And, I'm back! I can't believe it has been so long since I grocery shopped. When we went to Publix on Monday it was the first time I had been there for more than one item since mid-December. Our pantry and fridge were looking pretty pathetic. I know it may be hard to believe but we actually only ran out of almond milk, yogurt and eggs last weekend. Between eating with family for the holidays and going out of town three times (one of which was for five days), we really did have everything we needed on hand.
It was really nice to take a break for shopping lists and coupons. We could have stretched it out longer if we wanted to but I was ready to have some of my favorite snacks and treats on hand again. This week's trip was amazing except for the fact that our store was out of almond milk (how is that possible?) and Justin ended up having to run back and grab some the next day. It was nice to stock back up on dairy, eggs, and snack items for our lunches.
We also got our biweekly produce share this week and it was filled with things we use on a regular basis so that has been really nice for meal planning. We are going to attempt to organize our pantry and freezer in the next few weeks so I can get a better grasp on what we need to be shopping for and stocking back up on in 2014. I am also trying to decide if we need to place a Zaycon order for February. We definately haven't eaten our way through our Fall order but it appears that they won't be doing Summer orders this year and I am worried we won't make it until the Fall sale.
This week I used Checkout 51 for the first time. It is a cash back app like ibotta but it seems to match up perfectly with the Publix weekly sales. I earned $1 for Fage yogurt plus an extra $2 for uploading my first receipt over $20 total. They send you a check once you reach $20 in cash back and it seems relatively simple. I combined mine with coupons and if there were ever duplicate offers I don't see why you couldn't use it with ibotta cash back too. Personally, I am happy to earn cash back on things I am already buying especially when it's so easy.
This week had a few freebies and quite a few items under $1. I actually had a $20 gift card from a student so with that and two $5/$30 Winn Dixie coupons I only spent $3 out of pocket this week which makes my post holiday budget very happy : )
Breakdown of Monday's Publix trip:
Total retail value: $96.01
Total spent (not considering gift card): $23.48
Total saved: $72.53
Percent saved: 76%
What I got with sale/coupon match up:
- 2 packages of Johnson & Johnson Gauze, retails for $1.79 each, on sale for .90 cents each
- Used two .75 cents off Publix Ad. Flyer coupons
- Stacked with a $2/2 printable coupon
- Made them both FREE plus a $1.70 moneymaker
- 1 bottle of Pure Leaf Sweet Tea, retails for $1.79, on sale for $1
- Earned $1 cash back from ibotta
- Made it FREE
- 2 rolls of Glad Cling Wrap, retails for $1.69 each
- Used two .75 cents off Publix Ad. Flyer coupons
- Stacked with two $1 off printable coupons
- Made them both FREE plus a .12 cents moneymaker
- 2 packs of Evenflo Baby Bottles (great donation item!), retails for $3.39 each
- Used two $3 off coupons (not sure if still available)
- Made them .39 cents per package
- 2 cans of Starkist Gold Tuna in Olive Oil, retails for $2.19 each, on clearance for .95 cents each
- 2 boxes of Nature's Valley Granola Bars, retails for $3.29 each, on sale for $1.99 each
- Used a .50/2 printable coupon
- Made them $1.74 a box
- 4 Lean Cuisine Honestly Good Meals, retails for $4.69 each, on sale BOGO ($2.34 each)
- Used four $1 off Target coupons
- Made them $1.34 each
- 2 bags of Baked Lays, retails for $3.29 each, on sale for $2.50 each
- Used a $1/2 Publix Ad. Flyer coupon
- Made them $2 a bag
- 4 Stoneyfield Organic Yogurts, retails for $1.50 each, on sale for $1 each
- Used a B2G1 free coupon from the 1/5 SS
- Made them .75 cents each
- 3 Dannon Okios Green Yogurts, retails for $$1.20 each, on sale for $1 each
- Used a B2G1 free coupon from the 1/5 SS
- Made them .66 cents
- 1 dozen Publix eggs, $2.19
- 1 package of Sargento Cheese Sticks, retails for $5.19, on sale for $3.99
- Used a .50 cents off coupon from the 1/5 SS
- Made it $3.49
- 2 Babybel Cheese packs, retails for $3.69 each, on sale for $2.50 each
- Used two $1 off printables
- Made them $1.50 a package
- 1 big carton of Fage Greek Yogurt, retails for $6.49
- Used a $1 off printable coupon
- Earned $3 from Checkout 51 ($1 for the Fage and $2 for uploading my first receipt over $20)
- Made it $2.49
- 1 bag of Birdseye frozen veggies, retails for $2.69, on sale for $1.35
- 1 Snapware Glass container, retails for $6.99, on sale for $3.49
- Used a $2 off coupon from the 1/5 SS
- Made it $1.49
How did you do this week? Inspire me (and everyone else) with your amazing savings and deals this week. Please link up directly to your specific post. Do not link up to your blog's home page, giveaways, or etsy shops please. You can also "like" Couponing & Cooking on Facebook too! I would love it if you would link back to this post or grab my button from the sidebar : )
