April Goal - The Final Tally...

I wanted to post the final tally of my April goal of spending $100 on food for the month. I had previously spent a total of $66.63 on food through my last post on this topic which was on Sunday. This week I only made one quick trip to the store for some milk and a little bit of produce and spent $14.72, making my grand total spent on food for the month... $81.35!!

I came in under my goal by almost $20 - WOO HOO! I even splurged a few times when shopping and bought things we really didn't need and that weren't that great of deals. I was happy to achieve this goal, but have to say my freezers really don't look that much emptier. I'm beginning to wonder how long I could truly go eating away our freezer stockpile, but think I'll continue to slowly add to it when there are killer sales.

Most of the money I spent this month was on milk and fruit and veggies, so spending only $81.35 was s pretty big accomplishment. We always have lots of fresh fruit and veggies in our house and they usually take up a pretty large part of our grocery budget as I try to feed us as few processed foods as possible. I also don't feed my family items with high fructose corn syrup, so that limits a lot of choices on food.

I have a new goal for May that I'll post about tomorrow, so stay tuned!

How did your goals for April turn out?

Borders 40% off coupon - Good today only!

Borders has a 40% off coupon good toward any regularly priced item that is good through today. Go here to get the coupon. You can use the coupon in-store or online, but it is only good through today. You also have to sign up for their rewards program to use the coupon but it is completely free.

I went today and picked up a book with this coupon for cheaper than I could find it anywhere, even after I paid taxes on it - so this is a pretty good deal!

Leapster Learning System for $24.99 at Toys R Us!

The original Leapster game system is on sale at Toys R Us stores and online today and tomorrow only for $24.99. That is a great deal for this time of year and a savings of 50%! No coupon needed, but I'd call ahead to make sure local store still has some in stock. Go here to find your closest store.

You can usually find used games on Craigslist or ebay at a deep discount or hold out for the holiday season and stores mark them down drastically. I got tons of games for super cheap last holiday season on Amazon, brand new games for less than $10 each!

Things to do on Saturday...

It is the first Saturday of the month tomorrow which means the Denver Art Museum is free all day, thanks to Target! They are open from 10 am - 5 pm, so you have plenty of time to swing by and take advantage of this great opportunity. Go here for more information on the Art Museum.

Lowe's is also offering a Build & Grow Clinic on Saturday as well. It starts at 10 am and this week they are building a fun wooden schoolhouse. Go here for more information and to register.

I love it when there are several free events to choose from. You can have tons of fun without spending a ton of money!

Some great sales this weekend...

New York and Company is currently having a 50% off sale in-store and online through Sunday! No coupon code needed, prices are reduced automatically. Go here to find your closest store. I love their clothes, I used to wear them all of the time when I worked in an office. I don't wear it so much anymore as I'm more of a jeans and a t-shirt kind of girl right now.

Old Navy is also having a 30% off sale in-store only, today through Sunday. What an awesome deal. This isn't valid online, so make sure to head to your closest Old Navy to get in on this sale, no coupon needed! Go here to find your closest store.

Staples Deals - Good deal on batteries!

I'm sorry this is pretty late in the week, but through Saturday at Staples, you can snag some free batteries (after Staples Reward)! First you need to sign up to be a Staples Rewards Member, if you are not already. Then you need to purchase any 20 pack of Duracell batteries for $9.99 and you will get $9.99 back in Staples Rewards to use on another purchase. You can do this 2 times per household.

You can also get some cheap paper through Saturday. Hammermill 500 sheet paper reams are on sale for $6.49 and you can submit for the Easy Saver Rebate of $5.49 to get paper for $1 per ream (after rebate). There is a limit of 2 rebates per household. Just what I needed was some more cheap paper for all of my coupon printing!

The beautiful thing about the Easy Saver Rebate is that you can submit it all online and you get a check back, not just store credit. Go here to submit for your Easy Saver Rebate.

Safeway Weekly Deals 4/28 - 5/4

More free tortillas this week at Safeway and cheap refried beans and soy milk! There is also a weekend sale this week at Safeway that has some pretty good deals you can get on Saturday and Sunday only.

Weekend Sale: (Good only Saturday and Sunday)
Sara Lee Bagels $1.69
Use $.55/1 from the 4/25 RP
Cost = $.69!

Red Baron Pizza $2.99
Use $1.50/1 from the 4/25 SS
Cost = $1.49!

Starbucks Coffee (12 oz.) $4.99, limit 4
Use $1/1 from the 3/21 SS
Cost = $3.99

Tropicana Pure Premium (89 oz.) $2.99
Use $1/2 from the 2/21 RP, you must buy 2 to use this coupon
Cost = $2.49 each, when you buy 2!

Strawberries (1 lb.) $1
Blackberries (6 oz.) $1
Kraft Salad Dressing (14 - 16 oz.) $.99, limit 3
Cheez-It Crackers (7.9 - 9 oz.) $.99, limit 4
Safeway Select Artisan Angel Food Cake $1.79
Signature Cafe Chicken Tenders $2.99/lb.
Safeway Thick Sliced Hickory Bacon (sold in 3 lb. packages) $1.99/lb. = $5.97
Medium Raw Shrimp (2 lb. bag) $2.99/lb. = $5.98, limit 2
Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna $.44
Lucerne Creamery Fresh or Safeway Select Ice Cream (1.5 - 1.75 qt.) $2.29, limit 3


Other Weekly Deals:
Mission Tortillas Caseras $.99, with in-ad coupon
Use in-ad coupon and new $.75/1 printable here (you have to select a store and King Soopers is the only store of ours that we can pick, but when the coupon prints it is a manufacturer coupon so you can use it at any store!)
Cost = FREE!

Rosarita Refried Beans $1
Use $.50/3 from the 4/25 SS, you must buy 3 to use this coupon
Cost = $.67 each, when you buy 3!

Silk Soy Milk (64 oz.) $1.99, with in-ad coupon
Use in-ad coupon and $.75/1 from the 4/11 SS
Cost = $.99!

Barilla Whole Grain Pasta BOGO
Use $.55/1 from the 3/7 SS
Cost = I'm not sure of the final cost.

Kellogg's Rice Crispies or Froot Loops (12 - 12.2 oz.) $1.99
Use $1/2 from the 3/28 RP (good on Rice Crispies), you must buy 2 to use this coupon
Cost = $1.49 each, when you buy 2!

Oscar Mayer Lunchables BOGO
Use $1/1 from the 3/21 SS
Cost = I'm not sure of the final cost!

2-Liter 7-Up $.69 with in-ad coupon, limit 4

Buy 3 participating Pepsi 12 packs (12 oz. cans) at 3/$7.98, get a FREE bag of Tostitos Tortilla Chips (9-13 oz.)


Meat/Seafood:
Land O Frost Lunchmeat (16 oz.) BOGO
Use $1/1 from the 4/25 RP
Cost = I'm not sure the final cost!

Gorton's Seafood Selections $3.50
Use $1/1 from the 2/21 SS
Cost = $2.50

Oscar Mayer Beef Bologna BOGO
Use $1/2 from the 3/7 SS
Cost = I'm not sure the final cost!

Rancher's Reserve Boneless Beef London Broil $1.99/lb.
Pork Shoulder Country Style Ribs $1.49/lb.
80% Lean Ground Beef $1.69/lb.
Eating Right Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts $1.99/lb.
Alaskan Cod Fillets $3.99/lb.
Jennie-O Turkey Store Ground Turkey Breast BOGO Farmland Sliced Bacon BOGO


Produce:
Large Hass Avocados $.77
Mangoes $.50
Eating Right Salad Blends BOGO

If I missed any great deals, let me know and I'll add them to the list!

Some New High Value Coupons Available...

in the orange widget in the left sidebar. There is a coupon for $1/2 Classico Pasta Sauces, $1/1 Method Laundry Detergent, and $1/1 Sunsilk product. Some of these are not new ones so if you've already printed them this month, you won't be able to do it again.

I'd suggest printing these now and the high value coupons always seem to be gone fast. Also, it is getting toward the end of the month so print any coupons you think you may use in the future as the coupons update at the beginning of the new month and many of them disappear!

Do you have a budget?

I think writing down a budget is an important step in your financial life. It is important to know where your money goes and create a budget that works for your family. Many people don't have a budget and just spend money as they go. Creating a monthly budget will help you realize where you have room to change your spending habits and be able to save more money for yourself.

If you don't have a budget, I suggest tracking your spending for a month. This includes everything you do (that Starbucks coffee, the grocery bill, the mortgage/rent, etc.) and all other spending. Once you have what you spent for the month, try creating a budget for your expenses and see where you have room for improvement. The next month, track your spending again and see how well you did sticking to your budget. Budgets take some time to get down and usually require some trial and error before it works for you.

Do you currently have a budget written down for your family? If not, I challenge you to track your spending and create one! You'll probably be surprised how much money you "blow" on little and big things that aren't a necessity.

King Soopers Weekly Deals 4/28 - 5/4

There are some great deals at King Soopers this week, including free deodorant and yogurt!

Weekly Deals:
Speed Stick Deodorant $1
Use $.50/1 from the 4/25 SS or $.75/1 printable here
Cost = FREE!

Mountain High Yogurt $.50
Use $.50/2 from the 4/11 RP
Cost = 2 for FREE!

Tobasco Sauce $1
Use $.50/1 from the 4/25 SS or printable here
Cost = FREE!

Yoplait Greek Yogurt $1
Use $.30/1 from the 3/28 SS or $.45/1 printable here or $.30/1 printable here
Cost = as low as $.10 each!

Tropicana Pure Premium Juice (59-64 oz.) $2.38
Use $1/2 from the 2/21 RP, you must buy 2 to use this coupon
Cost = $1.88 each, when you buy 2.

Maxwell House Coffee $5.99
Use $1/1 from the 3/21 SS, or $1/2 printable here you must buy 2 to use this coupon
Cost = as low as $4.99

Kellogg's Cereal $2.50
Various coupons in the 3/28 RP, if any of these varieties are participating
Cost = will vary!

Pop-Tarts $1.67
Use $1.25/3 from the 3/28 RP, you must buy 3 to use this coupon
Cost = $1.25 each, when you buy 3!

Irish Spring Body Wash $2.88
Use $.50/1 from the 4/25 SS
Cost = $1.88

SoBe Lifewater $1
Use BOGO printable here, you must buy 2 to use this coupon
Cost = $.50 each, when you buy 2!

Country Crock Spread $1
Use $.40/1 printable here
Cost = $.20!

Pillsbury Dough $1
Use $.40/2 from the 3/28 SS (good on crescent rolls) or $.40/2 from the 1/3 SS (good on dinner rolls and expires on 4/24) or $.30/2 printable here (good on Grands! biscuits) , you must buy 2 to use these coupon
Cost = as low as $.60 each, when you buy 2!

Buy 5 Healthy Choice or Marie Callendar's Entrees 5 for $10, get 1 free 48 oz. Kroger deluxe ice cream free! You must buy 5 to get this deal. Use 2, $1/2 printables here, (good on Healthy Choice) like paying $8 for 5 Healthy Choice meals and 1 container of ice cream!

Kroger Cheese (8 oz. bars or shreds, 6 oz. deli slices) $1.50

Buy 3, 12 packs of Coca-Cola soft drinks for $12, get 2 boxes of Ritz crackers free!


Meat/Seafood:
Fast Fixin' Chicken (6-8 oz.) $1
Use $.30/1 printable here
Cost = $.40!

Boneless Chicken Breasts $1.99/lb.
USDA Choice Boneless Chuck Roast or Chuck Steak $2.99/lb.


Produce:
Fresh Corn $.25
Cantaloupe $.33/lb.
Grape Tomatoes (10 oz.) $1
Large Avocados $1
Organic Pink Lady Apples (3 lb. bag) $2.99
Anjou Pears $1/lb.

Rumor also has it that King Soopers is carrying the Marcal Small Steps line that you can pair up with coupons from the 4/25 SS to get some good deals on paper products. I haven't been by the store to confirm this and in the past haven't been able to find these products at King Soopers. Let us know if you find them! Thanks for the heads up Carmen!

Did I miss any great deals? If so, let me know and I'll add them to the list!

Sprouts Weekly Deals 4/28 - 5/5

Remember that Sprouts does double ad Wednesdays. What does that mean? It means that you can get deals from both last weeks ad and this weeks ad on Wednesdays.

As many of you know, I do most of my meat, veggie and fruit shopping at Sprouts. Their sales are amazing and I can almost always get good deals on organic produce.

Here are the best deals I see for the week...

Produce:
Seeded Watermelon $.25/lb.
Hass Avocados $.33 each
Cucumbers $.33 each
Cilantro $.33 each
Green Onions $.33 each
Lemons $.33 each
Limes $.33 each
Green Leaf, Red Leaf or Romaine Lettuce $.77 each
Baby Carrots (16 oz.) $.99
Broccoli $.99/lb.
Blackberries (6 oz.) $1.50


Meat/Seafood:
USDA Choice Beef rump Roast $1.99/lb.
Fresh Whole Frying Chicken $.99/lb.
Marinated Pollo Asado $1.99/lb.


Bulk Grocery:
Quinoa $2.99/lb. - Awesome grain for your family. Try it out if you don't know what it is, it is great for your body, super fast and easy to cook!
Yogurt Covered Pretzels or Raisins $2.49/lb.
Roasted Almonds $3.99/lb.

Baskin Robbins $.31 scoop night tonight!

Stop into Baskin Robbins between 5 pm and 10 pm tonight to take part of 31 cent scoop night. They are honoring the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) and donating $100,000 to them!

I would suggest calling ahead to make sure your store is participating. Find your closest store here. You may be able to make donations to the NFFF as well, what a great organization to support.

I think I know where the kids and I will be heading tonight - YUMMY!

Watch your mailbox for...

(Sorry for the bad picture, my camera isn't cooperating!)

another $10 off a $10 or more purchase from JCPenney. Mine just showed up yesterday and is good from April 25th - May 10th. I love these coupons as they can make for some really inexpensive or even FREE items!

Did you get one of these too?

Free Lunch Tote with $10 Purchase

Cost Plus World Market is such a fun store to shop in. They run some great sales and have super fun and unique things. This week they are running a special where you will receive a free lunch tote with a $10 purchase.

If you are going to spend $30 or more, use this coupon to get $10 off of your purchase of $30 or more through May 16th.

Go here to find your closest store.

They also have a rewards program called World Market Explorer that is worth signing up for if you shop here, they often email great coupons!

(Thanks, TheThriftyMama!)

25% off code for Banana Republic

Yep, it is true - Banana Republic has a 25% off code out. Use code BRSPECIAL when checking out to get 25% off your online order, including sale items. Shipping is free if you spend $100 or more or starts at $7 if you are spending less. This code is only good through today, so shop soon if you want to get in on this deal!

Clearance finds...

Keep an eye out when you are out shopping for clearance deals. I was at Safeway this week and noticed they had tons of dairy marked on manager's special 50% off. I was able to get organic cheese for less than $3/lb. and it doesn't need to be used until August! I was also at Target this weekend and noticed that they already have some of their summer kids clothes on clearance for 30-50% off. There was casual clothes and even some super cute dresses.

It almost always pays to look around, even when you are just planning on making a quick stop, as you may be able to get some great deals on some things you weren't necessarily shopping for but will need. Unless of course, your little ones are going crazy - then you may just want to get in and out!

Walgreens Weekly Deals 4/25 - 5/1

It looks like a GREAT week at Walgreens for FREE items - WOO HOO! I know where I'll be doing some shopping this week.

Weekly Deals:
Buy 8 Hallmark Cards, get $5 RR or Buy 4 Hallmark Cards, get $2 RR
Rumor has it the cheap $.49 kids cards are working for this deal, if you can find them in your store. I have only seen the $.99 ones.
Scenario:
Buy 8, $.49 cards = $3.92
Get $5 RR, better than FREE after RR!

Stayfree Maxi Pads (16 or 24 ct.) $2.99, get $3 RR
Use $2/1 from the 3/28 RP or $1/1 printable here
Cost = $.99, get $3 RR, better than FREE after RR!

Plackers Dental Flossers (90 ct.) $2, get $2 RR
Use $0.50/1 from the 4/18 RP
Cost = $1.50, get $2 RR, better than FREE after RR!

Clio Beautytrim Personal Hair Trimmer $4.99, get $5 RR
Cost = FREE after RR!

Tone Body Wash $3.99, get $4 RR
Cost = FREE after RR!

Skintimate Shave Cream (6 oz.) $2.99, get $3 RR
Cost = FREE after RR!

These are just the awesome freebies or better than free items this week. For a more complete list, go here. Just keep in mind that coupons are regional and they may vary.

New to shopping at Walgreens? Go here and here for more information about how all of this works.

Pretzelmaker FREE Pretzels - Today Only!

Today in national Pretzel Day (yep it is a celebrated holiday) and to honor this great day, Pretzelmaker is giving away FREE pretzels today. To get this deal, you have to sing a part of a song when ordering this or simply say, "National Pretzel Day." I know which one I would choose to do!

Go here for more details about this day and here to find participating locations.

Another update on my April goal...

of only spending $100 on food. This week, I spent a grand total of $28.56 on food. I bought a bunch of fresh fruit and some veggies and some milk, lunchmeat and just a few other things. My total spent so far this month is $66.63. I'm still on target to spend $100 or less on food this month.

How are you doing on your goals?

Gap Stores - An Additional 40% off clearance?

I have heard that GAP stores are having an additional 40% off of their clearance prices through Monday. Might be a good time to stock up on some cute clothes for yourself or the rest of the family. I haven't been in to verify this sale, but many people are reporting it! No coupon needed, just check your local store for this posted deal!