My Walgreens and CVS Shopping Trip

Today at Walgreens, I spent $13.82 and saved $10.91, which is 45%. I really saved more, but the cashier had to ring up some of the products at the sales price, and the savings didn't show up on the receipt. Here's what I bought:
3 Walgreens aluminum foil $.69 each = $2.07
4 Pringles $6 - $1 coupon = $5 + $2 register rewards to use next time
3 Butterball chicken broth $.50 each = $1.50
3 Campbell's soups $.69 each = $2.07
2 Twizzlers $3 + $1 register rewards to use next time


At CVS, I spent $27.78 and saved $49.02, which is 64%. Here's what I bought:
1 Palmolive(I will give this away) $.88
3 Twizzlers $6 - $.75 coupon = $5.25
2 Keeblers $4
2 Banana Nut Cherrios buy one get one free = $4.19
3 Pringles $4 - $1 coupon = $3
1 Brilliant Tampon(I will give this away) $6.79 + $6.79 extra bucks to use next time
1 Huggies Diapers & 1 Pull-Ups(I will give these away) - $1.50 coupon - $2 coupon = $14.50 = $4 extra bucks for next time
1 Bandaid $2.99 + $1 extra bucks to use next time
1 Lady Speed Stick $1.99 + $1 extra bucks to use next time

I also had $17.49 in extra bucks to use from last time.

My Stater Bros. and Albertsons Shopping Trips

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $10.05 and saved $7.38(I really saved more, but the produce sales doesn't show up on the receipt). Here's what I bought:
Asparagus $1.99/pound = $2.07
2 Hillshire Farms Smoked Sausage $2.50 each = $5
2 Chips Ahoy $1.99 each - $1 coupon = $2.98


At Albertsons, I spent $23.07 and saved $24.17, which is 52%. Here's what I bought:
4 Danimals/Danino $2 each = $8
1 Kraft BBQ sauce $.79
4 Pasta/Rice-a-Roni $.79 each = $3.16
1 Wishbone Salad Dressing $.99
4 Ruffles chips $1.99 each = $7.96
1 Albertsons milk $4.19 - $4 instant coupon for buying 4 Danimals = $.19

I really had a difficult time getting that $4 off the milk! The ad said $4 off the milk instantly - in all the previous ads that meant I earned a free coupon for milk. Well, I didn't' receive one, so the cashier said to go and get a milk and he would re-ring it up with the Danimals, and it should take off $4. Well, it didn't. So, the manager had to take off the $4 manually. Then, it wouldn't refund the Danimals from the first purchase properly, so they had to manually enter a refund for $8. That wouldn't come off the card I had paid it with, so they had to give me cash back. Meanwhile, the people behind me in the 15 item or less line were not very happy at how long they had to wait in the "quick check" line. We all apologized, so hopefully that helped.

My Vons Shopping Trip

Today at Vons, I spent $8.10 and saved $10.69, which is 57%. Here's what I bought:
Peaches $.99/pound = $1.33
2 Bryers $2.49 each = $4.98
2 pound carrots $1.79(this wasn't on sale, but Walmart was out of carrots, so I had to buy them here)

My Walgreens and CVS Shopping Trip

Yesterday at Walgreens, I spent $9.83 and saved $20.10, which is 68%. Here's what I bought:
6 Royal Jell-O $.19 each = $1.14
2 Reynolds Wrap and 1 Walgreens wax paper $.89 each = $2.67
2 Pure Silk shaving cream and 2 Barbasol $.99 each = $3.96
3 Dove Bar Soap $.99 each = $2.97
2 Lysol toilet bowl cleaner(rain check) boy one get one free - $1 coupon = $1.99

I also had $4 register rewards to use from last shopping trip.


At CVS, I spent $20.87 and saved $39.94, which is 66%. Here's what I bought:
2 Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner 2/$6.97 + $2 extra bucks - $3 coupon = $3.97
1 Colgate Total toothpaste and 1 Colgate 360 toothbrush $2.79 each + $2 extra bucks each - $.75 coupon = $4.83
2 Cheezit 2/$4 + $1 extra bucks= $4
LA Looks gel $2.99 + $2 extra bucks - $1 coupon = $1.99
1 Covergirl NatureLuxe foundation $11.00 + $4 extra bucks - $2 = $9.00
1 Irish Spring deodorant $2.99 + $2 extra bucks
Power Bar Bites $2.49 + $2.49 extra bucks
1 Bayer Advanced(rain check) $3.00 + $1 extra bucks - $2.00 coupon = $1.00

I also had $14.48 in extra bucks to use from last week to help pay for this shopping trip.

My Stater Bros. and Albertsons Shopping Trips

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $18.89 and saved $23.68, which is 56%. Here's what I bought:

4 Oscar Meyer Lunchables $1.25 each = $5
1 Farmland Bacon $3.49
3 Raisels sour raisins(6 boxes each package) $1 each = $3
2 Honey Nut Cheerios $1.88 each - $1 coupon = $2.76
2 Cookie Crisp Cereal $1.88 each - $1 coupon = $2.76
1 Resses Puffs Cereal $1.88 each

Albertsons didn't have any good sales items for me. The only thing I bought was a package of turkey cutlets for $6.29 because I need that for dinner Wednesday night and no other store carries it. I don't buy this very often because it's a little pricey. Does anyone else use turkey cutlets, or have you found a cheaper alternative? Unfortunately, I've never seen turkey cutlets on sale.

My Vons and Ralphs Shopping Trips

Today at Vons, I spent $10.96 and saved $13.52, which is 55%. Here's what I bought:
2 Bryers Blasts ice cream $2.49 each - $1 coupon = $3.98
2 Dannon Kids Yogurt $1.99 each - 2 $.50 coupons(doubled) = $1.98
2 Dole Juice Blends $2.50 each = $5


Today at Ralphs, I spent $15.09 and saved $20.99, which is 59%. Here's what I bought:
3 Keebler cookies $.99 each = $2.97
2 Deluxe ice cream $2.50 each = $5
2 Juicy Juice $.99 each = $1.98
Broccoli $.88/pound = $1.10
Oranges $.99/pound = $1.64
Braeburn apples $.99/pound = $1.61
Brown onions $.50/pound = $.79

My Walgreensand CVS Shopping Trip

Today at Walgreens, I spent $4.74 and saved $9.46, which is 67%. Here's what I bought:
4 Tuf paper towel rolls $.50 each = $2
1 Wal-fex Allergy 5 count $3.99 + $3.99 register rewards to use next time
3 Aquafresh toothpaste $.99 each(from rain check) = $2.97

I also had $5 in register rewards to use from last time to help pay for this shopping trip.


Today at CVS, I spent $2.73 and saved $19.93, which is 88%! Here's what I bought:
1 Oral-B Pulsar toothbrush $6.00(from rain check) - $2 coupon = $4.00 + $3 in extra bucks to use next time
1 Schick Hydro Razor $8 - $4 coupon = $4 + $4 extra bucks to use next time
1 Ban Deodorant $2.99(from rain check) - $.75 coupon = $2.24 + $ 2 extra bucks to use next time

I also had $9 in extra bucks from last time to help pay for this trip.

My Stater Bros. and Albertsons Shopping Trips

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $8.73 and saved $15.19. Here's what I bought:
6 Hamburger/Chicken Helper $.75 each - 2 $.75 coupons = $3
1 Betty Crocker Cake Mix $.75 - $.75 coupon = Free
1 Betty Crocker Frosting $1.75
2 Pillsbury Grands Jr. Biscuits $.75 each - $.30 coupon = $1.20
Asparagus $1.99/pound
1 Romeros tortillas $.75


Today at Albertsons, I spent $20.44 and saved $28.80, which is 57%. Here's what I bought:
3 Albertsons 1.5 quart ice cream $2.79 each = $8.37
2 Michelinas $.79 each = $1.58
10 Quaker rice cakes $1 each = $10
1 Albertsons Cool Juice $2.49 - $1 coupon, doubled = $.49

My Vons Shopping Trip

Today at Vons, I spent $24.28 and saved $20.17, which is 45%. Here's what I bought:
1 Lucky Charms $1.88 - $.55 e-coupon = $1.33
4 Kraft Mac & Cheese $2.36
4 Safeway can corn $3.16
2 Lucerne sliced cheese $4.98
3 Lean Pockets $1.69 each
1 Gogurt $1.69
1 Yoplait Splitz $1.69 - $.75 coupon(doubled to $1) = $.69
4 Oscar Meyer Lunchables $1.25 each

My Walgreens Shopping Trip

Today at Walgreens, I spent $12.08 and saved $18.27. Here's what I bought:
3 Act II popcorn(from raincheck) $.25 each
4 Butterball Chicken Broth $.50 each
3 No Nonsense Pantyhose $.79 each
3 Chex Mix for $3.99 + $.99 store coupon + $1 manufacturer's coupon
1 Gilette ProGlide Fusion Razor $9.89 + $5 register rewards + $4 coupon

I also had $2 register rewards to use from last time to help pay for this trip.

My CVS Shopping Trip

Today at CVS, I spent $.75 and saved $17.03! Even the cashier said I did a good job. :) So, here's what I bought(by the way everything I bought will be donated to charity):

2 Excedrin migraine and PM $.99 each + $.99 extra bucks
2 Colgate Max Fresh toothpaste $2.79 each + $2 extra bucks + $.75 coupon
1 Crest Pro Health Rinse $4.50 + $2.50 extra bucks + $2 coupon
3 Bar Pack of Ivory Soap $.99

I also had $9.99 in extra bucks from 2 previous trips to help pay for this shopping trip.

Kindergarten Stress

My son is 4 years old with a November 14 birthday. In California, the cut-off date for kindergarten is Dec. 2, although this is changing in 2012. So, for the past four years, my husband and I have been agonizing over what to do, send him to kindergarten at age 4 or wait a year. His preschool teachers evaluated him at then end of the year and although he passed academically and showed kindergarten readiness, because of his age, they recommend the gift of a year and to send him to kindergarten when he's already 5.

So, a couple of weeks ago, it was time for Kindergarten registration, and my husband decided we should go ahead and enroll him in regular Kindergarten. Last week, I went on a tour of the school(even though my 2 older kids went there already - it was fun seeing their old teachers, I felt like a celebrity because they all recognized me), and the principal said he highly recommends their new transitional kindergarten for kids like mine. It's a brand new program for kids with Sept. - Dec. birthdays and it's basically a 2 year kindergarten program. He said even though kids are academically ready for kindergarten, they may not be socially, size, and maturity wise ready yet.

So, after thinking about that, a couple of nights ago, my husband asked me to call the school and find out more about the transitional kindergarten. Luckily, the teacher is going to be a teacher my daughter had, so she said she would be willing to test my son at the end of the transitional kinder. year and see if he's ready for first grade academically and maturity wise. If not, he can just continue on in the program the next year. My husband liked this much better, and I did too, because that way if he's not ready, he's not "failing" kindergarten, and if he is ready, he's not stuck in the program. So, this morning(because it's the last day of school), I went to the elementary office and asked them to change my son's registration to transitional kindergarten.

Decisions you have to make as a parent can be so stressful at times! I sure hope this is the right decision. Have any of you had to make the same/similar decision for your kids? What did you do and how did it work out?

My Stater Bros. and Albertsons Shopping Trips

Today at Stater Bros., I spent $5.23 and saved $1.26. I really saved more, but the produce always rings up as a regular price and doesn't show the savings. Here's what I bought:
Cauliflower $.99/pound
Romero's tortillas $.75
Sun Sations Dish Liquid $.75
White Rain Shampoo & Conditioner $.75 each



At Albertsons, I spent $22.52 and saved $30.57, which is 58%. Here's what I bought:
Watermelon $.39/pound
2 Albertsons chunk cheese $1.88 each
2 Oscar Meyer Lunchables $.99 each
Ronzoni Garden Pasta $.89 + $1 coupon
3 Kelloggs Pop Tarts $1.99 each + $1 coupon
4 Albertsons Oatmeal $1.49 each
4 Ragu Pasta Sauce $.99 each + 2 $1 coupons

My Vons and Ralphs Shopping Trips

Today at Vons, I spent $12.11 and saved $13.44, which is 53%. Here's what I bought:
Country Crock $2.99 + $.40 coupon, which was doubled
2 Doritos $1.79 each
3 4 pack Dannon Light and Fit Yogurt $1.49 each
3 S&W Beans $.79 each



Today at Ralphs, I spent $13.67 and saved $28.97. Here's what I bought:
3 Deluxe Ice Cream $1.99 each
4 Crackers(Wheat Thins, Better Cheddar, Vegetable Thins) $1.49 each
4 Jell-O Pudding Instant Mixes $.49 each
2 Kraft BBQ Sauce $.49 each + $1 Ralphs coupon, making them Free!
Brown Onions $.50/pound

My Walgreens Shopping Trip

Today at Walgreens, I spent $2.05 and saved $13.20. Here's what I bought:
3 Bumblebee Tuna $.69 each
Listerine Fresh Breath Strips $2.99 + $2 register rewards
3 Walgreens sandwich bags $.99 each

I had $6.50 in register rewards from last time to use to help pay for this trip.

This time, Walgreens was out of three of the items I wanted. I was able to get a rain check for two of them, but not the third since they don't give rainchecks for register rewards.

My CVS Shopping Trip

Today at CVS, I spent $1.31 and saved $14.12. Here's what I bought:
2 Mars candy bars 2 for $1 + $1 extra bucks
2 Speed Stick deodorants 2 for $5.50 + $3 extra bucks
2 Oral B toothbrushes $1.99 each + $1 extra buck + $1 coupon

I had $9 in extra bucks I earned last time to help me pay for the shopping trip. I also earned an extra $5in extra bucks, which was a pleasant surprise to me, for my extracare beauty club rewards.

By the way, how do you like this new way I'm posting my shopping trip? I may not always be able to post a picture, because I don't always have the time, but I'll try. I've seen a lot of blogs post their shopping trips this way, and I really like the way they look. I think it's a lot easier to grasp the savings when you see a picture of the items bought.

Lonely Girl, Gracious God Book Review

I'm a book reviewer for Bring It On Communications, and the latest book I was sent to review was, Lonely Girl, Gracious God, written by Lauri Khodabandehloo. Lauri is a Chicken Soup for the Soul contributor and is a big supporter of the autism community. The book was published by Deep River Books in 2011.

Lonely Girl, Gracious God is all about Lauri, her daughter Farema(who has autism), and the rest of her family. This book takes a very open and honest look at the struggles of a child with autism and also the struggles of the family trying their best to support her. The story starts at the very beginning of Farema's life when her mother found out she was pregnant with her. It takes you step by step through Farema's life and all of the signs that led her to be diagnosed with autism and all the many steps that were taken after that diagnosis to help her live as normal a life as possible. The book also shows how hard Lauri and her family had to work in order to get Farema the medical attention, school care, and social needs taken care of. Throughout the process we see how precious Farema is to her family and how much they love her. Farema's family struggles with each other and outsiders as they work every day to get her needs met. Lauri is a wonderful advocate for her daughter and always relies on God to help her get through the rough times. The book ends with a "Happy Ending," which is a tremendous chapter that shows how much the author herself has grown spiritually and emotionally as a mom, a wife, and a woman as she helped her daughter grow up.

I enjoyed this book very much from the first chapter all the way to the last. I've been around kids with autism as a volunteer in my children's classrooms, a substitute teacher, and my husband's cousin has a child with autism, so this book definitely gave me a different perspective. I will have a much better idea how to deal with an autistic child the next time I'm in the classroom or the next time I see my husband's cousin. I really admire the author for her dedication to her daughter and also to the rest of her family. Lauri is a wonderful example of a Proverbs 31 woman. I've learned a lot from her on how to be a better mom and wife.

If you would like to read Lonely Girl, Gracious God for yourself, the ISBN number is:
ISBN-10 1-935265-46-6, ISBN-13 9781935265467. You can buy it at amazon.com for $9-$12.

If anyone has every read this book before, what did you think about it?