2011 End of the Year Budgeting Total + New Goals for Next Year!

Well, the end of my ONE year of keeping track of every penny has come to an end! I have been keeping track of my monthly grocery/household budget for a whole year! 

Here are the Monthly Totals:

Dec. $405.17

Jan. $467.88

Feb. $427.21

Mar. $356.18

Apr. $267.50

May $562.36

Jun. $537.95

July $348.43

Aug. $386.13

Sept. $551.62

Oct.  $478.99

Nov. $455.22

TOTAL: $4,706.52

My weekly average comes to $90.51! NOT TOO SHABBY! I am, however, going to set a NEW budgeting goal for the coming year! I will continue to keep track of my receipts and I encourage you to also set a goal for your family's budget. Remember saving money takes a little work and practice. You CAN purchase food and household items for your household at a fraction of what retail WANTS you to pay! You can also AFFORD to buy healthy (not so inexpensive) food for your family because of all the savings you are getting on the other items (cereal, canned foods, pasta, etc.) 

Remember to always share your abundance with those around you! The Lord will guide you in where HE wants you to take your donations! We have been helping out family and taking extras to the church pantry. Money has been tight, but I still give when I have extras! I am also setting a Giving Goal this year! I plan to give something out of my grocery trips each and every week, even if it's only one product! 

I have begun to stock my freezer with healthy (frozen veggies) and not so healthy (frozen pizzas, hot wings, appetizers) foods to curb off the urge to run out and get fast food. Instead, we run to the freezer when we need a quick, mess-free meal! This will save us a ton of money! I look forward to the next year of keeping track of my budget and seeing if I can meet my goals! 

Goal for the next year:

I want to spend $85 per week OR $4,420 for the year! 

I will put the extra $5 per week/$20 per month into savings!

Are you setting any goals for your family's budget for the coming year? Please leave a comment and share with us how you plan on saving and giving in the coming year! I will be praying for my financial and giving goals and your financial and giving goals! I know that where there is a will, there is a way!

 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phil. 4:13

May you all have a blessed week!

Publix Trip 11/29 ~ Spent $34.11 (on groceries) Saved $95.44! 74% Savings!

Wondering how I get my Percentage Saved? I use the following equation:

Total Savings / (Total Spent + Total Savings) = % Saved

*Things to remember when shopping PUBLIX (AL):

• When and item is Bogo, you DO NOT have to buy 2, they are 1/2 price.
• You CAN use one MQ plus one STORE coupon per item. 
• Publix takes competitor Q's (find out which stores YOUR Publix considers  Competitors)
• Publix doubles MQ, but not STORE q's, up to and including $.50!

Here is the pic:

Now, before I break it down, you should know that I did the gas card deal twice. The gas card deal: there was a $10 off any $50 gas card wyb $25 in groceries. So, for every $25 spent, you should be able to buy a gas card and use the $10 off coupon.They let me do both of mine in one transaction. All stores may not allow this, you may have to do one per transaction. In this case, I would have done 2 transactions to get both gas cards. So, I saved $20 off my grocery bill, just by purchasing the gas cards. My actual total was $134.11, but $100 of that was gas cards. That's why my grocery total is only $34.11! I always try to grab a couple of these deals when they run it in the ad.

Apples $2.99


Lettuce $1.29


(2) Fresh Express Salad blends $1.99 ea.


(2) Eggs $2.09
-Used $.55/2 MQ IP
*Made them $1.82 ea. 


(2) McCormick pepper grinder $.99 ea.


(4) Community Coffee $6.99
-Used (2) Buy one get one FREE MQ IP
-Used (2) $1/1 MQ
*Made them $2.99 ea.


(4) TGI Friday's Frozen boneless chicken wings BOGO $6.39
-Used (2) $2/2 MQ
-STACKED with (4) $1/1 TARGET Q IP
*Made them $1.20 ea.!*


(2) Smucker's Simply Fruit spread $2
-Used (2) $.35/1 MQ
-STACKED with (2) $.75/1 Smucker's TARGET Q IP
*Made them $.55 ea.!*


(4) Hefty one zip bags $1.67 ea.
-Used (2) $.75/2 MQ
*Made them $1.30 ea.!*


(4) Post cereal BOGO $3.89
-Used (2) $1/2 MQ
*Made them $1.45 ea.!*


(6) International Delight creamer 16 oz. $1.67 ea.
-Used (6) $.75/1 MQ IP
*Made them $.92 ea.!*


Hungry Jack Syrup $2.79
-Used $1/1 TARGET Q IP 
*Made it $1.79!*


(2) $50 BP Gas Cards $50 ea.
-Used (2) $10 off $50 gas card wyb $25 in groceries


-Used $3/$30 Publix Purchase (facebook promo a while back!)

HAPPY HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

I'm so Thankful for all my readers! I hope that you and your families enjoy quality time together as we celebrate all that we have been blessed with! I know that I have been blessed beyond measure and I have so much to be thankful for! May God Bless you all and keep you and your families safe while travelling here and there these next few days! God Bless you all!

Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Publix Trip 11/13/11 Spent $75.52 & Saved $186.97! 71% Savings!

Wondering how I get my Percentage Saved? I use the following equation:

Total Savings / (Total Spent + Total Savings) = % Saved

*Things to remember when shopping PUBLIX (AL):

• When and item is Bogo, you DO NOT have to buy 2, they are 1/2 price.
• You CAN use one MQ plus one STORE coupon per item. 
• Publix takes competitor Q's (find out which stores YOUR Publix considers  Competitors)
• Publix doubles MQ, but not STORE q's, up to and including $.50!

We did a LOT of stocking up today and got extras to share! The receipt was 6 1/2 feet tall!!!!

Here is the pic:

HERE is the breakdown! 

Be sure to check Southern Savers & Iheartpublix for the coupon matchup's! 

(4) Dentek floss pics BOGO $2.59 (Rain-check from last week)
-Used (4) $1.25/1 MQ
*Made them $.05 ea.!*


(6) Ricola cough drops BOGO $1.79
-Used (6) $1/1 MQ
*Made them FREE + $.63 Overage!*


(4) Sundown B6 Vitamins $3.59
-Used (2) $6/2 PUBLIX Q GREEN advantage flyer 
STACKED with (4) $1/1 MQ (peelie found on product!)
*Made them FREE + $1.64 Overage!*


(4) Idahoan potatoes BOGO $1.33
-Used (4) $1/1 MQ 
*Made them FREE + $1.34 Overage!*


(4) Philly Cooking Creme $2 ea.
-Used (4) $1/1 MQ
STACKED with ($) $1/1 TARGET Q
*Made them FREE!*


(2) Garnier shampoo $2.39
-Used (2) $1/1 MQ 
STACKED with (2) $1/1 TARGET Q
*Made them $.39 ea.!*


Bananas $1.97


Blueberries $2.50


(2) Publix Salad $2.29


Publix ice cream $3.50


(4) Nestle refrigerated cookie dough BOGO $3.49
-Used (2) $1.25/2 MQ
*Made them $1.12 ea.!*


Publix string cheese $3.50


(4) Nestle morsels BOGO $2.99
-Used (2) $.50/2 MQ
*Made them $1 ea.!*


(6) Smart Balance milk 1/2 gallon $2.50 ea.
-Used (6) $1.50/1 MQ
*Made them $1 ea.!*


(4) Progresso Broth 32 oz carton BOGO $2.59
-Used (4) $.40/1 MQ
STACKED with (2) $.50/2 TARGET Q
*Made them $.25 ea.!*


(8) Betty Crocker Cake mix BOGO $1.89
(8) Betty Crocker Icing $1.50 ea.
-Used (8) $.50 wyb both MQ
*Made them $.72 ea.!*


(6) Lucky Charms BOGO $3.95
-Used (6) $.50/1 MQ
*Made them $.98 ea.!*


(12) Domino 1 lb. sugar $.99
-Used (6) $.50/2 MQ
*Made them $.49 ea.!*


(2) Publix Raisin Bran $1.49
-Used (2) $1 off Publix Cereal Q (found  on a flyer at publix!)
*Made them $.49 ea.!*


(10) Publix yogurt $.25 ea.


(8) Hunt's tomatoes BOGO $1.49
-Used (4) $.50/2 MQ
*Made them $.25 ea.!*


(14) Campbell's soups $1 
-Used (3) $.40/2 MQ
-Used (2) $.30/4 MQ
*Made them $.74 ea.!*


I also used a $3/$30 Publix Purchase coupon from the facebook promotion! 

We will be sharing/donating sugar, cereal, and cough drops from this trip! I hope you all have a fantastic week and remember to share your abundance with others! May God Bless you and your families! 

Have a question? Leave a comment below!

Publix Trip 11/3 Spent $11.63, Saved $112.01 - That's 91% Savings! =)

Wondering how I get my Percentage Saved? I use the following equation:

Total Savings / (Total Spent + Total Savings) = % Saved

Abbreviations:

• SS - Smart Source (Sunday paper coupon insert)
• RP - Red Plum (Sunday paper coupon insert)
• GM- General Mills (Sunday paper coupon insert)
• P&G- Proctor & Gamble (Sunday paper coupon insert)
• MQ - Manufacturer Coupon
• IP - Printable Coupon
• WYB - When You Buy
• FAR - Free after rebate
• NLA -No Longer Available 

*Things to remember when shopping PUBLIX (AL):

• When and item is Bogo, you DO NOT have to buy 2, they are 1/2 price.
• You CAN use one MQ plus one STORE coupon per item. 
• Publix takes competitor Q's (find out which stores YOUR Publix considers  Competitors)
• Publix doubles MQ, but not STORE q's, up to and including $.50!

Okay, so today we had an awesome grocery trip! We got a lot of FREE stuff and that's always fun! We will be sharing/donating the cat treats from this trip because we don't even have a cat, but bought them to use the overage on other items. =D

Here is the pic:

(6) Dr. Pepper 10 $1.25 ea.
-Used (6) FREE product MQ from SS 10/9
*Made them FREE!*


(6) Temptations Cat treats BOGO $1.79 ($.90 ea.)
-Used (6) $.50/1 MQ from RP 10/16
*Made them FREE + $.63 Overage!*


(2) Phazyme $3.49
-Used (2) $2/1 MQ IP HERE
-STACKED with $5/2 TARGET Q HERE
*Made them FREE + $2.02 Overage!*


(2) Sundown Melatonin $3.99
-Used (2) $1/1 found in RP 10/02
-STACKED with $6/2 PUBLIX Q found in Green Advantage Buy Flyer “Harvest the Savings” (10/29 to 11/18) (found at the entrance of the store, or sometimes at the service desk! =)
*Made them FREE!*


(4) Sundown Folic Acid $3.79 ea.
-Used (4) $1/1 found in RP 10/02
-STACKED with (2) $6/2 PUBLIX Q found in Green Advantage Buy Flyer “Harvest the Savings” (10/29 to 11/18) (found at the entrance of the store, or sometimes at the service desk! =)
*Made them FREE + $.84 Overage!*


(6) Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers BOGO $2.59 ($1.30 ea.)
-Used (3) $.50/2 MQ found in SS 9/11 OR 10/2
-STACKED with (2) $.75/3 TARGET Q HERE
*Made them $.55 ea.!*


(2) Zatarain's Frozen entree Bogo $2.99 ($1.50 ea.)
-Used (2) $1/1 MQ IP HERE
*Made them $.50 ea.!*


(4) Country Crock 15 oz. butter BOGO $2.69 ($1.34 ea.)
-Used (4) $.40/1 MQ IP HERE
*Made them $.55 ea.!*


(3) Coffee mate 16 oz. creamers $1.67 ea.
-Used (3) $.50/1 MQ from RP 10/30
-STACKED with $1/3 TARGET IP HERE
*Made them $.33 ea.!*


(2) Minute Maid Water Coolers $2.75 ea.
-Used (2) $2/1 MQ IP HERE
*Made them $.75 ea.!*


(2) Emerald Honey Roasted Peanuts BOGO $3.59 ($1.80 ea.)
-Used $1.50/2 MQ found in product package Emerald Breakfast on the Go I bought the other week!
*Made them $1.05 ea.!*


(2) Publix can black beans $.89 ea.


(1) Febreeze Noticables Warmer $2.50
-Used $2/1 MQ found in P&G 10/30
*Made it FREE + $3 Overage AFTER $3.50 REBATE HERE


(1) Axe shower gel $4.99
(1) Axe detailer srub tool $4.99
-Used Buy one get one free MQ found in SS 10/23
-Used $1.50/1 Axe shower gel MQ IP (NLA)
-STACKED with $1/1 Axe shower gel TARGET Q found in Target insert 10/16
*Made them $1.25 ea.!*


I did 2 transactions and used (2) $3/$30 PUBLIX purchase Q 

Here is a pic of the receipts:

Have a question? Leave a comment below!