Shopping!

I was very excited to go shopping today because I finally know that we are having a BOY and now I could buy him something:)
I ended up going to Goodwill because I was in the area and saw a sign that said "sale today". Most items were 50% off except blue tags (which means they are brand new from Target-selling at goodwill).
Turns out, the two best things I found were not 50% off, but they were still great deals. I found a brand new Graco pack n play (still in the box) for $69! Target sells it for $135-150.
I has an infant napper with vibration and sounds, a changing thing and a beautiful pattern. John and I both think it is very modern looking and we are excited. We set it up just to make sure there wasn't anything missing or broken- but it was pretty obvious when we opened it that it had never been opened before. We didn't fully strap on the infant napper so that's why it looks a little loose.




I got a heavy duty clothes rack brand new for 19.99 at Goodwill. Target sells it new for $60. I put it the basement with my "clothes that don't fit because I'm pregnant" clothes:)



I first stopped at the Arc because they had 50% off almost every color tag. I found these brand new onesies (you can still see the folds) and I found some super cute overalls. I really wanted to buy a cute outfit for my baby BOY, and I didn't find anything on sale that jumped out at me at Walmart- so I was very excited to find these.



Here are some shirts I got for 1/2 price from goodwill.

Target and Safeway shopping

I went to Target and Safeway last Friday:

At Safeway I bought 4 boxes of fruit snacks ($1 each after sale). I used 2 .40 MC and one .50 MC which doubled to save me $2.60, I saved .90 using e-coupons, and I got a Catalina for $2.50 off my next purchase =$2 moneymaker
I got the natural Mac n Cheese and potatoes for free after doubled coupon.
At Target I got the down blanket (we have had Johns for 6 years and although I wash it- it is gross!) normally 59.99, marked down to $15. I also got the Nevia body wash free after coupons, and paid .79 for the Dawn.


At Target today I got an awesome Fuchsia bag for 4.24, some shades for 2.48 each, and some undies for .75. The bag is awesome because it can hold a lot of stuff...you can see it better in the next picture.

shopping today

I finally went out shopping.
I got a few good deals at the 1/2 price sale at Goodwill.

I stopped at Old Navy and found a maternity shirt that I wanted before Christmas (but it was 26.50). Today they had 1/2 price off clearance, and it was on clearance. I got the black one for 3.99.

The other one was from Maurices (it was 75% off) which made it about $5.

I went to Walmart with my King Soopers and Safeway adds so I could price match. I price matched Rice Krispies for $1.50 each, and I found a $1/1 box coupon on each box. Once of the boxes also had "buy 2 boxes get free marshmallows" coupon on it.
So $1 for all of this:

So I made this:

One of the few treats I can eat when you cut out Citric Acid and Chocolate:)

I opened the paper...

It's amazing how fast things can change. About a year and a 1/2 ago I learned how much free stuff you can get by couponing and reading blogs...and I went nuts (scroll through the blog to see all the stuff I got). Then November of this year hit and I stopped cold turkey. I never thought I would quit couponing. Now I haven't quit, but since November looking at pictures of food has repulsed me, and I have been so sick I haven't had energy to focus on anything but the basics (because of being pregnant). I simply did not care how much food cost at the store- I just wanted to get the stuff and go home as soon as possible. Now I am 17 weeks along and I still feel sick. I still have to take nausea pills, and I still have bad nights. BUT...after spending $80 on groceries at Walmart the other day I decided I need to start being more frugal again. Soooo...

I opened the paper this week (big step). I glanced at the coupons (but have not cut them out yet). I started reading some of the blogs on my blogroll once in a while again. I plan to look at the grocery add this week and I hope I can begin to save a fraction of what I was saving before:)

I finally went to a store today...

for the first time in over a month! The sad thing is...I didn't use any coupons and tried to get what I needed and get out as soon as possible. I feel like a different person from who I was in October. I hope I can find that coupon loving- money saving chica back soon. In the mean time...I might be posting again soon, but if you want to know why I have been not posting check out this post from my other blog:
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
I miss my money saving friends.

Taking a break

I'm taking a break from couponing for a bit. I hope to get back into it in December, but I've been busy and sick and that has been one thing to give up for a short while.
Luckily because I have a nice stockpile- the only thing my husband needs to get from the store is produce, bread and eggs. I gave him a list for Walgreens the other day and he did good. I think I am easily staying within the grocery budget- mostly because I am not doing as much shopping.

King Soopers and Walgreens deals

I finally got out and found some great deals. I hadn't gone to the grocery store in over 2 weeks, so I was scared of what my total bill would be:(
King Soopers:

Mega Event deal.
I got did the buy 10 select items save $5.00 deal 3 times. The price I list is after the .50 off each item.
Gatorade .49 each
Betty Crocker Mashed Potatoes .99 used 2- .25 which doubled, and 1- .40 which doubled, 2- .40 also came off from Shortcuts.com =.13 eachKraft Cheese (4lb bag) 2.49 eachSteamfresh lightly sauced veggies with pasta 1.49, used .50mc which doubled =.49 each
Steamfresh meals for 2 5.49 each, Used BOGO mc which took off 7.99?!, used $1.25 off MC from King Soopers insert = .87 each
Ore Ida tater tots $2.49, $1 mc from King Soopers mailer =$1.50
Fudge Cookies .99 each, used $1.50/2, =.25 each
Q-tips, WAY TOO EXPENSIVE because my coupon didn't double, but that's ok:)
Daisey Sour cream $1.50 (this stuff lasts way better than the cheap brand)
Playtex living gloves .99, used $1 mc, =free
Carnation Evaporated Milk .50each, used 2 .50/2 which doubled =freeKleenexes .99 each, .50/3 MC which doubled =.66 each

Here are the other deals I found at King Soopers(or stuff I wanted:)

Not included in the pictures are the .05 4x6 prints I got because the grocery store has re-modeled:)
I'll just highlight the deals:
Tortillas 1.00
93% Ground beef $1.99/lb, bought $5 worth and used $1 King Soopers from mailer. $4.00/2.5lbs
Snapple $1.00, used .50 mc which doubled = free
Dole Mandarin oranges $1.00 each, used .50 mc which doubled =free
Apples .77/lb and .99/lb
Oven Roasted Chicken $4.99, used $1 King Soopers from mailer =$3.99
Dole Salad $1.99, used $1 mc =.99
Bag of Potatoes $2.49, used $1 King Soopers from mailer =$1.49

For everything in the two pictures =$54.00 Not too bad:)

Walgreens

I read about the Dove deal at Hip2Save (see blog-roll on the side)
7 Dove Conditioner, 1 Dove Shampoo, $4.99 each,BOGO free, Used 7 $1.50mc and 1 $1mc = 9.50, received $10 RR. =.50 overage
Always pantiliners $3.89, had $2.00 Catalina, =$1.89
Rimmel Mascara 50% off (3.74 each), used BOGO mc and $2.00 MC =.87 each
Trident gum $2/2, used 2 BOGO mc I found on a tearpad at Safeway which took $1.29 off each one, received $1 RR for each 2, =.58 overage total
Highlighter .10 (so I could use RR's)
Toy pen thing $1.29 (for prize)