Tops Trip and Rite Aid Trip 8/8

We ran to Rite Aid (the new one in Horseheads -it is really nice and the associates are very friendly) and then to Tops to get some much needed food. Last week, money was pretty tight so we needed to get quite a bit this week. I also want to run to Aldi's later this week and get rolls and fresh fruit. Here's what we bought.

Rite Aid Trip 8/8

• Venus Spa Breeze Razor. Regular price $9.99, on sale for $7. Used $2 coupon and there is a $5 rebate so this will end up being FREE AFTER REBATE
• Garnier Fructis shampoo. Regular price $4.19, on sale for $2.99. Used $1 coupon and there is a $2 rebate so this ends up being FREE AFTER REBATE
• 4 1-liters of Crest Pro-Health Rinse. Regular price $6.49 each, on sale for $5 each. Used 4 $1 coupons and there is a rebate for $10 when you buy 4. This brings the price down to 4/$6 after rebate

Original Total: $42.53
Amount Saved: $34.14
Total Paid: $8.39 (saved 80.3%)

Tops Trip 8/8

• 6 2-liters of Diet Pepsi. On sale for $1 each + deposit .05 each (.48)
  
• 6 4-packs of Hunts snack packs. On sale for $1 each. Used two internet coupons for $1 off 1 4-pack and another coupon for a free 4-pack when you buy 3. So, these ended up being 6/$3
• Quaker rice cakes on sale for $1.50. Used $.50 off 1, which doubled to $1, making these $.50
• Kellogg's Strawberry Mini Wheats -on sale for $2.50. Used $.75 coupon (from back of regular Mini Wheats box) which doubled to $1.50, making these $1
• Kellogg's Fruit Loops on sale for $1.99.
• 2 bags of single size M&Ms. On sale for $.50 each. Used 2 Free chocolate Friday coupons to make these FREE
• Wishbone salad dressing $2. Used $1 off 1 internet coupon to make it $1.
  
• 4 packets of Knorr Rice sides on sale for $1 each. Used two $.60 off 2 coupons, which doubled to $1.20 off 2, making these $.40 each
• 2 jars of Skippy peanut butter $2 each. Used coupon for $1 off 2, making these 2/$3
• 2 boxes of Tops instant oatmeal (need to check at Aldi's and see if they have them again) on sale for $2 each.
  
• Jiffy popcorn $1.47
• flip flops for my daughter's birthday on sale for $3.
• 2 boxes of Playtex gloves on sale for $1.50 each. Used two $1 off coupons to make these $.50 each
• 8 ears of cob $2
• 3 pounds of potatoes $3.99
• 2 pouches of Margerita pepperoni slices on sale for $2 each. Used two $.75 off 1 coupons, which doubled to $1.50 each, making these $.50 each
• 4 1/2 gallons of Turkey Hill iced tea on sale for $1.50 each. Used two $1.00 of two coupons, making these $1 each
• Tops gallon of skim milk $1.69
• Boneless Skinless Chicken breast $1.88 a pound = $8.27
  
• 80% ground beef $1.99 a pound = $9.89

Original Amount: $113.33
Amount saved: $57.13
Total paid: $56.96
Grocery Challenge Amount: $52.68

I am working on this week's Tops deals tonight. As you may be able to tell, some of the items I got on sale are on this week's sales and some are last week's. I guess this is one of the perks to going shopping on a Saturday evening. I will post the deals as soon as I can.

School Clothes on a Budget

With the start of a new school approaching, you may be concerned with how you will pay for clothing for your kid(s). Keep a list of what you have and what you still need. Keeping this list in your purse or wallet will ensure that you don't end up with 20 t-shirts and only 3 pairs of pants. Here are some tips to help you save money during this expensive time of the year.

Shop Throughout the Year.

This is really the most economical way to shop for your kids' clothes and what I try to do. If you can buy clothing for the next year when it is on clearance you will save a lot of money. The best times to buy clothing on clearance is in August/September for summer clothing and January to March for winter clothing. I buy the next size up and the clothes usually fit the kids fine the next year. For the little ones, my maximum price for clearance clothing is $3 a piece, although once in a great while I will find an awesome outfit I just love, especially for my daughter, and will splurge a little, but I still get it for a significant savings. For my older son I look for jeans for less than $15 (though I often find them from $5-$10) tshirts for $5 or less and long-sleeved shirts for $10 or less. As of right now, I have enough pairs of pants and tshirts for him to start the new school year. I may have to buy him a few long-sleeved shirts but will watch for sales and coupons to do that.

Sign up for Stores' Newsletters and Emails.

By signing up with the stores, you will get coupons and ads in your inbox and sometimes your mailbox. I am signed up with several companies and I get coupons several times a week in my email and at least once a week in my mailbox. Many times I do not use them, but it's nice to have them in case I need to buy school clothes for the kids or new work clothes. Several times a year I receive a $10 off $10 coupon from JCPenney and other department stores. I, of course, make sure I use these coupons and keep the price as close to $10 as possible. I usually use this as an opportunity to buy something nice for myself, which I so seldom do.

Watch for Sales and Coupons in Weekly Ads.

Each week, the Sunday paper has weekly ads for store sales. If you need certain things, take advantage of the sales and get them then. Why pay full price for anything? With school starting soon, there will be lots of deals on school supplies and clothes. Just have patience and wait for the good sales.

Rummage Sales and Thrift Stores.

Sometimes you can find high-end clothing for yourself and your kids second-hand, sometimes even with tags still attached. Look for rummage sales in nice areas or when communities have area yard sales. Most kids will not even know the difference between the new and used.

Don't Forget about Craig's List, Ebay.

Check out Ebay to find both used and new clothing for your kids. You can even find high end clothing on there. Craig's List is awesome because you can buy a bunch of clothes cheap and you don't have to dig though the clothes like you would at a rummage sale. I have gotten bags of clothes for the kids for around $20 each bag. You're also keeping money in your local community by buying from your neighbors.

Use Rebates and MyPoints.

Sometimes you will find rebates or rewards for products you buy. Make sure you send in all pertinent information and do it as soon as you can, that way you do not forget to do it. Keep copies of everything you send in, along with the date sent and company information. This will help in case you do not get your refund and need to get a hold of the company. MyPoints is awesome if you do shopping online. You get a certain amount of points for every dollar you spend at participating sites. When you reach a certain amount of points, you can cash them in for gift certificates to restaurants or stores. You can get points by shopping at Barnes and Nobles, Target, and Amazon, among many others.

I hope this helps you save money this school year. If you have any other ideas on how to save money on buying clothes at this time of year, please leave them in my comments.