SAVINGS UNDER YOUR NOSE
Using a display to advertise is a great way to get a customer’s attention.
I’m pretty sure that without product displays that new products would never sell or get noticed despite mass advertising in print, television and social media online.
The old saying “out of sight out of mind” stands true because if you don’t see it you won’t find out about it or if you know about it you’ll forget about it.
How many times have you walked into a grocery store and flyer specials are starring you right in the face. That’s right, almost every single time. If they don’t put those products in our faces the likelihood of selling the mass amounts they bring in for a sale is not as great.
The fact of the matter is, it works and will continue to work as long as we keep paying attention to a new product display. Whether if it’s a new product or a sale product making sure the product is coming at us loud and clear is priority to making money and keeping you in the store to buy the higher priced items.
Don’t believe me? How many times have you read about the Justin Bieber cut out being stolen from Shoppers Drug Mart? They put Justin in the store because they knew that it would attract attention to the right people, and that it did. Marketing of this sort works for the most part because we get tired of the same old kinds of products and foods.
The good thing about checking out a product display is that you may find something you’ve been looking for or a new product might tickle your fancy. It’s not just processed foods that have a product display either. You can make your way through the produce section, dairy, bread etc. and find displays waiting for you to crowd them.
Look at the Recipes to Riches display at your local Loblaw’s stores…. they are massive just so you don’t miss it. They want you to check out the new product that cost them big bucks to market and bring into their stores not to mention the TV show and prizes.
We tried a pulled pork once only because it had a 50% off pink sticker and just to join the hype around the TV show and products. It was great but homemade is best and much cheaper to make. You will always pay for convenience no matter what you buy unless you make it at home.
Product display
Just about every week we go grocery shopping these days and each time we go there is a new pop-up cardboard product display just waiting for our attention. Although we don’t buy much boxed and canned foods we still do on occasion so paying attention while grocery shopping is important to us.
It’s amazing as well to see how many manufacturers use display devices on their displays to market their product whether it be a TV advert we can watch to a talking display.
Just yesterday I caught myself checking out every single product display that was in the store whether down the aisles, up front, at the back.. everywhere. Why?
For the most part in the past we’ve found some great deals on new products in a display whether it’s refrigerated or just a floor display. If you are an avid coupon shopper you know as well as us that coupons tend to show up on these displays as well. I can’t tell you how many great deals we’ve got using coupons on a product display with the product being on sale.
So many people pass by coupons because it’s just not on their radar but the manufacturers are saying please try our new product and here we’ll practically give it to you for free or discount it with coupons. These point of purchase displays are trying to talk to you so take a moment to see what they have to offer.
I great way to market their new products and I’m not sure I’ve met someone who is afraid of using a coupon to save money but never say never right?
I remember seeing a pop point of purchase display as I walked in a grocery store that scaled an entire wall. It was crazy but it got our attention. We don’t drink pop but the team who put the pop display together certainly achieved their goal. There were no coupons but the pop was very cheap for all the pop lovers out there.
With the grocery wars only growing bigger and bigger each week I’m not sure what changes we will see but I’m pretty sure pricing won’t be the only change. Keep your eyes open.
Do you check out new product displays in the grocery store?
April grocery game challenge posts
If you missed any grocery game posts for the month I will post the line-up for the month each week here in this section for you. 
Grocery saving tips
Click, Save and Print. It’s that easy!
Free Money Saving Downloads are awesome lists that were created to get us on track to work towards reaching our budgeting goals and now we are sharing them with you.
I hope you take the time to get back on track and start the saving process in your grocery budget today.
Get organized with a FREE freezer inventory, meal plan, shopping list, price comparison list and much more all for FREE. CLICK HERE to download all the free lists and even our family budget spreadsheet for FREE.
NEW!! You can now download the FREE Canadian Budget Binder Budget Spreadsheet in Excel…… Grab it while you can… It’s FREE! We use it to budget.. check it out!
Ultimate grocery shopping guide
Everything you want to know about grocery shopping in Canada is below with new information added monthly.
If you missed a Grocery Game Challenge post some of the most popular posts are listed below or you can now find the posts listed on their own page called The Ultimate Grocery Shopping Guide.
If you know a topic that should be discussed send me an email and let me know.
Food food and more food
Walmart
- 2x pineapple PM FB $1.88
- 5 x spinach PM FB Sale $0.97 each
- 2 x cucumbers sale $0.67
- Crackers $2.97
- Mandarin orange segments $0.85 (cheaper at Food Basics ah well)
- 6 x cracker barrel cheese PM FB $4.44 each
Total out-of-pocket- $39.74
Food Basics
- 2 x perogies $1.99 each
- 2 x Danone Yogurt Sale 1.99 each – buy 2 save $1.50 right on display hehe!
- Lifesmart peaches in water and fruit cocktail $1.99 each
- Gelda Basmati Rice Sale $7.99 bag
- Mandarin orange segments Sale $0.69
- 4 x Bavarian multi-grain bread sale $2.00 each
Total out-of -pocket $27.12
Shoppers Drugmart
- 1 x 4L bag of milk- Sale $3.97
- 1 x dozen eggs Sale $1.99 using internet coupon
Total out-of-pocket $5.96
Grocery shop results
Yearly grocery budget for two: $2820
(The above total does not include the stockpile budget of $240 per year or $20 per month.)
- Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $235.00 or $78.33 week with potentially 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 Budget for March $235.00-$20.82=$214.18/4=$53.54
- Total Coupons Used this Week : $1.50
- Total Coupons Used to date: $33.75
- Total Discounts this Week: $0
- Total Discounts Used to date: $5.54
- Total Gift Cards Used to date: $33.18
- Total Rewards Points Used: $0
- Total Rewards Points Used to date: $0
- Stockpile Budget ($20.00): $20.00-$20.00=$0
- Stockpile Budget Used to Date: $20.00+$19.08+$17.94+ $2.06+$20.00
- Total Spent This Week: $72.82
- Total Spent So Far April: $174.57
- Total Over/Under spend this shop: $18.98 over
- Total Over/Under spend for the month: $n/a
- Total Left to Spend for the Month: $39.31
- Total to Carry Over Next Month: $n/a
- Total Spent To Date This Year: (does not include stockpile budget) Jan $242.66+ Feb $191.74+ March $255.82+April $
- Weekly Overview: Well we don’t have much left to spend for the month so this should be interesting to see how we make out. We do have loads of food here and likely will only need staples. If we have to we will dig into our $70 in PC points that we have accumulated but we really want to try to let that build up.
Coupon Sleuth
Did you find any coupons? If so share the details in the comment section of this post where you found it and what the coupon is for with expiry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read the rules first and if you have any questions email me or comment on this post with your question and someone will answer you as soon as possible.
- 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 fans who post their grocery shop who live all over 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 products?
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 affected 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.
Here are your latest Coupon Match-ups of the week and your weekly Checkout 51 offers 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.
- What is an FPC?
An FPC is a free product coupon which means you can get a free product as described on the coupon.
- How Do I Know what stores accept coupons?
You can find all your store coupon policies here. If you are not sure it’s always best to call the store and ask.
I can tell you about grocery shopping and what we do in terms of shopping to save money and how it works for us. There are no wrong or right answers, just smart choices.
Over time you will gradually learn where you should and shouldn’t go in the grocery store or at least how to say no, I’m on a budget I need to buy this or that.
You may also substitute items in order to stick to your grocery budget to make it work. Nobody is perfect, heck we struggle with this part of our budget like many people do.
This is why the grocery game challenge was created to not only show you that we are like everyone else but to bring us all together to work as a team to get our budgets on track.
If you have just joined The Grocery Game Challenge 2014 get ready to dive deep into your grocery budget and learn just where you are spending, how much you are spending and what you are saving.
Feel free to read all the above posts that I linked to above which I feel are relevant to learning about the grocery budget and grocery shopping in general.
You’ve made a wise decision to take control of your grocery budget now show me your shops and let’s get saving!
Welcome to The Grocery Game Challenge Canada 2014!
-Mr.CBB
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APRIL – Week #1 of 4- April 7-13, 2014
2014 GROCERY BUDGET / STOCKPILE BUDGET AND US RESERVE:
•Total Grocery Budgeted For Year: $142.50 x 12 = $1,710.00 for 2 adults
•Total Stockpile Budgeted For Year: $47.50 x 12 = $570.00 for 2 adults
•Combined Grocery Budget for 2013: $190.00 x 12 = $2,280.00
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REMARKS FOR THE WEEK:
Before we start our APRIL off though, I am going to make my “reserve” transfers:
Grocery:
$142.50 for the month
($1.06) March overage
($12.50) transfer to borscht reserve
($20.00) transfer to Holiday Season reserve
($18.94) transfer to US Reserve
Grocery Balance $90.00 for APRIL
Stockpile:
$47.50 for the month
($17.50) transfer to re-stocking reserve
($30.00) transfer to US Reserve
Stockpile Balance $0.00 for APRIL
I have a couple of days in Vancouver where I had complimentary evening snacks and continental breakfast. I took some gluten free bread, peanut butter, jam, cheese slices, crackers and apples in my suitcase to keep my meal costs under control. I had a mini fridge in the room so I ate like a queen with no cash outlay! Happy dancing here!
We also have a 5 night junket in the USA coming up later this month & we’ll be picking up some gluten free items to bring back. Therefore, it makes sense for us to top up our US grocery reserve. There’s not much to report in grocery purchases though because of the upcoming trip & I don’t expect to shop next week at all!
===============================================================================================
OUR “CANADIAN” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
Safeway – Maple Ridge
2 x Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (6 per pck) @ $12.00 ea = $24.00
2 x Chocolate Eggs ($4.98 – $1.00 Loyalty Savings) = $3.98 << The Easter bunny came early! LOL
5 x Fresca 2 L ($13.45 – $8.45 Loyalty Savings) = $5.00 + $1.00 deposit +$0.25 recycling fee
5 x Sprite Zero 2 L ($13.45 – $8.45 Loyalty Savings) = $5.00 + $1.00 deposit +$0.25 recycling fee
2 x Russet Baker Potatoes $1.38
2 x Sweet Potatoes $4.34
1 x Grape Tomatoes ($3.99 – $2.00 Coupon) = $1.99
•Total OOP: $48.19
• Grocery Budget OOP: $48.19
• Stockpile Budget OOP: $0.00
• Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
** Earned 2 Air Miles on this shop **
** USED $0.00 in Rain Check Coupons **
** USED $2.00 in Printed Coupons **
** SAVED $17.90 Loyalty Savings on this shop **
===============================================================================================
OUR “US RESERVE” SHOPPING THIS WEEK:
NO USA SHOPS UNTIL APRIL 21st
===============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D GROCERY SAVINGS:
•Total Loyalty Card Price Reductions This Year:
Jan ($81.89) + Feb ($48.32) +Mar ($0.00) +April ($17.90) = $148.11
•Total Coupons Used This Year:
Jan ($2.58) + Feb ($7.18) +Mar ($0.00) + April ($2.00) = $11.76
•Total More Points Earned This Year:
Jan (0) + Feb (0) +Mar (11) + April (0) = 11 Points
•Total Air Miles Earned This Year:
Jan (456) + Feb (584) +Mar (0) + April (2) = 1,042 Air Miles
•Total Thrifty’s Points Earned This Year:
Jan (25) + Feb (15) +Mar (0) + April (0) = 40 Points
•Total PC PLUS Points Earned This Year:
Jan (0) + Feb (0) +Mar (650) + April (0) = 650 Points
===============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D GROCERY SPENDING:
•Total OOP Year-To-Date:
Jan ($167.06) + Feb ($155.74)+ Mar ($105.76) + April ($12.50 borscht+$20.00 Xmas+$18.94 to US Reserve+$48.19 = $99.63) = $528.19
•Total Year-To-Date Grocery Budget:
Jan $142.50+ Feb $142.50+ Mar $142.50 + April $142.50 = $570.00
•Total Over/Under on Year-To-Date Grocery Budget: $41.81 AVAILABLE
===============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D STOCKPILE SPENDING:
•Total Stockpile OOP Year-To-Date:
Jan ($47.50)+ Feb ($47.50)+ Mar ($47.50) = April ($17.50 to restocking reserve+$30.00 to US Reserve = $47.50) = $190.00
•Total Year-To-Date Stockpile Budget:
Jan $47.50 + Feb $47.50 + Mar $47.50 + April ($47.50)= $190.00
•Total Over/Under Year-To-Date Stockpile Budget: $0.00 AVAILABLE
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2014 RE-STOCKING RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Re-Stocking Budget:
2013 Fwd $125.00+Jan $17.50+Feb $17.50+Mar $17.50 + April $17.50= $195.00 AVAILABLE
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2014 Y-T-D BORSCHT RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Borscht Stockpile Budget:
2013 Fwd $275.00+Jan $12.50+Feb $12.50+Mar $12.50 + April $12.50 = $325.00 AVAILABLE
===============================================================================================
2014 Y-T-D HOLIDAY SEASON RESERVE:
•Total 2014 Borscht Stockpile Budget:
2013 Fwd $0.00+Jan $20.00+Feb $20.00+Mar $20.00 + April $20.00= $80.00 AVAILABLE
===============================================================================================
• TOTAL SPENT Year-To-Date:
$528.19 Grocery Budget
$190.00 Stockpile Budget
$80.00 Cash Repayment from neighbor
$24.27 Costco Rebate Cheque
$250.00 Safeway Gift Card =
$1,072.46
$760 may have been budgeted for JAN+FEB+MAR+APR ‘2014 but we have these funds already accounted for and not yet spent:
$195.00 Freezer Re-Stocking Fund
$325.00 Borscht Fund
$80.00 Holiday Season Fund
TOTAL UNUSED RESERVES $600.00
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REMAINING GROCERY FUNDS FOR APRIL:
CANADIAN $’s
Groceries: $41.81
Stockpile: $0.00
Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
Safeway Gift Card $0.00
US $’s
Our Reserve: $134.54+18.94+30.00 = $183.48
US Cash Hiding Spot: $0.00
===============================================================================================
The valid rain checks I hold are as follows:
Safeway:
4 Butcher’s Cut Boneless Honey Dinner Ham 1 Kg @ $10.99 (Good to May 4th) << I still have 5 hams so I may let this expire
4 Mann’s Broccoslaw – Buy 2 or more @ $1.45 (Good to May 4th) << We'll pick these up after Easter!
Thrifty Foods:
6 loaves 100% WW bread @ $1.00 (Good until April 28th) << hubby's bread if he needs any before we go away
4 China Lily Soya Sauce @ $2.50 each (Good Until April 30th) << we'll see if I have the cash for these or not
Save On Foods:
1 x 10 lb bag onions @ $2.99 (Good until May 4th) << picking these up after Easter as well
===============================================================================================
Hi Mary,
Wow the price of chicken is just as pricey as the beef these days. We’ve been into the fish more as it seems to go further and we love it. Did the Easter bunny come to your house early haha… Sweet potatoes seem pricey. Was that on sale? Normally I can find them for $0.79lb up to $1.29 lb around here. Great savings on this shop 🙂 That is what makes me happy when I see those savings. Well done on your trip. It just goes to show that you don’t have to eat out when you go away or buy snacks…. you can bring bits with you. What gluten free products do you plan to buy on your next trip? Good for you. you get ballot 4. Mr.CBB
I am hauling home Gluten Free Oats, Gluten Free Quick Oats and Rudi’s GF Cinnamon Raisin bread from Palm Springs! Have carry-on… will fill with gluten free groceries!!! 😀
I didn’t watch for a sale on the potato/sweet potato. We were out and we just picked up 2 each. The chicken breasts, believe it or not, were on sale! I got 8 really large breasts though for the $24 and that’ll go a long way. I got a better deal on chicken thighs last time I bought chicken but this time I wanted white meat.
The bunny brought me eggs because the girls were talking about “eggies” on WFD the other night & I was whining a little that everyone else was having “eggies” but that I didn’t have any. Ha! It worked!!! 🙂
I myself prefer chicken thighs as I find hem much more tasty than the boring chicken breast although we buy chicken breast too. My wife loves eggies as well… I have to control her this time of year she goes chocolate nuts if I don’t lol.
Should be interesting to see how you make it through the rest of the month… I still have to post last weeks shops!!! I have it worked out but need to type it in… Might have to use the ipad to get it done but I’ll get there……
Unlike the traditional form of display advertising, which tends to be static, and mainly text and image based, the online version and Television utilize various other elements including audio and video. It may then be presented to the consumer in the form of a banner ad or rich media.This opens up various possibilities for the advertiser.
Besides, you’ll be more interested to buy something you always see. Like what you said, out of sight, out of mind. That’s so true!
I shop for 2 adults and a 3 year old boy. Our budget is $85/week or $340 for this month and includes laundry, health/beauty, etc.
Walmart
Armstrong cheese (PM SDM) 3 x $3.88 – 3 x $1.00 coupons
Oh’Henry snack size $2.00
Mango $1.27
Green giant veggies (PM GT) 12 x $.99
Coupons $3.00
OOP $24.05
RCSS
PC dressing $1.88
Kraft dressing $2.00
Diet Coke (PM SDM) $3.30 – $2.00 coupon
Trident gum (PM WM) 3 x $2.00 – $1.00 Zweet (earned 100 bonus PC plus points)
Foil (PM Target) 2 x $.99
Christies crackers (PM GT) 3 x $1.44 (earned 450 PC plus bonus points)
Planters cashews (PM Zehrs) 8 x $1.99 – 8 x $1.00 SnapSaves
Piller’s turkey deli meat (PM NF) 4 x $2.97 – 4 x $.75 coupons
Hummus 2 x $2.50 – $1.00 Checkout51
Wonderbread (PM GT) $1.97
ML bacon (PM FC) $2.88
Mushrooms (PM FB) $.88
Cucumber $1.28
Broccoli (PM Fortinos) $.99 – $.25 Checkout51
Cauliflower (PM GT) $1.88 (earned 200 bonus PC plus points)
Romaine $3.99
Baby spinach $3.49
Oranges (PM FB) $2.76 (earned 400 bonus PC plus points)
Tomatoes (PM FB) $1.11
Carrots (PM FB) $1.99
Bananas $2.09 – $.50 Zweet
Magazine $3.49
Vileda Scrunge 4 x $1.97 – 4 x $1.00 coupons
Coupons $9.00
Rebates $10.75
OOP $74.60
RCSS
Potato thins $1.98 (earned 100 bonus PC plus points)
Poppers $2.99
D’Italiano buns $2.50 – 50% pink sticker (-$1.25)
OOP $6.48
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year: $4,420 ($85/week) + Meat order $172.85/month for 9 months $1555.65=$5975.65 for the year including the meat order.
• Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $340
• Total Coupons Used this Week: $12.00
• Total Coupons Used This Month: $88.59
• Total Coupons Used this Year: $385.73
• Total rebates this week (Checkout 51, Snapsaves, CartSmart, zweet): $10.75
• Total rebates this month (Checkout 51, Snapsaves, CartSmart, zweet): $15.50
• Total rebates this year (Checkout 51, Snapsaves, CartSmart, zweet): $66.50
• Total SCOP this week: $0
• Total SCOP this month: $0
• Total SCOP this year: $2.50
• Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: $0
• Total Gift Cards Used this year: $270.84
• Total Reward Points Used this week: 0
• Total Reward Points Used this year: 0
• Total tax free day this week: $0
• Total tax free day this month: $12.53
• Total tax free day this year: $23.16
• Colleague Discount (this year): $11.08
• Total Spent This Week: $105.13
• Total Spent So Far for this month: $219.83
• Total Over/Under spent for the month: N/A
• Total Left to Spend for the Month: $120.17
• Total to Carry over Next Month: N/A
• Total Spent To Date This Year: $1269.81
Weekly overview: I don’t even know what to say. I can’t seem to control myself. I suck. That is all.
Hi Jen,
You seem to be spending more than you’ve been wanting too lately. I think you need to step back and figure out why you are spending more than you would like and try not to be so negative. You are an awesome shopper so with better planning you can stick to that budget. Don’t give up. We’re behind you all the way… and we’re watching hehe… you get ballot 5. MR.CBB P.S I signed up for all those apps… so maybe some savings coming soon .
Our weekly budget is $125 making this month $625
Our little miss hasn’t been sleeping well but falls asleep in the car so we did some more shopping than normal.
Superstore
.97×3-.75CO51 gravy mix
$1.49 butter chicken mix
$2.09×2-.75Cx2 coffee creamer
$1.25×4 cresent rolls$3.48 2lb green grapes
$1.98×2-$1Cx2 halls
$2.47×2 tostitos
$2.58 3pk cucumbers
$3.98 2lb strawberries
$29.25 total oop
$3.50 total coupons
Sobeys
$2.99 cool whip
$3.99 drumsticks 4pk
$1.99×2 green giant frozen veg
$1.99 pumpkin pie
.99 pineapple canned
$2.49 cream cheese
$1.68 pepperoni
.86 jalapenos
$1.99 hot cross buns
$6.99×2-bogo sale 3lb margarine
$3.99 taco kit
$4.99 red pepper boursin cheese
$4.99×2-bogo sale butter
$2.99 bacon
$2.17 asparagus
$1×20-.75Cx20 barilla pasta
$52.30 total oop
$15 total coupons
Safeway
$5.99-$2C evoo
$7.59 4L ice cream
$3.99×11-$4Cx7&$3.99Cx4 sunlight laundry packs
$3.19×2-$2.50Cwublpx2 sunlight dish soap
$15.45 total oop
$50.96 total coupons
target
$3.99×2-$1.50Cx2 fleecy fast & dry
$5.38 total oop
$3 total coupons
Walmart
$2.50×2 4pk gum
$1×2 candies
$2.97 cheese toast
$1.67 crackers
$1 bubble gum peeps
$1.97 dads cookies
$15.05 total oop
Shoppers
$4.81 4L milk & 800 points email 🙂
$2.99 peanut butter
$3.99X2-$2C&$1C royal tiger towels mega
$13.20 total oop
$3 total coupons
$130.63 total weekly oop
$75.46 total weekly coupons
$307.08 total monthly oop
$169 total monthly coupons
We have lots left in our budget for the rest of the month and well I have used and still have lots of coupons to use up this month 🙂 .25 per box of pasta that doesn’t expire till 2016 yep I’ll stock up on that for sure. Also cheap or free sunlight packs I’ll take all of those and we will have enough laundry soap to last us a year or two(I am storing it in a tote just incase we have a flood in the basement) We have also gotten lots of treats this week but we have gone out less so it balances out.
I have a turkey and a ham in the freezer and since the hubby’s family is doing easter dinner on the day he works we may do our own dinner and be creative with the leftovers so we don’t waste anything. What are you guys doing for easter?
Hi Juanita
Those are some great deals if you can stock up on them. The pasta is great if you love pasta like we do. You used loads of coupons this week and it’s funny how some people say they aren’t worth it. You get ballot 7. What do you make for Easter side dishes? We are with our relatives for the holidays. Happy Easter!!!
Weekly Grocery Game Challenge Results
Total Grocery Budget for the Month: 280 including adding to stockpile ($70 per week)
Total Coupons Used this Week : .58 superbucks
Total Discounts this Week: 7.46
Total Checkout 51 cheques this Week: 0
Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: 0
Total Rewards Points Used: 0
Total SCOP: 0
Total Spent This Week: 72.55
Total Spent So Far for April: 154.34
Total Left to Spend for the Month: 127.66
Total Coupons Used This Month : 6.58
Total added to emergency/carry over jar : 0
Total Spent To Date This Year: 921.37
Total Grocery Gift card used this year in addition to total spent: 75
Weekly Overview:
Shoppers Drug Mart: 2 dozen eggs x 1.99, deodorant 2 x 2.00 (clearance 2 packs): 8.50
Valumart: Bacon bits 2 x 2.99, milk 3.97, tropicana 3 x 1.00, chips 3 x 1.00, pork chops 3.55, grape tomatoes 2.00: 23.05 (rounded up 1 cent)
RCSS 1; bottled water 1.33, no name light marble 4.28, bread 2.17 – 50%, mcintosh apples 4.97 – 50%, green peppers 3.59 – 50%: 10.95 (rounded down 1 cent)
RCSS 2: no name mayo 2.47, pc zero cola 2.88, iogo drinkables 3.57, dunkaroos 1.98, 3 dees gummy snacks 1.98, amooza twists 4.48, texas toast 2.99 – 50%, angus steak 6.88, red delicious apples 2.98, lettuce 1.28 – less superbucks .58: 30.05 (rounded up 1 cent)
Another week over the $70 I increased the amount to weekly, but I still have two weeks to make up ground. We got snack related items the last two weeks in preparation for a road trip to minimize food costs along the way. Also, my hubby didn’t come with me and I got him food to get through the weekend, particularly meat he’d want, to keep him out of the drive thru. Overall, ok, but there is room for improvement next week. I am working on eating cleaner again, so it’s going to be more basics from here on out. I’m hoping the family can handle the lack of snacks, it may mean more baking, but we will see.
Hi Angela,
You sound like we do when we go over. When there are great deals or deals that we weren’t expecting but too good to pass up it’s hard. I don’t mind trying to catch up a bit but if we let it get out of hand it gets too tough. I think it’s a great idea to bring food along on a road trip. We do this all the time and it saves us from having to buy food or snacks. What types of food do you eat when you eat clean? You get ballot 9. Mr.CBB
I do still stock up on a few treats as my kiddo doesn’t quite get having no treats, so cheap ice cream is really hard to pass up and the occasional frozen pizza for those quick days. I prefer a lot of fresh fruits and veggies, I cut back on the amount of meat but don’t eliminate it and trim more of the fat, leaner cuts are just too expensive. I also rinse my cooked ground beed with water after to get rid of some of the fat. I reduce the amount of salt and try to add regular sugars instead of the sweeteners. I also switch to making more whole wheat bread at home than white. And my biggest thing is a reminder of myself to drink more water and less coffee. Caffeine and chips are my biggest weakness and I do my best to reduce them when I am starting to eat healthier. I go back to steaming more foods and eating more salads. I try to cut the junk from my diet, when I’m not eating it I find I don’t really want it until all of a sudden I try it again and then that’s all I’m eating. Also, my biggest thing is to cook more from scratch (even though I do most of it I can always step that up) to reduce the salt, fat and cost. I also add more beans, I love beans, and I’m doing more from dried now than before.
Finally here!!! I only went to Foodland again this week and only twice. I need to get out to No Frills or Walmart for some stocking up soon!!!
April 5
1 pasta dinner- .69
2 tomato soup @.79- 1.58
2 cans pineapple @ 1.19- 2.38
bananas- .57
1 jar pickles- 1.79
1 raisin bread- 2.49
1 3lb bag carrots- 2.49
1 plum sauce- 2.98
3 bags frozen veggies @2.99- 8.91
1 doz. eggs- 2.99
1 ice cream- 3.99
1 Oatmeal Crisp cereal- 3.99
1 parmesan cheese grated- 4.28
1 yogurt- 4.49, 1.00 coupon
1 4l milk- 4.79
3 blocks cheese @4.97- 14.91
1 jug water- 5.49
1 pack boneless pork chops- 8.98
1 144 count Tetley teabags- 9.99
Total- $86.84, 1.00 coupon
April 8
bananas-.78
1 pancake syrup- 2.99
1 bagel, Maple French Toast- 3.89, .50 coupon
1 10 lb bag potatoes- 3.99
1 4l milk- 4.79
1 jug water- 5.49
1 rice- 5.99
1 case ginger ale- 5.99
Tax- .78
Total- $34.19, .50 coupon
Total budget for month- $650.00
Total budget for week- $130.00(5 wks)
Total coupons/discounts this week-1.50
Total spent this week- $121.03
Total spent this month- $139.64=121.03=$260.67
Total over/under for week- under $8.97
Total over/under for month- N/A
Left for month- $389.33
Total coupons/discounts for month- $12.27+$1.50= $13.77
Total carry over to next month- $0.00
Total YTD- J$653.06+F$594.21+M$633.19+A$260.67= $2269.79
So I was under for the week!!! Didn’t do any stockpiling yet this month which could be good as I still have that money handy should there be a really good sale on something later in the month.I was over last week by $9.64 and under this week, it has almost balanced out over the two weeks…I’m over by $.67 now. I didn’t have the coupons for this week and it hurt to pay full price for the pop but the box had a $2.00 coupon inside so that is for the next time!! There are a few boxes from pop that have coupons inside so we just make sure those are the boxes we grab.
That pack of pork chops was broken up into 3 meal packs so that will add a touch of variety to the menu. I’m the only one that really likes them but the boys will eat what ever you put in front of them. Their father not so much, I offer two choices every meal…. like it or lump it….also known as the eat it or go hungry option . We will be cooking the turkey I got in December for Easter so there will be a good number of meals out of that!!! Love leftover turkey!!!! I think the only thing I really need to get for that meal is some celery for the stuffing and maybe a turnip for hubby. I have cranberries for the sauce in the freezer as well as bread bits to cut up for the stuffing. This will be the turkey I got with my turkey bucks from Foodland, cost me oop a whole $7.00 for a 7kg bird…. ($25.00 bird minus 18.00 turkey bucks, and I picked over those birds to get the biggest bird I could for the $25.00!!!) Looking forward to that meal and all the leftovers!!!!! 🙂
Hi Christine,
Doesn’t it make you feel happy to say you were under for the week wow!! Good for you. At least it balanced out for you which is great and what we want to see happen in the least. I wonder if the boys will change as they get older in terms of what they like to eat. That was a cheap bird wow. We always look forward to that meal and the hot turkey sandwich leftovers lol. Happy Easter… You get ballot 11. Mr.CBB
I always check out new displays! Im always on the lookout for new coupons and new dinner ideas! Here is my shop for this week!!
Superstore
Taco Kit 3.47
Teriyaki sauce 1.77
mild salsa 1.87
Water 2.48
Fruit loops 3.98-0.75=3.23
danactive yogurt drinks 4.98
sour cream 1.48
probitic yogurt 5.97
Frozen veggies 1.97
Organic jam 2.79
Onions 2.28
Grapes 3.30
pears 1.03 (200 points)
bean sprouts 0.99
organic bananas 1.82 *200 points*
chicken nuggets 5.99
salami 3.99 (600 points)
cinnamon cereal baby cereal bars 2.00-1.00-=1.00
oatmeal baby cereal bars 2.00
apple juice 1.87
organic rice bars 2.48 (250 points)
organic cereal bars 2.48 (250 points)
Total=59.56
Shoppers drug mart
Paper towels 4.99-3.00=1.99
Ice cream 2.99
Milk 3.97
Popsicles 2.99
Paper towers 4.99-2.00=2.99
*I had a winning bingo ticket for 9.00 so used it!**
Total=7.62
Zehrs
Fruitopia 1.98
berry punch 1.98
chili lime beef 2.99-1.00=1.99 (100 points)
vh steamers 2.99-1.50=1.49 (100 points)
fries 1.89
cheese spread 2.99-1.00=1.99
ham 5.29
whole wheat bread 2.99
dinner rolls 2.50-1.25=1.25
fresh chicken breast 5.76
Maple leaf protinis 2.49-2.00=0.49 (saw this on a product display and had a 2.00 coupon!)
Total=27.10
Food basics
potatoes 1.44
tomatoes 0.98
organic yogurt 2×1.88=3.98
celery 0.88
whole chicken 3.05
pork tenderloin 3.25
total=13.36
zehrs
tortillas 3.49
gummy bears 1.69 (200 points)
boneless chicken breast 3.80
boneless chicken breasts 3.80
peameal bacon 3.97
stiryfry strip beef 5.05-1.52=3.53
kids vitamin c 8.49
total=39.92
Walmart
cajun seasoning 4.32
peas 0.87
gravy 1.00×2=2.00
pie shells 2.97
toaster strudels 2.00-1.00=1.00
peas 0.87
deoderant 3.00-2.00=1.00
body wash 2.50
body wash 2.50-2.00=0.50
diapers 14.97-4.00=10.97
total=30.51
Total Grocery Amount Budgeted For the Year : $9,100 ($175/week) I shop for two adults, a five year, two year old, 2 dogs, 1 cat. Our budget includes food, toiletries, pet food, diapers and vitamins 🙂
•Total Grocery Budget for the Month: $700
•Total Coupons Used this Week : $19.50
•Total Coupons Used This Month : $20.50
• Total Coupons Used this Year: $95.75
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this week: 0
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this month: 1.00
• Total Checkout 51 rebates this year: 1.00
• Total SCOP this week: $0
• Total SCOP this month: $4.28
• Total SCOP this year: $4.28
•Total Gift Cards Given Used this Week: 0$
•Total Spent This Week: $=178.07
•Total Spent So Far for april: $363.09
•Total Left to Spend for the Month: $336.91
•Total to Carry over Next Month: N/A
See how handy a product display is.. we always look at them. Congrats on the scratch ticket win. I never win on them but I’m only given them at Christmas time from family lol. Another great week for you but what I love the most is the variation in the products you buy. We always seem to buy the same things. Gosh.. that might be a blog topic for next weeks GGC lol. You get ballot 3. Mr.CBB
I get bored with cooking the same things! myself and my family are very adventerous with our taste buds! The scratch ticket was spur of the moment thing…i hardly ever buy them…maybe once or twice a year!
I just thought it was interesting today while reading shops with the variety and never quite thought about it.