No Groceries for 3 Weeks!

I went "grocery" shopping finally yesterday for the first time in 3 weeks! No, we weren't starving and, yes, I did go shopping the past 3 weeks. I went to Wal-Mart, we had to buy milk ($3), I went to CVS here and here, then I went to Target and finally I went to Target and CVS. See, I shop a lot. If you'll notice the pictures I usually picked up milk, bread or fruit while I was "free shopping".

I added up all my misc. trips and spent only $32.44 OOP. Now, my budget is about $35 a week. So over the past 3 weeks I would have $105 to spend. Subtract the $32.44 and I could have spent $72.56 to catch up.

Yesterday's total???? $64.28..........that's $8.28 under budget! I am pleased with myself. My average for the past 3 weeks has been $32.24 a week. That's for groceries, diapers, TP, you name it for a family of 4.

First, I went to Kroger and spent $26.46. Some highlights: I found the Land O' Frost free lunchmeat, but only got 2. I finally found some cat food I had a free coupon for, so I got 3 more bags of free cat food, a free yogurt (it was on sale for $1.25 because it expired soon, I stacked a $.40 e-coupon with a $.50 regular coupon that they doubled, so I really made $.15 on it), Totino's pizzas are only $.70, that's about all that was super exciting.

I had loaded a cooler with ice in the car before I left, so I packed all the cold stuff up and off we went to........ Albertson's.

"Helper's" are on sale for $1, but be sure to print a coupon from my coupon bar ($.80/3)! I stocked up on those and Betty Crocker mixes ($1/2 cookies and $.40/1 brownies is on my coupon bar at left). Blue Bell is $2.67 with coupon, click here. I also took advantage of a fun deal with Cool Whip/Jello and free cookies. I used $1 coupons on each the Cool Whip and Jello. Then for me it was just a bunch of staples (bread, eggs, rice...boring!). Be sure to get the free Kraft Singles coupon from the Parade last Sunday. I got free cheese for purchasing 3 Kool-Aids. Can you believe my kids have never had Kool-Aid? I daughter carried them home she was so excited!

Starting today at Albertson's C&H sugar is $.99, purchase it with the $.30 coupon from the paper (tripled) and you will only pay 9 cents!! This is today through Sunday, limit one. Also, they are running a gas discount promotion if you spend $50 or $100 on groceries.

Don't forget, if you go to Albertson's (or Wal-Mart, etc) get a Redbox movie code before you leave the house. I used the code "SUMMER" and the kids got Alvin. I have never once paid for a Redbox movie!! Read here about how I keep a code with me at all times. Between the movie and the Kool-Aid, my daughter had a great time. :)

Happy shopping!