Eat From The Pantry Challenge (March 2011)

During the month of March 2011,

our goal is to spend as little as possible

on groceries and eat from our pantry/freezer.

We've got quite a stockpile going

from couponing in Jan & Feb,

as well as a freezer full of meals

from my dear mother in preparation

for baby #6 joining our family in

just 7 short weeks!

Two Month Coupon Experiment

Due to increased pressure to try couponing, I am going to give it a month and see what happens.

January 17 - March 17

Main sources of coupon match-up/sale information in order of usefulness:
http://www.southernsavers.com/
http://www.couponmom.com/
http://moneysavingmom.com/
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/
http://www.moneysavingmadness.com/
http://www.becentsable.net/

January 16-22, 2011

Money Spent On "Couponing:"
Including cost of coupons & cost of products I would not have ordinarily bought
$1.00 - Sunday Newspaper From Wal-Greens
$2.78 - Bloom (2 Boxes Of Cereal From Bloom 12.25 oz/per box)
$8.95 - CVS (Trying To Get Extra Care Bucks Started)
$1.92 - Wal-Mart
$1.30 - CVS
$1.19 - Publix
$14.95 - ALL YOU Magazine Subscription
$10.00 - CVS Soda Deal (Cost Me $20 Cash But Used Some Of The Sodas For A Family Event)
$10.00 - Bloom Coke Deal
$1.50 - Coupons From eBay
Total For The Week:  $53.59

Items Gleaned From Couponing (From The Above Expenditures) That I Would Not Necessarily Have Purchased Normally:
Price listed is after coupons and before tax
2 Boxes Of Honey Nut Cherrios (24.5oz For Both Boxes) ($2.78)
2 Packages Of Kotex Regular Maxi Pads (48 Pads Total From Both Boxes) ($4.00)
2 Packs Orbit Gum (28 Pieces Total) (Free)
1 Tube Colgate Toothpaste (6 oz)
1 Tube Crest Toothpaste (4.2 oz)
22 Carefree Pantyliners (Free)
1 Bottle Kikkoman Soy Sauce  (10 oz) ($0.42)
1 Bottle Chestal Honey Homeopathic Cough Medicine (4.2 oz) ($1.00)
2 Cans Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds (6 oz per can) ($1.00 for both)
72 Cans Of Mountain Dew ($0.14 ea) (Sam's Is $0.25 ea)
60 Cans Of Coke Products ($0.15 ea)

2 (32 oz) Coffee Creamer ($2.00)

8 (4 oz) Mini Yoplait YoPlus Yougurts (Free)

4 (6 oz) Yoplait Lemon Yogurts ($1.50 or $0.375 ea)

2 (24 oz) Jars Vlassic Baby Dills ($1.79 or $0.90 ea)

My Favorite Coupon Deal:
Purchased From BLOOM:
(2) 32 oz Containers Of Liquid Coffee Mate Creamer (Peppermint Mocha)
Cost In Store:  2/$5
- (2) $0.75 Off Coupons (1 For Each Container)
Boom Doubles Coupons Up To $0.99
-$3.00 Off Total
=$2.00 Cash Out Of Pocket
Each 32 oz Container Ended Up Costing $1.00!
Aldi Brand Creamer (32 oz) Is $1.99
50% Savings Off Aldi Price!!

Total Spent On "Couponing" This Week:  $53.59
Total Amount Of Goods Purchased This Week (Retail Value):  $??

 January 23-29, 2011

Money Spent On "Couponing:"

Including cost of coupons & cost of products I would not have ordinarily bought

$2.00 - Sunday Newspapers From Walgreens

$2.63 - Coupons On eBay
$3.49 - CVS
$16.19 - Publix
$6.79 - CVS
$7.39 - Bi-Lo
$6.30 - Bloom
$1.14 - Ingles
$1.74 - Coupons On eBay
Total - $47.67

Items Gleaned From Couponing (From The Above Expenditures) That I Would Not Necessarily Have Purchased Normally:

Price listed is after coupons and before tax

1 Bottle Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash (16.9 oz) (free)

20 Always Pantyliners (free)
2 Packages Of Always Pads (22 ea = 44 total pads) ($2)
2 Packs Extra Dessert Delights Gum (Paid Us $0.08 Each! Gum was on sale for $0.67/ea and we had a $0.75 coupon for each one)
2 Bags Totinos Pizza Rolls ($3.49)
4 (12 oz) Bags 8 O'Clock Coffee Beans ($7.80 Total/$1.95 ea)
2 (16 oz) Boxes Spaghetti Noodles ($0.25 Total/$0.13 ea)
6 Cans Of Chunky Soup ($4.67/$0.78 ea)
2 Bottles (120 Count Total) Disney Vitamins ($6.79 Total/$3.40ea)
2 Bottles (47 oz Total) Olive Oil ($6.68/$3.34ea/$0.14oz - Same As Cheapest At Sam's)
1 Container Breakstone Sour Cream ($0.15)
1 Container International Delight Coffee Creamer ($0.56)
1 Dozen Large Eggs ($.55)
1 Small Bottle Kikkoman Soy Sauce ($1.79)
4 Boxes New York 5 Cheese Texas Toast ($3.96 Total/$0.99ea)
5 Boxes Mueller's Shell Pasta (Free)
2 Tubs Land O' Lakes Margarine ($1.14/$.57ea)

My Favorite Coupon Deal:

Purchased From FOOD LION:

(5) 16 oz Boxes Of  Mueller's Shells Pasta
Cost In Store:  $1.00 Each
- (5) $1.00 Coupons
Total:  $0.00

Total Spent On "Couponing" This Week:  $47.67
Total Amount Of Goods Purchased This Week (Retail Value):  $??

TOTAL SPENT ON COUPONING FOR JANUARY:  $101.26

 January 31 - February 5, 2011

Money Spent On "Couponing:"

Including cost of coupons & cost of products I would not have ordinarily bought

$1.01 - Coupons On eBay
$8.00 - Printer Ink From inksmart.com
$7.51 - Walgreens (2 Newspapers & Starting RR)
$13.12 - Bloom (Cheese)
$11.81 - Bi-Lo
$3.64 - Publix
$5.89 - Walgreens
$0.38 - Target
$11.64 - Publix
$6.47 - Bi-Lo
$1.04 - Coupons On eBay
$1.49 - Coupons On eBay
$5.99 - Walgreens
$5.16 - Bi-Lo
$1.06 - Coupons On eBay
Total = $84.21

Items Gleaned From Couponing (From The Above Expenditures):

Price listed is after coupons and before tax
Homeopathic Pain Reliever Gel (Free + $2 Profit + Able To Sell On eBay)
4 Nestle Butterfinger Snackerz ($1.18)
8 (10 oz) Packages Cracker Barrel Cheese ($13.12/$1.64 ea/$0.16 per oz/Next Cheapest Is Sam's @ $0.17 per oz)
2 Packs 2000 Flushes Toilet Bowl Cleaner ($1.58/$0.79 ea)
1 (16 oz) Carton Breakstone Sour Cream ($0.15)
10 Boxes Nabisco Crackers (Wheat Thins & Triscuits ($13.40/$1.34 ea)
1 Tube Homeopathic Pain Reliever Neuragen (Free +Sold On eBay For $4 Profit)
Reese Candy ($1.00)
4 Cans Chunky Soup ($2.80/$0.70 ea)
22 Kotex Pads ($0.93)
2 Bottles French's Mustard (Free +$0.25)
10 Loads Worth Of Finish Dishwasher Detergent (Free +$0.76 profit)
Box Of 80 Small Envelopes
4 (16 oz) Velveeta Cheese Boxes ($3.72/$0.93ea)
2 Boxes Cheez-Its ($1.90/$0.95ea)
2 Containers Marzetti Veggi Dips ($1.50/$0.75 ea)
2 Jars Mt. Olive Baby Dill Pickles ($1.80/$0.90 ea)
2 Jars Pace Salsa ($1.38/$.69ea)
4 Bottles Tabasco Sauce ($0.64/$0.16 ea)
6 Bags Orville Redin Microwave Popcorn ($1.50
2 Jars Chi Chi Mild Salsa ($0.68/$0.34 ea)
2 Cans Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds ($2.53/$1.27 ea)
2 Containers Heluva Sour Cream Dip ($1.80/$0.90 ea)
5 Cans Ro-Tel Tomatoes ($1.60/$0.32 ea)
1 (0.5oz) Blink Tears Eye Drops (Free + $1.00 profit + Able to sell on eBay)
1 Bottle Natrol Melatonin (Free + Able to sell on eBay)
2 Cans Aussie Freezing Hair Spray
3 (12 ct ea) Packs Small Chi Chi Soft Tortillas (+$0.45 profit/+$0.15 overage each)
2 Jars Chi Chi Mild Salsa ($0.70/$0.35 ea)
2 Cans Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds ($2.10/$1.05 ea)

February 6, 2011 - February 12, 2011

Money Spent On "Couponing:"

Including cost of coupons & cost of products I would not have ordinarily bought

$2.00 - Newspapers From Walgreens
$5.31 - CVS
$9.48 - Publix
$1.98 - 300 Coupons On eBay
$2.72 - Walgreens
$12.31 - CVS
$6.32 - Bi-Lo
$26.75 - Wal-Mart
Total = $66.87

Items Gleaned From Couponing (From The Above Expenditures):

Price listed is after coupons and before tax

2 Boxes Quaker Instant Oatmeal ($1.00 ea)
2 Bags Nestle Crunch Hearts ($.75 ea)
2 Gilette Deoderants ($1.50 ea)
Bottle Of Unisom
18 (3 oz) Containers Of Refrigerated Jello Pudding ($3.75/$0.21 ea/$0.07 per oz)
2 (16 oz) Jars Emerald Peanuts ($1.19/$.60 ea)
16 (4 oz) Containers Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt ($1.00/$.06 ea/$0.02 per oz)
2 Tubs Smart Balance Spreadable Butter ($.90 ea)
2 Pints Starbucks Ice Cream ($1.00 ea)
2 Tubes (6 oz) Colgate Toothpaste ($.50/$.25 ea)
1 Bag (30 Ct) Hall's Cough Drops ($0.99)
1 Tube Veripur Hand Sanitizer & Moisturizer (FREE)
16 ct Sominex ($1.99)
72 ct TUMS ($0.99)
72 ct TUMS
Maybelline Mascara
Maybelline Eyeliner
2 (24 oz) Mt Olive Dill Pickles ($2.28/$1.14 ea)
2 Boxes (6 pk) Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn ($2.98/$1.49 ea)
2 Boxes Mueller's Spaghetti Noodles ($0.28/$0.14 ea)
2 Tubs (15 oz) Land Of Lakes Spreadable Butter $0.68/$0.34 ea)
10 Hershey's Milk Chocolate Candy Bars ($2.50/$0.25 ea)
12 Cans Diet Ginger Ale ($3.98)
12 Cans Diet Root Beer ($3.98)
4 Three Musketeer Candy Bars ($1.50/$0.38 ea)
4 Jars Sugar-Free Applesauce ($6/$1.50 ea)
Tube (2 oz) K-Y ($0.62)
Small Dove Deodorant ($0.47)
8 oz Bottle Wishbone Italian Dressing ($0.38)
2 Travel Size (16 ct ea) Huggies Wipes ($0.44/$0.22 ea)
2 Travel Size Degree Deodorant ($0.94/$0.47)
1 Small Bag Mahatma Brown Rice ($0.42)
2 Small Packs Mahatma Yellow Rice ($0.26/$0.13 ea)
1 Bottle French's Worcestershire Sauce ($0.57)
1 Small tube Vaseline Hand Lotion ($0.87)

February 13, 2011 - February 19, 2011

Money Spent On "Couponing:"

Including cost of coupons & cost of products I would not have ordinarily bought

$1.98 - 2 Sunday Newspapers From Walgreens
$15.18 - CVS
$7.61 - CVS
$8.39 - Target
$13.16 - Publix
$14.18 - Bi-Lo
$7.10 - Walgreens
$23.02 - Publix
Total:  $90.62

Items Gleaned From Couponing (From The Above Expenditures):

Price listed is after coupons and before tax

2 Tubes (6 oz) Colgate Toothpaste (Free)
Full Size Lady Speed Stick Deodorant ($.49)
Prepaid Greendot Visa Card (Cost $4.95 With $10 Credit From CVS = $5.05 Cash!)
Loaded $10 Cash Onto Visa Card ($10)
3 Bags (12.6 oz) Plain M&Ms ($4.72/$1.57ea/$1 Less Than Aldi Price)
2 Big Bags (18.5 oz) Reese Peanut Butter Cups ($4/$2 ea)
2 Boxes (10.5 oz) Kelloggs Crunchy Nut Cereal ($1/$0.50 ea)
2 Full Size Dove Deodorants ($1.28/$0.64ea)
2 Full Size Degree Deodorants (
1 Tube (6 oz) Colgate Toothpaste ($0.19)
2 Wish Bone Italian Salad Dressing ($0.20/$0.10 ea)
4 Containers (16 oz) Coffee Mate Liquid Creamer ($4.68/$1.17 ea/$0.07 oz/$0.01 Higher Than Aldi)
8 Containers (4 oz) Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt ($0.30/$0.15 ea/$0.009 oz)
1 Jar (30 oz) Hellmann's Mayo ($2.85)
18 (3 oz) Containers Of Refrigerated Jello Pudding ($3.75/$0.21 ea/$0.07 per oz)
2 Tubs Smart Balance Spreadable Butter ($.90 ea/$0.06 oz)
4 Boxes (24 Total Bars) Golden Graham Cereal Bars ($2.00/$0.50 ea)
1 Small Bottle Kikkoman Soy Sauce ($0.18)
2 Bottles (16 oz) Bailey's Coffee Creamer ($1.32/$0.66 ea/$0.04 oz)
4 Dozen Large Eggs ($2.80/$0.70 ea)
2 Packages Smithfield Bacon ($4.88/$2.44 ea)
2 Packs No Nonsense (Basic) Pantyhose ($1.38/$0.69)
4 Bags (10.5 oz) Hershey Bite Size Candy ($4/$1 ea)
1 Full Size Skintimate Shaving Gel ($0.49)
1 King Size Reese's Candy Bar ($1)
1 Bag (2.1 oz) Hershey's Drops Candy (Free)
*Purchased The Following 78 Items At Publix For Average Of $0.30/ea*

20 Cans (19 oz) Progresso Soup

8 Cans (14.5) Green Giant Green Beans

12 Yoplait Yogurts

6 Boxes Green Giant Frozen Spinach

1 Bryers Ice Cream

4 (16 oz) Jars Mt. Olive Pickles

1 French's Spicy Brown Mustard

2 (16 oz) Bottles Wishbone Ranch Salad Dressing

4 (8 oz) Bags Shredded Cheese

2 Boxes (8 ct) Kellogs Pop Tarts

2 Bags (24 ct) Riccola Cough Drops

1 Pound White Rice

10 oz Spanish Rice Mix

2 Boxes (18 oz) Betty Crocker Brownie Mix

2 (32 oz) Containers Chicken Broth

3 (12 oz) Boxes Spiral Garden Pasta

6 (28 oz) Cans Hunt's Diced Tomatoes

February 20, 2011 - February 26, 2011

Money Spent On "Couponing:"

Including cost of coupons & cost of products I would not have ordinarily bought

$11.93 - Ingles (Triple Coupon Day)
$8.84 - CVS
$12.79 - Ingles (Triple Coupon Day)
$8.17 - Bi-Lo
$35.98 - Publix
Total:  $77.71


Items Gleaned From Couponing (From The Above Expenditures):

Price listed is after coupons and before tax

4 Boxes (3pk ea) Pop Secret Microwave Popcorn ($1.76/$0.15 per bag)
2 Containers (16 oz) Breakstone Sour Cream ($1.36/0.68 ea/$0.04 per oz)
16 Slices Borden American Cheese ($1.00/$0.06 per slice)
2 Boxes (164 ct) Scotties Facial Tissues ($0.50/$0.25 ea)
12 Double Rolls (260 Sheets Per Roll) Cottonelle Toilet Paper ($4.50/$0.38 per roll/$0.0014 per sheet)
12 lbs "Pudding" Bananas ($0.25/lb)
4 Three Musketeers Crunch Bars ($1.00/$0.25 ea)
2 Cans Aussie Instant Freeze Hair Spray ($3.00/$1.50 ea)
2 John Frieda Shampoo/Condition ($3.00/$1.50 ea)
1 Cadbury Chocolate Egg (Free)
1 Bag Jelly Beans (Free)
1 Container EOS Lip Balm (Free)

24 Double Rolls (260 Sheets Per Roll) Cottonelle Toilet Paper ($9.00/$0.38 per roll)
2 Jars (16.3 oz) Skippy Chunky Peanut Butter ($1.36/$0.68 ea/$0.04 per oz)
1 Atkins Bar ($1.67)
2 Pouches Hickory Smoked Tuna ($0.16/$0.08 ea)
7 Dozen Eggs ($4.35/$0.62 ea)
Soy Sauce ($1.18)
4 Containers (16 oz) Bailey's Coffee Creamer ($2.64/$0.66 ea/$0.04 per oz)

20 Cans (14.5 oz) Green Giant Green Beans ($7.00/$0.35 ea)

4 Bottles (17 oz) Kraft Hickory Smoked BBQ Sauce ($0.72/$0.18 ea)
2 Boxes Kellogg's Crunchy Nut Cereal ($1.90/$0.95 ea)
4 Uncle Ben's Ready Rice Pouches ($0.64/$0.16 ea)
2 Bags Gorton's Fish Sticks ($4.50/$2.25 ea)
3 Pillsbury Grands Biscuits ($1.20/$0.40 ea)
4 Tubs (45 oz) Shedd's Country Crock Spread ($6.80/$1.70 ea/$0.04 oz)
4 Cans (7 oz) Skintimate Shaving Cream ($1.60/$0.40 ea)
1 Jergens Moisturizer ($1.79)
1 Loaf Pepperidge Farm's Whole Wheat Bread ($1.15)
2 Cucumbers (Free)
6 Boxes Kotex Panty Liners ($2.94/$0.49 ea)
2 Packages Kotex Maxi Pads ($1.98/$0.99 ea)
2 Boxes Kotex Tampons ($1.98/$0.99 ea)
1 Bottle (16 oz) Rubbing Alcohol (Free)
1 Bottle (16 oz) Cocoa Butter Lotion (Free)
1 Trial Size Bottle Hand Sanitizer (Free)
24 Oatmeal Raisen Cookies ($2.50)

TOTAL SPENT ON COUPONING FOR FEBRUARY:  $319.41

February 28, 2011 - March 5, 2011

Money Spent On "Couponing:"

Including cost of coupons & cost of products I would not have ordinarily bought

$3.00 - 2 Newspapers From Books-A-Million
$17.70 - Walgreens
$24.31 - CVS
$2.83 - CVS
Total:  $47.84

Items Gleaned From Couponing (From The Above Expenditures):

Price listed is after coupons and before tax

2 Bottles (Large - 16.5 oz) Baby Magic Hair & Body Wash (Free)

2 Bottles (1 oz) NasoGEL Spray For Dry Noses (FREE + $1.00 Profit)

2 Tubes (4 oz) Colgate Tooth Paste (Free + $0.50 Profit)

1 Tube Aquaphor Lip Repair (Free)

1 Poligrip Denture Adhesive Cream (Free)

20 Caplets Motrin PM (Free + $1.00 Profit)

1 Small (10.3 oz) Bottle Dawn Dish Detergent ($0.69)

1 CVS Green Bag Tag To Receive $1 ECB Per 4 Shopping Trips ($0.99)

72 Double Rolls (308 Sheets Per Roll) Charmin Basic 1-Ply Toilet Paper ($14.44/$0.20 Per Roll/$0.00065 Per Sheet)

2 Tubes (4 oz) Crest w/Scope Toothpaste (Free +$0.75 Profit)

1 Container (55 yd) Oral-B Dental Floss (Free +$0.75 Profit)

4 Containers (18 oz ea) Quaker Quick Cooking Oatmeal ($3.00/$0.75 ea/$0.04 per oz)

1 Oral-B Battery Operated Toothbrush (Little Mermaid) (Free)

1 Oral-B Battery Operated Toothbrush (Cinderella) (Free)

1 Bottle (8.4 oz) Crest Pro-Health Mouthwash (Free)

2 Bottles Revitalens Contact Lens Cleaner (Free)

1 Jar CVS Brand Hair Putty ($0.94)

4 Boxes (10 oz) Cherrios/Cocoa Puffs ($1.95/$0.49 ea/$0.0487 per oz)

2 Boxes (3 Packs Per Box) Jolly Time Popcorn ($1.78 - Coupon would not scan : (

1 Pack (16 oz) Butterball Turkey Bologna ($0.39)


March 6,  2011 - March 12, 2011

Money Spent On "Couponing:"

Including cost of coupons & cost of products I would not have ordinarily bought

$9.90 - Coupons On eBay
$3.65 - Walgreens
$12.59 - Bi-Lo
$35.49 - Bi-Lo
$0.20 - CVS
$27.04 - Walgreens
$4.08 - Target
$3.84 - Publix
$3.64 - Publix
$8.60 - CVS
$11.96 - Publix
$15.47 - Target
$11.65 - Publix
Total:  $147.21

Items Gleaned From Couponing (From The Above Expenditures):

Price listed is after coupons and before tax

2 Sunday Newspapers

2 Large (56 oz ea) Refill Containers Of Antibacterial Softsoap ($3 ea/$0.053 per oz - Cheapest Sam's Brand Is $0.065 per pz)

22 Count Always Maxi Pad ($1.49)

2 Bottles (40 oz) Pedia Care Cold Medicine ($1.98/$0.99 ea)

3 Containers (14 oz) Ajax Powdered Cleaners ($0.99)

1 Box (7 oz) Raisens ($0.99)

20 AA Energizer Batteries ($5.99)

1 Bottle (24 oz) Hershey's Syrup ($2.59)

1 Small Container Pringles ($0.99)

2 Bottles (40 oz) Pedia Care Fever Reducer ($0.98/$0.49 ea)

2 Bottles (10 oz) Dawn Dish Detergent ($0.75 ea)

2 Bottles (.5 oz) Pedia Care Infant Drops (Free)

1 Box (3-pk) Jolly Time Microwave Popcorn ($0.14)

2 Hard Plastic Containers Pampers Baby Wipes ($1.68/$0.84 ea/$0.011 per wipe)

4 Yoplait Whipped Yogurt ($0.25 ea)

2 Philadelphia Cream Cheese Cooking Cream ($1.00/$0.50 ea)

6 Jars T-Marzetti Refrigerated Salad Dressing ($6.91/$1.06 ea)

20 Packages (1 lb ea) Butterball Turkey Bologna ($2.34/$0.55 ea)

1 Bottle Revlon Nail Polish (Free)

27 Bottles Hair Salon Grade Hair Products ($27.00/$1.00 ea)

3 Boxes Crunch & Munch Caramel Corn ($0.90/$0.30 ea)

1 Large Container (15 oz) Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder ($1.80)

2 Tubes (2 oz) Desitin Baby Rash Cream ($1.80 ea)

1 Large Container (15 oz) Johnson & Johnson Baby Wash ($1.80)

1 Large Container (15 oz) Johnson & Johnson Baby Lotion ($1.80)
3 Boxes (12 bars total) Nature Valley Granola Bars (Free)
1 Tube Vagisil Cream ($1.89)
1 Bottle Suave Clarifying Shampoo ($0.09)
1 Gallon Of Bleach (Free)
2 Travel Size Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant ($0.98/$0.49 ea)
1 Package (40 ct) Halls Cough Drops ($0.73)
1 Package (20 ct) Always Maxi Pads ($0.99)
2 Bottles (40 oz) Pedia Care Allergy Medicine ($0.98/$0.49 ea)
1 Pack Orbitz Gum ($0.69)
1 Box Baking Soda ($0.50)
2 Bottles (1 oz) Pedia Care Infant Fever Reducer Drops (Free + $0.02 Profit)
2 Packs (72 Total) Pampers Size 3 Diapers ($9.00/$4.50 per pack/$0.13 ea/Cheapest is $0.17 ea @ Wal-Mart)
4 (12 Packs) Mountain Dew ($10/$2.50 per 12-pk/$0.21 per can)
2 Cans Pledge Furniture Cleaner ($2.00/$1.00 ea)
2 Glade Room Air Freshner ($2.00/$1.00 ea)
16 Valentines Candy Items @ 90% Off ($0.26 ea)
20 Atkins Advantage Bars ($11.96/$2.99 per box/$0.60 per bar)
792 (Case) Target Store Brand Baby Wipes ($13.69 reg price)
750 Sheets Of Printer Paper ($5.87 reg price)
1 Bottle (48 oz) Pine Sol ($1.49)
1 Gallon Of Bleach ($0.27)
2 Boxes Celestial Seasoning Tea ($$2.48/$1.24 ea)
1 Bottle Suave Clarifying Shampoo ($0.09)
1 Package (30 ct) Halls Cough Drops ($0.73)
4 Boxes (5 ct) Atkins Endulge Bars ($9.96/$2.49 Per Box/$0.50 Per Bar
1 Head Iceburg Lettuce ($1.69)
*Purchased The Following 48 Items At Publix For Average Of $0.16/ea*
12 Bags Birds Eye Frozen Vegetables

6 Containers Friendship Sour Cream
1 Krazy Jane's Salt
4 Vlasic Kosher Dill Pickles
2 Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
2 Cucumbers
3 Packs Borden American Cheese Slices
5 French's Worcestershire Sauce
2 Bottles T-Marzetti Strawberry Poppyseed Salad Dressing
5 Yoplait Yo Plus 4-pk Yogurts
8 EAS Low Carb AdvantEdge Shakes
2 Pure Protein Bars
1 Quart Box Fresh Strawberries1 Package (8 oz) Shredded Pepper Jack Cheese

March 3,  2011 - March 18, 2011

Money Spent On "Couponing:"

Including cost of coupons & cost of products I would not have ordinarily bought

$27.91 - Walgreens
$42.02 - CVS
$57.24 - Publix
$32.19 - Publix
$17.38 - CVS
$15.88 - Wal-Mart
$0.99 - Bloom
$27.66 - Sav-A-Lot
Total:  $221.27

Items Gleaned From Couponing (From The Above Expenditures):

Price listed is after coupons and before tax

2 Sunday Newspapers
1 Pack (42 ct) Tena Pads (Free + $2.50 Profit)
1 Maybeline Mascara ($2)
1 Maybeline Eyeshadow ($1.59)
2 Tubes (4 oz) Crest Toothpaste (Free)
8 Packs Size 4 (31 ct) Diapers ($19.96/$2.50 Per Pack/$0.08 Per Diaper)
2 Containers (6.5 oz) Clearasil Daily Face Wash ($0.98/$0.49 ea)
Neutrogena Liquid (8 oz) Face Soap ($2.24)
2 Boxes (96 ct per box) Size 3 Pampers Baby Dry Diapers ($18.00/$0.08 Per Diaper)
4 Boxes (72 ct & 64 ct) Baby Wipes ($5.00)
2 Packages (Sample Size) Theraflu (Free)
2 Right Guard Unscented Deodorants ($0.65/$0.33 ea)
2 Irish Spring Deodorant (Free)
1 Box (80 ct) Band-Aids ($1.09)
1 Neosporin Max With Pain Relief ($1.09)
1 Pack (42 ct) Tena Pads (Free + $0.50 Profit)
20 EAS Low RTD Shakes ($7.24/1.45 Per Pack/$0.36 Per Shake)
1 Bottle French's Worcestershire Sauce ($0.24)
7 Bags (10 oz) New England Coffee ($15.40/$2.20 ea/$0.22 Per Oz)
4 Boxes Kellogs Cereal ($3.80/$0.95 ea)
2 Taco Bell Taco Kits ($1.70/$0.85 ea)
6 Packages Of Rice (Free + $2.10 Overage)
4 Frozen Boxes Of Spinach (Free + $0.40 Overage)
1 Bottle Publix Brand Ranch Dressing ($0.01)
1 Yoplait Yogurt Cup (Free)
1 Pack (16 Slices) Cheese ($1.00)
3 Packages (12 oz) Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chips ($6.89/$2.30 ea)
3 Boxes Of Strawberries ($5.00)
24 Double Rolls (Cottonelle Toilet Paper) ($2.94/$0.16 Per Roll/$0.00082 Per Sheet)
2 Travel Size Packs Purex 3-In-One Laundry Sheets (Free +$0.06 Overage)
4-Pack (4 oz ea) Yo Crunch Yogurt ($0.99)
4 Packages (1 lb ea) Bacon (economy grade) ($7.96/$1.99 ea)
7 Boxes (3 packs ea) Act II Microwave Popcorn (Free)
1 Canister (26 oz) Salt ($0.39)
5 Boxes Of Quaker Instant Oatmeal ($4.95/$0.99 Per Box/$0.08 Per Packet)
9 Big Boxes (25 oz ea) General Mills Cereal ($14.36/$1.59 Per Box/$0.06 Per Oz)


Coupon Spending For The Remainder Of March:


$2.85 - CVS
$11.20 - Walgreens
$2.91 - CVS
$1.27 - Walgreens
$1.83 - Walgreens
$7.48 - Bloom
$13.48 - Publix
$20.35 - Walgreens
$19.62 - Bi-Lo
$7.02 - Walgreens
$14.49 - Walgreens
$1.18 - CVS
$2.08 - Walgreens
$2.54 - CVS
$3.00 - Books A Million (Newspapers)
$2.03 - CVS
$3.74 - Walgreens
$187.51 - BLOOM


 Total  :$304.58

Freezing Potatoes

What Do You Do With A 50 lb Bag Of Potatoes?

Found a great deal and bought a bag of potatoes for $7.97 ($0.16/lb).  Bought it and stored it in our basement thinking they would last for a while.  We made mashed potatoes, BBQ baked potatoes, and potato pancakes.  Unfortunately, our basement must be too warm with the wood stove down there so at the end of two weeks our potatoes were sprouting.  : (  We decided to try and freeze them after blanching them for 5 minutes in boiling water.

CONCLUSION:

Success!
They cook up beautifully into mashed potatoes when
thawed and cooked until tender.  : )

Replacing Butter With Margarine

Butter is expensive and we tend to use a lot of it so I have been trying to think of ways to cut back.  We use it in a lot of dishes so it would be next to impossible to cut out.  I hate the thought of using margarine but the container said "cholesterol & trans fat free."  Its only for a year.  Will it kill us?  After researching it online, I don't think it will.  I still prefer natural foods over man-made so we'll get back to butter as soon as we can.  : )

Here is what the Mayo Clinic has to say about it.

1 lb of butter from Aldi is $2.29
2.6 lbs of margarine from Aldi is $1.79

We are going through 1-2 lbs of butter a week in things like mac & cheese, grilled cheese sandwhiches, toast, mashed potatoes, etc.  I think 2 tubs of margarine will last us the entire month.  We shall see.

Homemade Pizza

For a detailed cost analysis of baking ingredients click here.

Cost Analysis For 2 Homemade Pizzas:
$0.03 For 1 Packet Of Yeast
$0.23 For Flour
$0.10 For Sugar, Salt, & Oil
$2.05 For 2 lbs Of Mozzarella Cheese
$1.00 For 100 Slices Of Pepperoni (50 Per Pizza)
$0.16 For 4 oz Pizza Sauce
$0.10 Onions, Green Peppers, Scavenged Toppings
Total Cost:  $3.67

$1.84 Per Pizza!

Pizza Crust Recipe

1 package regular or quick active dry yeast

1 cup very warm water (105-115 degrees) - I just wait until my sink water is the hottest it'll go

1 tsp sugar

1 tsp salt

1 Tbsp veg or olive oil

2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups all-purpose or bread flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water.  Stir in oil, 1 cup flour, sugar, and salt.  Beat until smooth.  Stir in remaining flour, plus a little more if needed, to make dough easy to handle.  Turn dough onto lightly floured surface, knead five minutes or until smooth and elastic.  Place in greased bowl, turn dough ball over so greased side is up.  Cover with damp towel and stick in your oven with ONLY the oven light on for 30-40 minutes or until almost double.  

Voile! Enough dough to make 2 large pizzas. :) Just roll or smoosh out with your fingers.  Brush crust with butter and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and garlic salt.  Bake for 5 minutes.  Layer toppings and return to oven until cheese is completely melted.

It was DELICIOUS!!

Potty Training

In order to save $500 in diapers next year, we have decided to try and potty train our 18-month-old daughter.  We didn't potty train our last two daughters until they were 3 since we could easily afford disposables and they didn't "seem interested."   I thought 18-months was too young to start toilet training, but check this out...In the 1950, almost a 100% of children wore cloth diapers and 95% of these children were trained by the age of 18 months.  In the 1980s, about 50% of children wore cloth diapers, while the other 50% wore disposable diapers and only about 50% of the children were potty trained by the age of 18 months.  Today, almost 90-95% of children wear disposable diapers and only about 10% of children are potty trained by the age of 18 months.  Today, the average age for potty training is about 30 months with the age ranging from 18-60 months.  -http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/A-History-of-Potty-Training.html

For our first week, we dedicated ourselves to "potty bootcamp" for our little enlistee since everyone is out of school and able to help.  She will be 18-months-old on New Year's Day 2011.  We are using the Fast Track method which basically consists of letting her run around without underwear and setting a timer for trips to the potty.  After 6 days, she seems to understand the basic concepts of "wet" and "dry."  She usually says "stinky"  as she is going or just after.  By the end of the week, she was making it in the potty about 75% of the time when taken and set on the toilet.  She is yet to self-initiate, but hopefully that will come with time.  : )

Here is a flow chart with the basic method:




Potty Training Boot Camp

Official Results From The Diaper Diaries:

We have officially given up all disposable diapers from day #1.  She wears plastic pants or cloth diapers at night and when we leave the house.  We try to keep her bare-bottomed during the day so she can get the full effect of her accidents.  : )  We started on December 20, 2010.

After 1 Week:  Going in the potty about 50% of the time she is set on it.  Says "stinky" after accidents 80% of the time.  Not self-initiating before she needs to go.

After 2 Weeks:  Making it to the potty about 75% of the time.  A couple accidents a day.  At the end of two weeks she stayed dry during church, said "stinky" and went in a new bathroom!!  Horray!!  She is wearing cloth diapers at night.

After 3 Months:  Total regression.  Never stays dry.  Does not let us know when she needs to go.  We have decided to wait a few months and try again.

Freezing Milk When It Is On Sale

I recently found milk for $2.19 at an Aldi across town.
I bought 4 gallons and put them in the freezer after
removing about a cup of milk to allow for expansion.

As we thawed the frozen milk we noticed that it had
busted a crack in the bottom of the container and
was leaking all over the fridge.  It took ALL DAY
long of sitting on the counter to thaw enough
to put into a new milk container.



Conclusion:
Milk will have to be transferred to other smaller
containers before freezing.  We will have to plan
ahead to thaw milk in time to use it.

Boneless/Skinless Or Whole Chicken?

Ever wondered if it is really cheaper to cook the whole chicken
or just grab a bag of boneless/skinless breasts?
Does it save money to debone it yourself?

For my control I am using Aldi Frozen chicken.

When calculating meat prices,
it is important to calculate it based on usable meat,
rather than the weight of the package before cooking.
A 3 lb bag of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
cooks down to 1 lb 10 oz of usable meat.

Frozen Whole Chicken $4.74 for 5.5 lb Chicken

Bag Frozen Boneless/Skinless Breasts $5.99 For 3 lb Bag

Bag Frozen Boneless/Skinless Thighs $4.99 For 3 lb Bag

After cooking the meat in a slow cooker,
cutting it up and putting it in a Ziplock bag, here is the yield:

Whole Chicken (5.5 lbs) = 1 lb 10 oz usable meat
3 lb Bag Frozen Breasts = 1 lb 10 oz usable meat
3 lb Bag Frozen Thighs = 1 lb 7 oz usable meat

Whole Chicken = $0.18 per ounce
Chicken Breasts = $0.23 per ounce
Chicken Thighs = $0.22 per ounce

Cheapest Chicken I Have Found To Date:

In January, Food Lion Had Chicken Leg
Quarters On Sale For $0.49/lb

$4.90 Per Bag (10 lbs Chicken Leg/Thigh)
Cooked 4 Pieces (Little Less Than 1/2 The Bag) In Crock-Pot
$1.96 For Crock-Pot Worth Of Meat
Got 1 lbs 7 oz Pulled Meat Off The Bones ( FULLY COOKED)
$0.09 per ounce!

Baby Food

Goal: Reduce The Cost Of Baby Food For An 11-Month Old

Which is cheaper?

The frozen green beans were the winner! The girls and I noticed how much fresher they looked, too! I cooked them in the microwave and then used a food processor to make puree them. To make them the consistency of baby food, I added 1/2 cup of water per 3 "jars."

We successfully used homemade baby food until our little girl transitioned to table food.

Homemade Laundry Soap

Goal: Cut Down On Laundry Expenses

Laundry detergent, Oxiclean, & fabric softener were taking a big chunk out of my grocery budget, so I tried finding a way to clean clothes for less. I'm pretty picky about the way detergent cleans (and smells), so I had been using Gain powdered detergent, Oxiclean for stains, and Gain liquid fabric softener. Our family does at least 10 loads of laundry a week, so this was adding up to be quite an expense!

Here is a link that describes the savings in detail
(scroll to the bottom of the page).
It is estimated to cost $0.1 per load with this recipe!

Homemade Laundry
Soap Recipe

1/3 white bar soap such as Ivory, Dial, Fels Naptha

½ cup washing soda

½ cup borax powder

~You will also need a small bucket, about 2 gallon size~

Grate the soap and put it in a sauce pan. Add 6 cups water and heat it until the soap melts.  Add the washing soda and the borax and stir until it is dissolved. Remove from heat. Pour 4 cups hot water into the bucket. Now add your soap mixture and stir. Now add 1 gallon plus 6 cups of water and stir. Let the soap sit for about 24 hours and it will gel. You use ½ cup per load.

Here are detailed pictures of the process:

http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap2.htm

IT WORKED!! I LOVE IT!!

I have been making my own laundry soap for 3 months now and I am very happy with the results. I make a huge batch of soap once a month and store it in old detergent containers. It is not difficult and only takes me about 15 minutes.

I bought the washing soda & borax
from alice.com for $7.50 including shipping.
You can also find the washing soda at ACE Hardware
& the borax at Wal-Mart.
I used dial soap since that is what we use
in the shower and I had some sitting around.
I poured the mixture into
old detergent containers. : )

I use vinegar in the rinse cycle to eliminate
odors and keep clothes fresh & soft.

I still use bleach and Oxiclean occasionally
for tough stains.

*UPDATE*

As of February 1, 2012 we will have successfully used homemade
laundry soap for eighteen months.  It works fabulously for us!

Eliminating Disposable Items

In an effort to reduce household expenses, I have gone through each disposable item we are currently using to evaluate how it can be inexpensively replaced by something "reusable." We have replaced napkins and paper towels with cloth (bar mops from Sam's cut in half and hemmed). We are replacing ziplock bags with plastic storage containers. We can not eliminate T.P. : ) I am still assessing each disposable "convenience" item to see if it can be replaced. Here is my first idea which has been working fabulously for the past three months...

Goal: Replace Disposable Paper Products
With Something Reuseable & Inexpensive

(Napkins, Paper Towels, Etc.)

Purchased 48 "Bar Mops" From Sam's Club

Price: 24 For $10.36 ($0.43 each)
Cut In Half Lowers Price To $0.21 each
Cut In Quarters Lowers Price To $0.11 each
Hem Ragged Edges On Sewing Machine

Size: 16" x 19"

100% Cotton

Cut Them In Half And Hemmed Them
On Sewing Machine For Napkins:

Cut Them In Quarters To Use In Place Of Paper Towels
To Wipe Little Faces, Wipe Up Little Spills, Etc.

*UPDATE*
By February 1, 2011 we have successfully eliminated almost all disposable
paper products except for toilet paper.  We still use plastic baggies
(300 for $1) for lunch boxes due to size constraints in the lunch boxes.