Baking with Rite Aid

Rite Aid - more of the same as yesterday.  Had some expiring UP's to use and I never mind using them to buy food

• 6 Lindt Chocolates $1 each, got back three $1 UP's ($1 WYB 2, Limit 4) = $3 or $0.50 each
• 2 Betty Crocker Cookie Mixes $2 each, 2 BC Cake Mixes $1.83 each ($2.29 reg price, 20% discount) and two RA Applesauces $1.50 each, got back two $3 UP's (WYB $5, Limit 3) = $4.66 or $0.77 each
• Used two $2 UP's and three $4 UP's, total was $0.94

I love having applesauce on hand.  I use it in place of oil when baking muffins and cakes.  I was planning on picking up some Pepsi but the store was out.  In this NJ store, the deal was three cases for $9.99 with a $3 UP.  In NY, its three for $10.98 with a $3 UP - isn't that odd?  

Sunday Shopping

Price Chopper

• 2 Reynold's Baking Cups $1 each, used two $0.35 coupons = $0.30 each
• 2 PC Sliced cheeses $3 each
• 4 Banquet Sausages $1 each
• 4 Hillshire Farms Kielbasa $2.50 each, used two $1 off 2 coupons (10/14 RP) = $8 or $2 each
• 2 PC frozen veggies $1 each
• President Brie $4.49 - probably coupons out there for this but I got it on impulse 
• 5+ lb. package chicken breasts $10.18 ($1.99/lb)
• Used $1 catalina and $3.10 in bottle slips, total was $31.33

I'll use the kielbasa and sausages towards a $10 Pyramid Ale NBPR rebate.  I got all of my rebate checks back for the spring/summer and now I'm working on my fall/winter ones.  I don't have the full list of qualifying items, but just like before, you can buy any kind of meat (no store brands in NY).

ShopRite

• Mrs. Smith's Pie $1.99, used $1.50 coupon (9/30 SS) = $0.49
• 3 Mission Tortillas $1.49 each
• 2 Wheat Thins $2 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (11/11 SS) = $3 or $1.50 each
• 2 Breakstone Sour Creams $0.99 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (11/11 SS) = $0.98 or $0.49 each
• 5 SR shredded cheeses $1.99 each
• 4 Oscar Mayer Cold Cuts $2.99 each, will send away for $10 Pyramid Ale NBPR rebate = $1.96 or $0.49 each
• Borden American Cheese Singles $2.50
• Moov Frozen Strawberries $2.50 
• Used $5 catalina, total was $30.85

For whatever reason, the lights flickered a couple of times while I was in the store.  You should have heard the groans from my fellow customers at the thought of the power going out again.  Thankfully it stayed on and I high-tailed it out of there quickly.  It was so nice to buy some food and stock up the fridge a bit.

CVS - bought my papers, plus:

• 4 Skippy Peanut Butters $2.50 each, got back $3 EB (WYB $10, Limit 1) = $7 or $1.75 each

There was a Skippy coupon in today's RP.  I'll use that to get some more PB tomorrow.

Rite Aid

• 8 Lindt Chocolates $1 each, got back four $1 UP's ($1 WYB 2, Limit 4) = $4 or $0.50 each
• Betty Crocker Brownies $2.15 (should have been $2) and two RA Applesauces $1.50 each, got back $3 UP (WYB $5, Limit 3) = $2.15 or $0.71 each
• Used $2 UP and two $5 UP's, total was $1.80 

Its nice to be back to normal again.  After being without power for a week and no generator, we obviously had to throw out all of the food in our fridge and full-size freezer.  That hurt a bit, but it gave me an opportunity to give both appliances a good scrubbing.  We had a snowstorm earlier last week and I was so afraid we might lose power again but luckily, we were fine.

I forgot I took some pictures during and after the storm.  The top shot is Gigi in her favorite spot in the house, gazing outside as the rain began.

Forgot about this!  A squirrel was taunting Gigi, sitting on our steps and staring at her from behind the glass door. 

Shadow supervised the situation.

Brave little guy, isn't he?

Other than some missing shingles, this fallen tree was the only damage we sustained.  Thank goodness the tree fell to the right instead of the left where it would have definitely hit the house and taken out some wires.

Another pine tree was tipping over as a result of Sandy, so DBF chopped that one down, plus several others.  Eventually, we'll probably take them all down and plant some hedges or something between us and the neighbors.  It seems so strange without the trees there.  Now I can hear the neighbor kids screaming even more clearly.  Oh joy.  :)

Waiting on Sandy

While everyone else in the store was buying batteries and bottled water, I was buying nail clippers!  Another perk of having a stockpile - no need to run out at the last minute and buy essentials - I've got them downstairs already!

CVS

• 2 Revlon Nail Clippers $3.29 each, got back $7 EB (WYB 2, Limit 6) = $0.42 profit
• 4 Aveeno Lotions - three at $3.89 each and one at $7.99, used $1 peelie coupon and got back $15 EB (WYB 4, Limit 1) = $3.66
• 6 papers $12
• Used 25% off coupon - took off $9.31, $1 EB, $3 EB, $6 EB and $10 EB, total was $9.49.  My total cost for this transaction was $7.49

Rite Aid

• 4 RA Tissues $1.50 each, got back two $2 UP's (WYB 2, Limit 2) = $2 or $0.50 each
• Used $6 in UP's, total was $0.49 

I didn't get the extra monthly $1 UP for buying four, but others have reported that they did get this by purchasing the 230 count boxes.  The monthly deal is good until 10/30.

Sunday Gets at Rite Aid

Rite Aid - was looking for the Dial soap as found here, but no luck for me.  I'll keep hunting.

• 7 Bonne Bell Lip Smackers $1.51 each ($1.89 reg price, 20% discount), used three $1 off 2 coupons and got $4 UP (WYB $10, monthly deal, Limit ?) and $5 UP (WYB $10, weekly deal, Limit 2) = $1.43 profit
• 2 Luden's Cough Drops (25 - 30 ct) $1 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (10/21 SS) and will get back $1 (SCR #31, $0.50 each, Limit 2) = FREE 
• 2 Doritos $4.29 each and BOGO sale = $2.14 each
• Cheetos $0.87 ($1.09 reg price, 20% discount)
• Used $1 UP and three $4 UP's, total was $1.59

I'll use the chips towards a $5 Busch NBPR rebate on $5 of salty snacks - making this transaction a $0.41 profit.  :)

Purex and Simple

I found a Rite Aid last week that had the additional pages in their circular, and I took a trip over there today to see if they had them this week too.  They sure did!  Here's what I got:

• Purex Detergent $4.79 ($5.99 reg price, 20% discount), used $1 coupon (Oct. All You magazine) and got back $4 UP (Limit 1) = $0.21 profit *Special circular deal
• Blistex Moisture Melt $2.23 ($2.79 reg price, 20% discount), got back $2.50 UP (Limit 1) = $0.27 profit
• Pepperidge Farm Cookies $2.29, got back $1 UP (Limit 1) = $1.29 *Special circular deal
• Used two $4 UP's, total was $0.65

I was on the hunt for cheap No Nonsense socks too ($4.99 reg price, $3.99 with 20% discount, $4 UP) but this store was out.  I'm pretty sure that sale is in the regular circular (don't have it in front of me) so I'll check another store for those.

Back It Up and Do It Again

I dare you to listen to this song and see if your foot isn't tapping along to the beat within the first 30 seconds. I love the big band 40's feel to her songs.  This tune has been stuck inside my head all day.  And if you like Back It Up, try Absolutely Me.  Love it!

Rite Aid - went back for more of the same goodies as yesterday.  Used DBF's card....but the cashier didn't scan it and I didn't realize until I'd already paid and no UP's printed on the receipt.  The manager ended up returning everything and then re-ringing everything fresh.  But returns are never simple at RA and it took about 20 minutes to do that.  Oy.

• 2 Got2Be Oil-licious $6.49 each, BOGO sale, used $2 RA coupon (Oct Video Values) and got back two $4 UP's (monthly deal, Limit 2) = $3.51 profit
• 4 Dex 4 Liquid Berry Burst (2 oz) $2.39 each, will get back $10 (SCR #38, $1 WYB 1 or $5 WYB 2, Limit 2) = $0.44 profit
• 2 RA Glucose Tablets $1.83 each, will get back $4 (SCR #36, $1.50 WYB 1 or $4 WYB 2, Limit 1) = $0.34 profit
• 2 Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razors $8.79 each ($10.99 reg price, 20% discount), used two $4 coupons (10/7 RP) and got back two $4 UP's (Limit 2) = $0.79 each
• 2 City Color Nail Polishes $0.99 each ($1.99 reg price, 20% discount) = $1.98 - thought I'd get back a $3 UP for each (WYB Halloween makeup items) but no UP's printed 
• Used $27 in UP's, total was $2.41

I'm going to chat with Customer Service about the UP's for the nail polish and see if they'll send them to me.

Here's a close up of the polishes to avoid.

Sunday Shopping

Rite Aid

• 2 Got2Be Oil-licious $6.49 each, BOGO sale, used $2 RA coupon (Oct Video Values) and got back two $4 UP's (monthly deal, Limit 2) = $3.51 profit
• Sani-Hands for Kids (40 ct) $2.39 ($2.99 reg price, 20% discount), will get back $2.99 (SCR #41) = $0.60 profit
• 4 Dex 4 Liquid Berry Burst (2 oz) $2.39 each, will get back $10 (SCR #38, $1 WYB 1 or $5 WYB 2, Limit 2) = $0.44 profit
• 2 RA Glucose Tablets $1.83 each, will get back $4 (SCR #36, $1.50 WYB 1 or $4 WYB 2, Limit 1) = $0.34 profit
• 2 Gillette Fusion ProGlide Razors $8.79 each ($10.99 reg price, 20% discount), used two $4 coupons (10/7 RP) and got back two $4 UP's (Limit 2) = $0.79 each
• Tommy Girl Perfume $7.99 ($9.99 reg price, 20% discount), got back $5 UP (WYB fragrance $7.99+, Limit 2) = $2.99
• Used $37 in UP's, total was $3.47

CVS - picked up my papers this morning plus this cute welcome sign for $4.99 

Stop & Shop

• 8 Chef Boyardees $1 each, used two $0.50 off 4 coupons (9/16 SS) and qualified for $0.20 gas discount (max 35 gallons, so $7) = $1 profit
• S&S Paper Towel Roll $1, used $1 S&S paper product coupon (with additional $15 purchase) = FREE 
• 3 Packages 80% Ground Beef $6.07, $7.85 and $8.03, qualified for $0.40 gas discount (max 35 gallons, so $14) and will send away for $5 Dos Equis NBPR rebate on $5.01 fresh/frozen food (DONSA020) = $2.95 
• 6 Yoplait Yogurts $0.50 each, used $0.40 off 6 coupon and will get back $0.40 Savingstar deposit = $1.80 or $0.30 each
• 3 Oscar Mayer cold cuts three for $10
• Total was $40.23

The circular lists larger packages of beef for the gas promo but these smaller ones are counting as well.  They say "VPK" on the upper right-hand corner of the label, near the UPC.  

Mmm Cookies!

Rite Aid - a town close by to where I work got the special ad with the extra deals!  I went in looking for the Lipton iced tea but they didn't have any diet flavors.  So naturally, I bought cookies instead.  That makes sense, right?

• 2 Mrs Fields Cookies $2.50 each, got back $2 UP (WYB 2, Limit 3) = $3 or $1.50 each
• $25 Bed Bath & Beyond Gift Card, got back $5 UP (WYB selected gift cards, Limit 2) = $5 profit

I needed the gift card anyway for a gift I was planning on purchasing, so why not get a bonus UP along with it?

My Face will be Super Clean

Rite Aid

• 2 Olay Regenerist Face Washes $6.39 ($7.99 reg price, 20% discount), used two $7 in-circular coupons = $1.22 profit
• 2 eclos Face Masks $12.99 reg price, $10.39 with 20% sale price this week, used two $5 coupons (9/9 SS) and got back $10 UP (WYB $20, Limit 2) = $0.78 or $0.39 each
• Used three $3 UP's, total was $2.91

Repeated the same transaction with one Olay at another store.  

CVS - had some expiring EB's to use up.  I have so many razors, I really don't need any more but who can pass up moneymaker razors?

• 2 Gillette Venus Razors $7.39 each, used two $3 coupons (8/26 P&G) and got back $10 EB ($5 EB for each, Limit 6) = $1.22 profit
• Used $5 EB, total was $4.81

Bought another on a card that had a 25% discount - 

• Gillette Venus Razor $7.39, used $3 coupon (8/26 P&G) and got back $5 EB (Limit 6) = $0.61 profit
• Trident Gum $0.99
• Used $1 EB and $2 EB, got $1.63 25% discount, total was $1.15.  Overall profit - $0.85

Staples

• 2 Staples Multipurpose Papers $6.99 each, used two $3.99 coupons and will get back $6 Easy Rebate ($3 each, Limit 2) = FREE
• Total was $6.42 with tax

Watch your coupons carefully.  I gave the cashier one coupon and even though it said limit two, it only took $3.99 off one ream of paper.

A Redeeming PC Trip

Price Chopper - this trip totally made up for my last trip when I didn't even make it home with all the items I bought!  The cashier was really friendly.  I asked her to check the Pantene first to see if they're ringing up BOGO (duh me, that doesn't start until Saturday) and when they didn't ring up that way, she made one of them free without me even asking!  Very cool

• 2 Baby Back Ribs $16.99 each, BOGO sale and I'll send away for $10 Dos Equis NBPR rebate on $15 worth of prime cuts of beef and/or pork (DOSNA016, Exp. 9/30) = $6.99 for two
• 4 Pop Secret Popcorn $1.59 each, used two $0.50 off 2 coupons (9/9 RP) = $4.36 or $1.09 each
• 4 Stove Tops $1.50 each, got back $2 catalina (WYB 4) = $4 or $1 each
• DiGiorno Pizza $5
• 2 CPK Pizzas $5 each, used two $1 coupons (9/9 RP) = $8 or $4 each
• Milk $2.44
• Sour Cream $1.50
• 2 Birds Eye Steamfresh Veggies $2 each
• 2 Pantene Sham/Cond $5.99 each, used BOGO coupon (9/16 RP) and cashier gave me one for free cuz she was awesome = FREE *Don't be an idiot like me, wait until Sunday to do this deal when they will actually be BOGO
• Total was $48.78

I absolutely love the sea salt Pop Secret - its sooooo good!  I've been waiting for a sale for a while.  Perfect timing - all my shows are back this week!

Rite Aid - couldn't find any eclos at this store.  I'll keep checking...

• 4 Rite Aid Hand Sanitizers (8 oz) $1 each, got back four $1 UP's (Limit 4) = FREE
• Paid with $4 UP and $0.33 to cover the tax

Sunday Shopping

The beasts just love looking out the window!  Its such a beautiful day today.  The breeze is blowing and its starting to get that fall crispness in the air that I just love.

Just a little bit of shopping this morning -

CVS

• Gillette Venus Razor $7.49, used $3 coupon (8/26 P&G) and got back $5 EB (Limit at least 2) = $0.51 profit
• Alteril Sleep Aid Shot (2 pk) $5.79, get back $5.79 EB (Limit 1) = FREE 
• Paper $2 - there's only one SS insert this week so I bought the rest of my inserts from ebay
• Used $1 EB and $10 EB, total was $0.56

The Alteril rang up as $3.79 instead of $5.79 and no EB's printed.  Anyone else had this issue?  It did beep like crazy when she scanned it, so I don't know if it was something specific to this store.  When she manually printed the EB's, she printed one for $5.79 and since they round up, got one for $6 - making this deal a $2.21 profit for me.  I showed her that the Alteril rang up as $3.79, so I wasn't trying to pull a fast one.

Rite Aid

• 2 eclose Face Masks $12.99 reg price, $10.39 with 20% sale price this week, used two $5 coupons (9/9 SS) and got back $10 UP (WYB $20, Limit 2) = $0.78 or $0.39 each
• Total with tax was $12.47, paid using $10 in UP's

ShopRite

• 4 Yo Crunch Yogurts $0.49 each, used four $0.25 coupons = FREE
• 6 Stouffers Mac & Cheese $1.88 each, used three $1.50 off 2 coupons (9/9 RP) = $6.78 or $1.13 each
• 4 Crystal Lites $1.99 each, used four $0.50 tearpad coupons (found at Walgreens) and got back $3 catalina (WYB 4) = $0.96 or $0.24 each
• Total was $10.74

We are swimming in Crystal Lite right now, but for $0.24 a canister, I have no problem getting some more.  They're usually good for a couple years and we go through them pretty quickly.

Its a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

The weather this weekend was absolutely gorgeous so da boyfriend and I went for a nice long walk.  

This park was so beautiful and relaxing, until DBF pointed out the pile of bear scat and casually remarked that the bear that made it was probably 200-300 pounds.  Yeah ok, I'm ready to head out.  :)

The park was a lot smaller than we originally thought, so we decided to continue our walk on a nearby trail.  It took us past several local farms and under a set of railroad tracks.  

We saw a squirrel a ways past this field who was chowing down on an ear of corn. Wonder how he got it down?

Such a beautiful day!

Price Chopper - very frustrating trip today.  Here's the issue with the store I usually go to - they only have one or two cashiers open at a time.  So the lines build up, they call over other cashiers who furiously work to clear the lines.  They're in a rush and guess who suffers?  Me.  This store's registers don't work well so they have to manually input EVERY coupon.  They miss coupons nine times out of ten and I've just about had it. Honestly, what store in this day and age can't scan coupons?  Today the cashier totally missed my doublers, so she input all my coupons but shorted me $2 by not putting through the doublers.  The screen doesn't list what coupons have been used, so I never know if there's a problem until I get the receipt.  I also had a bunch of bottle deposit slips and I'm pretty sure she missed a couple of those.  Unfortunately, I didn't count up the value of the slips before I checked out so I have no way of verifying if they all went through.  I asked her how many slips I had (12) thinking I'd count them up on the receipt, but the receipt just lists a total amount of the deposits, not the number of slips used.  I'll never make that mistake again.  

To add insult to injury, I get home and put out all my groceries, take my pictures and put everything away.  It occurs to me later that my cookie mix is missing.  It wasn't in any of the bags so I checked the car, thinking maybe it slipped out.  Its nowhere to be found. I guess it was somehow not bagged or left in a bag that didn't make its way into the cart.  There was a second cashier in my aisle who bagged my stuff and put it all into my cart. I was trying to watch the register to check that my coupons were entered so I wasn't paying attention to her.  So very frustrating!  I think I'm going to write a note to PC about installing registers that will allow scanning of coupons.  That would eliminate SO many problems.  I never have these issues at other PC locations because they can scan coupons rather than having to manually type in each and every one, but those stores are pretty far from the house.

Anyway, here is what did make it home - 

• 6 Jolly Time Popcorn $1.66 each, used three $1 off 2 coupons (9/16 SS) and will send away for two $5 rebates/prepaid gift cards (rebate form found in circular, Limit 2) = $3.04 profit
• PC Cream Cheese $0.80 with coupon 
• 8 Goya Beans $0.79 each, used two $1 off 4 coupons (9/16 RP) plus two doublers = $2.32 or $0.29 each
• Betty Crocker Cookie Mix $2, used $0.50 coupon (from coupons.com, still there?) and will get back $0.50 Savingstar rebate = $0.50
• 8 Banquet Sausages $1 each
• Milk $2.44
• Total was $21.52

CVS

• Dermasilk Skin Perfect $29.99, used $5 coupon (9/16 RP), $5 CRT (got last week) and got back $10 EB (Limit 1) = $9.99
• 2 Popcorn Indiana Chip In's $2.50 each, used $1.50 off 2 coupon (8/19 SS) = $3.50 or $1.75 each
• Pretzel Crisps $2.50
• Used 20% off coupon (took off $5.20), $0.67 EB, $5 Beauty Club EB (reduced the amount of my 20% off coupon but I wanted to get everything all at once) and $10 EB, total was $2.89

Rite Aid

• 2 Doritos $3 each, got back $2 UP (WYB 2, Limit 2) = $4 or $2 each
• 3 DiGiorno Pizzas $5 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (9/9 RP) and got back $5 UP (WYB $15 of qualifying items, Limit 3) = $9 or $3 each
• Total was $20 - paid with UP's

Slacker Shopping

I am so glad this week is now in the rear-view mirror.  Work was so busy - its the end of the term so all the students come out of the woodwork to register for the next term.  And of course, they're typically the ones with issues.  I didn't take lunch all week, which is typically when I do a lot of my shopping and I just couldn't get myself to go to the store after work.  So today was the day!

I went up to the Pets Alive shelter in the morning to spend some time in the cat house.  They have a room just for kittens!  I'm pretty sure Don-Don is the all black kitten that immediately jumped into my lap and purred non-stop.  This little one-eyed girl was so cute and sweet.  I could watch kittens play for hours. There were four itty bitty guys that sprinted around the room non-stop, knocked each other over and pounced anything that moved.  And this guy - Ethan, what a character!  He was the first cat I saw when I walked into the adult cat room.  I gave him some chin scratches and wandered off to say hi to the other cats.  I was bending down to pet someone else and Ethan jumped right onto my back!  Scared the bejeezus out of me.  I jumped a little bit and he jumped down and looked at me as if to say - "What? You know I'm the cutest one here so why waste your time with those other cats?"  I love how beautiful Mickey is, she was so gentle.  I can't wait to go back!

Ok, now on to business - 

Rite Aid - I checked several stores but couldn't find any that had the Lysol Power and Free cleansers.  Oh well, here's what I got instead:

• Gillette Proglide Razor $8.79 ($10.99 reg price, 20% discount) and Mach 3 Razor $7.99 ($9.99 reg price, 20% discount), used BOGO coupon (free Mach 3 razor, 8/26 P&G) and $4 Proglide coupon (8/12 RP) and got back two $4 UP's (Limit 2) = $3.21 profit  
• 4 No Nonsense Knee Highs $2.69 and BOGO 50% off sale (two were $2.69, two were $1.34), got back two $5 UP's ($5 WYB 2, Limit 2) = $1.94 profit
• 3 Nabisco Crackers $2.50 each, used B2G1 free coupon (printable from coupons.com - still available?), used $1 off 2 coupon (8/5 SS) and got back $1 UP (WYB 2, Limit 2 or 3?) = $3 or $1 each
• 20 Gatorade/Pepsi 2 L $1 each, got back $3 UP (WYB 10, Limit 2) and $3 UP (monthly deal I think, Limit at least 2) = $8 or $0.40 each

I wanted to buy six crackers at once so I could use another $1 off 2 coupon but I couldn't find a store with that many in stock.  I also bought a bunch more Gatorade and Pepsi than is in the picture but all those bottles are awfully heavy to lug all around the house.

Walgreens

• 2 Suave Shampoos $1 each, got back $2 RR (WYB 2) = FREE
• Total was $2.16

Then I used this RR plus the two I had from Sunday to buy sugar - 

• 3 Domino Confectioner's Sugars $1.99 each
• Twix $0.59
• Used three $2 RR's, total was $0.56

Shopping and a Visit Downstairs

Rite Aid

• 4 Super Poligrips (0.75 oz) $2.49 and $1.24 each (BOGO 50% off sale), used four FREE coupons (8/26 SS) and got back two $2 UP's (WYB 2, Limit 2) = $4 profit
• Sani-Hands Hand Sanitizing Wipes (50 ct) $2.99 and will get back $2.99 (SCR #591, valid 9/2 - 9/8, Limit 1) = FREE
• Organix Moroccan Oil $4.99, got back $3 UP = $1.99 *Kills me that I got suckered into buying this at the salon for just a bit more money.  Oh well
• Reese's candy $0.59
• Used two $4 UP's, total was $1.69

CVS - found another store with vanilla in stock!  Bought that for $0.66 and got some cinnamon too ($0.66), used a $1 EB to pay and got another one back from my green bag tag!

Price Chopper

• 6 Temptations Cat Treats $1.66 each, used six $0.50 coupons (or here or 8/26 RP) = $0.66 *Was expecting to get back a $1 catalina as reported here but didn't.  I wonder if its because two of the bags were All Natural Temptations?
• 3 Old El Paso Taco Seasonings $1.19 each (regular price), used $0.60 off 3 coupon and will get back $0.60 Savingstar rebate (WYB 3) = $1.77 or $0.59 each

Bought some other stuff too - Banquet sausages for $1 each, Stouffers pizzas $2.50 each, some beans and random not-so-great-prices-but-we-needed-them-stuff

Saturday Night Fever aka "Catnip Fever" cat treats - I love it! 

I am so grateful that the previous owners left us this freezer.  We have a regular fridge/freezer in the kitchen but its too large for the space its in and you can't fully open the freezer door.  Its one of those with a vertical split down the middle - fridge to the right, freezer on the left, so the freezer is narrow to begin with.  I don't think I could fit a full-size frozen pizza in the upstairs freezer if I had to!  Its very frustrating to try and squeeze food in and out of there, so this full size freezer has really been awesome.  I really need to organize it up a bit, but c'est la vie.  All it looks like we have in there are the Easy Fries I got for a penny each at S&S last week, but there's lots of food behind them.  Frozen pizzas, bagels, chicken patties, hot dogs, kielbasa, butter.  The freezer also needs a good defrosting but that isn't going to happen anytime soon.  We got some eatin' to do!

We use these three plastic boxes to sort out our meat - chicken in one, beef/steak in another and pork in the third.  Its really helped us not to lose meat in this big old freezer.  And its makes eating the oldest meat first pretty simple.  We label our freezer bags with the date purchased and use the oldest first.

 Shall we progress onto the stockpile room? We haven't been here since the renovation!

Really stocked up on paper goods at Price Chopper a couple weeks ago.  My paper towel pile has reached the ceiling:

I just love this metal shelf.  DBF's mom gave it to us.  Its super strong and has wheels, so its easy to move around if I need to. I think she got it at BJ's?

I was trying to think of different ways to really maximize the space in this room and I decided to put these two shelves back to back, rather than up against a wall.  As you can see, they're not quite even due to years of use (I've had these since college) and they don't always stand up very straight.  Putting them up against the walls just emphasizes how crooked they are, and also drives me crazy, so this works better.  I've kept the stuff stored on them pretty light so as to not add to the strain.  

Happy stockpiling!

Monday Shopping

My mom made this beautiful quilted wall hanging for our dining room.  I just love it!  

It really brightens up the room!

Rite Aid - the other day, I chatted with RA customer service and opted out of getting my UP's loaded directly to my Wellness card.  They printed just like always on my receipt. :)

• 4 Carefree Pantiliners BOGO 50% off so two were $1.59 and two were $0.79, used four  $0.50 coupons (7/22 SS, 7/29 RP or 8/26 SS) and got back two $2 UP's ($2 WYB 2, Limit 2 offers) = $1.24 profit
• 2 Revlon Nail Files BOGO 50% off, $1.25 and $0.62, got back $3 UP (WYB 2, Limit 2 offers) = $1.13 profit
• Sani-Hands Hand Sanitizing Wipes (50 ct) $2.99 and will get back $2.99 (SCR #591, valid 9/2 - 9/8, Limit 1) = FREE
• Milano cookies $0.80 ($1 regular price, 20% discount)
• Used two $4 UP's, total was $1.20

CVS

• Gillette Fusion Shave Gel $2.37, got back $2 EB (Limit 1) = $0.37
• 2 Cheez Its $2 each, will send away for $2.50 Coors NBPR rebate on 2 Cheez Its or $5 of salty snacks (#107177, valid until 10/3) = $1.50
• 3 Bumblebee Tunas $0.77 each
• 3 Gold Emblem Spices $0.66/7 each *INCLUDES VANILLA EXTRACT!
• Used $10 EB, total was $0.87

Liquid Gold...

First of all, how cool is it that I hit 700K visitors today?!?  Thank you ALL for stopping by!  It really means a lot to me.  :)

Second, how funny are the Velveeta commercials lately?  Those cheesy skillets commercials were great, and now the new one with the helicopter guy at the mall?  I love it!

ShopRite - finally got here for the week.  Better late than never!

• 4 Francesco Rinaldi Sauces $1.25 each, used four $0.50 coupons (say DND but doubled at self checkout, 8/5 RP) = $0.25 each *These are on sale next week too
• 4 Turkey Hill Ice Creams $1.87 each, used two $1 off 2 coupons (7/8 RP) = $1.37 each
• 2 Lays BBQ Chips $2.14 each, will use towards $4 Smirnoff NBPR rebate on hot dogs, salsa or chips (DGUSA0335) = $0.18
• Grands Biscuits $1.99

Now here are the catalina items:

• 2 Velveeta Shells & Cheese $2.50 each, used two $1 coupons = $3
• 4 Crystal Lites $1.99 each, used four $0.50 tearpad coupons (found at Walgreens) = $3.96
• 4 Oscar Mayer Cold Cuts $2.99 each
• Total was $31.91

Got back a $5 catalina good for school supplies for purchasing $20 of qualifying items and a $10 Kraft catalina for purchasing 10 qualifying items.  After the $4 rebate, that brings the cost of this transaction down to $12.91.  Also bought a package of ground beef for $7.54 - will send away for $5 Pabst NBPR rebate on beef.

Rite Aid - now this is embarassing.  I posted earlier in the week that I was missing a $5 UP for my Schick purchases.  (found it)  Note to self - if you're going to hurridly stuff receipts into your work bag, it helps to remember that you put receipts into said bag.  But here's what's worse - that meant that I'd earned two $5 UP's.  I bought a couple more razors today, got a third $5 UP and my receipt said limit reached.  So I have no idea if I didn't earn a fourth UP like I should have or if its on some forgotten receipt somewhere.  I've been such a hot mess this week.  Either way, it was still a profit so I'm going to just move on.  

• Over the course of the week, I bought (I think) 10 Schick razors - $7.67 each minus $3 circular coupon minus $4 coupon (8/19 SS) and got back $15 UP's (I think) = $8.30 profit
• 2 Doritos $4.29 and BOGO sale, will use towards $5 Bud Light NBPR rebate on 2 bags Doritos (#32915, valid until 9/30) = FREE
• 2 Bic Highlighters (5 pk) $0.99 each, used $1 off 2 coupon (7/29 SS) and will get back $3 (SCR #46, $3 WYB 3, Limit 1) *I bought four the other day
• 2 Reynold's Wraps $4.49 each, used two $0.30 peelie coupons *Needed these to finish out a $5 Reynolds/Hefty rebate (WYB $15)

CVS - got a 25% off coupon in my email for two of my cards

• 2 Body Sprays $2.99 and $1.49 (BOGO 50% off), used $5 fragrance CRT (got today) = $0.52 profit 
• Dermasilk Skin Perfect $29.99, used $5 coupon (8/26 RP) and got back $10 EB (Limit 1) = $14.99
• Used 25% coupon (took off $6.46) and $5 EB, total was $14.88.  Got back $1 green bag EB so total cost was $8.88

Then on another card - 

• 3 Advil Congestion Relief (10 ct) $4.99 each, used two $2 coupons and $1 coupon (8/26 RP), got back $4 EB (WYB 2, Limit 1) and will send away for $10 rebate (WYB 3 qualifying items, 8/26 RP) = $4.03 profit
• Dermasilk Skin Perfect $29.99, used $5 coupon (8/26 RP) and got back $10 EB (Limit 1) = $14.99
• Used 25% coupon (took off $7.50) and $5 EB, total was $24.21.  So after the EB's I received and the $10 rebate, this transaction cost only $0.21!  I'll sell the Dermasilk on ebay to make it a bigger profit. :)