How My Coupon Stock Pile Turn Into Meals

I wanted to show you an amazing chart that my coupon class handed out a few weeks ago, and in turn how I use it now for making monthly meal planning from my coupon stock-pile. Some items, like the healthy/salad day will be spendier then other days, but it works out in the end. Especially if you watch for deals and know when you can use up a lot of produce items. Enjoy!

(the chart is somewhat difficult to read without the boxes around each section..if you'd like an email of this chart, just leave a comment and I'd be glad to send it off to you.)

Day/Category	Main Dish	Bread/Starch (Optional)	Veggies	Fruits
MONDAY
Mexican/Italian	Chicken Enchiladas	Corn Bread/Biscuits	Lettuce, Tomatoes, onion, Corn/steamed veggy or tomatoes	Peaches/Pears
	Burritos/Tacos
	Spaghetti
	Fettuccini Alfredo
	Lasagna
TUESDAY
Crockpot/Quick	Chili	Cornbread/Rolls	Peas&Carrots	Fruit Cocktail
	Pulled Pork
	Soup
	Tuna/Hamburger Helper
	Take & Bake Pizza
WEDNESDAY
Vegetarian/Fish	Bean Burritos & spanish rice	None/roasted potatoes	Steamed Veggies (broccoili, cauliflower, etc)	Fresh Fruit
	Frittatas/quiche
	Eggplant Parmasean
	Linguini & tomatoes in Olive Oil
	Baked Fish
THURSDAY
Salad/Healthy	Black Bean Salad	None/roasted potatoes/rice	Roasted Vegetables	Berries
	Taco Salad
	Grilled Chicken & Vegy
	Chef Salad
	Stir-Fry
FRIDAY
Round 2 Recipe/BBQ	Mac & Cheese & Hamburgers/hotdogs		Green Beans	Melon
	Chili Dogs
	Pulled Pork Sandwiches
	Nachos
	BBQ Chicken & corn on the cob
SATURDAY
Casserole	Chicken & Rice	Biscuits	In the casserole/Green Beans	Grapes/Apple Slices
	Tuna Casserole
	Baked Mac&Cheese
	Chicken & Green Bean Casserole
	Chicken & Noodle Casserole
SUNDAY
Nice/Family Favorites	Roast	French Bread/Rolls/Rice	Salad	Strawberries
	Meatballs
	Chicken Pot Pie
	Pork Chops
	Meatloaf

This week's Coupon Match-up Part 2

Albertson’s Match-ups are small without the doubler, but here’s my short list.

- Tully’s Ground coffee (ISC) - $4.99 + $1.50 = $3.49 (such a great price for a pound of coffee!)

- Kraft Salad Dressing $.88 each (ISC) – if you have a coupon you could stack this with the ISC and possibly get the dressing for free or close to!

- Tide Detergent 50oz Liquid/56 oz powder - $5.99 + $2 powder = $3.99

Catalina Deals: When buying qualify products you get a Catalina coupon for $$ off your next shopping trip!

- Huggies Jumbo Pack Diapers BUY 2 GET $5 CATALINA $9.99 each (2) + $3/1 (2) = $13.98 + $5 off next trip!

- Dannon Yogurt (Activia, Danimals, light & fit) BUY 2 GET $1 CATALINA 2/$4 – Stack with coupons you may have, I’m all out of my Dannon coupons, so I am not sure what else is out there to use.

- Dole Fruit Cups BUY 2 GET $1 CATALINA 2/$5 + $.50/2 = $4.50 (honeslty, these are a better deal at Winco – usually $2 each and with the coupon that would be a way better deal)

- General Mills Cereals/Betty Crocker fruit Snacks/Fiber one Bars or Brownies/Nature Valley Granola Bars BUY 4 GET $2 CATALINA 4/$10 ($2.50 each) – lots and lots of coupon possibilities here.

1. Better Crocker fruit snacks: $10/4 - $.50/2 (2) = $9+ $2 CATALINA
2. Fiber one Brownies: $10/4 - $.75/1 (4) = $7 + $2 CATALINA
3. Fiber one Bars: $10/4 - $.40/1 (4) = $8.40 + $2 CATALINA
4. Nature Valley Granola Bars: $10/4 - $.75/2 = $8.50 + $2 CATALINA
5. General Mills Cereal: $10/4 - $2/5 = $10.50 + $2 CATALINA (this coupon was a Catalina printout from Albertsons, use other General Mills Coupons if you have them for a better deal)

**I don't plan to cash in on any of the Catalina deals, but thought I'd share the scenarios with you**

This week's Coupon Match-up Part 1

Here are Fred Meyer & Safeway Match-ups...Albertson's isn't amazing this week, but they have some great Catlina deals, so I will post that later. My budget this week is $60!

Fred Meyer’s had some great coupons this week; here are my match-ups

- Kettle Chips 2/$5 + $1/1 (2) = $3 – the coupon I had was expired, so when I got there to put them in my cart they had a blinkie (device that gives out coupons next to the product) for the same coupon, so I still got my Kettle Chips!

- Country Style Pork ribs, bone-in: $1.88 lb/ family pack 3lb or more – I wasn’t sure if I wanted to get these, but I decided to get them since I did need some more meat options for our meals. = $6.41

- Tillamook Shredded Cheese (in-store-coupon/ISC) – 5/$5

- Fred Meyer brand Canned Tomatoes/Beans (ISC) 2/$1 (10) = $5 – I got all 10 cans of tomatoes, different varieties too.

- Dozen eggs or English muffins 4/$5 (ISC) – 3 dozen eggs and 1 package of English muffins = $5

- 4lb tube of Red Vines (ISC) - $4.99

Total: $29.40

Safeway also has some great deals going on, and due to their doubler policy I will be making 2 trips either to the same store or two separate stores in order to make all coupons work.

Trip #1: $16.24

- Sweet Corn 6/$2

- Kraft Mac & Cheese $.75 each (5) = $3.75

- Safeway brand paper towels (ISC) 6-8 rolls - $4.88

- Green Giant canned vegetables (ISC) $.69 each (5) = $3.45

- General Mills Cocoa Puffs Brownie $1.79 (ISC) + $.75 coupon + DOUBLE ($.50) = $.54 a box (4) = $2.16 I’m getting 4 of these because 4 is the maximum amount of doublers I can use and this is the only manufacture coupon I’m using.

Trip #2: $5.70

- Hamburger Helper $.99 each (ISC) + $.75/3 + DOUBLE ($.50) = $1.72/3 (this is with 1 coupon) + 3 more coupons DOUBLE = $5.16 I used 3 coupons only because the ISC states the price is only good on the first 10, and I’m getting 9 with my coupons.

- General Mills Cocoa Puffs Brownie $1.79 (ISC) + $.75 + DOUBLE ($.50) = $.54

My Coupon Haul

So, my Albertson's trip went slightly different then my plan, but I was able to adapt well and still get some great deals.

Store #1 -

Transaction #1: $6 – Savings $10.76/57% This transaction went off without any changes!!

- ***Buy 4 Get $2.00 Coupon for your next shopping trip + a FREE Gallon of Milk Coupon (up to $4.50 in value)*** General Mills Honey nut Cheerios $2.50 + $1/2 + DOUBLE = $3/2 (2) = $6

Transaction #2: $3.66 - $.52 (used $2 Catalina Coupon) – Savings - $7.60/68%

- S&W Beans $1.19 (black beans) + DOUBLE $1/2 S&W The Recipe Collection Beans (If this variety is included) = $0.19/1 (must buy 2 or more) (6) = $2.28

- S&W Beans $1.19 (black beans) + $1/2 S&W The Recipe Collection Beans (If this variety is included) = (must buy 2 or more) = $1.38

Transaction #3: $7.40 - $5.70 (used $2 Catalina coupon) – Savings - $17.10/72%

Mix & Match:

- Gulden’s Mustard 12 oz $0.79 + $.35/1 Gulden’s Spicy Brown mustard = $1.23 (2)

- Crystal Light 10-12 qt $2.99/$2.49 +DOUBLE $1/1 Crystal Light Drink = Final price: $.49 (1)

- Hunts Pasta Sauce $.79each (5) = $3.95

- Welch’s Grape Jelly - $1.49 + $.55/1 = $.94

- Act II popcorn - $.79

Actual Transaction:

- Gulden’s Mustard 12 oz $0.79 + $.35/1 Gulden’s Spicy Brown mustard = $1.23 (2)

- Crystal Light 10-12 qt $2.99/$2.49 +DOUBLE $1/1 Crystal Light Drink = Final price: $.49 (1)

- Hunts Pasta Sauce $.79each (5) = $3.95

- Welch’s Grape Jelly - $1.49 + $.55/1 = $.94

- Hunts BBQ - $.79

Store #2 -
Transaction #4: $4.75 – Savings $8.96/65% This transaction went off without any changes!!!

- ***Buy 4 Get $2.00 Coupon for your next shopping trip + a FREE Gallon of Milk Coupon (up to $4.50 in value)*** Fiber one Brownies $2.50 + $.75/1 + DOUBLE (3) = $4 (4) = $4.75

Transaction #5: $4.75 - $6.00 (used $4 Catalina Coupon)

*Planned to buy Nature Valley Thins, but sold out at both stores*

- (3 Doublers) Nature Valley Granola Bars or Thins $2.50 ***Buy 4 Get $2.00 Coupon for your next shopping trip + a FREE Gallon of Milk Coupon (up to $4.50 in value)*** + $.75/1 + DOUBLE = $1 each (4) = $4.75 + $2 Catalina & FREE Milk

- Pringles - $5/3 ($1.66) + $1/3 coupon (1) + DOUBLE (1) = $1 each (3) = $3 (with Catalina coupons I got these for free)

- Nature Valley Granola Bars $2.50/1 + $.75/2 + DOUBLE = $3.50/2 (4) = $7

Transaction #6: $3.98 - $7.99 (used $4 Catalina coupons) – Savings $21.03/72%

- Who Nu Cookies $2.50 + DOUBLE $1/1 = $0.50 each (2) = $1

- Ronzoni Pasta Healthy Harvest or Garden Delight 12-13.5 oz $1.00 + Double $.50/1 = FREE

- Mission soft tacos $.99 each (2) = $1.98

Actual Transaction:

- - Ronzoni Pasta Healthy Harvest or Garden Delight 12-13.5 oz $1.00 + Double $.50/1 = FREE

- Mission soft tacos $.99 each (2) = $1.98

- Pringles - $5/3 ($1.66) + $1/3 coupon (2) + DOUBLE (2) = $1 each (6) = $6

- Chicken breast - $1.99 lb = $3.11

Total: $30.54 - $30.96 ($.42 off) – Savings $88.06!!

If I had bought all of this without a savings card & coupons I would have spent $129.91

Albertson's Doubler Match-ups - LAST DAY

Here is a list of my scenarios for Albertson's Doubler coupons. I hope to post more about my couponing for those of you who need a little extra help figure out how to use those coupons. I by all means do NOT think I am the best at this and typically spend more then the real extreme couponers out there. I am new and just want to share my knowledge with you all.

Transaction #1: $3.98

- Who Nu Cookies $2.50 + DOUBLE $1/1 = $0.50 each (2) = $1

- Ronzoni Pasta Healthy Harvest or Garden Delight 12-13.5 oz $1.00 + Double $.50/1 = FREE

- Mission soft tacos $.99 each with in store coupon (2) = $1.98

Transaction #2: $7.40

Mix & Match: Buy 10 or more items on the mix & match list and save $5 instantly (no coupons) I usually need 1 items on this list each trip and then will coupon the rest of the items that I need. I'm only using 1 doubler on this transaction because I ran out of them and needed them more for the cereal purchase.

- Gulden’s Mustard 12 oz $0.79 + $.35/1 Gulden’s Spicy Brown mustard = $1.23 (2)

- Crystal Light 10-12 qt $2.99/$2.49 +DOUBLE $1/1 Crystal Light Drink = Final price: $.49 (1)

- Hunts Pasta Sauce $.79each (5) = $3.95

- Welch’s Grape Jelly - $1.49 + $.55/1 = $.94

- Act II popcorn - $.79

Transaction #3: $3.66

I broke up these two because the first is listed with the 3 doublers and then the 4th coupon does not get a doubler (can only use 3 per transaction).

- S&W Beans $1.19 (black beans) + DOUBLE $1/2 S&W The Recipe Collection Beans (If this variety is included) = $0.19/1 (must buy 2 or more) (6) = $2.28

- S&W Beans $1.19 (black beans) + $1/2 S&W The Recipe Collection Beans (If this variety is included) = (must buy 2 or more) = $1.38

Transaction #4: $4.75

- (3 Doublers) Nature Valley Granola Bars or Thins $2.50 ***Buy 4 Get $2.00 Coupon for your next shopping trip + a FREE Gallon of Milk Coupon (up to $4.50 in value)*** + $.75/1 + DOUBLE = $1 each (4) = $4.75 + $2 Catalina & FREE Milk

Transaction #5: $6

- ***Buy 4 Get $2.00 Coupon for your next shopping trip + a FREE Gallon of Milk Coupon (up to $4.50 in value)*** General Mills Honey nut Cheerios $2.50 + $1/2 + DOUBLE = $3/2 (2) = $6

Transaction #6: $4.75

- ***Buy 4 Get $2.00 Coupon for your next shopping trip + a FREE Gallon of Milk Coupon (up to $4.50 in value)*** Fiber one Brownies $2.50 + $.75/1 + DOUBLE (3) = $4 (4) = $4.75

Total: $30.54 + $6 off in coupons on next shopping trip & 3 gallons of free milk!

Couponing

Well, something I have yet to share on my blog is my new obsession with coupons. The past few months couponing has become a nation pastime, with women fighting over the last of stock-up items and newspapers being stolen from the neighbor's front porch. It's even gone so far that many of the stores are now rewriting their coupon policies, because too many people are out there getting free items and only spending pennies on the dollar for their groceries. Well, this is a pretty good description of my lifestyle these days. We no longer run to the store for something without a coupon or a deal or sale going on. We have a stockpile of essential food items in our home, and are to the point that we no longer go without any of our favorite foods (healthy and unhealthy). We do all of this without spending more then $300 a month on household items and groceries. This coming from the girl who was spending close to $600 - I have decreased our food budget by 50%!

This has become a passion and a responsibility as my role as a stay at home mom. Instead of going out into the work force my job is to save us money. My role is to care for our family in every which way, including our budget. So, if you haven't heard of extreme couponing yet, you probably don't have cable and haven't been to the grocery store lately. This way of life is about getting the biggest deal possible on every item you buy, creating a stockpile of food in your pantry and freezer, and never paying more then 50% discount on your items.

The biggest deals I've had as of lately include using a double store coupon to make the manufacture coupon twice as nice! I generally spend no more then $30 on a shopping trip to a store and always have over a 50% discount! This means I spend $30 for a trip that generally would cost over $60 without coupons. Sometimes it's even better then this - like only spending $5 for a bag of food that would cost $25 - that's a 75% savings!

It does take a lot of time and energy to get these deals, to understand the process, and to make it all work for your family. We, me especially, need to eat healthy foods that are lower in sodium, so processed foods aren't always great to have in the house. But, I don't buy these items as much as I save on bulk ground meat and roasts, chicken, fresh fruit during the summer, and great items to use for sack lunches and meals on the go. I even managed to get my husband off his habit of drinking 2 or 3 cans/cups of soda a day - because it was too expensive!

So, I will attempt to show off some of my latest deals on here, but I am in no way a professional couponer, and in turn do not guarantee that I am accurate in any way. I typically follow other blogs that tell me exactly how to use my coupons, and do not go off on my own yet.