Represent NEPA, Spending Money Already in June & Get a Freebie!

NEPA is in da house!....NEPA aka "Northeast Pennsylvania" for those of you who don't live around here. ;-)
Represent y'all!!

My area is all abuzz this morning with excitement.  The winner of this year's Scripps National Spelling Bee was crowned last night and it happens to be a local girl!
Abuzz"......Spelling 'Bee'?
Get it?lol

One of our local papers sponsored her.
Read about it HERE.  They announced on the news at 5pm that she had qualified for the Final Rounds so I stayed up last night and watched the televised portion of the competition.
Yes, I am a nerd.....

I use to do well in spelling bees in school.  I even won some stuff for being a good speller.  Now that my kids are in school it doesn't seem like they value good spelling skills as much anymore...that's a pity!
#1 son was an excellent speller and #2 son was very good at that skill as well.  Daughter however, daughter who has educational awards up the ying-yang can't spell her way out of a paper bag.
Seriously.
But then again, Hubs can't spell either.....and he has a B.A from Johns Hopkins and a Masters from University of VA.....in ENGLISH!
LOLOL
This family's underachievers are excellent spellers and the overachievers suck at letters.....go figure.

After #2 son's orthodontist appt. the other day,  I found myself over by the local Health Food Store.  I have been meaning to get over there for months now since I am down to the last few grains of Celtic Sea Salt in the big bag I bought 2+ years ago.
I buy the coarse sea salt and grind it myself in my little ceramic salt grinder.
We were also out of local honey, so I picked more up.  I found the price of THAT has gone way up!
I also bought a bag of Himalayan pink salt to try.

My grocery budget is out $23.48 for these 3 items.
Dang!  I could shop at Rite-Aid for 3 MONTHS and NOT Spend THAT MUCH!!!lol


Speaking of Rite-Aid......
You know I couldn't stay away from Rite-Aid now, don't you?
I rolled about $15 in +Ups this week.....

2 Transactions at 2 different stores.
1 on my card, 1 on BIL's card.

2 x Renpure 'Poo on sale=$9.98
1 x Cella cherry w/wellness discount=$.26
SubTotal.....$10.24 +.02¢ tax=$10.26

No Qs used....eek!

I used $10 in +Up Rewards and put the .26¢ on my free Rite-Aid gift card.
I received $9.98 in +Up Rewards for the Renpure 'Poo.

Then I bought....
1 x Renpure(they only had 1 'poo left) on sale=$4.99
1 x candy bar on sale=$.50
SubTotal....$5.49 + .03¢ tax=$5.52

Again, no Qs were used.
I paid with $5 in +Up Rewards, put the .52¢ on the gift card and received $4.99 in +Ups back.

**FREEBIE ALERT**
 With the +Up Reward it gives, these Renpure products are FREE.

Here's a tip, if you aren't concerned with rolling +Ups and can just use getting this shampoo for free, get a raincheck for the 2 bottles that are the limit per person/account.

Your raincheck will have them marked as being free since you won't get an +Up Reward after Saturday!
And you have a whole 30 days for them to get more in stock to use the raincheck(or longer if your store extends how long you can use a raincheck if they are out of stock of it for 30 days).

2 bottles of shampoo or conditioner for FREE.....just for getting a raincheck.
Even if you don't shop there, this is worth going in and getting if you happen to drive by one!

THESE TRIPS
Number of Transactions.....2
Total Spent....$.78 (put on free Rite-Aid gift card)
Value of Items....$22.59
SCR qualified for...$0.00
Other Rebates earned...$0.00
Gift Cards earned....$0.00
+Up Rewards earned...$14.97
+Up Rewards spent.....$15.00
+Up Rewards left to spend.....$50.97  And I have $43.93 left on my gift card.


Rite-Aid GRAND TOTALS--JUNE Rebate Period so far

Number of Transactions......2
Total Spent....$.78 put on free Gift Cards/Certificates so ZERO OOP
Value of Items purchased....$22.59
SCR qualified for....$0.00
Other Cash....$0.00
Additional Rebates....$0.00
Additional Non-Cash Rewards....$0.00

+UPS Totals for June SCR period
+Up Rewards carryover from 5/28.....$51.00
+Up Rewards spent....$15.00
+Up Rewards earned....$14.97
+Up Rewards left....$50.97  includes ALL +Ups not just ones from this SCR period
 

Sluggy

What Food I Bought in May...A Big Boring List

My good blogging buddy Annie Jones over at Real Live Living  posts what she buys every month.  The way she tells it, it shows people that she really does get a lot of food for the little amount she spends each month.  You can eat well and still be frugal.
I think it's a good idea, especially to keep yourself accountable....accountable to what you are spending your food dollars on.
HERE  is her posted list for May.

So I thought this was a real good idea and decided to steal borrow her idea and post all the food I bought in May.

Before I show y'all the list, let me preface it with a couple of caveats so you don't think I regularly buy so much CRAP food. ;-)
Most of the candy was bought as "filler" items for Rite-Aid transactions....except the malted milk balls and the Dove chocies.  I am SO OWNING THAT! 8-)

The chips, whipped cream, cookies, burritos, pizza rolls and some of the ice cream and soda were bought in great numbers for the upcoming graduation party and to keep #2 son happy during the 1st part of the summer.  I don't usually buy some of that stuff and if I do buy it regularly I don't buy so much....unless it's free at Rite-Aid. ;-)

This list isn't necessarily what we "ate" in May since I stockpile, so we may have only eaten a few things(besides the obvious fresh produce).
But it shows you how far, buying on discount, bulk, sale and paring coupons and/or rebates with the deals you can make your money go.

Here's the food items, including pet foods, I bought in May for an out of pocket of $364.30.

MEAT, POULTRY AND EGGS

Boston Butt Pork Roast-4lbs.

Roast Beef Lunchmeat-1lb.

Turkey Breast Lunchmeat-2 lb.

Chicken Breast(split)-4.5 lb.

Bacon-1 lb.-6 packages

Hamburger Patties-2lb-3 boxes

SEAFOOD

Chopped Clams-1 can

VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

Blackberries-1.5 lb.

Yellow Squash-2.5 lb.

Apple Butter-1 jar

Watermelon-1

Bananas-1 lb.

Lettuce-2 heads

Creamed Spinach(frozen)-4 boxes

Brussell Sprouts(frozen)-4 boxes

Celery-1 bunch

Corn-10 ears

Tomatoes-2 lb.

Salad Mix-5 bags

DAIRY 

Ricotta Cheese-2lb.

2% Milk-2 gallon

2% Milk-1/2 gallon-2

Skim Milk-1/2 gallon-2

Cooper Sharp Cheese-5 lb.

Whipped Cream-3 cans

Ice Cream-7 containers

Eggs-3 dozen

Sour Cream-16 oz.-2

1lb. Butter-2

Margarine-3

PASTA, GRAINS, BEANS

Baked Beans-2 cans

Ravioli(frozen)-2 bags

BREADS

Pretzel Rolls-4

Pie Crust-2

Hot Dog Rolls-3

BAKING/COOKING STAPLES

Spray Oil-2 cans

CONDIMENTS/SPICES/HERBS

Ketchup-2 bottles

Mustard-1 bottle

SNACKS

Doritos-4 bags

Tostitos-3 bag

Potato Chips-11 bags

Cookies-4 bags

CANDY

Robin’s Eggs malted milk balls-1

Choc. covered Cherry-single pce.-2

Dove Chocolates-4 bags

Peeps-3 single boxes

Reese’s PB Egg-single-1

BEVERAGES

Apple Juice-7 bottles

100% Grape Juice-2 bottles

100% Juice Blend-2 bottles

Energy Drinks-8 cans

Instant Coffee-4 container

Juice Boxes-2 packs 

Iced Tea/Soda-single bottle-3

2 ltr. Soda-2 bottles
Soda-12 packs-8

PREPARED

Blue Cheese Dressing-1 gal.

Spaghetti Sauce-17 cans/jars

Tomato Paste-1 can

Canned Ravioli/Beefaroni-39 cans

Cinnamon Roll Whack Biscuits-3 tubes

Pizza(frozen)-2

Bagel Bites(frozen)-2 boxes

Hash Brown(dehydrated)-4

Pizza Rolls(frozen)-2 large bags

Suddenly Salad-4 boxes

Burritos(frozen)-7 bags

Nesquik Chocolate Powder-16

Nesquik Chocolate Syrup-8

Coffee-mate Powder-1 container

DOG FOOD

Alpo-14 cans

Mighty Dog-56 cans

Busy Bone(dog treat)-1

Dog Chow Kibble-17 lb-7 bags

May Budget Results......Food and Toiletries Spending

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for MAY 2011.

I have posted May's totals on the right side bar under Total Grocery Savings for 2011 and updated the Yearly Totals.
I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in May.  If you aren't interested in that much detail, just skip to the bottom for the Totals Summary.

My spending includes Food, Toiletries/HBA, Pet Supplies, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods & tax where applicable.We are a family of 5(4 at home this month)& 2 dogs. No kids under 15.
******************

CARONE'S(small local independent store)
OOP  $102.08

Qs/Ads  $89.40
Value  $191.48
Savings  46.69%

CVS
OOP  $.99
Qs/Ads $3.49
Value  $4.48
Savings  78%

DOLLAR TREE
OOP  $2.00
Value  $3.98
Savings  49.75%

GERRITY'S
OOP  $32.30
Qs/Ads $44.22
Value  $76.52
Savings  57.80%

KEYCO(restaurant supply store)
OOP  $37.80

Value  $70.36
Savings  46.28%

REDNER'S
OOP  $34.39
Qs/Ads $18.53
Value  $52.92
Savings  35%

RITE AID
OOP  $10.77 (whole amount put on free Rite-Aid Gift Cards)=$.00 actual OOP
Qs/Ads/+Ups  $729.89
Value  $740.66
Savings  98.55% before gift cards/ 100% savings after free gift cards

WEIS (local chain Grocery store that doesn't take IP Qs in my town/doubles up to $1 total)
OOP  $230.70
Qs/Ads  $274.24
Value  $504.94
Savings   54.31% & ended the month with $12 in Catalina Qs

I don't track Rite-Aid's +Ups here, nor CVS's ECBs & Walgreen's RRs. They will be included when used on purchases under "Coupons".   I'll keep track of what rebates are received monthly.  Rebate money/gift cards will be considered 'income' & will go into the Food/Toiletries budget, offsetting the Out of Pocket. Cash will go immediately into the Budget kitty, while Gift Cards will be calculated in when spent.

REBATE CHECKS RECEIVED IN MAY

Phillips Toothbrush....$10.00
Pinecone Research....$6.00
Rite-Aid SCR...$59.96
Subtotal........$75.96

GIFT CARDS and CERTIFICATES

Walmart Gift Card(from Giveaway)....$15.00

Subtotal....$15.00

TOTAL Value of Cash/Store Checks/Gift Card Rebates Received...$90.96

COUPONS and FREEBIES

Cottonelle....Free Item Q
Hard Rock Hotel...Water Bottle(from giveaway)
Suave....Free Item Q
Vocal Point....Cereal sample and Qs

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were from Rite-Aid at 100%,  CVS at 78% and Gerrity's at 57.80%.  I shopped at 8 stores in May.


TOTAL Out of Pocket...............................$440.26
TOTAL Coupons & Store Sales Savings...$1,205.08
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased............$1,645.34 with Rite-Aid figured in
TOTAL Savings of...................................73.25%

TOTAL of CASH Rebates........................$75.96

TOTAL Out of Pocket After Rebates........$364.30
TOTAL Savings including Rebates...........$1,281.04
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased............$1,645.34
TOTAL Savings After Rebates...................77.86%

Since my Rite-Aid shopping(which contains No OOP)always skews my savings percentages, I like to figure my Totals without the Rite-Aid numbers also.
TOTAL OOP after Rebates.....$364.30
TOTAL Value of Items Purchases(w/out Rite-Aid items)....$904.68
TOTAL Savings After Rebates(w/out Rite-Aid items).....59.74%
My food savings percentage seems to run about 50%-60% for the strictly food items only.
Those Rite-Aid purchases always boost up my savings total about 20% points.

This closes out the May spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month-
Obviously I went way over my $250 budgeted amount for food spending in May, even with the rebate checks added to my budget. I did the Weis Catalina deals as planned and stocked up at the restaurant supply store.  Plus some buying ahead for the graduation party in June(hamburger patties, chips, soda).

What's ahead for June.....
The relatives begin showing up on Sunday for the graduation.  I'll have more party buying to do and I'll be using lots from the freezer otherwise to feed them all.  The back end of the month will only have Hubs and I here to prepare meals for, so low spending those weeks will help balance the food budget out this month and I should be able to stay within or close to my self-imposed $250 limit.


How did you do in May with your Food Budget?
What are your challenges for June?  Any family coming to stay....or are you trying to figure out a food budget for a vacation?
Please leave a comment or link to your post and let us hear about your progress!  By sharing our struggles and efforts we can help each other stick to our budgets and learn to be better guardians of our resources.


Sluggy

I am So Embarrassed!.....I Have IAAA Syndrome

First some pretty flowers from the yard......

I have to confess that I am so embarrassed this morning!

Last night was the National Honor Society shindig at the high school.
You know, the night all the Type A, Overachiever Kids get together in the school auditorium and parade around for their Overcompensating Parents while the Windbag School Administrators talk on and on, having fun listening to themselves give speeches.

Can you tell I am not a fan of these type events? ;-)  Especially after going through this 2 years previous for this particular child.....

Anyway, Hubs, being out of town, meant I got to sit through this by myself, surrounded by other adults, most of whom didn't want to be there either, after they got the keepsake photos snapped of their particular offspring.
I would share photos of this oh so proud moment of mine but as I've said many times before, the lighting on the stage of the school's auditorium SUCKS donkey butt!
They can spend 1 Million Dollars of my tax dollars on a Football Field but they can't screw in a couple more light bulbs over the stage.
But enough of that now, where was I....where was I?
Oh yes........

For all the Senior Inductees, they put a slide up on the wall which has their name, the college they are going to be attending including what major they have chosen and a few of their accomplishments, any awards and scholarships won.  The slide information is read aloud while the coresponding student walks across the stage to receive their NHS medal.

I noticed that every single student was going to college.  I guess that is to be expected from this bunch, huh?lol
A few other factoids....
Only 4 of the 52 Seniors are going out of state.  There where many future Penn State and Pitt students among the number, but the vast majority of them were slated to go to schools in our community.....the "baby" Penns, the private schools of Wilkes U. & Kings College, Misericordia and Marywood, along with a slew of matriculates for the local Community College.  There were only 4 or 5 other grads besides my daughter going to attend one of the 14 affiliated state schools and no one else in this group will be attending her particular school of those 14 universities.
For some reason, this makes Daughter very happy.....
She does well in school but she is not a big fan of educational organizations either.   Sounds just like me, doesn't it?lol

Now for the embarrassing part--
As I was sitting outside waiting for Daughter to come pick me up with the car, a fellow parent couple started chit chatting with me.  He is a local businessman......he might be our insurance agent, I won't say.
We are making small talk like middle-class folks are want to do, and the subject gets to a certain part of the state, where #1 son attends college and this couple also use to live, regarding the brutal snowy winters in that area. 
And I am trying to bring up a story in my memory bank that someone told me about how the area next to that Great Lake, where this couple lived, gets less snow than the area further from the lake where #1 son lives away at school.  I am trying to remember who to attribute this story to and mistakenly say #1 son knows someone out there who told it to him originally.
Afterwords, after I've gotten into the car and we have driven a piece down the road, my brain kicks in and I realize that the person who had told me that story was the guy I was telling it to!
ACK. 
Most. Embarrassed. Ever.

Ok, so I blame the painkillers I took beforehand so my knees could get me to the event....
and the totally unseasonal, blisteringly, muggy heat of the last week that has short circuited my brain......
and my usual menopausal, muddled thought process and lack of short term memory.

I. Am. An. Ass.

An ass with a bright daughter, but an ass all the same.....

Sluggy

Get Up and Dance!

Here's something to get you over Hump Day.
This is one of my favorite renditions of this song.
Love this song.....

Sluggy