B1G1 Free Custom Canvas Prints $7.99!!

 I got an email from ArtsCow today with a great deal inside!

Their 8x10 canvas print is $7.99

(I just bought one for $8.99, a steal then!)

But the deal gets even sweeter!

Through 7/31/09 they are having a Buy One Get One FREE promotion!

Use this coupon code: 8X10CANVAS799

at check out. 

Click HERE to start!!

I LOVE

I just recently turned this picture into an 810 canvas, 

and I LOVE IT!!

Do keep in mind that you're buying a canvas, not a stretched mounted canvas. 

It will come safely rolled up in a tube, rather quickly I might add, and you will have to either frame and/or mount it yourself. 

I framed mine in a 10x12 frame with an 8x10 matte. 

Stunning!!

Not sure if you want a large 8x10 canvas? 

Here's another great deal going on at ArtsCow.com!

They are offering 4x4 canvas prints for #3.99 each!

Normally these would be $12.99 each!!

Use this code: 4X4CANVAS399 at checkout.

Click HERE to get started.

This deal is on going through 7/31, 

HOWEVER

it IS a limited promotion, and only the first 200 orders PER day will be accepted!

So if you don't get it the first time, try again EARLY the next day!

Good luck!!

ALSO.....

They are also offering FOR FIRST TIME MEMBERS ONLY

an 8x8 Hardcover 20 page Photo Book with FREE SHIPPING!!

Click HERE for more info!

My Frugal Finds!

Okay, we've had a crazy week... 

(but don't we always?)

Why then does it seem like some are worse than others?

I digress...

ANYHOW!

I DID manage to get some shopping in!

Finally!

Here are pictures, and details of my store runs!

(and YES I stayed COMPLETELY under budget!)

BUY LOW: $35

(give or take a couple dollars... I lost my receipt...)

I normally don't buy meat, but our supply is low, and it was on sale at Buy Low... 

Otherwise I would've spent under $20.00 for all of this produce!

(We used it and this usually lasts us a week...)

Vons/Ralphs$114.61

All of this would've cost me $323.80 without coupons.

I saved $209.19 by matching coupons to sales!

Vons has some GOOD STUFF this week!

Here's the breakdown of what I did, in case you'd like to get in on the savings!

Ralphs:

4- Minute Maid Lemonade/Limeade: $0.99ea

-$1.00/2Q

FP: 4/$2.96 ($.74ea)

4-Pillsbury Rolled Pie Crust: clearanced to $1.50

-$0.25/1Q -only 1 doubled

FP: 4/$4.75 ($1.19ea)

[yummy, can't wait to use these!]

2-Kraft American Singles:$1.99

-$1.00/2Q (expired)

FP: 2/$2.98 ($1.49ea)

3-Hansen's Natural Root Beer: B2/G1 FREE ($2.99ea)

-$1.00/1Q

FP: 3/$4.98 ($1.66ea)

[a special treat for Hubby and the kids!]

10-Bar S Hot Dogs: $0.99

-$1.00/2Q

FP: 10/$4.90 ($0.49ea)

[I mainly cook from scratch, though Hot Dogs are my sanity saver!]

8-Oscar Mayer Deli Meats: $1.99

-$1.00/2Q [expired]

FP: 8/$11.92 ($1.49ea)

[for my Hubby's lunches... I had a lot of the Kraft IP Q's left, they expired 6/10-for me- so I stocked up as best I could!]

VONS:

All Mix and Match Items are colored. I listed the price AFTER the $5.00 auto deduction at the register... I made sure to buy in quantities of 10!)

8 Wacky Mack Pasta: $0.99

-8 $0.50/1Q 

(2 doubled because I did 2 transactions thinking that up to 5 would double.)

FP: 8/$2.92 ($0.37ea)

8-Herdez Salsa: B1/G1 FREE ($2.99ea)

-4 $0.50/1Q 

(2 doubled, because I did 2 transactions same reason as above.)

FP: 8/$8.96 ($1.12ea)

[I love to cook chicken and rice with salsa... yummy!]

1-Capri Sun: $1.49 

 -$1.00/1Q

FP: $.49 

9-Hefty One Zip: $1.50

-$1.00/1Q

FP: 9/$4.50 ($.50ea)

1-Wet Ones Sanitizer Wipes: $2.00

-$.75/1Q

FP: $1.00

2-Digiorno Pizzas: $2.49

-$1.00/1Q

FP: 2/$2.98 ($1.49ea)

2- Hormel Pepperoni: $2.99

FP: $5.98

4-Betty Crocker Frosting: $1.50ea

-4 $.50/1Q (1 doubled)

FP: 4/$3.50 ($.87ea)

3- pkgs Chicken Leg Quarters: $11.97

(on clearance: would've cost $18.01)

4- Sierra Mist: $0.75

-2 B1/G1 FREE Q

FP: 4/$1.50 ($0.37ea)

[taking with us fishing... in case someone gets seasick]

6-Hamburger/Chicken Helper: $1.00

-2 $1.00/3Q

FP: 6/$4.00 ($.67ea)

5- Betty Crocker Brownie Mixes: $0.79

FP: $3.95

[I used these for filler items initially, but they didn't have 2 items on my list, so I substituted with these, hence 5 boxes!]

1 Kraft Dressing: $2.99

-1 $1.50/1Q 

FP: 1.49

4- Kraft Mac & Cheese: $1.49

-2 $1.00/2Q

FP: 4/$3.96 ($.99ea)

2- Pop Tarts: $1.49

-2 $1.00/1Q

FP: 2/$0.98 ($.49ea)

4- Graham Crackers: $2.49

-4 $1.00/1Q (expired)

FP: 4/$5.96 ($1.49ea)

4- Mission Flour Tortillas: $1.49ea

-4 $.55/1Q

FP: 4/$3.76 ($.94ea)

1- Bagel-ful: $1.99

-$1.00/1Q

FP: $0.99

[kids really wanted to try it, I figured sure why not.... I might get a couple days of sleeping in with these! Worth the trade off, as they're "processed"... ]

10- Farmer Johns Brkfst Sausage: $0.49

[clearanced]

FP: 10/$4.90

1- Roman Meal Wheat Bread: $1.99

-$1.00/1 Catalina

FP: $0.99

2- Orowheat Sandwich Thins: $2.84

-2 $0.55/1Q (only 1 doubled)

FP: $4.13 ($2.06ea)

[the multi grain was so yummy! we love these!]

So with my Mix and Match, I saved an additional $25.00!!

I bought a total of 50 Mix and Match items, and I got $25.00 taken off at the register! 

(Prices I listed were the prices after the Mix and Match $5.00 was deducted at the register!)

(on a side note I was so sad when I was informed that my Vons has changed their coupon policy!)

GASP!

(it seems they've joined the ranks of the less friendly stores towards coupon users!

They will now only double 1 of the same coupon, whereas they use to double up to the first 5 of the same! 

I almost shed a tear as I watched my savings diminish...

but hey, it could be worse! 

They could refuse to accept coupons all together!)

KMART: $10.31

All of this would've cost me: $76.84

[for this!!]

I saved a total of $66.53

[remember Kmart will only double up to 10 coupons PER DAY PER CUSTOMER thru Saturday night -unless you're lucky and they allow the alternative 75 coupon limit add, AND they're relaxed on the PER DAY part, sadly, So Cal Kmart's are a no go on that....]

Here's what I did:

(2 different transactions, 2 different days)

2- Axe body washes: $4.29ea

-$1.50/1Q 

DOUBLED TO $3.00/1

FP: 2/$2.58 ($1.29ea)

1- Axe Shampoo: $4.99

-$2.00/1Q

DOUBLED TO $4.00

FP: $0.99

[I was going for the Axe movie ticket promo, but alas, it ended on the 8th!]

(o'well guess my Hubby lucked out anyway!)

4- Razors: $3.49

-$2.00/1Q

DOUBLED TO $4.00/1

FP: 4/FREE

2- Dove Deodorants: $3.99

-2 $2.00/1Q

DOUBLED TO $4.00/1

FP: 2/FREE

1- Ketchup 24 0z.: $1.25

-FREE 24 oz. bottle Q

FP: FREE

2- Keebler Cookies: $0.99 (clearance)

-1 $1.00/2Q

DOUBLED TO $2.00/2

FP: 2/FREE

1- Listerine Pocket Packs: $1.99

-$.50/1Q

DOUBLED TO $1.00/1

FP:$.99

2- Shaving Creams: $1.99

-2 $.75/1Q

DOUBLED TO $1.50/1

FP: 2/$.98

4- Chinet Lunch Plates: $3.89

-4 $2.00/1Q

DOUBLED TO $4.00

FP: 4/FREE

2- Dinner Rolls: $0.50 (clearance)

FP: 2/$1.00

I LOVE saving money by clipping coupons, and planning my trips! I'm able to bless the socks off not only my family, but others as well!!

One Last Promo Run

So I did one last run to Vons tonight for the Living Well Feeling Great Promo that ends tomorrow night. I fared pretty well,  aside from the $10 catalina not printing out on my first transaction. -Bummer- But one call to the Catalina Corp. tomorrow morning will fix it, and I'll be getting not one, but TWO $10 catalina's in the mail shortly. Here's what my last run looked like. By the way, everything was on sale from the 4/28-5/5 weekly Vons sales ad! (I had a request to list the sales dates, so I added them, to both this and my previous post HERE. Sorry for the confusion!)

Before Coupons and Catalina's this cost $115.60

After Coupons and Catalina's I paid OOP $21.15

BUT I got back $20.00 in Catalina's so actually

all of this cost me $1.15!!

(Well I should've gotten $20 in Cat's, but 1 didn't print... it will come in the mail)

(that's my hubby's hand reaching for the almonds. a personal request of his.. I love that man!)

Here's what I did:

Transaction #1

2- Emerald Almonds 2/$8.00

-1 $1.50/2Q

2 Chex Mix Bars 2/$5

-2 $.50/1Q (doubled to $1.00/1

4 Fiber One Toaster Pastries 2/$4.00

-4 $.50/1Q (doubled to $1.00/1)

7 Quaker Rice Snacks $1.00ea

-7 $1.00/1Q

1 100 Calorie Pack Snacks $2.50

-1 $.75/1Q (doubled to $1.00/1)

1 Capri Sun $1.99

-1 $1.00/1Q

Total Cost of Transaction #1: $57.34

I paid OOP: $8.49 (and a $10 Catalina SHOULD'VE printed, but didn't, so it's coming in the mail)

FP: FREE + $2.49 overage (when you add in catalina that's coming!)

Transaction #2

1- Capri Sun $1.99

-1 $.50/1 VonsQ + 1 $1.00/1Q

3- Muir Glen Pizza Sauces $2.05

-3 $1.00/1Q

2- Fire Roasted Muir Glen Tomatoes $2/$5.00

-2 $1.00/1Q

1- Dawn Dish Soap $2.49 -not part of promo-

-1 $1.00 VonsQ + 1 $.50/1Q (doubled to $1.00/1)

2- Finish Dishwasher Detergents $3.99ea

-2 $2.50/1Q

1 Lysol Cleaner $1.99

-1 $.50/1Q (doubled to $1.00/1)

1- Scrubbing Bubbles Cleaner $2.50

-1 $.71 VonsQ + 1 $.50/1Q (doubled to $1.00/1)

3- Tampax $2.99ea

-3 $.50/1Q (doubled to $1.00/1)

Total Cost for Transaction #2: $58.26

I paid OOP: $12.66 + A $10.00 catalina printed out...

My FP: $2.66 (after you factor in catalina)

Not to shabby! 

My Frugal Finds!

Results from today's Frugal shopping trip! 

$202.19 worth of food!

$47.49 Out of Pocket!

BUT!

I received $26.00 in Catalina's + 2 FREE Movie Tickets ($24.00 value)!!

So my FP: FREE + $2.51 profit!!

(when you subtract Catalina amount and value of movie tickets!)

I did 7 transactions today, at 3 different stores. Here's what I did:

(everything I purchased was on sale today. i will be calculating the regular non sale price for total cost, because of how my receipt reads.)

ALBERTSONS

Trans. #1:

6- Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats $2.50 

4- Kellogg's Pop Tarts $2.50 

-6 $1/1Q (Cereal)

-2 $1/2Q (Pop Tarts)

Total Cost: $50.10

FP: $17 + 2 FREE MOVIE TICKETS! (a $24 value!)

Trans. #2:

3- Kellogg's Corn Pops $1.50

1- Kellogg's Fruit Loops $1.50

-3 $1/1Q (Corn Pops)

-1 $1/1Q (Fruit Loops)

Total Cost: $18.36

FP: $2.00

Trans. #3:

1- Corn Pops $1.50

-1 $1/1Q

Total Cost: $4.19

FP: $0.50

VONS

Trans. #4

16- Arrowhead Water 6 packs $1.99

CRV $4.80

-1 $1/2Q

-$16.00 in Catalina's from last week

Total Cost: $52.64

FP: $19.64 + $26.00 in Catalina's printed out AND another $1/2Q for Arrowhead water!

So FP was more like FREE + $6.36 profit after you figure in catalina's! =)

RALPHS

Trans. #5:

3- Barilla Pasta $0.99

1- 1/2Gallon Ralph's Milk $1.25

2- Vitamin Water's $0.99

3- Mentos Gum $1.00

-3 $.50/1Q (Barilla Pasta) -these doubled to $1.00

-1 $.50/1Q (Real Ca. Milk)- this doubled to $1.00 -Manager informed me that ALL Ralph's brand Milk and Cheese are made from California cows, and that these coupons are accepted for Ralph's brand milk products!

-1 $.50/1Q (Vitamin water) -this doubled to $1.00

-1 $1/1Q (Vitamin water)

-1 $1/1Q (mentos)

-2 $.55/1Q (mentos) -these doubled to $1.00

-1 $.50/1Q (Real Ca. Milk) -this doubled to $1.00

Total Cost $16.63

FP: $1.25

Trans. #6:

1- Mission Tortilla's $1.99

1- 1/2Gall Ralphs Milk $1.25

4- Barilla Pasta $0.99

2- Earth Grain Bread $3.49 (B1/G1FREE)

2- Vitamin Water $0.99

-$1.00/1 in ad Q for Mission Tortilla's

-1 $.50/1Q (Real Ca. Milk) -this doubled to $1.00

-4 $.50/1Q (Pasta) -these doubled to $1.00

-2 $.55/1Q (Bread) -only 1 of these doubled to $1.00

-1 $.50/1Q (vitamin water) -this doubled to $1.00

-1 $1.00/1Q (vitamin water)

Total Cost: $25.52

FP: $4.24

Trans. #7:

5- Barilla Pasta $0.99

9- Mentos Gum $1.00

4- Vitamin Water $0.99

1- 1/2Gal Ralphs Milk $1.25

-5 $.50/1Q (pasta) -these doubled to $1.00

-9 $1/1Q (mentos)

-1 $.50/1Q (Real Ca. Milk) -this doubled to $1.00

-1 $1/1Q (vitamin water)

-3 $.50/1Q (vitamin water) -these doubled to $1.00

Total Cost: $34.25

FP: 2.86

I called ahead to my local Ralphs to find out what there coupon policy since I've heard different

things. There policy now is that only ONE of the same coupon will double in a single transaction.

It used to be that they would only double up to the first FIVE coupons in any transaction. That's

changed in the last month at my local Ralphs. However I noticed as I was checking out that

almost every single coupon was doubling. I asked the cashier why that was. He said that as far as

he knew Ralphs doubles coupons, and the register does it automatically. So if the register was

doubling every coupon, than there isn't anything he can do to override the register. Okay! I have

no idea if this was a glitch in the cash register, or if this is in fact the case at my local Ralphs!

Could it be I've found a gem of a Ralphs in my area? I still prefer Vons, but my Ralphs trip sure

put a smile on my face today, as well as the whole shopping trip today! It also put a big smile on

my husband's face when I walked in the door with TONS of food, and told him how much I spent

out of pocket, and how much I got back in Catalina's, PLUS FREE MOVIE TICKETS to boot!!

Have I ever mentioned that we are living on a $300 a month grocery budget for our family of 6?

That $300 a month used to barely get us through the month with enough food to eat, and the

only reason it did is because we relied heavily on W.I.C. (and trusting that the Lord would

provide for our every need!) Now that same $300 a month budget is providing such an

abundance of food that I am now able to "splurge" (within our budget) on our kids, but more

than that we are able to give more abundantly to those who are truly in need! $300 a month!

Now do you think coupons are worth the time and effort? =)

My Late Night Vons Run

Here is the results of my late not Vons run.

Total Cost: $91.51

Total Out of Pocket Cost: $14.58

Total Catalina's left over: $16.00

Not too shabby!!

Transaction #1

I did my first and only shopping trip for the 4/22-4/28 sale week. Man! It's been one crazy week for us! Nothing spectacular my first transaction at Vons. I went into Vons armed with my shopping list, (complete with 3 different transaction scenarios). But sadly, my scenarios didn't work out like I was hoping for due to items being out of stock. O'well! So this is what my first transaction ended up looking like.

6- Arrowhead Water 6packs $1.99ea

2- Capri Sun $1.99ea

3- Finish Dishwasher Tablets $3.99ea

2- Earth Grains Whole Wheat Bread 2/$5

I used:

-1 $1/2 Arrowhead Water MFQ

-1 $.50/1 Vons Q (in store ad) + 2- $1/1 MFQ on Capri Suns

-3 $2.50/ Finish Dishwasher Tablets MFQ

-2 $/50/1 Earth Grains MFQ (that DBL to $1/1)

-$10.00 Catalina rolled over from last weeks deals...

Total Transaction Cost= $49.96 (pre tax)

My OOP cost ended up being $9.59!! BUT $16.00 in Catalina's printed out! (1 $10 CAT for the spend $30 get $10 promo, AND 3 $2 CATS for the Arrowheads. (Buy 2 Get $2CAT) That's over a $6.00 profit! 

Total Savings= $40.37!!! That's 82% 

Transaction #1 totals....

Transaction #2

6-Capri Suns $1.99ea

1-Bisquick Heart Smart Mix $3.55ea

1-Cranergy 4 pack $2.99

3-Finish Dishwasher Tablets $3.99ea

Total Transaction Cost= $41.55 But I used the following coupons:

-1 $.50/1 Capri Sun VonsQ (in store ad) AND -6 $1/1MFQ's

-1 $.60/1 Bisquick 40oz MFQ (cut from prior box)-this DBL to $1/1

-1 $1/1 Cranergy MFQ 

-3 $2.50/1 Finish MFQ's

-$10.00 Catalina from Transaction #1

Total Cost OOP= $4.99! 

YES UNDER $5.00! (ONE package of Finish was $3.99 pre-tax!)

Transaction #2 also didn't not go how I originally intended. I was originally planning on buying the Yoplait single cup yogurts that were on sale for $.50ea but apparently they weren't part of the catalina promotion. Only the Yoplait multi packs were, which I had no coupons for. O'well. I'm happy with my purchases though! We LOVE Capri Suns here, and they are something I normally am unable to purchase for the kids, it's simply not in the budget! So that was nice!