Week 1

(Pic is of my Publix trip)
So, here we go.... Week 1 of the "All You" Grocery Challenge.

The problem for me is this is week 4 of the month, so I am pretty much out of money, so this week we went to the stockpile, leftovers, etc. to eat. The best deals this week were the "Think Thin" bars at Publix (they paid me $.25 to take them!), the Bayer Advanced ($.50), and the Tylenol Precise Cream (Free!).

Here is what I bought...

Trip 1 - CVS
2 Transactions

Transaction 1

• Gain Dish Soap - On sale for $.97 - Used $1.00 coupon that they adjusted down to .97 = Free
• Hershey's Bliss - $5.99 - Got back $5.99 in ECBs = $0.00 net
• Colgate Toothbrush - On sale for $2.79 - Used $1.00 coupon - Got back $2.00 in ECBs = -$.21
• Used $5.99 ECBs from last week
• Total OOP with Tax = $2.57 - Received $7.99 in ECBs. Net = -$5.42

Transaction 2

• Pampers Box of Diapers (96 diapers) - On sale for $20.00 - Used $1.50 coupon
• Huggies Pack of Wipes (216 wipes) - On sale for $6.00 - Used $.75 coupon
• Used $7.99 in ECBs from previous transaction
• Total OOP with Tax = $17.84 - Received $10.00 in ECBs for buying $25 worth of diapers and wipes. Net = $7.84

Wal-Mart - needed some sausage for a recipe. No one had the kind I wanted on sale, and I had a store credit to Wal-Mart

• Johnsonville Sausages - $2.50
• Total with Tax = $2.70

Publix - My main shopping trip every week is to Publix on Wednesdays because that is when the new sales flyer comes out and I can get the Mystery Penny item. This list is a long one.

Transaction 1

• YoBaby organic Yogurt - $2.50 - Used $.50 coupon (doubled for $1.00 off)
• Eggland's Best eggs - On sale for $2.00 - Used $.50 coupon (doubled for $1.00 off)
• 4 pack Carrot Nut Muffins - On Sale for $1.50 (this was my splurge of the week - I LOVE these muffins!!)
• 2 Knorr Sides - On sale for $.79 each - Used $1.00/2 coupon
• Duke's Mayo - On sale for $1.50
• Bananas - On sale for $.60
• Blueberries - On sale for $2.00 - Used $2.00 off produce coupon
• Fresh Express Salad - on sale for $2.00 - Used $.50 coupon (double to $1.oo off)
• 3 Packs Publix Frozen Vegetables - $1.39, $1.79, and $1.49 each (paid full price - I should have bought more the last time they were on sale!!)
• Tylenol Precise Cream - On Sale for $4.99 - Used $5.00 off coupon
• 4 Think Thin Bars - On Sale for $1.25 - Used 4 competitor coupons for $.50 off + Used 4 manufacturer coupons for $.50 off (doubled to $1.00). (so they paid me $.25 to take these, and I love eating the on the way to the gym at 5:30 in the morning!!)
• 2 Power Bars - Used 1 store BOGO coupon and 1 manufacturer BOGO, so $0.00
• Publix Brand Oatmeal - $1.99
• Publix Apple Juice - Mystery Penny item, so $0.01
• Somewhere along the line I had another $1.50 in coupons. Either the cashier messed up, or there are some I can't remember, but there is another $1.50 off my total that I can't seem to come up with.
• Total OOP with Tax = $13.69!!!!!

Transaction 2 - I went to another Publix later in the day. I realized I forgot to buy bread, and my favorite Publix was out of the Bayer, and my husband needed some for his shoulder.

• Bayer aspirin - $3.49 - Used $2.00 store coupon and $1.00 manufacturer coupon
• Sara Lee Whole Grain White Bread - $1.99
• Total OOP with Tax = $2.92

Total OOP for the week = $39.72 plus I have $10.00 in ECBs leftover at CVS.

Total Regular price of items is $107.82

Approximate savings is ~68% off, not including the $10.00 in ECBs.

I don't think this is too bad for the first week of the challenge, especially since this included a 96 count box of diapers and big pack of wipes. However, I didn't have to buy many items for dinner.

Here is what we ate for dinner:

• Sunday - Leftovers
• Monday - Leftovers
• Tuesday - Beef Strogonaff & Broccoli
• Wednesday - Sausage Primavera (this was so good that Arnold took it to lunch, so I didn't get to use leftovers for another meal, but that's ok, since it meant he didn't have to buy lunch out for a day!) - Here is the link to the recipe - http://www.stockpilingmoms.com/2011/03/johnsonville-three-cheese-italian-style-chicken-sausage-oven-roasted-pasta-primavera.html
• Thursday - Frozen Pizza and salad (went to visit a friend with a new baby in the hospital, so we had to do something quick)
• Friday - Ham & Rice & Green Beans
• Saturday - probably out somewhere because we are going to my niece's all-star game

Ok, I am tired of writing now, but I have journaled my whole week 1 in one post, so that's not bad! Also, I came in under budget! Now, I can link up to my first "Friday Finals" on www.southernsavers.com. I always read them and feel inspired, but I never submit my own.