What a Stack!

Do you know what happens when you are friendly and chat up the cashier at Rite-Aid?

Here's what happens to me.....

Instead of my two little pitiful Game of Life Tickets the register said I was due, she hands me a Stack of 26 tickets!!lolol

Of course, NONE of them had a rare game piece.....or an Instant Winner ticket......or even a good coupon.......sigh.....

Sluggy

Meal Plan Monday.....February 15th Edition....Snow=Comfort Foods

Last Week's Menu Postmortem...
Since I never posted/made a meal plan last week, I've got nothing to comment on.  Snowstorms, everyone home a lot(read TOO MUCH!lol)so we pretty much just grabbed quick stuff or I whipped something up last minute.  I made 2 quiches, using up a big block of swiss in the freezer, and that was 2 dinners last week.  We also finally did my Birthday meal out(only 3 weeks late!lol). It was a disorganized mess of a week mostly so I am ready to menu plan and get myself back on the horse.

The last 2 weeks I did a good bit of stocking up since there were nice Catalina Deals running at Price Chopper(NorthEast)and then Weis Markets. I am so tired of looking at the inside of grocery stores!lol  I should be able to keep out of the grocery stores the next 2 weeks except for milk and fresh produce.

Here's what I will be serving our family of 4 this Week.....our household presently consists of 2 adults and 2 teens at home.  No children under 13.

More snow.....all week.  This week is all about the comfort food.
MONDAY--Hamburger Helper Lasagna(stockpile/leftover ground beef), Corn(stockpile)
TUESDAY--Beef Stroganoff(freezer) with Rice(stockpile), Brussel Sprouts(freezer)
WEDNESDAY--Baked Chicken(freezer) with Roasted Veggies(fresh produce) and Potatoes(root cellar)
THURSDAY--Homemade New England Clam Chowder(look for my recipe tutorial), Biscuits(stockpile)
FRIDAY--Beef Pie(freezer/stockpile)
SATURDAY--Pork Chops with Plum Glaze(freezer), Noodles(stockpile), Mixed Veggies(freezer)
SUNDAY--Fish(freezer), French Fries(root cellar), Mixed Veggies(freezer)
SNACKS/DESSERTS--Pineapple and Applesauce(stockpile), Cookies(stockpile)

LAST WEEK'S FOOD SPENDING
With all the grocery stocking up and drug store expenditures, I am at $82.58 for the week(before rebates).  I am so well stocked now, I should be able to not spend anymore for the next 2 weeks which would finish off February.  I have Catalinas to spend from Price Chopper and Weis that will expire over the next 2 weeks, so I plan on using those to buy any additional foodstuffs we need like milk and fresh produce so we can ride out the rest of February.

FOOD WASTE REPORT
The leftover Chicken and Dumplings got pushed to the back of the fridge and forgotten so it went bad before I had a chance to feed it to the dogs.
Had to dump it out.....a big bowl.....sigh.....

Check out ORGANIZING JUNKIE to see what other Home Cooks are serving this week.

Sluggy

Walgreen's on Friends & Family Day.....2/12/10

I had gotten a $5 RR for buying more than $25 in one transaction a couple of weeks ago when I did the Pepsi/Chips Spend $20/Get $10 RRs Deal--though the Deal wouldn't work unless you spent $20.01 at the store here!
That RR was expiring on 2/12 so I printed off the 15% off coupon, grabbed my $19 in RRs(10Pepsi/5for Buying $25/2Vitaminstick/2Vitaminstick) and headed up to Wags after I hit the Weis Market across the street to roll my Cats.
Since I have 4 RRs, I'll have to buy at least 4 items to use them all in the same transaction.  If I use any coupons, I'll have to add an item to the order for each coupon I use.
The regular price is followed in bold print by the sale price I paid with the 15% discount.....

1 x Joint Juice Sticks on sale all month=$10.00/$8.50
1 x Schick Razor on sale all month?=$8.99/$7.64
1 x Lypsyl Lip Balm on sale all month=$2.99/$2.54
1 x Super PoliGrip on sale all month=$2.00/$1.70
3 x 3Musketeers Candy Bars on sale 3/$2=$2.00/$1.71
2 x OS Cranberry Juice $2.50=$5.00/$4.24
SubTotal.....$26.33

I have a total of $26.33 on 9 items.
I'll be using 1 cents off coupon....
1 x $1/1 Super PoliGrip=$1.00
And then I'll use all 4 of my RRs=$19.00 so a total of $20 off.
5 coupons/rrs vs. 9 items so the ratio works too.

There are 2 other 'deals' I'll use to bring my total lower.
There was an instant $1 off WYB 2 bottles of Ocean Spray=$1.00 off.
Plus there was a Wags store Q(store Qs don't count in your Q to item ratio) in the weekly flyer making the Candy Bars $.49 ea. which takes another $.24 off the total for the candy bars.

$1+$.24=$1.24 more in discounts.
Added to my $20 in RRs/Qs=$ 21.24 off.

$26.33-$21.24=$5.09+$.83 tax=$5.91 OOP
And I received more RRs....$10 Joint Juice, $3 Schick Razor, $2 Lypsyl, $2 PoliGrip, $1 Candy Bars=$18.00
And I can submit the Schick Razor for a full price rebate(2/7SS), turning this transaction into a $1.73 Moneymaker!

Questions?

Sluggy

What's Worth Buying this Week at Weis Markets...2/14-2/20

So let's see what's worth buying at Weis Markets this week.

They are doing the Weis Rewards again.  Now through March 20th, you get points for every dollar you spend.  Redeem your points for a discount on your order through March 27th.  Spend $200 to $399.99 and earn a 5% discount/Spend $400 to $599.99 and earn a 10% discount/Spend $600 to $799.99 and earn a 15% discount/Spend $800 or more and earn a 20% discount.

Like I've said before, I am NOT a fan of this reward program.  The customer really doesn't reap much of a cummulative reward in this deal.  (IE; Spend $400 over the reward period, earn your 10% discount on your next shopping trip.  So you spend $100 on your discount trip and get $10 off.  So you've spent $500 total and gotten $10 off.  Over all your shopping trips you realized a 2% Savings.
Whoopee.....
The only way to make this Weis Rewards program worth your time and energy is to...
A--Buy A LOT on that last trip where you get the discount.
B--Use TONS of coupons on the other trips(and the last trip too of course!)to bring your OOP down as low as possible.

Lots of Buy One/Get One deals this week.
 5lb. bags of Red Potatoes--2 for $2.29 is nice.
5 different bread products BOGO.  If you don't have a discount Bread/Bakery Outlet, this is a good deal.

Martin's Potato Chips are on sale for $2.  Buy 2, use the $1/2 ManuQ(1/31 Unilever insert-it's a regional Q) and pay $1.50 a bag.

All Detergent is on sale for $3.99.  Use the $2/1 ManuQ(2/7RP) and pay $1.99 for a bottle.

Scotties Facial Tissues are on sale for $1 a box.  Buy 5 boxes for $5 and use the $1/5 ManuQ(1/10SS) to pay $4 for 5 boxes....or use the $.50/3 ManuQ(2/14RP)and after doubling to $1, you'll pay $2 for 3 boxes.

Best meat deal is Bone-In Pork Lion End Roasts for .79¢ lb.

Mrs. Paul's Seafood is BOGO.  At least $5.98 for 2 packages.  There is also a "deal" this week...Buy 5 and get a $3 OYNO Catalina.  Seeing as these items are BOGO, you need to buy 6 not 5.  You'll pay at least $17.94 for 6 with the sale to get the $3 Cat.  I can't find any Qs for Mrs. Paul's so it's not much of a deal for the $3 Cat but a good price if you like the Mrs. Paul items anyway.

5 types of Kellogg's Cereals are on sale for $2.50 a box.  Buy 5 in one shopping order and you get an instant $5 off.  5 boxes would be $12.50 minus the $5 equals $7.50. There is a $1.50/2 IPQ at redplum.com, so you can use 2 Qs to bring your total down to $4.50 for 5 boxes.

Fiber One and Yo-Plus Yogurt is still on sale for $1.50.  Use the $1/1 Yo-Plus ManuQ(2/7GM or $.50/1 ManuQ(1/3GM or 1/24SS)doubled at Weis to $1 and pay $.50 each for these.

Dannon Activia or Danactive on sale for $2 a pack.  There are various ManuQ(1/10SS or 2/7SS) to bring this down to $1 a pack.

Selected Post Cereals on sale 3 for $4.  You must buy 3 to get this price. There is a $1/2 ManuQ(1/17SS) or go to HERE and get a $2/1 IPQ for the Raisin Bran.  Use one of each and pay $1 for 3 boxes or use 3 of the $2/1 adjusted down and pay ZERO for 3 boxes.

Small rolls of Grands! biscuits are $1.  Various value ManuQs out there on this item, most you need to buy 2 or 3 rolls.

Progresso Soups (Classics) $1 each.  Use the $.50/2(doubled)ManuQ to get 2 cans for $1.

No MUST BUYS as far as I'm concerned but a few nice prices.
After the last 2 weeks I am basically staying OUT of the grocery store except for necessities this week.

How about you?
Do you see a great deal this week at Weis?  Leave a comment and let us all know!

Sluggy

More Boring Weis Catalina Rolling Trips.....Yes, this is the Last Post!

Saturday was the last day for the Catalina Deals at Weis so I did 4 more transactions before calling it quits.  the 1st two transactions were done at a Weis Market south of here....the regular shelf prices were a bit lower in this town but luckily I noticed in time to make sure I have a high enough total in shelf prices to get the Cats.




Transaction #1

5 x Chef Michael Dry Dog Food  Shelf price $3.79=$18.95/Sale price $3.50=$17.50
4 x Nestle Hot Cocoa Mix  Shelf price $1.95=$7.80/Sale price $1.00=$4.00
3 x Carnation Evaporated Milk  Shelf price $1.19=$3.57/Sale price $1.00=$3.00
2 x Aquapod Water  Shelf price $2.50=$5.00/Sale price $1.00=$2.00
SubTotal....Shelf price $35.32/Sale price  $26.50   **Shelf needed to be over $35 this time.**

Coupons Used
5 x $2/1 Chef Michael Dry Dog Food ManuQ=$10.00
4 x $.50/1 Nestle Hot Cocoa Mix doubled to $1.00=$4.00
1 x $.50/2 Carnation Evaporated Milk doubled to $1.00=$1.00
1 x $10 OYNO Catalina from last transaction=$10.00
Coupon Total.....$25.00

$26.50-$25.00=$1.50+$1.05tax=$2.55 OOP
And received a $10 OYNO Catalina.





Transaction #2

4 x OEP Taco Seasoning  Shelf price $.85=$3.40/Sale price $.625=$2.50
2 x OEP Refried Beans  Shelf price $1.39=$2.78/Sale price $1.00=$2.00
4 x Pillsbury Crescent Rolls  Shelf price $2.19=$8.76/Sale price $1.66=$6.67
2 x Pillsbury RTB Cookies  Shelf price $3.39=$6.78/Sale price $2.50=$5.00
1 x Yo-Plus Yogurt  Shelf price=$2.59/Sale price=$1.50
1 x Choc. Cheerios Cereal  Shelf price=$3.59/Sale price=$2.50
1 x Wheaties Fuel Cereal  Shelf price=$3.99/Sale price=$2.50
SubTotal....Shelf price  $31.89/Sale price  $22.67 **Shelf needed to be over $30 this time.**

Coupons Used
1 x $.60/2 OEP IPQ doubled to $1.00=$1.00
1 x $1/2 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $.40/2 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls ManuQ doubled to .80¢=$.80
1 x $1/1 Pillsbury RTB Cookies ManuQ=$2.00
1 x $1/1 Yo-Plus Yogurt ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $.55/1 Choc. Cheerios Cereal IPQ doubled to $1.00=$1.00
1 x $.75/1 Wheaties Fuel Cereal IPQ doubled to $1.00=$1.00
1 x $10 OYNO Catalina=$10.00

Coupon Total.....$18.80

$22.67-$18.80=$3.87 OOP
And received an $8 OYNO Catalina plus a $4 OYNO Catalina(Pillsbury)& a $3 OYN Meat Purchase Catalina(OEP).

Then it was back to Teeny Tiny Town Saturday evening to finish up.....






Transaction #3

6 x Green Giant Veggie Steamers  Shelf price $2.50=$15.00/Sale price $2.00=$12.00
2 x Progresso High Fiber Soup  Shelf price $2.19=$4.38/Sale price $1.34/.33=$2.67
1 x Yo Plus Yogurt  Shelf price=$2.79/Sale price=$1.50
3 x OEP Refried Beans  Shelf price $1.45=$4.35/Sale price $1.00=$3.00
4 x OEP Taco Seasoning Mix  Shelf price $.89=$3.56/Sale price $.625=$2.50
SubTotal......Shelf price $30.08/Sale price $21.67  **Shelf price needed to be over $30 this time.**
1 x Ground Beef  4.81lbs.($6.15+$5.83)=$11.98
Total(using Sale price for Catalina items)......$33.65

Coupons Used

4 x $.40/1 Green Giant Veggie Steamers ManuQ doubled to $.80=$3.20
1 x $1/2 Green Giant Veggie Steamers ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $.50/2 Progresso Soup ManuQ doubled to $1.00=$1.00
1 x $1/1 Yo Plus Yogurt  ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $.55/2 OEP ManuQ doubled to $1.00=$1.00
2 x $3 Instant Discount Sticker on Ground Beef=$6.00
1 x $8 OYNO Catalina from last transaction
1 x $3 OYN Meat Purchase Catalina from last transaction
Coupon Total......$24.20

$33.67-$24.20=$9.45 OOP
I received an $8 OYNO Catalina and a $3 OYN Meat Purchase Catalina.(And I still have my $4 Pillsbury Cat which I didn't spend in this transaction.)







Transaction #4

4 x OEP Refried Beans  Shelf price $1.45=$5.80/Sale price $1.00=$4.00
2 x OEP Taco Seasoning Mix  Shelf price $.89=$1.78/Sale price $.625=$1.25
2 x OEP Taco Shells  Shelf price $2.29=$4.58/Sale price $1.25=$2.50
2 x BC Cookie Mix  Shelf $2.19=$4.38/Sale price $1.67=$3.34
4 x Pillsbury RTB Cookies  Shelf price $3.19=$12.76/Sale price $2.50=$10.00
1 x Pillsbury RTB Cookies  Shelf price $3.49/Sale price $2.50=$2.50
1 x Pillsbury Crescent Rolls  Shelf price $2.29/Sale price $1.67
SubTotal.....Shelf price  $35.08/Sale price  $25.26  **Shelf price needed to be over $35 here.**

Coupons Used
1 x $1/2 BC Cookie Mix ManuQ=$1.00
2 x $1/2 Pillsbury RTB CookiesManuQ=$2.00
1 x $1/1 Pillsbury RTB Cookies ManuQ=$1.00
1 x $.25/1 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls ManuQ doubled to .50¢=$.50
1 x $4 OYNO Catalina=$4.00
1 x $8 OYNO Catalina=$8.00
Coupon Total....$16.50

$25.26-$16.50=$8.76 OOP
And I received an $8 Catalina, a $4 Catalina and a $3 OYN Meat Purchase Catalina.

***********
Well, that is what was SUPPOSE to happen!
What actually happened was that the Taco Shells did NOT ring up at sale price and I ONLY got a $4 Deal Catalina instead of the $8 Catalina, along with the $4 Pillsbury and the $3 OEP Cats.
Looks like the Taco Shells either were not included in the eligible items for the Cat or they weren't coded right.  They were correct according to the ad, the shelf tag, etc. so I get to call Catalina tomorrow to see if they were included or not.  I may get my $8 Cat or I might not depending on what Catalina says.  Either way, the store screwed up(ad price not ringing up correctly)so I'll go back to the store and make Weis honor their "If it rings up wrong, you get it free" Policy.  At least I'll get my $4.58 back and get to keep the Taco Shells so it's all good.

Because of the Taco Shell problem, my OOP was $10.84 instead of $8.76.
After I get the $ back from Weis for the shells my OOP will be $6.26(after deducting the $2.50 the shells should have been.)
I did get the 2 $4 Cats and the $3 meat Cat so $11 in Cats, added to the 2 $3 meat Cats I still have for a total of $17 in Cats leftover.
No big loss on the $4 instead of $8 Cat if I don't get the $8 from the Catalina company, since I wasn't planning on rolling these Cat Deals anymore this week.

GRAND TOTALS for this Week's Catalina Deals
Value of  Items purchased....$339.64
Out of Pocket......$50.91
Catalinas Earned.....$119.00
Catalinas Used.....$102.00
Sales & Coupons Used.....$186.73
Savings of.....85% + $17 in Catalinas to spend

After the last 2 weeks of Catalinas I am going to take a well deserved break from grocery stockpiling.  I need to spend the next week in the garage putting away and organizing it all.

Sluggy