Rethinking our Holiday Spending

Last year, my sister told me she was going to give handmade gifts because she was tired of the commercialization of Christmas.  I took her words to heart and did a combination of gifts handmade by me or someone else and bought at the store last year.  The other thing I did last year that really helped my budget was I bought the kid's big ticket items early and shopped around for the best deals online. This year, I got their gifts in September, free shipping to my mom's in Montana where we are going.  The gift I got Amilia was listed for $34.95.  Yesterday I saw it at Walmart for $39.97.

My kids are getting very few things this year.  Thankfully the baby doesn't have an opinion yet and I limited Austin's gift requests to less than 5 things.  I also avoid the toy sections when we are in the stores this time of year and DO NOT WATCH LIVE TV with your kids between October 31-December 25!! The commercials are everywhere!

Another gift to consider for yourself or others is the gift of time or experiences. This year I asked Ryan for a gift that will keep on giving, a membership to houseseats.com that offers free tickets to a variety of local shows, concerts, and other events.  Ryan bought the membership this month because of the 2 for 1 special.  I got 2 years for the price of 1 and got the 4 ticket membership so we can take the kids or friends with us.

Here is my challenge to you!  If you can, consider purchasing gifts from independent business owners or making some of your own handmade gifts.  If you can't (you have a family member with a specific item request) shop around online for the best deals.  Walmart is not always the low price leader!

Below I have compiled a list of my favorite handmade businesses and local independent consultants.  Together, we can put more money in their pockets this season rather than corporate America. Click the underlined words to link to their websites.

Little Ragamuffin Boutique Tule dresses and skirts, bows, and other handmade clothing items.

 Metal Stampin Mama  Custom metal stamped jewelery and ornaments for a variety of occasions.  I have ordered gifts from her several times and they are beautiful!

Handmade Crocheted Hats  She makes hats, braids, and finger puppets!

Once Upon a Costume  Beautiful custom costumes, princess dresses.  She is also selling stick horses to raise money for her daughter's trip to Washington DC!

Patty's Perfectly Posh Bath and body products, Patty Munch

Patty's Jamberry Nails  Nail art without a bottle of polish, Patty Munch

Mary Kay Barbara Peterson, independent beauty consultant in Las Vegas.

Scentsy  Wickless candle warmers and home fragrances.  Kathi Torres

Lia Sophia  Beautiful jewelry, great specials!  Kimberly Hirsch

Lula Roe   Maxi skirts and more!  Melissa Everett

Etsy  Online market place for handmade, vintage and craft products.

Pampered Chef  Stephanie Yenchek  Yenchek@cox.net

Stampin' Up stamps, paper, craft products  Terri Green  rtkj@cox.net

Las Vegas Craft Show on November 23rd  Click this link for the upcoming local craft show at Lummis ES.


Please submit a comment to add additional independent businesses!

November shopping deals and events!

November brings some great shopping deals!  Now is the best time to stock up on baking supplies and of course, hams and turkeys!
I was happy at some great deals over at Winco today and will post some of the other grocery deals as the month goes on.  Here are the Winco deals as of Monday, Nov 4!

Gala Apples 58 cents/lb, celery bunch 78 cents, 5 lb potatoes $1.78 (has been cheaper before), snack pack puddings 68 cents, brown sugar or powdered sugar 2 lb bag $1.28, baking chips (they had white choc and butterscotch) $1.88, Stove Top stuffing mix 2 packs $1.98, mini marshmallows 88 cents, Crisco veg oil $2.18, Winco mac and cheese 28 cents, evaporated milk 78 cents, Winco whip topping 78 cents.

November Events in Las Vegas

Lowe's Build and Grow Free Kids Clinic Saturday, Nov 9 10:00 am register online (lowesbuildandgrow.com)

Michael's Kids Crafts $2 per child 10:00-11:30 am every half hour: November 9th-snow globe, November 16th-reindeer craft, November 23rd-felt stocking

Artful Potter free painting nights with purchase of pottery piece, Mondays 5-8 pm, Fridays 6-10 pm.  Rainbow/Smoke Ranch.  This is a fun place to take the kids to make a gift for someone.

Centennial Hills Library Thanksgiving activity for school aged kids 6-11, Wednesday, November 27 4:30 pm.  Passes given out 30 minutes prior at the children's desk.

Craig Ranch Regional Park-This park is now open!  I have seen some great pics from friends who have been there so far and I can't wait to take my family.  It is located on 628 W Craig Road (old Craig Ranch golf course).

Looking for some variety in your weekend activities?

Fall Bird Watching!
Henderson Bird Sanctuary, open 6 am - 2 pm daily in November more info here
Wetlands Preserve open dawn to dusk info here

Shoot for the Stars!
CSN Planetarium-Mystery of the Missing Seasons presentation, Fridays 6 pm, Saturdays 3:30/6 pm.  $6 for adults, $4 for kids.  3200 E Cheyenne

Winco sales this week

After being somewhat crazy and unorganized with my shopping and errands and having to go out to get things I forgot one too many times the past week, I took the time to think everything through that I needed and actually remembered to bring the shopping list to the store.  So now, I'm hoping I can do most of my shopping Friday nights when the stores aren't busy and the kids are asleep from now on.

Winco had some deals worth mentioning tonight:
Quaker cereals (Captain Crunch/Life) $1.48
Capri Suns $1.68
Oscar Meyer lunch meat 9 oz packs $1.68
Pears 78 cents.lb
Gala apples 78 cents/lb
3 pack romaine hearts $1.98
bananas 52 cents/lb
Great Grains bread $1.78
Cascade Pride bread all varieties $1.38

I spend $43.89 for my groceries this week.

Deals and September events

Current Winco deals (prices good as of 8-31-2013, subject to change):
Stock up time for your lunch box staples like Snack Pack puddings 68 cents/4 pack and applesauce cups $1.48 per 6 pack.  Maya's white and wheat tortillas 88 cents for a package of 12.  I love these!
Celery bunch 78 cents,  2 lb carrots 98 cents, pears 98 cents/lb, peaches 68 cents/lb

September Events in NW Las Vegas

Sweet Tomatoes: Kids eat free every Monday in September (one free child per paying adult)

Saturday, Sept 7, 9 am-noon, Free Home Depot Kid's Workshop, Football Ring Toss, register at workshops.homedepot.com

Saturday, Sept 7, 8 am- noon, May Elementary School 6350 W Washburn, Back to School craft fair, free admission, vendors/food/crafts

Saturday, Sept 14, 10 am, Lowe's Build and Grow free kids clinic, Classic Fire Truck, register at lowesbuildandgrow.com

Friday, Sept 20, 7:30 pm Free Movie in the Park, "Rise of the Guardians", Centennial Hills park amphitheatre,  bring blankets/folding chairs

Saturday, Sept 28, 10 am-5 pm, Asian Harvest Moon Festival at the Springs Preserve, general admission cost for locals $10 adults, $5 children, 5 and under free.  Live music, performers, arts/crafts, lantern parade, and food vendors.

Saturday, Sept 28, 11 am-10 pmMix 94.1 Bite of Las Vegas food and music festival, Desert Breeze park, general admission online tickets $17 through Sept 27, $25 at the door, 6 and under free (biteoflasvegas.eventbrite.com)

Every Saturday, 10 am-11:30 (every 30 minutes), Michael's Arts and Crafts kids club activities, $2 per child, register with an associate.  Sept 7 Fall Crafts, Sept 14 Stamptember, Sept 21 Owl Puppet, Sept 28 Silly Monsters

Every Wednesday, 4:30-5:30 pm, Centennial Hills Library story room, free kids activities (ages 6-11)
Sept 4 origami, Sept 11 Lego club, Sept 18 Pirate Day, Sept 25 Craft Fiesta

Centennial Hills library story time schedule:
Baby 0-12 months Thursdays 10:30/1:30
Toddler 1-3 yrs Tuesdays 10:30/11:30/1:30
Preschool 3-5 yrs Wednesdays 10:30/11:30/1:30
Birth-5 yrs Mondays 10:30
Family all ages Saturdays 3:00
School ages K-5th grade Thursdays 4:30
Passes are available at the children's desk 30 minutes prior to start time.

Great shopping deals this week and Vegas events!

It's been a few weeks since there has been a good deal worth reporting.  I'm back from vacation and ready to save! We got home on July 29 and I had carefully planned to use up most of my perishables, so I needed to get to Winco ASAP to get some basics.

Winco deals of note this week (Winco prices always subject to change):  Hunts Snack Pack pudding 4 packs 68 cents, broc crowns 88 cents/lb, red grapes 99 cents/lb, celery 78 cents/bunch, pears 98 cents/lb, golden delicious apples 98 cents/lb.

Albertson's Epic Savings Event:
Very rarely do I shop here, but I will be going in for some of these deals.  Basically you buy any 8 select items and save $4.  There is no limit to how many multiples of 8 you can purchase.

Sales price reflects the price when buying multiples of 8, I've only listed ones I think are at least a decent deal

Oreos/Ritz crackers $1.99
Hormel pepperoni $1.99
Nature's Own bread $1.77
Smuckers strawberry jam $1.77
Hunt's Snack Pack pudding 67 cents
Hunt's BBQ sauce 67 cents
Hunt's pasta sauce 67 cents
American beauty pasta 67 cents
Red Vines 4 lb tub $4.99
Jif peanut butter $1.49  (there is a coupon for 55 cents off Jip whipped PB if it is included in the sale)

The following items have additional savings with coupons from coupons.com
Hamburger Helper 99 cents  coupon 80 cents of 4, final price 79 cents/box
General Mills cereals 1.99, coupon $1 off 2, final price 1.49
Fiber One granola bars 2.27, coupon 50 cents off 1, final price 1.77
Garnier Fructis shampoo/conditioner $2, coupon $1 off 1, final price $1
Johnson & Johnson baby products $2.50, coupon $1 off baby shampoo products, final price $1.50

Las Vegas area upcoming family events:
Ward 6 Back to School Fair and Movie, Free, Friday, August 2, 6:30-9:30 pm at Centennial Hills park
Michael's arts and crafts Kids Club $2, Saturday August 3, 10:30-12 every 30 min
Home Depot Kid's Workshop "Load n Go truck" Free, Saturday August 3, 9 am-noon, register online here
Tule Springs/Floyd Lamb Farmers Market, Free (let gate know you are attending), Saturday August 3, 10-2

Las Vegas deals and July 4th events!

Food 4 Less deals this week! If you didn't make it to get the sales with coupons last week, you have another chance with some sales going on at Food 4 Less.  If you don't want to drive all the way to their store, take the ad into Walmart to get the price match.

Food 4 Less buy 10, save $5 sale (prices reflect sale when buying 10 mix and match selected items)
Final price is when coupon from coupons.com is used with the sale!  Many items on sale have coupons!  This rarely happens like this, so take advantage while you can! Prices good til July 4th.
*Capri Sun 10 pack $1.48,  98 cents per box with $1 off 2 coupon
*Kraft BBQ sauce 48 cents, $1 off 2 coupon will make you 2 cents
*Kraft salad dressing $1.48, 98 cents with $1 off 2 coupon
*Kraft shredded cheese $1.98, $1.73 with 50 cents off 2 coupon
*Kraft American singles $1.98,  $1.73 with 50 cents off 2 coupon

Other good sales there: Small avocados 6 for 99 cents, 6 lbs watermelon for 99 cents

You can print 2 of each coupon and all the coupons cover 2 items, so you can buy 4 off each of the above 5 items giving you 20 items.  Your grocery bill would be $10.78!!

Winco sales as of 6-27-13: Broccoli crowns 78 cents/lb, 5 lb potatoes 88 cents, 2 lb carrots 88 cents, red grapes 98 cents/lb, Maya's tortillas still 88 cents/12 pack, Pepsi 18 packs still $2.98, Viva Cottage Cheese $1.68, if your family eats hot dogs they are 58 cents and they have turkey franks for 78 cents.  Whole turkeys 88 cents/lb if you need some cheap meat.  I was in today and since I had my 5 year old with me who wanted everything, I bought a few extra items on my list but still spent only about $34.

Upcoming Vegas area events:
*Michael's Arts and Crafts Kids Club, 4th of July Hat, Saturday June 29th every half hour 10 am-noon, $2 
*Junior Naturalist Day at Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve, 350 E. Galleria, Saturday June 29th 7-9 am, register online cityofhenderson.com/parks  free for ages 6-12.  This is a neat place!
*Station Casinos 4th of July Fireworks Blast, July 4th 9:00 pm, per their website, the fireworks are going off at Green Valley Ranch and Red Rock Resort (Aliante is no longer with Station, so they aren't doing a show)
*Summerlin Council Patriotic Parade, July 4, 9 am, parade route on Hills Center Drive, starting at Hillpointe and heading south to Trailwood Dr
*Fremont Street Experience, free concert with Three Days Grace, July 4 9:00 pm, 3rd Street Stage 

***Fourth of July event update:  I heard about a NW Las Vegas fireworks display going on in the Providence Master planned community (Hualapi/215 area) Knickerbocker Park 10695 Dorrell Lane 6-9:45 pm on July 4.  Music, food trucks, games.  Fireworks will commence at 9:15 pm.

I hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th of July!  

Extreme Vegas grocery deals and events this week! June 19-25

This week's grocery ads are in and new coupons are up on coupons.com!  If you don't go to this site, I highly recommend it, there is also an app available to view coupons on your phone and then email the ones you clip to print on your computer.  You can print each coupon twice.  Another good coupon source is through grocerysmarts.com using the code g89clf for the Las Vegas area.

***Winco deals as of today, June 19:  There are several sales that when added to the coupons.com coupon will give you extreme low prices!!
*Kraft BBQ sauce 68 cents each, $1 off 2 coupon, final price 18 cents!!  
*Dole canned pineapple 68 cents a can, 75 cents of 2 coupon, final price 30 cents!!
*Koolaid Koolbursts 10 pack $1.78 each, $1 off 2 coupon, final price $1.38!!

Other good prices now at Winco: celery bunch 98 cents, 5 lb potatoes 88 cents, broccoli crown 88 cents/lb, Maya's tortillas 12 packs 88 cents, Fuji apples 78 cents/lb, Red Del apples 88 cents/lb, 18 pack Pepsi/Diet Pepsi cans $2.98.

There is a coupon for $1 off 2 Capri Sun 10 packs and the boxes are $1.98 at Winco right now, so after the coupon, it's still a decent deal if you want to stock up on drinks for car trips or other summer activities.
I purchased 4 off all the coupon items from above which included 8 boxes of juice pouches, plus a case of diet Pepsi and some produce and other items on my list and spent $34.

Smith's sales this week:  green grapes 99 cents/lb, lettuce 99 cents/head, Buy 4/Save $4 mix and match sale includes select Doritos/Lays chips $1.99, Pirate's Booty $1.49, Hillshire smoked sausage $1.99, and Philly cream cheese 99 cents (with $1 off 2 coupon from coupons.com, final price 49 cents!)
There are also special going on "buy 10, get 5 free items", the ad doesn't list all items, but essentially final cost is 67 cents per item, some include Hunts tomato/pasta sauce, Hunts snack pack puddings.  The store usually has a list at the entrance of all the items included in the special, so this week, a trip to Smith's is definately on the agenda!

Fresh and Easy: red and green grapes 88 cents/lb, 2 day sale Sat/Sun Doritos XXL chips $1.88, DiGiorno frozen pizzas $3.99, Coke 2 liters 88 cents.  In-ad coupon $6 off $30 purchase (F&E sells Burt's Bees products which is what I use for the kids, so I get a bottle or two of it to bump my purchase price so I can spend enough to use the coupon).  This Friday, Sunshine salad mix is free with coupon from their weekly email.  Sign up at freshandeasy.com, they also have a great shopping rewards program, you can print your rewards as you earn them as opposed to other grocery rewards that only come quarterly.

Las Vegas area family events this week:
*Free Movie in the Park, Madagascar 3, Centennial Hills amphitheatre, Friday June 21, 7:30 pm  LV ward 6 website
*Lowe's Build and Grow "Monsters University Chest", Saturday, June 22nd 10 am free  Register online/print waiver here
*Michael's Arts and Crafts Kids Club, Silly Shells project, Saturday June 22nd every half hour 10 am-noon, $2 
*Monster's University comes out in theatres this Friday!  AMC theatres offers $6 tickets to all movies before noon.

Vegas grocery deals and events June 5-11

My surgery is tomorrow, so did a quick run to Winco for a few things needed for the week and spent $19.79!  This included 2 18 packs of Diet Pepsi  on sale fo $2.98 each (I'm down to 1 per day most of the time).  Other current sales at Winco worth mentioning are the Kraft BBQ sauce 68 cents and Maya's white and whole wheat tortillas 12 pack for 88 cents!  These are great, they are about 80 calories each and pretty tasty!

Fresh and Easy:  In ad coupon for $6 off $30 purchase.  64 oz apple or fruit punch 2/$3, 2 day sale Saturday and Sunday: 2 liters of Pepsi products 77 cents, Lay's XXL chips $1.88

Albertsons: 3 day sale Friday-Sunday: 6 oz Blueberries 99 cents, 18 ct eggs $1.49, Farmer John sausage links 69 cents

Smith's:  red grapes 99 cents/lb, pork sirloin roast 1.49/lb, Capri Suns 3/$5, all varieties of lettuce 99 cents each, peaches 99 cents/lb

Events:   Saturday, June 8th 7 am, Fishing Derby at Floyd Lamb State Park.  This is a free fishing day for all ages, poles and bait available while supplies last.  Free entry into the park.  Pancake breakfast served $5 per person.

Vegas area deals and events May 29-June 4

There are some good sales to note this week, prices good May 29-June 4

Smith's 10 lb potatoes 99 cents and lettuce 99 cents a head

Albertson's has an in-ad coupon for 24 pk water 1.79, limit 2.  Also grapes 99 cents/lb 

Food 4 Less has their buy 4 save 4 mix and match sale going on which includes Betty Crocker fruit snacks 98 cents a box (add your 50 cents of 2 boxes coupon from coupons.com and you'll save additional 25 cents per box).  Also Skippy PB is 1.48 and Old Spice/Secret deodorant is 1.28 with this sale.  If you want to save a trip to their store, bring the ad to Walmart for their price match.  **Update-Was able to get price matches at Walmart for the PB and fruit snacks!!

Costco has Huggies diapers $6 off and Huggies wipes $5 off until June 2.  Got chips/salsa, fruit and veggies for party, 2 pairs of Union Bay shorts for Ryan, wipes, and summer snacks on sale and spent $123.

Check back for updates on this post for current sales found at Winco and my actual trip results!

***UPDATE-  Winco sales as of May 30, 2013- Kraft BBQ sauce 68 cents (rock bottom for this is 50 cents, but if you need some, its a decent price) Bar S Hot Dogs 58 cents, lettuce 99 cents, broc crown 88 cents/lb, 10 lb potatoes 98 cents, fuji apples 58 cents/lb, snack pack puddings 78 cents (again, not rock bottom, but decent).  Got groceries needed for the week plus party food for $37!!

Children's Orchard (baby and kids resale) is having their Fill a Bag sale this Saturday, June 1.  Stuff a bag full of clearance items for only $5!!  The Ann/95 location in the Alb's shopping center is open at 10 am.

This Saturday, June 1 is the Children's Art Festival at Centennial Hills park and amphitheatre from 10 am-3 pm.  Free admission, lots of fun activities for the kids.  I am going to try to take the kids. more info here

This Saturday is also my b-day!! We are going to the Mob Museum downtown at 5 pm then having a little gathering at my house, so when I do my shopping this week, I will also be purchasing food for the party.  Message me on FB for my address, all are welcome.

Saving at the store May 17 and 25

On my May 17 trip, I spent $18 on produce and a few grocery items on sale at Fresh and Easy, using their $5 off program. I also signed up for their Friends revwards and linked it to my phone/email so I get sales alerts and free offers.  The other grocery items I needed that were too high at F&E were purchased at Winco, spending a total of $24.51.

This past weekend, I shopped exclusively at Fresh and Easy, using their $10 a $50 purchase coupon.  I got some beef patties on sale that included free buns.  I also got produce items on sale and frozen fruit and veggies for making baby food that was on sale.  With all the other items I needed that week, I spent $43.

I'm going to start blogging the sales I find that are good ahead of time while the sale is still in effect so that my local peeps can take advantage.  Then after I do my shopping, I will update it with what I spent.

Mega Grocery Shopping Trip May 9

Had a day off work to see my family physician in the am and my surgeon in the pm.  Gallbladder is set to be removed June 6 after school gets out.

I had a few hours in between the appointments so I made several shopping stops as there were several great sales for stock up items.  The furthest store away from me was Food 4 Less, so I started there and then all other stores were along the same major road on my way back home.  But first, I hit Jamba Juice to get my free teacher appreciation smoothie so I didn't go shopping hungry!!

Stop #1 Food 4 Less $15.60 on mix and match multiples of 10 sale.  5 boxes of Capri Sun $1.68 ea and 15 boxes of Creamette Pasta 48 cents ea!

Stop #2 Albertsons $12.50 Buy 10, save $5 sale, 10 Snack Pack puddings 75 cents ea (these are good emergency food storage as they require no refrigeration) and 10 Cascade Ice sparkling fruit drinks 50 cents ea (to help me quit soda).

Stop #3 Smith's $17.25  Chicken 1.59/lb, Kroger sour cream $1, pineapple 99 cents, gallon OJ 2.68

Stop #4  Winco $25.99 all other groceries that were on my list that were not on sale elsewhere, 3 lb bags of apples 1.98, 5 lb potatoes 98 cents, broccoli crowns 88 cents, cream cheese 1.08

Stop #5 Target $17.21  Baby formula, Gerber baby snacks on sale, value pack kids sunscreen  used the $20 gift card I won in the teacher drawing at school!

Total spent:  $88.55

Teacher Appreciation Deals

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I wanted to share some of the deals available to teachers!

If you have a Staples nearby, they are offering eraser sets, 2 pks of Sharpies, Bic pens, and school glue for 1 cent.  You can buy up to 5 of each item with a minimum $5 purchase.  I was able to get 5 of everything except the pens.  Offer is while supplies last and until May 11.  Click here for information

I bought colored pencils and a notebook for my son along with all of the above and spent $9!

CCSD Deals  Click here for full list

Las Vegas is pretty good to their teachers.  Here are some of the best deals, all require you to show your badge and some require a flyer that can be printed from the link above.

Free smoothie at Jamba Juice on Thursday May 9 (present flyer from the link)

Free cupcake at Freed's Bakery plus additional cupcakes only $1

50% off at KISS Monster Mini-Golf

Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay free for teacher and one guest 

(good all this week, plus the first weekend of every month)

Wet n Wild waterpark season passes $59.99 for CCSD employees

Blue Man group 2 for 1 tickets

Fill A Seat free 6 month membership for 2

Shopping deals April 27 weekend

Grocery ads weren't that impressive this week, so I returned to Winco for my groceries and discovered a few of my beloved "everyday low price items" have gone up.  Still decent, but I was a little bummed.  However, I got some nice thick asparagus 98 cents a pound, broccoli crowns 88 cents a pound, and a 5 lb bag of potatoes for 98 cents.  They had Santitas tortilla chips for 98 cents a bag and avocados were 39 cents each, so I got a few and made guacamole this weekend!  I needed several baking supplies along with my other weekly staples but still came out spending only $46.

It was an open house weekend at Sam's Club so I got a free temporary membership and went in to check things out.  I got laminating sheets for school and a 48 piece flatwear set (I was down to 4 spoons, I think someone is throwing them away at my house).  Both were a great price.  I got a few other little things and came out spending about $60.

I had $40 in Staples rewards to spend, so I got a chair mat for Austin's desk, dry erase markers, push pins, and tags for free with my rewards for recyling ink cartridges.

I got the shadow box for Austin's room at Michaels for 40% off plus my teacher discount.

Another week not shopping at Winco! April 14th

There was a great coupon in the ads for Fresh and Easy $5 off a $25 purchase and also a coupon for a free canvas shopping bag.  So I decided to go off the beaten path and head on over to F&E for some produce and pasta sales along with their lower priced items of things I needed for the week and spent $21 and got my free canvas bag!

I hit Albertson's on the way home to get their Hunt's pasta sauce which was 68 cents a can along with a few other things that were higher at F&E and spent $14 there.  So my total grocery bill for the week: $35!!

Had a 20% off coupon for Kohl's and went there for pants for Austin but they had nothing priced low enough for the 20% to even make a difference.  Went to TJ Maxx to get myself some new sunglasses and some clothes for Ryan for his birthday, I got two shirts and board shorts and spent $45.

Austin needed pants for church and he really needed something with an elastic waist so I stopped by Children's Place and found just what he needed for $12 a pair.

Shopping this weekend was a bit hectic with both kids tagging along since my husband is out of commission for awhile!

Shopping trip April 5th

Did my Friday night shopping and I didn't go to Winco this week (gasp!).  I decided that since I already needed to go to Smith's caselot sale and to Walmart, I did not need to go to a third store.

Smith's- the caselot sale is going on now, so I shopped there for the first time in several months.  None of the canned goods on case sale are a good deal, these are cheaper at Winco with their everyday prices.  The only canned goods I usually get at Smith's caselot are the cream of ___ soups and they didn't have that offered this time!  So the good deals in my opinion are: Kroger peanut butter for $1.65 (I use alot of PB and it is an easy emergency food storage item), Kroger apple juice for $1.65 and 5 lb bags of flour for $1.69.  The flour is about the same price per pound as I can get at Costco, but easier to store in the smaller bags.  The sugar on sale is not a good deal, can get this much cheaper at Costco.  I bought my stock up items and a few Easter candy on clearance and spent just over $20 thanks to an additional $5 off coupon my hubby gave me from this Boy Scout discout card he got.  I realized I had a bunch of points racked up that I didn't redeem, so I applied them to get my gas 30 cents off per gallon!

Walmart- I can't stand this place, I forgot something and had to go again on Saturday and it was not fun.  However, it is the closest store to my house and since I can get the price match it's easier to go here.

Food 4 Less has Betty Crocker fruit snacks 10 packs for 98 cents a box when you buy 4!  Coupons.com has a coupon 50 cents off when you buy 2 so they are 73 cents a box, you can print 2.  Show the add to the clerk at Walmart and then use the coupons.  My son was excited to have fruit snacks because I only buy them when they are this cheap!  I bought the rest of my groceries here and including baby formula, I spent $40 on food for the week.  I also purchased some non-food items separately for things I need for Austin's new room.

JoAnn's- bought fabric for Austin's room which was all on sale, plus I got 15% off from their teacher discount!  

Easter weekend shopping!

Great deals for Easter weekend!

Spent $31.17 at Winco on the basics for the week.  Minute Maid OJ half gallons were on sale for $1.78, apples 88 cents a pound, and packs of 3 romaine hearts for $1.98.

Had some coupons valid at Walmart that I could use with a price match sale from Smith's so I got several boxes of Capri Sun for $1.29, Gogurts 99 cents and then used some other coupons to get formula and makeup for $5 off.

Lowe's had 6 packs of annuals for $3 so we got 2 and potted them in our cute planter at home!

Best shopping week yet! March 23rd

I love getting free stuff!

Got a coupon in the mail for a free Schick Hydro Shaver.  Who cares that it is for men, it's still great!  (My hubby uses an electric one so this is for me).  The coupon was for up to a value of $10.99.  Bought it at Target and also got baby formula there.  The shaver was on sale for $8.39 but they still took the $10.99 off. Add to that my $15 in Target gift cards from last week's promos, so I got my $24 Enfamil for $7!!!

Winco trip was finally under $40.  I had a few coupons and even bought quite a bit of produce so I could make extra baby food during Spring Break.  Grand total? $37!!  Apples 98 cents a pound, 2 lb carrots 88 cents, avocados 20 cents each.  I'm very happy with my shopping this week.

Shopping this week!

Target has several promos this month where if you buy 2 of select items, you get Target gift cards for $5-10.  So I was able to get two large refill packs of baby formula and two large packs of Pampers (that I will be using as baby gifts) and got $15 back in gift cards!  I remembered to turn on my Shopkick app so I earned points for stepping into the store.

I spent $47 this week at Winco.  They had boxes of cereal for 98 cents, but I didn't get any because the expiration was too close for my preference.  Red delicious apples were 78 cents a pound and they still had the brownie mixes for 68 cents.

Saturday, I went to Kohl's because my son and I both needed shoes for the warmer weather. I had a 20% off your total purchase coupon plus $15 off in other coupons.  Austin liked a pair of sandals that were already on sale and I fell in the love with the new Sketcher's Go Walk shoes. Then Austin saw orange and black Sketcher's sneakers that he loved and they were on sale for $30.  I spent $75 on all the shoes after all my discounts were applied saving over 50%.  Then I got $10 off bounce back coupon!

I sent the hubby out to Kohl's that afternoon and he had a separate $10 off and 20% off.  He is in major need of clothes since he has lost so much weight.  He got a new suit and white shirt for church, two pairs of jeans, Sketchers shoes, and some shorts and saved over $300.

Winco and Costco deals this week

Costco's March coupons started March 7th.  I am vowing to go to Costco only once per month and limit my budget there to $150.  The coupons this month are great, just about everything I needed had a coupon.  Diet Pepsi 36 packs are $2 off making them $7.65 each, Bounce dryer sheets $1.75 off, Clear Care contact solution $3 off, Skinny Cow ice cream $2.50 off ($7.24 for 24 sandwiches), Dove shampoo and conditioner $2 off, Nestle chocolate chips $2.20 off.  I ended up spending $161 (over just a little) and had $27 in coupons tendered.

My Winco trip came to $42 this week.  I needed my weekly dairy, produce and misc items.  Some good deals I found were Maya's tortillas (white or whole wheat) 12 pack for 88 cents.  These are only 70 calories per tortilla so we love them!  Pillsbury brownie mix was 68 cents.  I bought 2 to have on hand to whip something quick for company.  Glad sandwich bags were $1.78 for 100 bags which was cheaper than Winco's  HyTop brand.  I go through sandwich bags often with my homemade snacks, so I bought a few to stock up since they weren't on coupon at Costco.

Weekly shopping trip March 3rd

Went to Target to get baby formula with my $5 off coupon and $10 gift card.  While I was there, I saw cases of Huggies diapers on clearance for $26 which is lower per diaper than what I typically pay at Costco, so I took advantage of that!  If you shop frequently at Target, the Shopkick app gives you points whenever you simply enter certain stores and the points add up to gift cards.  I have forgotten twice to pull up the app when I walk in so I need to get better at remembering that.

I accomplished my under $40 goal at Winco by only spending $37.55 on all we needed for groceries this week.  There wasn't any great sales, but the 18 count eggs of $1.88 wasn't bad.  I got 36 cents off for my reusable bags and finally found some coupons worth printing from my coupons.com app which saved a total of $4.

Most coupons don't do me any good because most of what I buy at the store is dairy, produce, meat and baking items which rarely have coupons.  Austin got a treat this week as there was a good coupon for fruit snacks and the current sale price was low enough to be able to splurge!