Publix – August 10, 2012

     This week was the closest I have ever come to almost going over my budget! I made it though, with 11 cents to spare. While I am pretty decent at using coupons effectively for our groceries, I am trying to improve my use of coupons for our toiletry items. Back in the day I would bounce into CVS and get whatever I needed, whether it was on sale or not, and regardless of whether or not I had a coupon. Those were the days when money grew on trees and I was financially dependent upon my parents. Even during my internship in Atlanta, when I paid for all my expenses, it never occurred to me to wait for a sale to purchase my toiletry items. I simply bought it when I needed it. Now I am slowly learning to buy things when they are on sale. Currently J.T. and I have $100 a month set aside for toiletry items (I labeled this category "hygiene items" in my OCD budget spreadsheet). This $100 includes both of our haircuts as well. While J.T. gets his haircut once a month I only need one every 7 or 8 weeks.

     Another budget category we have is for our beloved, spoiled rotten, dog Otis (pictured below, pardon the way I am dressed). Otis has a budget of $100 a month. This budget includes food, treats, flea medicine, heartworm pills, vet visits, etc. Most months we do not get anywhere close to spending $100, but we have this amount allotted for the months that his medicines must be purchased or a visit to the vet is needed. After J.T. and I got married we switched Otis to Rachael Ray Nutrish Dog food. While Otis was eating Publix brand dog food, I felt that he should be eating something that was minimally processed and better for him. If you follow my cooking blog, you may have noticed that 95% of my cookware is Rachael Ray (I am a BIG fan). I had known for a while that she had a line of dog food and treats, but wasn't sure how much more of an expense it would be. We have been really lucky so far, and I have been able to purchase all our dog food with coupons. I have also not paid more than a dollar for a bag of his treats. While Otis' favorite doggie treats are Rachael Ray, I have been able to get about 4 boxes of other brand dog treats free by combining sales and coupons.

The total spent at Publix this week was $63.93. Of this amount, $49.89 came from our grocery budget, $12.96 was spent from our toiletry budget, and $1.08 was spent out of Otis' budget.

• Dairy
  • (2) Organic Valley Milk @ 2/$7.00
    • $1.50/2 manufacturer coupon - $5.50 or $2.75 each
  • (2) Almond Breeze almond milk @ 2/$5.00
    • (2) $1.00/1 manufacturer coupon - $3.00 or $1.50 each
  • (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Eggs - $3.99
• Grocery
  • (1) Publix Greenwise Organic Oats @ $1.99
  • 1 lb. Publix navy beans @ $1.79
  • 1 lb. Publix black-eyed peas @ $1.59
  • (4) Cheerios Cereal (BOGO) @ $8.78
    • (4) $1/1 manufacturer coupons - $4.78 or $1.20 each
  • (4) Libby Canned green beans (BOGO) @ $2.38 or $0.60 each
  • (4) Pringles Super Stack @ $5.34
    • $1/4 manufacturer coupon - $4.34 or $1.09 each
• Meat
  • 2 ¼ lbs. boneless pork chops @ $3.99/lb. - $8.78
  • (1) Jennie-O Lean Turkey Kielbasa @ $1.99
    • $1/1 manufacturer coupon - $0.99
• Produce
  • 2.19 lbs. Organic Bananas @ $0.99/lb. - $2.17
  • (1) Organic Girl Baby Spinach & Arugula @ $3.99
    • $2/1 manufacturer coupon - $1.99
  • 1 lb. Publix Greenwise Organic Carrots @ $1.29
  • 1.33 lbs. Yellow onions @ $1.19/lb. - $1.58
  • 1 bunch scallions @ $0.60 each
  • 1 head green cabbage @ $0.59/lb. - $1.52
• Other
  • (1) Rachael Ray Just 6 Dog Treats - $2.99
    • $1.50/1 manufacturer coupon & $0.50/1 Publix coupon - $0.99
  • (1) Colgate toothpaste (on clearance) @ $2.05
    • $1/1 manufacturer coupon - $1.05
  • (1) 7^th Generation Shower cleaner (on clearance) @ $0.99
  • (1) Scott wipe refills @ $1.99
    • $1/1 manufacturer coupon - $0.99
  • (2) Venus Disposable Razors @ 20% off - $14.38
    • 1 BOGO Free manufacturer coupon - $7.19 or $3.60 each
  • (1) Garnier Fructis Shampoo @ $2.99
    • $1/1 manufacturer coupon & $1/1 target coupon - $0.99
  • (1) Garnier Fructis Conditioner @ $2.99
    • $1/1 manufacturer coupon & $1/1 target coupon - $0.99
  • (2) Kiss My Face Olive Oil Bar soap @ $5.98
    • (2) $3/1 manufacturer coupon – FREE + $0.02 overage
    
     
  $5.00 off $25.00 purchase Save-A-Lot competitor coupon
  
   
  Total before coupons        $101.62
  Less: coupons used             (37.69)
  Total with Tax                   $63.93

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