My Vons and Ralphs Shopping Trips

Today at Vons, I spent $10.36 and saved $10.78, which is 51%. Here's what I bought:
2 Doritos and 2 Ruffles, buy 2 get 2 free $8.58
2 Anthonys spaghetti $.89 each = $1.78


Today at Ralphs, I spent $13.36 and saved $8.28, which is 39%. Here's what I bought:
4 Deluxe ice cream $2.50 each = $10.00
Zucchini $.99/pound = $1.51
Pears $.99/pound = $1.84

My Walgreens and CVS Shopping Trip

Yesterday at Walgreens, I spent $10.45 and saved $7.36, which is 42%. Here's what I bought:
2 Brachs candy corn $3.00 + #1.00 register rewards
2 Walgreens pantiliners $1.00
3 Comet $1.77
2 Colgate toothpaste $6.00 + $4.00 register rewards

I also had $2.00 in register rewards to use from last time to help pay for this trip.


At CVS, I spent $2.65 and saved $15.88, which is 86%. Here's what I bought:
1 Gold Emblem cinnamon $.49
1 CVS eggs $1.49
1 Thermacare $3.79 + $3.79 extra bucks
2 Colgate Optic White $2.99 each = $5.98 - $1.00 coupon = $4.98 + $2.00 extra bucks

I also had $8.50 in extra bucks from last time to help pay for this trip.

I Won A Cerel Treat Bars Giveaway

I actually won this giveaway on September 19, but I haven't had the time to post it until now - sorry! I'm trying to get better at posting more variety of topics on my blog, but life sometimes gets in the way.

I won one box of Lucky Charms® Cereal Treats Bars, one box of Golden Grahams® Cereal Treats Bars, lunch bag, locker whiteboard, and a colored pencil set from a giveaway on ohboyohboyohboy.com. My kids and I were very excited about this prize! My 4 year old couldn't wait to make something with the colored pencils. My 12 year old daughter hopes my husband will put up the whiteboard in her room, since the kids don't have lockers at school. All of us want to try the cereal treat bars, as soon as we finish the snacks we currently have in our cupboard. The lunch bag is really great for travelling because it's insulated.

I love winning giveaways! What giveaways have you won recently?

My Stater Bros. Shopping Trip

Sorry the picture's dark, but it was dark and cloudy this morning.

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $21.88 and saved $7.08, which is 25%. Here's what I bought:
Asparagus $1.49/pound = $1.73
3 Chips Ahoy $1.99 each = $5.97
2 Welches juice $1.99 each = $3.98
8 Gatorade $.88 each = $7.04
Cauliflower $.99/pound = $2.36

They had advertised Brachs candy corn on sale, but unfortunately they were all out. I already have 2 bags, but I need 3 more for my son's class party. I'm going to have to tell the teacher I couldn't find any more. I really feel bad. I hope someone else in the class can find some.

My Walgreens and Vons Shopping Trip

Yesterday at Walgreens, I spent $6.12 and saved $12.10, which is 67%. Here's what I bought:
3 Campbells Cream Soups $.79 each = $2.37 - $.25 coupon = $2.12
3 Walgreens aluminum foil $.69 each = $2.07
4 Tuff Paper Towel rolls $.50 each = $2.00
1 Walgreens Ultra Thin pads $2.00 - $.50 store coupon = $1.50 + $2.00 register rewards

I also had $2.00 in register rewards to use from last week to help pay for this shopping trip.


Today at Vons, I spent $30.33 and saved $37.66, which is 55%. Here's what I bought:
5 Breyers ice cream $2.88 each = $14.40
2 Honey Nut Cheerios $1.97 each = $3.94 - $.75 coupon = $3.19
4 Kettle Chips $1.98 each = $7.92 - 4 $1.00 coupons = $3.92
1 Lucerne String Cheese $3.49
2 Cake gels $5.58 - these weren't on sale, but I need them to decorate my daughter's birthday cake

The cashier even mentioned the great Bryers ice cream deal!

Christmas Nutcracker Soldier Tissue Box Cover

I recently listed this Christmas Nutcracker Soldier Tissue Box Cover on my Etsy shop. This is one of my favorite items that I make to sell. I think it's very cute! It takes a little while to put together because you have to match the four different colors of the sides, and the arms are a little hard to put on; but I definitely think it's worth it though because I usually sell it every year.

My Stater Bros. and Albertsons Shopping Trips

Yesterday at Stater Bros., I spent $23.13 and saved $20.72, which is 48%. Here's what I bought:
Peaches $.99/pound $2.67
2 Hillshire Farms Sausage $5.00
Broccoli $.99/pound $1.52
2 Stater Bros. lunchmeat $2.99 each = $5.98
4 Manwich $.69 each = $2.76
2 Swiss Miss Cocoa $.95 each = $1.90
4 Hunts Pudding $.95 each = $3.80 - $.50 coupon = $3.30


At Fresh and Easy, I spent $3.98 and saved $.98. Here's what I bought:
Onion pack $.98
2 Fresh and Easy Apple Juice $3.00


At Albertsons, I spent $11.77 and saved $21.82, which is 65%. Here's what I bought:
1 Michelinas $.59
3 Hamburger Helper $1.00 each = $3.00 - $.75 coupon = $2.25
2 Betty Crocker Muffin Mix $1.49 each = $2.98 - $1.00 coupon = $1.98
1 Betty Crocker Cake Mix $.99 - $.75 coupon = $.24
1 Betty Crocker Frosting $1.49
3 Yoplait Yogurts $1.99 each = $5.97 - $.75 coupon = $5.22

Boutique Dilema

Authored by Leandro Delgado

After 25 years of working in retail, I finally opened up my own boutique. Sometimes I wonder if I did the right thing.It has always been my dream to own my own boutique, and do all of the things that go along with running it. From deciding on the décor, choosing items to showcase, hiring and managing the staff, etc.- I was up for it! I will tell you- it has been overwhelmingly exhausting pretty much from day one. In the beginning though, I was excited about it and all, but now I sometimes just wish that I would have used my money to buy clothes for myself! Don’t get me wrong, it has definitely been an experience that I’ll never forget, but it is very hard to make a profit, keep everyone happy, and in general just stay afloat. I wanted to make sure that my most prized possession was safe, and so to keep my mind at ease when I can’t be at the shop, I checked out home alarm. For anyone trying to decide if they want to open a store of your own, I suggest first managing one that someone else owns to save yourself from a lot of overhead costs and headaches!

My Vons Shopping Trip

Today at Vons, I spent $24.92 and saved $13.48, which is 35%. Here's what I bought:
Red delicious apples $.88/pound = $1.46
2 Farmland Bacon $2.99 each = $5.98
2 Lucerne yogurt 6 packs $2.49 each = $4.98
5 Lucerne ice cream $2.50 each = $12.50

My Walgreens and CVS Shopping Trip

Yesterday at Walgreens, I spent $2.71 and saved $10.79, which is 80%. Here's what I bought:
2 Brachs candy corn $3.00 + $1.00 register rewards
2 Arrid and Arm & Hammer deodorant $.99 each = $1.98
1 Halls drops $1.00 + $1.00 register rewards

I also had $3.50 in register rewards from last week to help pay for this trip.


Today at CVS, I spent $.82 and saved $7.22, which is 90%. Here's what I bought:
1 Right Guard Body Wash $2.88 + $1.00 extra buck
1 Tone pack $1.88 + $1.00 extra buck

I also had $4.00 in extra bucks to use from last time.

My Vons and Ralphs Shopping Trips

Today at Vons, I spent $11.37 and saved 8.57, which is 44%. Here's what I bought:
2 Refreshe 12 pack sodas $4.00
2 Safeway kidney beans $.89 each = $1.78
2 Pantry Essentials sliced cheese $2.00
1 Safeway orange juice $1.99


At Ralphs, I spent $13.55 and saved $12.86, which is 49%. Here's what I bought:
4 Deluxe ice cream $10.00 - $.40 coupon = $9.60
5 Gatorade $.89 each = $4.45 - $1.00 coupon = $3.45

My Walgreens and CVS Shopping Trip

Yesterday at CVS, I spent $6.43 and saved $15.02, which is 71%. Here's what I bought:
1 Skippy peanut butter $1.66
2 Dawn $.97 each = $1.94 - $.50 coupon - $.25 coupon = $1.19
1 Oral B Cross Action Power toothbrush $5.99 - $3.00 coupon = $2.99 + $1.00 extra bucks
1 CVS allergy 5 pills $3.69 + $4.00 extra bucks

I also had $4.00 in extra bucks from last week to help pay for this shopping trip. I earned $5.50 in extra bucks from my summer shopping trips, to use next time. Also, the cashier wanted to know where I found my coupon for the toothbrush because she wants to take advantage of the deal too. :)


At Walgreens, I spent $7.45 and saved $22.76, which is 76%. Here's what I bought:
1 Santa Fe Tortillas $.99
4 M & Ms $10.00 - $1.00 coupon - $1.50 coupon = $7.50
1 Cepacol $2.99 + $2.99 register rewards
1 Kleenex Cool Touch $1.49 - $.50 coupon = $.99 + $.50 register rewards
3 White Rain body wash $.79 each = 2.37
3 Walgreens bar soap $1.00

My Stater Bros. and Albertsons Shopping Trips

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $13.18 and saved $12.13, which is 48%. Here's what I bought:
2 Stater Bros. Oatmeal $1.50 each = $3.00
1 Mini cookies $.99
3 Yoplait Splitz $1.49 each = $4.47 - $.75 coupon = $3.72
2 Toaster Strudels $1.99 each = $3.98 - $.50 coupon = $3.48
1 Cinnamon Toast Crunch $1.99

I was reminded today that it's really important to pay attention to the exact item that's on sale. I thought the Yoplait Trix yogurt was on sale, but when it rang up, it wasn't. So, I had to buy another Yoplait Splitz instead while the people behind me had to wait for the cashier to get approval to void the Trix. I felt so bad. It was definitely a good reminder, though.


Today at Albertsons, I spent $9.57 and saved $13.84, which is 59%. Here's what I bought:
2 Welches juice $2.00 each = $4.00
4 Francisco Rinaldi pasta sauce $.99 each = $3.96
Peaches $.88/pound

This time, because I was reminded at Stater Bros. to pay attention, I noticed all of the Welches were marked $2.29, instead of $2.00. Sure enough, they rang up as $2.29. When I showed the cashier the ad, she thought I picked the wrong product, but this time I knew I hadn't. The bagger came back saying all of the juice was marked with the wrong price, and they would have to tell a manager. I got them for the $2.00 price, although the lady behind me wished another lane was open. I told her sorry, but I really want my $.58! :)