The Grocery Game Challenge #10-Mar 4-10,2013-Road Trip To Target Canada
The arrival of US Discount store Target Canada has ended in 3 Ontario cities Milton, Fergus and Guelph. These 3 pilot Target stores in Canada opened their doors today to anxious waiting customers. We thought we would go on a road trip to the closest Target store to see what the fuss was all about.
Instantly I said, it’s a “Zarget” as there was still an aura of Zellers in the air. I’m sure the reminiscent feelings will slowly die off but it carried through most of the store. In fact it seemed more like a modernized version of Zellers with the high-tech electronics section with some pretty cool cameras (I was tempted but, not this time. There was also the expected traditional pharmacy and the health and beauty section for cosmetics which was bright and so very Hollywood. The great part was the wide aisles, bright colours and it seemed spacious, not cluttery at all, then again it is a new store.
Housewares seemed different as there were styles that we had never seen before and the clothes departments were airy and open as opposed to crowded with old clothes and loads of discount racks. A huge change was the amount of food offered, pretty much everything from milk to frozen meals to chips and pop and baked goods. It was an extensive line of products and even noticed the likes of Jaime Oliver products on the shelves. We also turned our head to one side many times as there were product names that we had never seen before in any other Canadian Stores.
I’m interested to see how this will work out for Target. Prices for some items were on the higher side for us, yet competitive at best as we know our product prices on many major items. There were no “sale” signs or coupons that we noticed. Shopping carts were everywhere as intrigue captivated the audience although waiting in the long line-ups didn’t appeal to us but were directed by organized smiling staff in red shirts. Since it was opening day that was to be expected, you know the mad rush.
A Coffee While You Shop?
We even heard a few others say, “It’s like Zellers” but we all know that change is hard for many people but I’m sure eventually Zellers will be a thing of the past and the people will embrace this modernized discount store. It says alot about a store that is modern, clean and has reasonable prices for the consumers but we shall see how well Target captures our pocketbooks. A big surprise was “Starbucks” where the smell of coffee permeates the air as soon as you walk into Target and if you think that it was empty given the high prices for a coffee or latte you are sadly mistaken.
The cool part is they even have coffee holders you can attach to your shopping cart so you can drink your Java while spending your money, brilliant marketing idea if I say so myself. I did like the aspect of the self scanners which we are now seeing pop up more and more with less cashiers in many major shops. I must admit it was nice to see product scanning stations throughout the store that were visible similar to the Canadian Tire set-ups. Over-all a great experience and we look forward to Target Canada.
- Will you be getting a Target RBC MasterCard?
- If you went to the opening of Target Canada today what were your initial thoughts?
The Grocery Game Challenge
If you missed yesterday’s blog post by Canadian Budget Binder fan Donna R where she shared her secrets for lowering her family’s grocery budget from a whopping $1100 a month to $600 give it a read now. It’s such an inspirational story and not only did she use coupons, batch cooking and planning she plays the grocery game challenge each week.
This is the first Grocery Game Challenge for March 2013~~ Post your Shop and you might be our next Grocery Game Winner!
Our Grocery Game Challenge Results
Food Basics
- 2 Lactancia Cream Sale $2.49- $0.75 coupon
- 1 x Lactancia Whipping Cream Sale $2.49- $0.75 coupon
- 3 x Lebanese Pita Sale $0.95 each
- Vine Tomatoes Sale $2.31 8 tomatoes
- Avocados Sale $2.50 for 6
- Spinach Sale $1.00 bag
- Allen’s White Vinegar Sale $1.99
Total Out Of Pocket– $17.98
Metro
- 2 Gallons of Cedar Extra Virgin Olive Oil Reg $22.99 Sale $15.99
- 4 x Basa Fillets Sale $.299 each
- Chilis Reduced Produce $0.99
- Clear Bags- $3.59
- Source Yogurt Sale $1.74- $1.00 coupon
- 2 x Butterball Turkey Bacon $3.99 – 2x FPC
Total Out Of Pocket– $ 29.73 and $20.00 to Stockpile Budget
No Frills
- 2 x Dozen Large Eggs Sale $1.99 – buy 2 save $1.00 coupon
- 2 x Neilson Truetaste Milk Sale $3.88- $1.00 coupons
- 4 x Sugar 2kg Sale $1.77
- 6 x Wonderbread $2.67-50% pink stickers – $1.00 wub 2 coupon
- 1x Lettuce Sale $1.00
Total Out Of Pocket-$ 18.91
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year : $2819.38
- Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $235.00 or $78.33 week with one no-shop week per month or $58.75 for 4 weeks per month. (During the months with 5 weeks we just make it work)
- Total Coupons Used this Week : $17.23
- Total Discounts this Week: $8.04
- Total Checkout 51 rebates this Week: $0 Don’t Use this service
- Total Checkout 51 rebates this Month: $0 Don’t Use this service
- Total Colleague Discounts (CD) this Week: $0
- Total Colleague Discounts (CD) this Month:$0
- Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
- Total Rewards Points Used: $0
- Stockpile Budget: $20.00 Used: $20.00
- Total Spent This Week:$ 18.91+ $29.73+$17.98
- Total Spent So Far for (March): $66.62
- Total Over/Under spend this shop: Under $11.71
- Total Over/Under spend for the month of (March): Under $168.38
- Total Left to Spend for the Month: $168.38
- Total Coupons Used This Month :$17.23+
- Total to Carry Over Next Month : $ n/a We don’t carry over
- Total Spent To Date This Year: $206.95 (Jan)+ $160.77 (Feb) $367.72+ (Mar)
Weekly Overview: I thought for sure we would be over but the oil went to the stockpile budget and we did plan out the shop. We have plenty of veg left in the refrigerator and potatoes so we didn’t need much. The only things we didn’t add were the tomatoes,bread and avocados as those were after the fact. The bread we had coupons for and there were pink stickers so under $1.00 per loaf which was great. This should be an interesting month but one we said we would stick to the budget no matter what, let’s hope we can do this.
February Grocery Game Challenge WINNER is……. #5 Dee F!!!! Congratulations DEE! Please email me with your address so I can send out your prize.
Some Coupons We Found This Week
How was your grocery shop this week? Post your shop exactly like how I did and let us all know.
FAQ’s- Grocery Game Challenge RULES…..
- Do I have to be Canadian to post my Grocery Shop? No, you don’t have to be Canadian to post your shops only to win a monthly prize. We have a few players from around the world.
- When does the Grocery Game Close each month? The Grocery Game Challenge Closes at Midnight of the last Sunday of the last post for the month. You can post your shops all month-long.
- Does Your Grocery Budget Include Health and Beauty and Laundry? Yes our Grocery Budget includes such items as shampoo, conditioner, laundry soap, fabric softener, dish soap etc. We don’t mind stockpiling items that won’t be effected by expiry dates or have long expiry dates but not so much food any more. It’s just one way to help cut your budget to save money.
- Where can I find Canadian Coupons? Here are your latest Coupon Match-ups of the week including Checkout 51 from 25 Newspaper Inserts around Canada compliments of Save Big Live Better that you can use to help you save money in the Grocery Game Challenge.
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Related articles
- The Grocery Game Challenge #9 Feb 25-Mar 3,2013-No-Shop Week, No Means No! (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- The Grocery Game Challenge #8 February 18-24, 2013~Buy Now or Buy Later (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- The Grocery Game Challenge Feb 11-17 Stock-up When You Can! Pancake Day! (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
- The Grocery Game Challenge #6 February 4-10, 2013~ What Foods Not To Eat, Organic and Gardening (canadianbudgetbinder.com)
I shop for 2 adults and a 2 year old toddler. Our budget is $90/week or $360 for this month and includes baby items, laundry, health/beauty, etc.
RCSS
Glade jar candle (PM FC) 4 x $2.99 – 2 x BOGO free coupons – 2 x $3.00 Checkout 51 (=FREE!)….a soon to be gift for my hard working babysitter! lol
Skinny spud sticks 2 x $2.24 (snacks for the airplane)
Piller’s Simply Free deli meats (PM WM) 2 x $3.97 – 2 x $.75 coupons – 2 x $1.50 Checkout 51
Coupons $7.48
Checkout 51 $9.00
CD $2.44
OOP $7.38
RCSS
Special K cracker chips (PM NF) $2.00 – $1.00 coupon
Huggies wipes (PM NF) 4 x $2.00 – 4 x $1.00 coupons
Coupons $5.00
CD $1.00
OOP $5.17
Walmart USA
Hand sanitizer $2.47
Toddler toothpaste $2.97 – $.50
Eq wipes $1.47
Coffee beans $9.98
Coupons $.50
OOP $17.37
CVS USA
Almay foundation $12.99 – $3.00 coupon – $1.00 coupon – $3.00 coupon
Coupons $7.00
OOP $6.83
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year : $4,680 ($90/week)
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $450 (5 weeks this month – but I am going to try to keep it under $360 like it’s a 4 week month…let’s see how I do!)
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $19.98
•Total Checkout 51 rebates this week: $9.00
•Total Checkout 51 rebates this month: $9.00
•Total Checkout 51 rebates this year:$39.50
•Total Colleague Discount (CD) this week: $3.44
•Total Colleague Discount (CD) this month:$8.78
•Total Colleague Discount (CD) this year: $129.14
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: 0
•Total Spent This Week: $36.75
•Total Spent So Far for March: $95.25
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: N/A
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of March: N/A
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $354.75
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $30.48
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : I do not carry over
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $763.91
•Weekly overview: Seems to be a pretty decent week to me 🙂 I’m impressing myself so far for March 🙂 lol
Hey!!
Your hard working virtual budgeteer friend likes Glade candles too you know hahah.. jk. You are loving the checkout 51 I can see and I’m happy to see you are taking advantage of the great deals. Where did the $1.00 wipes coupons come from? I’m excited to see if you can reach your goal this month.. I know you can do it Jen.. just plan it out mate!! Keep up the good work, since you were away you didn’t spend much but that’s ok. Focus on your goals Jen and you can make them happen. You get ballot #19
We did well with our holiday spending. We did not have to pay for lodging or transportation so all we spent over the whole week was about $250 and that included a $50 gc that we purchased as a thank you gift for my in laws.
The wipes coupons were from smartsource and facebook 🙂
You sound so happy and you should be. See how nice it is to save money. Just wait Jen, keep at it and every month will be like this for you.
Walmart #1
Kid’s multi-vitamin – $16.47
Always – sale 2x$3.97 – $2c
Fruite drink – sale 6x$1
•Total Coupons Used: $2
•Total Out Of Pocket: $31.73
FoodBasics #1
Green beans – sale $.53
Baby carrots – sale $1.00
Sidekick – sale $1.00
Peaches – $2.77
Mushrooms – sale $1.67
Clubhouse gravy – $1.29
•Total Coupons Used: $0
•Total Out Of Pocket: $8.25
FoodBasics #2
Granola bars – 3 for $5.00
Highliner cod – sale $6.99 – $1c
Schneiders (sausages, redhots, beefsteaks) sale 6x$1.88 – $10c
Bananas – $1.03
•Total Coupons Used: $11.00
•Total Out Of Pocket: $13.95
Walmart
Roman Ravioli – $2.17
Fruite drink – sale 6x$1.00
Crackers & cheese snacks – 2x$.1.00
Chocolate granola bars – $1.57
Source yogurt – sale $4.44
Rice Krispie Squares – sale $1.94 (plus will get $.50 rebate Checkout 51)
Juice – sale $1.00 (plus will get $.50 rebate Checkout 51)
CD Gingerale – $3.00
•Total Coupons Used: $0
•Total Out Of Pocket: $23.75
NoFrills
NN blueberry waffles – $1.50
NN sour cream – $1.97
PC salsa – sale $2.00
2L Trutaste milk – sale $2.97 – $1c
Silani sliced cheese – sale 2x$2.00
Muffins – $3.00
Bagels – sale $1.50
Honey garlic sausage – sale $5.46 (will get 3 meals out of it)
Sub deli meat – $3.79
Leaf lettuce – $.77
20lbs potatoes – sale $2.00
Roma tomatoes – $1.22
Baking cups – $.99
•Total Coupons Used: $1.00
•Total Out Of Pocket: $30.30
•Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $4200 ($80.77 per week)
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $350
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $14.00
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
•Total Spent This Week:$107.98
•Total Spent So Far for (insert month): $107.98
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: $27.21 over
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of March: $27.21 over so far
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $242.02
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $14.00
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : I don’t carry over
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $665.61
•Weekly Overview: So I went a bit over budget this week but this actually covers my shopping from March 1-10. I don’t think I will have to buy much this upcoming week so I am not worrying about the overage at this time. I was able to stock up on juice which was nice as I have not seen it go on sale for several weeks, had to actually buy a couple at full price prior to this week. My only problem is that I live in a little house so I don’t have a lot of room to really stockpile many items.
Hey Joanna,
Are kids vitamins always that expensive,wow! How long do they last for one child? Was the schenieders coupons from a contest you won? Awesome coupons. Looks like you go through quite a bit of juice and snacky items through the week so finding the best deals is important to you. Awesome deal on the potatoes. You used $14 in coupons this week which is great that’s money in your pocket. Although you went over budget you still have time to make up for that in your next shops. We always say the same, not thinking we will have to buy much hahah.. the hard part is sticking to it. My house in the Uk was around 600 sq ft so i know what small is that’s for sure. I had to make use of all my space . You get ballot 9 this week! Cheer Joanna.
I think I may have screwed up up somewhere along the line but I’m going to put my shops for the first week of March here and just go from there….. So this will be March 1-7… Somehow it will all work out….. I hope.
We had a pre-op trip to Stratford Friday so I managed a quick trip into Sobey’s
March 1
Foodland
2 tomato soup@.88- 1.76
1 box salt-1.49
2 packs pasta@ 1.50- 3.00
2 raisin bread @2.99-5.98
1 yam-2.13
1 EB frozen fruit-3.97, 1.00 coupon
1 pancake syrup-3.99
3 blocks cheese@ 4.44- 13.32
2 4l milk@ 4.79- 9.58
1 sunflower oil-4.99
1 jug water-5.49
1 case rootbeer-5.78
2 pork tenderloin- 5.50+5.92
tax-.75
Total $72.65, 1.00 coupon
Sobey’s
1 jar unsweetened applesauce-1.99
1 raisin bread-2.99
4 lbs butter@ 3.99- 15.96… not great but cheaper than in town
1 taco kit- 4.79
candy- 1.19+1.93+2.49
tax-.73
Total- $32.07
Foodland, Mar 4
1 can pineapple-1.19
1 Temptations- 1.79, .50 coupon
1 pack lasagna noodles- 2.28
1 pack bagels-2.99
1 raisin bread- 2.99
1 cider mix- 3.99
1 pack sausage- 3.99
1 4l milk- 4.79
1 jug water- 5.49
1 case gingerale- 5.78, 2.00 coupon
1 pack smokes- 9.69
tax- 2.76
Total- $45.23, 2.50 coupons
Foodland Mar 7
2 boxes reduced cereal@ 1.99- 3.98
1 raisin bread- 2.99
1 cider mix-3.99
1 4l milk- 4.79
1 jug water- 5.49
1 case gingerale- 5.78, 2.00 coupon
tax- 1.27
Total- $26.29, $2.00 coupon
Total budget for year-$7800.00
Total Budget for month- $600.00(4 weeks)
Total Coupons for week- $6.00
Total spent this week- $176.24, over $26.24
Total for month- $176.24
Over/under for week- $26.24
Left for month-$423.76
Total coupons- Jan- $58.70, Feb- $37.51, March- $6.00
Total carry-over YTD- $-66.15, need to work that down!!!
Total spent YTD-$1592.39
I still have some carry over to work off, slowly.. The butter at Sobey’s was not a great price but it was better than here in town. The pork tenderloin was a good price, 2.97 lb so that will mean some pulled pork coming soon, at least a meal or 6…. one usually means 2-3 meals out of it. My gingerale coupons are running out soon, March 31 so I plan to make sure I end the month without any left. It’s one of those things we keep in stock no matter what in case some one doesn’t feel well. The older boy is trying to cut back as much as he can on the smokes with the thought of being able to quit some time soon. We’ll have to see how things go here as the stress doesn’t always help matters there. He’s trying, in my books that’s what matters and I will support him in that all the way. Not much in great sales this week but I’ll see what next week brings, we have a follow-up trip to Stratford on the next two Mondays so I’ll have a good look over those flyers!!! I’m in town anyway so it’s not extra gas……
Hi Christine!
You track your shops the way you shop and I track my own. My weeks might not jive with yours but just make sure that you get your shops in on time for the last shop of my month or you risk losing a ballot. You don’t have to have the exact same weeks of shopping as me all you need to watch is for my last shop of the month as the entry for the contest closes. You track it all in the template as you go along and we all follow. I bet the butter was better than in town as some of those prices can hurt you but you have found some good deals at Foodland here and there. Have your son read my 4 How we quit smoking blog posts. If I can do it so can he and my life insurance went down I found out today! I’ll be blogging about it!! 🙂 Might as well shop while you are in town, smart idea!!! Have a lovely week my dear! You get ballot #7!
I just spent 3 hours completely balancing my YTD grocery budget! I oopsed and took my overage out of my funds available twice! Woo hoo! I actually still have $34.28 left this month (not including my US reserve, my Safeway gift card or my hiding spot money). That’s terrific! I don’t think I really need much more this month, so whatever is still available at the end of the month…I will add it to my US reserve. I knew there was a mistake this week, but I had to go right back to Jan 1 to see that there were actually 2 errors. Now I am on the straight and narrow. It sure would be a lot easier to have this in an Excel spreadsheet instead of a Word document. Some would say, perhaps I shouldn’t shop so much! LOL So…ignore my totals in the week of March 4-10…I will have the correct numbers in the March 11-17th GGC posting.
OK, sounds good. Glad that you found the money and that the numbers worked in your favour! I’m going to start moderating them now.
Great deal on the evoo Mr.CBB 🙂
Our monthly budget is $400 or $100 a week.
This week I really went over but I stocked up on our meat and didn’t redeemed any club sobeys points like I was planning too.
Shoppers
$2.99-$1C cheese
$1.99 total oop
$1 total coupons
Safeway
$8.49-$2C folgers kcups
$6.49 total oop
$2 total coupons
Superstore
$1×5-$2.50C instant noodles
$2.10×2-$1.50C coffee creamer
$5.98 butter chicken lasgana – from the recipe to riches show and it was yummy
$1.98×2 red & green peppers 4pk
$3.99(pm to london drugs)x4-$13.98C clear shampoo
$3-$2C aspririn
$19.94 total oop
$17.98 total coupons
Sobeys
$1.87×10 classico sauce(alfredo & pesto)
.55×2 lindor v day clearance
$5.99 cheese whiz
$2 sqeeker cheese curds
$2.31 2L pop
$9.99-.75C 907g cheese brick
$1.99 pumpkin pie
$3.99×2-bogo frozen whipping cream
$2.29×2-bogo sale sliced mushrooms
10%shop
$5.89 4L choco milk
$5.69 4L milk
$8.49-$2C folgers kcups
$2.49×2 cream cheese
$13.02 steak 3 meals for 2
$7.97 steak 1 meal for 4
$3.18×2 chicken breasts clearance
$4.55 chicken breasts clearance
$2.92 chicken breasts clearance
$11.99 ground beef 4 meals
$9.64 ground beef 4 meals
$14.09 pork loin 5 meals
$2.99×2-$2C superfries
$5.79-fpc turkey bacon
$3.99×2-$2C iogo yogurt
$2×2-$1.50C eggo mini waffles
$4.45 green grapes
$1.09 choco bar
$146.73 total oop
$12.41 10% discount
$14.04 total coupons
$175.15 total oop
$47.43 total coupons
$224.85 remaining for the month
It is going to be a big task ahead of us to keep in budget this month and even harder with my kids here for two weeks. But I am taking this seriously and we need to do this. I was able to stock up on all that classico for super cheap and flavoured coffee for the hubby this week and should last awhile. LOL my kids hate shopping with me cause of all the coupons so I don’t see us shopping too much while they are here, unless they are sleeping 🙂
Hi Juanita!
yes the oil was a great deal so we stock up when the gallons go on offer like that. It puts us over in our budget but we have to make up for it the rest of the month at least what our stockpile budget doesn’t take. I’m glad to read you are taking this seriously as grocery budgets can eat up a budget faster than we can imagine. You still have a way to with $224.85 left to spend this month. Make a plan and stick to it!!! You can do it. Have a nice visit with the kids Juanita!! You get ballot #6
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $4200
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $350-4.46 from February
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $34.74
Total Value Card Savings this Week: $58.60
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $
•Total Spent This Week:$249.61
•Total Spent So Far for (March): $249.61
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: $+132.94
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of (March): $
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $95.93
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $34.74
•Total to Carry Over Next Month : $ +/-
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $895.79
•Weekly Overview: Well this makes me want to cry, but I had to stock up on some things and I got some great sales and half price coupons on meat. My motivation was not good this week. I have some excuses, but they are just that, and I hope to be back on track now. With so little left for the month, I am not shopping for a while. I should have enough stuff to last other than milk or fresh fruit.
Safeway
Eggs 1.99-1.00
Parmesan Cheese 2.99-.20
String Cheese 3.99-.58
32 Oz Safeway yogurt 1.99-.30
Safeway Ice Cream 2.98-1.19
Safeway Fries 1.99
Safeway Hash Brown 1.99
Silk Almond Milk 3.19-.40
Morning Star Garden Burgers 5.19-2.20
Dannon Activia 12 pk 5.99-.99-2.50 coupon
Tru Moo Chocolate Milk 5.69-2.85 coupon
Lean Pockets 2 x 2.59-.69
Tropicana Farmstand Juice 3.69-.69-2.50-.50= free
Provolone String Cheese 4.49-1.00-2.25 coupon
Diet Pepsi 2 liter 2.09-.40-1.69=Free
2x Diet Pepsi 20 pk 15.98-4.00-2.00 coupon
4x Nature Valley Granola Bars 12.96-7.00-1.00 coupon
Kashi Cereal 3.99-.49
Snack Artist Chips 2x 2.99-.70
Safeway Crackers 2.19
Safeway Black Olives 2x 1.50
Nutra Grain Cereal Bars 4x 3.99-2.00
Sunkist 10 2 liter 2.09-1.10-.75 coupon
Dreamfields Pasta 4x 2.69-.69
Chicken Breasts 11.99-2.03-1.00
Oscar Mayer Lunchables 2x 3.34-.84
Bacon 4.99-1.00
Beef Ribs 6.17-1.55-1.39 coupon
Ribeye Steaks 16.70-1.52-4.55 coupon
Pork Loin Chops 8.68-2.61-3.04 coupon
Bananas .57
Red Grapes 7.38-3.70
Apples 3.99
Carrots 2.99-.49-.71
Cucumbers (was actually a zucchini, but clerk was mistaken!) 2 x.99
Spinach 2.99-1.99 coupon
Organic Celery 3.49
3 pks 16 0z Blueberries 20.97-5.97
Butter 3.19-.69-1.25
Fountain Drink 1.29
6 Cans Safeway chicken broth 7.14-3.14
Licorice 3.19-1.19
Safeway granola bars 2.99-.99
Shredded Cheese 2.99
French Bread 1.69-.70
Tax 6.87
Total 160.75
Family Dollar
Pizza Crust Mix 4 x 1.00
Pizza sauce 1.25
Hershey Baking Chips 2.12
Brown Sugar 2.00
Charmin 36 roll pack 14.00
Tax 2.62
Total 26.37
Wal Mart
Whole Pineapple 2.98
Frozen Mixed Fruit 8.47
Tortillas 2.58
Chapstick 2.88
Tampax 6.97
Fruit Snacks Value Size 3.00
Vfusion juice 2.50
Shells and Cheese Multipack 3.75
V8 Splash 1.98
Twizzlers 3.48
Tomatoes 2.18
Dental Floss .97
Razors 5.98
GV 100Z Mini?? 2 x.96
Treatment?? 4.48
Tax 3.27
Total 62.49
Hi Kim,
You know that’s just it. It’s great to stock up but we found that we were buying just too much food for the house and we weren’t getting through it fast enough and spending far more in the budget. It’s hard to let it go sometimes and we still mess it up but always try to keep focused and get back on track. You have $95 left this month to spend on fruit, milk and veg… I want to see how you are going to spend this money and if you can challenge yourself to make it through until the end!!! Do you plan your shops by chance? Glad to see all those coupons you are using!! 🙂 We pick up meat cheap as well when there are stickers but what I do is check out the meat that is not reduced and calculate the math. Sometimes they have different prices per kilo on the exact same meat and the one with the stickers is higher priced. If I find that, I just leave it as it’s not worth it but we have found some awesome deals. Keep at it… you have some challenging shopping for the month!
Hi Mr. CBB,
This week has been really busy with the birth of my own new blog. Has a monster been created? Time will tell, I guess. I hope you don’t mind this bit of self promotion but I would invite your readers to check it out.
It seems like I have really blown it at first glance but I am cooking for the freezer this week and purchased A LOT of meat, all on sale, which will be consumed throughout the month. I also had a bunch of coupons for cleaning products and it is spring cleaning season so cleaners are on sale. I stocked up for a while. My thrill score this week was Special K breakfast drinks. I had a B1G1 free coupon which was about to expire so I was searching for a sale as I don’t usually buy these. They were on sale but didn’t scan so with SCOP I got the 1st one free and with the coupon, got the 2nd one free. Made me want to shout “Booyah!”
Shoppers Drug Mart
4 x Evaporated milk @ 1.37 = 5.49
2 x 4L milk @4.29 = 8.58
Total OOP = 14.07
No Frills
2 x cream chicken soup @ 0.97 = 1.94
2 x McCain french fries @1.47 = 2.94
7 x cat food @ 0.45 = 3.15
1 x chips = 1.19
1 x PAM = 6.49
2 x Special K brkfast Drinks @5.88 – SCOP – B1G1 free coupon = 0
1 x rye bread = 1.99
3 x mealtime bread @2.17 – 50% off = 3.24
2 x bag chicken legs = 9.10
1 x frozen chicken tournedos = 10.00
Bananas = 2.87
Bag spinach = 0.97
Tomatoes = 1.07
4 x head and shoulders shampoo @4.97 – 1.00 = 15.88
1 x shaving cream = 1.89
1 x cauliflower = 1.77
1 x garlic 3 pk = .99
1 x ketchup = 1.00
2 x asparagus @ 1.97 = 3.94
1 x charity donation = 2.00
Total OOP = 72.42
Coupons used = 9.88
SCOP savings = 5.88
Food Basics
4 x Scrubbing bubbles bathroom cleaners @2.99 – 1.00 = 7.96
4 x Dawn dish soap @ 1.99 – 1.00 WUB2 = 5.96
2 x Clorox bleach cleaner @3.49 – 1.00 = 4.98
1 x V-H sauce = 1.79
2 x Selection cooking sauces @ 1.29 = 2.58
1 x hot chocolate jumbo size = 6.99
2 x blueberries @ 1.44 = 2.88
2 x strawberries @1.44 = 2.88
1 x raisin bread @ 3.29 – 1.00 coupon = 2.29
2 x villaggio buns @ 3.29 – 0.75 coupon = 5.08
2 x coleslaw mix @2/3.00 = 3.00
3 x store pizzas @5.49 – 40% = 9.87 (Hubby says don’t buy them again even if they are FREE. Cardboard tastes better.)
Green onion = 0.97
Broccoli = 0.97
2 x sliced turkey = 8.58 – 40% = 5.14
3 x pork tenderloin @2.22/lb = 15.42
4 x ketchup @ 2.00 = 8.00
Apples = 3.97
2 lemons = 0.80
Oranges = 3.97
2 x coleslaw drsg @1.49 = 2.98
brown sugar = 2.19
Source yogurt @4.99 – 0.50 coupon = 4.49
3 x McCain sweet potato fries @2.49 – 1.00 coupon = 4.47
2 x cashmere toilet paper @6.99 = 13.98
1 x juice boxes = 2.49
1 x frozen cod fillets = 7.99
2 x frozen broccoli @2.00 = 4.00
1 x bread crumbs = 1.49
1 x 10 kg flour = 7.99
1 x cheese spread = 4.49
? = 2.00
? = 0.89
Total OOP = 160.18
Total coupons used = 14.00
FreshCo
6 x Catelli pasta sauce @0.97 = 5.82
2 x peach slices @1.49= 2.98
2 x Havarti cheese slices @ 1.49 = 2.98
Green beans = 0.97
2 x Maple Leaf bacon @ 2.97 = 5.94
Sliced ham = 5.00
Sliced roast beef = 5.00
Turnip = 2.02
Spray starch = 2.99
Body lotion = 3.99
Oranges = 3.49
2 x waffles @ 0.99 = 1.98
2 x whole chickens = 13.54
Total OOP = 57.88
Fortino’s
2 x egg creations @2.49 – B1G1free = 2.49
6 x egg creations @ 2.49 – 1.00 coupon = 8.94
(These freeze well and are great for French toast, scrambled eggs, etc)
2 x cashmere t. paper @4.44 = 8.88
Lentils = 2.49
2 x cream corn @0.99 = 1.98
Cheese whiz = 5.99
1 x MM’s peanuts = 1.29 (I got hungry)
1 x stuffing mix = 1.49
Dill pickles = 1.99
1 x PC garden vegetable lasagna = 8.99 (this is fantastic stuff)
1 x juice boxes = 1.67
Lean ground beef @ 2.22 /lb = 26.58
4 x Reach tooth brushes @1.99 = 7.96
2 x colgate tooth paste @ 1.99 – 1.00 coupon = 1.98
Total OOP = 81.72
Coupons used = 11.49
Walmart
1 x garlic bread = 2.78
1 x drano = 4.23
1 x MIO @ 3.47 – 1.00 coupon = 2.47
1 x Great Value water enhancer = 2.57
Total OOP = 13.39
Coupons used = 1.00
Total Grocery Budget for the Year: $7300.00 /year
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $600.00 or $150.00/week
Total Spent This Week: $ 399.66
Total Spent So Far for (March): $ 399.66
Total Over/Under spent this shop: $ over 249.66
Total Over/Under spent for the month of (March): $ over 249.66
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $ 200.34
SCOP: $ 5.88
Total Coupons Used this Week: $ 36.37
Total Coupons Used This Month: $ 36.37
Total coupons used this year: $ 216.40
Total to Carry Over Next Month: $ 0.00
Total Spent To Date This Year: $1738.08
Hi Donna!
I’m glad the blog is going well for you, congrats on starting your own site!! I’m sure the fans would love to drop in and check it out. WOW, you went over budget this week… Great deal FREE with the SPECIAL K.. SCOP and coupons are great. You sudre did stock up this week but now you have $200.34 left for the month but that’s alot of cash still to spend. Do you think you can make it in under budget? What is your plan? You get Ballot #5
I will make it in under budget. I just front-loaded my spending so I could get lots of cooking done ahead. I will have to rethink how I do this, though. I could barely find a place to put it all.
That’s a tough spot when their isn’t alot of space. Same here although we do have a freezer, it’s full!
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $250.00 for 2 people. =62.50/4 weeks
Total Coupons Used this Week : $66.52
Total Spent This Week: $64.53
Total Spent So Far for (March): $64.53
Total Over/Under spend this shop: Over $2.03
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $185.47
Total Coupons Used This Month :$64.53+
This week’s shop
Food Basics
pancake mix 2.49
pork shank 10.00
cheese slices 3.00
cheese bar 3.44
delissio pizza party pack 5.97
pie filling 1.99
napa cabbage 1.73
mushroom 0.88
strawberry 1.97
acorn squash 1.62
sweet potato 0.79
ginger root 0.39
broccoli 0.88
green onion 0.67
banana 1.19
Lean Cuisine fresh 2×3.29 – 2x FPC = FREE 😀
Special K flatbread 3.29 – FPC = FREE 😀
4L milk 5.99-FPC=FREE 😀
pops 2×3.00=6.00
Zehrs
rice 13.88
Walmart
old spice body wash PM Giant Tiger 2.99
Nutrigrain PM food basics 2×1.88-2×1.00=0.88 ea (plus came with 2 pins for kelloggs snack FPC, i chose special k crisps, yumm!!)
colgate PM RCSS 3×1.00 – 3×1.00 = FREE 😀
m&ms 10×0.75 – 10xFPC = FREE 😀
Snickers 1.08 – FPC = FREE 😀
Twix 1.08-FPC =FREE 😀
Zantacs 12×2.22-12×3.00= +9.36 OVERAGE!!
i am back on the grocery challenge game! without your game, i lose tracks lol. 🙂 sorry but i am back now! (Welcome aboard, Wing lol)
Finally!!! we missed you WING!! Welcome Back!!
and i can’t wait to check the new Target out! There will be one near me some time this year! 🙂
It was nice but nothing special jumped out at me. It was only day 1 though.
Welcome Back WING!!!
Time to woop your arse back into grocery shape but I know you are Queen of the grocery cart aren’t you? 🙂 I was going to say you bought the flatbread but the FPC makes it ok 😉 where did you get the milk FPC, awesome coupon Wing! What kind of rice do you buy? Look at all the free chocolate, you are an FPC Queen aren’t you lol. I can’t believe you found Zantac, our WM hasn’t carried it in over a year!!! You did very well this shop and look at all the coupons you used!! I’m interested to see how you spend the rest of your grocery budget this month!! You get ballot #4 … cheers Wing!
Total Grocery Budget for the Year: $ 4080.00
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $340.00 or $85.00 week
I have $283.90 to spend in March. The $340.00 minus the over spend of February of $56.10.
•Total Coupons Used this Week :$4.00
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $- 0
•Total Spent This Week: $104.59
•Total Spent So Far for (March): $104.59
•Total Over/Under spend this shop: $19.59 over
•Total Over/Under spend for the month of (March):$19.59 over
•Total Left to Spend for the Month:$$179.31
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $4.00
•Total to Carry Over Next Month :0
•Total Spent To Date This Year: $839.47
•Weekly Overview:A good week. This will be a poorer month as there are higher bills. I seems to be eating more out of the freezer and need to eat up the vegetables in there before the garden begins.
->
Bulk Barn
Brown sugar .18/lb sale 1.92
Icing sugar .22lb 2.08
almonds 1.74/lb sale 3.22
Chocolate chips 5.62
Walnut pieces 3.54
coupon -3.00
No Frills
Baking chocolate 2.99
Black forest ham 50% off 1.99
Lean beef 1.98 lb sale 6.68
Lean beef 1.98 lb sale 6.69
banana 1.72
tomato 1.72
mushroom .97
PC salad dressing 2x 1.88 each sale 3.76
Ice creme sale 4.97
Dog food 8.99
Hot chocolate 2.99
Granola bars 1.79
bread 2 x 1.77 sale 3.54
Ww tortilla 2.27
Outside cut beef 30% off 3.44
banana 2.29
cauliflower sale 1.77
cucumber .97
Baby spinach 4.49
Roma tomato .45
milk 2 x 3.88 8.99
Independent
milk 3.88
eggs 2x 1.99 sale-1.00 coupon 2.99
Foodland
cheese 2x 4.44 8.88
oatmeal 1.99
Total 104.59
We’re trying to eat up what we have in the freezer now as well. We had all our major bills and taxes hit us in February so hopefully this month won’t be so bad for our budget. We started our seeds for the garden 2 weeks ago and so far so good. When do you start your garden? We need to go to Bulk Barn soon as well to pick up a few things. Have you ever made your own tortillas? They are so easy to make. I have a recipe on the blog. Good deal on the milk!!! It’s only the beginning of the month, let’s see what you can do with your budget! You get ballot #3
I haven’t been to a Target in ages, not since I was younger and my family was visiting San Fransisco. Might have to go if they show up in Vancouver!
Nothing jumped out at us as “wow that’s an awesome price” but it’s only the beginning. We’ll see what happens over time.
I have a Zellers a block from my house that is being converted into a Target. Anything would be better than Zellers. Ours looked like a Salvation Army inside.
By the way, it says you bought 6 avocados for 25 cents. That’s why that first poster made the comment.
Thanks Troy, I just replied to her as she commented back. I can’t stop laughing at that and here I thought I got a great deal as she live in Guatemala and I think her produce prices are cheap. Target is much different in terms of decor,colour and marketing for sure especially with the Starbucks.
Which store did you go to??? My sister-in-law works at the Guelph store, Stratford’s store won’t be open until late fall so I guess I better check out Guelph next time we go to her place!!! She wasn’t overly impressed with the Target card and has no plans to get one….. she was saying she gets the 5% if she pays cash for what she buys but if she uses the Target card she would get an extra 5%…..she doesn’t think it’s worth the bother, at least not to her… She was working for the opening, i talked to her earlier tonight. She was working the change rooms when they opened and she worked until 2:30 pm. It will be interesting to see how they do with competition pricing over time….. I’m almost interested in doing a little ‘window shopping’ there to see what they have…
Holy guacamole! that is some cheap avocado!
Is it? I wasn’t sure I should have got 2 bags then lol 2/$5. You want me to send you some haha… then again your bananas are pretty cheap….
you wrote 25 cents in your post 🙂
oh crap did I… geesh… and here I was bragging to Mrs. CBB that Pauline thought we got a good price on avocados… I said maybe we should have bought 2 bags lmao… thanks for pointing that out.
I fixed the price, thanks… put the decimal in the wrong spot. 😉
Haha it is still quite cheap. here is my shop, I got only 5 avocados for $2.50!
Budget for March $200 which is the usual budget after two months at $100 to get rid of stockpile. I am taking off $28.71 overspend from Feb, leaving $171.29 for March.
5 gallon Drinking water $2.
Honey $2.12
10lb flour $8.24
5L vegetable oil $7.4
5kg sugar $4.52
4lb rice $2.21
3*3L 7up $4.75
8*125cl Quetzalteca (mixed alcoholic drink) $7.47
5lb banana $0.8
1lb lentils $1
2 packs crackers $1.87
5 avocados 2.47
1.6lb potato $0.45
2.99lb tomato $1.57
0.36lb jalapeno $0.25
total $47.17
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $171.29 or $34.25 times 5 weeks
Total Coupons Used this Week : none
Total Spent This Week:$ 47.17
Total Spent So Far for (March): $89.83
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $13.08 over
Total Over/Under spend for the month of (March): $21.5 over
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $81.46
Total Spent To Date This Year: $319.89
Week overview: Aside from vegetables and drinking water, this is a 2 week shop. The oil is for mixing with gas and polishing furniture mostly, I bought one last month too, we didn’t start a friary house!
Hey Pauline,
Ya well at least you caught the error I didn’t that’s for sure. It did sound good though. My mate Troy also commented and found the error and explained what you found. What do you do with your lentils? They are 900g for $1.47 this week here! Do you do alot of baking with your flour or make bread? Awesome price on the tomatoes,but veg oil is pricey wow, honey is a good price depending on the size though. What an amazing difference. You have a very clean diet. Do you like spicy meals? So you have $81.46 left to spend this month and it’s the beginning of the month. I can’t wait to see how you spend it!! That’s all the questions I have for now because I’m nosey that way! 🙂 Cheers
We shop Walmart now instead of Target, simply because the prices are so much lower. But their marketing is amazing, as you said. The smell of coffee, the bright colors. We used to say “You can’t go into Target without dropping $100” because everything is so well-placed and looks so appealing. Walmart isn’t as attractive, but it also isn’t as tempting to spend money there. Interesting…..
I know, oil is expensive, you got olive oil for the same price I get bad vegetable mixed oil… there are lot of palm plantations here for palm oil so I don’t know why the prices are so high.
With lentils generally I do stew, with beef or chorizo and a few veggies. Also like lentil salad and if I had the spices I would make vegetable curry or something.
yes, flour is mainly for bread and pizza dough, I want to try muffins, need to find the molds first. My oven doesn’t have temperature levels marked so I don’t know how hot it is when I put on low, medium or high, which makes baking a bit difficult.
Honey was 500 grams, it is cheap and goes perfectly on my bread!
I love spicy meals, I have jalapenos every day on my breakfast eggs and then sometimes a spicy lunch too, in my 90 acres land there are some chilis called chiltepe, very very hot small round chilis, I go pick some up and we do spicy oil.
Anyway, yes, only $80 to spend, but I am not shopping until the 15 and remember last month I had $100 for the whole month! I feel rich haha.
Haha you should feel rich with that $80 lol. So you don’t really know the temperature when you are baking. That will make it even more challenging. Muffins are great to bake and very easy. I read your post yesterday so I was up to speed on the bread making that you do. I enjoy making it myself. I have an olive bread recipe on the blog I created and make often. That is a good price for honey and honey is a perfect sweetner for many recipes. I’m not so sure about the chilis but after a while I bet you build a tolerance to them and crave the flavour in your food. How do you make spicy oil, just put the peppers in the oil?
Week 9
Publix
Chicken Nuggets $5.99
Medicine $3.79
Tater Tots $2.50
Hawaiann Punch $1.67
Total Out of Pocket $14.06
Publix
Ketchup $1.39
Potato Chips $1.49
Hawaiian Punch $1.67
Peanut Butter Crackers $2.99
Trash Bags $3.89
Hawaiian Punch $1.67
Total Out of Pocket $13.54
McDonald’s
3 Cheeseburgers $2.97
2 Small Fries $2.00
2 Filet-O-Fish $3.50
Total Out of Pocket $8.98
Walmart
Bagels $2.98
BBQ Sauce $3.42
Tyson Chicken Nuggets $4.97
Curly Fries $2.96
3 x Totinos Pizzas $4.08
Toilet Tissue $6.97
Long Grain Rice $1.38
Total Out of Pocket $27.18
Penn Dutch
Beef for stew $9.68
4 Yellow Tail Snappers $18.63
Total Out of Pocket $28.31
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $3,500
Total Grocery Budget for March: $254.98
Total Coupons Used this Week: $0.00
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0.00
Total Spent This Week: $92.07
Total Spent for March: $92.07
Total Underspend this shop: $63.75 -$28.32
Total Overspend for the month of March: $0.00
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $162.91
Total Coupons Used This Month: $0.00
Total to Carry Over Next Month: $162.91
Total Spent To Date This Year: $ $787.24
Weekly Overview: Clearly, I’m over this week. I hate the feeling of not being able to control this one little thing in my life. The good news is, I still have the rest of the month to fix it. I’m sure Mr. CBB’s kind words will help, too.
Don’t beat yourself up so much. Do you track your expenses in a budget sheet? Maybe if you track your grocery receipts as you go along you will know what you have to spend when you leave the house. Or have a magic number you can’t go over when you are out grocery shopping. You have to find a way to make it easy on yourself, no guessing games. You do have the rest of the month and we’ve went over on shops lots of times but had to even it out the next weeks after. What do you think you will do?
I kept looking at my post, knowing something was wrong in the bottom section. It should be as follows:
SPENT THIS YEAR:
•Total OOP Spent So Far This Year:
(Jan – $217.24) + (Feb – $ 200.40-2.01=$198.39) )+(March $0.00) = $415.63
•Total YTD Grocery Budget So Far:
(Jan $190.00)+(Feb$190.00)+(March$142.50) = $522.50
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Grocery Budget: $0.01 overage carry fwd left
•Total March Grocery Budget Still Available:
($142.50-$35.62-$0.01 next week) = $106.87
•Total YTD Stockpile Budget:
(Jan $0.00)+(Feb$0.00)+(March$47.50) = $47.50 Available
•Total YTD Stockpile Budget USED: $0.00
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Stockpile Budget: $0.00
•Total March Stockpile Budget Still Available: $47.50
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $195
Total Coupons Used this Week : $0
Total Discounts this Week: $0
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Week: N/A
Total Checkout 51 rebates this Month: N/A
Total Colleague Discounts (CD) this Week: N/A
Total Colleague Discounts (CD) this Month: N/A
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: N/A
Total Rewards Points Used: N/A
Stockpile Budget: N/A
Total Over/Under spend this shop: $36.20 over
Total Spent This Week: $101.62
Total Spent So Far for March: $101.62
Total Over/Under spend for the month of March: N/A
Total Left to Spend for the Month: $93.38
Total Coupons Used This Month : $0
Total to Carry Over Next Month : $0
Total Spent To Date This Year: $541.15
Weekly Overview: This month should actually be better due to 3 pays so I might even take some of the extra pay and use it for a stock pile budget but I believe that for the food bought, I should be able to actually make it last the two weeks
Weston’s Bakery Outlet
3 Cookies = $3.50
10 Bread = $10.00
1 Raisin Bread = $2.00
1 Pop Tart = $2.80
1 Frozen M&C = $3.60
2 Hot Stuff -= $2.00
3 Bags Frozen Vegetables = $10.30
OOP = $34.20
Wal-mart
2 Bags of Cat Food = $20.00
6 Boxes of Kleenex = $3.00
1 Bread = $2.17
5 Cans of Tuna = $5.00
4 Cans of Cat Food = $2.56
Tax = $3.32
OOP = $36.05
No Frills
2 Side Kicks = $1/94
2 Cereal = $5.94
1 Yogurt = $4.97
6 Boxes of KD = $5.82
2 Bags of Milk = $7.76
2 Bologna = $4.94
OOP = $31.37
Hi Dee,
Yes that is correct 3 pays this month. Great deal on the kleenex! If you think you can make it through then stay out of the shops if you don’t need to go in. That’s what I would do although I’m probably rotten at the “stay out of the shop” advice since I struggle with it. Let’s see how your month unfolds. You get ballot 2
Week of March 4 to March 10, 2013
REVISED 2013 GROCERY BUDGET / STOCKPILE BUDGET AND US RESERVE:
•Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For Year: $142.50 x 12 = $1,710.00 for 2 adults
•Total Stockpile Amount Budgeted For Year: $47.50 x 12 = $570.00 for 2 adults
•Total CANADIAN Grocery Budget for the Month of March: $ 142.50
•Total CANADIAN Stockpile Budget for the Month of March: $ 47.50
•Total Grocery Budget for the Week:
$ 142.50/4 = $35.62 with FOUR “No Shop” Weeks Per Year
•Total Stockpile Budget for the Week:
$ 47.50/4 = $11.87 with FOUR “No Shop” Weeks Per Year
MARCH BUDGET ADJUSTMENT:
•Total US Dollar Reserve: ($29.05 +$100.00 by reducing vacation budget for March)
= $129.05
OVERVIEW:
This was supposed to be a NO SHOP WEEK for us. However, I discovered that Safeway was having a Customer Appreciation Day on March 5th so if we spent $20 to earn a single air mile, we would in fact receive not only 10 X the number of Air Miles earned which amounts to 10 from Safeway but also get 20 from our AMEX Air Miles credit card for a total of 30 Air Miles for $20 spent. We ALSO would get a $10 off coupon to use between March 11 and 14th (when I am on a “shop” week) on a minimum $75 order!!! That’s like $10 cash back in our pockets and makes that weekly shop stretch just a little further!
Even the 100 bonus air mile event, which I love by the way, only gives 100 bonus Air Miles for $100 spent is in my case is giving me a 2 for 1 return (100 from Safeway + 100 from our AMEX). This is a 3 for 1 return! Way to rack up the Air Miles!! ☺
I received a $10 cash repayment from a friend that owed us some money for groceries we picked up on her behalf in the US & I have added it to the Canadian “Hiding Spot” in my wallet, bringing the balance up to $25.00.
Then, I fished out a $20 from the hiding spot & hubby managed to pry it my death grip clutching fingers. I do so hate to give up my cash!! LOL I feel so poor now with only $5.00 left in my hiding spot. Maybe we have enough bottles to go to the recycle depot… I need a cash top up! Ha ha ha!
In order to get 30 Air Miles instead of just 10 though, we used our AMEX Air Miles credit card and we deposited the $20 hiding spot cash into our chequing account to cover the purchase when the month end bill is issued.
So, I may have spent $20 of my $25 hiding spot cash BUT I have a $10 coupon which to me feels like I got my groceries 50% off!
Wait ‘til you see what I have planned for that coupon to make our grocery dollars stretch again next week… I need a $75 order to use the Safeway discount coupon BUT remember my little Safeway gift card? Next week I will be able to pick up $75 worth of groceries – $10 store coupon – $20 gift card = $45 OOP. Even though that will put me over on my week, I’ll still be way under on the month with almost twice the groceries I would normally have been able to purchase! Pretty Sweet if I do say so myself!
By using our hiding spot cash though we didn’t touch our grocery budget for the month, so we are taking this opportunity to absorb all but $0.01 of our year-to-date grocery budget overage. Yeehaw! We can finally start next week almost even again!
Not shopping hasn’t been as tough as it might have been since we brought home some little containers of low fat milk and chocolate milk from our hotel stay in Bellevue at the end of February. They were in the Club Floor lounge and we brought them back to the room but never used them. As long as I have milk for my morning tea, I am happy!
The Dollar Daze at Save On Foods end on March 14th so I will be stocking up a few items next week using my NEW stockpile allotment.
We’re going to be in the US for our St Patrick’s Day celebration and a lunch of corned beef and cabbage at the Hilltop Restaurant. Our plan is to hit Costco in Bellingham for some corned beef to take home while they are on sale using our US funds Reserve. Although technically it’s stockpiling…I just have one kitty for the US purchases.
So… next week I’ll actually have some shops to report again! I have been feeling like a side-lined football player with an injury for the last couple of weeks. I guess this is what it takes to learn my lesson and not over spend, huh?
THIS WEEK:
Safeway – Shop #1
1 Signature Club Pizza ($9.49-$1.50 Price Reduction) = $7.99
1 Safeway Select Pork Back Ribs (with coupon – limit of ONE) $9.99
1 pkg Rice Shell Macaroni $2.99
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions: $1.50
•Total Checkout51 Savings: $0.00
•Total Coupons Used: $0.00
•Total Air Miles Earned = 10 Miles (+ 20 using our AMEX Air Miles card)
•Total OOP: $20.97
$20.97 Grocery Expense << Larry chipped in the $0.97
•Total CANADIAN Hiding Spot Money Spent This Week: $20.00
•Total CANADIAN GROCERIES OOP Spent This Week:
($0.00 + $35.62 of our overage) = $35.62
•Total U.S. OOP Spent This Week: $0.00
•Total Over/Under on the Weekly Spending: $0.00
•Total Gift Cards USED this Week: $0.00
•Total Cash In Wallet Hiding Spot for Emergencies:
$15.00+$10.00 cash received = $25.00 – $20.00 spent = $5.00 << so sad 🙁
•Total SAFEWAY Discount Coupon for March 11-14: $10.00
•Total Gift Cards In Reserved for Future Use: $20.00
•Total 2013 Stockpile Reserve: $0.00
•Total 2013 US GROCERY CASH: ($29.05 +100.00) = $129.05
THIS MONTH:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions in MARCH: $0.00
•Total Checkout51 Savings in MARCH: $0.00
•Total Coupons Used in MARCH: $0.00
•Total More Points Earned in MARCH: 0 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned in MARCH: 30 Miles
•Total OOP Spent in MARCH: ($35.62+$20.00-$20.00 hiding spot cash) = $35.62
•Total Over/Under on the Monthly Budget: ($35.63 carry fwd-$35.62) = $0.01
EARNED/SAVED THIS YEAR:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year:
(Jan $40.04) + (Feb $44.48) + (March – $1.50) = $86.02
•Total Checkout51 Savings This Year:
(Jan – $0.00) + (Feb – $0.00)+(March $0.00)= $0.00
•Total Coupons Used This Year:
(Jan – $60.46) + (Feb – $0.00)+ (March $0.00) = $60.46
•Total More Points Earned This Year:
(Jan 265) + (Feb 248)+(March 0) = 513 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year:
(Jan 57) + (Feb 10) )+(March 30) = 97 Miles
SPENT THIS YEAR:
•Total OOP Spent So Far This Year:
(Jan – $217.24) + (Feb – $ 200.40) )+(March $35.62) = $453.26
•Total YTD Grocery Budget So Far:
(Jan $190.00)+(Feb$190.00)+(March$142.50) = $522.50
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Grocery Budget: $0.01 overage carry fwd left
•Total March Grocery Budget Still Available:
($142.50-$35.62-$0.01 next week) = $106.87
•Total YTD Stockpile Budget:
(Jan $0.00)+(Feb$0.00)+(March$47.50) = $47.50 Available
•Total YTD Stockpile Budget USED: $0.00
•Total Over/Under on the YTD Stockpile Budget: $0.00
•Total March Stockpile Budget Still Available: $47.50
Hi Mary!
I think you told me to ignore the figures in this post because you found an error and will sort it all out in the next weeks GGC. I can’t get over how detailed you are but that’s awesome and very inspiring to me. I’ve never had corned beef and cabbage before but it must be good if you are stocking up on it. Have fun on your getaway! I like detail as well so when I see others putting in the effort it motivates me to do the same. You get ballot #1 Mr.CBB
Definitely give Target a chance – their sales are pretty good, especially when you stack manufacturers coupons, target coupons, and a 5% off Pharmacy rewards coupon… In fact, they’re so good, I’ve never been bothered to sign up for the Target card which has an additional 5% stacked discount. But that’s in the US – hopefully they’ll have similar discounts for you guys.
Yes It was too busy to even attempt to ask questions today. I’ll definitely give them a chance, I’ve heard good things about Target.
could you find out the coupon policy for Target in Canada
As soon as we hear something I”ll let you know.
Target is my weakness. I LOVE that store!
You’re awesome!!
Mr CBB, I rarely shop at Target in the USA. I find their prices too high when I compare them to other stores I have to choose from. I like to snoop though… as they do have nice slippers but it’s not like a new pair every year.
I expect the Canadian Target stores will be competing with Walmart and Canadian Tire but I don’t expect their pricing to be as good as it is in the USA & that I find too expensive. 🙂
Yes the it will compete against target and like I mentioned in the post prices were higher for some items but competitive. Nothing jumped out at me and went WOW if we had our coupons here….. we could get it for…. so we will see how it goes. We’ll give it a chance.
I, for one, love Target. I’m American though, so we are definitely used to them since they are in every-town, USA. They offer a pretty sweet debit card option that gives you 5% off all of your purchases, which is nice. Their thing is usually that they just have naturally lower prices than the competitors, so sale signs aren’t always necessary.
You know I did a big write up on it today for this post but it was too bloody long so I saved it for another post. I wasn’t sure what to expect but overall I was pleasantly surprised.