HAHA..YES, I went to Walgreens too!!  I also noticed today that my Register Rewards from THIS shopping trip were about to expire.  One thing I forgot to mention is that RR (register rewards) are only good for 2 WEEKS from the time you receive them.

• You can't have more coupons than items.  Since my Diapers, make-up, and razors already had coupons applied to them, I had to add (4) "FILLER" items to use these Register Rewards.  I bought (4) $.39 Taffy's (sorry I ate them on the way home).  

So I had no intentions of going out today, but forgot about an appointment that I had booked.  So excited that I did though had such an awesome day couponing (and I hope you will too).  My destination happened to be right beside a Target so of course you KNOW I just had to swing in.  Well, there was a little bit of planning involved. Purex Complete Crystals were on sale reportedly for $2.99.  I called ahead to make sure, and got SO excited when they said YES!  I bought some a few weeks ago at Walgreens and they are awesome and smell so good (highly recommend), and have been saving my coupons up for this perfect sale (I believe they are on price cut until 4/17).  I then asked the manager how many they had in stock he said they had "plenty" (I knew I wanted 10).  When I told him I wanted 10 he said, "Oh well, I'll pull a case for you from the back."  Yeah, for a awesome manager.  One aspect that is important on this transition to "extreme couponer" is being respectful of clearing shelves and keeping enough stock out there for the normal shoppers.  So yes, I advocate "special ordering" or calling ahead for items you know you will be stockpiling.  I also went searching through my binder and didn't realize that a lot of great coupons were expiring today :(

• So PRIOR to using any coupons I used the "$5 Giftcard when you spend $75 or more."  I was handed the giftcard.
• I then handed over my coupons and payment. 

• $3 Huggies Printable Coupon – Good on the Boxed Diapers
• $2 Walgreens Coupon from Infant Care Book
• $2 Walgreens Coupon from April Coupon Book

UPDATE: The register updates have occurred with our local stores. You are no longer able to use an E-Coupon and a Paper Coupon. If a E Coupon has been applied the register will prompt the cashier if you try to redeem a paper coupon as well. The match ups will show the option of using a paper or an E-Coupon but not both. 

• E Coupons are considered a Manufacturer Coupon
• If you have an e-coupon on your card it will automatically be applied. You do not have a option to use a higher value paper coupon if you have already downloaded an e-coupon. 
• The cashier is not able to remove an E Coupon
• E- Coupons do not double
• E-Coupons can be managed and removed that are downloaded from the Kroger.com and P&G website by accessing your Kroger Digital Coupons Account.
• Cellfire Coupons and Shortcuts Coupons  coupons can not be removed from your card once they are added.

How to maximize your coupon options

• Only download coupons as you plan to use them
• Get a 2nd Kroger Card that you only use for E-Coupons Transactions, and use the other card for Paper Coupon Transactions (you could have a 2nd card under a spouses name)
• Ask customer service to specially ring up an item with the card price without using the “card” so that you could use your paper coupon.

SPECIAL DEAL: April 1st from from 3-8pm You can recieve a FREE bag of Lays All Natural Chips (2.5-3oz).

	Yoplait Greek Style Yogurt Cups $1 Use $30/1 Printable HERE(dbls) or Use $.60/2 Coupon (3/27 SS) Final Price= as low as $.40 each

	Banquet Frozen Dinners $.98 Use $1/5 Printable HERE Final Price= $.78 each wyb 5

	Post or Quaker Cereals Select Varieties $1.99 Use $1/1 Honey Bunch’s of Oats Coupon (2/27 SS) or Use $1/1 Quaker Oatmeal Squares Coupon (1/30 RP) Final Price= as low as $.99

	Colgate Total Toothpaste of Toothbrush $2.50 Use $1.50/1 Total Coupon (3/27 SS) or Use $1/1 Toothbrush Coupon (3/27 SS) Final Price= as low as $1

	Pop Tarts 8 pack $1.67 Use $1/2 Coupon (2/6 RP) Final Price= $1.17 each wyb 2

	Ball Park Hot Dogs $1.88 Use $.75/2 Coupon (3/27 RP) Final Price= $1.51 each wyb 2

	Jello pudding or Gelatin $2.48 Use $.75/1 Kroger Digital Coupons Final Price= $1.73

	Lays Potato Chips $2.48 Use $.55/1 Coupon (3/13 SS) Final Price= $1.93

	Tropicana Orange Juice $2.49 Use $1/2 Coupon (3/6 RP) Final Price= $1.99 each wyb 2

	Driscoll’s  Starwberries $2.50Use $.50/1 Printable  HERE (must sign up) Final Price= $2

	Ball Park Angus Dogs $3.49 Use $.55/1 Coupon (3/27 RP) Final Price= $2.94

	Johnsonville Bratwurst or Italian Sausage $3.99 Use $.55/1 Printable HERE Final Price= $3.44

	Dove Body Wash or 6 Pack Bars $5.25 Use $1/1 Coupon (3/27 RP) Final Price= $4.25

	California Pizza Kitchen Pizza $4.77Use $1.25/1 Calif. Printable Coupon HERE (facebook) or Use $1/1 Calif. Coupon (2/20 RP) or Use $.75/1 Kroger Digital Coupons or Use $.50/1 DiGiorno April All You Magazine (dbls) Final Price = as low as $4.63

	Schick Intuition Razor $7.99 Use $3/1 Printable HERE(facebook) or Use $2/1 Coupon (2/1 SS) Final Price= as low as $4.99

	Coke Products 24 Pack $6 Buy (2) and Save $1 instantly Final Price= $5.50 each wyb 2

Baby Catalina Deal: Buy $25 of participating products and get a $5 Catalina off of your next in store purchase! Final Price does not reflect the Catalina savings.

	Pampers Wip[es Refills 180-216 Count $5.99 Use $.50/1 Coupon (2/27 PG) (dbls) or Use $1/1 Kroger Digital Coupons Final Price= $4.99

	Pediasure Nutrition Shakes 6 pack $9.69 Use $3/1 Printable HERE or Use $2/1 Coupon (2/27 RP) or Use $2/1 Kroger Digital Coupons  Final Price= as low as $6.69

	Pampers Diapers or Easy Ups Jumbo Packs $8.99 Use $2/1 Coupon (2/27 PG) or Use $2/1 Kroger Digital Coupons Final Price= as low as $6.99

	Luvs Diapers Mega Pack $9.99 Use $1/1 Kroger Digital Coupons Final Price= $8.99

	Similac Infant Formula $21 Use $5/1 Coupon (2/27 SS) Final Price= $16 (stack this with a $5 Formula Check for even greater savings, learn more HERE)

	Working the Deal:Buy (1) Similac Formula $21 Use $5/1 Coupon (2/27 SS) Use $5 Similac Formula Check Buy (1) Pampers Wipes $5.99 Use $.50/1 Coupon (2/27 PG) (dbls) Final Price= $10.99 for Formula and Wipes after the Catalina Savings!

I wanted to do a separate  post about a great deal on the Walgreens brand diapers, which get excellent reviews (although I have never tried them).

Buy (5)  Walgreens Diapers $5.99 ea.
use $2/1 W Brand Diapers Jumbo Pack (2844) Infant Care Book (Takes off $10) (found instore)
Pay $19.95
Get Back $10 Mail In Rebate
$1.99 each after rebate and coupons

This topic came up the other night in the Live chat session and I realized that it was a great topic to blog about.  This is one of the most challenging areas of my life.  I am busy, hungry, and just want something NOW.  My New Year's resolution was to be more official about meal planning so I signed up on the website E-mealz.  It is an awesome meal planning website that let's you pick what type of diet you eat (I chose the 2 person Weight Watchers plan). It even lets you pick what store you mainly shop at, and gives you a weekly meal plan based on store sales.  The average shopping trip on the E-mealz is around $50.00 per week.  The service costs $1.25 a week which for me is worth it.  I love to try new foods, but I will be the first to admit I am not a great chef, so this makes it really easy for me to prepare and have ready for when my family gets home.  I unfortunately have also been slacking lately, but am getting back on track this week :)  My sample meal plan for the week is below.  Yes, there are foods I will substitute, this usually just acts like a "guide" for me.  Most menus are kid friendly.

MEAL PLAN WEEK OF 3/27

This is my usual routine:

1. I print my meal plan.
2. I walk through the kitchen and check out what items I have on hand.  Do I *need* to use something up this week that I can substitute an ingredient for?  
3. I look at Kroger's sales.  If there are large meat items (roast, pork chops, etc) that I don't have on hand I wait until Thursday to purchase those (when my store does the manager markdowns).  You can read my post about manager markdowns HERE.
4. I shop... with Coupons of course!

Since the cold weather is back this week I am making this soup today in the crockpot and will eat for a few lunches this week.

Roasted Red Pepper and Sweet Corn Soup:

1. Combine 4 cups soup, 1 1/2 cups corn kernels, 1 can diced tomatoes, and 2 Tbsp pesto in a large sauce pan.
2. Cover and bring to just boiling.
3. Reduce heat and simmer 3 mins.
4. Ladle into bowl and top with dollop of yogurt.

I would LOVE to hear any tips on meal planning, or recipes you'd love to share!

Since I won't be going out shopping this week, yes I know it's a shock, but after looking though the ads I can't think of anything we need!  Yah, for a growing stockpile. Anyway, I thought I'd post a few of the store deals from this week that were my "top picks."  Any questions feel free to message/email me!


Walgreens *thanks to Christie at Wild for Wags

Smart Ones Classic Favorites $1.80 
$4.00/10 Printable Coupon 
You Pay= $14.00 
$5.00 Target Gift Card when you buy 10 Smart Ones