Freebies June 25-July 2

I will always get the free items even if our family doesn't use them. If that is the case we either donate it to the food pantry or give it to someone who we know will use it.

Albertson's
*****
Buy 2 Orville Redenbacher microwave popcorn 3 pack
3.00
Store Promo: Buy 2 Orville Reddenbacher popcorn, get 2 Albertsons 2 liters soda FREE. Also use 2 Manufacturers coupons: Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn, any 2-pack or larger, any variety .40/1 (6-30-08) SS1-5/18
2.20 + for 4 items


*****
Jet Puffed marshmallows 10-10.5 oz.
1.00/.75
**Buy 3, get a checkout voucher for 3.00 off your next shopping order. -Will only work once, so only buy 3. (Makes them free)
.75

*****
Chocolate clusters Honey Bunches of Oats 13-18 oz.
2.50/1.87
$2/1 printable coupon for Chocolate Honey Bunches of Oats at this link or this link.
Free

Lee's Market Place, Macey's, Associated Foods:
*****
Powerade 32 oz.
.50
Powerade or Powerade Zero, 20 or 32 oz. bottle .75/1 (10-31-08) SS-6/8
Free

Food Storage Items

Here are two food storage items on sale this week. Click here and here for the stores.
Can you really ever have too much chocolate? I love having brownies on hand. You can try new recipes from the back of the boxes or search on the web. Here is the link to Betty Crocker for some great idea's on using your brownie mixes.

Pasta is a long term food storage staple. It is recommended that you have a total of 300 lbs of grains per person for 1 year, pasta counts in the grain category. Pasta's stored correctly can last up to 30 years! Click here for storage conditions and suggestions. I like to buy the kind of pasta's our family uses often. Click here for some recipes we like to use with pasta. Don't forget that the box of mac & cheese counts too!

Pasta Recipes

Hamburger Stroganoff

1 lb ground beef
1 package egg noodles
1 med. onion chopped
1 tsp garlic powder or 1-2 cloves of garlic crushed
1 can cream of chicken or mushroom
1 soup can milk
6 oz sour cream
salt and pepper as desired
optional- 1 can mushrooms or fresh

Brown beef with onion, salt and pepper, garlic. Cook pasta following package directions. Add to the beef the soup, milk, and mushrooms. Simmer for 5-8 mins. Remove from heat and add sour cream.


Chicken Cashew Bow Tie Salad

1 cup red grapes sliced
3-4 cups cooked, cubed chicken (canned would work too)
12 oz bow tie pasta cooked and cooled
8 oz can pineapple tidbits, drained
1 can chopped chestnuts, drained
1 cup chopped celery
2 green onions chopped
2/3 cup Craisins
1 can mandarin oranges, drained
Combine all the above them mix together:
8oz Coleslaw dressing
1/2 cup mayo
Stir in and let rest overnight. Right before serving add 1 small can of cashews.



Wanna Be Firehouse Pizza Pasta

1 package penne or other tube pasta
1-2 bottles Alfredo sauce(depending on how saucy you like it)
1-2 grilled chicken breasts sliced
4 slices of cooked bacon crumbled
2 green onions sliced
1 tomato chopped
2 cups of cheese-we like to use Cheddar and mozzarella
1 cup fresh or canned mushrooms

In a greased 9x11 pan layer cooked pasta, sauce, chicken, mushrooms, bacon, green onions, tomatoes, and cheese. Bake in oven at 350* 20-30 min or until cheese is melted and bubbly. I like to order Focaccia bread from Firehouse Pizzeria to go with this dish.

Say Thank You!

When I first started shopping like this I was so amazed at how kind the store workers where to me. The checkers did not complain when they saw my pile of coupons. The stock people have always been courteous and willing to help me find the items on my list. I recommend making their day by saying thanks!



After one midnight run to Albertson's. I came home so appreciative to the night head checker. She made sure I got all the printed coupons I was trying for even when it was closing time. I think I was more frustrated and upset than her. I just kept thinking that she was probably so annoyed but she did not show it at all. The next day I made a phone call to the store. I asked if they have a comment line that I could be connected to. The person who answered said she didn't know and then put me on hold. Like I expected she must have thought I was calling to complain so when the phone was picked up I was not surprised to hear that it was the manager. Then I had to go into my story and ask him for a comment line to call headquarters and give some good news for a change. He gladfully gave me the number. I called it and again gave the person on the other end a big surprise when instead of ranting and raving I was praising and thanking. Needless to say that made my day and hopefully theirs as well.



The moral of the story is that when someone does a good job please remember their name and be sure to do all you can to let them know. If we all did that more often we would live in a much better world!

Challenge: Call the store you frequent and ask for the customer comment line and make their day.

When do I go shopping?

I got this email today:


dear shauntell,
i had a question, but couldn't get it onto your blog. anyhow, what day and time do you recommend to go to the grocery store? when i go it seems that all the sale stuff is gone.
thanx haley


I used to get so upset when this would happen to me that I started going shopping as soon as I could on Wednesdays so I could get my stuff! Now I try not to sweat it as much. If the store is out of what I wanted I get a rain check. This post on Rain Checks will be helpful.
Really shopping should be fun, easy, and fast. I think it gets that way after awhile, especially after you've gone though the stock up phase. That is the 3-4 month period when you first start using coupons that you are building your pantry up so that you can start shopping out of your pantry then simply replacing the items you use when they go on sale again.

Food Storage Item

I like to have canned meats in my food storage. If there is a disaster then really my freezer full of meats is not going to be that helpful over the long run. Having a shelf stable back-up is a great option. What if money gets tight and I can't afford to buy as much meat at the butcher? Again something from the shelf will come in handy. See this post for recipes using canned chicken.

Canned Chicken recipes

Here are some of our favorite recipes using fresh cooked or canned chicken. Feel free to add your own in the comment of this post


Hawaiian Hay stacks:

1-2 cans cream of Chicken soup
1 can of milk or evaporated milk
Salt and pepper to taste
cooked chicken

Warm through then serve over rice with these suggested toppings
shredded coconut, shredded cheese, sliced green onions, La Choy crunchy noodles, pineapple tidbits, diced tomatoes, raisins, almond slivers, mandarin orange slices, be creative.


Sour Cream Chicken Enchilada Casserole

1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can diced green chiles
2 cups cheese shredded
3 chopped green onions
8 oz sour cream
1-2 cups cooked chicken diced or canned
12 corn tortillas

Mix all except tortillas and 1 cup of cheese. Spray a 9x11 pan with non stick cooking spray place 6 tortillas in bottom of pan, you may need to tear some of them up to fit without overlapping too much, then spread 1/2 chicken mixture on top, repeat tortillas and chicken mixture. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake at 350* for 30-40 min until bubbly.

2 Weeks Worth

Last week we didn't get to the store. This week we took our $50 budget and added it with last weeks. This is two weeks worth of groceries:

2 Trix yogurt $1 each, 5 Valley Fresh Chicken chunks $.65 each, 2 Pork and Beans $ 1.50 each, 6 Hunts Manwich $.80 each, Sara Lee Hot dog buns $2, Sara Lee Hearty Hamburger buns $2.50, bulk sausage $3.69, Pot Roast $8.22, Shoulder Steaks $3.82, Pork ribs $11, Boneless/skinless chicken breast $16.73, Bacon $2.99, Bacon $2.88, 3 pkgs organic mini carrots $.99 each, 4.98 lbs red seedless grapes $4.93, 10 boxes GM cereal, 2 Gallons milk FREE,

Total Spent: $105.20

Total Saved: $100.83

This Week's Freebies June 18-June 25

Maceys and Lee's Market Place(sale ends Saturday, June 21)

*****
POWERade 32 oz. .69 Powerade or Powerade Zero, 20 or 32 oz. bottle .75/1 (10-31-08) SS-6/8 Free


Albertson's (Sale ends Tuesday, June 24)


****
2 gallons of any milk (including soy, organic, chocolate)
Varies
Store Promo: buy 2 gallons of milk get up to 5 General mills cereals for 1.19 per box Limit 5 boxes (Curves Whole Grain Fruit Nut or Crunch, Curves Honey Crunch, Cocoa Puffs Combos, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Cocoa Puffs, Cheerios, Reeses Puffs, Fruity Cheerios) **A good deal if you already were going to buy milk.
1.19

*****
Shedd's Country Crock margarine 15 oz.
2/3.00
Buy 2, get FREE eggs, up to $2.50. .Shedd’s Spread Country Crock Omega Plus, any .55/1 (8-10-08) RP-5/18, 55/1 printable coupon for Country Crock Omega Plus at this link.
Varies + free item.


*****
Ken's Steak House salad dressing 16 oz. or Lite Accents 7 oz.
2.00
Ken’s Dressing, any 16 oz. or larger $2/1 (6-30-08) SS-5/4, Ken’s Lite Accents Salad Dressing Spray, any 7 oz. $2/1 (6-30-08) SS-5/4
FREE


*****
Orville Redenbacher microwave popcorn, 3 pack
1.50
Store promo: "Buy 2, get 2 Albertsons 2 liters soda instantly".Also use manufacturers coupon: Orville Redenbacher’s Gourmet Popping Corn, any 2-pack or larger, any variety .40/1 (6-30-08) SS1-5/18
2/2.20 + 2 free sodas


****
Air Wick Scented Oil refills
2.50
($2.00 after 20% discount) Manufacturers coupon: Buy one Air Wick Scented Oil Refill and get a FREE Air Wick Warmer Unit (6-29-08) SS2-5/18
2.00 + free warmer

Free Stuff!

Almost every week there is a coupon that is the same as or more than the product is on sale at the store. When this happens the item is free, well with the exception of sales tax. I never pass up free stuff even if I don't use that product. If that happens then I donate it to the food pantry or give it to someone else who could use it.

Here are this weeks freebies:

Maceys: (sale ends Saturday night!)

*****
POWERade 32 oz.
.69
Powerade or Powerade Zero, 20 or 32 oz. bottle .75/1 (10-31-08) SS-6/8
Free


Albertsons: (Sale ends Tuesday, June 17th)

*****
Band-Aids 20-60 ct 10/$10 (I saw a huge basket in the Logan store still marked with this price, this was a sale from last week so I don't know how long it will last)

Band-Aid Product, any $1/1 (8-31-08) RP-5/18
FREE

*****
Zone Perfect nutrition bars
1.00
Zone Perfect Nutrition Bars, any single, 5-count box or 8-count Snack Size box $1/1 (6-30-08) SS-3/30
FREE

Smiths: (Sale ends Tuesday, June 17th)

*****
Ken's Dressing, 16 oz
1.50
Ken’s Dressing, any 16 oz. or larger $2/1 (6-30-08) SS-5/4
FREE
*****
Ken's Lite Accents Salad Dressing Spray, 7 oz
1.50
Ken’s Lite Accents Salad Dressing Spray, any 7 oz. $2/1 (6-30-08) SS-5/4
FREE

Thursday Night Class

YOUR INVITED!

This week due to a change in my schedule I am teaching a class at my house June 12, at 7 PM. You can click here for my contact info. Bring as many people as you want to learn how I am saving so much money and time on my grocery shopping! It will be fun and definitely worth your time!

Left over coupons needing a home!

I have tons and tons of $5 off Pet med coupons 4 for Albertsons and 1 for Smith's Expiration's ranging from 7/02-7/31 2008

1 Degree Men Absolute Deodorant $1/1 exp 7/13/08 from RP 5/18

1 Nestle Good Start $7/3 exp 7/05/08 Smiths only

1 Papmers Cruisers $2/1 exp 7/9/08 Smiths only

1 Dream non Dairy frozen deserts $1/2 Smiths only

1 Pampers + Formula reward Buy Pampers large pack and any baby formula in the same shopping trip until 6/10/08 and get a coupon for $5 off your next shopping trip. Albertsons only

Tell your friends and don't forget to post your extras on the comment portion of this post.

Shopping is fun again

I know I've complained a lot about the past two weeks being not so great. It was wonderful to go and have fun again (I did have fun Megan after it was all said and done!). I met and made some friends along the way.

At Albertson's:

2 Capri Sun Water $.90 each (had $1/2 coupon from Kraft Foods Magazine sign up here), 2 Jet Puff Marshmallows $.70 each, 2 Kashi Frozen Entree(I had to try these they look interesting!) $.34 each, 2 Bertolli Frozen Dinners $1.50 each, 4 20pk Electrasol $2.05 each, 3 Sugar Free Kraft pudding $.70 each, 2 State Fair Corn Dog pkgs $1.75 each, 4 South Beach Diet Granola Bars $ .75 each, 4 Degree Deodorants $2.50 each, 2 Schick Titanium Quatro Razors FREE, 1 box Bandaids FREE (got a rain check for 4 more which include some character boxes), 2 Gillette Foam Shave Cream $1 each, 1 lb organic Baby Carrots $.99.

Total Spent $51.01

Total Saved $88.33!

Finally Time To Shop

I put off shopping last week until the very last moment. I took the kids and really it wasn't worth the wait. Here are a few deals I got. I really can't wait for tomorrow. I hope Albertsons will re-stock the GM cereals. I've been waiting for almost a month to redeem one of my rain checks. I really haven't had to wait as long on other things just the GM cereals. I may have to drive to Brigham City.

At Macey's:

4 Juicy Juice 8ct-$1 each w/coupon

6 lbs WF sweet cream butter 3/$5

Cameo Apples .99/lb

Banana .69/lb

Cauliflower .79/lb

Garlic 3/$1

Red Seedless Grapes $1.29/lb

4 Solo Heavy Duty Paper Plate 44 ct .29 each with coupon and Rain Check

Total $ 25.58

Saved $12

At Smith's

8 Powerade @ .50 each

2 Smuckers Ice Cream topping @ $2.79 each

5 Mt. Dairy Ice cream 56 oz @ $1 each

4 Go-Gurts @1.29 Each with coupon (I freeze these and the kids love them)

1 Gallon Skim milk $2

Total $19.01

Saved $15.67

The Ice Cream is my great buy for the week. Mainly because of the fact that Russ is having an Ice Cream Party for his soccer team and I was able to get it for so cheap right when I wanted it! Yee Haw!

Rain Checks

A rain check is something you can ask for when the store is out of a product. Each store has a different policy on rain checks. You will have to ask them what their policy is. If you do not know if the store offers rain checks go to the Customer Service Desk and ask. They can usually help you right then and there.

When you get a rain check keep the coupons that go with it together.
When redeeming your rain checks be sure to hand them to the checker first, you can add the coupons with the rest of them.