Good Deals this week 1/28-2/3

There is a new store in Provo called Buy-Low (where Reams used to be near Olive Garden/Shopko/Movies8). Here are some of the deals:

bananas 4lbs / $1.00
oranges 3 lbs / $1.00
apples different varieties 3 lbs/ $1.00
tide 100 oz. 9.99
boneless skinless chicken breast 1.39 (On Friday they will be $.99 for the day)
mini carrots 2/$1.00
sugar $7.99/25lbs limit 2
palmolive dish soap .99
NY strip steak $2.99 lb

Albertsons:
(If you don't live near Provo) Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, fresh - Butcher Block $1.77 lb.
Mountain High yogurt 32 oz. $1.99 use coupon:Mountain High Yoghurt, any 32 oz. .50/1 (2-28-09) SS-1/4 to get it for $1.49
Juicy Juice 100% juice 8 ct.$2.00 use coupon:Nestlé Juicy Juice product $1/1 (4-5-09) NestleSS-1/4 to get 'em for $1.00
Albertsons olives 5.75-6 oz. $.79
Nabisco crackers 6.5-10 oz. - Wheat Thins or Triscuit $1.99-Buy 3 and get one of these for free: Easy Cheese 8 oz., Velveeta 8 oz., or Kraft cheese slices 8 oz.Use coupon: Nabisco Ritz, Wheat Thins or Triscuit, any varieties $2/2 (3-31-09) SS-1/25 to get them for $.99
Nabisco Ritz crackers 14.5-16 oz. $2.50 Use coupon:Nabisco Ritz, Wheat Thins or Triscuit, any varieties $2/2 (3-31-09) SS-1/25 to get them for $1.50
Orville Redenbacher Natural popcorn 3-4 pack *B1G3FREE* Requires in-store manufacturers coupon. Then use: Orville Redenbacher’s Natural Gourmet Popping Corn, any variety 3 pack or larger .40/1 (2-28-09) SS-1/18 to get 4 packages for $2.59
Orville Redenbacher popcorn 3-4 pack *B1G3FREE* Requires in-store manufacturers coupon. Then use: Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn, any variety 3 pack or larger $1/2 (2-28-09) SS-1/18 to get 8 for $4.98
Orville Redenbacher popcorn 3-4 pack*B1G3FREE* Requires in-store manufacturers coupon. Then use printable $1.00/1 printable to get them for 4/$1.99.
Culinary Circle pizza 12.01-33.5 oz.*B1G1FREE, plus get 2 Dr. Pepper 2 liters FREE! Also use: 1.00/1 printable found on the PYP grocery list to get 4 items for $5.29

PYP link

Pinching Your Pennies Emails

Here is a link for my Utah friends. You can get all the HOT Utah Grocery Deals delivered to your in-box twice a week.


PYP newsletter link

Price Point Sheets

I wrote this for the PYP blog. We'll see if it gets "published" by them.


You know on TV where they show people on Wall Street doing their trading? There they are, pens and clip boards in hand, getting ready for the big trade. Suddenly the floor is hopping, the men in their suits, the women in their business gear, all jumping up and down yelling, "Buy, buy, buy."

Over the last couple of years as I've been couponing with the help of pinchingyourpennies.com I have often felt that same excitement to "Buy, buy, buy." Many volunteers peruse the ads, match up current coupons with the sale items, and add their expertise on good price points and sale cycles, then rate the grocery items for us. Items that are hot have 4 and 5 star ratings. Often these very 4 and 5 star deals are the ones that have me jumping in my computer room yelling, "Buy, buy, buy!" (Ok, not literally). Consequently, my pantry and storage room have been filled with these great deals.

I started to realize though that I was buying not because I needed the item, but because of the rush of the "good deal." Many items I was overbuying. A lot of these items cycled in sales throughout the year and we couldn't use them all by their "best used by dates." I also didn't know what I was actually paying for each of the items in my storage. I knew I was getting a good deal, but couldn't remember just how good. I knew I needed to keep a better record so I could use my budget wiser.

At the beginning of 2008 I made an openoffice spreadsheet (this is like excel, but free). I listed the date, store, quantity purchased, the item name and category, its size, the price, any coupon discount, additional promotions, and the final price paid. After each shopping trip, I dutifully plugged in each of my purchases into the spreadsheet. This may seem a little OCD, but it has proved so valuable to me. This became my official "Price Point Sheet."

I can see exactly what I spent on each item I bought. I can see how much I saved by using coupons. I can see how much I spent on each category of items (baby care, dairy, cleaning supplies, etc). I can also start to track on my own sale cycles and price points.

And, with the 2008 totals calculated, I learned that I used $2270.00 in manufacturer's coupons. That is a lot of savings. I also learned that I spent $4394.39 on all my grocery items for the year. That averages to $366.20 a month spent on all my grocery purchases (baby, cleaning supplies, health and beauty items, and food storage supplies). I would say that is pretty good for a family of 6 with a decent salary.

My 2008 goal of keeping track of my "buys" was a success. I am continuing with my price point spreadsheet for 2009. I figure as I keep a record like this I will have a better grasp on prices and sale cycles, I might even become my neighborhood price sage. I have another goal for this year, too. We are still a family of 6, but we no longer have a decent salary. Now that I have a record of price points and quantities, I can see what deals I can pass on (yes, you can miss a sale) and what I can cut out. I also feel more confident in my buying abilities.

I highly recommend keeping a price points sheet. And though you might have less, "Buy, buy, buy" rushes, I think you will be happy with your recorded results.

Kmart Double Coupons

SUPER COUPON DOUBLES -Limit 4 of the same product, Coupons up to $2.00 values doubled. Limit 25 per day

Juicy Juice Slim 8 ct 4.23 oz = $2.50-$1.00/1 (S1/4) $0.50
Ludens Cough drops 30 ct = $1.29-$1.00/1(RP1/4) *Free
Robitussin Cough Drops = $1.99-$1.00/1 (RP11/2, 12/14, 1/4) *Free
KY Jelly 4 oz = $3.99 - $2.00/1 (RP10/26,RP12/7) *Free
Revlon Beauty Tools = $1.29-$2.49 - $1.00/1 (SS9/14, SS10/12, SS10/19, SS11/16) *Free (and up)
Endust 10 oz = $3.29 - $2.00/1 (RP11/9) *Free
Oust 12 z = $3.50-$1.50/1 (SS10/26) $0.50
Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner = $2.29 - $0.75/1 (SS1/4) $0.79
Purina Tbonz 10 oz = $2.99 - $1.50/1 (SS10/19) *Free
Wetones wipes 40 ct = $2.29-$0.75/1 (SS11/2) $0.79
Kelloggs Cereals 9-20 oz = $2.25 - $1.00/1 (RP12/14) $0.25 ea
Kelloggs Cereal Straws 8.8 oz = $2.25 - $1.00/1 (RP12/14)$0.25
Trident Gum 3 packs = $2.00-$1.00/1 (SS12/7) *Free

I got this list from the SAVVY SHOPPER. She has a lot of items listed, I only took the ones that were free or I needed for my list.

On Monday, when I went, I was able to get some free nail files (I know, how exciting), the lysol cleaner, and one free Hersheys chocolate candy-it was on clearance, so free with this coupon: Hershey Special Dark Candy 11 oz = $2.33-$1.00/1 (SS11/9). They were out of gum and the gillette was more expensive then on my list, so I didn't get any. There was a ton of Special K boxes though, and I have a ton of coupons. If anyone wants them let me know.

Albertsons 1/21-1/27

Decent Deals:
*Cantaloupe $.48/lb
*Iceberg lettuce $.88 (use in-ad coupon)
*Whole Frying Chicken $.69/lb (last year the best price I found was $.59/lb)
*Boneless beef chuck roast $1.99/lb.
*Shoppers Value milk 2%, 1%, or skim $2.19
*Albertsons large eggs dozen $1.25
*Cherry 7UP 2 liters FREE on Saturday only (use in-ad coupon)
*Albertsons tomato sauce 8 oz. - limit 8 8/$1.00 (use in-ad coupon)
*Beech-Nut stage 2 baby food 4 oz. $.40 Use coupon:Beech-Nut Jars, any $1.50/8 (1-31-09) SS-10/26 to get 'em for $.21
*1 Spring! natural spring water 24 ct. $7.79 use $5.00/1 in-ad store coupon, to get it for $2.79
*3 Old Orchard 100% juice 64 oz. bottle 3/$7.00 use $3.00/3 in-ad store coupon, to get them for 3/$4.00

Also a General Mills sale...buy $20 of stuff save $5, the only good deal I see is for *Yo+ yogurt. I love this kind (so smooth and no HFCS). If you buy 10, they come to $1.50 a piece then use the coupon: Yo-Plus Yogurt, any flavor 4 Pack $1/1 (3-14-09) SS-1/18 or printables, to get them for $.50---now I just need to find more coupons.

Last but not least, Kelloggs Promo, spend $10 and save $3...
*Kellogg's cereal 9.5-20 oz. - Frosted Mini Wheats Little Bites $2.50, after promo and this coupon:
*Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats Cereals, any flavor 14.5 oz or larger $1.50/2 (3-1-09) RP-1/18 they come to $1.00
*Kellogg's cereal 9.5-20 oz. - Frosted Mini Wheats Little Bites $2.50, after promo and this coupon:
*Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats or All-Bran Cereal, any 11.4 oz. or larger $1/1 (1-25-09) RP-12/14, they come to $.75
*Kellogg's cereal 9.5-20 oz. - Raisin Bran or Raisin Bran Extra $2.50, after promo and this coupon:
*Kellogg’s Smart Start, Rice Krispies, Crispix, Raisin Bran Crunch, Corn Flakes and/or Raisin Bran Cereals, any flavor 11.2 oz or larger $1.50/2 (3-1-09) RP-1/1 they come to a $1.00
Kellogg's cereal 9.5-20 oz. - Special K Blueberry $2.50, after promo and this coupon: Kellogg’s Special K or Smart Start Cereal, any 11.4 oz. or larger $1/1 (1-25-09) RP-12/14 they come to $.75
(For every 4 boxes of Kelloggs cereal you buy, $3 will be deducted from your grocery total)

I should buy a cow

Last year I purchased 197 gallons of milk.

LDS Church Cannery Prices

I was wondering about the price of oats at Albertsons (42 oz for $1.50-when you buy 4), and how that compared to the LDS church cannery price. I couldn't get it off my mind, so for you all this is what I found.

Here is a current cannery PRICE SHEET

Looks like Albertsons is about $.03 an ounce, whereas the cannery is $.05 to $.07 and ounce.

Macey's Food Storage Sale 1/14-1/20

If you need any of the following I think they are pretty good deals:
*Western Family Olive Oil, 17 oz. pure $3.99
*Western Family Table Salt, 26 oz. .44
*Western Family Apple Juice, 12 oz. frozen .91
*Glade Air Freshers, 9 oz. aerosol $1.00 Use coupon:Glade Sprays, any excluding air infusions $1/2 (2-21-09) SS-1/11 to get them for $.50 ea
*Dannon Drinking Water, 24 pk. $2.50
*Food Storage Bucket, 5 gallon with lid $2.99 (I paid like $5.00 for these last summer)
*Western Family Apple Sauce, 15 oz. original (Case of 24 = $14.16).59
*Western Family Corn or Beans, 11-15.25 oz. can (Case of 24 = $11.76, Tray of 12 = $5.88).49
*Western Family Mandarin Oranges (Case of 24 = $9.36).39
*Western Family Tomato Paste, 6 oz. regular (Case of 48 = $18.72).39
*Western Family Tomato Sauce, 8 oz. regular (Case of 48 = $12.96).27

While you are there pick up some:
*Leaf Lettuce bunch, Red, Green or Romaine .89 ea
*Gold'n Plump Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks, 24 oz. pkg. $.91
*Pork Picnic Roast $1.29/lb
*Shur Saving Gallon Milk, 1%, 2% or Skim $2.00
*Western Family Marshmallows, 10-10.5 oz. regular or mini .69

Albertsons-Quaker Sale 1/14-1/20

According to my notes from last year, a big Quaker sale happens at Albertsons 2 times a year. Tomorrow the first one of the year starts. If you have enough coupons and can afford it, buy a lot. The good news is that on this one you just buy in increments of 4 to get an "automatic" discount. None of this counting mixed price points and multiples and catalina print outs and other nonsense.

The items are $2.00 a piece, but when you buy 4 you get a $2.00 discount, making them $1.50 a piece.

Here are some good deals:
Quaker Breakfast cookies 10.1 oz. $1.50 (I actually think these are gross, but to each his own)
Quaker Cap'n Crunch cereal 14-16 oz. $1.50 use coupon: Quaker Cap’n Crunch Cereal, any .50/1 (3-31-09)RP-1/4 to get them for $1.00
Quaker Chewy granola bars 7.9-8.4 oz. $1.50 use coupon: Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, any variety boxes $1/2 (2-28-09) RP-1/4 to get them for $1.00 (last sept these were on sale with a final price of $.40 after coupon and I still have a ton left-stocking up is so fun)
Quaker High Fiber instant oatmeal 11.5-15.1 oz. $1.50
use coupon: Quaker High Fiber Instant Oatmeal, any $1/1 (3-31-09) RP-1/4 to get them for $.50
Quaker High Fiber instant oatmeal 11.5-15.1 oz. $1.50
Use 1.00/1 printable at thisLINK to get them for $.50 or use this coupon: Quaker Instant Oatmeal, any .70/1 (3-31-09) L’OrealRP-1/4 to get them for $.80 or this LINK to get them for $1.00
Quaker Life cereal 14-15 oz. $1.50 use this coupon: Quaker Life Cereals, any $1/2 (2-28-09) RP-12/7 RP-1/4 to get them for $1.00
Quaker Morning Minis 7.6 oz. $1.50 (again not my cup of tea)
Quaker oats 42 oz. $1.50 use this coupon: Quaker Old Fashioned or Quick Oats, any 18 oz. or larger .60/1 (3-31-09) RP-1/4 to get them for $.90
Quaker Simple Harvest oatmeal 11.8 oz. $1.50 use coupon: Quaker Simple Harvest Instant Multigrain Hot Cereal, any $1/1 (1-31-09) SS-11/9 to get them for $.50

I know you're thinking, "Why would I buy more cereal when I just got a bunch for cheaper this last week?" Well, if Life is your favorite cereal now is the time to get it. You won't find it cheaper. Same for Captain Crunch, though there is a generic of this, and there isn't for Life.

While you're there use your In-ad coupon to score some cheap apples ($1.86 for 3 lbs)
$1.00/lb for roma tomatoes (decent price)
Kelloggs Frosted Flakes, if you don't have enough sugared cereals, for $.25 with this coupon: Kellogg’s Corn Pops, Frosted Flakes, Frosted Flakes Gold, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks, Cocoa Krispies or Cereal straws any 8.8 oz. or larger $1/1 (1-25-09) RP-12/14
Mission Tortillas - use printable LINK to get 'em for $.99

and anything else you need: PYP grocery list

Some Albertsons help

To make this sale work you need to buy items in $30 increments.

Let's say you want to buy some diapers. Buy 3 jumbo size Pampers diapers. This will equal a little more than $30 depending on the type you buy (Cruisers cost $10, baby dry are $10.69). Give the cashier any manufacturers coupons you have. After you pay you would get your receipt and 3-$5 off coupons. These are called "catalinas." You would also receive a $5 off coupon "catalina" to use on another baby purchase.

Having fun? Now you could buy 2 Pampers wipes refills (2 x $5 =$10.00), 4 Bisquicks (4 x $2.50=$10.00) and 4 muffin mixes (4 x $2.50 = $10.00). Hand your cashier any manufacturers coupons you have, your 3-$5 off catalinas, and your $5 off any baby purchase coupon. After all the coupons your total would be under $10!! The cashier will give you your receipt and 3 more $5 off catalinas.

If you don't need baby items, there are a ton of other items that are part of the promotion. For instance fruit snacks and cereals are $2.00. You could buy 7 fruit snacks and 8 boxes of cereals to get to $30. If you have manufacturers coupons, hand those to the cashier, along with your "catalinas." After you pay, the cashier should give you your receipt and 3 more $5 off coupons. You can keep going by using those 3 $5 off coupons or save them for another day. They do expire though, so if you save 'em be sure to use them.

My Albertsons Results

WHAT A PAIN! My baby woke me up early, so I took care of her then headed off to Albertsons. I would have done better to wait until later this morning as it was a zoo. A lot of the stuff was already gone and waits at the check stand were over an hour long.

This is what I bought:
3 bags Pampers Diapers
2 wipes refills
4 muffin mixes
4 Bisquick
3 Toaster Pastries
5 fruit snacks
7 GM cereals
4 Fusion Razors
1 Tide
1 puffs tissue
9 Pantene shampoo
2 Butter
3 gallons milk
1 doz eggs
1 M-o-M cereal
1 French bread
2 2lb cheese
TOTAL: $61.00---with $20 to use on my next shopping order, so $41.00 for this stuff.
coupons used:$238

I broke up my transactions so that I could use my $15 coupon that prints out on my next order.

HOT Albertsons Sale!!! (1/7-1/13)

Albertsons is having one of their infamous "buy a bunch of certain stuff in certain quantities and you'll save big" sales. The details are: "Spend $30 on participating items, and get a $15 coupon to use on your next shopping order."

If you are going to buy a lot of stuff then I highly recommend printing out this SPREADSHEET. It will help you keep track of how many you need to buy of each item in the different price brackets.

Some HOT deals include: Pampers baby dry and cruisers diaper jumbo packs. They are $10.00 and $10.69 a piece. Buy 3, and you'll get a $5 coupon for spending $25 on baby items, and a $15 coupon for the previously mentioned promotion. Add 3 manufacturers coupons (from the 12/28 P&G insert) and you've got yourself some cheap diapers (even without coupons).

General Mills cereals are $2.00, when you take advantage of the promo, it is like getting them for $1.00. There are always insert manufacturer's coupons, and if you don't have a newspaper subscription, take some time and print some coupons off the internet (boodle.com, smartsource.com, bettycrocker.com, pillsbury.com, boxtopsforeducation.com). You can usually print each coupon twice and remember not to photocopy them, it is illegal.

I'm planning on buying Total and Fiber 1 cereals for $.25 (after promo and $.75 off coupons)
Kix and Cheerios for $.50 (after promo and $.50 off coupons)
Fiber 1 toaster pastries for $.25 (after promo and $.75 off coupons)
Yoplait + yogurt for free (after promo and $1.00 off coupons)
Muffin mix (a splurge) for $.75 (after promo and $.50 off coupons)
Bisquick baking mix for $.25-.50 (after promo and $.75-$1 off coupons)
Green Giant boxed vegetables and 24 oz vegetables for $.40 and $.75(after promo and $.40-$.50 off coupons)
Cascadian Farms Natural cereal for $.67(after promo and $1.00 off coupons)
Fiber 1 complete pancake mix for $.67 (after promo and $1.00 off coupons)
Gillete Fusion razors for $.49(after promo and $4.00 off coupons)
Pantene pruducts for $.17(after promo and $1.50 coupons) and a couple of boxes of
Fruit Snacks (again a splurge) for .50(after promo and $.50 off coupons).

Other products are good deals too like cake mix, potatoes, hamburger helper, granola bars, puffs tissues, progresso soup, kids yogurt, minute maid OJ, and toothbrushes. I don't need or use those products. For a complete list check out Pinchingyourpennies at this LINK

ALSO, the front page of the ad has 2 Albertsons coupons that allow you to get a total of 6 coupons "doubled" up to a $1.00. Hand these to your cashier along with 6 $1.00 off manufacturer's coupons and you've just saved yourself another $6.00. The other in-ad coupons are pretty good, too (butter, cheese, potatoes, malt-o-meal-if you don't have enough GM cereals).

If you have a Happenings book there are coupons for $5 when you spend $50 at Smiths coupons. Albertsons will take these, thus saving yourself more $$$.

Kmart Double Coupons 1/4-1/9

Here are some great deals at Kmart:

* Coupons up to $1.00 will be doubled
* No internet printables
* You cannot double a multiple item coupon ($1.00/2, $1.00/3 etc..)
* Limit of 25 coupons total per day

Kelloggs Special K Cereal 12 - 14 oz = $2.50 - $1.00/1 (RP12/14) = $0.50
Hershey Special Dark Candy 11 oz = $2.99-$1.00/1 (S11/9) = $0.99
Mars Miniatures 9-14 oz = $2.00 - $0.50/1 (RP1/4) = $1.00
Del Monte Fruit Bowls 4 ct = $2.99-$1.00/1 (RP11/16) = $0.99
Juicy Juice 64 oz or 8 ct 6.75 oz = $2.50-$1.00/1 (S1/4) = $0.50
Juicy Juice 8 ct 4.23 oz = $2.00-$1.00/1 (S1/4) = FREE (+ Get a $5 Kmart Gift Card and Nestle Calendar when you buy $20 in Nestle in a single transaction. See store monthly flyer for form)
Hormel Completes 10oz. microwave meals = $2.00 - $1.00/1 (S12/7) = FREE
Crest Spinbrush = $3.99-$1.00/1 (S12/7) = $1.99
Act Kids Mouthwash = 3.19 - $1.00/1 (S1/4) = $1.19
Jergens Glow = $5.99 - $1.00/1 (S12/7) = $3.99
Loreal Studio Hair Care = $2.99-$1.00/1 (RP10/19) = $0.99
Loreal Vive Pro Hair Care = $2.99-$1.00/1 (RP1/4) = $0.99
Loreal Kids Hair Care Assorted 9 oz = $2.50-$0.75/1 (RP1/4) = $1.00
Johnson's Buddy Bars= $0.99 - $1.00/1 (RP1/4) = FREE
Glade 4 oz Candles = $2.50-$1.00/1 (S12/7) = $0.50
Woolite Heavy Traffic Foam 22 oz = $3.99-$1.00/1 (S11/2) = 1.99
Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner = $2.29 - $0.75/1 (S1/4) = $0.79
Revlon - Select varieties 50% off - $1.00/1 (S10/12, S11/16, S12/7)= Good Deal
Revlon Beauty Tools = $1.29 & up - $1.00/1 (S9/14, S10/12, S10/19, S11/16) = Good Deal
Wet Ones wipes 40 ct = $2.29-$0.75/1 (S11/2) = $0.79
Kleenex w/Lotion = $1.34 - $0.40/1 (S1/4) = $0.54
Trident Gum 3 packs = $2.00-$1.00/1 (S12/7) = FREE

I'm BAAACK!!

I took a much needed break from the shopping world, but am now back in full force. Just in time too, since Kmart is doubling coupons again and Albertsons is having a wild sale starting tomorrow.

I'll update soon.