Giddy for Grocery Smarts

The Run Down:

Total: $171.04
Bonus buy savings: $27.26
Preferred savings: $51.98
Coupons: $16.11

Total Spent: $ 75.69 (67% savings!!)

All of the meat I got (2 steaks, 1 pk of chicken, and 2 roasts) were all FREE! Don't you LOVE Albertsons.

Free Money from Albertsons!!

Smart sister here...Albertsons is having an awesome deal right now. If you get a $250 gift card they give you $20, and if you get a $300 gift card they give you $30. This deal is happening until April 15.

What a great deal...I love free money.

Walgreens Trip Today

Here's a breakdown of my Walgreen's trip today:

Total Value: $136.99

Walgreen's Advertised Savings: $40.08

Register Rewards: $12.00

Manufacturer Coupons: $36.80

Total Spent: $48.11

But...I'm also going to get $8.99 back in rebates + 10% because I'm going to put in on a Walgreen's gift card. So that brings my total out of pocket to $39.12 which is a 71% savings!

Not all the items here are "stars of today's show" (example...the 8 cans of wasabi soy sauce almonds my husband is addicted to), but things we needed and were on sale (and I had coupons for OF COURSE)!

But here are a few stars of the show:

• Colgate: $3.49-$2.50 ivc (instant value coupon)-$.75 mfg coupon=$.24
• Right Gaurd Deoderant: $2.99-$2 rr(register rewards)-$.55 mfg coupon=$.44
• Excedrin: $5.99-$4 ivc-$2 mfg coupon=FREE
• Glade Lasting Impressions: $7.99-$4 ivc-$4 mgf coupon=FREE
• Glade Motion Sensor: $7.99-$4 ivc-$4 mgf coupon=FREE
• Axe Shampoo: $5.99-$5.99 rebate=FREE

And last but not least, the diapers, toilet paper(12 rolls) and 6 boxes of kleenex: $25.00-$10 rr-$7 mfg coupons=$8.00.

5 Tips for Stretching Your Dollar!

So a while back I taught a class for a BYU stake enrichment on stretching your dollar....so I thought I'd share. I hope these tips are helpful!

1. Grocery Shop according to weekly sales
- find these weekly sales items on grocerysmarts.com

2. Plan your menu around the sales that week.
- a good place to start is to see what meat is on sale that week
- be sure to go to the store with a list so you don't find yourself buying unnecessary items
- if you don't love to cook, make double when you do and freeze it for another meal
- bringing your lunch to work once a week can save anywhere from $250-$1000 per year!

3. Stock up on sale items!!!
- grocery smarts has a GREAT rating system to help you to know how good of a sale it really is
- don't be afraid to try new brands

4. Combine coupons with sale items for OVER-THE-TOP savings
- the best system for this is obviously grocery smarts...contact us if you don't know this system yet!
- a few sites for online coupons: http://www.couponmom.com/, http://afullcup.com/, http://www.coupons.com, http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/, ttp://www.ppgazette.com/
- the newspaper is probably the best way to access coupons but if this is not an option fpr you take advantage of all of the online coupons out there.

5. Lastly...distinguish between needs and wants

A while ago the lady that started couponmom.com was on the Oprah show. She figured that in the last 15 years she has saved her family around $70,000 usuing these steps! That is HUGE! For any stay at home moms out there that is a ginormous contribution to your families income/savings.

Bonus!

Yesterday was a double insert day!! Did you get your P&G inserts along with your Smart Source inserts? The awesome thing about that is they usually come in the mail which means you only get one! If you are getting multiple papers, congratulations...you scored big time yesterday!

Score at Albertsons!

(sorry for the poor quality photo...my camera's still in the shop)

Don't let this week go by without checking out the sale going on at Albertson's! They have a couple promotions going on: buy 10 items (from a select list) and receive a $10 voucher for your next transaction. This sale might take a little more planning than others, but it is well worth it. Consider doing separate transactions since only one $10 voucher is allowed per "transaction."

Here's the rundown:

Total Value: $203.44

I paid: $75.02

Bonus Buy/Preferred Savings: $67.42

Manufacturer's Coupons: $61.00
63% savings

(I must add: I got two packages of diapers and $10 of ground beef for my husband's pack meeting last night. Those alone are a $35 value. Plus, I got 12 Betty Crocker Warm Delights and 4 Progresso Bread Crumbs for FREE thanks to my multiple coupons from the Sunday paper)

This is so much fun! Don't you agree?

No Inserts Today

Sorry, ladies... no inserts this weekend. None in your junk mail this past week and none in the Sunday paper on 2/15.

Rule of Thumb - Anytime a holiday falls on a weekend, major coupon publishers (SS, RP & PG) take a break. Sad, but true.

For a complete schedule of 2009 inserts, click here.

Did You See Your General Mills Insert?

Sorry there's no picture (I'm still cameraless). Did you see the extra insert of coupons in your Sunday paper today? There was a General Mills insert with lots of good coupons. So, if you didn't see it, go back and fish them out of your papers!

Who Loves Free Stuff??

So, today I got this for $.99

and this for NOTHING! That's right FREE!
How you ask? I'll tell you and you can go get them too!

I got the Venus at Walgreens.
Price $9.99
Manufacturer's Coupon (from P&G this week) $2.00
Register Rewards $6.00

I got the Fusion at CVS.
Sale Price $7.99
Manufacturer's Coupon (from P&G this week) $4.00
Extra Care Bucks $4.00

These two pharmacies are GREAT for finding amazing deals like these. It takes a little time and planning and educating yourself on how these stores work. But, as you can see, it's totally worth it! These are only a few of my red hot finds today (another being pampers for $2.19). The best way to learn how to do this is host a class with at least 12 people there, and I will schedule an "advanced couponing class" for you and one friend to come and learn all sorts of cool tricks.

In the mean time, start using the grocery smarts website to save on your weekly shopping trips. I love teaching people to save so be sure to call me with any questions.

Calling all Shoppers

Yeah!! My class schedule is finally open! I am booking classes again and I'm filling up quick. To book a class call me or e-mail me and I will be happy to get you on the schedule. I actually have one opening left for this month...next Wednesday, February 11th. I know it's right around the corner, but these days, it's not hard to round up a group that wants to learn how to save a few pennies. So, if someone wants to snag that day, let me know. In the meantime, be sure and start using the Grocery Smarts website. You can find the instructions here. And as always, feel free to call me with any questions, concerns, or great shopping trips you'd love to brag about!

This Weeks Inserts

(my camera is in for repairs so sorry...no pictures)

Well, since I didn't get a Red Plum insert last week with my grocery ads, I was really looking forward to it yesterday. It didn't come. I'm not sure why...talked to a friend and she got one. I sure hope it's not a trend. I did get a P&G insert, though. So hopefully you looked through your "junk mail" and found your coupons. Remember to date them with the upcoming Sunday date (2/8).

My Class Waiting List

I've started an official waiting list to get on my class schedule... crazy, I know! I'll announce in a post when my calendar is open for booking again (probably late Feb, early March), but if you want to get first dibbs on my dates, please email me the following:

Your Name

Address

Phone Number

As a quick review... classes are generally held in someone's home with a group of friends and family. I require at least 8 moms to be in attendance, but prefer groups of 12 or more. I travel all over the valley and am happy to come to you! I also do lots of Enrichment Group workshops, but cannot sell the discounted Sunday paper if the class is held in a church. For booking an in-home class, the hostess gets a $20 gift card and an invitation for her and 1 friend to attend my "Advanced Couponing" workshop. At in-home classes, I also offer special discounted Sunday newspaper rates that Grocery Smarts negotiated directly with the Review Journal.

Subscriptions start at $1.75 per week for your first paper (if you don't already subscribe) then pay only $0.75 per week for each additional paper. To help offset the cost of your subscriptions, for ordering 4 or more papers at a class, you get a $20 gift card to either Albertsons or Smiths. Of course, I do take phone orders anytime. (578-1088)To add yourself to my waiting list, email me today!

lindseyfutrell@yahoo.com

If you just can't wait to learn, start using the website now. Find the instructions here.

Grocery Smarts Website Instructions

(I can also e-mail a more reader friendly version of these instructions. Just e-mail me at lindseyfutrell@yahoo.com)

www.grocerysmarts.com
A free website that will do all the hard work for you!

1. Go to www.grocerysmarts.com
a. Enter g89clf to access the LV store lists (currently store lists available: Albertsons, Smiths, Walgreens)

2. Bookmark (or save in your Favorites) the page with the NV map and you won’t have to enter the passport again.

3. From the “Select Your Store” drop down menu, pick a store.

4. What you are looking at:
a. This is an itemized spreadsheet listing of the sale items published in the store’s weekly ad and is updated anytime the store changes its ad. Grocery stores run ads beginning on Wednesday mornings and end on Tuesday nights.
b. Grocery Smarts will rate each sale price for you, taking all the guesswork out of knowing what is a good price, a bad price and the best price.
c. These ratings are in an easy to understand “5 star” rating system. Four and five star ratings are considered prime “stock-up” prices and you should consider purchasing a 12-week supply for your family. Three star is representative of a “Wal-Mart” or club price. Two star is a warning that you are paying more than you might at another store.
d. The “Coupon Index” column will match you to any current coupons found in the Review Journal Sunday paper and in the junk mail you receive each week (usually on Tuesdays or Wednesdays). This index will tell you which insert the coupon was in and what week it was published. Below is an illustration to help you read this information:

Pert Plus Shampoo, any $2/1 (12/31/08) SS-8/17

product description, ($) coupon value/(#) required to buy, coupon expiration date
Coupon Location (Insert-Sunday Date)
SS=Smart Source
RP=Red Plum
PG=Proctor & Gamble
GM=General Mills

5. I ALWAYS begin by selecting the “Start” button at the top.
a. This will prepare your shopping list for printing by shading all the rows in the list gray.

6. To view the BEST, stock-up deals of the week (4 & 5 star items), click on the red star in the left corner of the list. This will pre-select all 4 & 5 star items, turning their rows white. I love this feature as it ensures I will never miss any of the best deals.

7. To prepare a custom shopping list that you can print from your computer, it’s important to know that your printer will print only WHITE rows. So, as you review the offering of sale items, by clicking on a gray row—it will turn white. If you see a white row that you don’t want on your shopping list—click on the row and it will turn back to gray. Remember, all WHITE rows WILL print.
a. Be sure to click on the top row (where all the descriptions are) so it turns white and also prints (including any other row that includes specific information or instructions about a promo).

8. When you are done and all the WHITE rows represent items you intend to purchase, click on the “Shrink” button at the top of the screen (next to the Start button). This will “hide” any gray rows from your printer. If you want to go back to the full list, click “Un-Shrink” and all rows will return so you can make changes.

9. When you are done, click “Print Now” at the top of the screen.

10.After you print your list, go back and link to all your printable coupons to print and go to your coupon binder and start clipping!
a. Printable Coupon Tips: Only 2 coupons can print per computer or IP address and if a link gives you an error or you can’t find the coupon, it was likely pulled because its run-date ended or it already reached it’s print limit.

11. Check my blog (www.buyingsmart.blogspot.com) for daily tips, advice, ideas and motivation to keep you saving big at the grocery store!

****Grocery Smarts has negotiated deep discounted rates with the LV Review Journal (between $1.75 & $0.75 each) for the Sunday Paper, call me @
461-5386 for more info.

My Smart Sister

This is my sister Megan and my precious little nephew Bennett. Megan and I both started using Grocery Smarts about the same time. Now days, we talk on the phone, um...at least once a day about all the amazing deals we're finding and tricks we're learning, amongst other things. I thought it would be great if she could share her words of wisdom with you too. So stay tuned....

Don't Worry...

If you were looking in your junk mail yesterday for the Red Plum insert, don't worry...it wasn't there. The Red Plum comes on Tuesdays (or Wednesdays), same day as the grocery ads, usually 3 times a month. Look for it next week.

Smart Source Inserts

These are the Smart Source inserts that came in the paper yesterday. Remember...organizing your coupons is easy. Just write the Sunday date at the top (if they are an insert that comes in the mail during the week, date it with the Sunday date coming up). Then, file them by date in plastic sheet protectors.

If you're trying to figure out how many sets of coupons you need, here is the general rule of thumb: 1 Sunday newspaper per person in your household. Grocerysmarts is about "stocking-up", but only on the hottest deals each week that YOUR family will consume. Over time, your storage or pantry needs to develop a wide VARIETY of items. The cheapest way to get multiple coupons for stocking up is by getting multiple newspaper subscriptions (just for the Sunday coupons!) -Remember, your school recycle bins get paid by the pound.

Learning to Save

Ever since I started doing Grocery Smarts, I really have learned new little tricks every week. I feel like I get better each week, and honestly...if I walk out of the store saving 50%, I feel a little let down because I know I could do better. Well, this trip from last week was one for my shopping hall of fame. Definitely my best yet. There aren't a lot of groceries here, but there are some higher priced items. My out of pocket...$6.70!!

Total Value $53.64

Bonus Buy Savings $2.16

Prefered Savings $24.58

Manufacturer Coupons $20.20

I Paid $6.70!!

Not too shabby....

Today's Awesome Deal!

Total Value $27.12

In Store Savings $12.00

Manufacturer Coupons $8.00

Total Out of Pocket $7.12

That's right...$7.12 for 6 loaves of 100% whole wheat bread, 1 bag hot dog buns, and 1 bag hamburger buns. (If you're like my husband and wondering what I'm going to do with all this bread, I'm going to freeze it...works great). The coupons for these came from Smart Source inserts found in the Sunday papers on 12/7 and 12/14. For those of you wondering if paying for the paper is worth it like I was when I first started...here are the facts:

I saved $8.00 with coupons (the cost of two weeks of papers for me) for bread that will last me for 2-3 months. Not to mention all the other coupons I used at Albertson's this week.

If you would like to find out how to get the Sunday paper at an exclusively low rate...e-mail me: lindseyfutrell@yahoo.com

Some Examples

Here are a few examples of past shopping trips. I learn more and more everyday in increasing my savings!

Total out of pocket: $74.33

Savings: $75.27

Total out of pocket: $65.89

Savings: $50.89 (plus $15 in vouchers to use next time)

Buying Smart with Grocery Smarts

I was raised by THE queen of sales and couponing!! There isn't much more that makes my mom giddy with excitement than finding killer bargains (besides of course, all the amazing things she can grow in her garden...she's just an all around FABULOUS person). Over the years I've come to appreciate finding deals and saving money. I even started to save coupons (and use them on the rare occasion I remembered to pull them out before I swiped my card). But to be honest, clipping coupons, keeping them organized, and asking myself over and over "Is this sale really a good deal or just a gimmick to pull me in, the wanna-be sale savvy shopper?"

Then I found Grocery Smarts, a website (that's totally and completely FREE, I might add) that coordinates all the weekly sales with coupons found in your Sunday paper! And...it even rates the sale and tells you how good it really is...brilliant!! I've become obsessed at saving because it's so EASY! And at least once a week, I feel that same giddy feeling when I find a fantastic bargain. I'm sure my mom beams with pride every time I call to tell her all about it! I get so excited I want to share the deals with everyone I know, so I decided I'd become a Grocery Smarts instructor and share it with everyone!! So, there you have it. It's easy, and truly, I look forward to grocery shopping every week. You will to!