Dollar General Clearance Event Scores

The Big February clearance event at Dollar General this past weekend(50% off all clearance + anything with a clearance % off on the shelf also was another 50% off)meant I had to go poke around.
We don't have large DGs here and a lot was already gone when I got there Sat. am, the sale having started on Friday, but I did find a few goodies.............

4 x Herbal Essences coconut milk shampoo clearance price $2.25=$9.00
4 x Biore face scrub clearance price $1.50=$6.00
2 x U Kotex tampons 36 ct. clearance price $3.37 =$6.74
2 x DG razors 10 ct. clearance price .90¢=$1.80
1 x Thermacare lotion clearance price=$2.25
2 x Febreeze Car deodorizer clearance price $2.25=$4.50
SubTotal..........$30.29

2 x U Kotex pads 12 ct. clearance price $1.80=$3.60
1 x Solo bowls clearance price=$1.35
1 x DG 500 ct. paper napkins clearance price=$1.35
1 x Ajax dish soap 90 oz. jug clearance price=$2.23
1 x Little Tree 3 pack car deodorizer clearance price=$1.28
2 x Little Tree 1 pack car deodorizer clearance price .45¢=.90¢
4 x Bath Fizzy packs clearance price .45¢=$1.80
SubTotal...........$12.51

Grand SubTotal....$42.80

Coupons Used
1 x $6 when you spend $25 DigitalQ=$6.00
2 x $5/2 Herbal Essences items(1 ManuQ/1 DigitalQ)=$10.00
4 x $2/1 Biore face item ManuQ=$8.00
2 x $1/1 U Kotex tampons ManuQ=$2.00
1 x $1/1 Thermacare PeelieQ=$1.00
1 x $3/2 Febreeze items DigitalQ=$3.00
2 x $1/1 U Kotex pads ManuQ=$2.00
Coupon Total........$32.29

$42.80-$32.29=$10.51+.86¢=$11.37 Total OOP

The HE shampoo and the Biore items gave me $3 in overage after those Qs.  (4 x Herbal Essences @ $2.25=$9.00-2 x $5/2 Qs($10)= negative $1.00 and 4 x Biore @ $1.50=$6.00-4 x $2/1 Qs($8)= negative $2.00).
After Qs, the tampons were $2.37 each, the pads were .80¢ each, the Febreeze car deodorizers were .75¢ each and the Thermacare  lotion was $1.25(before applying a percentage of the $6 off when you spend $25).

The razors, the paper products, the Little Trees deodorizers, the bath fizzies and the jug of Ajax had no Qs and were all just on clearance.

The bath fizzies were a leftover Xmas item and will be heading into Giveaway boxes later this year.
I would have bought more of the Ajax dish soap if they had more than one because it was a great price for that size jug even without a Q!

The things I am keeping for our use-the car deodorizers, the Thermacare lotion, the Ajax dish soap and the paper napkins and bowls so that's $5.79 OOP from my grocery budget.
The Kotex items are for eldest son's GF and the rest are going into giveaway boxes later this year.

Did anyone else hit the Dollar General clearance sale and what did you find?

Sluggy

The Income & Spending Report.......February 2020 Edition

Now that we are living on an annuity and 401K$ withdrawals, I am still going to keep track of our monthly spending and income, and hopefully we'll still be able to live BELOW our means and I'll have some leftover monies each month to tuck aside.

  I am trying to be as transparent as I can with how much is coming in and how much is going out.  8-)

On to the February report---

I had 2 goals for February.......
The 1st is to actually finish the month in the black and not the red.
The 2nd is to try to have a little cash leftover at the end of the previous month to tuck back into a slush fund.  This slush fun may be to apply toward unforeseen bills that are coming due in subsequent months, to spend on "extras/wants" during the year or to just sit there and grow until the end of 2020.

I can report that we finished up February in the black.
The amount we ended the month of February with?.....$2,318.74

Income or Funds We Can Access

The "income" in February---

* Monthly annuity payment of $3,222.24(after tax withholding)
* RMSA(Healthcare account)reimbursement of $1,883.76
* Interest earned on non-retirement accounts of $593.42
* A small 401K withdrawal of $1,129.16(the Feb. part of the 1st quarter withdrawal)
Total "Income" for February....$6,828.58

Expenses in February---

* Healthcare Premium for February was $1,883.76(paid for with RMSA reimbursement)
* Variable Expenses in February came to $2,626.08
Total Expenses....$4,509.84

$6828.58-$4509.84=$2318.74

Slush into February $18,539.48 left in the Slush Fund to take into March with that $2,318.74 overage brings Slush to $20,858.22
The Slush Fund on it's Page(tab at the top of the blog)shows an addition of $2,318.74 for February.

Outgo

As for the variable expenses this February,  here are the good and the bad side of things....

HERE are the GOOD THINGS

*  Phone charges(landline-last bill)and internet were approximately the same as last month.(Within $2 or so)and the landline is not a bill any longer going forward. yay!
*  The electric bill was $26.95 lower than in January.
*  The WAM taken was $350.00 less than last month(due to taking cash for traveling to LA in Jan)
*  The main c/c bill was $986.94 less than in January(again, due to road trip expenses last month).
*  The gas bill was about the same as last month.

HERE are the BAD THINGS

*  The water bill was $5.88 higher than in January.
*  We wrote the sister in-law a check to help with her mom's funeral expenses.
*  The new cell phone bill was paid.  It was large so we need to wait to see what it settles down to before we make any changes there.
*  We paid the vet $445.23 to have Dixie spayed.  Thankfully this is a one and done situation. ;-)

The Food Budget costs for February are in another post, which is located HERE.  Food costs are included in the credit card payment(mainly but sometimes our WAM cash too).

FINAL THOUGHTS on February---

February's bills/expenses were nice and boring(except for that large cell phone bill I didn't see coming when we changed providers).  I was surprised that the heating bill was lower than January's bill.  Both months have been mild for PA weather-wise this year, but still.  The heating bill usually doesn't start going down until March but I'll take it as a win. lolz


THOUGHTS going forward into March 2020----

The $1K+ extra in March from the small piece of the 401K withdrawal we didn't apply to the HSA for 2019 tax purposes will give us a financial cushion into March bills, which includes 3 irregular bills-annual sewage, long term care quarterly premiums and county taxes for the year.  The sewage and taxes will be paid early as usual and we'll receive a small discount on those.  Every little discount helps keep more money in your pocket and I will gladly take advantage of them!  This February overage along with the piece of 401K withdrawal applied to March's income will cover all those irregular bills due plus extra leftover to carry over into April.
At that point we'll sit down and see if we need to make another quarterly withdrawal in the second quarter or not.

We will be receiving a small tax refund on our federal taxes but won't be counting on it for any expenses since it will most likely be used to cover what we owe in state taxes as PA for interest income and capital gains on the stock we sold.  No counting chickens until we know what we owe for that. ;-)

Financially we're in a good place going into March. 8-)

So how was your February financially?
  

Did you spend less than the income you had in February?
Did you stay within your budget or not?
What did you do with any money leftover at the end of the month?
Did you pay off any debts or put extra toward your mortgage principle or into savings, in an emergency fund or a retirement account?
Or did you blow it on a want?

If you posted your financial progress on your own blog, leave a link in the comments so we can go check out your progress too and celebrate or commiserate with you!


Sluggy

This Week on the Dining Table

The "Well That Was Weird" Edition................
Remember all that baby food I bought at Weis(PMITA)Markets last week?

The Gerber stuff(6 blue packages on the right and 4 glass jars w/green lids in the middle)was bought on Feb. 26th.
On Friday, Feb. 28th, when I went to get the Weis freebie item(a can of OJ concentrate)this printed out on the Catalina machine.........

$1 Cat for buying Gerber products.  A TWO DAY lag between purchase and getting a Catalina for that purchase? lol  I've never had that happen before(Catalinas are suppose to print out with the purchase!).  Has anyone else had this happen to them?
Not that I'm complaining....I'll gladly take $1 in free stuff but it was just strange.

Moving On....

Onward to the meal planning-

This is what was planned for last week.......

1. Sunday--Stuffed Jumbo Shells, Salad
2. Monday--Ex-CB birthday meal out
3. Tuesday--Chinese dinners(from freezer)

4. Wednesday--Leftovers

5. Thursday--Chicken Parm, Salad

6. Friday--Pork Teriyaki Stir Fry(and rice for some)
7. Saturday--Leftovers of FFY

And this is what actually happened--

1. Sunday--Stuffed Jumbo Shells, Salad
2. Monday--Ex-CB birthday meal out
3. Tuesday--Leftovers(I had soup)

4. Wednesday--Chinese dinners(from freezer)

5. Thursday--Leftovers(I had leftover Chinese and soup)

6. Friday--Leftovers again(I had Tuna Salad w/Crackers for Lunch, Jello for Dinner)
7. Saturday--Cheese Steak Sammies, Salad

Last week saw 3 nights of home cooked dinners, 3 nights of leftovers/FFY or TV dinners, and 1 night of Eating Out/Take-Out.
The Chicken Parm and Pork Teriyaki didn't happen, leaving the only planned meal that did happen being the Stuffed Shells and the frozen Chinese dinners.  Both of those meals move to this week.  I got a package of thin cut steaks on instant discount last week so we had Cheese Steak sammies as a meal instead for one of those that didn't happen.  We also had lots of leftovers for Hubs on those nights I didn't feel like eating/cooking so it's all good.

What got put into the freezer last week....
* 2 dozen meatballs
* a whole roaster chicken

What got taken out of the freezer and used.....
* 2 boxes of Chinese meals
* 1 box of Fried Rice

1 trip to Weis(PMITA)Markets this past week in the amount of $38.31 brings my February Grand Total spending on food to $406.39.
I've earned $93.54 in Ibotta rebates too in February.

My savings percentage last week was 50.69%(without Rite-Aid trips)and February's monthly savings total comes in at 49.43%(w/out R-A).  

I have 29 more food shopping/spending days in March.

Leftovers going into this week.....2 Pork Chops and some Stuffed Shells.  Not much left from last week but then again I only cooked 3 nights.

Here is this week's "food plan".....

1. Sunday--Take-Out Pizza, Salad
2. Monday--Chicken Parmesan, Garlic Bread, Veg
3. Tuesday--Pork Teriyaki, Stir-Fry Veggies

4. Wednesday--Clam Chowder, Biscuits or Cornbread

5. Thursday--Breakfast for Dinner

6. Friday--Salmon, Roasted Carrots, Mac and Cheese
7. Saturday--Leftovers of Fend For Yourself

What needs buying for this menu?
Nothing that I can see.  The Pork Loin, Salmon, Chicken Cutlets and frozen veggies are in the freezer already and the other items needed are in the pantry/fridge.

What is getting fixed and served at your house this week?

Was last week's plan successful, did you go off plan or did you not even plan what was going to be eaten last week?

Any great deals on food at your stores this week?  

Sluggy

The Food Spending Report......February Edition

Onward to February's food spending report.......

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for FEBRUARY 2020..

I have posted February's totals on the Total Grocery Savings Page located HERE and have updated the Totals there.
I am listing subtotals for each store I purchased from in February.  If you aren't interested in that much detail, just skip to the bottom for the Totals Sum.  My spending includes Food, Toiletries/HBA, Cleaning Products, Paper Goods & tax where applicable. We are a family of 4(3 at home this month). No "kids" under 24.
*****************

ALDI'S
OOP  $24.94
Value  $45.44
Savings  45.11%

BREAD OUTLET
OOP  $4.00
Value  $12.47
Savings  67.92%

DOLLAR GENERAL
OOP  $25.08
Value  $49.58
Savings  49.42%

MALACARI'S

OOP  $25.18

Value  $39.57

Savings 36.37%

OLLIE'S

OOP  $16.18

Value  $32.42

Savings 50.09%

PRICE CHOPPER

OOP  $24.15

Value  $51.12

Savings 52.76%

RITE-AID
OOP  $0.25
Qs/Ads/BC/GCard  $477.11
Value  $477.36
Savings  99.95%

WALMART
OOP  $48.92
Value  $77.99
Savings  37.27%

WEIS
OOP  $237.94
Qs/Ads  $257.10
Value  $495.04
Savings  51.94%

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid at 99.95%, the Bread Outlet at 67.92% and Price Chopper at 52.76%.   My worst savings rate was at Malacari's with 36.37%.
I shopped at 9 different stores in February.  About half of my food spending in February was done at Weis(PMITA)Markets.

TOTAL Spent........................................$406.39

TOTAL Coupons/Store Sales................$397.24

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased........$803.63

TOTAL Savings of ................................49.43%

TOTAL Out of Pocket for February w/R-A........$406.64
TOTAL Coupons/Store Sales w/R-A....................$874.35
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased w/Rite-Aid....$1280.99
TOTAL Savings with Rite-Aid items.....................68.26%

This closes out the February food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....
I went over my usual $400 monthly food budget in February by $6.64.  Not too bad considering I also earned $96.35 in cash rebates for February.
I wanted to spend in the $200 range but lots of Ibotta rebates and good deals were found in February.  No worries however as the total was still near my usual $400 budgeted for food.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went down by 10.72% in February 2020 to 68.26% compared to the January 2019 rate of 78.98% savings average.  I'm not worried though as a 78.98% rate is WAY high!  Anything above 40% is great in my book. ;-)

With 2 months accounted for, I have spent a Year-To-Date Total of $556.12 on food/toiletries in 2019.


2019 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$556.12

2019 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items....$1280.99

2019 Grand Total Saved...............................$874.35

2019 Yearly Savings Total............68.26%

The average per month amount spent is $278.18 in 2020.

LOOKING AHEAD To March 2020.............
Will try to keep food spending under $400, hoping to do a lot better than that though(depends on deals that happen or not in March).  No special things going on in March involving food-special meals to cook/holidays.  I am feeling up to eating things again other than soup and Jello so back to regular cooking/eating.

If you have other ideas or guidelines you follow please leave a comment and share yours with us all.

*  How much did you spend on food/toiletries in February?

*  Do you track your yearly food spending?

*  What was your savings percentage buying on sale and/or with coupons vs. buying at regular retail price last month, if you track that sort of thing?

*  What are your methods for keeping your food spending in check?

Is anyone out there up for tracking expenditures and trying to spend less but still eat well?


Sluggy

My Rite-Aid Haul Friday/Saturday

Here's what I bought on Friday at Rite-Aid............

2 x Irish Spring body wash
2 x Lady Speed Stick deodorant
2 x Crest toothpaste($3 on sale ones)
1 x Crest toothpaste expensive one
1 x Enrich Gillette beard/face wash
1 x Oral-B 2 pack toothbrushes
1 x Biscoff cookies/biscuits
Subtotal was $33.00 with my 30% off Q.

I  used $25.50 in assorted Qs so paid $7.50 in BC for all this.
But for some reason the $3 L2CQ for the expensive Crest toothpaste got booted off(I always have them print out a subtotal receipt to see if the L2CQS come off before I hand over my paper Qs)so I returned that and rebought it.
Total without that item was $27.41-$25.50 in Qs=$1.91.
I rebought that toothpaste after on it's own and the $3/1 L2CQ came off so it was $2.59.
$1.91+$2.59=$4.50 paid with Bonus Cash.

The Enrich Gillette face/beard wash was on the clearance table for $2.99 and I used a $2/1 ManuQ and it counts toward one of the Bonus Cash Challenges I picked.  One more item of Venus/Gillette before the end of March and I'll earn $5.25 in BC on that(I am up to $3.50 on that challenge for now.).
This transaction also put me at three transactions over $15(subtotaled)so I got another $5.00 in BC on that BC Challenge deal.
I've also got $3.49 in Oral-B cred toward that BC Challenge but not enough to hit one of the 3 levels to earn BC on that Challenge item yet.

I also earned $4 in new BC(2 x Crest $1, 2 x Irish Spring $1)so I "spent" down .50¢ in BC.

And here is what I bought on Saturday..........

3 x Pantene 30% off $3.49=$10.47
1 x Tide liquid on sale=$5.94
1 x Tide pods 30% off=$5.45
1 x Lady Speed Stick deodorant 30% off=$2.44
SubTotal......$24.30

Coupons Used
1 x $5/3 Pantene ManuQ=$5.00
2 x $2/1 Tide L2CQ=$4.00
1 x $2/1 Speed Stick In-AdQ=$2.00
1 x .50¢/1 Speed Stick IPQ=.50¢
Coupon Total.......$11.50

$24.30-$11.50=$12.80+.77¢=$13.57 paid for with Bonus Cash.
I earned back $10 in new BC(Spend $30 on select items/Get $10 BC).  In the end I "spent down" $3.57 today and .50¢ yesterday so $4.07 spent down in all this week at R-A.
Each of the three deodorants I bought were a .06¢ moneymaker so that was .18¢ in overage that applied to other non-moneymaker items in my transactions.  Hey, every little bit helps! ;-)

I also have a Tide Bonus Cash Challenge offer so I have earned $2.75 in BC buying these 2 Tide products as I spent over $11(before Qs/BC applied)on them.
I am up to $11.25 total earned on all my Bonus Cash Challenges to this point.($5 for 3 trips over $15, $3.50 for Gillette/Venus, $2.75 for Tide).

Not a bad week for Rite-Aid shopping.  I've got a little over $25 in BC on my card, spent enough that nothing is expiring in the next two weeks and I'll probably take next week off from R-A.

What did you buy during the 30% Friends and Family Weekend at Rite-Aid?


Sluggy