I am so proud of myself!

OK - OK - I haven't blogged in, like, forever. I had some things happen, end of school year, some sad family events, and others that I just never felt like writing any of it down, but today - I was inspired.

I read a lot of money saving blogs, find on-line coupons, clip paper coupons - all in an effort to save money. I have been doing a lot of "stocking up" for when the kids go to camp or even for when school starts and I pack lunches! Today I went to Pick-n-Save and Walgreens. Wednesday is double coupon day (first 5 coupons) for Pick-n-Save, if you spend more than $25 in a transaction. I did two transactions:

Transaction 1
- Muir Organic Spaghetti Sauce 3/$9 (I had 3 $1/1 coupons from the internet that each were doubled, so I paid $1 per jar!
-V-8 2/$6 ( I had 2 $1/1 coupons from the internet that each were doubled so I paid $1 per container)
-P-n-S had a sale on candy (Buy one-Get one) so the kids each picked a candy bar. I paid $.79 for two candy bars
-I got a coupon for a free chocolate bar from a website that has "free Chocolate Fridays" (You can sign up on Fridays to receive a coupon for a free chocolate bar. I got another candy bar - paid nothing for it!
-Then to get my total up to $25, I bought a Beef Tenderloin (also on sale for $5.88/lb instead of $7.99/lb.

My total I spent was $26.64 -- my total saved was $23.79!!!

Transaction 2 was a bit bigger...I only had a few more coupons that could be doubled AND I am collecting their premiums, so I wanted to make sure my total was at least $50.
*Ground Turkey Breast was on sale for $5.99 - had a coupon for $5 off (that's $.99 for a pound of premium meat!!)
*Roundy's cheese slices were on sale for 2/$5
*Roundy's frozen vegies were on sale BOGO, bought 4 (of which 2 were free!)
*Jack's rising pizza on sale for 3/$9.99 (that's a savings of $5.58!)
*Hormel Pork loins were on sale BOGO (the cheaper one for $9.82 was free!)
*Doritos, 14 oz package (had coupon for $.98)
*Chex Mix were on sale 4/$10. I bought three. Had three $.50 coupons that were doubled for a total saving of $6.87 using P-n-S card and coupons!
*Ronzoni noodles were on sale BOGO, bought 4 (of which 2 were free!)
*McCormick taco seasonings were on sale BOGO, bought 2 (of which 1 was free!)
*Kemps Itty bits/single cups were on sale for $1 each, bought 4 but I also had two coupons for BOGO, so I actually only paid for two of them!
*Various fruits were on sale at 2/$4. I bought 2 pints of blueberries, 2 pints of raspberries, 1 cantaloupe and 1 honeydew melon (at a savings of $7)
*Skippy peanut butter was on sale BOGO (I bought 2, of which 1 was free)
*1 lb bag of peeled carrots (I had a coupon - only paid $.49 for the bag)
The rest of the items were things I needed and didn't have a coupon for...
*Canola oil ($5.99)
*Olive oil (on sale for $4.76)
*Apple cider vinegar ($.89)
*Eggs ($.75)
*Broccoli slaw ($3.49)
*Sliced Deli Ham- a little over a pound ($5.14)
*Jello pudding (2) ($1.70)
*Slivered almonds ($1.75)
*Raman noodles ($.25)
*Tumaro's tortillas - Sun dried tomato and a Garlic & pesto ($6.02)

Total out of pocket for this transaction was $84.87/Total savings was $58.33


Looking at the entire trip to Pick-n-Save...
Total spent was $111.51
Total saved was $82.12

THEN.... I went to Walgreens to start on the school supplies and get laundry detergent. I did the trip in two transactions...

Transaction 1
*All Laundry detergent was on sale for 2/$10. I had 2 $1/1 coupons and then received a $3.00 Register reward after purchasing.
*Colgate toothpaste was on sale for $2.99. I had $1/1 coupons and received a $1.00 Register reward after purchasing.

Out of pocket cost $10.64 / Total savings $7.58


Transaction 2
*Charmin toilet paper (12 roll) was on sale for $6.49 using Ad coupon. I also had a $1/1 coupon
*Notebooks were on sale for 3/$1 using Ad coupon - bought 6
*Loose leaf paper was on sale for 2/$1 using Ad coupon - bought 4
*Folders were on sale for 8/$1 using Ad coupon - bought 8
*2 pink erasers/pkg were on sale $0.29 - bought 2 packs
*Used my $4.00 of Register rewards I received in the previous transaction

Out of pocket $7.67 / Total savings $25.12

For the Walgreens total...
Out of pocket $18.31 / Savings $32.70

I am so thrilled when I can get savings like this and all on products I need and will use. My kids are happy we got some treats, we've gone almost a month and a half without any treats other than the breads that I bake. Now I need to make sure I don't start munching on them!!