Hiatus

Hi there,

After a lot of consideration, I'm going to be taking a break from this blog. I've been neglecting it lately and it just hasn't felt fun. I'm working on simplifying my life and realized that for now, having this half-neglected blog hanging over my head has become clutter. So I'm giving myself a break from it to see how that feels. Thanks for reading ~ I really appreciate it. For the best local penny-pinchin' blogs, visit the hilarious and unflinchingly honest broke207 and the dedicated, ever-frugal moneysavingmaineiac. Both are lovely.

Hugs and pennies,
Lynn

Good Deal on Clif Kid Z Bars

Noticed that the organic Clif Kid Z Bars at the Portland Whole Foods are priced at $.69 each. Use the $.50 off from the August/September Whole Deal or here for a cheap treat.

Add it up...

I decided to add up all my receipts from 2010 thus far and see exactly how much I've been able to save by being more frugal. This is an imperfect science as there's no way to figure out how much I've saved by shopping grocery store sales-- since not all the grocery stores give us that lovely "you saved" section like Shaw's does. But I can figure out how much I saved using coupons. And figure it out I did.

I took the giant, messy mound of receipts sitting on my desk and added it all up. Here's the data:

$947.80 saved with coupons on groceries & household items (Shaw's, Hannaford, Whole Foods, Rite-Aid, and Babies R Us (baby wipes))

Not bad! Especially considering it's still July and you know there's a margin for error as I'm not too organized and there are bound to be random receipts hanging out under the mud mats in my car, random coat pockets and other places. And $302.25 of those coupon savings were at Whole Foods. Likey. And like I said, that's not counting $ saved shopping sales or $ saved on non-grocery/household items.

How about you-- do you know how much you've saved?

Whole Foods Sale and Coupon Match-ups, 7/28 to 8/3

To see all of this week's advertised sales at the Portland Whole Foods, click here.

• Avocado, 5 for $5
• Organic white nectarines, $1.99 each
• Tazo Iced Tea, 5 for $5, use $.50 off here
• Annie's Natural salad dressings, $3.99. Use $.75 off from May/June/July Whole Deal and $.75 off from 2010 Annie's calendar
• Back to Nature chocolate delight granola, 2 for $7. Use $1 off from Spring Mambo Sprouts coupon book
• Nature's Path chocolate chip granola bars, 2 for $3. Use $1.50 off 2 from May/June/July Whole Deal
• So Delicious Coconut milk creamer, 2 for $4, use $1 off here
• Boca Burger Original Vegan, 2 for $7. Use $1 off 2 from 6/20 Smart Source insert
• Michael Angelo's Baked Eggplant Parmesan, 2 for $7. Use $1 off from Spring Mambo Sprouts coupon book

Alexia Foods coupon

Got a nice new $1 off coupon from BzzzAgent on any Alexia frozen product. I haven't actually tried these yet but I always look at their sweet potato fries... anyone like these products?

Whole Foods Sale and Coupon Match-ups, 7/21 to 7/28

To see all of this week's advertised sales at the Portland Whole Foods, click here.

• Organic bunched carrots, $.99 each


• Organic Braeburn apples, $1.79/lb.


• Organic Red Italian onions, $.99/lb.


• Stonyfield Farms nonfat yogurt, 10 for $5, use $.50 off 3 yogurts here


• Ben & Jerry's ice cream, 2 for $7, use $1 off from May/June/July Whole Deal


• Food Should Taste Good sweet potato chips, use $1 off 1 or $1.50 off 2 from 5/23 Smart Source


• Seeds of Change organic tiki masala sauce, 2 for $6, use $1 off here
• Blue Diamond Almond Milk, original unsweetened, $1.99. Use $1 off from Spring Mambo Sprouts booklet, or from 5-23 Smart Source, $.50 off here , or $.55 off here
• Kiss My Face Liquid Hand Soaps, $4, use $1 off here

Whole Foods Sale and Coupon Match-ups, 7/14 to 7/20

I know, I've been a total blog slacker lately. Maybe it's the swampy heat, or the teething toddler, or some sort of celestial interference (moon in Uranus?). In any case, here are this week's Whole Foods sales/coupon goodies. To see all of this week's advertised sales for the Portland store, click here.

• Olympus Greek Yogurt, 4 for $5
• Boneless Sirloin Steak, $6.99/lb.
• Cantalope, 2 for $4
• Organic Figs, 2 for $6
• Organic Pink Lady Apples, $1.79/lb.
• Annie's Natural Salad Dressings, 2 for $5, use $.75 off from 2010 Annie's Calendar and $.75 off from May/June/July Whole Deal (Good deal alert!)
• R.W. Knudsen Black Cherry Juice, 2 for $6, use $.75 off from Spring Mambo Sprouts book
• Food Should Taste Good Tortilla or Sweet Potato Chips, 2 for $4, use $1 off 1 or $1.50 off 2 from 5/23 Smart Source insert
• Seeds of Change Organic Tiki Masala Sauce, 2 for $6, use $1 off here
• Blue Diamond Almond Milk Original Unsweetened 32 oz., $1.99, use $1 off from Spring Mambo Sprouts book or here (goes right to printer) or 5/23 Smart Source insert
• Kiss My Face Liquid Hand Soaps, 2 for $8, use $1 off here
  

Whole Foods Sale and Coupon Match-ups, 7/5 to 7/13

To see all of the advertised sales this week at the Portland store, click here.

• In-store made Chicken Kabobs, $4.99/lb.
• In-store made Salmon Kabobs, $9.99/lb.
• Organic Yellow Peaches, $2.49/lb.
• Stonyfield Organic Lowfat Yogurt, 10 6 oz. for $5, use $.50 off 3 here
• Snikiddy Snacks Baked Fries, 2 for $4, use $1 off here
• Back to Nature Chocolate Chunk Cookies, 2 for $6, use $1 off from Mambo Sprouts Spring coupon book
• Honest Tea Organic Kids Berry Good Lemonade, 2 for $7, use $.75 off coupon here
• Nature's Path Organic Chocolate Chip Granola Bar, 2 for $6, use $1.50 off 2 from May/June/July Whole Deal
• Soy Delicious Creamer Coconut Milk, $1.79, use $1 off here
• Kiss My Face Liquid Rock Deodorant, 2 for $9, use $1 off here

Frugal F&$!-up

It's been awhile, both since I've posted at all, but especially since I've shared any assinine financial mistakes with you. Well, this isn't a huge one, but it seems that I've surpassed my grocery budget every single week of June. What's up with that? Well, a few things:

• Trying to hit that sweet Neutrogena rebate vortex that recently occured at both Rite-Aid and Neutrogena
• A bunch of personal crap conspired and left me with a little attitude -- "eff the grocery budget! Just eff it!"
• The hubster got a grill. So we've been getting stuff to cook on said grill, which is awesome. However, it does mean that he is eating less Clif bars (purchased at Whole Foods with stacked coupons, baby) over the sink for dinner and more pricey flesh o' the cow.
• My kiddo is eating more. I know, blame it on the baby.

It's not the end of the world, and those are mostly legitimate reasons. But it doesn't feel great to this perfectionist. So July, you sweet blank slate, I'm going to try to stick to the budget...

Whole Foods Sale and Coupon Match-ups, 6/23 to 7/4

To see all of this week's advertised sales at the Portland store, click here. It looks like this week's specials are mostly the same as last week's:

• Bread & Circus Bakehouse Organic Burger Buns, 8-pack for $1.50
• 85% Lean Beef Burgers, 10 for $10
• Veggie Burgers, 5 for $10
• Conventionally Grown Mangoes, $1/each
• Organic Peeled Baby Carrots, 2 lbs . for $2.99
• Bear Naked Granola, $3.99. Use $1 off from Whole Deal or here and $1 off from June Hannaford Organic & Natural booklet
• Chobani Greek Yogurt, 1 for $1, use buy 2 get 1 free here
• Honest Kids Organic Juice Boxes, 2 for $7, use $.75 off here
• Honest Tea Organic Kids Berry Good Lemonade, 2 for $7, use coupon here
• Kiss My Face SPF 30 Sunspray Lotion, $10.49, use $1 off here
• Happy Baby Yogurt Melts, $2.69, use coupons from Recyclebank (have to accrue points and have coupon mailed to you)
• Nature's Path Organic Chocolate Chip Granola Bar, 2 for $6, use $1.50 off 2 from May/June/July Whole Deal or here
• Soy Delicious Coconut Milk Creamer, $1.79, use $1 off here
• Kiss My Face Moisture Shaves, $6.49, use $1 off here
• Kiss My Face Olive Oil Bar Soaps, 2 for $6.50, use $1 off here
• Bach Rescue Remedy $14.99, use $2 off from Mambo Sprouts or $1 off from May Hannaford Organic & Natural book
• Spectrum Ground Flax Seed, 2 for $9, use $3 off here

More So Delicious/Purely Decadent coconut milk ice cream...

Happened to notice today that the Portland Back Bay Hannaford had the Purely Decadent coconut milk mint chocolate chip was on "close out" sale for $1 and change-- use this coupon to pick it up for super cheap. I haven't tried this flavor before but I'm betting it's worth the few dimes that you can get it for...

Whole Foods Sale and Coupon Match-ups, 6/14 to 6/22

To check out all of this week's advertised sales at the Portland Whole Foods, click here.

• Mangoes, $1/each
• Organic Baby Brocolli, $1.99 each
• Organic Lettuce from Vermont/Massachusetts, 2 for $3
• Honest Tea Iced Tea, 64 oz., 2 for $5, use $.75 off 1 here
• R.W. Knudsen Organic Just Pear Juice, 2 for $6, use $.75 off spring Mambo Sprouts book
• Food Should taste Good Cheddar Tortilla Chips, 2 for $4. Use $1 off 1 or $1.50 off 2 from 5/23 Smart Source insert
• Annie's HomeGrown Bunny Fruit Snack, Organic Berry, 2 for $7, use $1 off from 2010 Annie's calendar
• Nature's Path Organic Chocolate Chip Granola Bar, 2 for $6, use $1.50 off 2 from May/June July Whole Deal or here
• Kiss My Face Moisture Shaves, $6.49, use $1 off here
• Kiss My Face Olive Bar Soaps, 2 for $6.50, use $1 off here
• Bach Rescue Remedy, $14.99, use $2 off here or $1 off from May Hannaford Organic & Natural book
• Spectrum Ground Flax Seed, 2 for $9, use $3 off here

Cheapness paying it forward...

I love stories like this.... every once in awhile you'll hear a story about a frugal priest or an old lady who skimps and lives on very little in order to leave something behind after they're gone. What motivates you to cheap it up?

Good Deal on Purely Decadent Coconut Milk "ice cream"

Happened upon a tasty deal at the Portland Riverton Hannaford (aka "Bad Hannaford") today. They had So Delicious Coconut milk coconut flavored (the vanilla and chocolate mint weren't priced as low) ice cream-- which is dairy free, soy free and gluten free-- and frickin' delicious!!!-- for $2.15. With one of these little sugars it was $1.15. Sinful. Not sure why it was so cheap there-- it usually is about $5 at Whole Foods.

Also noticed several items in the healthy/organic freezer section that were "priced to clear out." I got a box of Cascadian Farms organic winter squash that was marked down to $1.50-- with one of their coupons here or at coupons.com or bettycrocker.com it was $.50. They had a few other ice creams and an Earth's Best frozen mac & cheese meal that were also "priced to clear." Anyone found these at other Hannafords, or was it just this one?

Hot Hot Hot Neutrogena Rebates

You know I love the rebates. Just found this one for $10 back from Neutrogena when you spend $30 on their "facial moisturizers and/or facial treatments" between now and July 4th. And it doesn't say "Void in Maine." Rite Aid also has a rebate going on that includes Neutrogena Skin Care--spend $25 and get a $10 Rite Aid gift card, or spend $50 and get a $25 gift card. My brain is too excited to do the math but you could get some great deals by combining these two rebates. In addition there are coupons at Neutrogena AND coupons on some Neutrogena products in this week's Rite Aid flyer-- the Rite Aid coupons can be stacked with the Neutrogena coupons, as well as that sweet little $5 off $20 from watchin' your Rite Aid Video Values. The hubster uses a lot of Neutrogena products so we'll be stockin' up.

Whole Foods Sale and Coupon Match-ups, 6/9 to 6/13

To see all of this week's advertised sales at the Portland Whole Foods, click here.

• Conventionally Grown Peaches, $.99/lb.
• Organic Bunched Carrots, $1.99
• Organic Packham Pears, $1.49/lb.
• Cedar's Organic Hummus, 2 for $4
• Blue Diamond Almond Milk, $2.69 for 64 oz. Use $1 off from 5/23 Smart Source, Spring Mambo Sprouts coupon book, or here
• Olave Organic Olive Oil, $7.99-- 50% off
• Cascadian Farms Cereal Multigrain Squares (and most of their other cereals and granola bars as well), 2 for $7. Use $1 off from May/June/July Whole Deal or here and $1 off from coupons.com, cascadianfarm.com or bettycrocker.com making these $1.50 per box
• Nature's Path Organic Flaxplus Waffles, 2 for $5. Use $1 off from May/June/July Whole Deal.
• Earth's Best Kids Baked Chicken Nuggets, 2 for $7. Use $1 off here
• Seventh Generation Auto Dish Powder Free & Clear, $3.99, use $1 off here or from April Hannaford Organic & Natural boook
• Terra Chips, 2 for $5. Use $1 off from 3/28 Smart Source insert
• Odwalla Super Protein Nutri Juice, 2 for $5, use $1 off 2 here
• Knudsen Pear Juice, 2 for $6, use $1 off from Spring Mambo Sprouts
• Bach Rescue Remedy, $14.99. Use $2 off from Mambo Sprouts or $1 off from May Hannaford Organic & Natural
• Think Thin Bars, 2 for $3. Use $.50 off from May/June/July Whole Deal and stack it with $.50 off here

Good Deal on Cascadian Farms

Noticed a good deal on Cascadian Farms Cereals this morning at Whole Foods. Most of the cereals are on sale for $3.50/box. Use the $1 off coupon from the May/June/July Whole Deal or here, and stack that little lady with the $1 off from Cascadian Farms, or here, or here. I usually just get the Whole Foods 365 O's for my kiddo, but at $1.50 the Cascadian Farms win out! They're on sale for another week. Likey! It looked like most of the Cascadian Farms granola bars are on sale too, so if that's you're thing, the same deal works.

Holy Crocker!

I was surprised to check the Betty Crocker coupons-- usually they are just for, well, Betty Crocker items. But right now, they have Cascadian Farms, Muir Glen, Ben & Jerrys (combine it with the Whole Foods q for extra savin') Huggies, and a ton of other coupons. Check it out here.

Whole Foods Sale and Coupon Match-ups, 6/2 to 6/8

To see all of the Portland store's advertised sales this week, click here.

• Stonyfield Farm 6oz. Yogurt, 10 for $5. Go here for $.50 off 3.
• Odwalla Bars, $1 each.
• Tazo Iced Tea, 5 for $5. Use $.50 off coupon from May/June/July Whole Deal or here.
• Fage Greek Yogurt, 3 for $4. Use $.50 off coupon here.
• Cascadian Farms Cereal Multigrain Squares. Use $1 off from May/June/July Whole Deal or here, and $1 off from www.coupons.com.
• Seventh Generation Auto Dish Powder Free & Clear, $3.99. Use $1 off from Spring Mambo Sprouts coupon book or here.
• Terra Chips Sweets & Beets, 2 for $5. Use $1 off from 3-28 Smart Source.
• Odwalla Super Protein Nutri Juice, 2 for $5. Use $1 off 2 here.
• Nature's Path Waffles Organic Flaxplus, 2 for $5. Use $1.50 off 2 from May/June/July Whole Deal.
• Bach Rescue Remedy, $14.99. Use $2 off 1 from mambosprouts.com $1 off 1 from May Hannaford's Organic & Natural magazine.
• Think Think Bars, 2 for $3. Use $.50 off from May/June/July Whole deal and $.50 off here.

Oikos coupon

The new June issue of Organic & Natural is out at Hannaford. There are only two coupons but they are decent ones:

• $1 off any Bear Naked 12 oz. Granola
• $1 off any 5.3 oz cup, 16 oz cup or 4oz 4-pack of Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt

The Oikos coupon is especially nice as they tend to go on sale regularly at Whole Foods and Shaws.