My last two weeks of grocery shopping

I have been taking pictures of my groceries after my shopping trips to demonstrate what I buy on my shopping trips and also how I build up stockpile items in my pantry.  I haven’t been doing so great with sitting down and posting the pictures.  So, here are the pictures and the totals for my recent shopping trips.  If you have been watching my shopping trip pictures over the last year or so you may notice that I am buying more fresh fruit these days.  I have recently gone back to Weight Watchers in an effort to lose the extra weight I gained and haven’t lost from my last two pregnancies.  I really like the new PointsPlus Program because most fresh fruits and vegetables are 0 points!  I am snacking on fresh fruit throughout the day and my girls who have always enjoyed fresh fruit are eating more also.  I don’t think that is a bad thing for any of us.  :)

Saturday (2/19/11):

• (5) Jif Natural Peanut Butter
• (2) Blueberries
• (4) Ziploc Freezer Bag (2 quart & 2 gallon)
• (2) Smucker’s Orchards Finest Preserves
• (3) Hungry Jack Pancake Mixes
• (3) Bags of Missions Tortilla Chips (I found $1/1 peelies on each bag making them only $0.67 each after sale and coupon.)
• 3.08lbs Bananas
• Light Wheat Bread (Manager Special)
• Dole Italian Blend Lettuce
• Dole Spinach (Manager Special)
• 5lb. bag GIANT White Potatoes
• 3lb bag of Clementines
• Dole Frozen Mixed Berries
• (3) Stonyfield Yogurt
• (2) Dozen Land O’ Lakes Brown Eggs
• 0.73lb. Parmesan Wedge
• (2) Phillips Crabcakes
• Gorton’s Tilapia Fillets

Shelf Total (before sales, coupons, and tax): $107.62

Final Total (after sales, coupons, bag credits, and before tax): $50.56

Total Savings: $57.06 (53%)

I saved $31.91 with my MARTIN’S BONUSCARD and additional $10 from buying 10 items in the “Smucker’s Stars on Ice” Promotion.  I saved $13.80 with coupons and an additional $1.20 with coupons that doubled.  I also saved $0.15 by bringing my own bags to MARTIN’S (that store didn’t ask if I wanted to donate and I forgot about it after she already gave me the credit. 

Shopping 2/21-2/26/11

I hit several stores this week - MARTIN’S, Costco, and Target.  I don’t have an actual amount for how much I saved at Costco, but because I know my target prices on the things I bought I feel like I purchased things there that are less expensive than what I would pay at the grocery store without a sale.

MARTIN’S 2/21:

MARTIN’S 2/26:

MARTIN’S (Combined):

• (2) Hanover Black Beans
• (2) Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice
• (4) 16oz. Strawberries
• Gerber Rice Cereal
• Nature’s Promise Baby Food
• Dan-o-nino Yogurt (12 ct.)
• (2) Perdue Short Cut Chicken (Both - free after I submit my mail in rebate!)
• (4) Tide Duos (part of $10 prepaid P&G MasterCard promo)
• Pampers Big Box (part of $10 prepaid P&G MasterCard promo)
• Puffs Plus Cube (part of $10 prepaid P&G MasterCard promo)
• Angel Soft Toilet Paper
• Mentos Fruit Chews (free after coupon and a reward for Megan)
• 3lbs. Organic Gala Apples
• 1.85lbs Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
• (2) dozen Land O’ Lakes Brown eggs
• (2) Halls Cough Drops
• Zone Perfect Bar
• (3) Balance Bars

Shelf Total (before sales, coupons, and tax): $120.02

Final Total (after sales, coupons, bag credits, and before tax): $65.20

Total Savings: $54.82 (46%)

If I take off the household items (diapers, Tide, tissues, and toilet paper):

Shelf Total (before sales, coupons, and tax): $73.06

Final Total (after sales, coupons, bag credits, and before tax): $33.25

Total Savings: $39.81 (54%)

I saved $29.57 with my MARTIN’S BONUSCARD.  I saved $22.10 with coupons and an additional $2.90 with coupons that doubled.  I also saved $0.25 by bringing my own bags to MARTIN’S (that store didn’t ask if I wanted to donate and the cashier gave me the credit before I could tell him to donate them).  I am also submitting a receipt for the P&G $10 prepaid MasterCard.

Costco 2/23/11:

• (3) Half-Gallons Organic Milk ($3 each)
• Hydroponic Butter Lettuce ($1.50/head)
• Anjou Pears (5 lbs) ($1.19/lb)
• Dole Bananas (3lbs) ($0.49/lb – the same price as at MARTIN’S)
• Chobani Greek Yogurt (12 pk) ($0.84 each)
• Tangerines (4 or 5 lbs? – $3.99 for the bag)

Final Price (including tax): $34.46

Target:

I didn’t get a picture, it was a bit chaotic when we made it home and since everything needed to go in the freezer it just got put away.  Target had a great deal last week that you got a $5 Target gift card for every 7 frozen food items that you purchased.

• 10 – Market Pantry Steak & Cheese Frozen Burritos
• 3- Market Pantry Frozen Lemonade
• 8 – Bags of Market Pantry Frozen Vegetables (Green Beans, Peas, and Mixed Vegetables)

I earned $15 in Target gift cards and spent $16.91.  If you count the gift cards as cash to spend the next time I go to Target I really only spent $1.91!

MARTIN’S General Mills Cereal & $10 Prepaid MasterCard Promotions

I don’t know if you saw this deal hidden on the side of page 4 in this week’s ad.  It was actually so small that I couldn’t cut and paste it without it looking distorted so I ended up cutting and pasting the pop up bubble. 

When I see deals like these I read them as save $1.50 off each box when you buy 4 boxes.  I like to look for high value coupons that help take off at least $0.50 off each box to make the final cost even lower.  I have found a few coupons.  Because these are larger boxes of cereal I would be willing to pay more than my $1 maximum for a box.  (I got 16 boxes of cereal with a similar promotion about a month ago that was printing free milk catalinas so I am going to skip it this week.)  I haven’t had a chance to walk down the cereal aisle this week to let you know about any prices.

Make sure you are picking up the boxes that are 14.25oz or larger – they are the only ones included in the promotion.

• $0.75/1 box of Cinnamon Burst Cheerios from 2/13 General Mills (SmartSource) Insert
• $1/2 Original or Honey Nut Cheerios from 2/6 SmartSource Insert
• $1/3 General Mills Cereals from 2/13 General Mills (SmartSource) Insert
• $0.55/1 box of Cocoa Puffs
• $0.75/1 box of Cinnamon Burst Cheerios
• $1/2 boxes of select Cheerios
• $0.75/1 box of Cinnamon Burst Cheerios
• $0.55/1 box of Cocoa Puffs
• $1/2 boxes of select General Mills Cereals
• $0.75/1 box of Golden Grahams
• $0.75/1 box of select Chex cereal

Purchase $30 of participating P&G products in one transaction and receive a $10 prepaid MasterCard by mail

There is fine print in the ad that says that the $30 must be met after all additional discounts are applied.  I am not 100% sure if that means after coupons.  I am posting the deal scenarios as if you need $30 after coupons. 

• Bounty Basic Paper Towels (8 Regular) – $5.49
• $0.25/1 from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Charmin Basic (12 Double Roll) – $5.49
• $0.25/1 from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Cover Girl Eye or Lip Products – $1 off
• $1/1 Cover Girl product from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• $2/1 Cover Girl Lip Product from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• $1/1 Cover Girl Eyelights Product from 2/13 RedPlum insert
• Puffs Tissue Cubes – $1
• Bounty Quilted Napkins – $2.69
• $0.25/1 from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets – $3.49
• $0.25/1 from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Bounce Dryer Bar – $3.49
• $0.50/1 from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Tide Detergent (150oz) – $17.99
• $0.35/1 from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Downy Liquid Fabric Softener (34oz) – $3.99
• $0.50/1 from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Tide Stain Release – $5.99
• Buy the 18-ct duo pacs and use the $3/1 coupon from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Buy the powder or liquid and use the $1/1 from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Secret Deodorant – $2.09
• Old Spice Deodorant – $2.09
• Buy 2 and use the $1/2 from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• (if included) Buy 1 Old Spice Fresh Collection and get one Old Spice Deodorant Free from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Oral-B Advantage or Stages Toothbrush – $2
• $0.75/1 Oral-B Advantage Toothbrush from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Always Maxi Pads or Liners – $3
• Tampax Tampons – $3
• Select Crest Toothpaste – $2.50
• $0.75/1 from 1/30 P&G brandSAVER insert
• Scope Mouthwash – $3.98
• $1/1 from 2/6 RedPlum insert
• Pampers Baby Wipes (300-360 ct.)– $8.69
• $2 off when you buy Pampers Diapers and Wipes
• Pampers Big Pack Diapers – $19.99
• $2 off when you buy Pampers Diapers and Wipes

Scenario #1:

• Buy 1 Pampers Diapers ($19.99)
• Buy 1 Pampers Baby Wipes ($8.69)
• Buy 1 Tide Stain Release Duo Pacs ($5.99)
• Buy 1 Oral-B Advantage Toothbrush ($2)

Subtotal = $36.67

Redeem the coupons listed above = $30.67 or $20.67 after you submit your rebate and receive your prepaid $10 MasterCard

Scenario #2:

• Buy 1 Tide Detergent ($17.99)
• Buy 1 Tide Stain Release Duo Pacs ($5.99)
• Buy 2 Old Spice Deodorant ($4.18)
• Buy 1 Charmin Basic Toilet Paper or Bounty Basic Paper Towels ($5.49)
• Buy 1 Oral-B Advantage Toothbrush ($2)
• Buy 1 Puffs Tissue Cube ($1)

Subtotal = $36.65

Redeem the coupons listed above = $30.45 or $20.45 after you submit your rebate and receive your prepaid $10 MasterCard

Scenario #3:

• Buy 4 Tide Stain Release Duo Pacs ($23.96)
• Buy 1 Tide Laundry Detergent ($17.99)
• Buy 1 Puffs Tissue Cube ($1)

Subtotal = $42.95

Redeem the coupons listed above = $30.25 or $20.25 after you submit your rebate and receive your prepaid $10 MasterCard

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S ad

Menu planning and saving money really can go hand-in-hand.  It is important to realize that you can still enjoy some of your family’s favorite meals by menu planning with a sales flyer, you just need to be flexible. 

I am including ideas and recipes for four meals for the week.  As I’ve mentioned before, I have found that I really only cook on average four meals a week and that we end up having at least one left-over night, one meal out, and something easy like homemade pizza. 

We have been eating even fewer full dinners at home recently.  Steve and I are “in training” for the Ukrop’s Monument Avenue 10k in April so we have been going to the YMCA together about two nights a week when he gets home from work and leaving the kids in the child watch.  We are up to 3-4 miles a day now so when we get home we are eating light high protein things like a salad with grilled chicken and hard boiled eggs.  I have been trying to keep both on hand by hard boiling a dozen eggs at a time or grilling a little over a pound of chicken at one time on my George Foreman grill.  We have been eating the Balance bars that I stocked up on on our way to the YMCA so that we don’t crash in the middle of our mileage. 

Have you tried any of the recipes that I have posted?  Do you have a family favorite that you would like to share?  I am hoping to make and try the Spaghetti with Parmesan and Bacon tonight.  I’ll let you know how it turned out and what my family thought of the recipe.

Eye of Round Roast:

I mentioned in my top deals post that I like to buy the Whole Eye Round Roast when they go on sale and grind some of it for my own lean ground beef.  I usually save about 2-3 pounds to cook as a roast.  I saw this recipe in the January issue of All You Magazine and was excited to find it on-line so that I didn’t have to type it out.  It looks really easy and looks like it could easily be cooked in a slow cooker just cook it on low for about 8 hours or high for 4-6 hours.  I would sear the meat in a pan before adding it to the slow cooker.  You could serve it with mashed potatoes (with the gravy on top) or over egg noodles.  The Pennsylvania Dutch Noodles are on sale for $1.25 a bag.  You could add a bag of the Birds Eye Steamfresh vegetables that are on sale this week for $1.33 when you buy 3 and use the $1/3 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource insert.  You can use the leftover roast for sandwiches for the next day or two on the Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain breads or Deli Flats that are $1.49 each when you buy two and use the $0.75/1 coupon from the 2/13 SmartSource insert.

Turkey Tacos:

I am not trying to be one of those “deceptive moms” who hides healthy foods in dishes, but turkey tacos is a great way to introduce your family to ground turkey.  The seasoning disguises the fact that it isn’t ground beef.  The GIANT Ground Turkey (93% lean) is on sale this week for $2.69/lb.  It comes in a 3-lb. package so you can make up a huge batch and freeze the leftovers of just freeze the remaining two pounds for another time.  You can pick up an Old El Paso Dinner Kit for only $1.50 when you use this $0.60/2 coupon.    The coupon is good for any two Old El Paso items so if you don’t want another dinner kit pick up a can of refried beans or an extra taco seasoning packet.  You can get the Sargento shredded cheese for $1.50 when you buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon from the 1/30 SmartSource insert.  GIANT sour cream is $1.29 at an everyday price.  Don’t forget to hit the produce section for lettuce and tomatoes for your taco night.  You could have the Uncle Ben’s Spanish Style Ready Rice as a quick side for only $0.50 when you use the $0.75/1 coupon from the 2/20 RedPlum insert.

White Chicken Chili:

I am always looking for new ways to use boneless skinless chicken breast.  This is a recipe that has been passed around by ladies at my church for several years.  It has even been submitted to the cookbook that will be available in the Spring.  This recipe is the closest I could find to the actual recipe on-line we add an additional 1 tsp. of cumin to ours.  I also use fat free evaporated milk in place of the whipping cream.  (I have had it both ways.  It taste better with the whipping cream, but I feel better about eating it if I have it with the evaporated milk.)  We enjoy it with either cornbread or crusty bread.  I like to serve a salad so there is something green on our plates as well.  Make sure you pick-up the Perdue Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast that are $2.44 a pound and use the $0.75/1 coupon from the 1/23 RedPlum insert.  The GIANT Sour Cream is regularly $1.29.  You can buy the Old El Paso diced green chilies and use this $0.60/2 coupon.

Strawberry Spinach Salad:

I enjoy fresh fruit and like the salads that are available in restaurants now that incorporate fresh fruit and vegetables.  I found this recipe and thought it would be a good starting point for a different way to enjoy the strawberries that are on sale this week for $2 and the GIANT fresh spinach on sale for $1.50.  You could buy a poppy seed dressing if you don’t have the time to make the dressing in the recipe and allow it to chill.  I have enjoyed similar salads with a raspberry vinaigrette or other fruit vinaigrettes.   (The 16oz. Ken’s Salad Dressings are on sale for $1.50 each when you buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon from the 1/9 SmartSource insert.)  You can really add whatever you like – change the almonds to walnuts if you like those better, add some grilled chicken or hard boiled eggs for protein to make it a complete meal.  I like to add more fresh fruit such as blueberries, pineapple, or mandarin oranges.  It really depends on what is in season and on hand.  I sometimes add some crumbled feta or blue cheese.  You can easily adjust it to work for what your family likes and dislikes.  You will really enjoy it when you realize how easy and inexpensive it is compared to what you would pay in a restaurant. 

Happy Menu Planning!

~Ann

MARTIN’S Top Deals for the Week of February 20th

My girls were so excited when they saw the strawberries on the front page of this week’s ad.  They asked, “Mom if strawberries are on sale this week, can you please buy some for us?”  I don’t know if it is good or bad that they have learned that items generally have to be on sale for me to buy them.  I was excited to see the Whole Eye Round Roast on sale again.  This is a sale that MARTIN’S seem to be running about every 6-8 weeks.  I have bought it when it goes on sale and ground my own ground beef (with the meat grinder attachment on my KitchenAid stand mixer).  I asked one of the butchers in the meat department about how lean that would make my ground beef.  He told me that it would be about the equivalent of 93-95% lean ground beef.  That makes it a really great price – I can’t find 93% lean hamburger for $1.99/lb.

There are two promotions in this week’s ad.  Check back later for a separate post about the General Mills Cereal Deal and the Proctor Gamble $10 prepaid MasterCard rebate.

Click here to view an on-line version of this week’s ad. Click here for information about MARTIN’S coupon policy.  The ad and the coupon policy are for the Richmond, VA area.  There is the possibility of some variances in other areas.

Check out Money Saving Mom for my MARTIN’S top deals in addition to top deals for other grocery stores, drug stores, and discount stores from other deal seekers. (They may not be posted until Wednesday.  The person who post the deals is out of the office this Tuesday.)

Check back on Thursdays for a weekly series I started called “Meal Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad”.

Here are what I consider to be the top deals this week at MARTIN’S.  I verify the coupons that I mention with what I receive in my local paper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch (RTD).  Coupons are regional so you may not have the exact same coupon or the same face value.  Remember what I consider to be a good deal and what you consider to be a good deal may differ.  Please feel free to leave me a comment with any deals that you find.

Meat:

• USDA Fresh Whole Eye Round Roast in Cryovac – $1.99/lb
• Perdue Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Value Pack (2-3lb) – 50% off ($2.44/lb at the store I checked on Monday)
• Buy the smallest pack you can find and use  $0.75/1 coupon from 1/23 RedPlum Insert
• $1.94/lb if you buy a 2-lb. package
• GIANT Sliced Bacon (12-16oz) – $3.33
• Al Fresco Chicken Sausage – $3.99
• Use $1/1 printable
• $2.99 after sale and coupon
• GIANT Ground Turkey (93% Lean) – $2.69/lb
• GIANT Fresh Chicken Leg Quarters Value Pack – $0.79/lb
• Perdue Short Cuts (9oz) – Buy One Get One Free ($5.99 at the store I checked on Monday)
• Buy 2 and use $0.75/1 coupon from 1/9 RedPlum Insert
• Save your receipt and submit the rebate next to the coupon in the 1/9 RedPlum Insert for a maximum rebate of $5.24
• Both packages free after sale, coupon, and rebate
• Hillshire Farm Deli Select Ultra Thin Sliced Lunchmeat (8-10oz) – $3.33
• Vote for your favorite sandwich for two $1/1 printable or use $0.35/1 coupon from 2/13 RedPlum Insert
• As low as $2.33 after sale and coupon
• Gorton’s Breaded Seafood Value Pack – $3.99
• Use $1/1 coupon from 1/16 SmartSource Insert or Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 2/13 SmartSource Insert
• As low as $2.99 each
• Phillips Cream of Crab Soup or Lobster Bisque (15oz) – $4.99
• Use $2/1 printable
• $2.99 after sale and coupon

Produce:

• Fresh Strawberries (16oz) – $2
• Naval Oranges – $1
• Red Grapefruit – $1
• Cara Cara Oranges – $1
• Dole Special Blend Salads or Complete Kits – $2
• GIANT Fresh Spinach (10oz) – $1.50
• Mangoes – $1.25
• GIANT Whole or Sliced Baby Bella Mushrooms (8oz) – $1.67
• GIANT Salad Mix (16oz) – $1
• Nature’s Promise Organic Apples (3lbs) – $4.49 ($1.49/lb)

Dairy/Refrigerated:

• Yoplait Yogurt (4-6oz) – $0.50
• Buy 10 and use $1/$10 coupon from 1/2 or 2/13 SmartSource (General Mills) Insert OR use $0.40/6 printable
• As low as $0.37 each after sale and coupon
• Sargento Shredded Cheese (5-8oz) – $2
• Buy 2 and use $1/2 coupon from 1/30 SmartSource Insert
• $1.50 each after sale and coupon
• Dannon Light& Fit (4 pack) – $1.89
• Use $0.40/1 coupon from 1/30 SmartSource Insert
• $1.09 after sale and coupon
• International Delight Flavored Coffee Creamer (16oz) – $1.50
• Use $0.55/1 printable
• $0.50 after sale and coupon
• Smart Balance Omega 3 Milk (64oz) – $2.69
• Use $0.75/1 coupon from 2/13 SmartSource Insert or $1/1 printable
• $1.69 after sale and coupon
• Land O Lakes Large Brown Eggs (1 dozen) – $2
• Buy 2 and use $0.55/2 printable (good on any eggs)
• $1.50 each after sale and coupon

Grocery:

• Progresso Vegetable Classics Soup – $1
• Use $1/4 coupon in 1/2 or 2/13 SmartSource (General Mills) Insert
• $0.75 each after sale and coupon
• Chicken of the Sea Solid White Tuna (5oz) – $1
• Pepsi 2 Liter – $1
• GIANT Italian Bread – $1
• Select GIANT Pasta – $0.75
• Green Giant Vegetables – $0.75
• Uncle Ben’s Country Inn Rice (6oz) – $1
• Ragu Pasta Sauce (45oz) – $2.50
• Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 1/30 RedPlum Insert
• $2 each after sale and coupon
• Athenos Pita Chips (6oz) – $2.50 (usually found in the deli)
• Use $1/1 printable (The print limit must have been reached, because it is no longer available.  I printed mine last week.)
• $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Quaker Instant Oatmeal – $2.50
• Use $1/2 coupon from 1/2 RedPlum Insert or February 2011 Issue of All You Magazine
• $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Old El Paso Dinner Kit – $2
• Buy 2 and use $0.60/2 printable
• $1.50 each after sale and coupon
• Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice – $1.50
• Use $0.75/1 from 2/20 RedPlum Insert
• $0.50 after sale and coupon
• Uncle Ben’s Long Grain or Whole Grain Rice – $1.50
• Buy Fresh Beef & Rice and use $1 off coupon from 2/13 RedPlum Insert
• $0.50 for rice plus the cost of fresh beef after sale and coupon
• Ken’s Salad Dressing (16oz) – $2
• Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 1/9 SmartSource Insert
• $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Campbell’s Tomato or Chicken Noodle Soup – $0.67
• Buy 4 and use $0.40/4 from 2/13 SmartSource Insert
• $0.47 each after sale and coupon
• Mt. Olive Pickles – $2
• Use $0.50/1 from 1/30 SmartSource Insert
• $1 after sale and coupon
• Pepperide Farm Whole Grain Breads or Deli Flats– $1.99
• Buy 2 and use $0.75/2 from 2/13 SmartSource
• $1.49 each after sale and coupon
• Blue Diamond Almonds (6oz) – $3
• Buy 2 and use $0.60/2 coupon from 1/23 SmartSource Insert or $0.50/1 printable
• As low as $2 after sale and coupon
• Weight Watchers Cookies, Muffins, or Cakes – $2.50
• Use $1/1 printable
• $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Betty Crocker Cookie Mix – $1.50
• Use $0.40/1 from 2/13 SmartSource (General Mills) Insert or  $0.40/1 printable
• $0.70 after sale and coupon
• Dentyne Ice Single Pack Chewing Gum – $1
• Buy 2 and use $1/2 coupon from 2/13 SmartSource Insert
• $0.50 each after sale and coupon
• Dentyne Chewing Gum (60 ct pkg) – $2.50
• Use $1/1 coupon from 2/13 SmartSource Insert
• $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Juicy Juice 100% Juice (64oz) – $2.50
• Buy 2 and use $1/2 printable (must register)
• $2 each after sale and coupon

Frozen Foods:

• Select Stouffer’s Lean Cuisine – $2
• Buy 3 and use $1/3 from January 2011 Issue of All You Magazine
• $1.67 each after sale and coupon
• Select Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables (10-16oz) – $1.67
• Buy 3 and use $1/3 from 1/23 SmartSource Insert or $1/3 printable
• $1.33 each after sale and coupon
• Lean Cuisine Market Creations – $2.50
• Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 1/2 SmartSource Insert
• $2 each after sale and coupon
• Red Baron Singles – $2.50
• Use $0.75/1 from 1/23 SmartSource Insert
• $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Alexia French Fries, Potatoes, or Onion Rings – $2.99
• Get a $1/1 printable by “liking” Alexia on facebook
• $1.99 after sale and coupon

Household:

• Finish Automatic Dish Detergent- $3
• Use $2.25/1 from 1/9 SmartSource Insert or $0.75/1 from 1/23 SmartSource Insert
• As low as $0.75 after sale and coupon
• Lysol No-Touch Hand Soap System – $7.99
• Use $3/1 from 2/13 SmartSource Insert
• $4.99 after sale and coupon
• Halls Cough Drops – $1
• Use $0.50/1 from March 2011 Issue of All You Magazine or $1/2 from 2/6 SmartSource Insert
• As low as free after sale and coupon
• Loreal Vive Pro Styling Products– $3.33
• Use $1/1 from 2/20 RedPlum Insert
• $2.33 after sale and coupon

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad

Menu planning and saving money really can go hand-in-hand.  It is important to realize that you can still enjoy some of your family’s favorite meals by menu planning with a sales flyer, you just need to be flexible. 

I am including ideas and recipes for four meals for the week.  As I’ve mentioned before, I have found that I really only cook on average four meals a week and that we end up having at least one left-over night, one meal out, and something easy like homemade pizza.

Have you had a chance to try out any of the previous recipes I have shared? My mom tried the roast pork recipe with a pork roast she had in her freezer.  She told me she made it in her crockpot with a jar of the applesauce I had made in the fall and that it turned out great.

Pot Roast in the Slow Cooker:

I have to admit that I am not the biggest fan of pot roast.  I picked one up a while ago and needed to use it so I stumbled across this recipe.  It was so easy to make and with the exception of the celery (which I just didn’t use) I had everything on hand in my pantry and refrigerator.  It turned out great and may have changed my attitude towards pot roast.  If you don’t have potatoes in your pantry right now pick up the GIANT White Potatoes that are $2 for a 5lb bag.  The beauty of this dish is that you already have your vegetables and potatoes cooked with the meat for a complete meal.  I will sometimes pull out a bag of frozen vegetables (like green beans or broccoli) to add some color to our plates.

Potato Soup:

This recipe if you follow it as written is not for the calorie conscious.  It can be adjusted though with draining all of the bacon grease and sautéing the vegetables in butter, and I substitute fat free evaporated milk for cream in recipes.  I know it doesn’t taste as good as if I used the real thing, but it does add creaminess without all of the fat.  You can use the GIANT White Potatoes that are $2 for a 5lb bag and the Kunzler bacon that is buy one get one free.  I like to serve meals like this with a salad and crusty bread.

Spaghetti with Parmesan and Bacon:

I found this recipe this week in a weekly e-mail from myrecipes.com.   I saw parmesan and bacon and I was drooling over my keyboard.  It is a lighter version of a pasta carbonara.  You can use the Kunzler bacon that is buy one get one free this week and if you don’t have spaghetti in your pantry the San Giorgio pasta is on sale for $1 a box.  The Kraft Grated Parmesan is on sale this week as well $5.99 for a 16oz container.  I would encourage you to splurge and buy the GIANT Parmesan Wedge that is on sale for $7.49/lb in the deli and grate your own cheese – it really well taste better.  If you don’t have any frozen peas in your freezer the 16oz bags GIANT frozen peas are $1 this week. 

Stuffed Pasta Bake:

This is easy to fix and a dish that always goes over well with my family.  It is also a good option if you have a meatless meal one night a week.  The Rosetto Ravioli or Tortellini are on sale this week for $3 a bag.  You simply just have to cook them according to the package directions and then drain them and add them to a lightly greased baking dish and cover them with sauce and cheese.  I just pop it in the oven (usually at 350 degrees) long enough to melt the cheese and have the sauce bubble.   It looks like you slaved over a dish that really was so easy to put together.  The Prego sauce is $1.17 a jar when you buy two and use the $0.60/2 coupon in the 1/2 SmartSource Insert.  If you don’t have any shredded cheese in your refrigerator the GIANT shredded cheese is $1.67 a bag.  I usually use shredded mozzarella, but I have seen people use a blend of cheddar and mozzarella.  You can also buy the stuffed shells and pretty much do the same thing, you just don’t have to cook them first.  You will feel like you are at an Italian restaurant when you complete the meal with a salad and GIANT Texas Garlic Toast that is on sale for $1.29. 

Happy Cooking!

~Ann

Thursday is going to be Friday this week

I have had one of "those weeks" where nothing seems to have gone according to my plans.  I need to push my Thursday post for menu planning with the MARTIN'S ad to Friday.  So, make sure you check back on Friday afternooon for some ideas of meals you can have next week based on what you can buy on sale this weekend at MARTIN'S.

~Ann

MARTIN’S Top Deals for the Week of February 13th

 

There are two deals advertised in this week’s ad.  The first one is the “Smuckers Stars on Ice purchase any 5 items and receive $5 off instantly”.  (I read it as buy 5 and take $1 off of each item.)  Here is a list and the prices of the participating items:

• Jif Peanut Butter (17.3-18oz)– $2
• Smucker’s Preserves (18oz) – $2.50
• Smucker’s Orchards Finest Preserves (12oz) – $2.50
• Use $1/1 from the 12/5 RedPlum Insert
• Pillsbury Hungry Jack Pancake Mix – $1.69
• Hungry Jack Microwaveable Syrup (27.69 oz)– $2.69

I plan on buying pancake and waffle mix for $0.69 and preserves for $0.50! 

The second promotion is for select General Mills Cereal buy 2 and get 1 Free.  I haven’t had a chance to verify the prices, but these are the larger boxes so I don’t think it is really that great of deal.  Here is a list of the participating cereal and sizes along with any coupons that could help reduce your out of pocket cost.

• Cheerios (18oz)
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch (24.9oz)
• Honey Nut Cheerios(25.25oz)
• Lucky Charms(24oz)
• Multi Grain Cheerios (16.2oz)
• $1/3 from the 2/13 General Mills Insert
• $1/2 Cheerios or Honey Nut Cheerios from the 2/6 SmartSource Insert
• $1/2 Any Cheerios from the 1/9 SmartSource Insert
•  $1/2 coupon (manufacturer coupon on Target’s site)

Click here to view an on-line version of this week’s ad. Click here for information about MARTIN’S coupon policy.  The ad and the coupon policy are for the Richmond, VA area.  There is the possibility of same variances in other areas.

Check out Money Saving Mom for my MARTIN’S top deals in addition to top deals for other grocery stores, drug stores, and discount stores from other deal seekers. (They may not be posted this week, because I was late getting my deals together)

Check back on Thursdays for a new weekly series I started called “Meal Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad”.

Here are what I consider to be the top deals this week at MARTIN’S.  I verify the coupons that I mention with what I receive in my local paper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch.  Coupons are regional so you may not have the exact same coupon or the same face value.  Remember what I consider to be a good deal and what you consider to be a good deal may differ.  Please feel free to leave me a comment with any deals that you find.

Meat:

• USDA Choice Boneless Chuck Roast – $2.99/lb
• Kunzler Sliced Bacon – Buy 1 Get 1 Free ($5.99 at the store I checked)
• GIANT Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks Value Pack – $0.99/lb
• Oscar Mayer Carving Board Lunchmeats (7-7.5 oz) – $3.99
  • Use $1/1 from 1/23 SmartSource Insert
  • $2.99 after sale and coupon
• Tyson All Natural Frozen ChickenTenders(25.5-29oz) – $4.99
  • Use $1/1 from 1/30 SmartSource Insert
  • $3.99 after sale and coupon
• Fast Fixin’ Frozen Chicken Strips (26-36oz) – $4.99
  • Use $1/1 from March 2011 issue of All You Magazine
  • $3.99 after sale and coupon
• Gorton’s Grilled Seafood Entrees (6.3-7.6oz) – $3.49
  • Buy 1 and use $1/1 from 1/16 SmartSource Insert  OR Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 2/13 SmartSource Insert
  • As low as $2.49 each after sale and coupon

Produce:

• GIANT White Potatoes (5lb) – $2
• Tote Bag Apples – $0.99/lb.
• Blueberries (6oz) – $2
• Blackberries (4.4oz) – $2
• Del Monte Fruit Naturals (6-8oz) – $1
  • Buy 3 and Register here for a $1/3 coupon
  • $0.67 each after sale and coupon
• Dole Special Blend Salads or Complete Kits – $2.50
• Mangoes – $1.25
• Hass Avocados – $1.25
• Naval Oranges – $1
• Red or White Grapefruit – $1
• Cara Cara Oranges – $1
• Russet Roasting Potatoes (3lb) – $1

Dairy/Refrigerated:

• Chobani Greek Yogurt – $1
  • Register here for a $0.35/1 coupon (there is a print limit)
  • $0.30 each after sale and coupn
• Coffee-mate Flavored Creamer (16oz) – $1.67
  • Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 1/30 red Plum Insert
  • $1.17 each after sale and coupon
• Eggland’s Best Grade A Large Eggs (18 ct.) – $2.89
  • Use $0.35/1 from 10/31 SmartSource or 1/30 SmartSource Insert
  • $2.19 after sale and coupon
• Stonyfield Yogurt (6oz) -  $0.75
  • Buy 5 and use $1/5 from 2/6 SmartSource Insert (didn’t come in RTD, but are available on ebay) or this $0.50/3 coupon (there is a print limit and you must register)
  • As low as $0.42 each after sale and coupon
• Welch’s Juice Cocktail (64oz) – $2
  • Use $1/1 from 2/13 SmartSource Insert
  • $1 after sale and coupon
• Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt (4 pack) – $2
  • Use $0.50/1 from 1/16 SmartSource Insert or 2/13 General Mills Insert
  • $1 after sale and coupon
• Yoplait YoPlus Yogurt (4 pack) – $2.09
• Use $0.50/1 from 1/16 SmartSource Insert
• $1.09 after sale and coupon
• White Wave Silk Pure Almond Milk (64oz) – $2.79
• Use $1/1 from 1/16 SmartSource Insert
• $1.79 after sale and coupon

Grocery:

• Quaker Oat Squares Cereal – $2
  • Use $1/1 from 1/30 RedPlum Insert
  • $1 after sale and coupon
• Select San Giorgio Pasta (12-16oz) – $1
  • Buy 2 boxes of the Quick Cook and use this $1/2 coupon (must register)
  • $0.50 each after sale and coupon
• Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta (14.5 – 15oz) – $0.99
  • Buy 5 and use $1/5 from 1/2 SmartSource
  • $0.79 each after sale and coupon
• Knorr Pasta or Rice Sides – $1
• Buy 2 and use $0.50/2 from 1/30 RedPlum Insert
• $0.50 each after sale and coupon
• Chicken of the Sea Chunk Light Tuna (5oz) – $0.69
• Prego Pasta Sauce (24oz) – $1.67
• Buy 2 and use $0.60/2 from 1/2 SmartSource Insert
• $1.17 each after sale and coupon
• Chef Boyardee Microwave Cup – $1
• Buy 5 and use $1/5 from 1/2 SmartSource Insert
• $0.80 each after sale and coupon
• Wish-Bone Salad Dressing (16oz) or Salad Spritzers (7oz) – $1.67
• Use $1/1 from 1/30 RedPlum Insert
• $0.67 after sale and coupon
• GIANT Bread Crumbs (15oz) – $0.79
• Blue Diamond 100 Calorie Packs – $2.89
• Use $0.50/1 coupon
• $1.89 after sale and coupon
• Blue Diamond Almonds (8oz) – $3
• Buy 2 and use $0.60/2 coupon from 1/23 SmartSource Insert or $0.50/1 coupon
• As low as $2 after sale and coupon
• Emerald Dry Roasted Peanuts (16oz) – $1.99
• Buy 2 and use $1.50/2 from 1/30 RedPlum Insert
• $1.24 each after sale and coupon
• Mission Tortilla Chips – $1.67
• Starbucks Coffee (11-12oz) –$6.99
• Use $1/1 from the 11/21 SmartSource Insert
• $5.99 after sale and coupon
• Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa – $1
• Del Grosso Pasta Sauce (24oz) – $1 (I haven’t tried this sauce, and who thought naming a sauce with the word “gross” in it was a good idea?)

Frozen Foods:

• Healthy Choice Frozen Meals – $2
• Buy 6 and use the Buy 5 Get 1 Free Coupon in the 1/2 SmartSource Insert
• $1.67 each after sale and coupon
• Select Eggo Waffles – $2
• Dr. Oetker Ristorante Thin Crust Pizza (11.5-13.8oz) – $2.99
• Use $1/1 from 1/16 SmartSource Insert
• $1.99 after sale and coupon
• Dole Frozen Blueberries or Mixed Berries (12oz) – $3.29
• Use $0.75/1 from 1/9 SmartSource Insert
• $2.29 after sale and coupon 
• Rosetto Ravioli, Tortellini, or Stuffed Shells (19-25oz) – $3

Household:

• Scotties Facial Tissues (60-132 ct) – $1
• Buy 3 and use the $0.50/3 from 2/13 RedPlum Insert
• $0.67 each after sale and coupon
• Ziploc Easy Zipper Bags (10-20 ct) – $1.67
• Buy 2 and use $1/2 from 2/13 SmartSource Insert
• $1.17 each after sale and coupon
• GIANT Crystal Cutlery (24ct) – $1

Happy Shopping!

~Ann

PS - I apologize for my tardiness this week with posting my weekly deals.  I had a big date Monday night for Valentine’s Day with my sweet husband who arranged for a sitter and made reservations for us for dinner.  Trying to get things ready for a sitter and getting myself ready in addition to our normal Monday routine kept me from getting my deals posted.  I had hoped to get it done on Tuesday, but it was one of those days where each of my little ones stretched me in every direction. 

 

Saturday Shopping 2/5/11 & 2/12/11

Saturday, 2/5/11

I actually ran out last Saturday after I was re-organizing my pantry and realized that I didn’t have as many boxes of crackers as I thought I did.  I was already planning on using about a box of them to make Poppy Seed Chicken and to accompany the Buffalo Chicken Dip that weekend.  (The Poppy Seed Chicken was for my in-laws who came over for dinner Saturday evening, and the Buffalo Chicken Dip was for a Super Bowl Party).  I was gathering the next round of coupons and Steve asked me to pick-up four more fridge packs of Diet Coke to take to work.  I also hit Kroger to pick-up a few things that were on the mega sale that ended that day. 

Here is a picture of what I got to finish out last week’s shopping:

MARTIN’S:

• (2) Maxwell House International Coffee
• (5) Ritz Crackers
• (1) Ritz Munchables
• (4) Diet Coke Fridge Packs (They didn’t make the picture)
• (2) Finish Detergent
• (1) Gallon of Milk (I found 1 more free milk coupon that was going to expire.)

Kroger:

• (16) Balance Bars
• (4) Reach Toothbrushes
• (2) Carmex
• (4) Dove Deodorant
• Mahatma Brown Rice
• (2) Disney Kids Vitamins

Shelf Total (before sales, coupons, and tax): $127.94

Final Total (after sales, coupons, bag credits, and before tax): $30.41

Total Savings: $97.73 (76%)

I saved $27.80 with my MARTIN’S BONUSCARD (that includes the $7 off with the $7 off $20 transaction) and $37.18 with my Kroger Plus Card.  I saved $30.10 with coupons and an additional $2.60 with coupons that doubled.  I also saved $0.05 by bringing my own bag to Kroger.  I was in a different MARTIN’S and found out that I can donate my $0.05 for each bag I bring to the local foodbank and donated my bag credits. 

 

Saturday 2/12/11

I made two trips to MARTIN’S and I stopped at Food Lion.  Our 10k training team meets at the John Rolfe YMCA which is over the John Rolfe MARTIN’S, so I pulled my list and coupons together so that I could my groceries for the week while we were out.  I realized when I started shopping that I left the coupons I had printed out at home.  So I picked this up with my first trip to MARTIN’S and my Food Lion stop.

MARTIN’S:

• (7) Cans of Hanover Beans
• Bounty Napkins
• Mentos Roll (The girls ate part of it as a reward for being good in the store – it was free after sale and coupon!)
• 0.83lbs. Bananas
• Cucumber
• 0.84lbs. Asparagus
• (2) Grapefruit
• 0.18lbs. Garlic
• 5lbs. Clementines
• 3lbs. Golden Delicious Apples
• 6.72lbs Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast
• Perdue Cornish Hens (twin pack) – Manager Special
• 1.60lbs. Top Round Thin Steak – Manager Special (maybe for Fajitas or Stir Fry?)
• (9) Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables
• (3) Birds Eye Steamfresh Rice
• GIANT Edamame (Natalie wanted it, and I couldn’t turn down a healthy choice)
• (6) Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt

Food Lion:

• (2) Marcal Small Steps Paper Towels (Free after sale and coupon)

MARTIN’S Trip #2:

• (6) Old El Paso Taco Seasonings
• (2) Old El Paso Refried Beans
• Fruit2day
• International Delight Creamer

Shelf Total (before sales, coupons, and tax): $110.59

Final Total (after sales, coupons, bag credits, and before tax): $57.84

Total Savings: $52.75 (48%)

I saved $31.09 with my MARTIN’S BONUSCARD and $0.38 with my Food Lion MVP Card.  I saved $9.54 with coupons and an additional $1.95 with coupons that doubled.  I saved $9.79 by finding the cornish hens and top round thin steaks with a Manager Special sticker.(Manager specials ring up at the reduced price and don’t show the original price on your receipt or in your savings report at the bottom of your receipt.)  I earned $0.20/gallon in fuelperks! by buying 8 participating Old El Paso products.  I donated my $0.05 bag credit for each bag I brought to the local foodbank.

How did you do this week?  Feel free to share.

~Ann

Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad

 

Menu planning and saving money really can go hand-in-hand.  It is important to realize that you can still enjoy some of your family’s favorite meals by menu planning with a sales flyer, you just need to be flexible. 

I am including ideas and recipes for four meals for the week.  As I’ve mentioned before, I have found that I really only cook on average four meals a week and that we end up having at least one left-over night, one meal out, and something easy like homemade pizza.

Have you had a chance to try out any of the previous recipes I have shared?  I made the Buffalo Chicken Dip for a Super Bowl Party on Sunday and everyone loved it!

Poppy Seed Chicken:

I was so excited to see chicken on sale this week for $1.99/lb. so that I could share this recipe.  Poppy Seed Chicken is one of our family favorites.  I actually got it from a friend’s mom when I was in college and it was the first meal I cooked for Steve when we were dating.  I always make sure that I have the cream of mushroom soup and crackers in my pantry stockpile to make this for dinner or to take to a new mom.  We like to have it with steamed rice and steamed vegetables like the Birds Eye Steamfresh that are on sale this week for $1 a bag or $0.67 each when you buy 3 and use the $1/3 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource insert.

 

Sausage Casserole:

I have mentioned before that we really enjoy having breakfast for dinner.  This sausage casserole is great for a weeknight meal, a weekend brunch, or just to make up ahead of time so that you can warm up a piece for breakfast on your way out the door.  You can make this with the Bob Evans Sausage Roll (buy 2 for $2.50 each when you use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/16 SmartSource insert), the Sargento cheese (buy 2 for $1.50 each when you use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/30 SmartSource insert), and I have made it with frozen hashbrowns, like the Ore-Ida that are on sale for $2.50 a bag this week.  Do note that this recipe calls for jumbo eggs not large.  If you have large eggs you will need 8 large eggs to equal 6 jumbo eggs.  You can serve this with some fresh fruit or a yogurt parfait.

 

Roasted Pork:

I found this recipe on allrecipes.com for Easy Roasted Pork.  It looks really good and according to the reviews it can be easily converted to a slow cooker recipe making it a great weeknight meal.  (I would suggest the low setting of your slow cooker for 8-10 hours or the high setting for 4-6 hours, just make sure you check your meat for doneness.)  I would serve it with buttered noodles and steamed vegetables like the Birds Eye Steamfresh that are on sale for $1 a bag or $0.67 each when you buy 3 and use the $1/3 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource insert.

 

Valentine’s Day Surf & Turf:

If you want to make a romantic meal at home instead of going out for Valentine’s Day you may want to try this beef tenderloin recipe.  It will be more than you need for a romantic dinner for two, but you can enjoy the leftovers for a few days.  I know that $8.99/lb. seems high, but it is a really good price for beef tenderloin.  You can also trim it yourself and cut your own beef tenderloin steaks if you prefer to eat it that way.  You can add the Phillips Signature Crab Cakes (only $2.99 when you use this $2/1 coupon) for your “surf” portion.  This would be great with baked potatoes and steamed asparagus that is on sale for $1.99/lb.

 

I hope you and your families are able to enjoy at least one of these recipes this week.  Let me know how they turned out and feel free to share any of your family favorites.

~Ann

MARTIN’S Top Deals for the Week of February 6th

The Gigantic Stock-Up sale and the Super Bowl are over.  Now it is time to think about romantic meals, flowers, and chocolates for Valentine’s Day.

Click here to view an on-line version of this week’s ad. Click here for information about MARTIN’S coupon policy.  The ad and the coupon policy are for the Richmond, VA area.  There is the possibility of same variances in other areas.

Check out Money Saving Mom for my MARTIN’S top deals in addition to top deals for other grocery stores, drug stores, and discount stores from other deal seekers.

Check back on Thursdays for a new weekly series I started called “Meal Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad”.

Here are what I consider to be the top deals this week at MARTIN’S.  I verify the coupons that I mention with what I receive in my local paper, the Richmond Times-Dispatch.  Coupons are regional so you may not have the exact same coupon or the same face value.  Remember what I consider to be a good deal and what you consider to be a good deal may differ.  Please feel free to leave me a comment with any deals that you find.

Meat:

• GIANT Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast Value Pack (4-5lb) – $1.99/lb
• USDA Choice Whole Beef Tenderloin – $8.99/lb (valid through 2/14 for a Romantic Valentine’s Meal)
• Nathan’s Beef Franks – Buy One Get One Free
• Bob Evans Sausage Roll (16oz) – $3
  • Buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/16 SmartSource Insert
  • $2.50 each and sale and coupon
• Hormel Fully Cooked Entrée – $4.99 (buy 1 and get a Shedd’s Deluxe Side Dish FREE!)
  • Register and print this $1/1 coupon
  • $3.99  for the Entrée and Side Dish
• Ball Park Meat Franks – 50% off
  • Buy 2 and use the $0.75/2 coupon in the 1/23 RedPlum Insert
• Carl Buddig Deli Cuts Lunchmeat – $3.33
  • Use the $1/1 coupon in the 1/30 SmartSource Insert
  • $2.33 after sale and coupon
• Phillips Signature Crab Cakes (6oz) – $4.99 
  • Print this $2/1 coupon
  • $2.99 after sale and coupon

Produce:

• Clementines (5lb) – $4.99
• Fresh Green or White Asparagus – $1.99/lb
• Dole Special Blend Salads or Complete Kits – $2.50
• Naval Oranges, Red or White Grapefruit, Cara Cara Oranges – $1
• Kiwi – $0.25
• Fruit2day Singles – $1.50
  • Use this $0.45/1 coupon
  • $0.60 after sale and coupon

Dairy/Refrigerated:

• Sargento Shredded Cheese (5-8oz) – $2
  • Buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/30 SmartSource
  • $1.50 each after sale and coupon
• International Delight Flavored Coffee Creamer – $1.50
  • Use this $0.55/1 coupon
  • $0.50 each after sale and coupon
• Nestle Refrigerated Cookie Dough – $2.50
  • Use this $1/1 coupon
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Dannon Light & Fit or Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt (6oz) – $0.50
  • Buy 10 and use the $1/10 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource Insert
  • $0.40 each after sale and coupon
• Dannon Light & Fit or Fruit on the Bottom Yogurt (6oz) – $0.50
  • Buy 6 and use the $0.40/6 coupon in the 1/30 SmartSource Insert
  • $0.37 each after sale and coupon
• Frigo Cheese Heads String Cheese (24oz) – $5.99
  • Use the $1/1 coupon in the 1/30 SmartSource Insert OR this $1/1 coupon
  • $4.99 after sale and coupon

Grocery:

• Pepsi Fridge Mate or 6 Pack –4/$10 (must buy 4)
• Nabisco Snack Crackers – $2.50
  • Buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/30 SmartSource Insert
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• New York Style Bagel Crisps (6oz) – $2.50
  • Use this $0.75/1 coupon (pdf coupon link approved on hotcouponworld.com)
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Mars Single Serve Candy Favorites – Buy 2 Get 1 Free
  • Use the Buy 2 Milky way or 3 Musketeers Bars Get 1 Free Coupon in the 2/6 RedPlum Insert
  • 3 Candy bars for the price of 1 – should be ~$0.79
• Dole Fruit Bowls, Fruit-n-Gel, or Parfaits– $2
  • Buy 2 and use the $0.75/2 coupon found in either the 1/16 SmartSource or the 1/30 SmartSource Insert
  • $1.50 each after sale and coupon
• Polaner All Fruit Spread (10oz) – $2
  • Buy 2 of the Polaner with Fiber and use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/9 SmartSource Insert
  • $1.50 each after sale and coupon
• Ragu Pasta Sauce (45oz) – $2.50
  • Buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/30 RedPlum Insert
  • $2 each after sale and coupon
• Success Rice (14oz) – $1.79
  • Use the $1/1 coupon in the December 2010 Issue of All You Magazine
  • $0.79 after sale and coupon
• Emerald Dry Roasted Peanuts (16oz)– $1.99
  • Buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/30 RedPlum Insert
  • $1.49 each after sale and coupon
• Krusteaz Pancake Mix – $1.79
  • Use the $0.50/1 coupon in the 12/5 SmartSource or the 1/30 SmartSource Insert
  • $0.79 after sale and coupon
• Post Selects or Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal – $2.50
  • Buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/9 SmartSource Insert
  • $2 each after sale and coupon
• Select Kellogg’s Cereal – $2
  • Buy 3 and use the $1/3 coupon in the 1/9 RedPlum Insert
  • $1.67 each after sale and coupon
• Kellogg’s Pop-tarts – $1.67
  • Buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon in the 2/6 RedPlum Insert
  • $1.17 each after sale and coupon
• Nestle Morsel's (11-12 oz) – $2.19
  • Buy 2 and use this $0.50/2 coupon
  • $1.69 each after sale and coupon
• Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn (6 Pack) – $3
  • Use the $1/1 coupon from the January 2011 issue of All You Magazine
  • $2 after sale and coupon
• Orville Redenbacher’s Microwave Popcorn (6 Pack) – $3
  • Buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource Insert
  • $2.50 each after sale and coupon
• Coffee-mate Flavored Creamer (15oz) – $2.99
  • Buy 2 and use the $1/2 coupon in the 1/30 RedPlum Insert
  • $2.49 each after sale and coupon
• Taster’s Choice On the Go Instant Coffee – $2.50
  • Use this $1/1 coupon
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta – $1.25
  • Use the $1/1 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource Insert
  • $0.25 after sale and coupon

Frozen Foods:

• Freschetta Naturally Rising Crust –$5
  • Use this $1/1 coupon
  • $4 after sale and coupon
• Gorton’s Frozen Fish Sticks, Battered Fillets, or Tenders – $3.50
  • Use the $1/1 coupon in the 1/16 SmartSource Insert
  • $2.50 after sale and coupon
• Select Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables – $1
  • Buy 3 and use the $1/3 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource or this $1/3 coupon
  • $0.67 each after sale and coupon

Household:

• Tide Duo Pac (34 ct) – $10.99
  • Use the $3/1 coupon in the 1/30 P&G brandSAVER Insert
  • $7.99 after sale and coupon
• Seventh Generation Liquid Dish Detergent (25oz) – $2.50
  • Use the $1/1 coupon in the 1/23 RedPlum Insert or this $1/1 coupon
  • $1.50 after sale and coupon
• Bounty Quilted Napkins – $2.69
  • Use the $0.25/1 coupon in the 1/30 P&G brandSAVER Insert
  • $2.19 after sale and coupon
• Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razor – $1 off
  • Use the $4/1 coupon in the 1/30 P&G brandSAVER Insert

 Happy Shopping!

~Ann

Say Cheese! Our Friday Trip to MARTIN’S

Cheese, meat, and more cheese – that is the bulk of what I picked up today.  Natalie wanted to help me arrange what we bought for the picture and also asked if she and Megan could be in the picture.  I told them they just had to smile – which led Natalie to ask, “Can we hold up a package of cheese and say cheese at the same time?” 

In case you are trying to count – I got a total of 22 blocks of Cracker Barrel Cheese!

I was worried that my $7 off $20 wouldn’t work if I did them all in one transaction so I had a very patient cashier who let me set everything up and pay for each of my $20 scenarios separately.  I had a total of 5 transactions.  I am entering the information from my receipt so I am going to list each transaction separately.

Transaction #1:

• Old El Paso Seasoning Mix (I found a peelie coupon making it free when I bought 2 Old El Paso Products)
• (2) Old El Paso Shells
• Old El Paso Refried Beans
• (4) Diet Coke with Lime (For Steve to take to work)
• Jif Peanut Butter
• Vlasic Dill Pickle Slices
• Diet Snapple Peach Tea
• Rolls (Managers Special)
• 3.25lb - Golden Delicious Apples
• Earthbound Organic Romaine
• Dole Romaine (Manager Special)
• 4.02lb - Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (I found a rain check I had forgotten about when I was going through my coupons that I redeemed making it $1.49/lb)
• 9lb – 85/15 Ground Beef  (Manager Special for $1.50/lb)
• (4) Mrs. T’s Pierogoes
• (10) Kraft Shredded Cheese
• Reddi Wip
• Milk 1 gallon (redeemed my free coupon from the cereal deal two weeks ago)
• Chocolate Milk 1/2 gallon (combined my free milk coupon and the Pet coupon in the 1/9 SmartSource Insert)

Transaction#2:

• Kraft Singles
• (4) Cracker Barrel Cheese
• (6) Breakstone’s Sour Cream

Transaction #3:

• (8) Cracker Barrel Cheese

Transaction #4:

• (5) Kraft Cheese Cubes
• (4) Cracker Barrel Cheese

Transaction #5:

• (2) Maxwell House International Coffee
• (6) Cracker Barrel Cheese

Shelf Total (before sales, coupons, or tax): $270.36

Final Price (after sales, coupons, bag credits, before tax): $90

Total Savings: $180.36 (67%)

I saved $125.23 with my MARTIN’S BONUSCARD (that includes the $7 off with each of the $7 off $20 transactions).  I saved $39.09 with coupons and an additional $2.40 with coupons that doubled.  I saved $13.44 by finding the ground beef with a Manager Special sticker.  (Manager specials ring up at the reduced price and don’t show the original price on your receipt or in your savings report at the bottom of your receipt.) I also saved $0.20 by remembering to bring my own bags to the store.

 

How did you do this week?  Feel free to share.  :)

~Ann

Menu Planning with the MARTIN’S Ad

Menu planning and saving money really can go hand-in-hand.  It is important to realize that you can still enjoy some of your family’s favorite meals by menu planning with a sales flyer, you just need to be flexible. 

I am including a few more Super Bowl Menu items this week in addition to four meals for the week.  I have found that I really only cook on average four meals a week and that we end up having at least one left-over night, one meal out, and something easy like homemade pizza.

Super Bowl Party:

Buffalo Chicken Dip:

This looks like a great recipe for making your own Buffalo Chicken Dip.  I don’t see any canned chicken on sale, (I personally don’t care for canned chicken).  If you don’t already have some chicken breast in your freezer you could pick up some Split Chicken Breast ($1.69/lb) and cook them yourself* (20oz of meat is about 3 large chicken breast).  You can pick-up Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Kraft Shredded Cheese, and Ritz Crackers as part of the buy $20 and save $7 promotion.  The Frank’s Red Hot is only $0.50 when you use the $0.50/1 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource insert.

*I rinse the chicken breast off and rub a little bit of oil and sprinkle them with salt and pepper before baking them at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes depending on their size.  I let them cool then I remove and discard the skin, and pull the meat from the bones.  Save any meat you don’t use for the dip because it will make yummy chicken salad, or you can freeze it for soup.  I also save my bones to make my own chicken broth in my slow-cooker.

Brown Sugar Smokies:

These sound really good and look really easy to make.  The Hillshire Farm Little Wieners or Smokies are on sale for 50% off and if you buy 2 you can use the $0.75/2 coupon in the 1/23 RedPlum Insert.  You can use the GIANT bacon that is on sale for $3.33/lb. 

Fantastic Mexican Dip:

I love this dip and I have made it several times.  It really makes a lot and because of all of the meat it is really filling.  I personally start off with a layer of refried beans (Old El Paso are on sale for $1 a can) and then you can adjust the toppings to whatever suits your group.  It is also really easy to make up to the point of adding the meat, then I put it in the refrigerator and add the rest of the toppings just before serving.  You can buy the ground beef on sale ($2.49/lb), and buy the cream cheese, sour cream, and shredded cheese as part of the buy $20 and save $7 promotion.  The taco seasoning is also on sale for $0.67. 

Quick Things:

You don’t have to be a gourmet chef and make everything from scratch when you are having people over.   You can easily have some heat and serve appetizers or easy things like chips and dip.   Some ideas would be the El Monterey Taquitos, Mini Chimichangas, or Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas.  (On sale for $4.99 and use the $1/1 coupon in the 1/30 SmartSource insert.)  The Heluva Good Dip is only $0.50 this week when you use the $0.55/1 coupon in the 1/23 SmartSource insert.  Utz Potato Chips are 50% off.  Doritos are 50% off, Chi-Chi’s Salsa is $0.50 when you use the $0.50/1 coupon in the 1/16 SmartSource insert.  Microwave popcorn can even fill up an empty snack bowl – Orville Redenbacher’s 6-pack is only $2 if you have the $1/1 coupon from the December 2010 or January 2011 issue of All You Magazine. 

Weeknight Meals:

Pierogies & Sausage:

Mrs. T’s Pierogies are only a $1 a box after the $1/1 coupon in the 1/30 RedPlum insert they are only a $1 a box after the coupon.  I generally boil my pierogies and then saute some onions in butter to put over them and top it off with sour cream.  I thought a really yummy and filling twist would be to serve it with the GIANT Italian Style Sausage that is on sale for $1.99/lb or the Hillshire Farm Polska Kielbasa that is 50% off (buy 2 and use the $0.75/2 coupon in the 1/23 RedPlum insert).  You can make it a complete meal with a bag of the GIANT SteamReady Vegetables.

 

Asian Style Pork Chops with Rice Pilaf:

I came across this recipe and was impressed with how many ingredients are on sale this week.  You can pick-up the Lipton Recipe Secrets are $1.25, the fresh center cut bone-in pork chops are $1.99/lb, and the Knorr Rice Sides are $0.50 each when you buy 2 and use the $0.50/2 coupon in the 1/30 RedPlum insert.  (I haven’t actually tried this recipe so if you do let me know how it turns out.) :)  Finish off the meal with either a salad or a bag of the GIANT SteamReady Vegetables.

 

Salmon Dill Packets:

This is a really simple and easy way to fix salmon.  Take either a square of heavy-duty aluminum foil or use two pieces of aluminum foil, spray it with some non-stick cooking spray, and place a GIANT Fresh Salmon Portion (that are on sale for $4.49 each) on the foil.  Take about 2 Tablespoons of prepared dill dip (the T. Marzetti Vegetable Dip is on sale for $3.49 and use the $0.75/1 coupon in the 1/30 SmartSource insert) and spread it over the salmon fillet.  Make the aluminum foil into a packet and place it on a baking sheet.  Bake for about 20-30 minutes or until the fish is firm and flakes with a fork.   Serve with a bag of GIANT SteamReady Vegetables and rice.

Taco Night:

This is something that is easy to pull together rather quickly and everyone has fun adding their own toppings.  You can use some of the Lean Ground Beef that is on sale in the value pack size for $2.49/lb (put the rest of it in individual freezer bags and freeze in portions your family eats).  The Old El Paso Dinner Kit is on sale for $2.35 – it has the seasoning, sauce, and shells or tortillas all together.  This is another opportunity to purchase sour cream and cheese from the buy $20 and save $7 promotion. 

 

Let me know if you try any of these recipes and how they turn out.  I would love it if you wanted to share any of your recipes.  I love trying out new recipes!

~Ann