Confessions of a Couponer

Shelf Clearer (n.)- A shopper who takes an item that is on sale and buys mass quantities of it. Most often to the point where they leave nothing else for the shoppers behind them to buy. I have to confess when I first started couponing I use to get 9 or more papers on Sunday! Yes, I said 9! After I saw how many times items ended up being FREE I figured buying them and getting FREE itmes way over paid for my newspaper and that I mine as well stock up. After a few months I settled down and took it down to 4 papers, 1 per person in my home.

When I had 9 papers I was able to buy a TON of sale items. Many times I would walk up to the shelf and I would take everything from the shelf leaving nothing behind for anyone else. My family and I were using the items, but most times not as quickly as I thought we would.

I do remember that being able to stock up in mass quantity took a lot of work on my part. I had to pay attention to the sales, I had to try and get to the store when the store had the items in stock. I spent time clipping my coupons and I was paying for 9 newspaper subscriptions.

Sometimes when you see people walking around the store with the last of the item you wanted in their cart it can be frustrating, but every situation can be unique. I know a ton of readers were frustrated when they couldn't find the .25 Powerade a couple weeks ago because people were buying in in MASS quantities. At one point when I was at my store I saw a family pushing 30 plus carts around full of Powerade. Turns out they were stocking up for a Youth Conference activity. Another mom had probably 4 carts full, turns out she is a foster mom with 9 kids living at her home. Another dad was there buying a ton for the soccer team he coaches.

Yesterday as I read through the comments about the Quaker sale I learned that some Smith's stores were limiting the amount of items you could purchase. I found that interesting, so I wanted to know your thoughts

Do you think stores should limit the amount of items a customer can buy to prevent shelf clearing, or do you like to first come first serve rule?

Weigh in with your thoughts.......

A Lot for Less

I just got back from Smith's and I felt like I was stealing! I can't believe how awesome a trip I just had!I bought: 16 boxes of Oatmeal
4 Boxes of Life Cereal
Total Cost: $5.60 with tax!

First Transaction

10 boxes of Oatmeal

Last year when I bought Oatmeal during this sale there were some coupon printed on the inside of the box. They didn't expire until 12/10 so I held on to them hoping they would come in handy and the did for sure today!

Second Transaction

6 boxes of Oatmeal

4 Boxes of Life cereal

I used 4 $1/1 printable coupons (you can see them here on PYP) and then I used the $3/5 AFS coupon that was in the Fresh Market ad!

Each item only ended up costing me .28!!!

Before coupons my bill was $44.00 each transaction! My mouth about dropped when my bill came to only a couple dollars! And somehow I ended up with a coupon for a FREE movie ticket too!

How did you do?

Sunflower Market 4/14-4/20

I cant believe its already Wednesday! This week is flying by. Wednesday means that it is Double Ad day at Sunflower market. Remember both ads are honored TODAY only. Then it goes to the new weeks ad only.  It looks like there are some great prices on produce there this week.

From the new ad:

red seedless grapes, .97/lb (*****)
cauliflower, .88 ea
broccoli, .88/lb (****)
Hass avocados, .88 ea (****)
red or green leaf lettuce, .88 ea (*****)
celery or hothouse cucumbers, .88 ea
navel oranges, .50/lb (****)
champagne mangos, .50 ea (****)
strawberries 1lb, 2.00
blackberries 5.6oz, 2.00
kiwi fruit, .25 ea
cantaloupe, honeydew or mini seedless watermelons, 2.00 ea
grape tomatoes 10oz, 2.00
lemons, .33 ea
extra-large peeled and deveined raw shrimp, 4.97/lb
85% lean ground beef, 1.97/lb
So Delicious coconut milk 64oz, 2.99
Use: SO Delicious Coconut Milk Beverage, Half Gallon $1/1 (active) Group A-03/03
         Final: 1.99 (****)

Organic produce:
strawberries 8oz, 2.00
green caggabe, .99/lb (****)
russet potatoes 5lb bag, 2.50 (****)
jewel or garnet yams, .99/lb (****)
celery hearts 2pk, 2.00
carrots 2lb bag, 2.00 (****)

From the previous ad (prices good WED only):

golden pineapple, 2.00 ea
blackberries 5.6oz, 2.00
strawberries 1lb, .97 (*****)
iceberg or romaine lettuce, .88 ea (****)
cherry tomatoes 20oz, 2.00
romaine hearts 3pk, 2.00
Italian, yellow or Mexican grey squash, .88/lb
super select cucumbers, .50 ea (****)
red potatoes, .50/lb
braeburn apples, .88/lb (****)
collard, mustard or turnip greens, .88 ea
red or green seedless grapes, 1.99/lb
all-natural pork baby back ribs, 2.97/lb
Sunflower Farmers Market drinking water 24ct, 3.33
Mountain High yogurt 32oz, 1.99 (****)
all-natural beef T-bone steak, 4.97/lb

Organic produce:
hothouse tomatoes, 1.99/lb
celery, 1.50
fresh anise (fennel), 1.99 ea
Hass avocados, .99 ea (****)
champagne mangos, .99 ea
apples (red or golden delicious or granny smith), 1.49/lb (****)
red, green or rainbow chard, 1.50

Meal Planning

This week I am really wanting to stock up on Quaker oatmeal at Smith's, so to be able to spend the majority of my budget on stocking up I plan on using a lot of what I have in my cupboards and freezer for other meals. I debated on running into another store for my produce and milk, but by time I drive over to another store I don't think it will really save me any money. To read about how I plan my meals click here.

Breakfast
Oatmeal, oranges, toast and apple juice
Cold cereal, strawberries and orange juice
Bacon, Eggs and Toast
Breakfast Casserole with smoothies
Cinnamon rolls and milk
Cereal, yogurt and fruit

Lunch
Peanut Butter and Jelly with celery, peanut butter and raisins
Turkey Wrap Ups, carrots, celery and dip
Grilled Cheese sandwiches with tomato soup and goldfish
Tuna sandwiches, pickles and Sun Chips
Lunch ables and yogurt for weekly play date
Chili and baked potatoes

Dinner
Grilled steaks with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies
Make your own Quesadillas night with beans and rice
Lemon chicken, wild rice and asparagus
Cola roast, carrots, celery and homemade bread sticks
Make your own pizza night with salad and bread sticks
Homemade chicken tenders and French fries with green beans

Snacks
Celery and peanut butter
Chips and salsa
Veggies with dip
Fruit snacks, cheese and crackers
Trail Mix

Dessert
Marshmallow popcorn
Strawberry shortcake
Homemade ice cream sandwiches

Shopping List
2 Loafs of Bread $5.00
3 Gallons of Milk $6.00
1 Peppers $2.00
1 Head of Lettuce $1.00
1 Stalk of Celery $1.00
2 Lunchables $4.00
1 Package of Tortillas $.64 this week with coupon
Quaker Cereals: This leaves me with about $30 to stock up with!

Kraftmaid is Back!

This one only sticks around for a few hours, so be sure to request your FREE Kraftmaid booklet quickly. I love browsing through my magazine for fun home decorating ideas. When you get to the website just hit the link up top that says request literature. Then hit consumer or homeowner. Follow with your zip code. Then fill out the necessary fields. We should receive our Kraftmaid literature in 7-10 days.

Hot Quaker Promo at Smith's starting tomorrow!

Wow, there is a HOT promo on Quaker cereals starting tomorrow at Smiths!

Buy 5 participating Quaker products, save $5 instantly

That makes each item $1 before coupons!

Be sure to check out this post over at Jessica's blog, Utah Deal Diva, for a clever way to score some cereal and oatmeal for .20-.40!

Thanks Jessica for the heads up! I am excited for this sale! My kids go through oatmeal like water!

Free Taco at Rubios

Get a FREE GRILLED GOURMET TACO only in Utah at Rubios, only on April 15th.
Print out your coupon from here for one FREE a la carte Grilled Gourmet Taco at any Utah location only on 4/15/10.

Strawberries, Strawberries and more Strawberries!

I can't believe how low the prices of strawberries have been! My family and I have tired so many recipes with strawberries these last 2 weeks my kids lips are probably stained red! We have made strawberry jam, pie, syrup, pancakes, salad dressing and more. One thing that I have learned is that when an item is on sale...stock up, and it is no different with my produce.

If I can get my produce to stretch I definitely will. I recently bought about 8 containers of strawberries for .98 a container so I could freeze them and use them for the next 6 months or so. Frozen strawberries make great smoothies and you can slowly defrost them in the fridge to use for strawberry shortcake or in jello salad!

To freeze strawberries all you need to do is wash the strawberry and cut off the green leaves and stems. Make sure you get all the green off, or it could effect the taste of the strawberry. Leave the strawberries whole and let them dry off a little.

Then I use a flash freezing method by taking the strawberries and putting them on a cookie sheet and freezing them in the freezer for a few hours. By flash freezing my berries it prevents them from clumping up into a giant frozen mess.After that I take the strawberries and put them into my food saver bags or you could use Ziploc bags.

Awww, they look so pretty! Now I have strawberries to last me a good 6 months!

Of course, be sure to take advantage of having fresh strawberries too!

Here is my recipe for chocolate covered strawberries:

Well I guess this can't be considered a recipe =) Melt chocolate and dip strawberries! Let dry and enjoy! Simple enough right!


And here is my recipe for strawberry pie! I am not a fabulous cook, but I will tell you this strawberry pie recipe is really good! My pie is requested to make an appearance at many parties this time of year.

• 1 nine-inch pie crust (I like to use the frozen ones. I poke holes in it and bake it at 400 degrees for about 10 min.)
• 2-3 cups of cleaned strawberries with tops cut off (I like mine to be cut in half, but you could use them whole too)
• 1 3-oz package of strawberry Jell-o
• 1 cup sugar
• 4 TBS cornstarch
• 2 cups boiling water
  

In a bowl mix your sugar, dry jello mix and cornstarch. In a saucepan boil your water. Add your dry mix and cook until thick. Pour the glaze over berries and stir until coated. Take a measuring cup and add in your strawberries and jello glaze. Let your pit sit in the fridge for a few hours and then serve with whipped cream. Yummy!

And don't forget to check out our strawberry freezer jam recipe from last week!

$5 off at Discovery Gateway Museum

Enjoy $5 admission for up to four people when you bring this pass to Discovery Gateway! This offer expires at the end of April, so hurry in to enjoy our engaging exhibits, classes, and workshops today. Go here to print off the coupon.

Thanks One Cheap Chick!

Free Breakfast at Smith's

Tomorrow the Smith's store at 980 E Fort Union in Utah will reopen at 8am after a remodel. The first 300 customers will receive coupons for FREE breakfast fixings!

Thanks Mike!

$2/1 Rotisserie Chicken at Smith's

Go here to load a $2 Off Rotisserie deli chicken coupon to your Smith's Fresh Values card!
exp. May 10, 2010

This will make for a cheap dinner for my family next week. I actually hate making dinner the same day I grocery shop, so this will make a fast fix!

Thanks Krazy Coupon Lady!

Another $3/1 Huggies Coupon

Yeah, here is another link for a $3/1 package of Huggies diapers!

Mine expires 4/26!

Don't forget you can print off 2 coupons by hitting your back button 3 times!
Thanks Hip2Save!

Rare Online Coupons

Here are a few rare online coupons to print off!

Save $1 on one (1) half gallon of So Delicious Coconut Milk beverage

Save $1 on one pint of Purley Decadent Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert (soy or coconut)

Another HOT online coupon

Print off a $1.50/1 TGIF Snacks coupon. This week at Walgreens these are priced at $1.39 so it should make a FREE snack this week!

Thanks Money Saving Mom!

$2/1 Sara Lee Deli Meat

Become a fan of Sara Lee on Facebook and you can print a $2/1 coupon! Last year I printed this coupon off and got a killer deal on this lunchmeat at Walmart!

Thanks Hip2Save!

$10.50 in Coupons from Arm and Hammer Clumping Kitty Litter

Sign up for up to $10.50 in coupons from Arm & Hammer® Clumping Cat Litter. Click Here!

Free Macaroni and Cheese Coupon

Become a Fan on Facebook and request a FREE box or cup of new Kraft Macaroni and Cheese diner Cheesy Explosion! You will submit a form and they will mail you your coupon!

Thanks PYP!

Coupons for Sponges

Print a $1 off any one Scotch Brand sponge.

These usually run around $1, so hopefully this will make for a FREE sponge!

Thanks Krazy Coupon Lady!

Print a $1/1 Scotch Brite Bathroom tool (available at Target)

$2/1 Scotch Brite microfiber hardwood floor mop (available at Target)

Free Reusable Bag at Smith's

Go to Smith's website and design a reusable bag. You will be entered into win $1,000. After you submit your design a .99 credit will be loaded to your Fresh Values card for a FREE reusable-bag. Pick up your bag next time you go shopping!

Here is my design!

Click here to vote for it!

Coupons in Sunday's Paper

In the Daily Herald you should have received:

1 SS insert
1RP insert
In the SLT/DMN you should have received
1 SS insert

To read about how the Red Plum coupons are distributed click here!

To start your newspaper coupons right away, learn about the awesome newspaper deal we can get you here.

*If you ordered the paper and you didn't receive your paper or didn't get the correct number of papers please call the newspaper company first and let them know. Their numbers are on the left side of the blog. Occasionally if you are new to a route your carrier may miss your home. The newspaper companies are super easy to work with and will make sure your papers are delivered.