back a $3.50 catalina, turns into a money maker

To view the full weeks Match up for Albertsons, click here.

Before sale price or coupons this would have cost $114.60

I was able to get it all for $11.10

Plus after all my transactions I still had a $10.00 catalina

Keebler Club Crackers $2.49

• use the $1.00 coupon from past Parade magazine
• final price  with double .49 cents

The other items are part of the Chill promo that is good till 3/6, Buy 10 items and get $10 catalina back

Ore-ida Steam and Mash $2.99

• use the $1.00 off coupon here
• use a double coupon
• pay $1 ( buy in group of 10 promo items, get back a $10 catalina)
• final price FREE

Dryers Ice Cream $2.99

• use the $1.00 coupon from the 1/31 smart source
• with double coupon .99 cents after catalina FREE

Old Orchard juice $1.29

• use the $1.00 off 4 coupon here
• Another link for the $1 off 4 Old Orchard Juice coupon,
• with double coupon free or with out would only .29 cents

I did pay with a $7 catalina coupon from earlier shopping trip, I was only able to use 3 doubles per trip.  I used the doubles for the Ice Cream, and potatoes….and used the juice to get my 10 items to get the $10 catalina back.  This was several transactions, being that you can only use 3 doubles at a time.  My store is happy to let use more than three per day, we just have to split it up into different trips.

Before sale price or coupons this would have cost $98.58

I was able to get it all for $12.91

But part of these were part of the GM catalina promo so I got back a $7 catalina,

My store was out of most the Chill promo items ( but that sale runs till 3/6), but I was able to find a few thrifty deals to use my double coupons on.  The double run till 3/6  put these items are on the sale that ends today.  Click here for the full Albertsons match ups, or my double ideas here.

Trident Layers Gum $1.25

• use the $.75 from 2/7 Smart Source (regional coupon)
• Final Price with double coupon FREE ( just pay tax)

StarKist Chunk Light Tuna 2.6 oz Pouch

• use the $1.00 off 2 coupon from 2/14 Red Plum
• final price .50 cents each
• with double coupon FREE ( just pay tax)

Colgate kids toothpast $1.00

• use the .75 cents off coupon from 2/21 smart source
• with double coupon final price FREE (just pay tax)

$1.00 items (.65 cents after catalina)

• Betty Crocker Super Moist Cake mix 18-19.5 oz

$1.25 items (.81 cents after catalina)

• Pillsbury Grands Biscuits 16 oz (use the .30 cents off 2 coupon here)

$2.50 items ($1.63 after catalina)

• General Mills Cereal (Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Reese’s Peanut Butter Puffs, Wheaties fuel)
• Cereal coupons ( Wheaties fuel .75 cents off here, or $1.00 off 2/21 smart source Idaho Statesman only, or $1.00 off 2 here, $1.00 off 2 here ,$1.00 off 2 here, or the $1.00 off 3 coupon from 2/7 GM Insert )
• with double coupon FREE

$1.50 items (.97 cents after catalina)

• Betty Crocker frosting 12-16 oz ( .50 cents off 1 coupon form 2/7 GM insert)

This was several transactions, being that you can only use 3 doubles at a time.  My store is happy to let use more than three per day, we just have to split it up into different trips.

You can use 3 twice the value (double coupons) per family per shopping trip.  They will double any coupon up to the value of $1.00 making that coupon twice its value.  SO if you use a .75 cent coupon it will double up to $1.50 or if you use a $1.00 coupon it will double to $2.00.  They will not double a coupon for $1.01 or more. They will not double a coupon that says do not double, or not subject to doubling.

Once again it goes to show that having Multiple Sunday papers for coupon inserts and for Doubles, really pays off.  This has been the secret to my saving buying multiple Sunday papers and for only $13 a month it is totally worth it!  To find out how to get the Idaho Press Tribune or the Idaho Statesman A Thrifty Mom Paper deal click them.

Before Sale Price or coupons this would have cost $90.51
I was able to get it all for $5.10

I did this deal in 3 transactions, I do it this way so I can “ROLL” my register rewards.  Please note that not all stores will let you split up your purchases.  But my local store has always been happy to do it this way.  I always check out at the cosmetics counter, (normally less busy) and if someone else needs to check out I let them go ahead of me.  To view the full match up for Walgreens click here.

Transaction #1

Cover Girl cosmetics Buy one get one 50% off ( powder I bought was $7.49 each)

• use the B1G1 free from 2/7 PG
• $1 from 2/14 Red Plum
• Final Price: $2.74 for both items

Sour patch kids on sale for .49 cents this week (used them as a filler item, so my coupon item ratio would work out, and I could pay with a Register Reward)

Paid with a $3.00 Register Reward from the Huggies deal 2 weeks ago, final price .73 cents plus .74 cents tax= $1.47  (total saved $16.04)

Transaction #2

Ester-C supplements from $10.99, Buy one get one free

• use the $5 coupon  from 1/3 Red Plum  (valid thru 1/24) or 2/21 smart source ( use 2)
• Final Price: 2/$.99

Crest Cavity Protection 6.4-oz $2.29 ( my store they were $2.79)

• use the $1.50 from Walgreens February coupon booklet
• also use the $.75 from 2/7 PG
• Final price: $.54

Gillette RR Deal: Fusion or Venus razors $8.99 each – buy 1 get $4 Register Reward

• use the $4 coupon  from 2/7 PG – Fusion
• Pay $4.99
• get back a $4.00 rr
• like paying $.99

4 packages of  candy on sale for .49 cents (used them as a filler items, so my coupon item ratio would work out, and I could pay with a Register Reward)

Paid with $9.00 in register rewards from last weeks deals, brought my total down to $1.10 plus $1.99 sales tax= $3.09  (total saved $46.19)

Transaction #3

Royal Pudding on sale for 4 for $1 with in store ad coupon

Jello 2 for $1 with instore ad coupon

• also used (2) MFR coupon from Christmas ad in December for $1.25 off 3
• Final price 6 for .50 cents

Trident Layers $.99

• use the $.75 from 2/7 Smart Source (regional coupon)
• Final Price: $.24

Sugar Free Mentos $.99

• use the $.55 coupon  from 2/21 Smart Source
• Final Price: $.44

I also bought 4 3 Musketeers , which should have printed out a $1.50 register reward…but they did not print, so I just returned them.  I bought these as filler items so I could pay with my Register reward .

My subtotal was $2.49 plus .88 cents tax= $3.37  ( but I returned the candy bars for $2.83 cash back)  total  paid .54 cents (total saved $20.35)

WALGREENS TIPS

• One thing to remember about Walgreens RR is you can not use a ”chap stick RR” to pay for another chap stick and have another RR print.  BUT you can use a  “toothpaste” RR to pay for chap stick and have another RR print.
• Also remember that Walgreens has a coupon item ratio rule, you can only use as many coupons as you have items.  They count RR as coupons.   So if  I was only buying 4 items ( all of which had manufacture coupons which meant my item coupon ratio was already 4 to 4) I wanted to pay with a RR I would need to ad a filler item something cheap like a pencil.  This would then make my coupon ration 5 ( 4 manufacturer coupons and 1 register reward) and my item ratio 5.  I then could pay with my coupons and RR with no problem. An instore coupon does NOT count as a coupon in this ratio….just as a sale price.
• Also remember that only one RR per product will print per transaction.  For example If wanted to buy 3 bottles of Aussie shampoo.  In order to have 2 RR print for each one I had to buy them in 3 transactions.  My store is happy to let me go thru the line more than once ……but some store will limit you.
• You can not pay for sales tax with a RR

With the Friends and Family discount, catalinas, coupons and sale price I was able to get a great deal on these.  Before Sale price these would have cost $39.53…..I was able to get them all for $12.38.  Plus I got back $10.50 in Register Rewards.

Before Sale price or coupons this would have cost $86.99

I was able to get it all for $8.55

Plus I got back a $3 catalina for the Salad Dressing

This sale ended Tuesday, I had been trying to get to the store all week and finally went at 11pm Tuesday night ( the last hour of the sale)  They were out of many of the promo items, but that was fine I was still excited with my deals.  They were giving away these calendars ( normal price $14.99)  for FREE.  They come with a cd too….I will be adding them to my kids Valentines gift.  What a thrifty deal.  I will not go into the detials of the sale being that it is over.

Everytime I list a purchase after the sale is over.  I get a few nasty emails telling me it is pointless.  Please note that I post the deals for you to use all week, I will also post my purchases to help you.  But if I happen to shop the last day of the sale I still post it to keep my budget review up to date.

Transaction #2

Items before sale price of coupon would have cost $14.35

I was able to get it all for $2.85

PLUS I got back a $3.00 catalina so it was like getting it free!

Buy 4 salad bottles of Ranch or Italian Dressing

• use 4 $1.50 coupons from the back page of the Albertsons Ad
• Pay $4.76 plus tax
• after you pay get back a $3.00 register reward
• Final price after catalina 4 for $1.76 or .44 cents each

Paid with the $3 catalina from transaction #1….But my store had some coupons in the produce section for $1.00 off produce when you buy 2 Kraft Dressings.  So I was also able to get $2.00 in free produce…after I paid I got back a $3.00 catalina.

I lost my receipt….So I do not have my total down to the penny.  But I do know before sales or coupon this would have been about $29.00……I got it all for $5.25 ( ish).

To view this weeks Albertsons match ups click here

Before sales price or coupons this would have cost $42.90

I was able to get it all for $5.08

Plus I still have $6 register reward so it like getting it all for FREE

I did this deal in 4 transactions, I do it this way so I can “ROLL” my register rewards.  Please note that not all stores will let you split up your purchases.  But my local store has always been happy to do it this way.  I always check out at the cosmetics counter, (normally less busy) and if someone else needs to check out I let them go ahead of me.  To view the full match up for Walgreens click here.

Transaction #1

Vitamin Schtick lip care $1.99

• Pay $1.99 plus tax = $2.11
• get back a $2.00 Register Reward after you pay

Transaction #2

Blink Tears .34 or .5 oz $7.99

• use the $2 from 1/31 Red Plum
• get back a $7.99 Register Reward after you pay
• Final Price: $2 overage

4 packs of Jello ( use instore coupon to get it .20 cents each)  Used these a a filler item so I could pay with 2 RR, and to bring my total up higher than tax due.

I paid with a $2 rr ( from transaction#1) and a $5 rr from diaper deal last week, and a $2 coupon for blink.  This brought my total down to only  .01 cent plus .52 cents tax = total due .53 cents.  After I paid I got back a $8.00 rr for the Blink drops.

Transaction #3

Vitamin Schtick lip care $1.99

• Pay $1.99
• get back a $1.99 Register Reward after you pay

Zicam Cold Sore Swabs 10-ct $10

• use the $3 coupon on box
• get back a $7 Register Reward
• Final Price: FREE

Paid with a $3 coupon found on box of Zicam,  and the $8 rr from transaction #2, brought my total down to .99 cents plus .72 cents tax =$1.71   After I paid I got back $9 in register rewards ( $2  and $7)

Transaction #4

Jello  use instore coupon to get it .20 cents each ( used to get my total up above sales tax, so I can pay with RR)

Scalpicin Medicated Wipes 12-pk $5.99

• get back a 5.99 Register Reward
• use the $1 printable HERE ( I forgot to print this so I did not use it )
• Final Price: $1 overage

Cosmetics sponges $2.99 ( no sale just needed them)

Paid with a $7 and $2 register reward from transaction #3, brought my total down to .18 cents plus .55 cents tax = .73 cents.  After I paid I got back a $6 register reward.

WALGREENS TIPS

• One thing to remember about Walgreens RR is you can not use a ”chap stick RR” to pay for another chap stick and have another RR print.  BUT you can use a  “toothpaste” RR to pay for chap stick and have another RR print.
• Also remember that Walgreens has a coupon item ratio rule, you can only use as many coupons as you have items.  They count RR as coupons.   So if  I was only buying 4 items ( all of which had manufacture coupons which meant my item coupon ratio was already 4 to 4) I wanted to pay with a RR I would need to ad a filler item something cheap like a pencil.  This would then make my coupon ration 5 ( 4 manufacturer coupons and 1 register reward) and my item ratio 5.  I then could pay with my coupons and RR with no problem. An instore coupon does NOT count as a coupon in this ratio….just as a sale price.
• Also remember that only one RR per product will print per transaction.  For example If wanted to buy 3 bottles of Aussie shampoo.  In order to have 2 RR print for each one I had to buy them in 3 transactions.  My store is happy to let me go thru the line more than once ……but some store will limit you.
• You can not pay for sales tax with a RR

Before sale price, coupons or promos this would have cost $285.71

I was able to get it all for $21.77

I was able to find all my items in stock  ( thanks Albertsons for stocking up for us coupon shoppers!)  The only thing they did not have was the syrup which I found at our other local store ( thanks  Megan).  I could only double 3 coupons at a time…so I did have do several transactions.

Dannon Danimals Yogart on clearance for $1.97

• use the $1.00 off coupon from 1/10 smart source
• with double coupon FREE

Tree Top Trim on sale $2.50

• use the the $1.00 off coupon from the  1/10 smart source
• with double coupon final price .50 cents

Quaker Sale purchase in groups of 5 to get $1 each ( $1.60 if bought individual)

Quaker Chewy Granola bars or Dipps 7.9-8.7 oz Select Varieties $1 each

• use the $1.00 off any two Quaker Granola bars printable here
• Coupons came in the 1/3 red plum for .55 cents off ( but our region didn’t get them) you can find them on ebay
• Final price .45-.55 cents each
• With Double coupon FREE

Aunt Jemima Pancake Mix 32 oz select Varieties $1.00 each

• $1.00 off 2 pankcake mix or syrup coupon in the 1/3 red plum ( but our region didn’t get them) you can find them on ebay
• Final price $.50 cents
• With Double coupon FREE

Quaker Oats ( in the tub) 42 oz Select Varieties $1.40 when bought with 5 quaker products ( $2 individual price)

• .50 cents coupon in the 1/3 red plum ( but our region didn’t get them) you can find them on ebay
• final price .90 cents
• With Double coupon .40 cents each

Aunt Jemima Syrup 24 oz selest Varieties $1.40 when bought with 5 Quaker Products ( $2 Individual price)

• $1.00 off 2 pankcake mix or syrup coupon in the 1/3 red plum ( but our region didn’t get them) you can find them on ebay
• final price .90 cents each
• With double coupon .40 cents each

On the back page of the ad are 12 manufacturer coupons ( these are MFR coupons so YES you can double them)

Save $1 on any two Best Foods Mayo 22-30 oz, makes Mayo $2 each when you by 2

• with double coupon $1.50 each

Save $1 on any two I Can’t Believe it’s not Butter, final price $1 each when you buy 2

• with double coupon .50 cents

To answer a few question….I get 11 Sunday Papers 6 from the Press Tribune, and 5 from the Statesman. I did not start out with that many….I was happy to get 4 in the beginning but as my family grows I have found is it worth it to get both.  But I am kind of an extreme coupon shopper.  I did not use the printable quaker coupons….I bought coupons from ebay ( something I do not do very often)  I was able to get 30 coupons for about $4.  It is illegal to sell coupons, but you can sell your time from cutting and shipping them.  Any ebay listing that state other wise will be taken off due to ebay rules.  Hope that clears up any questions.

Once again it goes to show that having Multiple Sunday papers for coupon inserts and for Doubles, really pays off.  This has been the secret to my saving buying multiple Sunday papers and for only $13 a month it is totally worth it!  To find out how to get the Idaho Press Tribune or the Idaho Statesman A Thrifty Mom Paper deal click them.

Before Sale Price or coupons these items would have cost $61.07

I was able to get it all for $6.03

Plus I got back a $5 register reward

Today is the last day of the sale at Walgreens. New sale starts  Sunday… So I will not go into all the details of  this deal….but after sale price, I did pay with $10.50 in coupons and $20 in register Rewards.  Brought my total down to only $$6.03 after I paid I got back a $5 RR  for the diaper deal.

A few months ago I got a check from Walgreens for $5.00 off $20 purchase….I put it up so the kids would not get to it…and totally forgot about it.  I was cleaning out the file cabinet and found it one day before it expired!!!  I went ahead and used it on the Chip and dip deal going on at Walgreens.

Before Sales price or coupons this would have cost $32.81

I was able to get it all for $4.42

Plus I got back a $10.00 catalina …..so it is like getting it free!

I paid with the $5 check and a $10 catalina from the Vicks deal I did last week…which brought my total down to only $4.42

Countdown To Super Bowl Register Reward Deal: spend $20 get $10 RR

• Tostitos Chips & Dip 2/$5
• use the $.55/2 from 1/17 Smart Source
• Final Price: 2/$4.45
• 
  
• Get:
• (4) Tostitos Chips $10
• (4) Dip $10
• -$2.20 coupons
• -$10 RR
• Final Price: 8/$7.80 or $.98 each!