Thriftway Match (3/30-4/5)

Last week I had a busy Spring break and have the Spring break hangover (meaning I haven't gotten back to regular schedule yet!). This weeks matches are different, I only did matches that I KNOW is a good deal- something is better than nothing! Next coupon class will be in Carbondale on April 26th. If you need help couponing, just ask. If you have a particular question you want answered in detail I can write a blog about it to share. I'm thinking the next one should be meal planning (or lack there of :)

These are all of the local coupon match ups for our local rural Thriftways. [Most rural Thriftways WILL NOT accept internet printables!]  (If you want to know exactly where the coupon comes from- look on moneysavingmom coupon database). The matches posted here are just that- matches. They might not be a great deal, but using a coupon will save you money if you were planning on buying them anyway or have to buy locally.  There are many other deals every week that do not require coupons however because of time I will not post those (except produce). Please feel free to comment on things I have missed or great deals you've scored this week.

4 Day Sale (3/31-4/3)
Robert's Cottage Cheese - $1.79
.40/1 coupon
Doubles to .50/1
Final Price: $1.29

PANTRY

Kraft Homestyle Macaroni & Cheese- $2.00
$1/2 coupon from the Spring Essentials Flyer
Final Price: $1.50each wyb2

DAIRY/FROZEN/ REFRIGERATED ITEMS
Roberts Orange Juice 1/2 Gallon- $1.99
.30/1 coupon
Doubles to .50/1
Final Price: $1.49

Blue Bunny Ice Cream- $2.99
.75/1 coupon from Sprin Essentials Flyer
Final Price: $2.24

PRODUCE

Green Seedless Grapes - $1.17/lb
Cantalope - $1.50 (good price for the season)

Thriftway Match (3/16-3/22)

Next Coupon Class at Overbrook Library on March 18! If you can't make it this date the next one at the Carbondale Library on April 26th. Great new sale going on at Dillon's (March into Savings!). Happy Shopping this week!

These are all of the local coupon match ups for our local rural Thriftways. [Most rural Thriftways WILL NOT accept internet printables!]  (If you want to know exactly where the coupon comes from- look on moneysavingmom coupon database). The matches posted here are just that- matches. They might not be a great deal, but using a coupon will save you money if you were planning on buying them anyway or have to buy locally.  There are many other deals every week that do not require coupons however because of time I will not post those (except produce). Please feel free to comment on things I have missed or great deals you've scored this week.

Time to Grill! 4 Day Sale (3/17-3/20)

Bar S Franks - .99
$1/2 wyb 16 oz Franks or Bologna
Final Price: .49each wyb2!!

Bar S Bologna - .99
$1/2 wyb 16 oz Franks or Bologna
Final Price: .49each wyb2!!

Betty Crocker Helper Entrees - $1.25
.75/3 coupon
Final Price: $1.00

Kingsford Charcoal - $6.99
Spring Essential Coupon - Free KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce with purchase
Final Price: $6.99 for both

Kingsford Matchlight Charcoal - $8.99
Spring Essential Coupon - Free KC Masterpiece BBQ sauce with purchase
Final Price: $8.99 for both

PANTRY

StarKist Chunk Light Tuna Pouches - $1.25
$1.50/3 or .75/2
Final Price: $.75each wyb3 or .88each wyb2

DAIRY/FROZEN/ REFRIGERATED ITEMS

Pillsbury Grand's Biscuits- .97
.30/1, .30/2, .40/3 coupons
Doubles to .50/1, .50/2 or .50/3
Final Price: .47/1, .72/2, or .81/3

Roberts Sour Cream or Dips - $1.50
.30/1 coupon
Doubles to .50/1
Final Price: $1.00

Pillsbury Cresent Rolls - $2.50
.30/1, .30/2, .40/3 coupons
Doubles to .50/1, .50/2 or .50/3
Final Price: as low as $2

Wanchai Entrees - $5.99
$1.50/1 coupon
Final Price: $4.49

Reames Noodles - $2.00
.55/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.45

Yoplait Yogurt - .50
.40/6 coupon
Doubles to .50/6
Final Price: $2.50 total wyb6

Toaster Strudel - $2.00
.50/2 coupon
Final Price: $1.25 each wyb2

Blue Bunny Ice Cream- $2.99
.75/1 Spring Essential coupon
Final Price: $2.24

MEAT

Farmland Sausage or Franks - $2.99
.55/1 coupon
Final Price: $2.49

HOUSEHOLD

Cottonelle Bath Tissue (6 Double Rolls) - $4.49
.50/2 coupon
Final Price: $4.24each wyb2

HEALTH

Scope Outlast Mouthwash - $3.99
$1/1 or .75/1 coupon
Final Price: $2.99

Thriftway Match (3/9-3/15)

The next coupon class is coming up on March 18th at 6:30 at the Overbrook Public Library. Please let us know ahead of time if you plan on attending. This class will be basic strategic couponing and is hosted by Amanda from Osage County Clippers and Krystal (me!) from seasonsofsavings.blogspot.com. Mark yourself as attending on our Facebook Invite! If you are still needing help getting on the right track, please feel free to ask questions- I still have Dr. Pepper.

Another big Best Choice sale so no much for me to blog about. Remember that if you have to get something and do not have a coupon- try generic! It will save you money and usually the product is not to different than its name brand counterpart. 

I wasn't able to head to town to go to Dillon's so I sent the hubby. I think he did a fantastic job. He even went to Wal-Mart after and used coupons there (without a list!)- he even took the box into Dillon's. He's amazing, so glad we are on the same page with couponing and saving!

Total was $12.18 (an 84% savings) Only thing the kids want to eat (since they've been sick)
is cereal, so hopefully they get better and won't keep using 5 boxes a week!

These are all of the local coupon match ups for our local rural Thriftways. [Most rural Thriftways WILL NOT accept internet printables!]  (If you want to know exactly where the coupon comes from- look on moneysavingmom coupon database). The matches posted here are just that- matches. They might not be a great deal, but using a coupon will save you money if you were planning on buying them anyway or have to buy locally.  There are many other deals every week that do not require coupons however because of time I will not post those (except produce). Please feel free to comment on things I have missed or great deals you've scored this week.

PANTRY

Kellogg's Cereal - Various (50% off)
$1/2 or $1/3 coupon
Final Price: Varies

Kellogg's PopTarts- Various (50% off)
$1/2 or $1/3 coupon
Final Price: Varies

Keebler Cookies - Various (50% off)
.55/2 or .55/1 (regional coupon)
Final Price: Varies

Campbell's Soup - $1.00
.40/1 Great for Cooking Condensed Soup
.40/4 Condensed Soup, excludes cooking
.40/3 Condensed Soup, excludes cooking
Final Price: Varies

Hormel Compleats - $2.29
.55/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.74

Pop Secret Popcorn (6-10 ct.) - $3.00
.50/2 coupon or
$1/2 ccoupon
Final Price: $2.75-2.50each

Pringles - $1.50
$1/2 coupon from P&G booklet
Final Price: $1.00 each

Pam Cooking Spray - $2.50
$1.50/2 or .35/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.75wyb2 or $2.00

DAIRY/FROZEN/ REFRIGERATED ITEMS
Philadelphia Cream Cheese - $1.99
$1/1 (regional) coupon
Final Price: .99

Jello Refrigerated Pudding or Gelatin Packs - $2.50
$1/1, .60/1, or .35/1 coupon
Final Price: Varies but less than $2.00

Totino's Pizza Rolls (59.6oz)- $7.99
.40/2 coupon
Doubles to .50/2
Final Price: $7.74each wyb2

Oscar Mayer Carving Board Meat - $2.99
$1/1 coupon
Final Price: $1.99

HOUSEHOLD

Charmin Bath Tissue (6 Mega or 12 Big Rolls)- $6.99
$1/1 coupon from P&G Booklet
Final Price: $5.99

Bounty Big Towels (6 rolls)- $6.99
.25/1 coupon
Doubles to .50/1
Final Price: $6.49

Hefty Trash Bags (10-40 bags) - $3.99
.55/1 coupon
Final Price: $3.44

Arm & Hammer 2X Laundry Detergent - $3.00
$1/2 coupon
Final Price: $2.50each wyb2

HEALTH

Colgate Toothpaste- $1.00
.75/1 4oz+ coupon
$1/1 Colgate Total coupon
Final Price: .25 to FREE!

Crest Toothpaste - $2.19
$1/1 coupon from P&G Booklet
Final Price: $1.19

Always Pads or Liners - $3.19
$1/1 coupon (P&G insert or Booklet)
Final Price: $2.19

PRODUCE

Roma Tomatoes- .99/lb
Dole Cole Slaw - .99/bag
Lemons - .25 each

My Coupon Confession

Many people ask me if I am one of those "extreme" coupon people they have seen on TV. No I am not, but unfortunately, I used to be. I have only been couponing for less than a year but when I started I had "the fever." I loved being able to get things for free, get paid to take things out of the store, and pay pennies for things I would have spent dollars on.  I would get as many coupons as I could and as many items as I could because I was SAVING!!

In reality I wasn't saving anything.  My closets, cupboards, and shelves were filling but I was spent! I spent hours on the computer searching after deals, spent hours clipping and organizing, spent hours at the store and lots on gas getting there, and I actually spent MORE on my grocery budget! I was loving the thrill of being able to see that percentage on the bottom of my receipt get bigger each time. I was able to get things for my family and friends I would have never dreamed of being able to afford. I thought couponing was the answer and that I had a secret that could save my budget and help me get things I had always wanted.

I often call myself a recovering perfectionist. Many people that know me well know that I like to do things to the extreme because of my passion and perfectionism. I was blind to what the cost of my "habit" was really costing me. I had tunnel vision and it was causing a major problem. However, I was in denial. I didn't clear the shelves like some people did, I didn't buy things I would never use, and I was able to give so much! I justified my problem and didn't admit that I had one. It was time for an intervention!

My husband finally had the last straw. He wouldn't allow me to go to the store one night and get my fix. We had the big "discussion". Was couponing really helping us achieve the goals we had for our lives? I sat down and looked at where all the money was really going. Our grocery budget was actually more each month when I used coupons, the amount that used for gas was obviously higher, and my valuable time was used for this?! We had to re-evaluate what we were going to do and find a plan to actually achieve what we wanted for our lives. 

We desperately wanted to be debt free and get rid of my student loans before my own children went to college. However we had no set plan on how to get there. Have you ever heard the line "Where there is no vision, the people perish?" We had no vision at that time, my marriage, my kids, my house, and my time were slowing starting to fade into the background. 

So we sat down and came up with a plan. We knew we wanted to get out of debt by May of 2012 and committed to each other to BOTH do what we could to get there.  The answer was not in couponing, it was in making wise decisions on every way we spent our time and money. When you have balance in your life, your finances should reflect that. I am happy report that our grocery and gas budget is the lowest it's ever been, my time is used much more effectively at home, and we will be debt free (except the mortgage) this May!! While I enjoy spreading the news of knowing how to save, I enjoy my life be a testimony of joy more.

Thirftway Match (3/2-3/8)

Coupon Class this Friday at 6:30! Still have more slots if your interested. If you need help couponing don't be afraid to ask questions- I'm here to help! Anyone want me to post pictures of their "savings"?

These are all of the local coupon match ups for our local rural Thriftways. [Most rural Thriftways WILL NOT accept internet printables!]  (If you want to know exactly where the coupon comes from- look on moneysavingmom coupon database). The matches posted here are just that- matches. They might not be a great deal, but using a coupon will save you money if you were planning on buying them anyway or have to buy locally.  There are many other deals every week that do not require coupons however because of time I will not post those (except produce). Please feel free to comment on things I have missed or great deals you've scored this week.

PANTRY

Post Cereal - $2.00
$1/1 coupon (if Honey Bunches of Oats with Raisins is included)
Final Price: $1.00

Nabisco Cheese Nips - $1.50
$1/2 Nabisco crackers coupon
Final Price: $1.00 each

Prego Pasta Sauce - $2.99
.60/2 coupon
Final Price: $2.69each

Kellogg's Cereal - $2.99
$1/3 coupon
Final Price: $2.66each wyb3

DAIRY/FROZEN/ REFRIGERATED ITEMS
Go-Gurt - $2.50
.75/2 coupon
Final Price: $2.12 each wyb2

Coffee-Mate - $1.99
$1/2 coupon
Final Price: $1.50wyb2

Stouffer's Family Size Entrees - $5.99
$1/2 coupon
Final Price: $5.49

Jack's Pizza - $2.50
$1/3 coupon
Final Price: $2.17 each wyb3

Tyson Chicken - $5.59
$1/1 coupon
Final Price: $4.49

HOUSEHOLD
Bounty Paper Towels (8 rolls) - $5.99
.25/1 coupon
Doubles to .50/1
Final Price: $5.49

Charmin Basic Bath Tissue - $5.99
.25/1 coupon
Doubles to .50/1
Final Price: $5.49

Kleenex Cottonelle Bath Tissue - $4.49
.50/2 coupon
Final Price: $4.24each wyb2

Tide Detergent (24-32oz) - $6.99
.35/1 coupon
Doubles to .50
Final Price: $6.49

Bounce Fabric Softener Sheets - $5.99
.50/1 or $1/1 coupon
Final Price: $4.99-5.49

Downy Fabric Softener- $5.99
$1/1 or $2/1 coupon
Final Price: $3.99-4.99

Puffs Tissue - $1.79
.50/2 coupon
Final Price: $1.54each wyb2

Cascade Detergent- $4.49
.25/1 coupon
Doubles to .50
Final Price: $3.99

Dawn Dish Liquid - $2.50
.25/1 coupon
Doubles to .50
Final Price: $2.00

Pampers Diapers - $9.99
$2/1 coupon
Final Price: $7.99

PRODUCE

Red Delicious Apples - .99/lb
Navel Oranges - 6/$1