This Week on the Dining Table

 The "Still Shaking My Head" Edition....

Sometime in November I saw these industrial sized rolls of toilet paper being sold in Weis(PMITA)Markets.  They look to be the size you find in public restroom stalls in those oversized roll holder machines.  They labeled their signage, "Never Ending Bathroom Tissue". lolz  I actually had Hubs go back the next day and buy two(incidentally, by the end of the week they were all gone), one to tuck away for us and one to put in a gift bag to give Ex-College Boy as a joke for a Xmas gift.  When he was younger he could certainly "go" through a tp roll per trip to the bathroom and also "blow" through an entire box of facial tissue for his nose. 

We ALL thought it was a funny gift, except Ex-CB..... ;-)

Onward to the meal planning!

Moving On....

This is what was planned.....

1. Sunday--Chinese Take-out

2. Monday--Petite Steaks, Baked Potato, Sugar Snap Peas

3. Tuesday--Fend for Yourself

4. Wednesday--Chicken Marsala, Mashed Taters, Brussels Sprouts
5. Thursday--Beef Teriyaki Stir-Fry w/Ramen

6.  Friday--Take-out Pizza, Caesar Salad

7. Saturday--Sloppy Joes, Carrots(or Tacos/Taco Salad)

And this is what really happened.......

1. Sunday--Chinese Take-out

2. Monday--Petite Steaks, Baked Potato, Sugar Snap Peas

3. Tuesday--Fend for Yourself

4. Wednesday--Chicken Marsala, Mashed Taters, CA Mix veggies
5. Thursday--Beef Teriyaki Stir-Fry w/Ramen

6.  Friday--Take-out Stromboli, Caesar Salad

7. Saturday--Cheeseburger on roll, any leftover veggies

Last week saw 4 nights of home cooked dinners, 1 night of leftovers/planned overs, FFY, and 2 nighs of Take-Out.   

What got put into the freezer last week....

*  2 packs of hot dogs(Ex C-B took 2 more home)

*  3 lbs. of cooked Ground Beef

*  2 Lean Cuisine meals(I ate the 3rd one already for a lunch)

What got taken out of the freezer and used...

*  bag of stir-fry veggies

*  a pack of thin sliced chicken breast

*  2 small steaks

*  bag of sugar snap peas

*  box of CA Medley veggies

This month is going to be all about taking more OUT of the freezer than putting IN the freezer.  I'll also be going through canned/boxed goods to see what we should be using now versus later.

We spent $72.00 on food/toiletries/HBA/paper goods last week.  $39.11 and $13.46 on 2 different trips to Weis, $14.87 at P and R discounters and $4.56 at Dollar General. This bring our food/toiletries/paper goods Total to $85.99 for January.

There are 20 shopping days left in January.

I've earned $64.52. on Ibotta in January.

I've earned $00 on Checkout51 in January.

I've earned $00 on Coupons dotcom/Paypal in January.

I've earned 75 points from shopping on Fetch in January.

I've earned 0 point from food shopping on Shop Kick in January.

I've earned 0 points from food shopping on Swagbucks in January.

My savings percentage for last week was 58.39%(without "regular" Rite-Aid trips)for January and the monthly savings total for January comes in at 66.37%.(w/out R-A). 

Leftovers going into this week--2 portions of Chicken Marsala, a container of Mashed Taters, 2 heaping portions of Beef Noodle Stir-Fry, 1/8 of the pan of mac and cheese.

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

1. Sunday--Beef and Mushroom Stroganoff over leftover Mashed Taters, Sauted Green Beans

2. Monday--Salmon, Brussels Sprouts, leftover Mac and Cheese

3. Tuesday--Leftovers

4. Wednesday--Broccoli Cheddar Soup
5. Thursday--Beef Pie(Hubs cooking)

6.  Friday--More Leftovers

7. Saturday--Subway or Leftovers(depending on how much of the Leftovers Hubs eats for lunches)

What needs buying for this menu? Nothing at all.  That doesn't mean I won't be going to the grocery store but I hope not to. ;-)

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

Weis Markets on Friday & Dollar General on Saturday

I broke my resolve for a low spend week this past week.  I went to Weis on Friday for their one day sale on Ground Beef for $1.99 lb.  

Plus the Ibotta Weekend Warrior $3 Bonus on 6 offers was just too good to resist doing.  I already had 1 offer toward it by getting the Nivea men's balm the second time at R-A last week so I only had to do 5 more offers for the Bonus and I had some good coupons to pair with it.  ;-)

2 x Dove clearance shampoo/conditioner($1.89)=$3.78
3 x Lean Cuisine dinners $2 ea. wyb3=$6.00
1 x Truvia sweetener=$3.79
1 x Campbell's slow kettle soup on sale=$2.00
1 x Quaker oatmeal cup=$1.00
1 x Jif peanut butter(not an Ibotta offer)on sale=$2.00
Subtotal.........$18.57

Coupons Used
1 x $1/1 Dove item Weis digitalQ=$1.00
2 x $1/1 Dove hair product IPQ(emailed link by company)=$2.00
2 x Free Item Q from manufacturer(cashier took off full $3.99 value)=$7.98
1 x $1.50/1 Truvia ManuQ=$1.50
1 x .75¢/1 Jif digital Q that doubled=$1.50
1 x .50¢/1 Jif IPQ that doubled=$1.00
Coupon Total........$14.98

$18.57-$14.98=$3.59 OOP.

Ibotta offers submitted for......
2 x $1 Dove=$2.00
1 x $1 LC power bowl=$1.00
1 x $1.50 Truvia=$1.50
1 x $2.49 Campbell's slow kettle freebie=$2.49
1 x .25¢ Quaker oatmeal cup=.25¢
Total........$7.24+$3 Weekend Warrior Bonus=$10.24 back on my $3.59 spending.

With my other non-Ibotta spending at Weis that receipt came to $13.46(ground beef, a pancake mix cup-got .10¢ any pancake item on Ibotta for that too unexpectedly, and 2 cucumbers).  Even with ALL my spending at Weis(PMITA)Markets on Friday after sales/Qs/Ibotta everything in the order came to $3.22 so I'll take that win! 8-)

I also went to Dollar General on Saturday.  I didn't need/have to but they had some good digital Qs and a $5 off $25 shopping trip Q.  This is also the ONLY store that sells cinnamon toothpaste around here(love it!)and a few digital Q were glitching(making some things a better deal)so I caved.......

2 x big Goldfish containers=$7.00
1 x Powerade=.95¢
2 x Gold Peak tea=$3.20
1 x Crest cinnamon toothpaste=$3.00
1 x Mucinex sinus 8 pack=$5.50

1 x Air Wick starter kit=$3.50

1 x Centrum vitamins=$5.25

Subtotal......$28.40

Coupons Used

1 x $5/$25 DGQ=$5.00

1 x $4/2 Goldfish DGQ=$4.00
1 x $1/3 Coke single beverages DGQ=$1.00
1 x BOGOFree Gold Peak DGQ=$1.60
1 x $2/1 Crest toothpaste DGQ=$2.00
1 x $5/1 Mucinex DGQ=$5.00
1 x $2.50/1 Air Wick item ManuQ=$2.50
1 x $4/1 Centrum DGQ=$4.00

Coupon Total.......$25.10

$28.65-$25.10=$3.30+ tax on the AirWick OOP
I had to add the Air Wick because I was .10¢ short of $25 otherwise so wouldn't have gotten the $5 off the total order.

The Powerade, Goldfish crackers and Mucinex will go to Ex-College Boy.  We can always use more vitamins(I was almost out anyway)and the Air Wick will go up in the guest room to be used.  Toothpaste goes into my personal stash. ;-)

BTW-that Gold Peak blueberry tea was pretty good(you can see I had already drank one before I got a photo..lol).  A bit sweet so I'll cut the other one with unsweetened tea before I drink it. 8-)

I spent a tad more than I planned on for the week but I got great value for my $$s so I'm ok with how the week's spending turned out.

What deals are on your radar this coming week?
I need to go to CVS this week(ECBS expiring...bleh)so if you know of any deals there let me know! lolz

Sluggy

Rite-Aid Trip This Week

 I found a few deals with week at Rite-Aid........

4 x Nivea shave stubble balm on clearance $3.99=$15.96(no Qs used)
8 x Freeman masks assorted types B2G2Free=$8.76(no Qs used)
Subtotal of $24.71=2+$1.53 sales tax=$26.94 paid for with Bonus Cash.

I earned back $14 in new BC(2 x $3 Nivea, 2 x $4 Freeman).  I submitted the 4 Nivea items to Ibotta for 4 x $2.50 rebate so another $10 back in cash so all that for $2.94.

Then I did on another card...
2 x First Health "Safe Key" on clearance $1.57=$3.14+.20¢ sales tax=$3.34 paid for with Bonus Cash.
I earned back $8 in BC(2 x $4 Safe Key)so this was a nice moneymaker!

Then I did the Freeman masks Deal again on another card so $8.76+.53¢ sales tax=$9.29 paid for with Bonus Cash.
I earned back $8 in BC(2 x $4 Freeman)so "spent down" $1.29 for 8 more masks.

Not pictured I did the Freeman mask Deal a third time and the Nivea stubble balm Deal a second time.  Paid $26.94 in BC again,, got back $14 in new BC and another $10 back on Ibotta for the Nivea.

I didn't find anymore Safe Keys at other stores this week but I'm full up on Freeman masks for Giveaways now. lol

Supposedly there will be $10 off when you spend $40 Rite-Aid Qs in the flyers next week and an online version you can print if your store ads don't have it.  R-A may also email you the coupon if they communicate with your account via email so look for that.  The sales ad next week is 4 whole pages so I hope we can find enough deals in there to make it worthwhile to use that $10 off $40 Q.

Sluggy

Frugal Friday 2021.....the January 8th Edition

 Not much qualified as frugal this past week here at Chez Sluggy.  Here are our few wins for the week....

*  My sleep doc decided it was time to replace my BiPAP machine seeing as mine has seen almost 7 years of service.  I contacted my DME supplier BEFORE 2020 ended and our deductible reset to Zero.  With the gallbladder surgery we had exceeded the maximum OOP for our health plan.

Here's my shiny new machine which is much quieter than my old clunker.  OOP for us was $0.  This model retails for over $2K.  

The old clunker still works so that will be kept as a backup/travel machine(if we ever get to go anywhere again).

*  Here are some of the best "deals" recently using sales/coupons/Ibotta/Shopkick.......

Most are from December but I had to wait until January for some of them to "process".

Froot Loops Jumbo Snax $4. at Walmart.  Used a $1/1 Q, got back

2 Suave Professionals were $3.96 at Walmart.  Got $4.80 back at ShopKick with a Bonus.

1 Find Your Happy Place hand soap was 50% off at $1.98 at Walmart.  Got $3.60 back at ShopKick.

1 Apple Jacks Jumbo Snax box was $4.  at Walmart.  Used a $1/1 Q and got back $2 on Ibotta and $1.40 on ShopKick.  I did this deal 3 times as it reset for me 2 more times.  I also earned 2 Ibotta Bonuses-$1 for buying 2 Jumbo Snax and .50¢ for buying 3 Kellogg's items(I guess Jumbo Snax qualified?)

I did the Deep Dish and Large Plate Dixie plates twice at Target at a cost of $3.19 each(.10 cheaper than Walmart).  I used 2 x .75¢/1 Dixie IPQs on the first set and earned back $3 on each of 4 packs on ShopKick so $12.76-$1.50 qs=$11.26-$12=better than free plates.

The larger Dollar Shave Club pack was $7.44 at Walmart and I earned $5 back on ShopKick.

The smaller Dollar Shave Club pack was $4.94 at Walmart and I earned $2 back on Ibotta.

The Quaker oatmeal cup was .98¢ at Walmart and earned .25¢ back on Ibotta.

The Persil laundry packs were $4 at Walmart.  I used a $1/1 IPQ and earned $2 back on Ibotta.  I did this on 2 different trips and earned the Persil $2 Bonus too.

The Tazo tea bottle was a freebie after Ibotta rebate of $1.68.

More Persil and the other set of Dixie plates.

Also I did the Afrin deal on 2 different trips after it reset.  $4.98 at Walmart, used $1/1 IPQ, got back $2 on Ibotta and $4 on ShopKick.  Rinse and repeat.

Scott tissue triple soft .86¢ at Walmart and earned .50¢ on Ibotta. I'll take facial tissue for .36¢ all day long.

Dog biscuits were $4.98 at Walmart and I earned $1.50 on Ibotta and $2.40 on ShopKick.  Having that ManuQ for it would have been better but we don't get any RetailMeNot inserts here in our newspapers.

Purex was $4.47 at Walmart and I used a $1/1IPQ and earned back $1.50 on Ibotta.  I think there was a Purex Bonus involved too but I can't remember at this point.

The Mentos gum was $3.12 and I earned back $1 on ShopKick. and $.50¢ on SwagBucks.

The Poise pads were $4.84 at Walmart, I used a $2/1 IPQ and earned back $3 on Ibotta.  I did this moneymaker deal a few times in December.

I bought Delsym twice, once at Walmart and again at Target after this offer reset.  The Walmart price was $9.88 and I used a $4/1 IPQ and got back $4 on ShopKick and $2 on Ibotta.  When I bought it again at Target I paid $7.51(Target Circle discount), used a $4 IPQ, got $2 from Ibotta and the ShopKick rebate was doubled at $8!

I also bought Hubs a bottle of "Simply Almond" at Target.  I was $3.99 and had a full $3.99 rebate on Ibotta for it plus the bottle had a .75¢ Peelie Q so I was paid .75¢ to cart this home! 8-)

I also found lbs. of Ground Beef packs on the Xmas eve trip to Target marked down to $1.49 each.

Lots of Ibotta Bonuses too in December.  It was a very lucrative month to be a rebater/couponer. 8-)

That's just some of the awesome rebates/Qs from the end of December.

*  I'll post about this week's Rite-Aid deals on Saturday(if the computer cooperates)but here is my first refund on the year courtesy of the Rite-Aid across from the discount grocery outlet....

I bought 4 Nivea men's products on clearance for $3.99 each there.  After she finished the transaction I looked at the receipt and the cashier has rung up 5 of them by mistake so this $4.23 cash refund actually was turning Bonus Cash(which I used here)back into cash.  Nice.

*  I hit the after Christmas clearances at Walmart/Target/Rite-Aid.....

                                                    

This all I can show you from Target since most of what I got that isn't in the photo was for gifts.
Xmas themed hand soap and lotion, holiday gift bags and then a small bag of meltaway HF mints and a cannister of fruits and nuts for a charcuterie board/tray for moi.  All this as 50-70% off depending on what it was.  But even better, I used gift cards bought on discount 2 years ago to pay so no OOP now. ;-)

*  I hit the discount food outlet on Thursday since it is across the street from a Rite-Aid. ;-)

.

Uncured sheshe hot dogs were $1.99 pack.

Bag of fresh steam-in-bag green beans were .59¢

Bag of Romaine Hearts was .79¢

Bag of Carrots was .59¢

Also got Tomatoes on the Vine for .59¢ lb. and Hubs a gallon of Almond Milk for $1.99.

This is the place that puts out "freebies"(mostly overstocks they can't sell or just out of or short dated items)for those who spend something in the store.  Here's what I got for free too.....

2 x Organic quart of milk

2 x bag of Croutons

4 x Hebrew National fat-free hot dogs

Those hot dogs are $5.49 at my Weis(PMITA)Markets

*  I found money!
Starting off the new year right I spied a penny by the bag holders on a self-checkout at Weis ](PMITA)Markets on my trip Tuesday.......

Then I saw a penny smiling up at me on the floor in the foyer at Weis as I left the building.

Then I found a penny on the floor in front of the pharmacy counter at Rite-Aid later that same day.

 

I hit up another Rite-Aid on Thursday and found this penny under the rack where they keep/sell the newspapers.

A slow start to 2021 but a start nonetheless. ;-)

Total Found This Week.... .04¢

Total Found This Year.... .04¢

*  Hubs thinks he can fix the fridge instead of having to buy a new appliance.  It's the gasket that sealed the freezer door that's broken so I Youtube'd what the fix is and Hubs found the replacement part.  Cross your fingers it gets here(coming from CA!)and then that we can fix it.  I'll call a repairman to install the part if we can't do it(not very handy over here)which will still be cheaper than purchasing a new fridge.

That's about all I can think of that was frugal lately.

What frugal wins happened in your world lately?

Let us all know!

Sluggy

2020 Food Spending Report.....the December Edition & Yearly Wrap Up

Onward to December's Food Spending report & the Yearly Wrap-Up on Food Spending........

Here are my FOOD BUDGET spending totals for DECEMBER 2020.

I have posted December'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 December.  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(2-3 at home this month). No "kids" under 24.
*****************

ALDI'S
OOP  $23.34
Value  $39.27
Savings  40.57%

BREAD OUTLET
OOP  $4.98
Value  $23.55
Savings  78.85%

CVS

OOP  $3.23
Qs/Ads/ECBs  $107.97

Value  $111.20

Savings 97.09%

DOLLAR GENERAL

OOP  $18.96

Qs/Ads  $38.79

Value  $57.75

Savings  67.17%

MALACARI'S
OOP  $11.20
Value  $16.97
Savings  34.01%

OLLIE'S
OOP  $8.95
Value  $13.64
Savings   34.38%

P and R DISCOUNTS
OOP  $15.04
Value  $40.90
Savings   63.23%

RITE-AID
OOP  $0.00
Qs/Ads/BC  $862.67
Value  $862.67
Savings  100%

SHARP SHOPPER  

OOP  $39.79

Value  $62.88

Savings  36.72%

TARGET

OOP  $0.00

Value $29.53

Savings  100%

WALMART
OOP  $115.50
Value  $231.81
Savings  50.18%

WEGMAN'S

OOP  $2.40

Value  $7.94

Savings  69.77%

WEIS

OOP  $234.24

Qs/Sales  $194.28
Value  $428.52
Savings  45.34%

*********************
My best 3 Store Savings Totals were Rite-Aid at 100%, Target at 100% and CVS at 97.09%.   My worst savings rate was at Malacari's with 34.01%.
I shopped at 13 different stores in December.  That's a high number of stores for me.

TOTAL Spent.........................................$474.43

TOTAL Coupons/Store Sales.................$589.53

TOTAL Value of Items Purchased........$1063.96

TOTAL Savings of ................................55.41%

TOTAL Out of Pocket for December w/R-A........$474.43
TOTAL Coupons/Store Sales w/R-A....................$1452.20
TOTAL Value of Items Purchased w/Rite-Aid....$1926.63
TOTAL Savings with Rite-Aid items.....................75.38%

This closes out the December food/toiletries spending.

THOUGHTS & COMMENTS for this month.....
We spent almost $75 over my food budget for December.  This included all special Holiday foods as well.  Given Covid-19 I am not too surprised the total was over $400 and glad it wasn't over $500.

The monthly food spending savings percentage went DOWN by 8.93% in December 2020 to 75.38% compared to the November's 84.31% savings average.
Black Friday R-A sales made November better than December, as it does most years. 

With 12 months accounted for, I have spent a Year-To-Date Total of $4714.40 on food/toiletries in 2020.

2020 Yearly Grand Total Spent....................$4,714.40

2020 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items....$16,040.69

2020 Grand Total Saved...............................$11,326.29

2020 Yearly Savings Total............70.61%

The average per month amount spent is $514.43 in 2020.

Now let's add all my small pots of monies I save throughout the year to put toward groceries....refunds and "post coupons"($126.98) as well as various cash back apps--Ibotta($1255.49), Saving Star($52.75), Coupons dotcom app($23.50)and the change part of the Found Change for 2020($14.55). 

Add my small economies pots totaling $1,473.27 into my Food /Toiletries Spending Budget and the spending goes to....

2020 Yearly Grand Total Spent............$3,241.13
2020 Yearly Grand Total Value of Items...$16,040.69
2020 Grand Total Saved..............$12,799.56
2020 Yearly Savings Total........79.79%

The average per month amount spent is $270.10

LOOKING AHEAD To January 2021.............

Perhaps we'll stay home/out of the food stores and eat down except for needing fresh veg/dairy.
Let's see how little I can spend in January on groceries.  


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 December?

*  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