What's for dinner?!

Ben likes that I'm getting food we eat at great prices, but did anyone else notice that it isn't DINNER food? I'm challenging myself to set some limits on my new found hobby. I had to blog them to reinforce them!

My September Goals:

1. Go out to shop the deals once a week after I've come up with a MENU and a shopping list for the menu.

2. Don't buy anymore sugary cereal.
3. Don't buy deodorant.
4. Don't buy brownie mix.
5. Don't buy contact solution.
6. Focus on food staples, not convenience foods.

Now, go forth and save!
The following are details from my first trip for September and only one for the week

Albertson's

Transaction #1:
Wesson oil 2.50 x 2 = 5.00 (Completes goal #5, plus I need it for all the brownie mixes I bought last month)
Orville Popcorn 2.00 x 2= 4.00
Special K Crakers 3.00 x 1 = 3.00
Keebler Cracker Sandwiches 2.00 x 2 = 4.00 (Yes, convenience food, but Ben wanted it for his school lunches... I guess HE can break the rules...)
Morning Star Meal Starter/Breakfast Sausage 3.00 x 2 = 6.00
Canned Garlic/Basil/Olive Oil Tomatoes .99 x 3 = 2.97
Ketchup .99 x 1 = .99
Total before savings: 25.96

- .40/1 x 2 Orville (newspaper insert)
- 1/1 *DOUBLED Special K Crackers (coupons.com)
- 1/2 *DOUBLED Keebler Cracker Sandwiches (newspaper insert)
- 1/2 *DOUBLED Morning Star (newspaper insert)
= 6.80 in coupons

26.96
- 6.80 coupons and doublers
- 5.00 Catalina from last Albertson's deal
- 2.00 survey coupon
= 12.16 Out Of Pocket PLUS $10 Catalina off my next purchase!!

Transaction #2
This is where my new goals came in handy. Instead of rolling the deal and getting more of the stuff from Transaction #1, I decided to use the $10 Catalina for stuff we really needed to buy!
Celery .38
Chips 1.50x 2 = 3.00
Top Ramen .89
White Vinegar 2.59
Honey 5.99
Bananas .65
Total Before Coupons = 13.50
- 1/2 *DOUBLED Pringles

$10 Catalina from Transaction #1
Total out of pocket: $1.50

Therefore, I spent $13.66 for the groceries pictured below!

Oh, wait, someone threw in an extra piece of bread... that wasn't part of the deal!

Safeway

Sweet Deal on (NON SUGARY) Cereal!

Transaction #1
MultiGrain Cheerios 2.50 x 1 = 2.50
Kashi Puffed Cereal 2.00 x 1 = 2.00
Kashi Granola 4.00 x 2 = 8.00
Kashi GoLean Crunch 3.00 x 1 = 3.00
Ronzoni Pasta 1.79 x 2 = 3.58
(They overcharged me here) Ronzoni Pasta 2.58

Total before coupons and store deals: 21.66
Coupons/Store deals:
$5.00 off 5 boxes of GM cereal (store deal)
.60/1 x 2 = 1.20 Ronzoni (store coupon)
1.50/2 x 2 = 3.00 Kashi (online)
1.00/1 = 1.00 Cheerios (from newspaper)
Total Savings: $10.20

TOTAL OUT OF POCKET: 11.46
(I think there was something screwy with the way the pasta rang up, so I should have spent less on this transaction, rrrr)

Transaction #2
MultiGrain Cheerios 2.50 x 1 = 2.50
Kashi GoLean 3.00 x 2 = 6.00
Kashi GoLean Crunch 3.00 x 1 = 3.00
Kashi GoLean 3.00 x 1 = 3.00
Total before coupons/store deals: 14.50

Coupons/Store deals:
$5.00 off 5 boxes GM cereal
1.00/1 Cheerios (newpaper)
1.50/2 x 2 (internet)
Total savings: 9.00

TOTAL OUT OF POCKET: $5.50
(That's $1.10 per box!)

Transaction #3
MultiGrain Cheerios 2.50 x 1 = 2.50
Kashi GoLean Crunch 3.00 x 4 = 12.00
Total before coupons/store deals: 14.50

Coupons/Store deals:
$5.00 off 5 GM
1.00/1 Cheerios (newspaper)
1.50/2 x 2 Kashi (internet)
Total Savings: $9.00

TOTAL OUT OF POCKET: $5.50
(Again, that's $1.10 per box!)

$22.46 Total Spent at Safeway
for 3 boxes of Cheerios
12 boxes of Kashi
2 boxes of pasta
That's an average of 1.60 per item!
I love my job :)

I also spent money at Fred Meyer's, but I don't remember how much and I can't find the recipt...
All my fresh produce this week comes from
my in-law's AMAZING GARDEN!! THANK YOU!!

Menu for the next two weeks!
Eggplant Parmesean
Baked Potato Bar
Chicken, Potatoes, and Beets
Hamburgers and hot dogs
Spaghetti
Wraps
TR Surprise
Cheeseburger Mac
Leftovers a few times, and probably a dinner or two at one or both of our parents' houses!