Pre Baby Stock Up- BJ's Edition

Carnation Instant Breakfast $7.99 - $1.00 MC

Old El Paso Chicken Burrito Kit $6.99 - $5.00 Instant Savings

Bisquick $4.99

Country Crock $5.39 - .40 MC

90% Ground Beef $18.81 ($2.99/lb)

2 Starbucks Frappucino @ $13.99 each

Total: $65.75

BJ's- Sort of Over Budget but Oh Well...

Dole Fruit Cups in Juice $7.49 - .50 MC (16 pack of cups)

Land O' Lakes Milk $2.89

Carnation Instant Breakfast $7.99 - $1.00 MC (30 packets)

Berkley & Jensen Apple Juice $4.99 (2 pack 96 oz.)

Honey Buns $3.19 (for husband for work)

Eggo Nutri Grain Waffles $6.99 (equal to four regular boxes)

Wonka Mix Ups $9.99 - $3.00 BJ's Coupon and $1.40 MC (treat for husband)

Joy Dish Liquid $6.49 (90 oz.)

Starbucks Frappuccino $12.99 (12 bottles)

90% Ground Beef $16.89 ($2.99/lb)

Arnold Bread $2.99

Less $11.26 on a gift card I received as a gift

Total: $66.05

If I didn't have my daughter with me I would have most likely not gotten the apple juice (I don't

like my kids drinking too much juice) and the fruit cups but she really wanted them. I got the mixed fruit version of the cups so maybe they will get my kids to like different kinds of fruit other than strawberries, apples, pears and peaches.

I bought white bread, white I never buy, because for dinner tonight we are having shredded chicken and homemade gravy sandwiches and my husband does not like whole wheat bread.

We totally ran out of dish liquid yesterday due to my total lack of planning so I bit the bullet and bought a huge bottle today. I don;t think it was the best deal in the world but at least I have time now to stock on on better deals before it runs out.

BJ's- Stocking Up

Dole Peaches (16 cups) $7.49 - $2.00 BJ's Coupon

Vaseline Lotion 3 Pack $8.99 (20.3 oz. each) - $2.00 BJ's Coupon and $1.50 MC

Nesquick Powder $7.49 (48.7 oz.) - $2.00 BJ's Coupon and .50 MC

Bisquick Mix (80 oz.) $4.59

Carnation Instant Breakfast $7.99 (22 packets) - $1.00 MC

Wonka Mix Ups Candy (huge bag) $9.99 - $3.00 Instant Savings (treat for husband)

Berkley and Jenson Apple Juice 2 pack (96 oz. each) $5.29

90% Ground Beef $16.94 ($2.89/lb)

Total: $57.21

I think I did pretty good on this trip! The Nesquick and Wonka candy were treats for my husband but everything else was definitely needed and ended up being cheaper than what I would have paid at the grocery store or Target.

The Dole peaches (which are my daughter's new obsession so it's good they are packed in juice instead of syrup) ended up being $5.49 which is the equivalent of paying $1.37 a 4-pack.

The Vaseline Lotion ended up being $5.49 which is $1.83 a bottle for huge bottles of lotion. This is the only lotion my husband likes so it was a good deal to me.

The ground beef had no coupons but paying $2.89 a pound for 90% beef is way better than the grocery stores! BJ's also sells huge tubes of 90% ground beef for $2.39 a pound but I didn't feel like putting out $35 of my grocery budget for beef this week. I am sure my husband missed making comments about me lugging a huge tube of meat into the house...

The Nesquick ended up being about $5 for a huge container which I know is a good deal because the small packages at the grocery store are at least $2 to $3.

And as for the Carnation Instant Breakfast- I could care less how much I paid for this stuff because I would starve at breakfast time without it (somehow everyone else always gets fed and at 10 am I realize I haven't eaten a thing) but I do know that it is a better deal than elsewhere.

BJ's

Flavor Ice $7.49

Carnation Instant Breakfast (22 pack) $7.49

NutriGrain Eggos $6.99

5 lb Bag Pears $5.99 ($1.20/lb)

Honey Buns $2.59

Dole Peaches in Juice $7.49 ($1.87 per 4-pack)

Country Crock $5.39

6.12 lb 90% Ground Beef $17.69 ($2.89/lb)

Total: $61.12

I way overspent but I think having food in the house is more important than trying to stick to a ridiculous $50 a week budget.

BJ's- Welcome to Suburbia

Heinz Vinegar $3.29

Oxi Clean $16.99 - $2.00 MC and $4.00 BJ's Coupon

2 Finish Tabs @ $13.99 - (2) $1.00 MC and BOGO BJ's Coupon

Total: $27.71

Saved 43%

You know you are a true suburbanite when you shop at a warehouse club. How cliche.

BJ's

Bounty Basic $13.99 - $3.00 BJ's Coupon and $1.00 MC

Dino All Natural Nuggets $9.99 - $2.00 BJ's Coupon

Fresh Express Lettuce $4.79

2- 3 Pack Old El Paso Taco Kits @ $5.99 each - $5.00 BJ's Coupon

5.43 lb 85% Burger Patties $16.24

Hebrew National Hot Dogs 3 Pack $9.59 - $2.00 BJ's Coupon

Calise Bulkie Rolls $3.49

Arnold Hamburger Buns $3.49 - $1.00 BJ's Coupon

BJ's Hot Dog Buns $1.99

KC Masterpiece BBQ Sauce $5.99 - $1.50 BJ's Coupon and (2) $1.00 MC

Less $25 Gift Card (a gift for me from my mom)

Total: $39.54

Saved 52%

What a great trip to BJ's! I love their coupon books and what I love even better is when I combine their coupons with manufacturer coupons (though even with that their diaper prices are still way to expensive for me to buy).

 The paper towels were bought because they were a decent deal, we were running dangerously low on them and I didn't feel like having to scour the drugstores for a better deal. The taco kits ended up being $1.16 each after the BJ's coupon off of two- these are great for when I don't feel like cooking anything for dinner. The bbq sauce ended up being $1.25 each bottle which is awesome because those are huge bottles and it is the only bbq sauce that my husband will eat. And lastly, the Hebrew National hot dog ended up being about $2.50 for each pack which is way better than I have been able to do on those at the grocery store lately.

BJ's- Red Meat Edition

Arnold Whole Wheat Bread $2.99

5 lb Bag Pears $5.99

Eggo Wheat Waffles $6.99

6.07 lb 90% Ground Beef $18.15 ($2.99/lb)

5.67 lb Steak Tips $28.29 ($4.99/lb)

Total: $62.41

I have had a major aversion to chicken and pork lately so red meat is what has been keeping me alive. I was going to buy the huge tube of 90% ground beef for .30 less a pound but on the way to the store I realized that my cold bag was not big enough for a three foot tube so I just got a normal sized package.

The pears are an excellent deal at BJ's, especially considering they are my kids' favorite fruit At the grocery store they are $1.79/lb and at BJ's they come out to be $1.20/lb. The waffles ended up being cheaper that what I pay at other stores too- the big box I bought is equal to four normal boxes so I paid about $1.75 a box. The ground beef was cheaper than the grocery store and the steak tips were about $3/lb cheaper than the grocery store.

Shopping at BJ's can save you money as long as you are getting a better price than elsewhere and as long as you know you will use everything you buy.

Kid Free Shopping

My mom had the kids from 10 am to 3:30 pm today because I had a dentist's appointment and the kids wanted to have a "Mimi Day". That may seem like a lot of time but it really isn't- I went to BJ's and CVS after I dropped off the kids, went to my appointment at 12:30, ate lunch, ran to Rite Aid and then picked up the kids. My mom lives about 30 minutes from me and my dentist's office is in my town so I had to drive back for my appointment and then back to my mom's. Holy driving Batman!

BJ's

2 Boxes Rice Krispies (2 bags in each) @ $6.59 each - $4/2 BJ's coupon and $1/2 MC

BJ's Apple Juice $4.99 (I've been on an apple juice kick lately- much better than soda)

Finish Tabs 80 Count $11.99 - $3.50 BJ's coupon

2 Honey Buns @ $2.59 each (for husband so he won't buy donuts)

Pedigree 24 Pack Dog Food $15.99

Satin Care Shave Gel 3 Pack $5.99 - $1.00 MC (not pictured)

3 lb Bag Reduced Bananas .89 (will use for baking)

2 Bags Purina One Beyond Dog Food (3.5 lbs each) @ $5.99 each - (2) $2 instant rebate and (2) $3.00 MC

Total: $52.65

My family eats a lot of Rice Krispies. I tried buying healthy rice cereal but my son can tell the difference and my husband would not touch it with a ten foot pose. My daughter was tricked for awhile but she too, at the tender age of 21 months, has caught on the my shenanigans. Today I paid more than I would have liked to for cereal but at least I have enough to last a bit and I don't have to stress about trying to find a good deal.

CVS

Band Aids $4.89 - $4.89 MC (up to $5 off)

Neosporin $6.49 - $5.00 MC

Crest $3.49 - $1.00 MC

Less $3 ECB

Total: .98 which was put on a gift card I received from taking surveys

New Total: $0

Saved 100%

Received $8 ECB ($5 Band Aid/Neosporin and $3 Crest)

This transaction was so messed up due to the fact that the store I went to had the tags on the wrong toothpaste which looked almost exactly like the right toothpaste. The cashier ended up giving my $3 ECB but then I went back in again because she owed me the difference between the wrong and right toothpaste which was about $1.50. I usually don't make a stink about things like this but when I told her that my ECB didn't print she was a little rude when she was trying to figure out how to print them and blamed my coupons for the fact that she didn't know how to do her job. You should have seen her face when I went back in to get the money I was owed- she tried telling me that I told her I wanted to full price product when I specifically told her I wanted the product that was on sale. Whenever something has wrung up incorrectly or I have bought the wrong item it was never such an issue to get it corrected. And as someone who worked in retail I never huffed or puffed at any customers ever so I find it unacceptable for someone to be even slightly rude to customers. Rant over- on to Rite Aid...

Rite Aid

3 Dixie Products @ $1.97 each - $5/3 Video Values coupon

Little Fevers $3.99

Cadbury Egg .50

Less $5 +Up Rewards

Total: .40

Saved 96%

Rite Aid was wiped out of all of the freebies but how could I turn down .30 a package plates? We really don;t even use paper plates all that much but they are great to have on hand for cookouts and birthday parties during the summer. The Little Fevers was something we really needed- I ran out of fever reducer a long time ago and figured that having some on hand is a way better idea than having to run out in the middle of the night to get some.

I am shopped out.

BJ's

(don't mind my son in the right hand corner- he wanted to be in the picture)

Berkley & Jenson Trash Bags (200 count) $10.99

Healthy Helpings 24 Pack Applesauce $6.49

Arnold Whole Wheat Bread $2.69 (not shown)

Honey Maid Crackers 4 Pack $7.79 - $2.00 BJ's Coupon

Pedigree 24 Pack Wet Dog Food $15.99

(2) 12 Pack Trident Gum @ $8.49 each - $5/2 BJ's Coupon

5 lb Bag Pears $5.99

3 lb Bag Bananas $1.49

Richard Scarry Book $9.99

2 Pack Sesame Street Bath Books $3.49

Total: $77.42 with tax

Here is how my trip breaks down budget wise:

$10.99 goes towards my household budget (toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc.)

$34.50 goes towards my grocery budget

$15.99 goes towards my pet budget

The gum was a lot of money to put out at one time for me but it ends up being about 50 cents a pack which is way cheaper than what my husband pays when he buys a pack of gum at a gas station. It also saves me from having to try and find deals on gum because time is money.

The books were such an impulse buy but I have such a hard time saying no to buying my kids books. I really want them to love to read and I have visions in my head of their bookcases being packed full of books.

Is That A Huge Tube of Ground Beef or Are You Just Happy To See Me?

We ran to BJ's today and here is what we got:

13.43 lbs 90% Ground Beef $34.78

3 lb Bag Bananas $1.29 - Free Store Coupon ***free***

Hoodsie Cups $7.49 (My husband loves these)

Arnold Whole Wheat Bread $2.69

Mini Corn Breads @ $2.99 - Free Store Coupon ***free***

Total: $47.55

I totally blew my budget this week but we ran out of ground beef. I have decided that I will only buy 90% ground beef for regular cooking because the 80% is too fatty- I hate draining buckets of fat when I am cooking. I will still use 80% when cooking hamburgers in the summer time on the grill though- anything with a lower fat content makes non juicy burgers.

So far I have made four pounds of meatballs with my giant tube of meat (please, no jokes- I am sure my husband has said every one that exists to me). We ate some for dinner with some pasta and homemade breadsticks and the rest are in my freezer, waiting to be eaten on days where I am too lazy to put any effort into dinner (wait, isn't that everyday?). Tomorrow I will work on freezing the rest of the meat in 10 oz. portions with my trusty old Food Saver (when making recipes, instead of using a pound of beef I only use 10 oz.).

I really don't know how cost effective it is to make my own meatballs but I don't like buying the bagged frozen ones because they always have so much added junk and tons of added salt. I would rather end up paying a little more for food that I know is wholesome.

And can I just say that those free mini corn breads were free in price but each one of those babies is 200 calories! I have already eaten a few today because they are really good but holy crap. This is why ususally the only baked goods I have in the house are made from scratch- I am pretty lazy so I rarely make desserts therefore we only have baked treats once in awhile (and then I can't stuff my face with baked good yumminess all of the time).

Bj's- Stress Free Shopping and a Busted Up Birthday

Healthy Helpings Applesauce $6.49 (contains 24 -4oz. cups)

5 lb Bag Pears $5.99

Fresh Express Salad $2.49

5 lb Bag Potatoes $2.99

3 lb Bag Bananas $1.29

Hoodsie Cups $7.49 (contains 30 cups)

12 Pack Starbucks Frappuchino $13.99

Land O Lakes Milk $2.29 (great price!)

Arnold Whole Wheat Bread $2.69

1 lb Strawberries $3.99

8 Whole Chickens $19.26 (marked down to .49/lb!)

Total: 68.96

Holy crap about the chickens! 49 cents a pound for Perdue Whole Chickens is an awesome deal. We are going to eat one for dinner this week and the rest are in my chest freezer in the basement.

I am a little over my $65 budget but I really wanted to get my husband Hoodsie Cups. Yesterday was his birthday and it was a horrible day for him when he got home from work. My son was being such a terror- if you have ever seen The Exorcist you would know how he was acting. I would have actually preferred to be the priest in The Exorcist than to be home dealing with my son yesterday. To top things off my son decided to feed our fish even though we have explicitly told him to never, ever (ever, ever, ever) feed the fish because they could die. He decided to take it upon himself to dump half a bottle of food into the tank. My poor husband then spent the next two hours emptying and cleaning the tank- the whole time of which my son was terrorizing the household. Can I just say that timeouts are a bit of a joke when your child is having a monumental tantrum?

On top of all of that my in-laws always get my husband an ice cream cake on his birthday but for some reason they decided that they weren't going to this year (even though they got his brother one last month who is a complete leach on society who has nothing to contribute to anything). I know that my husband was hurt- heck, I felt hurt for him. If I knew that they weren't going to uphold the tradition then I would have went out and bought him an ice cream cake.

I did make him this cake earlier in the day of which my son decorated  but I never intended for it to be his main cake. It was just something thoughtful that my son wanted to do for his daddy. It is not edible considering that my son decided that not only did the M&Ms need to be on top of the frosting but that they needed to tunnel their way deep down into the cake. Even if we can't eat it it was a sweet gesture along with two cards my son made. The downside is that we didn't get to put candles in it and sing happy birthday because my son went to bed way early last night because he was tired and being cranky (another word for pain in the ass) and because I could not deal with him anymore.

So, in summary- my trip to BJ's was great because I got everything I needed for decent prices all in one store and my husband's birthday was a complete bust.

BJ's

This morning I realized that we had absolutely no dog food left. We also had no bread (the Arnold bread I bought with a coupon that I got for complaining about premature mold was moldy a day before it's sell by date) and no bananas. It is raining pretty bad here so I had to pick a store where I could get all of the above items so after much thought I decided on good old BJ's.

Honey Buns $2.59 (for my husband)

3 lb Bag Bananas $1.39 (awesome deal!)

2.61 lbs 85% Ground Beef $6.76

2 Pack 96 oz. Berkley and Jenson Apple Juice $3.89

2 Pack 64 oz. Welchs Grape Juice $6.39 - (2) .75 mc

Arnold Whole Wheat Bread $2.49 - $4.00 MC ***$1.51 Overage***

Carnation Instant Breakfast $7.49 - $1.50 BJs Coupon and $1.00 MC (my breakfast)

12 Pack Starbucks Frappuchinos $13.99 (husband will die without these, so he says...)

18 lb Bag Purina One Dog Food $17.99 - $2.00 MC

Total: $53.59

I thought the Welchs had an instant coupon and was $4.99 for the 2 pack but I most likely read the wrong sign. That is what I get for having two kids with me. I guess the overage from the bread makes up for it considering she was supposed to enter the actual price paid (I got the coupon for complaining to Arnold because their bread got moldy way before the sell by date). Plus, my husband loves grape juice and having it  means that he will drink less soda.

According to my spreadsheet, even after this expensive trip to BJ's I am still $6.69 under budget for the week in grocery spending. The dog food doesn't count- I don't really have a set budget for pets yet (just call me lazy because I haven't gotten around to it).