Harris Teeter and Kroger Savings

This week's shopping trip was a big success, thanks to a few great store promos and a $20 Harris Teeter credit, thanks to a prescription transfer deal that's available until the beginning of April.

Between Harris Teeter and Kroger, I spent just $31 for the items pictured, worth ~ $125 (sorry, the hubs threw away my receipts), a savings of about 75%.

Harris Teeter was a running a promotion (ended Tuesday, sorry) where you received an instant $5 savings when you bought $15 worth of Unilever food products. There were some great Unilever coupons in Sunday's paper, and there were also many e-vic coupons to stack. After the $5 savings, I actually MADE money buying the Unilever products.

In working this deal, though, I purchased a few items we definitely won't eat, like the Lipton Soup, Knorr Sides, and likely the Ragu, but these items, being freebies and non-perishables, seemed like perfect food bank donations!

Harris Teeter Unilever Deal:

2 I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Tubs - BOGO $1.79 each x 2 = $3.58

- two $0.60/1 coupons x 2 (doubled) (1/29 insert)

- $0.60 e-vic coupon
= $0.58 for two

2 Knorr Sides - $1.00 each x 2 = $2.00

- $0.50/2 coupon x 2 (1/29 insert)

-$0.50/2 e-vic coupon

= $0.50 for two

2 Wishbone Salad Dressings - $2.00 each x 2 = $4.00

- two $0.70/1 coupons x 2 (1/29 insert)

- $1.00/2 e-vic coupon
= $0.20 for two

2 Lipton Tea Bags - $1.35 x 2 = $2.70

- two $0.40/1 coupons x 2 

- $0.40 e-vic coupon
= $0.70 for two

2 Lipton Soups - $1.79 each x 2 = $3.58

-  two $0.50/1 coupons x 2 (1/29 insert)

- $0.75 e-vic coupon
= $0.78 for two

3 Ragu Pasta Sauces - $1.39 each x 3 = $4.17

- $1.25/3 coupon (1/29 insert)

- $1.00 e-vic coupon
= $1.92

- $5.00 instant savings = - $0.38 A MONEY MAKER!


I also shopped the Kroger Mega Event, where you receive an instant $5 savings when you purchase any ten participating items. I bought six cans of Hunt's tomatoes, using three $0.40/2 printable coupons, making them just $0.19 per can after coupon and instant savings. I also bought two bottles of Chi Chi's Salsa, (never had it before, really disliked it - second bottle will go in the donation bag), one pack of Chi Chi's Tortillas, and one Kraft Easy Mac (why can't I give up the Mac 'n Cheese???). I spent about $3.00 for all ten items.

Overall, not too bad. :)

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linking up!

Cereal Deals - Kroger and HT

If you're looking to stock up on cereal, there are a few great deals around town.

Until Saturday evening, 1/14, you can score four boxes of Kashi Go Lean cereal for just $0.96 total! Here's how:

Buy 4 Kashi Go Lean (can choose between varieties) - on sale for $2.99 each

- $3 instant savings when you buy 4 participating items

- 4 $2/1 Kashi Product printable coupons (* From Recyclebank - see explanation at bottom of post)

= $0.96 for four


Until next week Tuesday, 1/17, you can also buy inexpensive General Mills (Big G) cereals by shopping at Harris Teeter. When you buy five participating cereals (see picture below), the price of each will drop to $1.98. Then, use coupons to lower your out of pocket expense even more. Remember, Harris Teeter allows you to double coupons for up to three like items. This means that couldn't use five PB Cheerios Coupons. Also, remember that you are able to print two of the same coupon per computer.

Possible Coupon Matchups:

$0.75/1 Dulce de Leche Cheerios printable use zip code 27107 (will double to deduct $1.50 per box = $0.48 per box)

$0.75/1 Peanut Butter Cheerios printable  use zip code 27107 (will double to deduct $1.50 per box = $0.48 per box)

$0.85/1 Fiber One Cereal printable (will double to deduct $1.70 = $0.28 per box)

$1.10/2 boxes Cheerios printable (= $1.44 per box, not quite as good)

Deal Ideas: Buy 3 Fiber One and 2 Dulce de Leche or PB Cheerios = $1.80 for five boxes, $0.36 per box!
                   Buy 3 Dulce de Leche Cheerios and 2 PB Cheerios = $2.40 for five boxes, $0.48 per box!

* Getting the Kashi coupons takes a little explaining, but it's not too difficult. If you haven't already done so, you'll need to set up two Recyclebank accounts (two e-mail addresses). You will need to earn points by completing quick tasks like quizzes (takes just a minute). Once you have earned 125 points, redeem them for a $2.00 off Kashi coupon (check the food and beverages tab). You print this coupon from home, and when you do so, hit the back browser arrow, which will allow you to print two coupons for your 125 points. Do the same thing from a second Recyclebank account. This will give you four coupons to use for the Kroger promo.

Harris Teeter Super Doubles - Trip 3

This morning, I made what I expect to be my final trip for this round of Super Doubles at Harris Teeter. I went hoping that a few items would be restocked and also to try out a few new deal ideas that I wanted to see for myself before posting.  On the way home, I also stopped at Kroger and used my free $4 credit. These trips included coupon deals, as well as a few items we needed in the house to round out our weekly grocery shopping. Yes, that is KY Jelly in the picture above...not needed to round out our grocery shopping. I'll explain below how that purchase made me almost $2, which was used to pay for my other groceries. And yes, that is a box of Kraft Mac & Cheese. Impulse buy. And yes, I DID eat nearly the entire box by myself for lunch today. Judge away.

I spent $13.25 + tax at HT on $66.47 worth of items, an 80% savings. I spent $1.85 + tax at Kroger on $11.56 worth of groceries. Which means that I spent a total of $15.10 for $78.03 worth of groceries, an 81% savings.

I bought:

Harris Teeter (click items to see coupon matchups)

1 KY Jelly - $1.81 Money Maker (Use $3 coupon 1/8 inserts + $3 e-vic coupon = $1.81 Money Maker)
2 Kikkoman Soy Sauces - FREE
2 Nivea Lip Balms - FREE
2 1/2 Gallons Smart Balance Milk - FREE
1 Coffee Mate Natural Bliss Creamer - $0.15
4 boxes Barilla Whole Grain Spaghetti - $0.50 each x 4 = $2.00
2 bags Sargento Shredded Cheese - $1.00 each x 2 = $2.00
1 Digornio Pizza - $3.00
1 La Brea Baguette - BOGO (rings up half price)
Bananas
Russet potatoes
1 lime
1 lemon
1 Newman's Own Salsa

Total = $14.41
- $1.81 from KY e-vic coupon = $13.25

Kroger (prices after store card and coupons)

1 Dozen Eggs - $2.49
2 1 Liter Deer Park Sparkling Waters - $1.00 off 2 coupon (1/8 insert) = $0.25 each
1 bag Kroger mini carrots - FREE product coupon (home mailer) = FREE
cilantro - $0.69
1 Athenos Humus - $1.25 (great sale!)
1 Kraft Mac & Cheese - $0.92

Total = $5.85
- $4.00 credit = $1.85

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Harris Teeter Super Doubles (+ Kroger) - Trip 2

Apparently, dogs need to eat every day, and it would seem, that with all my coupon planning, I failed to realize that we were out of food for Cooper. We fed him people food last night after discovering that there was no kibble atop the fridge. Mistake.

After waking up to a mess on the living room floor that told me just what Cooper's stomach thought of people food, I bundled up Nolan and headed out for dog food (Rachel Ray - that dog is a food snob). My floors, and Cooper, couldn't handle another people food meal.

Since I was out anyway, why not coupon??

My trip feels pretty brag worthy. I made stops at Harris Teeter and Kroger (across the street from each other), and between the stores, I spent $2.03 + tax for $37 worth of groceries, a 94.5% savings! Plus, I received catalina coupons for a free Poise product (not sure why that one printed), with a value up to $6.00, as well as one for $2.00 off coffee creamer, which will help me score one for free at a later time.

I bought...

Harris Teeter

3 Starkist Chunk Light Tuna Pouches - $1.00 (regularly $1.65)

- 3 $0.50 printables (click Hungry Girl Loves Pouch, scroll down to print coupon) x 2 = FREE

2 V8 Smoothies - $1.94

- 2 $1.00 printables x 2 = FREE

1 Muir Glen Tomato Paste (I stock up whenever I see this coupon) - $1.39

- $0.75 printable x 2 = FREE

1 Coffee Mate Natural Bliss Creamer - $2.65

- $1.00 printable (click Spread Some Holiday Cheer on left side of screen) x 2 

- $0.50 e-vic coupon = $0.15 

1 Silk Soy Milk - $2.89

- $1.00 printable (check second page) x 2 = $0.89

Total = $1.04 + tax

Kroger

4 Kashi Go Lean Cereals - on sale for $2.99 each

- 4 $2.00 off one recyclebank printable coupons (*see below for explanation of how to get coupons)

- $3.00 instant savings for buying 4 participating products

= $0.96 for four (~$0.25 per box)

1 box Fiber One bars - $2.89
- FREE product coupon (Kroger home mailer) = FREE

Total = $0.99 + tax

* Getting the Kashi coupons takes a little explaining, but it's not too difficult. If you haven't already done so, you'll need to set up two Recyclebank accounts (two e-mail addresses). You will need to earn points by completing quick tasks like quizzes (takes just a minute). Once you have earned 75 points, redeem them for a $2.00 off Kashi coupon (check the food and beverages tab). You print this coupon from home, and when you do so, hit the back browser arrow, which will allow you to print two coupons for your 75 points. Do the same thing from a second Recyclebank account. This will give you four coupons to use for the Kroger promo.

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Weekly Grocery Shopping - Thanksgiving Edition

Mondays are usually my grocery shopping days. I wait to see the Sunday inserts and grocery store ads before making my weekly menu and then grocery list.

This week, I needed to shop with Thanksgiving dinner in mind. I was lucky enough to have a lot of ingredients for the meal already in the house, like spices, baking supplies, and some fresh veggies. I was still fully expecting to completely bust my budget with this trip, though, so I was pretty pleased to actually see my final bill - $51.00 and a 34% savings - not terrible at all.

I was able to pick up weekly staples, like juice and milk, get ingredients for pre-Thanksgiving meals, everything I still needed for Thanksgiving (including a 12 pound turkey for just $4), and ingredients for post-Thanksgiving meals (I'll mention more about those in another post).

Here's a look at my purchases as well as my Thanksgiving Dinner Menu, complete with links to recipes.

Thanksgiving Menu 2011

Herb Roasted Turkey

Sweet Potato Casserole (no marshmallows here, think brown sugar, pecans, and spices - YUM!)
Stuffing
Cranberry Sauce
Green Bean Casserole (for me) some other form of Green Beans (for Alex)
Garlic Mashed Potatoes (no recipe - just boil potatoes, mash with milk, butter, and roasted garlic, etc.)
Gravy (version TBD)
Pecan Pie

71% Savings at Kroger - 11/14

Our cabinets and refrigerator are well stocked, so I knew this week's grocery shopping trip would be a small one, really only needing perishable items. I headed to Kroger to use my quarterly reward certificate and to take advantage of a General Mills promotion. Many General Mills products, including cereals and granola bars are on sale for $2.50/box, with a $3.00 instant savings when you buy four items. My plan was to combine this promotion with some coupons to get inexpensive Cascadian Farms granola and Nature Valley granola bars.

The total value of my purchase was $45.64. Using my store card, rewards certificate, and manufacturer coupons, I saved $32.44 and spent just $13.20, for a savings of 71%. Without my rewards certificate, I would have saved 41% - still not bad.

Here are the items I bought, with match ups of coupons used:
1 gallon of milk
1 rotisserie chicken (-$2 printable coupon, -$0.80 Kroger store coupon from rewards mailer)
2 boxes Cascadian Farms granola (-$1.00 off 2 peelie from box)
2 boxes Nature Valley granola bars (-$0.75 off 2 coupon from 10/2 Smart Source)
2 boxes Annie's Mac & Cheese (-$0.75 off 2 printable)
1 Kroger Dijon Mustard
1 heavy cream
1 can Kroger black beans
1 Martha White muffin mix (I know there were Martha White coupons in yesterday's paper, but I couldn't find mine)
1 bag Dole lettuce (FREE product coupon from contacting Dole about spoiled lettuce)
1 cucumber
1 red pepper
1 sweet potato (making baby food)
6 apples
3 bananas
1 pomegranate
green onions


Here are some coupon match ups for the General Mills promotion, in case you are interested in checking it out. Each product is on sale for $2.50. With the instant $3.00 savings when you buy four participating items (can mix and match), each product will be $1.75. You can add coupons for additional savings.

Honey Nut Cheerios - $0.50 printable (will double to $1.00)

General Mills Cereals - $1.00/2 printable 

Nature Valley Granola Thins - $0.50 printable (will double to $1.00)

Nature Valley Granola Bars - $0.75/2 manufacturer coupon (10/2 Smart Source)

Cascadian Farms - $0.75 coupons.com printable (if you printed before it ran out)

What Does Your Grocery Store do for You?

I'll be the first to tell you that Kroger isn't a perfect grocery store. Other stores have better meat selection, and there are times when I can't find an item there that I can somewhere else. When it comes to shopper rewards, though, Kroger seems to have the local competition beat.

For some reason, our mail didn't get delivered until 9:30 last night. I was happy that it did eventually come, though, because waiting inside was a great surprise from Kroger - my quarterly rewards certificate!

Kroger rewards shoppers in a number of ways (you need a store card to access these rewards). I've mentioned that prescription transfers can earn you $25 in free groceries (when promo is running, which it currently is not). You also earn fuel points for each dollar spent. These can be redeemed for cents off gallons of gas at Shell or Kroger fuel stations. One hundred points = $0.10 off each gallon. A third reward is the one that was in my mailbox, a quarterly rewards certificate.

Each dollar spent in store earns you rewards points. Each prescription filled earns 50 points, and bringing your own green bags earns 10 points per shopping trip. On a quarterly basis, you will be mailed a reward certificate with a value based on the number of points you have accumulated. A 500 point minimum is needed to earn a $5 certificate. After your first 500 points, each additional 100 points adds a dollar to your reward.

The $13 reward certificate I received can be used on any in store purchases, AND it was accompanied by two pages of coupons, including some for store brand items, like deli and produce purchases. In the scheme of things, this reward isn't huge, but it is a nice bonus that other stores don't offer.

What does YOUR grocery store do for you?

Meet My Friend, VIC

Grocery stores can be some of the hardest places to save money, but when played correctly, you can certainly cut your spending significantly. Here's a little run down of things you should know when shopping my most frequented Durham grocery stores.

Kroger (sales in the Durham area run Sunday-Saturday)

• Sign up for a store rewards card!! NOW!! This card not only saves you money on your immediate store purchases, it also has some other great perks! By shopping, you accumulate rewards points. For each 100 points you accumulate, you can get $0.10 off each gallon of gas if you fill up at a Shell station. Every three months, your points are also turned into money back gift cards. Every 100 points = $1. I'm expecting a $10-$15 gift card in a few weeks!
• Coupons up to $0.50 Double, EVERY DAY! - For example a $0.30 coupon will deduct $0.60, a $0.50 coupon will deduct $1.00, etc. This can be a real money saver and can score you some free items, especially things like soap and toothpaste (Keep an eye out for the next P&G coupon insert on October 2 - lots of potential freebies at Kroger!)
• Prescription transfers earn store credit! - Kroger often runs a promo where you earn $25 in store credit for each prescription you transfer and fill at their pharmacy. I transferred two this summer and earned $50. I plan to keep watch for the next promo and transfer a few more! This is a great way to earn money on something you would have to buy anyway!

Harris Teeter (sales in the Durham area run Wednesday-Tuesday)

• Sign up for a VIC card!! This store card doesn't offer money back or gas points like Kroger, but it does save you money on in-store purchases. You can also go visit the Harris Teeter website to link e-coupons to your shopping card. The great thing about these e-coupons is that Harris Teeter will allow you to use one paper AND an e-coupon on the same item. For example, a few weeks ago, I bought body wash at HT. The body wash was $3.99. I had a $2.00 paper coupon from the newspaper, and I also linked a $2.00 coupon to my store card. The body wash was free, and the store gave me $0.01 in overage!
• Coupons up to $0.99 Double, EVERY DAY! - Be warned, Harris Teeter's prices are a bit more expensive to begin with, so even with doubling up to $0.99, you might still be paying more than you would at Kroger.
• Super Doubles Promos - Every few months, HT runs a special where they will double coupons up to a value of $1.99! This means a coupon for $1.50 will deduct $3.00. Super Doubles = lots of free or almost free products. This is the best time to use coupons with a value of over $0.99. You are allowed to super double up to 20 coupons PER DAY. You can only use 3 of the same coupon each day.
• Triple Coupon Promos - On occasion, HT also runs triple coupon promos. They will triple coupons up to $0.99 in value. Triple coupons will be happening next week, starting on Wednesday, September 14. Check Southern Savers-Harris Teeter info to find out match-ups for free or super cheap items!

Reader Response: Which grocery stores do you shop most often? Why?