WAG-ing on Sat. March 14th Oy! The Pain

I hit WAGS saturday night. I figured not much would be left on the shelves but I was in the area anyway, so I went to check it out. I don't do diapers anymore(thank goodness!), so I wasn't hounding after the Huggies deal.
Everything in pictured together from all Transactions, except 1 Coffee-Mate. Daughter polished it off before I could take a photo.lol

I went into the Store with $21 in RRs to spend.

Transaction #1

4 x Grape Nuts Cereal(I love this in yogurt!)@ $2.50 box
2 x Blue Diamond Nuts BOGO @ $3.49 for 2
2 x Coffee mate BOGO @ $2.48 for 2
1 Sambucol @ $12.99
2 x Smart Balance Butter Spread BOGO @ $2.99 for 2
6 x Dove Travel Size Deodorant @ $.99 ea.
Dr. Pepper Freezer Pops @ $2.00 (Just HAD to try these)
2 x Colgate Total Toothpaste @ $3.49 ea.
2 x Folding Travel Toothbrush 2 packs Clearance @ $.75 ea.
4 x Garnier 'Poo & Styling Products @ $2.99 ea.
1 Irish Spring Body Wash @ $4.49
SUBTOTAL $64.82

Coupons used...
Blue Diamond MQ $1/2
2 x $1.50/1 Coffee Mate IP Q -$3/2
Sambucol WAG Q -$10/1
Sambucol IP Q -$4/1
Smart Balance MQ -$1/2
3 x $1.50/2 Dove MQ -$4.50
2 x $1/1 Colgate MQ -$2/2
2 x $2.50 Colgate WQ -$5.00
4 x $1/1 Garnier MQ -$4/4
4 x $2.00 Garnier WQ -$8.00
Total Coupons....$42.50

WAGs RR Used....
7 x $2 RRs -$14.00

TOTAL $64.82-$42.50-$14+$.87 tax=$9.19 OOP

The Irish Spring Body Wash generated a FREE IS BODY WASH, the Grape Nuts Cereal generated a $4RR & the Dove Deodorants generated a $1.50/2 Q.

I know the travel Dove Deos weren't generating RRs, but I wanted to use my 3 coupons and that made these $.24 each. I am planning on giving a donation of toiletries to the local Women's Shelter and these are just the right size for that.

Transaction #2

2 x Grape Nuts Cereal @ $2.50 box
2 x Smart Balance Butter Spread BOGO @ $2.99 for 2
Colgate Toothpaste @ $3.49
Irish Spring Body Wash @ $4.49
2 x Coffee Mate BOGO @ $2.48 for 2
SUBTOTAL $18.45

Coupons used...

Smart Balance MQ -$1/2

Colgate MQ -$1/1

Colgate WQ -$2.50
Free Irish Spring RR -$4.49

2 x $1.50/1 Coffee Mate IP Q -$3/2
Total Coupons $11.99

WAGS RRs Used....

2 x $3.50 RRs -$7.00

TOTAL $18.45-$11.99-$7= -$.54 OOP

The Irish Spring Body Wash generated a FREE IS BODY WASH, the Grape Nuts Cereal generated a $2RR + a $1.50/2 Q for Grape Nuts.

This transaction was a mess!

The register wouldn't take one of my coupons this time and the Asst. Manager came over to 'help' and ended up voiding things and reringing and charging me a penny for the Body Wash(can't be giving things away for free!lol). He had no clue what he was doing and even said that management is NOT trained in running registers so they are clueless & the cashiers are the only ones in the store who really know how to operate the machines.LOLOL
So I think I got overcharged on this transaction BUT to complicate things even more....

After I got out into the car, I noticed all 4 Coffee Mates weren't sale priced on my register receipt. I had gotten the WRONG ONES! ugh The LIQUID were on sale, I got the POWDERED. So back into the store I went and exchanged them for the correct items. Now they owed me money back, as the Powdered were $4.49 & the liquid ones on sale were 2 for $2.48. So I got $8.04 back(4x $2.01 each). I have had to reconstruct the Transaction #2 receipt(and #1 to an extent)....this is why I come out with a negative OOP for #2.

Transaction #3

Irish Spring Body Wash @ $4.49

Coupon used...
Free Irish Spring Body Wash $4.49

TOTAL $4.49-$4.49 +$.27(tax)=$.27 OOP

The Catalina Machine stopped spitting out FREE Irish Spring RRs on this purchase. I think I wore it out.lol

GRAND TOTAL all 3 Transactions...$8.92 OOP

Value of Items.....$126.79
Savings of 92%

This post has been an ordeal to straighten out. Thank goodness it's over.lol
I need to go take a walk and clear my head now....

Sluggy

I won a Giveaway! And I Love my Tucker Bag!

I entered a Giveaway over on Lindsay's Blog, FRUGAL & FABULOUS, last month.
And I won!
Yay me....

The prize was a TUCKER BAG. The bag arrived in a teeny tiny envelope. Here's what was in the envelope.

The bag was all folded up, contained in a neat little pouch. I undid the snap & opened it up and wow!....the bag was large.

The pouch is attached to the bag and besides being a pouch to hold it when folded up, you can use the pouch inside the bag as a pocket to hold your car keys and such. There is also an outside pocket.

I took the bag for a test drive right away to the grocery store and it sure holds more than you would think. the fabric is lightweight ripstop nylon and the bag holds up to 35 lbs. of weight.

This should last me for many many years of grocery shopping. Think of all those 5 cent "use your own bag" credits I'll be getting. This TUCKER BAG might end up saving me money as well as the planet!

Plus the fabric design is pretty. I love dragonflies and green is my second favorite color.
But if green isn't your thing, they have a wide array of fabric designs and colors.

Check them out at TUCKER BAGS.

Thanks again Lindsay for the Giveaway!

Sluggy

Weekend CVS-ing OOP $8.55/2 Transactions

My foot finally felt well enough for me to drive on Sat. so I could hit CVS & WAGS. I had a $10/50 CRT expire before I could get out to CVS.ugh

But I did have another 1 still valid. yay!

CVS had some of this week's specials out already on Sat.(the small crackers/cookies for $1 & the healthy snacks Quaker granola bars/oatmeal 2/$5, spend $15, get $5 ECBS)so I was able to get to $50 even though they were STILL out of Carnation Instant Breakfast, etc. at this store.

Both Transactions are pictured together, except for the 4 12-packs of Coke products. My foot won't let me tote them in from the garage yet.lol

CVS Transaction #1

10x Ritz & Wheat Thins Crackers $1 ea.

6x Quaker Chewy Granola Bars 2/$5

1 Crest Pro Health Toothpaste $2.99

2x Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste BOGO $2.79

2x Vaseline Body Lotion $3.69 ea.

3x J&J First Aid Kit $.99 ea.

3x J&J Buddies Soap $1.19 ea.

1 Playskool Wipes $3.29

1 Suave Shampoo $1.99

TOTAL $49.98

Even though my total was 2 cents short of $50, the cashier was able to take the $10/50 CRT, no problem!

Coupons Used...

5x $2/2 Nabisco Crackers from Jan. 25 Inserts

2x $1/2 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars from March Inserts

$1/1 Quaker-not sure where I got this one from

$3/2 J&J IP Q

2x $1.25/1 Vaseline Lotion from March Inserts

2x $1.50/1 Colgate IP Q
$1/1 Crest from March Inserts

$1/1 J&J Buddies IP Q

$2/2 J&J Buddies IP Q

$3 Free Suave Shampoo Q(Cashier took off full value even though the bottle rang up $1.99)

$2 CVS Playskool Wipes Q

*$1.25 Q

$10/50 CVS CRT

COUPON TOTAL $41.75

ECB Used...

$2.99

$4.99

ECB TOTAL $7.98

$49.98-$41.75-$7.98=$.25 TOTAL OOP

Earned $4 ECB on the Vaseline, $2 on the Crest, $5 on the Quaker & another $10/50 CRT.

*There is a $1.25 Q taken off on my receipt I can't account for. I had a 3rd Vaseline Lotion that I didn't buy & had the cashier take off. She had my Q for it though and must have rung it through.

She also didn't charge any tax on the taxables.
Plus she gave me the full Suave coupon value even though the item rang $1.99.

She was quite the train wreck!...but in my favor for a change.lol

If you add in the coupon & tax not charged to my 25 cent total, the accurate OOP total should be $1.87.

I also had a $4/20 CRT good Sat. only, so I did another transaction.

CVS Transaction #2

4x Coke 12 packs $3.25 ea.

2x Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste BOGO $2.79

1 Glucerna Cereal $4.59

1 Glucerna Snack Bars $4.89

TOTAL $25.27

Coupons used...

$1.50 Colgate IP Q

$1 Colgate Q from March Inserts

$10 Glucerna IP Q-Adjusted down to $9.48
$4/20 CVS CRT
COUPON TOTAL $15.98

ECB Used...
$.99
ECB TOTAL $.99

$25.27-$15.98-$.99=$8.30 TOTAL OOP

I should have used $7 ECB($5+$2)earned on the previous transaction to make my OOP $1.30, but I got flustered. Doh!lol

Earned $3 ECB on the Coke purchase.

Final Tally....

Used $8.97 ECB & $16 CVS CRT, Earned $14 ECB & $10 CVS CRT, spent $8.55 OOP

Check out how other Thrifty Divas are saving this week at the "Cents"ible Sawyer CVS SUPERSTARS Page.
Please leave me a comment if you get the chance. I appreciate all ya'll who read my Boring Blog.

Sluggy

Boston Baked Beans Recipe

Finally, here is the Boston Baked Beans recipe. I have made this in the traditional way, in the oven, and in a crockpot, with equal success. I have an older crockpot, so I use the high setting. Your crockpot temp. may work for this on a lower setting.
If preparing in a crockpot, I find you don't need as much of the reserved bean water poured over the beans before baking/simmering either, as the oven dries out food & a crockpot doesn't.
This recipe is great as a side dish or can stand alone as a main dish, especially on those cold, cold days of winter. Serve with fresh homemade bread, biscuits or rolls.

Boston Baked Beans

Ingredients
2 cups navy beans(can use other similar type beans-navy, great northern)
1/2 lb. bacon
1 onion, diced
3 Tablespoons molasses
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 cup ketchup
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar

Directions
*Soak beans overnight in cold water. Simmer beans in the same water until tender, approx. 1-2 hrs. Drain and reserve the liquid. (For a shortcut, you can use canned beans too. If doing so, skip this soaking & simmering step but still reserve the "juice" from the cans for later.)
*Preheat overn the 325 degrees F.
*Brown bacon. Remove from pan. Add diced onions to the bacon grease & cook about 3 min., until soft.
*Arrange the beans in a 2 Quart bean pot/casserole/dutch oven(or crockpot if using a crockpot)by placing a portion of the beans in the bottom of dish, and layering them with bacon and onion.(I cut or tear the bacon into 1 inch pieces.)
*In a saucepan, combine molasses, salt, pepper, dry mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce & brown sugar. Bring the mixture to a boil and pour over the beans.
*Pour in just enough of the reserved bean water to cover the beans.(If using a crockpot, pour about 1/2 cup of that water in.) Cover the dish/pot with a lid(or aluminum foil if it has no lid).
*Bake for 3-4 hours in the oven, until beans are tender(the crockpot may take longer). Remove the lid about halfway through cooking & add more liquid if necessary to prevent the beans from getting too dry.
*Serve & enjoy. Makes 6 generous main dish portions. This dish can be doubled.

Utilizing Sales, Your Pantry & Leftovers AND a Trip to Target

This past week, the regional chain grocery store in my teeny tiny town had Ground Beef for $1.69 lb. That is the rock bottom price here for GB. So like any self-respecting couponing stockpiler, I stocked up of course!

Now what to do with all that Meat....
I repacked about half of the 12 lbs. of it into 1.5lbs. portions in foil and froze it. That is enough to make most any recipe I have that calls for ground beef, or in some cases a double batch of a recipe. These packs will be used for Tacos, Sloppy Joes, Chilli, Meat Spaghetti Sauce, etc.

Some more of it was used to make last night's dinner, Beef Pie. Beef Pie is my version of Shepherd's Pie. You substitute Cornbread topping for Mashed Potatoes.

I made 4 packages of precooked Meatballs for the freezer with 2 portions of the meat, so hubby or the kids can just make up a quick Spaghetti & Meatballs fare when I can't be here to cook dinner.

I debated with myself what to do with the last portion of meat. I looked around the kitchen pantry/fridge to see what I had that needed to be used up soon. You have to keep an eye out for Food Waste, don't you?
There was some leftover spanish rice and tortillas from last friday's Chicken Enchildas.
Bingo!
Use these 3 ingredients plus a can of refried beans(purchased on sale for 99 cents)to make Burritos for the freezer.

We love us some burritos in this house, usually buying the El Monterey brand, as it's the only brand available in the store here.
They hardly go on sale anymore, so that's $4.49 per bag we have to pay. The burritos also seem to have gotten smaller AND they have shrunk the number of burritos in the bag from 10 to 8! Of course, they didn't shrink the price you pay accordingly. grrrrrr

I just cook the ground beef up with garlic, onions, cumin, taco spices and some tomato paste. Take your tortilla, put some rice, some beans, some cheese(jack &/or cheddar, queso) & some beef in the middle and fold it up. I wrap each one in a piece of foil so it stays together until it hardens in the freezer.

I got to use up leftovers & make something I KNOW will be eaten by the kids, from ingredients that I bought inexpensively.

The cost analysis on this dish...
$4.53 for the ingredients
Made 8 large Burritos
So that comes out to $.56 per serving.
Basically, it cost me about the same to make these 8 Large Burritos as to buy the bag of El Monterey's, so in essence, mine cost half the price of the store bought ones.
That works for me!

I hurt my foot on wednesday trying to reach for those boxes of Green Giant veggies I bought for 50 cents a box.
I haven't been able to drive since then, as driving aggravates the foot. I spent Friday at the dr. office, getting x-rays and getting medicine. Luckily DH was home and could drive me around. He drove me to Target for the meds and I was able to pick up a few things for real cheap while there. ;-)

At TARGET I got...
4 x Mott's Applesauce for $.09 a package (reg. $1.66 -Target Q $1+IP Q $.55=$.09)
4 x The Good Life Cat Food for $.99 package (sale price $3.99 - MQ $3=$.99)
2 x Huggies Wipe Refill for $.99 (reg. $5.99 - IP Q $5=$.99)
1 x Glucerna Cereal for -$.51 (reg. $4.49-IP Q $5= -$.51)
2 x Deerfield Shredded Mozz. Cheese for $1.25 ea. (sale price $1.75-Target Q $1.00/2=$1.25 ea.)

Total cost OOP=$6.43
Value of Items with tax=$43.72
Savings of $37.29 or OVER 84%!

Then we bought 2 new printer cartridges. All this coupon printing just sucks up the printer ink, doesn't it? There went all my great coupon savings.lolol

Sluggy