Part of couponing and learning to be a good consumer is sticking to a budget! As you may know, before I started couponing I was spending upwards of $100 each week on groceries and an additional ( at least $30 – $50 at places like Target).  I would leave a store with few bags to show for my money! Now because I coupon I have my budget down to $50 total each week for groceries AND trips to Target and other places.

Part of budgeting is also knowing what you spend and sticking to your budget! Remember my budget is different that other family’s budget. Start keeping track of everything you spend . This will give you an idea of not only what you are paying for items but also where you over pay or blow the budget. Get more budgeting tips here. See how couponing has made a difference in my life here.

Once you have determined what you are spending work to cut down your family budget. Remember even saving $10 is $10 back in your pocket! ANY savings is awesome!

So how did I do this week May 12-18?

CVS $25.40 before coupons and I paid $2.62 and got a $5 and $3 ECB making this a money maker of $5.38

Target $22.80 before coupons and I paid $12.55. I used my red card and submitted for an ibotta offer for a net cost of $11.63

Super triple coupon trip #1 $47.51 before coupons and I paid $11.77

Super Triple coupon trip #2 $25.17 and I paid $8.42

Super triple coupon trip #3 $33.32 before coupons and I paid just  $4.02

I also picked up 2 gallons of milk this week at Aldi ( $5)

Total of everything before coupons: $133.80 and I paid just $44.38 – under my $50 budget by $5.62! I got $8 in ECB and i submitted for a $0.50 ibotta offer which makes my net cost $35.88 (for budgeting purposes I look at actual money spent oop) This weeks shopping included a lot of salad, fabric softener, shirts for my daughter and donation items!

Headed out for a quick trip to Schnucks Loves Park for triple coupons! Get the details for this promotion here.

• 3 AquaFresh Kids $1.49 each ($4.47) Used 3 $0.75/1 coupons which tripled to the price making these FREE
• 2 Haribo $1 each ($2) Used 2 $0.30/1 coupons here which both tripled to $0.90 making these $0.20 or $0.10 each
• 2 Dole Mandarin $1.19 each ($2.38) Used a $0.50/2 coupon from today's Beloit Paper ( check your paper tomorrow) which tripled to $1.50 making these $0.88 for 2 or $0.44 each
• 2 Jolly Time $1.67 each ($3.34) Used 2 $0.50/1 coupons from today's Beloit Paper which both tripled to $1.50 making these $0.34 for 2 or $0.17 each
• 2 Lipton tea bags 16 ct $1.19 each ($2. 38) Used 2 $0.50/1 coupons from todays Beloit Paper which both tripled to the price making these FREE
• 2 Heluva Good Dips $2.28 each ($4.56). Used 2 $0.75/1 coupons from today's Beloit paper which both doubled to $2.25 making these just $0.06 or $0.03 each
• 2 Vlasic 2/$4 Used 2 $0.75/1 coupons from todays Beloit paper which both tripled to the price making these FREE
• 2 Wishbone 2/$3 Used 2 $0.50/1 coupons from todays Beloit Paper which both tripled to the price making these FREE
• 4 Barilla Blue box pasta 4/$5 Used 2 $0.50/2 coupons from todays Beloit paper which both tripled to $1.50 making these $2 or $0.50 each
• Joy Cones $2.19 ( whoops. I picked up the Jumbo ones. I meant to get the regular which are $1.69. Oh well) Used a $0.55/1 coupon from here which tripled to $1.65 making these $0.54

Total before coupons: $33.32 and I paid after coupons just $4.02

Here are some notes from todays Weekend edition of the Beloit Daily News. 3 inserts as expected – 2 Smart Source and 1 red Plum

Red Plum:

• Suave coupons including a $0.50/1 Suave deodorant (which will give you free or close to free depending on size deodorant at Schnucks Triple Coupons) There is also a $0.50/1 Suave Mens professionals which should give you 2 for around $1.88. Note that Suave coupons themselves limit you to 2 like coupons per transaction.
• $0.50/1 Lipton Tea bags . You may ifnd the smaller size boxes ( I think 20 ct??) for around $1.19 so free after triple ( note coupon says excluding trial size. I wouldnt think the smaller boxes are  trial size but see what the store says
• $0.75/1 Caress Body Wash ( $3.99 at Schnucks E State so $1.7 after triple)
• $0.50/1 Wishbone dressing ( FREE at Schnucks Triple coupons as this is on sale for $1.50) Again this coupon itself limits you to 2 like coupons per transaction
• $1/3 Jacks
• $0.75/1 State Fair Corn Dogs. These are $3.89 at Schnucks so $1.64 after triple
• Several Advil coupons
• $0.50/1 Snuggle. This ranges $2.99 for non ultra to $3.49 for Ultra at Schnucks so as low as $1.49 at triples

Smart Source with Sweet Baby Rays on the front:

• $1.2 Sweet Baby Rays Marinade or Wing Sauce and a $1/1 dipping Sauce (NOT BBQ)
• $0.50/1 Pull Up Wipes ( I am thinking these are $2.69 ish at Schnucks)
• $0.50/2 Sargento Natural Slices ( this coupon does NOT limit you to the blends variety) These are 2/$5 at Schnucks so just $3.50 for 2 after triple
• Hormel coupons
• OxiClean coupons

Smart Source with Direct TV on the front:

• $0.75/1 Heluva Good Dip . This is $2.28 at Schnucks E State so just $0.03 after triple
• $0.55/2 Barilla Blue Box pasta. These are $1.25 each at Schnucks E State which give you 2 for $1 after triple
• $0.50/2 Dole Mandarin oranges . The smaller ones are $1.19 at Schnucks E State so $0.88 for 2 after triple
• $1/2 Jays Chips and $1/2 O-Ke-Doke Popcorn ( Woodmans carries this)
• $0.75/1  Reynolds Foil 35 sq ft or higher. Im thinking this would also be a good deal at triples
• $0.55/1 Seagrams Ginger Ale 12 pk cans or 8 pk 7.5 oz cans. 12 packs are on  sale 4/$12.98 ($3.24) so $1.60 after triple
• $0.50/1 Jolly Time. These are on sale 3/$5 ($1.67) at Schnucks E State so just $0.17 after triple
• $0.50/1 Maruchan or Yakisoba. Note these are regular price $1 at Schnucks. You can use this coupon anytime ( not just during this promo) for FREE noodles
• $0.75/1 Vlassic pickle. ( note it will NOT include relish) Many are on sale for $2 at Schnucks E State so FREE after triple
• $0.55/1 GUM product. Flossers are $1.49 so free after triple. Soft picks are $1.99 so just $0.34 after coupon

Kelloggs Family Rewards members, log into your email. I have a message that contains 2 coupons: one for $1/2 Pringles Stix and one for $1/2 Keebler Cookies, Kelloggs cereals or Sunshine crackers ( Sunshine is Cheez Its).

Not a member yet? Click the above banner and register so you will receive emails from Kelloggs in the future. These emails many times contain great coupons!

Click here to print the above coupon then take to target starting Sunday where these will be on sale for $2. Coupon will make them FREE! 

Update: The ad states 2/$4 or $2.50 each. IF your store will take 2 Target coupons per transaction ( note the coupon itself says limit 1) then get 2 free, otherwise $0.50

Thanks Totally Target

You can find this brand at Woodmans and possibly Walmart

Here are your match ups for Walgreens starting May 19.   Walgreens has a new Balance Rewards program. To see the details click here. For now they are continuing Register Rewards (Catalinas that print at the checkout for money off of your next trip)  but those deals are limited.  You can check out our Walgreens Tips here for more information. Also note that prices do vary by region so make sure to check your local ad. I work off of the Northern Illinois ad.

Reminder that I only post those deals I feel are great so check the ad for other sales and deals.

Dont forget to register with Ibotta for more coupons! Not familiar with ibotta? Click here

Top deals:

• Mars or Dive candy $0.59 with in ad coupon. Use the $0.50 off any 2 DOVE Chocolate Bars making these just $0.68 for 2
• Colgate Total Advanced or Total Zx Pro Shield toothpaste 5.8 oz or Mouthwash 8.45  oz and select toothbrushes  2/$6 with $2 RR. Use the $0.50/1 from 5/12 or 4/28 making these 2/$3 after coupons and RR
• Cottonelle 12 roll $5 Use the in store coupon for $1 off and also use the $0.50/1 from 5/12 making this $3.50
• Arm and Hammer detergent B1G1 FREE Use 2 $1/1 from 4/14 or 4/28
• in ad coupon for Nice drink Mix or Flavor Ice freezer bars $0.79
• Kraft Mac and Cheese Dinner or Velvetta shells and cheese 2/$4 . Use the $1/2 in store coupon
• Pringles 4/$6 Use the $1/4 coming in Sundays paper making these 4/$5
• Country Time or Kool Aid 19 oz or Crystal Light 8 or 10 ct  2/$4. There is a $0.50 ibotta offer for Kool Aid
• Lindsay Olives 3/$4 Use the $1/1 coupon here (note this could be gone now) making these $0.34 each
• Schick Hydro or Quattro B1G1 50% off. Check Sundays paper for coupons
• Almay cosmetics B1G1 50% off Check Sundays paper and also use the $2 off in store coupon
• 10,000 BR points when you spend $30 on the following: Neosporin Lip Health, Benadryl 24 or Childrens Benadryl $5 $1/1 Benadryl 4/28 or get printables here, Tylenol or Sudafed 24 ct or Childrens 4 oz $6, Zyrtec 25 or 30 ct $19 Check Sundays paper for a $7 coupon, B1G1 50% off Visine
• iChill Liquid Sleep Aid $4.99 with a $4.99 RR making this FREE after RR
• Thermacare Heat Wraps, Advil 40-50 ct or PM 16-20 ct, Childrens 24 ct or 4 oz or infant drops $4.99 . Check Sundays paper for a $1 coupon