My Shoppers Drugmart Trip

Last week I shared my shopping list with you for Shoppers Drugmart, including the sales I planned to hit and coupons I planned to use. Now its time to see how I did! I admit I did have some last minute changes and went over budget a bit but I'm pretty happy about my haul. Here's how it breaks down:

• Duracell Mini Charger SALE $6.99-$5 coupon from here
• Royale Bathroom Tissue SALE $4.79-$1 coupon from here
• Breton Crackers SALE $1.99-$1 coupon (sorry can't remember from where)
• 2xTostitos Chips $6.00
• Tostitos Salsa $3.00-$3.00 (FREE when you buy 2 tostitos chips)
• Playtex Bottle Liners $7.99 (not part of the original list)
• 3xNutrigrain bars SALE $1.99each (buy two boxes get a third free from here, coupon no longer available)
• Kelloggs Eggos $1.99-75cent coupon from Smuckers booklet (got a raincheck for more since this was the last box)
• Pot of Gold Chocolates SALE $3.99-75cent coupon from here (coupon no longer available)
• 2xUncle Ben's Rice SALE 99cents each
• Milupa Baby Cereal SALE $2.99 (not on the original list)
• 2XListerine White SALE $4.99-2x$5 coupons from tearpads (or you could print one from here)

Total paid out of pocket including taxes: $39.08
Total Saved: $48.27
Optimum points earned: 520

Let's Go Shopping: Shoppers Drug Mart

Each Friday (maybe Saturday morning if we've been busy) I will post one of my shopping lists for the week. Tip #1: Always shop with a list AND a budget! It takes some practice but definately cuts down on impulse purchases. That is not to say that I'm not flexible since things like Manager's Specials aren't typically advertised in flyers and there are often great clearance deals and other unadvertised items. I work with two lists my need this week list, comprised of items from the flyer matched with my available coupons and my will need sometime soon list (so if I see a great deal on that item I know to grab it). Eventually I would like to "take you shopping" with me for my entire grocery/household list but for now we will start small, with one store and this week it is Shoppers Drug Mart where I will be shopping either Sunday or Monday since I'm after some of the two day only items. Here's what my list looks like (please note it does include some Christmas gift items):

• Eggos - On SALE for $1.99-75cent coupon from Smuckers Coupon booklet
• Pot of Gold Chocolates- On SALE Sun/Mon for $3.99-75cent coupon from websaver (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
• Royale Toilet Paper 24 rolls- On SALE Sun/Mon for $4.79-$1 coupon from here
• 2xDuracell Mini Chargers- On SALE Sun/Mon for $6.99each-2x$5.00 coupon from here
• 3xNutrigrain Bars- $1.99each (Use coupon for FREE box when you buy 2 Coupon No Longer Available)
• 2xTostitos Chips- $6.00
• Tostitos Salsa-FREE when you buy 2 Tostitos
• Breton Crackers- On SALE for $1.99-$1 coupon (not sure where I found this one, sorry)

I expect to spend AFTER coupons  $23.22+tax. Check back next week to see how I did! What's on your list this week?

How it all began...

I have always been a bit of a deal hunter. I guess its just in my blood. While pregnant with my second child in February of 2011 my fiesty little fella decided to move and sit on a nerve in my back. Working one day, no more working the next. I could barely sit let alone walk so I resounded myself to the fact that I was now on an early maternity leave (baby #2 arrived April 14th so I had a ways to go). I wouldn't say that I began to panic, but having always contributed to the household income and now with my pre-maternity leave planning being thrown for a curve ball I thought "what can I do that will yield immediate results?" I figured if I wasn't making any money than I could at least try and SAVE some by shaving a few dollars off of the grocery bill, hey, even if it was only $5 a week its still something. Thanks to a couple of awesome couponing friends and some online research I was on my way. I am proud to say that I just recently achieved my goal of saving $1000 this year! Not bad for a beginner. Once I started learning about all of the great coupons, free samples, loyalty reward programs and other great offers that are out there I was hooked and started sharing my finds and tips on my craft blog Kawartha Beads. There has been such a fabulous response that I decided to start Kawartha Bargains so that all of this wonderful information had a home of its own and so that you could join me in my goal for 2012....to save $5000! This amount will include not just groceries, toiletries, household items and baby care but also gifts (birthdays, Christmas, etc) and some of the household items that arise (towels, cooking items, etc). To further my savings I also plan to expand my cooking skills (menu planning has been a fantastic side benefit of shopping with coupons/flyers) such as learning more batch and freezer cooking skills and other tips for stretching those dollars. Does that mean that we have to go without? Not a chance! By stretching those dollars further if we want to go and treat ourselves to a beautiful steak right from the butcher or dinner out at a restaurant then no problem! And best of all, it means I can stay home with my kids and THAT is absolutely priceless!!!! 

Welcome to Kawartha Bargains!

Welcome to Kawartha Bargains! Whether you are looking to save a couple of bucks or a whole pile of money I hope to bring you useful tools and resources to accomplish your goal.

What you can expect to find at Kawartha Bargains:

• Canadian coupon information
• freebie finds
• daily deals
• ways to make money online
• information about loyalty reward programs
• frugal living and other money saving ideas

I am still learning new things every day and am by no means an expert yet, but I hope you will join me on my journey in stretching those hard earned dollars!