The sausage dog takes over the world

Maybe Layla didn't take over the world, but she did successfully dig a huge hole in her pillow and proceed to hide her ball in the fluffings inside the pillow a couple times before Mommy took it away. That could only mean one thing: Layla wants Mommy to go shopping some more.

What an emotional week or so it has been. After much talking and praying, Paul and I felt it was best for our sanity us if I start a new chapter in my career. If you saw a slight spike in the stock for the company that makes antacids, I will take credit for that. I look forward to continuing to work as the co-captain of the planning team of the 3rd annual Health and Wellness Expo at MUMC, volunteering with Vacation Bible School, and working at the Lawrenceville Co-op. Not to mention, I will get to spend time with Layla during the day, help Karen get her house ready to sell, get back to a regular exercise routine, learn to cook and be domestic, and plan my wedding! Life is good.

To keep up with our May Savings, I need to post a couple of updates. On our sister trip to the Alive EXPO, we used a $5 coupon for parking and 2 $3 off admission coupons. Saved: $11.

 Kroger sent me an eCoupon for FREE frozen veggies. I am assuming they were trying to get me to come in and spend money on things I didn't have on my list, but they don't know me very well. I had 50 cent coupons for the toothpaste, so that doubled to $1 off of the $1 toothpaste, which meant FREE toothpaste. Dial handsoap was 88 cents less a 35 cent doubled coupon, which means 18 cents each. We even had a coupon for Nutella and the Breakfast packs, so I was able to make p'jones happy. SAVINGS: $13.67 (48%)

Enter stage right, stomach acid and dizziness (thank you stress). I opted to use a sick day on Wednesday. P'jones was so sweet and when I asked for a tums, he came back with his bottle and told me he couldn't find mine. Yep, it's because I ate them ALL plus all but 2 and a broken up one in your bottle, Buddy. No worries. I'll find a coupon and buy us some more. 

In the meantime, I took my coupons to Publix to stock up on cheese, veggies and Triscuits. In my efforts to become more domesticated, I decided to make a crock pot chicken, rice and green bean concoction. For my efforts, I learned that there is a difference in rice and conventional rice and I made some tummies happy. Score! 

Steamfresh Veggies: usually $2.39, BOGO, plus doubled 50 cents coupon = 19 cents (92%)!

Rice: usually $7.59, BOGO = $3.80

Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheese (SERIOUSLY): Usually $3.10 each, 2/$5 less $1 off coupon = $2 each

SAVINGS: $12.05 (51%)

Another Kroger find: Toothpaste was regularly $2.97. Market down to $2.69 when you buy 4. I had four $1 off coupons plus an eCoupon for $1 off. That made it $1.76 for 4 toothpastes (85%). Before you ask, my 3rd grade Sunday School kids are making care packages and need toothpaste. I'm not hording it all. Also TUMS are expensive, with my $1.50 coupon, I got two of the little packs for 2.08 (34%). I also bought a 96 count Kroger brand berry tums for $2.14 and 2 liter of ginger ale for $1. 

SAVINGS: $12.12 (63%).

Almost done for the week. Paul's mom was in town for Mother's Day. Aside from needing diabetic friendly food (or thinking we did) we needed food for brunch. Best deals this trip: Coke 2 liter for 50 cents and Triscuits for $1.50 each box. When all is said and done this trip, I saved: $11.01 (28%).

Here is my rant about Publix vs Kroger. If something is not BOGO at Publix, I try not to buy it. Why? Because they are crazy with their prices. No, I was not going to buy chips or more Triscuts or Coke at Kroger. Why did I? Because when Publix puts theses three things on sale, they are still more expensive than Kroger or they have strings attached (buy 4 to get this price). Triscuts were on sale for 2 for $4 at Kroger plus I had a Kroger eCoupon for $1 off (2 for $5 at Publix). Lay's Kettle Cooked chips were "on sale" at Publix for 2 for $6 (2 for $5 at Kroger). Maybe it's just a dollar here or there to other people, but it erks me to no end. Same reason I won't buy eggs, milk or bread at Publix. The english muffins at Publix were $4.20. At Kroger, I had more than 1 choice, and bought them for $1.79! Keep in mind they were only 50 cents off (according to Kroger's regular prices) so the perceived savings weren't there, but I still win. We need to know what things should cost and not pay the full price for them. Like ever.  

  I ran to Kroger in the rain to buy chicken and stock up on Coke products (50 cents folks...these don't go bad). Kroger chicken wasn't on sale, so I went over to the rotisserie chicken. Already cooked for $5.99 (or I could have bought raw chicken for $9.50): sounds like a win to me. I drove my little cart by the coke display one last time and saw a picture of a chicken...ODD. Upon slowing down I saw that if I bought a rotisserie chicken (which was currently in my cart) and 1 coke product (which 6 were currently in my cart), I could get FREE Hawaiian rolls. WIN! Seriously, it was like I won BINGO or something. I probably freaked out the deli man with my little happy dance, but that is a-ok. I was grinning from ear to ear as I checked out too.

Total savings: $5.00 (30%- but the coke products were 50 cents and the bread was FREE!!).

What better way to end the weekend than to find another hidden gem as I'm looking through the ads. P'jones loves chocolate. My brain must love him all kinds because it remembers the chocolate coupons really well. So when I saw that CVS' special coupon of the week was for M&Ms I went to the trunk of my car (not for cheetos, but for coupons) and found them: $1.50 off 2 bags of M&Ms 9 oz or larger. Let's see, they are on sale 2 for $5. Less a $2 off store coupon makes them 2 for $3. Great deal, but we aren't done. Less $1.50 off manufacturer coupon makes them 2 for $1.50 (75 whole cents yo)!! I picked up Mama Tree and we bought 4 bags of 14 ounces of chocolatey goodness for $3. Yes, we only bought the 10% bonus bags AND p'jones and I are hopeful that we will find the bag with all black Ms to win $100,000. Keep your fingers crossed because that would mean a vacation home for the familia.

Total savings: $12.96 (77% savings)

TOTAL SAVINGS THIS MONTH: $221.01