My Shopping 3/7 - 3/13

I'm always a little curious how much people spend and what they bought. You can take a look at what I spent and what I bought - I'm not shy about it.

Here is my monthly summary so far:

March (monthly budget of $500 includes food, cleaning, personal hygiene items, etc for 4 people)
$500 budget for the month

$254.82 spent

$125.47 saved
$245.18 balance

I'm saving about 50%. But most of my shopping is at WinCo and the receipt doesn't reflect items picked up on sale so I'm sure I have saved more than that.

Here's my shopping for the week:

$125.00 week budget

$120.57 spent

$31.75  saved (that was recorded on the receipt.  I shopped at WinCo, Big Lots, Costco so the saving isn't listed but I know purchased those items at the lowest price)
I was under $4.43!!

Fred Meyer:

3 6 packs of Dove Soap ($5.99 with $2 coupon)
2 package of sponges
1 snack pack

Total $17.95 and saved $6.00

WinCo:

15 Powerade 32oz (on sale for $.88 with a coupon B10G5)
5lb potatoes

Total $10.88, saved $4.40

Big Lots:

Chewy Granola bars
2 100 calorie snacks for the kids to try and blog about
Salad dressing $1
Carpet cleaner
Carpet deodorizer
7 Gatorade
Shopping list pads (they were cute)
I also received Big Lots rewards card (when you spend $20 per visit 10 times you receive a 20% off coupon)

Total $22.03

WinCo Foods (you can tell I had a kid with me)

2 gallons of milk
Cereal
Fruit Snacks
2 boxes Nabisco snacks
Bananas
2lb baby carrots
Yogurt
2 canned cheese (this is a treat)
Soy sauce
Dishwasher soap
2 Tillamook Ice cream
White castle hamburgers for after school snack
chocolate for bananas
Keebler Nut crisps (these are good)
WinCo Bulk drink mix
WinCo Bulk Salt water taffy
2 boxes granola bars
2 avocados

Total $52.95, saved $5.65.  I could have done better by not buying so many snacks but I knew I was doing good on my budget so I let the kids pick out a couple snacks

Trips not pictured:

Safeway:

4 Oscar Mayer Shaved Deli Meat
6 bags of Cheetos/Fritos

Total $0, I won a $50 gift card so I used that - but it rang up to $13.70, saved $21.40

Yoke's Fresh Market:

2 1/2 gallons of milk (I had ran out of milk, bought enough until I went to WinCo)
Pepper Jack cheese for our Taquitos

Total: $7.27

Crazy Busy Already!!

I can tell by the lack of postings in the blog world that everyone is busy with their lives now that spring seems to be here. I really need to get back on track and on schedule.  Our dinners have been quick and easy ones, so I plan to work on the 2 week menu again. 

I haven't posted our dinners lately so this is some of the items I had thrown together in the last week for our dinners:

Pork Roast with vegs
Homemade Taquitos from the pork
Homemade pizza
Homemade hamburgers with fries
Homemade chicken strips

Tonight we are going to Kimo's restaurant to use my $25 coupon from Restaurant.com

Do you like to sign up for Giveaways?

The Giveaway Gathering from Deal Seeking Mom has gathered them up for you.  I recently won $50 for Safeway, so cool.  I love signing up for giveaways.

Good luck!

Sunday's Paper

This Sunday's paper there will be two inserts (Smart Source and Red Plum) and Albertson's Doublers. 

Winco Sales for 3/11 - 3/17

WinCo sales for Thursday, March 11 (prices gathered from the Richland, WA store). Each store varies in prices but they should be pretty close.

Richland, WA WinCo does take printable coupons, I use them each week.
I am matching up current coupons in our area with WinCo's low prices as well as listing sale items.

**Frozen chicken prices are really high this week so I would not purchase, I couldn't believe the prices almost doubled for some reason.**

Good buy this week is Tillamook Ice Cream for $3.38

Powerade $.88 and they can coupon with them buy 10 and receive 5 free

Buy your milk at WinCo it's $1.98, Yokes is $2.98.


Printable Coupons:
Coupons.com
Red Plum Printables
Smart Source Printables

Insert information: SS= Smart Source, RP = Red Plum, GM = General Mills

Coupon information: $2.00/1 = $2 off 1 item

Here is the link for you to print out: NW Coupon Lady WinCo Foods 

Also see BeCentsable's Grocery Gathering and Grocery Deals for more savings on your other favorite stores

Northwest Grocery Party!! 3/10/10 - 3/16/10

This is your Northwest Grocery Store Summary
3/10/10 - 3/16/10.

Thank you to The Grocery Gathering, Coupon Connections NW, and Fabulessly Frugal for putting together all the great deals.

I normally update WinCo on Thursday nights.

Albertson's

Fred Meyer

Safeway

WinCo Foods

Yoke's Fresh Market

If you do not see your store, go to the Grocery Gathering, they have them listed by state.

Hot Pockets Side Shots Review

I purchased a box of Hot Pockets Cheeseburger Side Shots for $.77 at Winco ($1.77 with $1 coupon). I like our family to try things when it doesn't cost very much.  Check out our family review at Bailey and Shayla's Review Blog.

Yoke's Fresh Market 3/10 - 3/16

Yoke's Fresh board is good through Thursday 3/18.

Printable Coupons:

Coupons.com

Red Plum Printables

Smart Source Printables

*($1/2 in 1/31 RP) means $1 off when you buy two products the coupon is in 1/31/10 coupon insert Red Plum.

These prices are good 3/10-3/16:

Texas Rio Star Grapefruit 4 for $1
Fresh Express Premium Salad or Spinach 2 for $4

Pork Sirloin Chops $1.69lb
New York Steaks $4.99lb (good price on those)
Pork Loin Chops $2.09 lb
Foster Farms Chicken Nuggets $4.49

Western Family Pasta 4 for $5
Nabisco Saltine crackers $1.99
Nalley Chili $.98 each  
General Mills Cereal 2 for $5 (Reese's Puffs $.55/1 SS printable)
Betty Crocker Gluten Free Mixes $3.49 each
Bear Naked Granola $3.99 12oz
Powerade 32oz 10 for $10



March Monthly Sale items:

Red Baron Pizza 3 for $10 ($1/2 in 1/31SS)
Aunt Jemima Great Start Entrees 4 for $5
Coffeemate Coffee Creamer $1.99 16oz ($.50/1 in 2/7 RP)
Tillamook Sour Cream $1.69 16oz
Tillamook Yogurt $.59 each 6oz
Tillamook Medium Cheddar 2lb loaf $5.99
Cinnabon Snack Bars $1.99 
Smuckers Jams and Preserves $2.49 ($.25/1 in 2/21 RP)
Ken's Salad Dressing $2.99 ($1/1 in 3/7 SS)
Frigo String Cheese $3.49 12oz ($.40/1 in 1/31 RP)
Jimmy Dean Breakfast Bowls 2 for $5 ($.75/1 in 3/7 RP)
Land O' Frost Sliced lunch meat 2 for $4 ($1/2 in 1/31 RP)
Foster Farms Chicken strips or wings $6.99 24 to 28oz ($1/1 in 1/31 RP)
Budding Deli-Cut lunch meat 2 for $5 ($1/1 in 1/17 SS)

Tyson Chicken nuggets, tenders, or patties $4.99 20.5 to 29 oz
Fast Fixin Entrees $4.99 26 to 36 oz
Blue Diamond Almond Milk 32oz $1.89 ($1/1 in 2/28 SS) it's pretty good.
Fresh Express Spinach 2 for $5 9oz
Fresh Express shredded lettuce or coleslaw 3 for $5
Pringles 3 for $5 5.71 to 6.41oz ($1/4 in 3/4 PG)

E-mail from a California Reader

Thank you to Sandy in California!!!

Sandy from Central California took the time to let me know that she did some comparison shopping between my WinCo Food list from Richland, WA and her WinCo in California. It seems the prices don't vary too much.

 Here is her message:

I live in Central California, about 45 miles from Fresno. In order to make the most of my time & money, I usually stick to the stores that publish prices either in paper ads or online, in addition to a Sam's Club stop. However, today I finally took the time to go by Winco in search of a good buy on whole chickens, and to see if my local store prices were the same as the ones you list.

I thought you (and your CA readers), might be interested in what I learned. I did not check all of the prices. Just the items on my list. The items in the value aisle appeared to be about the same as those your list. There were a few differences in prices though.

Kettle Chips $2.48 (.01 cheaper in CA)

V8 Juice 46 oz $2.38 (.10 cheaper in CA)

Hy Top Tuna .48

Pillsbury Grands Biscuits $1.18

Bar S Bacon $1.78

Pillsbury Brownie Mix .78

2 pk Whole Chickens .88/lb (.09/lb higher in CA)

Del Monte &/or Hunt's Spaghetti Sauce .98 (.12 higher in CA)

French's Mustard @ $1.38 was Spicy Brown 12 oz.

No Deli Cooked Ham was on sale for $1.68/lb

The Pillsbury Grands! had a peelie coupon for $.55/1 Pillbury Refrigerated Cookie Dough which was $1.98 (.26 higher in CA--but the peelie helped!)

Generally, the prices seemed to be pretty close. 

At the register, the clerk told me that they do not take printable coupons. I asked about how often their value aisle changes and she offered to call the manager to help me. He couldn't really give me an answer, except to say that it seems that they generally do the most price changes throughout the entire store on Sunday's, but they have some price changes nearly every day. He said that the value aisle changes depending on how fast the merchandise moves and how much stock they have in storage.  

(I, NW Coupon Lady, also asked the store manager in Richland and he didn't know much about the prices either; he said that it seems they updated the Value Aisle on Thursdays and other things change all the time).

Since I had the manager there, I asked him about the printable coupons. He corrected the clerk and said that they DO accept printable coupons. He said that they do not see many of them and asked about where I get them.

Since he seemed interested and we were talking coupons, I asked whether they would take coupons from other stores websites and showed him a printable I happened to have from Save Mart Supermarket's website. He had never seen one, and said that he really didn't know, but that they probably would not take other stores' coupons. He said our conversation made him realize that they need to refresh their clerks on their coupon policy and actually thanked me for taking the time to talk coupons with him!

I, NW Coupon Lady, talked to the Richland ,WA store manager about taking other store's coupons and he said no.  I would suggest to ask your WinCo store manager if their store takes printable coupons. If you are checking out and a clerk says no they don't accept them, ask the clerk to call manager over to clarify the store procedure on printables. 

Since I go in each week on the same day and time I know which clerks understand the store's policy on coupons.


Thank you so much to Sandy for the great information!!

New Grocery Outlet Opening in Kennewick WA!!

I received a flier in the mail that in Kennewick WA (4th and Olympia) there is now a Grocery Outlet! I'm so excited to see what it's all about.

The Grand Opening is Saturday, March 20th but by the website it looks like it might have opened today. I clicked on their flier and the effective date showed 3/10 - 3/16.   I don't live close by, but I will try to make a special trip to check it out. If anyone stops by the store let me know.


I'm excited to see the difference between Grocery Outlet and WinCo.

Kennewick Grocery Outlet Website

Costco Vs WinCo Foods

I have been shopping a little more at Costco and since I know my store prices pretty well I wanted to comparison shop on some of the things that seem cheaper at Costco.  Here was the first one I found:

Frigo String Cheese:

Costco $9.49/60ct that is $.16 each piece
WinCo Foods $4.36/16 that is $.27 each piece

so if you purchased 60 at WinCo at $.27 that would be: $16.20 at WinCo vs $9.49 at Costco; you save $6.71 at Costco!

Yes, sometimes you can use your coupons, doublers, or purchase them when they on sale and pick it up cheaper, but if you are purchasing them at regular price Costco is the winner.

*I hope I had all my math right*

My Shopping for 2/28 - 3/6

Here's a sneak peak in my grocery cart this week.

Here is my summary of grocery shopping from 2/28-3/6

For the Month of March summary:
This includes food, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene for 4 people.

Budget $500 a month (4 people), $125 a week.
Balance $365.75

Week 1:

Spent $134.25

Saved $93.72

I was over $9.25 for the week.

 

Safeway

Grapes

Bologna

4 lunchables

Pizza

5 2-liters of pepsi

Total $5.70.  I used my $10 gift card from the last trip when I had to make a minimum purchase of $10 to use the coupons. I had an in-store coupon for the bologna.

 

 Albertsons

6 cans of tuna

2 boxes Bagel Bites

4 Hot pockets

1 gallon of milk

2 boxes of Jose Ole products

pullups

7-up for my sick daughter

Tic-Tacs

Total $35.52, saved $26.18 and received $10 in catalina. I had coupons for almost everything and used my doublers. Normally I only buy milk at WinCo because it's the cheapest but we were completely out.

WinCo Foods

Dixie Cups

Hot Dog buns

Taco Chips

Granola - bulk

Bagel Bites 40 ct

Croutons - bulk

Banana chips - bulk

2 package lunch meat

2 Hungry Man dinners (for hubby to take to work, if he needs to grab something quick)

Eggs

Bananas

Olives

2 can pineapple

Celery

Toilet cleaner

Baby wipes

cleaning sponges

Pizza Dough

Corn Meal - bulk

Brown Gravy mix

Shredded lettuce

Apples

Wylers drink mix

1 gallon Milk (since I had just bought one at Albertson's, normally I buy 2 or 3)

Total $44.12, saved $1.75

 Yoke's Fresh Market

Almond Breeze (I had a $1 off coupon making it $.89, I wanted to try it)

2 Tony's pockets $1 each

Sausage 10 for $10

Chicken Breast $1.79lb

Hamburger $1.79lb

Shredded lettuce 3 for $5

apples

Yoke's French Bread on sale for $.99, it was still warm when I picked it up. So good.

Total: $32.60, saved $15.86 

 Walgreen's

3 rolls of paper towels

2 boxes storage bags

Colgate

makeup

makeup sponges

Hershey's 100 cal snacks

Total $16.31, saved $17.68 and received $2RR

Drug Store Deals for 3/7 - 3/13

The following blogs have put together your drug store deals.  Thank you to all the bloggers that put these all together.

Walgreens - Mommy Snacks

Target -Stretching a Buck

Rite Aid - The Frugal Find

Fred Meyer - Coupon Connections NW

$5 Dinners - Slow Cooker Meatball and Gray Sandwiches

WinCo $5 Bargain Meals - all ingredients purchased at WinCo Foods

I am happy to participate in the $5dollar dinners Bargain Meal of the Week.
For more low budget meals to go Bargain Meals and 1 trip, 1 bag, 5 dinners

Slow Cooker Meatball and Gravy Sandwiches (serves 4)

I would suggest to double this recipe since you are going to use the slow cooker, serve the leftovers with potatoes.

Ingredients:

1 medium onions, sliced ($.54)

1 packages (12 ounces each) frozen cooked Italian-style meatballs (Amour 16oz package; $1.74 for 12 oz)

1 jars (12 ounces each) beef gravy ($1.18)

4 hoagie buns (about 7 inches long)  (package of 6 is $1.18, use 4 is $.79)

Instructions:

1. Place onions in 3 1/2- to 4-quart slow cooker. Add frozen meatballs and gravy.

2. Cover and cook on low heat setting 8 to 10 hours.

3. Cut hoagie buns horizontally almost in half. Place 6 meatballs in each bun. Top with gravy. 

*I would add a little Monterrey Jack Cheese.

Total $4.22

Serve with a mixed greens salad and fresh fruit for about $1 more.

3 Coupon Inserts - Wow!

There are three coupon inserts in today's paper (Tri-City Herald). What I normally do is buy one paper, check out the coupons and if it's worth buying another one I will. I still haven't filed my coupons from last week.  I hate when I get behind.

Hamburger Helper/Chicken Helper - is it really considered cooking?

I give the Chicken Helper and Hamburger helpers a try once in awhile.  Sometimes I feel like a low budget cook when I use these box meals; but I have to tell you, it's how you prepare them.  This Mexican Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Chicken Helper was so good.  Add sour cream and olives and it's wonderful.  Another great thing do so is wrap it up in a tortilla with lettuce, sour cream olives, etc.  Serve with a side salad and tortilla chips. I would like to try it as the filling for enchiladas. Make it a "semi-homemade" meal. It will cost about $3 - $4 depending on what you add as your side favorites.

Get creative with those boxed meals.

Northwest Grocery Party! 3/2 - 3/9

This is your Northwest Grocery Store Summary
3/3/10 - 3/9/10.

Thank you to The Grocery Gathering, Fabulessly Frugal, and Frugal Living Northwest for putting together all the great deals.

I normally update WinCo on Thursday nights.

Safeway has a couple great deals with a minimum purchase of $10. Get a Safeway gift card for $10 then purchase you sale items. That way you are not buying this you don't need and you can use your card for your next purchase.

Albertson's

Fred Meyer

Safeway

WinCo Foods

Yoke's Fresh Market

If you do not see your store, go to the Grocery Gathering, they have them listed by state.

WinCo Foods Sales 3/4 - 3/10

WinCo sales for Thursday, March 4 (prices gathered from the Richland, WA store). Each store varies in prices but they should be pretty close.

Richland, WA WinCo does take printable coupons, I use them each week.
I am matching up current coupons in our area with WinCo's low prices as well as listing sale items.


Printable Coupons:
Coupons.com
Red Plum Printables
Smart Source Printables

Insert information: SS= Smart Source, RP = Red Plum, GM = General Mills

Coupon information: $2.00/1 = $2 off 1 item

Here is the link for you to print out: NW Coupon Lady WinCo Foods 

Also see BeCentsable's Grocery Gathering and Grocery Deals for more savings on your other favorite stores

Easter Dress Winner is.....

KIM!!!  Your daughter is going to love the dress.  I will be e-mailing you tonight to get your information.

Congratulations!!

What a week already!!

It's been a challenging week already.  I have been so busy at work and at home.

It's only Wednesday and our dishwasher went out on Monday, we had to buy a new one on Tuesday.  My daughter is home sick with the flu today (Wednesday).  My husband stayed with her today and I will stay home with her tomorrow.  I hope to get the WinCo numbers tomorrow (Thursday) in the evening when he gets home from work.

We all know being a mommy comes first, then blogging.

Yoke's Fresh Market 3/3 - 3/9

Yoke's Fresh board is good through Thursday 3/11.

Sales this week 3/3 - 3/9:

Printable Coupons:

Coupons.com

Red Plum Printables

Smart Source Printables

*($1/2 in 1/31 RP) means $1 off when you buy two products the coupon is in 1/31/10 coupon insert Red Plum.

Here are some of the good deals:

Anjou, Bosc, or Red Pears $.68lb
Red Bell Peppers 2 for $1 (cut them up and freeze them)
2lb Bolthouse Farms baby carrots 2 for $5

Pork Sirloin Chops $1.69lb
Lean Ground Beef $1.79 (81%) - I plan on purchasing a few pounds.  They have great beef, my family can really tell the difference when I purchase from Yoke's.

Kellogg's Cereal $1.99 each
Betty Crocker Hamburger/Tuna Helper 4 for $5 ($.75/3 in 2/7 SS)
Oroweat Bread $1.98 each
Hormel Little sizzlers 10 for $10 (I will be stocking up on these)
Hot Pockets 2 for $3
Tony's Single serve pizza and pouches 10 for $10
Green Gian Niblets corn and Butter Sauce 2 for $3 ($.60/3 in 2/21 SS)

Yoplait Yogurt 10 for $6
Yoplait Delights $1.99 ($1/1 printable)
Yoplat Trix or Gogurt $2.59 each ($.80/1 in coupons.com)
Pillsbury cookie dough 2 for $5 ($1/2 printable)
Pillsbury Toaster Strudels 2 for $4 ($.55/2 coupons.com)
Pillsbury Rolls $1.99 each ($.30/2 in coupons.com)

Nature Valley Granola Bars 2 for $5 ($.70/2 in 2/7 SS)
Betty Crocker Potatoes 4 for $5 ($.40/1 in SS printable)
Blue Diamond Almond Milk $1.89 ($1/1 in 2/28 SS) I'm going to try it for only $.89.

Fresh Friday Sale:

Navel Oranges $.38 lb
T-Bone Steaks $5.99 lb
Boston Cut Pork Roast $1.59 lb
Boneless Country Style Pork Ribs $1.79 lb
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast $1.79 lb (I will be purchase a couple pounds)
10lb Russet potatoes limit 2
Braeburn, Jonagold, or Granny Smith apples $.68lb
Fresh Express Garden Salad $.88 each 

Print your printable coupons soon

It's a new month so print those printable coupons now before the run out.

Printable Coupons:

Coupons.com

Red Plum Printables

Smart Source Printables

WinCo Sales in Vancouver, WA

These prices are good until 3/7! Those lucky people in Vancouver!

Drug Store Deals for 2/28 - 3/6

The following blogs have put together your drug store deals.  Thank you to all the bloggers that put these all together.

Walgreens - Deal Seeking Mom

Target - The Frugal Find

Rite Aid - Coupon Saving Game

Fred Meyer - Puget Sound Prudence

Girls Easter Dress Giveaway from Ramos Uniforms - $40 value

  Entries taken from Monday 3/1/10 to 3/4/10

A big THANK YOU to  Ramos Uniforms is providing my readers with a chance to win this beautiful girl's Easter dress.  This is a $40 value.  You can select from sizes 2-12 and colors you can choose from are white, lilac, pink, or blue. Wouldn't your little girl just love this? (I didn't show this giveaway to my daughter because she loves fancy dresses and I can't win my own giveaway).


A white dress would be perfect for First Holy Communion.

Ramos Uniforms provides school uniforms as well as other great items.  You can order online, and soon they will be located in Franny's Toys in the Uptown Plaza in Richland, WA.  They have great prices on so many things. 

Who can enter?

US residents only.

How to win?

Sign up by Thursday 3/4/10, 11:59pm

You have three chances; make sure to leave your e-mail address so I can e-mail you if you are the winner. Make sure to leave three separate comments.

Three ways to enter (there is only one winner, but you get three chances):

1. Visit Ramos Uniforms site and come back and leave me a comment stating that you did.

2. Follow Ramos Uniforms or NW Coupon Lady on Twitter and then let me know who you are following.

3. Comment on what is the dress for? Easter, party, or First Holy Communion?

I will be selecting the winner Friday morning on 3/5/10. I will e-mail the winner and they will have 48 hours to respond. The winner will be selected by Random.org.