Have I mentioned my lunchtime savings tip? My husband is great about eating leftovers, which is happy for me. I have learned to always cook extra. If there is WAY too much, we have another meal. If there is just 1-2 servings leftover, we put it in the tupperware and place it in our "leftover" drawer in our fridge and send it to work with the huz the next day. We figure that it saves us oodles of money. Think about it - I don't have to even buy the frozen meals to cook at work. I pay the $2-5 per meal for my family and feed my family the night before and my husband for 1-2 lunches. He saves the money he would have spent going out to lunch and we are all happy. Here's a calculation breakdown.
Cost of Lunches
Leftovers: ranges from $.25-$2 for a lunch (the $2 would be if we had STEAK, which is very rare) - and I can be sure to get some veggies and healthy foods instead of prepared, greasy foods - Average cost: $.68/day
Frozen Meals: Cost for 1 pot pie or burrito is about $.50 - my huz would eat at least 2, plus need some sort of treat, veggie, and possibly a fruit = >$2 - Average Cost = $1.50
Eating Out: Cheapest is about $5, usually closer to $7-8 - Average Cost = $5 (I make him be cheap)
FOR A WEEK:
Leftovers = $3.40; Frozen Meals = $7.50; Eating Out CHEAPLY = $25
FOR A MONTH:
Leftovers = $13.60; Frozen Meals = $30; Eating Out CHEAPLY = $100
FOR A YEAR:
Leftovers = $176.80; Frozen Meals = $390; Eating Out CHEAPLY = $1300 (a mortgage payment!)
SAVINGS:
Leftovers instead of Eating Out for 1 year for 1 person (double if you have 2 working full-time)= $1,123.20 (or nearly 1 month's mortgage)
Leftovers instead of Frozen Meals for 1 year (double if you have 2 working full-time)= $213.20 (or nearly 1 car payment or piano lessons for 1 child for a few months?)
Frozen Meals instead of Eating Out for 1 year (double if you have 2 working full-time)= $910 (still a hefty portion of a mortgage payment)
Anyway you look at it, taking a lunch vs. buying lunch is hugely economical. With using this money to make an extra payment on your home each year, you could pay off your home 8-10 years earlier than your predicted rate and save even more!
Showing posts with label Savings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Savings. Show all posts
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Every Week's a Deal Week
I am beginning to see that I can pull off incredible deals pretty regularly AND I LIKE IT! Here's the report:
Rite Aid Purchases
Total OOP = $21.42 Regular Price = $86.75
Saved = $65.33 or 75% SAVINGS
Bought 34 items averaging $0.63 each!
2 OFF Clip-on Repellants (with 1 B1G1 Q & $1.50 off Q) = Original 9.99 each - both for $8.86
1 Water Balloons (even these were discounted - hurray! 24% off)
2 NY Bagel Crisps (reg 2.99 - sale $1.99 - Q $1 off) x2 = 33%
4 Crest Toothpaste (reg 3.79 - 4.49 - sale from 2.69-2.99 - Q .75 off x 4 PLUS SCR of full price) = .75 MM each! or $3 MM
2 Oral B Toothbrushes (reg 3.49 - sale 2.49 - Q $2 off) = .49 each
2 3-pack kids toothbrushes = $1 each
1 Little Swimmers Package = Reg 9.49 - $1.50 Q = $7.99 for 12 or about 75 cents each (SO EXPENSIVE!!!)
$5/$20 coupon from Rite Aid
2 Sauve Kids 2N1 Shampoo = Reg 2.79 - Sale $2 -- Wanted Q but couldn't find $3/2 but good enough deal for me
1 Twizzlers 1.69 - .50 Q = 1.19
1 Huggies Snug & Dry = 11.99 - FREE Q from previous rebate
2 Rite Aid BandAids (reg 2.99 - sale for one 50% off (1.49)
$5/$25 coupon from Video Values from AdPerks on RiteAids Website
**********************
SMITHS (Sorry forgot to get a photo because it was dinner time!)
4 Kraft Miracle Whip (Cost $2.17 - 50 cent promo wyb10) - $1.50/2 and $1/1 Q = .67-97 each
9 Spaghettios (.89 - 50 cent promo wyb10) 39 cents each
10 Propel Water (.99 - 50 cent promo wyb10) -$2/wyb10 e-Q = .29 each
2 Philadelphia Cream Cheese (1.49 - 50 cent promo wyb10) - $1 off Q = FREE
2 AquaFresh Toothpaste (1.50 - 50 cent promo wyb10) - $1 off Q = FREE
1 Q-Tips 300 count (2.00 - .40 - .50 promo wyb10) - $.30 off Q = $.80
2 Sour Patch Kids (1.50 - .49 - .50 promo wyb10) = $1 each
2 Swedish Fish (1.50 - .49 - .50 promo wyb10) = $1 each
2 Breyer's Ice Cream (2.47 - .50 promo wyb10) - $1.50/2 = 1.22 each
1 Finesse Shampoo 3.99 - $1 off Q = $2.99 + $3 Rebate Mailed in! = FREE
2 Tombstone Pizza = 2.99 - .50 promo wyb10 - = 2.49 - $2 Q = $.49 each
2 Keebler Townhouse Crackers = 2.49 -.50 promo wyb10 - $1/2 = 1.50 each
2 Buddig Turkey/Ham Lunchmeat = 1.50 each (saved 1.19 each) - $1 Q = $1 each
16 Hot Dog Buns = 2.00
1 ScotchBrite Sponge = $1.50 - .50 wyb10 = $1
1 2-pk Scotch Brite Scrubbers = $2.00 - .50 wyb10 = 1.50 - $1 Q = .50
TOTAL OOP = $35.10 - $3 Rebate = $32.10
Would have cost = $90.88
Savings = $65.33 or 72%
44 items bought averaging at $0.73 each
Saturday, July 10, 2010
CEREAL!
I have cereal now - but still working on the e-coupons being taken off. Here's the breakdown
4 Cheerios original $1.49 each (after promo- saved $6)= From $11.96 to $2.36 for 4 or $.55 cents each
$1/2 Q printable, $1.50/4 catalina, $.55 smiths e-coupon, $.55 smiths e-coupon
2 Chocolate Cheerios $1.49 each (after promo saved $6) final should be $.62 each
$1/2 RP 6/6?, NEED $.75 smiths e-coupon
2 Lucky Charms $1.49 (after above promo) final cost = $.94 each
$.55 Q printable x 2
3 Post Raisin Bran $1.50 each (SALE) from $4.50 - $.50 for 3 or about $.17 each
$2 Q printable from Post Newsletter sign-up, $1/2 RP 6/20?, $1/2 smiths e-coupon
2 Cache Valley Cheese $2.29 (for free zoo or movie!) final is $1.74 each for 8 oz
$.55 Q x 2 in SS - MAY, I think - Now I need to find more - I have 4, but need more
4 Kroger Biscuits $1.19 each (better than Pillsbury Grands and need them this week)
2 Milk $2.09
3 Dozen eggs at $.69 each
2 Gogurt at $2 each Final cost = $1.22 each
$.80/2 printable (expires this week), $.75/2 smiths e-coupon
TOTAL OOP= $23.24
Total savings = $35.66 (included phone calls I still need to make)
Savings 62%
24 items bought - average of $.97 each
4 Cheerios original $1.49 each (after promo- saved $6)= From $11.96 to $2.36 for 4 or $.55 cents each
$1/2 Q printable, $1.50/4 catalina, $.55 smiths e-coupon, $.55 smiths e-coupon
2 Chocolate Cheerios $1.49 each (after promo saved $6) final should be $.62 each
$1/2 RP 6/6?, NEED $.75 smiths e-coupon
2 Lucky Charms $1.49 (after above promo) final cost = $.94 each
$.55 Q printable x 2
3 Post Raisin Bran $1.50 each (SALE) from $4.50 - $.50 for 3 or about $.17 each
$2 Q printable from Post Newsletter sign-up, $1/2 RP 6/20?, $1/2 smiths e-coupon
2 Cache Valley Cheese $2.29 (for free zoo or movie!) final is $1.74 each for 8 oz
$.55 Q x 2 in SS - MAY, I think - Now I need to find more - I have 4, but need more
4 Kroger Biscuits $1.19 each (better than Pillsbury Grands and need them this week)
2 Milk $2.09
3 Dozen eggs at $.69 each
2 Gogurt at $2 each Final cost = $1.22 each
$.80/2 printable (expires this week), $.75/2 smiths e-coupon
TOTAL OOP= $23.24
Total savings = $35.66 (included phone calls I still need to make)
Savings 62%
24 items bought - average of $.97 each
Thursday, July 8, 2010
More Smiths Fun
Since I went at 11pm on a Thursday, I returned on Saturday after re-stocking to get the rest of my coupon plan:
Bounty Paper Towels $1.79 each (supposed to be $1.09) -$1 Q = should have been 9 cents each GRRRR!
Fruit Snacks Variety Packs x6 at 1.99 each -$.50 each Q ($1/2) and 30 cents each other promo = 1.19 each
Dawn - out of FREE item, but needed it so got large size for $5.99 - $1 Q = $4.99
Cinnamon Toast Crunch = 2.29-$1 Q - 30 cents promo = $.99
Ketchup (24 oz size)x2 = 1.25 - $1 Q (20 cent Q x 5 woohoo!) = 25 cents
Cheerios (18 oz size) x2 = 2.29 -$1 Q - 30 cents promo = $.99
Quaker Chewy Bars x 2 = 1.77 each - $1/2 Q = 1.27 each
Ragu Sauce = 1.69 -30 cent promot (Q expired GRRR!) = 1.39
PAM cooking sprayx2 = $1.99 - $1Q = 99 cents each
Powdered Sugar = 1.25x2
Gold'nSoft Butterx2 = 1.79 - $1Q = 79 cents each
CV Cheese x2 (8 oz) = 2.29 - $1Q = 1.29 each (PLUS closer to FREE ZOO PASS!)
Ivory Soap 3 packx2 = 1.00 - $1Q = FREE
Mentos Fruit = .50 - $1 Q = Free plus overage (if it worked right!)
Pizza Rolls x 4 = 1.25 - $1Q (also supposed to have promo so FREE, BUT I CAN'T Count - oopsie!) = 25 cents each
Yogurtx12 = 53 cents each - $1/6 Q = 36 cents each
Goldfish crackers = 1.25 -$1 Q = 25 cents
Total OOP = 38.52 Total Savings = $58.64 or 61% Yippee
50 items sold - avg cost = 77 cents each
WEEKS TOTAL = $59.43
Would have cost: $149.75
Savings: $90.32 or 60.3%
72 items or average of $0.83
Bounty Paper Towels $1.79 each (supposed to be $1.09) -$1 Q = should have been 9 cents each GRRRR!
Fruit Snacks Variety Packs x6 at 1.99 each -$.50 each Q ($1/2) and 30 cents each other promo = 1.19 each
Dawn - out of FREE item, but needed it so got large size for $5.99 - $1 Q = $4.99
Cinnamon Toast Crunch = 2.29-$1 Q - 30 cents promo = $.99
Ketchup (24 oz size)x2 = 1.25 - $1 Q (20 cent Q x 5 woohoo!) = 25 cents
Cheerios (18 oz size) x2 = 2.29 -$1 Q - 30 cents promo = $.99
Quaker Chewy Bars x 2 = 1.77 each - $1/2 Q = 1.27 each
Ragu Sauce = 1.69 -30 cent promot (Q expired GRRR!) = 1.39
PAM cooking sprayx2 = $1.99 - $1Q = 99 cents each
Powdered Sugar = 1.25x2
Gold'nSoft Butterx2 = 1.79 - $1Q = 79 cents each
CV Cheese x2 (8 oz) = 2.29 - $1Q = 1.29 each (PLUS closer to FREE ZOO PASS!)
Ivory Soap 3 packx2 = 1.00 - $1Q = FREE
Mentos Fruit = .50 - $1 Q = Free plus overage (if it worked right!)
Pizza Rolls x 4 = 1.25 - $1Q (also supposed to have promo so FREE, BUT I CAN'T Count - oopsie!) = 25 cents each
Yogurtx12 = 53 cents each - $1/6 Q = 36 cents each
Goldfish crackers = 1.25 -$1 Q = 25 cents
Total OOP = 38.52 Total Savings = $58.64 or 61% Yippee
50 items sold - avg cost = 77 cents each
WEEKS TOTAL = $59.43
Would have cost: $149.75
Savings: $90.32 or 60.3%
72 items or average of $0.83
Reckoning Catch-up for 6/21-6/27
Thanks to Smiths Double Coupons Deals - here's my fun of the week
Fruit by the Foot = 1.99 *2 (-$1 Q) ($1 - $1.50 each)
Gushers = 1.99x4 (-$2 Q) ($1 - $1.50 each)
Suddenly Salad = .89x4 (-$2 Q)34 cents each
No Yolk Noodles = 1.59 (-$1Q)
Quaker Chewy Granola Bars = 1.77x2 (-$1 Q) 1.27 each
Pace Picante Sauce - 1.97x2 (-$1 Q) = 1.47 each
Powdered Sugar 1.69 (-$1 Q) = 69 cents for 2 lb
Yoplait 2.50 (-$1 Q) = 1.50 for 32 oz
Sunny Delight .88x2 (-$1 Q brought down to 88 cents) FREE
SteamFresh Veggies 1.66x2 (-$1 Q) 66 cents each
Goldfish 1.00 (-$1 Q) FREE
Total OOP = $20.91 Saved $32.51 or 62% savings
22 items purchased or average of 95 cents each! yippee!
Fruit by the Foot = 1.99 *2 (-$1 Q) ($1 - $1.50 each)
Gushers = 1.99x4 (-$2 Q) ($1 - $1.50 each)
Suddenly Salad = .89x4 (-$2 Q)34 cents each
No Yolk Noodles = 1.59 (-$1Q)
Quaker Chewy Granola Bars = 1.77x2 (-$1 Q) 1.27 each
Pace Picante Sauce - 1.97x2 (-$1 Q) = 1.47 each
Powdered Sugar 1.69 (-$1 Q) = 69 cents for 2 lb
Yoplait 2.50 (-$1 Q) = 1.50 for 32 oz
Sunny Delight .88x2 (-$1 Q brought down to 88 cents) FREE
SteamFresh Veggies 1.66x2 (-$1 Q) 66 cents each
Goldfish 1.00 (-$1 Q) FREE
Total OOP = $20.91 Saved $32.51 or 62% savings
22 items purchased or average of 95 cents each! yippee!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Weekly Savings
Happy 3rd/4th of July all! I had to buy some fruit for a party and knew there were no coupons for this, so instead I searched for the least expensive Strawberries - once I discovered Wal-Mart was my best shopping source, I looked for all the "freebies" with coupons I could get to make this shopping experience a little more fun. It was so fun that I have kept out my receipt to say good job to myself several times over the last day. Here's the breakdown:
4 lbs strawberries (97 cents each - the website told me 78 cents, but oh well, we know Wal-Mart prices can differ!)
3 Cantaloupe 98 cents each
7 ears corn at 15 cents each (should have waited for Winco and their 10 cent deal)
YoPlus (listed at $1.68, but rang up at $2 - less $1 off coupon = $1)
GoGurts (not the best price, not the worst price - $2.25 each with 80 cents off 2) = $1.85 each
Bananas at 49 cents each
3 Dentyne Gum at 96 cents each less $1 off coupons x3 = free plus $.09 overage overall
2 Benadryl Itch Relief Stick $2.28 - less $5 off 2 coupon = free plus $0.44 overage
Noxema Razor $2.97 less $2 off coupon = $0.97 for 4 razor
Total OOP $18.91 - total savings = 40.2% (or $12.71)
4 lbs strawberries (97 cents each - the website told me 78 cents, but oh well, we know Wal-Mart prices can differ!)
3 Cantaloupe 98 cents each
7 ears corn at 15 cents each (should have waited for Winco and their 10 cent deal)
YoPlus (listed at $1.68, but rang up at $2 - less $1 off coupon = $1)
GoGurts (not the best price, not the worst price - $2.25 each with 80 cents off 2) = $1.85 each
Bananas at 49 cents each
3 Dentyne Gum at 96 cents each less $1 off coupons x3 = free plus $.09 overage overall
2 Benadryl Itch Relief Stick $2.28 - less $5 off 2 coupon = free plus $0.44 overage
Noxema Razor $2.97 less $2 off coupon = $0.97 for 4 razor
Total OOP $18.91 - total savings = 40.2% (or $12.71)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The $1 Coupon Joy
I found out about Smith's deal with doubling coupons today and was so happy to "cash" in on it! As it was a coupon day anyway, I pulled all the possible <$1 coupons I had and then decided which would possibly be a good deal and then took the family, split DH and myself with half of the list and gave ourselves a limit of $2/item pretty much and this is what we got:
Ronzoni SmartTaste Pasta (50 cents each)
French Mustard (25 cents final)
French Honey Dipping Sauce (69 cents)
Hunts Ketchup 50 oz. (1.96 each) (coupon for 20 cents off - quintupled coupon x 2 happy day)
Fiber One Chewy Bars ($1) I've always wanted to try these
Mtn High Yogurt 32 oz ($1.50)
6-pack Yogurt = $1.66
Sunny D (25 cents)
More Yogurt 6-pack = $1.08
4 Cover Girl make-ups for $7.42 - some were labeled wrong apparently - it was supposed to be close to free - oh well!
Toaster Strudel $1 each
Frozen Veggies Steamables 66 cents each
Pepperoni 1.29 each
Lunchmeat $1 each
And money off for recyclable bags and 5cents off gas too! Hurray!
Total oop = $28.38
Coupon savings without doubling = $14.40 - with doubling = $23.60 ahh! Lovely numbers - not a complete doubling deal but still happy
Total saved = $44.15 or about 61%
Pretty happy day and my coupon book is lighter and all the clipping and studying has paid off, which is something that I really like to see.
Ronzoni SmartTaste Pasta (50 cents each)
French Mustard (25 cents final)
French Honey Dipping Sauce (69 cents)
Hunts Ketchup 50 oz. (1.96 each) (coupon for 20 cents off - quintupled coupon x 2 happy day)
Fiber One Chewy Bars ($1) I've always wanted to try these
Mtn High Yogurt 32 oz ($1.50)
6-pack Yogurt = $1.66
Sunny D (25 cents)
More Yogurt 6-pack = $1.08
4 Cover Girl make-ups for $7.42 - some were labeled wrong apparently - it was supposed to be close to free - oh well!
Toaster Strudel $1 each
Frozen Veggies Steamables 66 cents each
Pepperoni 1.29 each
Lunchmeat $1 each
And money off for recyclable bags and 5cents off gas too! Hurray!
Total oop = $28.38
Coupon savings without doubling = $14.40 - with doubling = $23.60 ahh! Lovely numbers - not a complete doubling deal but still happy
Total saved = $44.15 or about 61%
Pretty happy day and my coupon book is lighter and all the clipping and studying has paid off, which is something that I really like to see.
Happy Diaper Day!
This was a happy day. I bought 5 packages of Huggies Jumbo Pack diapers and will receive 1 more free and I spent $20!
RiteAid
Original Price Sale Price Coupons
$11.99 $8.99 (savings of $15) $3 off (x5), 2 $5 off, $11.99 off 1 diaper = $36.99
Total would be= $72 Saved = $52 OOP (Out of Pocket) = $20 Saved 72%
I also bought $13 sunglasses with a $5 coupon plus $2 rebate and 2 spray bottles for $1 each, I spent $33.34 - the $2 rebate.
Total OOP = $31.34, a savings of $62.09 or 66% savings overall
A BEAUTIFUL STORY AND ONE OF MY BEST SUCCESSES SO FAR. Now my goal is to get these diapers to last until the beginning of July, when I will search out the next diaper deal - ahh! the joys of shopping.
RiteAid
Original Price Sale Price Coupons
$11.99 $8.99 (savings of $15) $3 off (x5), 2 $5 off, $11.99 off 1 diaper = $36.99
Total would be= $72 Saved = $52 OOP (Out of Pocket) = $20 Saved 72%
I also bought $13 sunglasses with a $5 coupon plus $2 rebate and 2 spray bottles for $1 each, I spent $33.34 - the $2 rebate.
Total OOP = $31.34, a savings of $62.09 or 66% savings overall
A BEAUTIFUL STORY AND ONE OF MY BEST SUCCESSES SO FAR. Now my goal is to get these diapers to last until the beginning of July, when I will search out the next diaper deal - ahh! the joys of shopping.
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