I don't normally post about my shopping trips, because I don't want my blog to become another one of those blogs all about deals. But I just had to post about my Kroger trip today because it was pretty good. And if you're skeptical of using coupons and stockpiling or if you just don't want to take the time to do it, I just have to say...it's worth it. It doesn't take that much time and in the end you will save your family LOTS! Here's the breakdown:


Transaction #1:

Milk $2.48
Kroger 24 pk Bottled Water $2.50
Tidy Cat 10lb Cat Litter $1.99 (Had $1.00 Coupon, but it had the Target emblem on it from printing it on their website and they wouldn't take the coupon)
(9) I Can't Believe it's Not Butter $1.49-$1.00 Qs
(3) Philadelphia Cream Cheese $1.49-$1.25/3 Q
(3) Pillsbury Toaster Strudels-(1) 35c Q and (2) $1.00 Qs-55c Cellfire Q
(3) French's Mustards $1.69-(3) 35c Qs
Kroger Italian Dressing $1.24
(3) Chex Mix Chocolate $1.99-(2) 50c Shortcut Qs-50c Cellfire Q-(3) 50c Qs
(2) Kroger Reusable Bags (1 insulated) (Not Pictured)
(5) Kraft Easy Mac & Cheese $1.00-$1.00/5 Q
(2) Solo Cups $1.99-$1.00 Q-75c Q
(3) Rotel $.90-(3) 30c Qs
Quaker Chewy Granola Bars $1.99-55c Q
(3) Fiber One Snack Bars-(3) 40c Qs-40c Cellfire Q
(2) Capri Sun $1.99-$1.00/2 Q
(2) Quilted Northern TP $5.99-(2) $1.00 Qs

-$20 Mega Sale Savings

Out of Pocket: $30.34 (But I'm using the Kraft Easy Mac & the Capri Sun for a $20 Kraft Rebate, so will get that back.)

Transaction #2:

(3) Chex Mix Chocolate $1.99-(3) 50c Qs
(3) Rotel $.90-(3) 30c Qs
(2) French's Mustard $1.69-(2) 35c Qs
Post Raisin Bran $2.69-$2.00 Q
(2) Kraft Easy Mac (for filler) $1.00

-$5.00 Mega Sale Savings

Out of Pocket: $0.28

Transaction #3:

Chex Mix Chocolate $1.99-50c Q
(3) French's Mustard $1.69-(3) 35c Qs
(2) Capri Sun $1.99-$1.00/2 Q (plus I'll get back more from the Kraft Rebate for these)
(3) Rotel $.90-(3) 30c Qs
I can't Believe it's not butter $1.49-$1.00 Q

Out of Pocket: $2.35

Total Out of Pocket for 66 items: $32.97 (minus what I'll get back on the $20 Kraft Rebate!)

That's 50 cents per item (and that includes Toilet Paper!!)! It's definitely worth it!

If you want to start couponing and/or stockpiling there are numerous resources to help you get started!

For Walgreens, CVS, Wal-Mart & Target I watch these blogs to find out their weekly deals:

http://www.stlmommy.com/
http://www.nicolesnickels.com/

For Kroger I usually watch these blogs:

http://jane4girls800dollarannualbudget.blogspot.com/
http://katycouponers.blogspot.com/

But you can also get deals for all of these stores in forums on these two couponing websites:

http://hotcouponworld.com/
http://www.afullcup.com/