What's in Em's Shopping Cart? (2 July @ Meijer)

My cart included ...

1/2 gallon Meijer milk: $1.19
2 8oz Philly cream cheese: $2.09 each
4 Ekrich hot dogs: reg. $1.96 each, on sale 78c/ea - $1/2 coupons = 28c/ea.
4 16oz Breakstone sour cream: reg. $1.87, on sale 90c/ea - $1/2 coupons = 40c/ea.
10 Ronzoni whole wheat pasta: reg. $1.48, on sale 90c/ea - $1/2 store coupons = 40c/ea.
4 boxes of Kraft premium mac and cheese: reg. $1.23, on sale 90c/ea - B3G1 coupon = 68c/ea.
3 ChiChi's salsa: reg. $2.65, on sale 90c/ea - 55c/1 coupons = 35c/ea.
8 boxes Totino's pizza rolls: reg. $1.67, on sale 90c/ea.
3 packs Dentek floss picks: reg. $2.79, on sale 90c/ea - $1/1 coupons = FREE!
1 Heluva Good Dip: reg. $1.50, on sale $1.19 - 75c/1 coupon - 25c/1 store coupon = 19c.
1 Bumblebee pouch: reg. $1.98, price dropped to $1.90 - $1/1 coupon = 90c.
2 loaves Brownberry Bread: reg. $3.98, price dropped to $1.94 - $1/1 store coupon = 94c/ea.
2 bags Lays chips: reg. $3.99, on sale $1.99 - $3/2 Pepsi Rebate coupon = 49c/ea.
2 bottles Wishbone Western dressing: reg. $2.84, on sale $1.50 - $1.25/2 coupons = 88c/ea.
2 pkgs Meijer pitas: reg. $3.18, on sale $1.50/ea.
4 ICBINB (3 tubs, 1 sticks): reg. $2.19, on sale $1.34 - $1.25/1 (3) and $1/1 (1) coupons = 15c/ea.
2 100 cal pack Nabisco cookies: reg. $3.19, on sale $2 - $1/1 coupons = $1/ea.
1 pkg Oreo Cakesters: reg. $3.19, on sale $2.50 - $1/1 coupon = $1.50.
4 bottles Old Orchard juice: reg. 2.89, on sale $1.67 - 50c/1 store coupons - $1/2 coupons = 67c/ea.
4 24pks Pepsi products: reg. $6.49, on sale $3.99 - $2/1 Pepsi Rebate coupons = $1.99/ea.
2 boxes Bagelfuls (as promised): reg. $3.09, on sale $2 - $1/1 coupons = $1/ea.
2 rolls Bounty paper towels (I'm hiding these for emergency super gross clean-ups): reg. $2.78, on sale 90c/ea - $1/2 coupons = 40c/ea.
1 can Mighty Dog wet food: reg. 88c - freebie coupon = FREE!

- $17.55 from 10% off grocery purchase catalinas
+ $1 OYNO catalina from buying 2 Western dressings

Total Spent: $46.06 (incl $2.40 aluminum deposit)
Total Savings: $130.42

That's 74.3% savings!

Thank you, Meijer!

We have $153.94 left in the grocery budget for July. The deals for next week (5-11 July) are less stellar so I'm likely sticking to produce only this week and won't be doing any sweet match ups unless something amazing strikes my fancy. I hope you had a great week shopping (and most important, saving!).


Simply,

Em.

What's in Em's shopping cart? (27 June @ Meijer)

I did go shopping, as promised. I did not, however, get everything on my list. Some of the items were out of stock, and the others, I just wasn't stoked about the deals once I got there.

2 loaves Aunt Millie's bread: on sale, 75c/ea - 35c/1 coupons = 40c each.

9.53 lbs of red and green grapes: on sale, 99c/lb (yes, really, I bought nearly 10 lbs of grapes ... would you believe almost half of them are gone?! haha.)

2 Edwards Singles: reg. $2.37. on sale, $1.18 - 75c/1 coupons = 43c each.

4 Superpretzels (I'm trying to figure out how to make pizza pretzels since I make pizza out of everything else, and it's far too hot for ovens ... and these were super cheap!): reg. $5.46. on sale, $1.36 - 75c/1 coupons = 61c each.

2 Sara Lee frozen cheesecakes: reg. $5.79. on sale, $2.89 - $1/1 coupons = $1.89 (We're having people over for the holiday, and I don't so much make cheesecake that well. Honestly, I wanted the 84c pound cake that generated the $1 cat, but they were out ...).

4 large bags Tostitos chips: reg. $3.99. on sale, BOGO (buy 1, get 1 free) - $2/2 coupons from the Pepsi rebate deal months ago = 99c each (I honestly thought these were BOGO for $2.50 instead of $3.99. I would have used the $3/2 coupons I had if I had noticed they were more expensive).

2 Johnsonville formed breakfast sausage: reg. $3.69. on sale, $2.38 - $1/1 coupons = $1.38 each.

2 Johnsonville brats: reg. $3.99. on sale, $2.38 - $1/1 coupons for turkey and bold varieties = $1.38 each.

3 Kraft 2% shredded cheese: reg. $2.79. on sale, $2 - $1/2 printable coupon = $1.66 each (plus it generated a $2 cat making the actual cost more like $1 each).

6 tubs Cool Whip: 99c - $1/2 coupons - $1/3 store coupons = 16c each! (Score! Now, to think of things to do with Cool Whip ...).

1 dozen eggs: reg. 99c - $1/wyb 2 Johnsonville peelie = FREE EGGS!

Total Spent: $38.42
Total Saved: $62.77

62% Savings! Sweeeeeet.

Thank you, Meijer. Your cashier was annoying, but the deals were nice.


Simply,

Em.


For more Shopping Cart Round-ups, check out Gayle at Grocery Cart Challenge.

Super Saver Saturday: Meijer GDAs for 6/28

I'm not usually this on top of deal matching, honestly often scrambling on Saturday afternoon to get my lists ready, but this week I've already seen tomorrow's ad and pulled the matches I like for this week. Yay! My thoughts, why not share them with you?

6.28 Meijer
Pepsi 24 packs: on sale, $3.99/ea when you buy 4 - $2/1 any Pepsi coupons from the Coupon Rebate earlier this year if you did it and still have them (I've been hoarding mine for just such an occasion) = $7.96 total, or $1.99 each. Yes!

Lays Chips: on sale, $1.99 - $1/2 coupon = $1.49/ea.

Ekrich hot dogs: on sale, 78c/ea (in conjunction with a grocery purchase, you can't just buy hot dogs, apparently). I hear there are coupons out for these. I can't find mine at the moment.

Bagelfuls: on sale, $2/ea - $1/1 Kraft Bagelfuls printable = $1 each. (I think these things are a little scary, personally, but I've been promising them to a certain family member once they made it down to $1 ... sigh).

Heluva Good Dip: on sale, $1.19/ea - $1/1 coupons = 19c each! Yes!

Old Orchard Juice: on sale, $1.67/ea - $1/2 coupons = $1.17 each. If you have a store that doubles, they'll be 17c!! Old Orchard is good stuff, made just down the road from here from fruit grown in between my house and theirs. 17c!? Absolutely, yes, please. (Oh, how I envy you doubling grocery store shoppers ... ).

Ziplocks: on sale, $2 - coupons that vary from 40c/1 to $1/2 to sometimes $1/1. I'm not necessarily advocating a stock up, but keep your eyes peeled since these often have peel off coupons on them that are better than the insert ones. Check them out in store, and if they aren't worth it, wait it out.

Chicken drumsticks and thighs: on sale, 99c/lb. (It's grilling season ... time for bbq'd chicken legs! Stock up a bit at this price as I haven't seen the 79c/lb drums/thighs price in a long, long time.)

And! A 10/$10 (11th FREE!) that includes ...

Coke product 2 liters

Green Giant Steamers and boxed veggies: Also, keep an eye out for peelies on these since there aren't any current coupons ... or at least I don't have any.

Bounty Big Roll Paper Towels: -$1/2 coupon = 50c each. I stopped buying paper towels (despite the near mutinous revolt that followed), but if you're still beholden to disposable, this may be good for you.

Breakstone Sour Cream: -$1/2 printable coupon = 50c each. I don't use sour cream that often, but I may need to find a few recipes this week.

ChiChi's Salsa: -55c/1 coupon = 45c each. Yes, please.

Hormel Deli Pepperoni: -75c/1 = 25c each. This is a YMMV (your money/manager/mileage may vary) since I'm not positive the deli size is what the coupon actually counts for when it scans. Give it a whirl, and if it works, make pizza subs with all your cheap giant pepperonis.

Ronzoni Smart Pasta: -$1/1 manufacturer coupon - $1/2 Meijer coupon = +50c! I don't have any of these manu coupons, because I was convinced this stuff was never, ever going on sale for $1 again. Haha, oops. I sent mine away and now, voila! Sale time! If you have them, stock up!! If you don't and need pasta, print the Meijer coupons and get it for 50c/box, which isn't terrible. Check the regular price of Meijer brand, though, to make sure this is still cheaper.

Dentek Flossers: This gets a big ole question mark next to it, because although I've seen talk online that they are included, I can't find it in my ad. I may be blind. If so, there are great coupons out from both inserts and All You magazine for these. I tried to use mine last time they were included, and the stores were out completely long before I got there (and for weeks after ...).


There are, of course, other things in the ad. I either don't need them or was not struck by them being an amazing deal. This doesn't mean they aren't. Feel free to add in your own matchups in the comments if you like. Questions? Please ask. I'm more than happy to answer them!


Simply,

Em.

ps, I'm also going shopping today on this week's ad for 99c/lb grapes, BOGO Tostinos, Koolaid with FREE mac & cheese, 1/2 price Super Pretzels and Sara Lee frozen cake, and Cool Whip (15 CENTS each when you buy 6 ... are you kidding me?! Dessert, please!). I may get in a breakdown tonight ... we can hope. Happy Shopping!

The Everything Post

Where have I been all this time?! My goodness how one day turns into 7 before you even know it. I've had all the things I wanted to post floating around in my head, but it's officially 937 degrees Fahrenheit here (ok, high 80s, probably low 90s today) and when it's that hot I want to do nothing but find a semi-reasonable place to sit (like the basement, in a corner, where it's 'cooler' ... by 2 or 3 degrees) and not move a muscle lest the Niagra Falls of sweat come forth from all parts of me at once. I hate being hot. Hate it. This is why we live in MI and not a warmer state. I would melt. It may happen this week, and I have the mop at the ready in case. Here we go, everything all together now ...

Some Quick Takes
1.
I already told you it's hot, but it begs repeating. I do not like sweat rolling down the sides of my face because I'm standing still washing dishes in less than completely sanitary tepid water because I may just die if it were any warmer. I would really like a breeze, any breeze, even a hot one, to cut the density in the air. We do not have air conditioning, lest you think I'm complaining about hot weather for fun. I know there are many of you that survive much hotter temperatures also without AC, but seriously ... I can't take it. We don't have AC for a number of reasons.

1. It's reaaaaaallllly expensive for my electric bill.
2. It's not so fantastic for the environment with all those AC units pumping out exhaust and such.
3. If we did, I would not be able to control myself and we'd likely have it set at 35 degrees from March until October, bringing us right back to point number 1. When AC is involved, my rational mind desolves to putty and I have no self-control. Total abstinence is out only sound option.

2.
I don't like to cook when it's hot, but this morning I convinced myself to get a roast into the crockpot since I was awake anyway and eventually we'd have to eat. I'm calling it a gold star day just for that. Haha.

3.
I had an unforutnate accident on Sunday that now requires a dentist's appointment and a lot of my conscious attention as to not show anyone the monstrosity when I speak. It doesn't hurt, but come Friday, at the dentist, it likely will. Thank heavens for dental insurance.

4.
The summer semester started yesterday. I promise I was not intentionally skipping class. I really honestly thought it was a T/R class, not a M/W one. Not until the email hit my phone from another girl asking where I had been did I go look at the course schedule. I've been convinced for months that it was on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ooooops.

Some Shopping Round-Up
I went to Costco and Meijer on Friday. There weren't any super amazing deals I needed to get in on, we were just out of a couple things that I had been putting off picking up for ... more than a little while. I did manage to get one box of half-price minus $1 coupon Snickers ice cream bars, and a raincheck for 12 more. Now, to find coupons ... Em is hot and needs ice creams!

Some Simple Sunday
What's better on a Sunday, especially Father's Day, and most especially when it falls on the longest day of the year ... than a late evening trip to the lake? It was hot. We were melting. We piled in the car at 9pm and headed to the lake for a quick swim. A little chilly at first, sure, but once initially submerged, swimming was heaven. It was like magic. Not hot. No longer puddling into your shoes. Just cool and marvelous, plus the beginnings of a sunset while we were swimming made for an marvelously simply Sunday.

Some Menu Plan Monday
M: Sausages on the Grill, Chips

T: Crockpot Beef Roast, Potatoes, Greens & Spinach Salad

W: Hamburger Helper (which I don't like, fyi), Greens & Spinach Salad

R: Fried Chicken Salads, Cut Veggies

F: Survivor Night ... eat what you can find, or starve. I will likely be having milkshakes ... and pudding ... and other things that don't hurt one's already hurting post-dentist teeth.

S: Pork Chops, Noodle Side, Steamed Veggies, Green Salads

U: Zuppa Toscana

Some Gratituesday
For more Gratituesday, check out The Heavenly Homemakers.
Today, I'm grateful for ...

... warm weather that helps my garden grow, even if it makes me terribly uncomfortable.
... cool swims at dusk.
... ice cream.
... self-employment.
... the appreciation of the women I work with.
... crunching on ice cubes, even if it's horrible for my teeth.
... dental insurance.
... Be, who although I currently look funny, still loves me.
... the tiniest hints of a breeze.
... getting up early of my own volition.
... schedule switching.
... the AC in my car being functional.
... a cool basement to retreat to.
... the library, full of great books, for free!
... money in the bank, bills paid.
... a clean house, easier on the hot weather sanity than a dirty one.
... grace.
... every day, hot or not, that I get to live in this perfect world.


Wasn't that wacky? So long as I don't melt, regular posting will resume. If, instead, I turn into a giant puddle of crazy, I can make no guarantees.

Simply,

Em.

Em Goes To Meijer: 5/10 and 5/11

Oh, Meijer. How I like it when we get along like good friends rather than you trying to cause me problems. I went shopping both yesterday and today, and after a bit of a shopping hiatus, I'm pretty content with the way things went. Also, kudos to Meijer for getting rid of that lousy "one per transaction" wording on their Mealbox coupons. Thank you, thank you. We complained, and they heard us. Huzzah!

Trip 1
6 2ltrs Coke (3 regular, 3 diet): $1.49/ea (ouch!)
10 Kellogg's poptarts: $1.98 - $1/1 coupon = 98c/ea
1 Quilted Northern toilet paper: half price sale for $6.99 - $1/1 = $5.99
2 gallons Meijer milk: $1.98/ea - Meijer promo from buying 2 Oreos and 2 Wheat Thins = FREE!
2 loaves Aunt Millie's bread: $1.50/ea - 35c/1 coupon = $1.15/ea
2 Smart Balance spread tubs: on sale 2/$4 - $1/2 Meijer coupon - $1/1 coupons = 50c/ea (sweet!)
2 Smart Balance spread sticks: FREE! with coupon for buying tubs
2 Smart Balance peanut butter: on sale 2/$4 - $1/2 Meijer coupon - $1/1 coupons = 50c/ea (that's CHEAP peanut butter! And, if it's gross on sandwiches ... we've never tried it ... then I will use it for baking instead)
6 Kraft barbeque sauce: on sale $1 - 75c/1 coupon = 25c/ea
5 bags Earthbound Farms organic carrots: on sale $1 - 55c/1 coupon = 45c/ea
2 packages Oreos: on sale 2/$5 - $1.50/1 coupon when you buy Oreos and milk = 2/$2
2 boxes Artisan Wheat Thins: on sale 2/$5 - BOGO coupon = 2/$2.50

Total: $37.88 (includes 60c returnable deposit)
Saved: $39.51

Plus Cats:
1. Kelloggs: Buy 10 items, Get 2 FREE movie tickets. The poptarts I picked out were the ones with the Star Trek movie tokens on the back, meaning the 10 boxes also net me 2 more FREE movie tickets! $9.80 spent on poptarts, and 4 movie tickets in return! Hooray!

2. Kraft: Buy 6 barbeque sauces, Get $3 OYNO. That sauce cost me $1.50 after coupons, which means the cat nets me an extra $1.50 plus FREE sauces! Double hooray!

Trip 2
1 container Meijer whey protein: $11.99
(because Be's physical therapist seems to think he needs to consume even more protein ... yikes!)
2 Nature Made multi-vitamins: on sale BOGO $9.59 - $1/1 coupon = 2/$8.59
(again, because of the PT guy ... he needs to come over and start paying the grocery bill, me thinks)
1 clearanced beef heart: $1.19
(can we say gross?! Be is apparently smitten with them, and this is what happens when I bring him to the store with me. Ick.)
5 boxes Jose Ole frozen taquitos: half price sale $2.49 - $1/1 coupons = $1.49/ea
5 boxes Jose Ole frozen quesadillas: half price sale $2.49 - $1.50/1 coupons = 99c/ea
10 boxes Kraft mac & cheese: on sale 10/$5
(plus a $2 OYNO for buying 6 ... I thought the trigger was 10 or I would have broken it up and gotten 2 cats by buying 12 instead ... er, oops)
10 boxes Kellogg's frosted mini-wheats: on sale $1.80 - BOGO coupon from Vocalpoint and - $1/1 coupons = 72c/ea
(plus another 2 FREE movie tickets ... 2 for the price of less than 1 plus cereal ... good deal by me!)

Total: $46.37
Saved: $76.09 Wahoo!

Did you go shopping this week? Tell me about it, and stay tuned for more Meijer deals in the near future ... perhaps tomorrow after I get home from school.


Simply,

Em.

Super Saver Saturday: 100th Post Edition

Hooray 100th blog post! Not-so-hooray shopping this week. I didn't even look at the Meijer ad until last (Friday) night. I didn't cut last week's coupons until then either. School has been weird, and I spent a lot of time writing a 16 page midterm exam last week instead of worrying about grocery shopping (or doing anything else). That is one of my favorite parts of having a huge stockpile of food and household goods. If I don't make it to the store, we will not starve. It allows me to put my attention on my family, on school work, on my job, or whatever else distracts me from deal finding at the moment. There will be more sales, I always tell myself, even though it is impossible to believe at the moment. Today, we happened to go out in a blizzard to get car parts ... a long and painful (for the frugal and/or broke-ish) story, so I decided to make it worthwhile by swinging into Meijer for some last minute deals. Literally last minute, since my receipt says I checked out at 1115pm. Yikes.

6 Fancy Feast Medley cat food: .75c/ea on sale - $1/6 coupon = .58c/ea
8 Friskies Indoor Select cat food: .75c/ea on sale - BOGO coupons = .38c/ea
6 Ortega taco seasoning: price dropped to .57c/ea - .75c/2 coupons = .20c/ea
1 Fryin' Magic: price dropped to $1.69 - .75c peelie on box = .94c
10 Dannon yogurt: .40c/ea on sale - $1/10 coupon = .30c/ea
2 Jimmy Dean's breakfast entrees: $2/ea on sale - $1/1 coupons = $1/ea
1 Popcorn Seasoning Shaker: clearanced to $1.44

and in the 10/10 (11th FREE!) ...
6 Knorr noodle sides - .75c/2 coupons = .53c/ea
3 Chef Boyardee spaghetti - .35c/3 coupon = .78c/ea
1 Meijer zip top bag
12 Bumblebee tuna lunch kits

TOTAL SPENT: $33.28
TOTAL SAVED: $25.70

Ok, not my best showing. Mostly, my little brother loves those Bumblebee lunch kits. So much that I usually put them in his stocking at the holidays. He got a new job last week, and I'm so darn proud of him that I splurged on a case of them (small box, only 12 of those buggers in there) since they were on the 10/10 (11th FREE!). Now he can throw them in his lunch and think of how much he loves his rad sister. Riiiiiiiight.


Simply,

Em.

Super Saving Saturday

Ok, really, I went shopping yesterday and today. I know, I know, craziness. Why must Meijer have these special weekend sales that persuade me to come back to their store again, but are not amazing enough to convince me to wait until the day of zoo-crazy people to do all of my grocery shopping? Ah, because they are brillant, that's why. Way to go marketing gurus, 1 point for you.

So this past fall, I didn't go grocery shopping for more than 2 months. I think I've mentioned that before. I got caught up in life, we have a giant stockpile of goods to cover the bases during the hiatus, and I was trying to save some serious money in the process. We did hit up the grocery for food for the holidays, but until this week I had not done any real grocery shopping/deal finding in F-O-R-Ever. There are a veritable ton of things we are out of because of it, and although we've been making due pretty well, it was time for some real shopping.

Now, before I post what I picked up, let me preface. I know I said at the beginning of the year that we'd be going to a $120/month grocery budget (for my family of 5). This first month, though, since I happened to come upon some much needed cash after all the other bills were paid, and since we haven't really grocery shopped in a million years, I'm cutting in some extra cash. Yea. That might make me a slacker or a cheater or something, but the point of a challenge is to improve each month. Last year we spent an average of $300/month on groceries (remember, for 5 adults ... not so shabby), so working toward anything less than that is progress enough for me. /preface, haha.

I should have taken some pictures when we hauled everything in (but I don't think of these things after hauling an entire car full of groceries through the blizzarding tundra). Next time, maybe? Here's what I got ... beware, I'm exclamation point happy today ...

2 Regular Lay's chips ... 1/2 price, now $1.99.
2 BBQ Lay's chips ... 1/2 price, now $1.99.
4 40oz Bisquick ... sale $1.99 - $1/1 coupons = 99c!
3 Kellogg's Mini-Wheats ... sale $1.99 - $1/1 coupons = 99c!
4 Eckrich Sausages ... sale, $2 - $1/2 coupons = $1.50!
(these are regular $3.89 at my store)
4 Crescent Rolls tubes ... sale, $1.50 - 25c/1 coupons - $1/4 Meijer store coupon = $1.
2 Betty Crocker frostings ... sale, $1.33 - 50c/1 coupons = 83c!
1 4pk DanActive yogurt ... sale, $2 - $1/1 coupon = $1!
4 boxes New York garlic toast ... sale, $2 - 55c/1 peel offs on box = $1.45.
(we use these for garlic bread pizzas ... soooooo yummy)
5 Betty Crocker muffin mixes ... sale, $1.67 - $1/2 coupons = $1.17.
4 Toaster Streudels ... sale, $2 - $1/1 coupons = $1!
2 big bags Green Giant veggies ... sale, $2.50 - $1/1 peel off on the bag - $1/2 Meijer store coupon = $1!
1 Premium saltines ... sale, $2.50.
16 Yoplait yogurt ... sale, 50c - $1/8 coupon = 38c!
6 boxes Fiber One granola bars ... sale, $2 - $1/2 coupons = $1.50.
2 boxes Fiber One toaster pastries ... sale, $1.67 - peel off coupons from granola bars = FREE!


In the 10 for $10 (11th FREE!)
4 Avocados
6 Hamburger Helper ... - $1/3 coupons = 66c.
2 bags Bugles snacks
3 Betty Crocker boxed potatoes ... -40c/1 coupons = 60c.
2 Betty Crocker cake mixes
4 Grands biscuits ... -$1/1 coupons = FREE!
8 boxes Green Giant veggies ... -$1/1 and $1/2 coupons = 50c or FREE!
1 bag Green Giant Steamers ... -60c/1 coupon = 40c!
5 Banquet microwave dinners
1 Hormel deli pepperoni ... -55c/1 coupon = 45c!
6 big cans Meijer diced tomatoes
6 bags Combos snacks
14 boxes Totinos Pizza Rolls ... -40c/1 and $1/2 coupons = 60c or 50c!
2 trays popcorn chicken
(we toss these in big giant dinner salads for 'fried chicken salad' ... yum.)
6 trays chicken nuggets
1 Aunt Millie's english muffins ... -35c/1 = 65c!
4 Dole salad mix
5 Michelina's microwave dinners ... -$1/5 coupon = 80c.
5 Lean Gourmet microwave dinners ... -$1/5 coupon = 80c.
(if that doesn't total 88 items, I missed something on my receipt ... it's possible.)

Plus, 8 of the above items were absolutely FREE because of the 10/$10 + 11th free promo. Yay!


My TOTAL would have been ... $297.64.
It was instead, ... $102.35.
(and would have only been $93.05 if my Meijer doubled up to 50c like the rest of the state ... non-doubling meanies)

That's a savings of $195.29! Yay!

Then, today we went back for the 3 day sale (and another couple 10/10 items), including ...

5 6pks of Diet Dr. Pepper ... sale, $7.96 total (Buy 2, Get 3 FREE!).
3 2 liters Coke ... $1.49 (Yea, not on sale ... picky Be)
1 Airwick Luminaire ... clearanced to $4.99 - $5/1 coupon = FREE!
4 Crescent Rolls ... sale, $1.50 - $25c/1 coupons - $1/4 Meijer store coupon = $1.
3 loaves Aunt Millie's bread ... $3.19 total (Buy 1, Get 2 FREE!).
3 Banquet microwave dinners
15 big cans Meijer diced and stewed tomatoes ... - $3/$15 Meijer brand catalina I got yesterday = 80c.
4 boxes Totinos Pizza Rolls ... -$1/2 coupons = 50c!
- $2 for FREE items from the 10/$10
- $1 for FREE Totinos catalina I got yesterday

My TOTAL would have been ... $84.77

It was instead ... $35.62.
(+60c for bottle deposit)

That's a savings of $49.15!


TOTAL Spent: $137.97
TOTAL Saved: $244.44!


Did you go shopping this weekend? Crystal at MoneySavingMom did, and from the looks of her ever-growing Mr. Linky, so did a whole bunch of other people. You can check them all out here if you like.


Simply,

Em.

An Open Letter to Meijer

Dear Meijer (because I know you're reading ... ),

I first want to congratulate you on the fabulous service I received on Saturday. Everything was still in stock, even though I didn't make it there until after closing at work. My cashier was amazing; friendly, cheerful, helpful, you name it. She deserves a raise, and you should cut her a break on not being "fast enough" per your ring rate standards. She's a rockin' cashier regardless of whether you think she gets it done fast enough or not. I was pleased as a peach with the entire event after some pretty awful customer service experiences at your stores in the recent past (read: evil Coke Vendor ... wait, you already did). Kudos to you this time for sure.

On the other hand, I do want to add that I'm a wee bit annoyed with the entire Mealbox coupon operation. I think it's great that Meijer is offering store brand printables online since many, many other branded stores have been doing it for quite awhile. As well, although it takes some getting used to, the Mealbox widget isn't the worst device ever.

My annoyance comes from your recent change of the wording to include the awful "One coupon per transaction". I know why you did it. I get that the Mealbox pasta deals got way too much PR and far too many crazies went out and raided the place of free spaghetti. They have a stern talking to coming as well, but do you honestly think one per transaction is a realistic expectation? Do you know of anyone who only needs ONE box of spaghetti, ONE pound of meat, ONE bottle of marinade? In houses like mine, where SEVEN people currently eat dinner each night, it would be nearly impossible to feed them within your restrictions. Do you not encourage people to buy things from you? Or, instead, are you really interested in wasting mine (and your cashier's) time ringing through individual orders so that the letter of the law is followed? My preference, of course, is to not do 12 transactions every time I go to Meijer, but you better bet your bubble gum that I will, and so will many, many others. For a company so darn determined to meet ring rates and quotas, that's not efficient or logical planning at all.

In closing, I will continue to love you on whole, dear Meijer. I am merely temporarily annoyed with your mid-stream wording changes (like switching the pasta coupon wording in the middle of a week ... crafty, crafty) and mixed messages. You either want me to buy things, or you don't. You can't have it both ways.

And that cashier still needs a raise.


Simply,

Em.