The Rules for 2009 Grocery Budget

As I mentioned the other day I am going to try to stick to a budget of $800 for the year. There are some guidelines that I have set for myself to follow and am posting so everyone is aware of my rules:

Items included in this budget:

• food
• health and beauty
• pet food
• household cleaning
• paper goods

Excluded from $800 budget:

• Kitty litter
• Alcohol

The $800 cash that has been budgeted and put in an account can be added to only by the following means:

• giftcards that are earned or received
• money received back from rebates
• money received back from ebates
  
• money earned from online surveys

I know Erin over at Jane4Girls does her budget a little differently and includes any fast food or restaurant dining in her $800 for a year... which I must say is SUPER impressive. While my budget plan is inspired by hers I'm going to try things my way. I am including these costs in a small separate entertainment budget for this year.

2008 Totals are IN!

Going forward for 2009 I will be keep a running savings tally for all of my savings categories and not just rebates and ECBs... so I don't end up manually adding everything up at the end of this year like I just did for 2008! Here are the results:

• Coupon Savings $2129.37
• Sale Savings $1548.71
• Rebates $514.97
• CVS ECBs $363.25
• Register Rewards $19.00
• Earned Giftcards $226.19
• Mystery Shops $69.00
• Misc Online Earnings $46.27
• Total Saved $4,401.79

• Total Spent OOP: $1,289.70 (after rebates, gcs and mystery shops)
• # of times my total was under $5: 24
  
• # of those times my total was under $1: 7
  
• # of times my total OOP was ZERO: 20
  

Keep in mind that these totals are only for end of June-December 2008 when I started blogging and keeping track of my shopping and savings. As you can see I have to be a LOT smarter in 2009 especially if I want to keep to my budget of $800 for the year. I have a HUGE challenge ahead of me!!

ExtraCare Bucks are Here!

I just got an email with my CVS extracare bucks notice for this last quarter... AND there was a $5/$25 coupon to use this weekend only (expires 1/4/09)! Hope you have one too! Check your emails!!

New Year, New Challenge

In the next few days I will be revamping my blogs a bit to update them for 2009 challenges. My grocery challenge has been inspired by Erin over at Jane4girls who has just successfully completed 2008 with her shopping budget of $800 for the whole year... with $7.54 to spare! Thanks to Erin I will be trying to see if I can only spend $800 this year on my grocery budget! I really enjoy reading Erin's blog... if you haven't checked it out make sure you stop by now for her great giveaway and to see her start off 2009 with another $800 budget!

Thanks Erin for being such an inspiration to us frugal shoppers!!

Happy New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

Time to rotate stock!

This is the perfect time of year to organize what you have left of your 2008 stockpile before you start up (or continue on) for 2009. Lots of products have expiration dates and its easy to add newer items to the front of your shelves and keep pushing the older items to the back. Having to throw out items because they expired and are no good is NOT a money saver! I hate wasting food, and wasting food or other items because I didn't organize good enough is even worse. So this weekend I'll be organizing my shelves in the basement, my cabinets and my bathroom closets to make sure the newest items are to the back of the shelves and the older items are moved up front to be used first. Doing this also helps freshen my mind of what I do and don't have in the house. Don't wait for spring cleaning to do this one folks, start the year off organized and in-the-know of your stockpile!

January eCoupons

Time to check out the new ecoupons at UPromise.com for January! Make sure you go in and activate this months coupons!

.45/1 Little Debbie 100 calorie snacks
.75/1 Snyder's Pretzels
.75/1 Snyder's Multigrain Chips
.75/2 Marzetti Dips
$1/1 Let's Grow Toddler Food
$1.50/1 Nutrasweet
.50/2 RedPack Tomatoes
.50/2 Red Gold Tomatoes
$1/1 GoldBond Lotion
$1/1 Charmin MegaRoll
$1/1 Charmin Freshmates
$1.25/3 Cabot bar cheeses
.50/1 Fisher Snack nuts
.75/2 Musselman's applesauce
$1/1 Huggies Diapers
$1.50/1 Huggies Supreme diapers
.50/1 Krazy Glue
$1/1 24oz Sunkist Jar Fruit
.25/1 Cargill Salt Kosher Salt
.25/1 Cargill Salt Sea Salt

This Week's Drugstore Planning 12/28-1/3

Here are some of the best deals I'm seeing at the drugstores this week. If there are any great deals I've missed please leave a comment and let me know!

CVS

Pantene 2/$7
$3/2 coupon in 12/28 paper
ECB $2/2

Dawn B1G1 Free @$1.49
.20/1 coupons

Schick Intuition or Quattro Razor $8.99
$3/1 coupon
ECB $5.00

Colgate Total Toothpaste $2.99
$1/1 coupons
$1.50/1 coupons
ECB $2.00 (limit 2)

Rite Aid

Crest Toothpaste or Oral-B toothbrush $2.49
$1/1 coupon
SCR $1.00

AXE Shampoo or Conditioner $4.99
SCR $4.00 (limit 2)

Crest toothpaste twinpack or Oral-B Pulsar toothbrush $4.99
$1/1 coupons
SCR $2.25

Orajel Mouth Sore Rinse $5.99
SCR $5.99

Crest Mouth Rinse $4.49
$1/1 coupons
SCR $1.50

Chex Mix B1G1 Free
$1/2 coupons

Walgreens

Listerine 2/$8
RR $4.50/2

Gillette Bodywash 2/$9
$2/1 coupons

Buy $10 and get $3RR:

• Destin Ointment 2/$6
• Johnson's Baby Oil, Powder or Shampoo 2/$6
• Johnson's Baby Wash or Lotion $5
• Pediatric Electrolyte
• Care Bears Baby Wipes $5

Buy $20 and get $10 RR:

• Vicks: Early Defense Hand Sanitizer, 44 Liquid, 20ct Liquicaps $6 (coupons in Sunday paper)
• Vicks NyQuil or DayQuil Plus C $7 (coupons in Sunday paper)
• Vicks Soothing Vapors $7
• Oral-B Cross Action Vitalizer Plus Anti-Microbial Toothbrush $4
• Vicks VapoRub, Pads, or Throat Spray $4 (coupons in Sunday paper)

Dawn Liquid .99 with in ad coupon (limit 2)

.25/1 coupon in Sunday paper

Revlon Matte Collection Lipstick $7.99

$1/1 coupon

ESR $7.99

Revlon Matte Collection Eye Shadow $4.99

$2/1 coupons

$1/1 coupons

ESR $4.99

Revlon Matte Collection Blush or Eyeliner $9.99

$2/1 coupons

$1/1 coupons

ESR $9.99

Orajel Cold Sore Medicine $8.49

ESR $8.49

CVS 22-Dec-2008

I made it to the 2 day sale a little late on Monday but was able to get in on a few deals!

2- Crest Prohealth Rinse reg $3.99
on sale $2.99
minus (2) $1/1 coupons
final cost 2/$3.98
ECBs $4.00

1- Zantac 150 reg $5.39
on sale $4.99
minus $1/1 coupon
final cost $3.99
ECBs $4.99

1- Halls Naturals reg $2.79
on sale $2.59
minus .50/1 coupon
final cost $2.00
ECBs $2.59

2- Sally Hansen Nailpolish $5.99ea
ECBs $11.98

1- Benefiber drink sticks $7.29
minus $2/1 coupon
final cost $5.29
ECBs $7.29

1- Gold Emblem filled pretzels $1.49
minus CVS free gift coupon
final cost: FREE

1- item not pictured $13.69
minus $4/1 coupon
final cost $9.49

tax .02
used $4/$20 coupon from Recyclebank
used $25.75 in ECBs
OOP: $7.29

• saved $2.60 with CVS sales
• saved $25.75 with ECBs
• saved $14.99 with coupons
• earned $30.85 in Extracare bucks for future purchases
• received $10/$30 Holiday Gift purchase coupon
• received $2/$8 Haircare purchase coupon

Rite Aid 13-Dec-2008

Sorry I've been MIA... as you probably know I was without power for over a week! So minimal shopping on my part, one stop at Rite Aid though!
1- Duracell AAA 4pk $5.49
minus $1.50/1 coupon
final cost $3.99

1- Glad Trash Bags reg $9.49
on sale $5.99 (saved $3.50)
SCR $2.00

1- Maybelline New York Lipcolor reg $9.49
on sale $6.00
minus $4/1 coupon
final cost $2.00 (saved $7.49)
SCR $2.00

1- Almay Blush $8.99
minus $1/1 coupon
final cost $7.99 (saved $1.00)
SCR $5.00

2- M&Ms Mint reg $3.59
on sale B1G1 Free
minus $1/2 coupon
final cost 2/$2.59 (saved $4.59)
SCR: $1.00

used $5/20 coupon from Recycle bank

tax $1.00

OOP: $18.56

cost after rebates $8.56

• saved $10.48 from Rite Aid sales
• saved $7.50 with coupons
• will receive $10.00 back in Single Check Rebates

Walgreens 11-Dec-2008

4- Hershey's Holiday bagged candy
on sale 4/$10
minus (4) $1/1 coupons
final cost: 4/$6.00
ESR $5.00

2- 3pk Scotch Gift Tape
on sale 2/$2
minus $1/2 coupon
final cost 2/$1.00
ESR $2.00

2- Dove Shampoo and Conditioner
on sale B1G1 FREE @$4.99
minus (2) $2/1 coupons
final cost 2/.99

3- Mike & Ikes Candy reg $1.29 ea
on sale 3/$3.00

1- Schick Intuition Razor
on sale $6.99
minus $3 Easysaver coupon
minus $2/1 coupon
final cost $1.99

used $6.00 RR from last trip

total $6.98
used $ on giftcard
OOP: ZERO

received $5.00 RR (Walgreens Holiday Dollars)

• saved $3.00 with Walgreens coupons
• saved $11.00 with manufacturer's coupons
• saved $6.00 with Register Rewards
• saved $14.84 with Walgreens sales
• will receive $7.70 in Easy Saver Rebates
• earned $5 RR for next purchase

This Week's Grocery Planning 12/7/08

Here are some of the highlights at the local grocery stores this week.... any other great deals? please leave a comment!

Big Y: 12/4-12/10 complete ad HERE
** does not double coupons or accept printable coupons

Coke, Diet Coke or Sprite 6pks B1G2 FREE

Jennie-o Turkey Franks B1G2 FREE

Mt. Olive bread and butter pickle chips B1G2 Free
$1/1 coupons

Swiss Miss Cocoa B1G1 Free
$1/2 coupons
.55/1 coupons

Marcal Napkins B1G1 Free
$1/1 coupon in today's paper

Mazola Cooking Spray B1G1 Free
$1/1 coupons

Heluva Good Cheese Bar B1G1 Free
$1/2 coupons

International Delight Creamer 2/$3
$1/2 coupon

Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers 10/$10
$1/1 coupons

Shaws: sale runs 12/5-12/11 for complete ad go HERE
Printable Shaws coupons HERE
** doubles coupons up to .99, accepts printable coupons

Chex Cereal 3/$7
$1/2 coupon
in ad coupon for (4) free 2 ltrs of Coke with purchase of 3 Chex

Ocean Spray Craisins 2/$5
.55/1 coupon in today's paper

Pillsbury Breads, Dinner rolls or Pizza Crust $2.29
$1/1 coupons
$1/2 coupons

Fresh Express bagged lettuces 2/$4
.55/1 coupon in today's paper

Swiss Miss Cocoa 10/$10
$1/2 coupon
.55/1 coupon

Pam Cooking Spray $2.99
.50/1 coupon

Ronzoni Bistro Meals 2/$4
$1/1 coupons

Hormel canned turkey or chicken 2/$3
.35/1 coupon

Stop and Shop: sale runs 12/5-12/11 for complete ad go HERE
**doubles coupons up to .99, accepts printable coupons

Healthy Choice Steamers 5/$10
$1/2 coupon

Progresso Soups 8/$10
$1.50/5 coupon in today's paper

Hormel Black Label Bacon B1G1 Free
$1/2 coupons
.50/1 coupons
.55/1 coupons

International Delight Creamer 2/$3
$1/2 coupon

Price Chopper: sale runs 12/7-12/13 complete ad HERE
** doubles coupons up to .99, accepts printable coupons

Tyson Cornish Hens .99/lb
$1 off coupon

Eggland's Best Eggs $2.69
$1/2 coupons
.50/1 coupon

Boursin Spreadable Cheese B1G1 FREE

V8 Soup 2/$5
$1/1 coupon

PopSecret B1G1 free
$1/2 coupon

Near East Rice Pilaf 10/$10
.50/1 printable coupons

Knorr Lipton Pasta Sides 10/$10
.75/2 coupon
$1/3 coupon

Whiskas Temptations treats 2/$3
$1/2 coupons
.50/1 coupons

Pounce Treats 10/$10
.75/1 coupons

Coffeemate Creamer 2/$3
$1/2 coupon

Mrs Smith's fruit pies B1G1 free
$1/2 coupon

Lean Cuisine Entrees 4/$10
$1/2 coupons
$1/4 coupons

Dove or Degree Deodorant $2
$1/2 coupons

This Week's Drugstore Planning 12/7-12/13

Here are what I see as the best deals this week at the drugstores.... as always if you see a deal I've missed please leave a comment to share! Thanks and happy shopping!

CVS

Spend $20 and get $10ECBs:

• Hershey's Kisses, Miniatures, hugs or nuggets 8-12oz 2/$4
• Hershey's Kisses, Miniatures, or Reeses 18.5-19.75oz 2/$7
• $1/2 coupons
• Hershey's Holiday Candy 2/$1
• Hershey's Extra Large bars
• Cadbury Bars
• Twizzlers 2/$3
• Hershey's Bliss 2/$6
• $1/2 coupons, $1/1 coupons
• Hershey's Pot of Gold premium or nut assortment

Revlon make-up B1G1 free
$2/1 coupons
$1/1 coupons (some in today's paper)

Powerade 32oz $1.59
ECB $1.59

Spend $20 and get $10ECBs

• Energizer Max AAA or AA 8pk; C or D 4pk; 9v 2pk $5.99
• Energizer rechargeable 4pk save $2
• Energizer Advanced or Ultimate Litium 4-8pack save $2
• $1/1 coupons

Maybelline Lipcolor B1G1 free
$4/1 coupon in today's paper

Get $5ECBs when you buy 2 Kiss or Broadway Nails (excludes glue)

Schick Quattro or Intuition Razor $8.99
$2/1 coupon in today's paper
ECB $4.00

Gillette Venue of Fusion Cartridges or razors (excludes disposables)
Spend $15 and get $5ECBs
$4/1 coupons

Spend $25 and get $5 ECBs:

• Huggies Jumbo pk diapers or Pullups $10
• Huggies Wipes $3.00
• coupons in today's paper

Spend $20 and get $5 ECBs:

• NyQuil liquid twinpack, DayQuil or Nyquil 40ct liquicaps $10
• $1.50/1 coupons
• Metamucil Powder or capsules or Fibersure $10
• $1/2 coupons, $1/1 coupons
• Prilosec OTC 42ct $25
• $2/1 coupons
• Pepto Bismol liquid, caplets or chewables $5
• $1/2 coupons

Spend $15 and get $5 ECBs:

• Gain or Tide 64 loads $12
• $1/1 coupons
• Duracell Batteries AA or AAA 4pk, C or D 2pk or 9v 1pk $3.00
• $1.50/1 coupons

Rite Aid

**4 page in-ad rite aid coupon section over $165 of savings

Glad Trash Bags $5.99
$1/1 coupons
SCR $2.00

Febreeze Noticables or Candle $5.99
$2/1 coupons
SCR $2.00

Maybelline New York Lipcolor $6.00
$4/1 coupon in today's paper
SCR $2.00

Almay Foundation, Powder, Concealer or Blush $8.99
$1/1 coupon
SCR $5.00

Nyquil or Dayquil liquid or 12ct liquicaps $4.99
$1.50/1 coupon
SCR $1.00

Old Spice bodywash or Deodorant 3/$12
$1/2 coupons
SCR $5.00/3

Olay Bath Bars 2pk $1.99
$1/1 coupons

Crest Spinbrush B1G1 Free
$2/1 coupons

M&Ms Holiday Candies B1G1 free
$1/2 coupon in today's paper
SCR $1/2


Walgreens

Hershey's Holiday Candy 4/$10
$1/2 coupons
ESR $5.00/4

Scotch Magic or Gift Wrap Tape 2/$2
$1/2 coupons
ESR $2/2

Coke 12 packs 3/$10
RR $2.00

Carnation Evaporated Milk
.99 with in ad coupon (limit 3)
.50/2 coupons

Morton Salt
2/$1 with in ad coupon (limit 4)

Ragu Spaghetti Sauce
2/$3 with in ad coupon (limit 4)
$1/2 coupons

Reynolds Wrap 20 sq ft
.99 with in ad coupon (limit 2)
$1/1 coupons

Plush novelty pillows $14.99
ESR $5.00

Signature Classics/Home Elements small appliances $29.99
ESR $10.00

• LED Steam/Dry Iron
• 12 cup digital coffeemaker
• Panini Grill
• Deep Fryer
• 5 speed chopper/blender
• Electric Griddle
• 17 piece Blender set
• Perfection Sewing Machine

Gillette Fusion Phenom Razor gift sets $12.99
$4/1 coupon in last weeks paper
RR $3.00

Schick Intuition or Quattro razor $6.99
$3 Easysaver coupon
$2/1 coupon in today's paper

Barbasol or Pure Silk Shave Cream
.99 with in ad coupon (limit 3)

Mitchum AP or Deodorant
$1.99 with in ad coupon (limit 3)
$1/1 coupons
.75/1 coupons

Dove Hair Care B1G1 Free @$4.99
$2/1 coupons

Kellogg's Cereal $1.99
Frosted Flakes, Corn Pops, Froot Loops or Rice Krispies
$1/1 coupons

Rite Aid 02-Dec-2008

1- Ultimate Gillette Gift Pack $14.99
minus $4/1 coupon from Sunday paper
final cost $9.99
SCR $5.00 (offer #89)

1- Gillette Fusion Razor reg $11.99
on sale $9.00
minus $4/1 coupon from Sunday paper
final cost $5.00 (saved $6.99)
SCR $5.00 (offer #8)

1- Crest ProHealth Rinse reg $6.49
on sale $4.99
minus $1/1 coupon from Sunday paper
final cost $3.99 (saved $2.50)
SCR $2.25 (offer #99)

5- Duracell Batteries $5.49ea
on sale B3G2 Free (minus $10.98)
minus (5) $1.50/1 coupons from Sunday paper
final cost 5/$8.97
SCR $10.00 (offer #45)

used $5/$25 coupon

tax $1.45
OOP: $25.40

• saved $16.50 with coupons
• saved $15.47 with Rite Aid sales
• will receive $22.25 back in Single Check Rebates
• earned $5 Rite Aid gc from Gift of Savings Program

Want to see more Drugstore Savings? Visit the "Cent"sible Sawyer's Drugstore Divas!

Walgreens 02-Dec-2008

4- Holiday Pencils $1 (filler)

4- Brach's Candy
on sale 4/$10.00
ESR $5.00

2- Reach toothbrushes
on sale 2/$6.00
minus B1G1 free coupon
final cost 2/$3.00
RR $6.00

2- Gillette Foamy reg $2.49ea
2/$3.00 with in ad coupon (minus $1.98)

2-Carmex Lip Balm 2/$3.00
.99 ea with in ad coupon (minus $1.02)
minus $1/2 coupon
final cost 2/.98

2-Celestial Seasonings tea $3.29
on sale 2/$3.50
minus $1/2 coupon
final cost 2/$2.50

1- Right Guard Clinical Strength Deodorant
on sale $5.99
.50/1 printable coupon
final cost $5.49
ESR $5.00

used $5/$25 coupon

tax .42
total $21.39
used $ on giftcard
OOP: ZERO

• saved $8.00 with Walgreens coupons
• saved $6.78 with Walgreens sales
• saved $5.50 with manufacturers coupons
• will receive $10 in Easy Saver Rebates
• earned $6.00 register rewards for next purchase

Want to see more Drugstore Savings? Visit the "Cent"sible Sawyer's Drugstore Divas!

CVS 02-Dec-2008

Just one item this week (so far!)

1- Zantac 150 reg $10.79
on sale $8.99
minus $1.50/1 peelie
final cost $7.49 (saved $3.30)
mail in rebate $5.00
ECB $2.00

used $5.98 ECBs

OOP: $1.51

• saved $9.28 with sales, coupons and ECBs
• earned $2.00 ECBs for next trip
• will receive $5.00 back from rebate
• MONEYMAKER

Want to see more CVS savings? Visit the "Cents"ible Sawyer's CVS Superstars!