Another Good Shopping Day - CVS & Publix Savings

Today was another good shopping day. I can’t say it was one of my best couponing day, but I did only spend $57.54 for $178.89 worth of food and nonfood groceries for a total savings of $121.35 (or 68%)!!!.

This week did go over budget by $7.54, but after adding up the totals from my earlier shopping trips this month, I’ve only spent $78.53 this month. I am well below my goal of $50 a week. What’s more my purchases have included things that I do not normally buy when I’m grocery shopping – two Christmas gifts, 28 lbs. of kitty litter, and school supplies. Since I have only spent about half of my budget so far, I'm going to go back to Publix tomorrow to see if I can get some of the items that I wanted but they were out of.

Read on to see how you can save like this as well! I couldn't fit everything into one picture, so I divided it up into four pictures.

My first stop this morning was CVS. There I purchased:

Carefree Ultra Protection Pantiliners, 16-ct *Limit 4 – Reg. $4.19
Price $3.79/1 (Receive $2.79 ECB)
I used one $1 coupon that I received with a recent free sample from Carefree, two $1 coupons that I printed HERE, and one $.50 that I printed HERE.

My net cost - $3.50 PROFIT!!!

Mennen Deodorant, 2.3-3.25 oz (Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick, excludes Men's 24/7 and Pro) *Limit 2 – Reg. $3.19 and $3.49
Price $2.49/1 (Receive $1 ECB)
I used two $1.50 that I printed HERE. (Use Zipcode 33907)

My net cost - .02¢ PROFIT!!!

These items came to $20.14. I also had a $5 off $25 that I got from taking the quiz at the CVS website (see my August 20^th blog post). I had planned to get the two composition books that are free through Tuesday, but the CVS I went to was out, so I had to go to “Plan B”. I went shopping for something else that was a good deal. I found:

(3) Special K Protein Water Mix, 7 ct

Reg. $4.89 Clearance $1.22

(3) Balance Gold Caramel Nut Bars

Reg. $1.69 Clearance .42¢

Adding these items to my shopping cart brought my total to $25.06. After deducting coupons and receiving CVS Extra Bucks, the net cost at CVS was $1.40 for $43.18 worth of merchandise.

Next I went to Publix. This is a bigger list of items, so I’m going to break it down by picture...

(2) Purina Tidy Cats Scoop Cat Litter 14 lb, BOGO $6.99
I used two $1 coupons Tidy from Red Plum (8/09). Some containers have a $2 off coupon on them, but I didn’t see any when I was there.

My net cost $4.99

(2) Shout Stain Remover, 22 oz, BOGO $2.99
I used two .55¢ coupons from Super Saver (8/02)

My net cost - $1.89

(3) Kotex Maxi Pads, 14-24 ct, BOGO $2.93
I used two $1 coupons from Super Saver (7/19) and one $1 coupon that came with a recent Kotex sample.
My net cost - $1.39

(1) Publix Paper towels, $1.34

I used the 1¢ Mystery Coupon in the Publix Sunday paper insert.

My net cost - .01¢

(2) New England Coffee, 9-12 oz, BOGO $5.79
I used two $1 coupons that I printed HERE.

My net cost - $3.79

(1) Starbucks Coffee Ice Cream, 1 pt, BOGO $3.79
I used a $1 coupon from Red Plum (8/09)

My net cost - .90¢

(2) Contessa Meals, 20-24 oz, BOGO $6.99
I used a $1.50 coupon that I printed HERE.

My net cost - $5.49

(1) Tombstone Pizza, 18.1-29.5 oz pkg, BOGO $5.79

My net cost - $2.89

(2) Publix Salad, 5-12 oz, 2/$4

My net cost - $4

(2) Silk Soymilk, 1/2 gallon $2.50 ea
I used two 75¢ coupons that I printed HERE.

My net cost - $3.50

(Oops, the coffee is in this picture too!)

(1) Kellogg’s Special K Cereal, 16-18 oz, BOGO $3.99
I used one $1 coupon off Special K Blueberry that I printed HERE.

My net cost - $1.00

(1) Luzianne Family Size Tea Bags, 24 ct, Decaf, BOGO $3.69

I used one .60¢ coupon from Super Saver (6/21).

My net cost - $1.25

(1) Luzianne Family Size Tea Bags, 24 ct, Green Tea, BOGO $2.29

I used one .60¢ coupon from Super Saver (6/21).

My net cost - $.55¢

(2) Lipton Tea Bags, 18 or 20 ct, BOGO $2.99

I accidentally used two .75¢/2 coupons from Red Plum (8/02). This was one mistake that worked out in my favor.

My net cost - $1.49

(2) Kashi Cereal or Granola, 2/$5

I used two $1.50 coupons for Kashi Honey Sunshine Cereal that I printed HERE and HERE.

My net cost - $2.00

Ragu Pasta Sauce, 13.5-26.3 oz, $1.29 ea
I used one $1.00/2 coupon that I got in the mail.

My net cost - $1.58

(4) Nabisco 100 Calorie Snacks, $1.99 ea

I used two $1.00/2 coupons that I printed HERE.

My net cost - $3.97

My Publix results are:

• Order Total - $134.54
• Coupons - $22.88
• Advertised Special Savings - $55.52
• Total Paid - $56.14

With a little effort and the handful of coupons that I have shown you where to get, you too can expect to save on your groceries. Check the Publix sale flier and your coupons, and make your list before you go so that you don't miss out on the deals. And remember to get rain checks for any specials that Publix may be out of. You can cash in on the savings the next time you shop!