Hy-Vee 2/29...Kellogg's Deal!

My $4/4 Kellogg's coupons were expiring today, so I was thrilled to see that Kellogg's were 50% off at Hy-Vee starting today! However, I didn't know that they don't take printables over $2.50. (they did this one time for me though :) I was going to combine this deal with the buy three breakfast items get free milk coupon too. However, the cashier said they don't take "free" printable coupons. I didn't argue that one because I have heard of a lot of stores doing that one. Oh well, here is how I did in the cereal aisle:

Raisin Bran (4) $7.96
-$4/4 MQ
-$4 MIR ($10 wyb 10)
-$.04 MM!

Smart Start (2) $4.18
-$1/2 MQ
-$2 MIR ($10 wyb 10)
-$1.18 or $.59 each

Rice Krispies (2) $3.68
Corn Flakes (2) $3.38
-$4/4 MQ
-$4 MIR ($10 wyb 10)
-$.94 MM!

Nurti-Grain Bars (4) $7.16
-(2) $1/2 MQs
-$5.16 or $1.29 each

Subtotal: $52.72
50% Off Sale: $26.36
MQs: $12
MIR: $10
OOP: $4.36
Savings: 91.7%

Walgreens 2/27...A lot OOP, but great trip still....also, Connor makes his blogger debut!

Once I seen the Huggies wipes were free at Walgreens, I hurried myself up and got there before this deal got shut down. I only had $6 RR and there were a few moneymakers I wanted in on. This being said, I spent a lot OOP, but increased my RRs tremendously. Here is what I did in two transactions:

Huggies Wipes (2) $4.98
-(2) $.50/1 MQs
-$4 RR Earned ($2 each)
-$.02 MM!

Avent Pacifiers (2) $8.98
-$2/1 WQs (took off $4)
-(2) $1.50/1 MQs
-$1.98 or $.99 each

Nescafe (4) $4
-$1/3 MQ
-$.65/1 MQ
-$3 RR Earned
-$.65 MM!

Ultimate Flora (2) $20
-(2) $2/1 MQs
-$20 RR Earned
-$4 MM!

Natrol Melatonin (2) $8
-(2) $1/1 MQ (peelies)
-$8 RR Earned
-$2 MM!

Cortaid (2) $6
-BOGO Sale (took off $3)
-(2) $3/1 MQs
-$3 MM!

Coupon Calendar (2) $4 (clearance)
-$4 or $2 each (expensive fillers :)


Subtotal: $49.96
MQs: $17.65
WQs/BOGO/RRs: $13
Tax: $3.42
OOP: $22.73
Savings: 54.5%

I already mentioned that I started with $6 RRs, but I also wanted to add in that I ended with $35 which is a gain of $29. If you subtract my OOP from my increase in RRs, you get a $6.27 MM!

Here is a picture of Connor from the hospital. He was two weeks old on Saturday and I can't believe how fast that time has gone. My maternity leave is 1/3 over already too : ( He is such a good baby and I am very lucky to have two children who are healthy!

January Savings Total

I adjusted the budget to $300 a month a bit to early I think. I was way below this past month, but that's a good thing! I am sure that I will have months in the near future that I make up for being under budget this month.

Here is how I did:

Subtotal (after sale/clearance prices): $1062.53
Manufacturer Coupons: $376.31
Store Coupons (includes ECBs/RRs/Gift Cards): $485.53
Mail-In-Rebates: $17.68
Tax: $33.40
Out-Of-Pocket: $216.41
Savings (including tax): 79.6%

So yeah, even after the $33 tax, I was still $85 below budget. This means without including tax, I was below budget by $117.

Walgreens 1/5....Star Wars!

I knew Walgreens wouldn't have many of the Star Wars figures in stock, so I wanted to get their early this morning to have the best chance of getting in on this deal. I don't know why though, as I don't like Star Wars or really know anyone who would enjoy these. I will find someone to donate them to though :)

I also almost/possibly stumbled on an amazing moneymaker, but the manager and cashier both said no and wouldn't even try. There were three One Touch Ultras on the clearance shelf for $18.99 each originally $74.99. I knew I had the $10/1 MQs, but that would only bring them down to $8.99. An amazing price if this is something that you need, but not for me! So, I decided to swing by the aisle to see if there were any tags indicating RRs or WQs and sure enough there was a tag for the Ultra 2 regular price $74.99-$30 WQ= $44.99.

However, the meters that were in that shelf place were the same ones that I found on clearance, not the Ultra 2. I was hoping they would atleast try it for me, but the manager said, it won't work because it is for the Ultra 2 not the Ultra. So, I was hoping for $30 overage total as if it would have worked the WQ would have automatically adjusted down to $18.99 each and the MQs would have been my overage. Anyways, as I was taking the three meters back that I no longer wanted, the manager took the other four that were on the regular shelf and took them in the back stating he didn't think they were supposed to be marked down.

Aside from that, I did okay... here is what I got:

Star Wars Figures (4) $45.96
-BOGO Sale (took off $22.98)
-(2) BOGO MQs (took off $19.98- cashier was unsure about doing this!)
-$3 or $.75 each

Milk $3.49
-$.40/1 MQ
-$3.09

Breathe Right Strips $6.49
-FREE MQ (catalina)
-$2/1 WQ
-$2 MM!

Snickers Creme Hearts (10) $5
-(5) $1/2 MQs
-$.39 WQ (took of $1.10)
-$1.10 MM!

Subtotal:$60.94
MQs: $31.87
WQs/Sale/RR: $26.08
Tax: $2.06
OOP: $5.05
Savings (before tax): 95%