Kroger, Meijer, and Savings Log

You're right, this is very much a baby blog.  That's what I want it to be.  So you can just think of these nice little posts about couponing and saving money as an added bonus.  Because (1) without couponing we would go without quite a few things and (2) it's just plain fun to save this much money!

Today began the start of a mega sale at Kroger, purchase 10 items and get $5 off.  My favorite kind of sale, although it is a big frustrating when you have a cart overflowing with groceries to make sure you stay within multiples of 10, I tend to save the most money during these sales.  I drove the distance to the store closest to me that doubles coupons up to $1.  Definitely worth the little extra gas and time.  I ended up spending $27.98 with a total combined coupon and store savings of $187.71.  Not too shabby, eh?

Kroger Trip (Prices listed after mega sale discount):

6 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars - $1.87 used 75/2 coupon to pay only $1.12 per box

4 Kellogg's 8 count poptarts - $1.59 used $1/2 printable coupon to pay only $0.59 per box 

(also received a $.50 deposit from Ibotta)

6 Heinz Gravy - $1.29 (not part of the mega sale) used $1/2 coupon to pay just $.29 each

6 Rotel Tomatoes - $.54 - used 50/2 coupon to pay just $.04 each

3 Pepperidge Farm Jingos - $2.19 used $1/1 coupon to pay just $.19 each

6 Jell-o Pudding Mix-Ins - $.99 used 80/2 to pay just $.19 each

(also received a $3.00 catalina off my next shopping order for purchasing these)

6 Quaker Instant Oatmeal - $1.89 used 75/2 coupon to pay just $1.14 per box

3 Oscar Mayer Carving Board Lunchmeat - $2.99 used $1/1 coupon to pay just $.99 per pack

6 Pure Protein Bars - $1.00 (not part of the mega sale) used $1/2 coupon to pay nothing for these.

(also received a $1.50 catalina off my next order for purchasing these)

3 Good n' Natural Bars - $.39 used FREE Good n' Natural coupon to pay nothing for these

3 Activia 4 Pack Yogurt - $1.49 used $1/1 coupon to pay nothing for these

3 Rubbermaid 2 cup containers - $2.21 used $1/1 coupon to pay just $.21 each

6 Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage - $1.49 used 75/2 to pay just $.74 each

2 Gerber Graduates 2+ Dips - $2.00 used $1/1 printable coupon to pay nothing for these

2 Gerber Graduates 2+ Meals - $2.00 used $1/1 printable coupon to pay nothing for these

6 Starkist Tuna Pouches - $.88 used 55/2 coupon to pay just $.33 each

3 Colgate Toothpaste - $1.00 (not part of the mega sale) used 75/1 coupon to pay nothing for these

6 Reach Toothbrushes - $.49 used $1/2 coupon to pay nothing for these

6 Reach Floss - $.45 used $1/2 coupon to pay nothing for these

3 Frank's Sweet Chili Sauce - $1.99 used to pay just $.49 each

1 Dial 3 Pack Bar Soap - $2.24 (not part of the mega sale) used $1/1 coupon to pay just $.24 

6 Dial Liquid Hand Soap - $1.00 (not part of the mega sale) used $1/3 coupon to pay just $.33 each

2 Wholly Salsa - $1.99 used $1/1 coupon to pay nothing for these

3 French's Yellow Mustard - $.99 used 30/1 coupon to pay $.39 each

1 Johnson's Baby Wash - $2.49 used $1/1 printable coupon to pay $.49

Grand Total of $27.98 and a savings of $187.71

This Kroger store doubles coupons up to the value of $1 with a limit of 3 of each type of coupon.  The best time to shop there for food (I'm giving up my secrets here!) is in the afternoon because they get their trucks in around 1pm.  Go there any earlier and you'll have a hard time finding anything on the shelves.  Remember, if the shelf is empty, ask an employee because a lot of times they will have it sitting in the back!

Meijer Trip:

10 Finish Dishwasher 20 count Tabs - $2.69 (used a raincheck from last weeks sale to get this price) used $2.15/1 to pay just $.54 each

2 Wolf Brand Chili - $.99 used 2 40/1 coupons to pay just $.19 each

4 SuperPretzel Soft Pretzels - $2.56 Buy One Get One Free used 2 50/1 coupons to pay just $.80 each

2 lbs of fresh strawberries - $1.50

1 Gorton's Fish Sticks - $3.99 used 50/1 coupon to pay $2.99

2 Arm and Hammer 75oz Laundry Soap - $4.99 Buy One Get One Free used $1/2 to pay $1.99 each

2 Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls - $1.67 used 50/1 coupon to pay $.67 each

Grand Total of $21.98 and a Savings of $65.87

Meijer stores double up to 50 cent coupons with a limit of two of the same coupon doubled

And finally, coupon log savings.  I've made the decision to log all of my savings for 2013.  I've found a good spreadsheet online that I've downloaded and modified slightly to my needs.  It's such a great way to see what you are spending and what you've saved!  I log every receipt I have into this spreadsheet, whether its a great savings like today, or its everyday groceries like milk, meat, and dog food.  It's all there for me to see.  The best part about this is that by seeing what I'm spending every month, I can do a better job of getting those totals lower and lower! 

January 2013 totals (so far)

Total Retail Value of Everything Purchased: $1,731.76

Total Actually Spent: $460.05

With a Total Savings of: $1,277.25

That's 74%!

I found a great simple website that you just enter your receipt info into it, and it keeps a free log of your savings for you!  You just make an account and enter your savings every time you go shopping!

Coupon Record

First day of "school"

Ryder started speech sessions last friday.  He goes to the local elementary school and meets with a woman who helps him with his annunciation.  Although the child loves to talk, and can communicate very well, he still has some trouble with how the words come out.  When he pulled up, he says "Momma, this my school."  I was slightly shocked.  Then I walk him in and leave him with Miss Dionne to go to "school" and he has no problem walking away holding her hand waving behind him and saying "Buh-Bye Momma,  Buh-Bye".

(This is where Wyatt and I wait in the parking lot for the next half hour.)

And out walks Ryder, holding Miss Dionne's hand with his "homework" in his other hand.  I had to do a double take.   --Is that really my child?--  When did he get so big?  And who would have thought that seeing him walk out of a school for the first time by himself would pull on my mom strings so much?  (or possible pregnancy hormones, hard to tell anymore.)

She explained to me what they had worked on and had Ryder show me how he now pronounces the "B" sound better than he ever has before because hes actually putting effort into it, and we return home.

I'm so proud of him.  This mother stuff, with all of its crazy and exhausting moments, is also the most rewarding and wonderful thing I've ever done.

Wyatt's First Haircut

I don't remember being so emotional for Ryder's first haircut.  He was 14 months old at the time.  Wyatt's first haircut was on 12/15/12, Ryder's birthday party, and my wedding anniversary.  I had to fight back tears as every one of his precious curls hit the floor.  It was heartbreaking, but I couldn't have imagined what a grown up beautiful little boy he would be with his first little boy haircut.

He hated every minute of it, so I kept him busy throwing a ball with me running to catch it.  I felt like a labrador retriever - but it worked.  The cheese balls helped quite a bit too.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Ryder!

So, I'm sure every mother has that moment when their child reaches a birthday or milestone where they step back with a tear threatening to spill from their eye and say "I cannot believe my baby did this."

I cannot believe my baby is 3.

He's so grown up.

Newborn

First Birthday

Second Birthday

Third Birthday

He had such a blast getting all the attention, and opening the gifts.  Like any other child, we had to pull him away from one toy to open the next.  We also got moments of his lovely three year old attitude where he would act out, including throwing a toy car and hitting Wyatt right in the nose with it.  

Happy birthday, my sweet boy.  May you have many more happy, healthy years to come.

Keeping my Memories Here

I've been desperately slacking on my posts this past year.  So much has happened that I could be writing about, and instead, I've ignored my computer and just enjoyed the moment.  Hopefully from here on out I will be better about sharing the life of my bunch, any keeping my memories here.

Wish me luck.