I went to Food Lion and Ingles last night. I got $200 worth of food for $100! I feel great about this trip. Got stuff we actually eat! I have to go back Friday for the 3 day sale at Food Lion. They have Bacon for .99!!!

My budget is looking good until January. I have it planned...and we allknow what happens to plans! Anyway, I hope to stick close to it. We shall see.

All my utilities were paid on time this month! YEA!! That is a big relief. No if I can stay on top of this and get some money saved I would feel even better!

I am completely empty of motivation today. I just want to go back to bed. I haven't been like this in a about a week. But I figured out why, I think. I have been so consumed with taking my new medication that I forgot to take my thyrod medication the last two nights. And it doesn't help that my littlest dog has taken to yipping in the middle of the night...all night. The first night, I thought she needed to go to the bathroom or something, so I let her out and she just ran around the living room! Very frustrating! And of course, DH hears her, but doesn't do anything! I have to get up and put her in the bathroom, which sstill doesn't block it completely! I have got to get some good sleep tonight! I have got so much I need to do at work today it isn't even funny!

Financially, not much has changed. But it looks like I will be back on track by the end of November. So although I had to push my mortgage payment back this month, I won't have to push next months back. I have tried to plan for everything, dr appt, prescriptions, yearbooks. Crap..forgot about cheer competition. Need to allow for that. But should still be in pretty good shape.

I haven't been able to feed my coupon/sale shopping addiction. It is driving me crazy! There are so many things free at rite aid this week...nothing I NEED>..but stuff I will need as the cold season approaches. And getting it free sure beats having to pay for it!

I have noticed that since I have been sale/coupon shopping I save more money with the sales items. It isn't the coupons that saves all the money. BUt I have also noticed that I have failed to keep items in the house that we usually like to have on hand...like sour cream...nacho chips...etc. So I will have to do a better job of balancing my list.

I requested my rite aid gift certificate today. I have spent $100 and an am elgible for the max certificate, $20. Best part is that I actually only spent $59! The $100 is figured before coupons and discounts. That is awesome! I think Rite Aid has become my favorite store over CVS.

Just looking over my budget. It looks glim. But I am still able to see the light at the end of the tunnel! I always see the light though but I am never able to actually get there! Maybe I can get there this time!

Like I said, I have become addicted to couponing. I have printed out my Food Lion list. But I am trying to resist. There is nothing on that list that I NEED. And the stuff that is on sale will be on sale again. But there are some good deals. I have the money to shop this week, but next payday will be really tight, so I should really save what I would spend. But I can't help it! I get this thought in my head and it won't go away until I do whatever it is. But I am trying to resist.

Here is how I did at Rite Aid tonight

Conair Straightener 17.99
-5.00 SCR
-2.20 first tuesday
total 10.79

Airwick Air Freshner 12.99
Sale price 6.49
- 6.00 coupon
- 2.20 first Tuesday
total (1.71) Made Money!

Colgate Toothpaste .99
- 1.00
- 2.20 first tuesday
total (2.21) Made Money!!

(2) Kotex Pads 3.99
Sale Price 3.00
-2.00 on two
-2.20 first Tuesday
-1.00 SCR
Total 1.40 each

I took the total first Tuesday savings and split it between the number of items purchased. I spent a total of 15.61 and will receive $6 back! Pretty good!

I stopped by Food Lion today to get bread and milk. I went ahead and picked up some sale items. I got a bottle of snuggle for free! It is on sale for $3 and there was a $3 off coupon in the paper sunday! I got 2 cans of Grands Biscuits for -25! yes that is right! I made money on the biscuits! I didn't realize that Food Lion had a version of Refund Bucks...I got three dollars off the next shopping trip for the biscuits! I saved almost $4 on bread alone! And of course, the dog food was still BOGO free.

Here is the link to my saving spreadsheet...I hope that you are able to open it now.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Aoxxen7TLxGJdDl4eXVTM1dScWlza0J1TkdnekNIRnc&hl=en

So Far this month I have saved $96.34!!!

I did pretty good at Food Lion tonight. The total before MVP and coupons was $121. The total after MVP and coupons was $64. Saved 50%! Awesome! There are three awesome deals....dog food - 17# for 5.00(BOGO) Kraft Cheese - .65 Jif Peanut Butter .50

Here is the link for the spreadsheet...select October on the tab at the bottom.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Aoxxen7TLxGJdG44WXFnMFpHMmpPVDhpWlJTdGE0SlE&hl=en

I have started October off with a bang...can't wait for the paper because I hear there is a $3 coupon for Snuggle and it is on sale for $3 at Food Lion...making it free! Might also get another couple bags of dog food. $5 a bag...can't beat that!

I love saving money!! And we have more groceries in the house than we have ever had before!

I have truly become addicted to couponing! I have made my list for Food Lion and can't wait to go this evening! I am suffering from some sort of illness I believe! I am ahead on the CVS and Rite Aid trips, so until the new ads come out, I don't need to go there. I am just in awe of how much money I have saved! I am sure I will really start to notice a difference once my stockpile is completely done...then I will truly only be buying what is on sale!

I went to CVS and Rite Aid today. Did pretty good if I do say so myself. Rite Aid owes me $8! I made money there! WOW!! I could have saved an additional $3 though if I had been more organized. I think I might go back and exchange the batteries, and use the coupons...who knows if it will work or not!

Check out the spreadsheet of what I have saved! I have made some changes to it to include more information.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Aoxxen7TLxGJdHhLc1lTVGY0M1QwQWFWYmlzN25zc3c&hl=en

I have saved $346 this month! It is just amazing! It has become truly an addiction. I actually went to the store in the pouring rain yesterday because .34 butter wouldn't wait until today!

Here is the link to my blog with the updated information.

http://lifeofacouponaddict.blogspot.com/

I have attached a spreadsheet to keep track of the savings.

I didn't save as much this week because I had to purchase all of the items that we were out of. Ketchup, fabric Softner, swiffer refills. I had to buy a bunch of stuff that I wouldn't have purchased normally since it wasn't on sale.

The biggest saving this week as the country crock butter for .34 and the Honey Bunchs of Oats for .50.

Here is a link to my blog that I will update with the totals.

http://lifeofacouponaddict.blogspot.com/

I went to CVS and Rite Aid at lunch today. Here is how I did:

CVS:
Receipt #1
(4) 12 Pk sodas - 12.00
-.25 coupon

(3) Kleenux - .96/each
-.50 coupon

(1) Crest Pro Health toothpaste 2.99
-.75 coupon (2 ECB makes this .24!!)

Total = 18.64
Coupons - 1.50
ECB Received = 5.00

Receipt #2
(2) Cranberry pills - B1G1 50%
6.99 + 3.49

Total = 11.21
Used 9 ECB
Total out of pocket 2.21

Rite Aid
(2) GE light bulbs .50 each
2/4.00-3.00 in add coupon.

1 Duracell 4-pk 9 volt 9.99
11.99-2.00 in add coupon

Bic Soleil Razors 1.99(reg 6.49)
4.99 - 3.00 coupon

(2) Tag Body Spray .25 each
b1g1 50% 4.99 + 2.50
bogo free coupon - 4.99
manuf coupon - 2.00

Total: 34.72
Coupons - 20.99(inc $5 off $25)
Total check = 13.73


Total for the day:
91.19 in merchandise
-26.62 sale prices
-31.49 coupons
33.08 total out of pocket for the day
58.11 Saved!!!

The Tag and the Crest toothpast are definately the best by far. Still have Ingles and Food Lion to go to. I don't know that I will do as good since I have to purchase alot of items that we are out of and I don't have coupons for. Don't think they are on sale.

I have started a new blog to track coupon savings...http://lifeofacouponaddict.blogspot.com/ check it out...

I went to CVS and Rite Aid at lunch today. Here is how I did:

CVS:
Receipt #1
(4) 12 Pk sodas - 12.00
-.25 coupon

(3) Kleenux - .96/each
-.50 coupon

(1) Crest Pro Health toothpaste 2.99
-.75 coupon (2 ECB makes this .24!!)

Total = 18.64
Coupons - 1.50
ECB Received = 5.00

Receipt #2
(2) Cranberry pills - B1G1 50%
6.99 + 3.49

Total = 11.21
Used 9 ECB
Total out of pocket 2.21

Rite Aid
(2) GE light bulbs .50 each
2/4.00-3.00 in add coupon.

1 Duracell 4-pk 9 volt 9.99
11.99-2.00 in add coupon

Bic Soleil Razors 1.99(reg 6.49)
4.99 - 3.00 coupon

(2) Tag Body Spray .25 each
b1g1 50% 4.99 + 2.50
bogo free coupon - 4.99
manuf coupon - 2.00

Total: 34.72
Coupons - 20.99(inc $5 off $25)
Total check = 13.73


Total for the day:
91.19 in merchandise
-26.62 sale prices
-31.49 coupons
33.08 total out of pocket for the day
58.11 Saved!!!

The Tag and the Crest toothpast are definately the best by far. Still have Ingles and Food Lion to go to. I don't know that I will do as good since I have to purchase alot of items that we are out of and I don't have coupons for. Don't think they are on sale.

It has been a long week! I have been really sick. I finally went to the dr yesterday and got a steriod shot. OUCH! The coughing has eased up, but I am still absolutely exhausted! I could lay down and go to sleep! My daughter got over it pretty quick. My DH now has it. My son only developed an ear infection. Lets hope we are done now for the year!

Tomorrow is pay day. Most things have been set up already. The only thing that hasn't is the mortgage. I am going to be making it on time and paying $25 more than the payment. I know that doesn't sound like much, but it sure feels good to pay anything extra on it! Everything else is set up through bill pay.

Went through and made my lists today for the stores this weekend. I will match up the coupons tonight. I have to buy a few necessary items, but should overall do pretty well.

Overall this week, I got $216 worth of stuff and only spent $102! Awesome! The Biggest deal was two airwick automatic air freshners. They are $12.27 each...but they were BOGO free at Food Lion. That made them $6.15 each. I had a $6 off coupon with made one 15 cents. I also had a $4 off coupon, which made the other one $2.15. So I got both air freshners for $2.30!!! YEA!!!

First Stop: CVS
Receipt #1
Garnier Shampoo and Conditioners (3)
Cheerios (2) ($3.00x2=6) 1 off/two get 2ecb (makes it $1.50/box)
Suave Body Wash (3) (2/each) 1 off/three get 2 ECB (makes it .99 Each)
Colgate Advance Toothpaste 2.99 (1 off) get 2 ECB (makes it .99)

Total: 26.20
Coupons : -8.75
Total Check: 17.45
Received 7 ECB

Receipt #2
Clairol Nat Instincts Hair Color 5.99 (2 off coupon) received 2 ECB Makes it 1.99
Pantene Shampoo(2) 5.99 (1 off two) received 2 ecb
Dividers - not coupons
Face wash - no coupons

Total: 27.34
Coupons: -3.00
ECB: - 7
Total Check = 17.34
Received 4 ECB

Rite Aid
Kotex Panti Liners: 5.59( 1 off coupon)
Herbal Essence Sham and Cond 2.99/Each (used 2 1/off coupons)

Total 12.90
Coupons: -3.00
Total Check = 9.90
SCR = $3.00

Food Lion
Tyson Chicken Tenders 4.99 (2/off coupon)
Airwick freshners (2) 12.27 each bogo free (used a $6 off coupon and a $4 off coupon)(makes it about $1.15 each!!!!)
canned vegetables - .50 each (4)
Glade candles (2) 8.99 BOGO free (used $3 off coupon)(Makes it $2.50 each!!)
Quaker dipps - 2.00 each (2)
Tilipia - 4.99

total: 69.07
Store disc: 29.88
coupons: $14.00
Total Check: 25.19

Ingles:
Hamburger/Tuna Helper - (6) 1 each (used (2) .75 off 3 coupons) made them .75 each
betty crocker cake mix & frost (2.50) used 1 off coupon.
cake mix and frosting (2.50) used .50 off coupon
taco seasoning - (2).66(used coupon for 1 free)
taco shell - 1.82
grands biscuits - (4) 1.25 each. used (2) 1.00 off two coupons. (makes them .75 each)
crescent rolls - (2) 1.66 used 1 off two coupon)
dozen eggs
spider man mac and cheese(for dd)
boneless skinless breasts - 1.99/pound

Total: 60.84
Coupons: .5.91
double coupons: .75
Store sales: 21.57
total check: 32.61

So I saved $41.66 in coupons and $71.52 in store sales. Go Me!!!

Total for the month:
221.14 saved!!!

Oh and almost forgot! DD and I went to IHOP for breakfast...had a bogo free coupon. So saved $6.99!!! It has been a great coupon day!

I did some grocery shopping yesterday...below are the results.

IGA:
Tostitos
Salsa
3 cans beenie weenies($1 each)
Pillsbury Biscuits(2/$3)
2 Texas Pete Hot Dog Chili(.50/each)
Hormel Bacon (bogo)
Daisy Sour Cream

Total $24.17
Coupons $.50(biscuits)
Total 23.67
Sale Savings = 8.69

SUPER SAVER:
Hot Dog buns .67
(2) Hamburger buns .67 each
(2) manwich 1.00/each
(3) Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs .97/each
(4) Mayfield half gallon ice cream 1.50 each
(3) Bush baked beans 1.33

total 22.43
Not sure of the sale savings as they don't break it...but saved at least 50% on the ice cream alone!

So Far I have done very well I think. I am satisfied with the amount of groceries in the house. It is so different to go to the store and just get what is on sale because we don't really need anything! Plus I was able to look at stuff that was "on sale" and say, "that really isn't a great deal...good by not great and since I don't need it, I am not getting it". I am very proud of the shopping smarts I have acquired in the last few weeks.

Bummer though...there were NO coupon inserts in the paper this weekend!!! I can't believe it! We are limited in the paper I get and I really wish that we could get the AJC...oh well.. guess I will have to keep wishing!

Okay...I went to CVS with a plan...but an hour later, my plan had gone to crap. I still think I did pretty good though.

Receipt #1
Bounty Paper towels-6 pk 5.89
Secret Deodarant 3.99
Duracell 8 pk AA batteries 6.99
Duracell 16 pk AAA batteries 12.49

Coupons:
.25 off bounty
.75 off Duracell
1.50 off duracell

Total before coupons: 31.42
Total 28.92
Received 6 ECB


Receipt #2
Pantene Shampoo 3.49
Pantene Cond 3.49
Dawn .97
Soft Soap 4.99
Dove Soap Bars 7.99
Dove Body Wash 8.69

Total Before Coupons: $31.34
Total Coupons: $15
ECB Used: $6

Total check: 10.34
Received 8.50 ECB

Receipt #3
Tide (2) 5.98 Each

Total: 12.80
ECB Used: 7.50

Total Check: 4.30

Total of all receipts before coupons:75.56
Total of checks written: 43.56

Total of coupons: $32.00

That brings my total for the month to 86.25, between sale items and coupons. Go Amy..Go Amy...Go Go Go Amy

I went to make a bagel out for lunch and realized that I am out of cream cheese! I had to go to Piggly Wiggly and get cream cheese. I had a coupon for $1 off two. I bought two for 1.99 each, got a dollar off. So they were 1.50 each. But I was sucker for the temptation. I bought an edmonds frozen pie...the singles. UGH! Just looked so good. Then I had to get milk. So the lack of planning for the cream cheese last weekend cost me $6.

I went into CVS this morning to get stuff for work and noticed that they had tide on sale for 5.98($3 less). There was a coupon in the paper last week for $1 off any tide. ANd I had $2ecb. So my Tide cost me $3.40. More Saving to add to my total!

I went to Food Lion today with my list and my binder of coupons. More than one person looked at me funny!! But SO WHAT!!!

I was disappointed with the items at Food Lion because out of the 5 things on my list, 2 of them were not at this store. Oh well. But BONUS!!! Ground Beef was on sale for .99/lb!!! There were people walking out with full buggies of ground beef! I only got 8 lbs...but should have probably gotten more since it will freeze. Might go back tomorrow...hopefully it will still be on sale. This brings my total for the month to $127 saved between coupons and sale shopping! OH yea!!!

Well...I didn't do as good as I would have liked at Ingles with the coupons. Especially since I see some of the things I bought were on sale at Food Lion! Must remember to check each place before I shop. This is a learning process.

Anyway...I had 6.35 in coupons, 1.25 in doubled coupons and 26.20 in sale items. So the total saving was 33.80. I only bought items that were on sale unless I absolutely needed them. That fact I am proud of. But I still think I could do better. I need to find coupons for meats, chicken, beef, etc. I don't have any for them.(I know Whitestripe...more beans!! LOL) But I am on a roll...won't give up now.

That brings my monthly total to 94.41...not including the check for $13.49 that I will be getting back from Rite Aid. Pretty impressive for my first month of couponing...and the most important thing is that I am not buying things that I wouldn't have bought anyway!

Oh...almost forgot. I had to go to Atlanta yesterday and stopped at QT to fill up(paid 13 cents more a gallon...could kick myself but couldn't make it to jasper for the cheaper price...should have stopped on the way down.) Anyway...QT had pepsi 12 packs 4/10, making it $2.50/12pack. The cheapest I have seen in a while. I got 4 at QT. I thought I should have gotten more, the way our family goes through soda. I stopped at racetrac to get a snack and they also had pepsi products on sale, so I got 4 more. We are set on sodas now for a few weeks. YEA! I did not include those savings in my totals because I never pay full price for sodas.

Okay...I went to CVS and Rite Aid today. I had my lists all ready based on what coupons I had and what was on sale. Below is what I got.

4 Boxes Kraft Mac and Cheese - $4
-4 ECB from last week.
Total .12
Received 2 ECB

Schick Quatro - 8.99(normally 11.99)
- $4 Coupon
- $2 ECB
Total 3.62
Received $2 ECB

That was it fo CVS...overall pretty good. Rite Aid is really where I saved though.

(3) 12 packs coke products...3.33 each
& $1 off 3
Glade Sense and Spray 6.99(regular 9.99)
Duracell 4 pack 5.49
Glade Sense and Spray refill(3.49)
Colgate toothbrush 4.89
glade lasting impression 6.99(regular 9.99)
duracell 16 pack 9.99(regular 13.99)
kotex pantiliners 2.50(regular 3.99)
kotex pads 2.50(regular 3.99)
colgate toothpaste 2.49
lysol wipes BOGOF 3.49
Composition books 1.99(buy 1 get 3 free)
spiral notebooks .99(buy 1 get 3 free)

Total $65.69
Coupons - 23.75
total = 41.94
SCR - 12.00
Total spent = 29.94

So total for coupons was $35.75!!! That is awesome. I don't have breakdown of what each coupon was for. But the air freshners ended up being free! I combined sale prices with coupons and saved a bunch! I hadn't shopped at Rite Aid before so I am real impressed. And the best part is that I didn't buy anything I wouldn't have bought anyway, except maybe the air freshners, but they ended up being free! I haven't figured the totals on my coupons yet for the month. I will update once I figure that out.

UPDATE: Monthly Coupon Savings - $60.61!!! Awesome!

I didn't do much shopping this weekend, but I am really starting to stock up on items that are on sale. I went to Food Lion yesterday because they had laundry soap on sale and found that they also had Glade plugins and clorox bleach on sale,, which I had coupons for. I saved $7.73 with coupons and $8.99 on sales items. So a total of $16.84 was saved. That is awesome! I am now in the postive for cumalative coupon/sales savings. Taking out the newspapers and the organization supplies, I have saved a total of $14.68 on coupons over the last three weeks. It will be more from this point forward because I already have the supplies. I will need to purchase more baseball card holders, but can wait a week or so for that. I already have my list for CVS and Rite Aid. Will save more money when I go there on Friday(Payday). I have turned this into a game to see how much I can save. I am pretty pumped.