This was one of those weeks where there were so many different ways to save, that creativity definitely came in to play. Although there were no double coupons like the old days, it just goes to show show you there are a ton of different ways you can save on your grocery bill.
Amazon Grocery – FREE
I redeemed some of my Swagbucks for an Amazon gift card and went shopping in Amazon’s Grocery Department. If you want to learn about Swagbucks, head on over HERE.
Fred Meyer $6.72
My neighbor Hulda and I got together and did some canning last week and my contribution was canning jars, lids, pickling salt, spices and peppers. I had originally stopped by Safeway to get my peppers for $0.50 each but they were all sold out. They suggested I get a rain check but I needed the peppers for the next day so I went to Fred Meyer and asked if they would price match. It was the first time I think I have ever asked Fred Meyer to price match another store and much to my surprise, they said yes.
The cashier did say that the decision was up to each store manager, but I thought it was pretty cool.
Office Depot – $1.99
What do you do with you old ink cartridges? I hope you don’t just toss them in the trash because Office Depot {and a lot of other stores} have recycling programs and some of them will even give you a store credit when you recycle them.
I’ve been taking our empty ink cartridges to the Office Depot for a couple of years now and each time I turn one in I earn a $2 credit with their office rewards program {you can recycle as many as 10 a month}. Then each quarter, they mail you a voucher and you can pretty much spend it on anything in the store. There wasn’t anything I really needed, so I picked up some K-Cups for the HH. We don’t have a food tax so I only had to pay $1.99. Not to shabby for 18 cups of Joe if you ask me.
Albertsons $5.40
Albertsons had a gift card promotion going on, buy $100 in specific gift cards and get a coupon good for $20 worth of free groceries so I went ahead and picked up for gift cards for Father’s Day that I was planning on purchasing anyway.
The only down side to the $20 gift card coupon is that you cannot use it on liquid dairy products so I did have to pay for the milk. If I could have bought milk I think I would have stocked up and used the whole $20 so I could stock up and freeze milk for this summer.
QFC – $2.00
QFC has a buy 4 save $4 deal going on right now where you can score cream cheese for only $1 a block. Plus there is also a $0.50/1 Philadelphia Cream Cheese printable coupon available too. Use 4 coupons and get 2 pounds of cream cheese for only $2. Weeeee!
Omaha Steaks – FREE
The HH received a Father’s Day box with Omaha Steaks, bacon and beef jerky from his parents. Saweet! The Girl Who Thinks She’s a Bird claimed the bacon as soon as the box was opened. 🙂
I LOVE free produce!! Seriously, who needs to BUY food when you can grow it, or get it for free? Life is good!
How did you do this past week?
Total Spent This Week $16.11
Total Spent This Year $1,041.68
Total Spent This Year on Garden Seeds/Supplies $893.99 {I bought a Meyer Lemon Tree, Rhubarb crowns, 6 Fruit Trees , 16 yards of soil}, Walla Walla Onions and 90 pounds of seed potatoes. Plus, supplies to make my own potting soil. I also picked up a boatload of heirloom tomato plants at the Seattle Tilth sale.
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Jen Haley says
Hi,
I am wondering how your awesome and inspiring methods of procuring food for your family would work if you were to avoid GMOs entirely (or eat at as much organic as possible)?
Thank you for your reply,
Jen
Val says
Have you met someone who actually has a $100/m food budget, for a family and not just a single person (which is also hard)? I have. Lots. They struggle to eat healthier than ramen with frozen peas and maybe store brand Mac and cheese from a box. Potatoes from the food bank are a luxury. They don’t have a garden because they live in an apartment they might share with way too many other people. They may well have had a deprived upbringing and were never taught how to cook anything beyond ramen. Corn Pops are a freakin’ luxury because they can’t afford milk for the cereal. Good luck eating organic if you actually have a below poverty line food budget for your family.
Shirley Kelly says
Amen, Val!! I live on Soc. Sec. only and I eat as much organic as I can afford. I’m a child of the 1930’s depression so I know how to cook and stretch a chicken for several meals. We do what we can. I keep learning from you young women!
Shirley Kelly says
See my reply posted earlier!
Shirley Kelly says
Jen, see my response earlier.
Kathy says
Well, I did pretty darn good this past week Mavis but I forgot to take pictures of it to prove it! A half dozen ear of corn, 2 pounds carrots, 10 pounds all purpose potatoes, 3.8 pound cabbage, broccoli slaw mix (YUM!) and 2 pounds of onions…FREE! I have a Mr. Produce Guy that decided to let me have some of the unsold produce that the store composts. It was all good for human consumption! I will admit that a friend of mine does bogo’s on meat and she always gives me the extra one, so I got a 3 pound roast, bulk country sausage and some beef wieners free. Spent $1.98 on 10# russet potatoes (my house loves potatoes in any way, shape or form). Out of my sister’s garden, arugula and spinach for pesto…had to help her weed and harvest lavender. My baking supplies (flour, sugar, brown sugar, powder sugar and 3 dozen eggs) free (don’t ask but was legal!). spent $1.98! Saving the rest to hit the Farmer’s Market this coming weekend. This was the best week EVER for me, grocery wise.
Mavis says
Wahoooo! Hooray for the best week ever. 😉 Keep up the good work Kathy.
Kathy says
Thanks Mavis, I try. It’s sometimes hard feeding a family of 4 like this but it is do-able!
Sakura says
I’m always amazed at what you pick up from Mr. Produce Guy. I’m still looking for one, but here they put the produce out for sale for $1 a bunch or bag. Let us know if you like the Omaha Steaks. I have some Discover Card reward points to use and Omaha Steaks is one of them we can choose from. Great score on the groceries!
Stephanie says
Hey Mavis – Do you happen to know what gift cards are included in the Fathers Day deal?? And is it over or going through tomorrow? I looked at the ad online but didnt see anything. Thanks!
Stephanie says
P.S. I think its wonderful that Mavis shares more than ONE way to save on the grocery bill whether it be by having your own garden and lots of your own cooking/canning, etc or shopping for more “processed” items that can be purchased with gift cards and coupons! I am not able to have a garden in my condo, but I do love following this blog for her other deals and all the AMAZING recipes she posts. If it wasnt for her blog I would have never tried to make my own jellies with a canner and now I cant go back to the store stuff!
suzanne says
Canned peppers? Ooh, so hope that makes it into the blog. Love those Albie gift card promos. You’ve taught me to think outside the box. Thank you!
Susan says
QFC has Finish 20-ct. dishwashing detergent on sale for $2.99 (after $1 discount) in their Buy 4 – Get $4 off instantly sale.
There is a $2.15 coupon in Sunday’s (6/16 ) insert. = .84 a box!
Mavis says
Oh, I think I’ll go grab some. Thanks! 🙂
Michele says
Is that gift card deal still on? I pulled up their latest online ad and didn’t see it in there. I picked up three sets of gift cards in the last deal you mentioned and it was a steal considering I was going to buy from those particular stores anyway!
Mavis says
🙁 June 15th was the last day. Sorry.
Kari says
Mavis I love your shopping trips. I have 3 teenagers…they eat everything including corn pops. I wish people could keep their judgments to themselves. Seriously I read these comments and am disappointed. My kids will continue to love vegetables and enjoy our chickens fresh eggs. They will also drink soda, eat ice cream, and GMO laced sugary cereal. They will survive this ridiculous food frenzy the same way I survived red M&M’s. Most of all my kids won’t criticize the choices of others. Please continue to post how you save money not all of us are judging.
CathyB says
Love it! Are you starting to get worried about not going over? I won’t care if you do, I still love all your posts, I just know that the last two years you were freaked out about making your goal.
Mavis says
HA! I highly doubt I’ll make it this year. 🙂 I am not going to stress about it either. 🙂
D'Anna says
I think, if my math was right, I spent .20 on 6 Till. Yogurt at Albie’s (1 B1G1 + 1 $1 off 4 w/ the in store Q) which was the best deal I had. Target is becoming a favorite of mine, they clearance the craziest things for cheap! Last weekend I scored a bunch of paper plates, storage bags and Reynolds foil from clearance, which will be great for the 4th when we host a family shindig, along w/ those Hawaiian Punch gallon size new flavor that had a coupon last month (paid .84) and was pleased to have coupons for all of it.
The spouse was wanting to grill beef for Father’s Day so all frugality went out the window at Safeway on an $18 pack of cow that he grilled half and froze half. I have a deal with the son’s and spouse that on B-day’s and special occasions they get to pick their dinner and can have things even if Mom doesn’t have a coupon for it.
Carolyn says
To Sakura: My brother sent Omaha Steaks wrapped in bacon for Christmas, which came in a styrofoam box. Also included potato/cheese puffs that were yummy. Everything frozen solid. It was all delicious, but not especially generous portions.
debra says
Just wondering if you ever consider the lack of antioxidants in all that old produce that is about to be discarded. I know it’s a waste of food, but it’s also probably about as nutritious as a piece of cardboard when it’s that old. I shop grocery outlets but I rarely partake of the produce there because it’s old and what’s the point other than filling your stomach.