(And I’m apologizing for this horrific photo. Thank goodness I take better food photography than grocery shop trips.)

This trip was definitely a “stock-up” trip and not a “menu-plan” trip.

Almost exclusively, every item I purchases this morning, was going straight into my stockpile to be used a later time.

Price Chopper Pictured: (2) Mrs. Smith’s Pies, (16) Green Mountain K-Cups (12 count), (8) Green Giant Mushrooms, (16) McCormick Taco Seasoning, (4) Strawberries, (2) Wheat Thins and (5) Limes. Total: $79.02

Hy-Vee Pictured: (3) Hy-Vee Butter, (2) Lay’s Chips, (2) Hy-Vee Chili Beans, (2) Planters Peanuts, Hy-Vee Sandwich Bread, Cilantro, and (2) Grimmway Baby Carrots (2 lbs). Total: $2.13 after using $20 in Catalina from Kraft Promotion.

Target Pictured: Extra Gum, Hormel Party Tray, (3) Old El Paso Taco Shells, (3) Barilla Pasta, and (4) Ragu Pasta Sauce. Total: $12.22 after $5 gift card.

Final Trip Total: $93.37

Commentary

My local Price Chopper is getting ready to have a very BIG Hy-Vee move in down the street, so they have been having great store-only deals the last few weeks. This week I was able to pick up Mrs. Smith’s Pies for $.88 (after $1/1 Mrs. Smiths Printable Coupon) and cheap Green Mountain K-Cups. Otherwise you can check out all of the Hy-Vee Deals and Price Chopper Deals for matchups.

All of the Target Deals are available here. The only difference is my Hormel Party Tray was on sale for $9.49 – so only $3.49 after coupons.

Unfortunately, I have spent a large part of my budget on coffee. However, we drink a lot of coffee. If I would have spent the regular “good price” of $.40 on 192 K-Cups (that is how many I bought today), I would have spent $76.80. But because I bought when the time was right, I only spent $50.98 which is an overall savings of over $25.00.

I’m going to freeze a couple of the strawberries and make wine mushrooms with the rest of the mushrooms.

Follow me as I chronicle my shopping adventures in an effort to spend $375 per month on groceries, health/beauty and cleaning products in Success Stories.

It’s been awhile since I’ve shared one of my shopping trips.

I was able to get away on Saturday morning without kids or hubby and hit three stores in an hour and a half.

It was a great early morning filled with empty stores and a large Starbucks…only to come home to a broken dishwasher, a flooded store, and water spots on the ceiling.

Oh, well. You save in one place to spend on another, right?

Hen House Pictured: Bounty Basic, (6) Kleenex Boxes, (3) Best Choice Club Soda, (2) McCormick Gravy Mix, (2) Chex Mix, Multi-Grain Cheerios, (2) Yoplait Greek Yogurt, (3) Chobani Yogurt, (2) Roberts Sour Cream, (2) Silk Almond Milk, Freschetta Pizza, and (6) Edge Shave Gel. Total: $26.18 – $1.75 SavingStar credit = $24.43

Hy-Vee Pictured: (10) Planter’s Peanut Butters, (10) Oscar Mayer Deli Shaved Lunchmeat, Roberts Milk, Yoplait Simplait, (2) Tone’s Spices, Dole Iceberg Lettuce, Cilantro, Fresh Thyme, Wholly Guacamole, Red Onion, Oranges (1.7 lbs), and Chorizo Sausage. Total: $57.42 – $20 in Catalina = $37.42

ALDI Pictured: (2) Wheat Bread, Margarine, Multi-Colored Peppers, (4) Lemons, Strawberries, (2) Broccoli Crowns, (2) Taco Mix, Half & Half, (2) Frozen Mango/Strawberry/Pineapple, Tortilla Chips, (2) Baby Carrots and Cheesy Poofs. Total: $21.47

Trip Total: $83.32

Commentary

Because of rising prices and food choices, I’ve had to up my budget to $375 per month. I could probably get it done for $300 – but it would require some serious sacrifices that we are not willing to make right now.

It’s important to pay attention to extra credits from Ibotta and SavingStar. Because of those, I was able to save an additional $1.75 this trip and it made for some nice deals on yogurt and Multi-Grain Cheerios.

There are several great deals available as part of the MLK Day Sales tomorrow…so you should be able to take advantage of the weekly Hy-Vee Deals and Hen House Deals as well.

Follow me as I chronicle my shopping adventures in an effort to spend $375 per month on groceries, health/beauty and cleaning products in Success Stories.

Again, after my bender at Hy-Vee at the end of August/beginning of September and then some Labor Day Shopping – things have been kind of quiet on the “shopping front”.

Partially, this is due to all the food we still have in the house.

And the main part is that I’ve been too busy to make it to the store.

So last week was a slow week….just my Hen House CSA and a quick trip to CVS.

Hen House CSA

Pictured: (6) Ears of Sweet Corn, Farmers Cheese, Good Natured Family Farms Rump Roast (2.3 lbs), Jonathan Apples, Farm To Market Bread, and Potatoes (5lbs). Retail Value: $25.00

CVS

Pictured: (2) Kotex Tampons, 36 count + bonus liners, (2) Colgate Toothpaste, CVS Brand Gentle Cleanser, and Centrum Fruit Chews. Total: $3.04 + $10 ECB and received $2 ECB for later.

Trip Total: $28.04

Monthly total: $91.15

Commentary

The Kotex Tampons + Bonus Liners ended up being $1.50 per 18-pack after ECB and $2/2 Kotex Natural Balance Printable Coupon. Which is my “buy now” price for this brand.

Centrum Fruit Flavor Chews were FREE after CVS and manufacturer coupon.

And the CVS Brand Gentle Cleanser was only $3.31 after 25% off regular priced item and $3 off CVS Skincare Coupon.

But rest assured, I’ll be do a little shopping on Thursday as I have a $14 in catalinas that need to be spent at Hy-Vee.

Follow me as I chronicle my shopping adventures in an effort to spend $300 per month on groceries, health/beauty and cleaning products in Success Stories.

After my stellar Hy-Vee Shopping Trips during the week, I did a little weekend shopping at Target, Hen House and Aldi.

Target

Pictured: (4) Dr. Pepper (12-packs) and (2) Gevalia Coffee. Total: $13.08

Hen House & Aldi

Aldi Pictured: Half and Half, Strawberries, Cream Cheese, Cumin, (2) Saltines, Splenda Knock-Off, (3) Flour Tortillas, Pita Chips, and Pretzels. Total: $15.95

Hen House Pictured: (4) Lay’s Potato Chips, (6) Nabisco Snack Crackers, Roberts Milk, Dannon Oikos Yogurt, and Dannon Light & Fit Yogurt. Total: $9.08

Hen House CSA

Pictured: Honey Bear, Double Onions, Double Red Peppers, Wheat Bread, Good Natured Family Farms Hamburger, and Seedless Watermelon. (Which was the BEST watermelon we’ve had this season.) Retail Value: $25.00.

Trip Total: $63.11

Commentary

I had several FREE coupons from either companies that work with the blog or BlogHer – Roberts Milk, Dannon Oikos, and Dannon Light & Fit.

The Gevalia Coffee was $3.00 each after a Buy One, Get One Free Printable Coupon (NLA) and $1/1 Gevalia Manufacturer Coupon that I received with one of the various samples.

If you happened to get ANY of the Lay’s Chips coupons that were available earlier last week – there is a sweet deal at Hen House. Lay’s Chips are Buy One at $4.29, Get One FREE. Use any of the $3/1 or $3/2 coupons and you’ll pay only $.65 each after coupon.

Here is the scenario for the Wheat Thin or Triscuit Snack Crackers at Hen House. (Deal is still good today.)

And on a downer note – ALDI changed their supplier for Saltines. They aren’t nearly as good as they used to be, so unfortunately they will no longer be on my “Best Of ALDI” list.

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So we’ve been all a buzz about the Hy-Vee $10 Kraft Catalina and then $4 General Mills Cereal Catalina.

Well here are how my shopping trips turned out.

Hy-Vee Trip #1

Transaction #1: (2) Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal and (2) Lucky Charms Cereal. Total: $8.47 + received $4 General Mills Catalina

Transaction #2: (2) Capri Suns, (2) Miracle Whip, (2) Kraft Dressings, and (4) Planter’s Peanut Butters. Total: $5.93 & $8 catalina I had from past Truvia Deal & $4 General Mills Catalina from previous transaction + received $10 Kraft Catalina.

Transaction #3: (2) Kraft Dressings, (4) Kraft Singles, and (4) Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Meats. Total: $16.49 + received $10 Kraft Catalina.

Transaction #4: (2) Capri Suns and (8) Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs. Total: $12.14 + received $10 Kraft Catalina

Hy-Vee Trip #2

Pictured: (10) Orville Redenbacher Microwave Popcorn, (2) Lucky Charms, (2) Cinnamon Toast Crunch, (4) Velveeta Shells & Cheese, (6) Planter’s Peanut Butters, Lay’s Chips, (2) Seedless Watermelons, Green Grapes (3 lbs), (3) Grimmway Baby Carrots, (10) Hy-Vee Cheese, Dannon Activia Breakfast Blends, Dole Iceberg Lettuce, Wonder Hamburger Buns, Dawn Dishwashing Liquid, and (2) 80% Hambuger Rolls.

Total after coupons and (3) $10 Kraft Catalinas (see above): $31.75 + received (1) $4 General Mills Catalina and (1) $10 Kraft Catalina for future purchases

Hy-Vee Final Total (after you factor in coupons & catalinas): $68.78

Commentary

The Kraft Catalina is rolling, so I wouldn’t need to hold all of my coupons till the end. However it was fun to watch my total go from $120 to $31 on that last transaction.

Prices for cereal were a little high at my store – so I may do one or two more transactions, I probably won’t have 30 boxes of cereal stocked up after this week. However, make sure to print off the current General Mills Cereal Coupons, because they will change over this evening.

Items that were free for me this trip: Dawn Dishwashing Liquid with $.50/1 Manufacturer Coupon + $.50/1 Hy-Vee Fundraiser Book Coupon, Kraft Singles, CapriSuns, and Dannon Activia Yogurt (with FREE coupon I got at BlogHer).

Awesome deals included $.28 Velveeta Shells and cheese (after catalina), $.09 Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs (after catalina), $.27 Lay’s Kettle Chips (after $1/1 Printable Coupon (NLA) and $.50/1 Hy-Vee Fundraiser Book Coupon.

There were tear-off pads of $1/2 Orville Redenbacher Popcorn at my Hy-Vee the day before the $1.00 sale – so I was able to get $.50 a box popcorn after coupon.

And so you don’t think I’m perfect – I bought the wrong size Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (should have got the LARGE size).

Check out how you can get the same Hy-Vee Deals HERE.

What about you? How many times did you go to Hy-Vee this week? Leave me a comment and let me know.

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It was another week and time to do a little shopping.

We are still stocking up on school lunch supplies, but I think we are getting pretty close on having what we need for awhile.

But then my kids are like small garbage disposals – so it may only last two weeks.

Hen House CSA

Pictured: Peaches, Green Peppers, Ground Bison, Farm To Market Sourdough Bread, Onion, Honey, and Tomatoes. Retail Value: $25.00

Costco

Costco Pictured: Soy Sauce, Minced Garlic, Organic Eggs (Two Dozen), (2) Hillshire Farm Deli Select Lunchmeat (3 lbs), Organic Broccoli, (2) Ziploc Bags, and Guyere Cheese. Total: $68.13

Hy-Vee and Hen House

Hy-Vee Pictured: (3) Hy-Vee Frozen Peas, (2) MCF Sandwich Bags, (3) Hy-Vee Microwave Popcorn, Hy-Vee White Popcorn, (3) Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, (3) Wonder Bread, (2) Truvia, (2) Ken’s Dressing, (3) Red Peppers, (2) Hy-Vee Thin Sliced Turkey Lunchmeat, (6) Quaker Granola Bars, and Hy-Vee Taco Shells. Total: $41.57 + $8 Catalina from the Truvia (that I’ll use next time)

Hen House Pictured: Oikos Yogurt Mult-pack, (4) Healthy Choice Greek Yogurt, Planters Almonds, Planters Trail Mix, and (3) Best Choice Club Soda. Total: $11.24

Trip Total: $145.94

Monthly Total: $316.48

Commentary

As you can tell by my total – I will be over this month. Part of that is due to having a few extra dollars from last month left and part of that is giving myself an extra $100 to stock up on kid’s lunch stuff this month.

Best Deals are the Truvia and the Healthy Choice Greek Yogurt. I plan on hitting Hy-Vee at least two more times for the Truvia because it is an amazing deal.

And Costco has a coupon for the Ziploc Bags making the 100 count bags only $1.25 each. And that is a BARGAIN.

Surprises? My Hy-Vee had their Thin Sliced Turkey Breast on close-out for $1.50 for 9 oz. It was a little higher than I like to pay for lunchmeat, but it also means I’m completely stocked up for several months and that peace of mind is worth something.

Follow me as I chronicle my shopping adventures in an effort to spend $300 per month on groceries, health/beauty and cleaning products in Success Stories.

So I completed my “Get My Act Together” shopping trip this weekend when I hit up Hen House, CVS and Price Chopper.

Hen House & CVS

CVS Pictured: (2) Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara and (2) CVS Vitamin C Tablets. Total: $2.57 + $6.50 in ECB

Hen House Pictured: (2) Franks Red Hot Sauce, Roberts Sour Cream, Dannon Oikos Yogurt Multi-Pack, and (6) Totino’s Crispy Crust Pizza. Total: $5.00 with $1.00 back into my Savingstar Account.

Price Chopper

Pictured: Goya Black Beans (4 lbs), Dozen Eggs, (8) Eggo Waffles, (2) Johnsonville Smoked Sausage, Green Grapes (2.7 lbs), Cilantro, and (4) Lemons. Total: $25.01

Trip Total: $32.58

Monthly Total: $170.54

Commentary

Hen House was OUT of their $1.79 per pound Chicken Breast Tenderloins and hubs forgot to ask for a Rain Check. #fail

I was able to get GOYA Black Beans for $1.25 per pound at the Roeland Park Price Chopper. This is such an amazing deal because GOYA black beans are the BOMB and they are same price as “generic and not as good” black beans.

At CVS I was able to rock a couple of CSO coupons, namely the $3.00 off any CVS Vitamin (they were Buy One, Get One FREE). The small bottles of Vitamin C were $2.99 each – so I got both for FREE.

How about you? Are you back on the couponing strategic shopping bandwagon? Is you binder and BOB finally organized? Leave me a comment and let me know.

Follow me as I chronicle my shopping adventures in an effort to spend $300 per month on groceries, health/beauty and cleaning products in Success Stories.