Here's how I stretch my budget

OK, so see all that stuff? It's all stuff our family uses on a regular basis (OK, not the chocolate, but they were 75% off and I had a need). The brands might not be the same every time (except for Tom's of Maine- that's a non-negotiable for my husband), but they are basics that we stock up on when the price is right.

All this stuff cost me about $18 after rebates . I think that's darn good.

Tyler (age 2) and I scored this loot in about an hour at 2 different stores.

Here's what we got and how we did it.

Walgreens-

Transaction #1
4 Flintstone Vitamins, on sale for $5 each. Paid $20 cash (there were coupons but I friggin' lost them- UGH).

Got a $10 Register rewards to be used on next purchase.
Sent in rebate for 1/2 price refund. Will get $10 check in the mail.
So these cost nothing, really. If I had my friggin' coupons, I could have MADE money. Oh well.

Transaction #2
-2 Garnier Fructis, on sale for 2.99. Used Walgreens coupon for $2, used newspaper coupon for $1. These made me .01.

-Tom's of Maine Toothpaste and Deodorant, on sale for $3.99. Used Walgreens circular coupon for $1 off each. Final cost, $2.99 each.

-Electrasol Dishwasher Tablets, on sale for $3.49. Used $2.50 newspaper coupon. Registered online for $1.99 rebate. These will make me $1.

SO basically, The Tom's stuff hoses my budget, but by shopping well in other areas, we can pull it off.
USED OUR $10 REGISTER REWARD TOWARD THIS TRANSACTION.

Rite Aid-

-L'Oreal Kids Shampoo- on sale buy one get one (2 for 3.49). Had a coupon for $1 off 2. So 2 for $2.49.

-2 Garnier Fructis- on sale for $3.00. Used $1 off coupons. Registered online for $2 rebate.

- 10 Soy Joy bars (There are 9 in the picture-I ate 1.) On sale for .50 each. Used $3 off 10 coupon. Registered online for $5 rebate. These made me $2.

-Chocolate- I don't remember how much they were- 75% off though. That's good in my book.

-Mascara- Again don't remember the exact price, but it was 40% off, I used a $1 coupon, and registered for a $2 rebate.


Do I need all this stuff TODAY? No, but we will eventually. None of it will go bad. It' on my basement shelf for when I need it. I love keeping stuff on hand, because A) It's so flippin' cheap, and B) There are far fewer incidents of "UGH! I ran out of ______!"

Oh, and almost all of the coupons I used were in this week's paper. SO, these deals are current through Saturday and if you haven't sent your newspaper out to the recycle plant yet, you can do it too! Go try!