Safeway Trip: Milk and the buy 8 promo

$8.45 spent, $26.52 saved (76%)

PLUS, I got back a $3 catalina for buying 4 Kraft dressings, which is awesome because it leave me with a net cost of only $5.45 (almost $4 of which was the milk!). The buy 8 promo continues through next week, although prices may change on Wednesday. Here's what I bought (before price reflect $0.50 discount per participating buy 8 item):

• 4 Kraft Dressing* $1.49 (minus $0.55 q's) $0.94 each
• 2 bags Tostitos* $1.77 (minus $1 peelies) $0.77 each
• Yoplait Gogurt* $1.99 (used FREE item q) FREE
• O Organics Tofu* $0.99 (used $1 O Organics q) FREE
• Milk $1.99 each wyb2
• Uncle Ben's rice blend $2.45 (used FREE item q) FREE
• Tostitos Salsa $2 (use FREE salsa wyb 2 bags Tostitos tearpad, took off $2.50) -$0.50
• Bananas $0.67 (used $1 off produce wyb 2 Kraft Dressing tearpad) -$0.33

I also swung by Fred Meyer to grab about $2 worth of grapes and a free Sobe (found a free item q in the exchange basket).

We're back!

We had a very muddy but successful camping trip with the kiddos this weekend. We actually got in yesterday and took advantage of the FREE Papa John's pizza for dinner (there's nothing like a completely free pizza). I'm back to menu planning as of today, here's what I'm working on for this week:

• Monday: Hamburger with pork n beans, salad (w/lettuce from the garden!)
• Tuesday: Not sure yet, both boys have a doctor's appointment so I'm waiting to see how they do with that.
• Wednesday: Whole chicken with roasted veggies
• Thursday: Stir Fry w/leftover chicken, broccoli, and carrots on rice
• Friday: Black Beans and Brown Rice
• Saturday: Another not sure here, we'll be getting a couple of dogs for the week so my "maybe plans" of trying a new dish with the shrimp I picked up a bit ago might not go through...

I'm working on my grocery list at the moment as well, we're out of milk so I may need to make a quick trip to Safeway. I'm also hoping to swing by Albertsons tomorrow for some FREE Land o' Lakes spreadable butter (or else rainchecks on that- Thanks Queen Bee!). Fred Meyer would also be nice what with their cheap grapes, yogurt, and bagels (check The Coupon Project for a great matchup!).

Hot printable coupons and a few links

Today seems like a great day for high value printable coupons. Here are a few you might want to print now:

$0.70 off one Pillsbury Crescent Rolls

Buy one, get one free Sobe Lifewater

$1 off Cheez-It crackers- through Facebook, you'll need to like their page to print the coupon

You can also grab a free sample of Starbucks VIA from Walmart.

I've also seen a few great reads and other things to keep an eye on:

For The Mommas has the scoop and link you'll need to load the mystery "Cinderella" coupon on cellfire at 3pm (PST) today. We don't know what it is, but it'll be good at all Kroger affiliates- in the NW that means Fred Meyer and QFC.

Heather over at Queen Bee Coupons did an amazing job with her recent post comparing Coscto to coupon deals. It's well worth a look.

The Krazy Coupon Lady outlines how you can get FREE sparkling water next week at Safeway.

Last but not least, you can swing by Coupon Connections NW and take a peek ahead at what coupons to expect in this weekend's inserts.

FREE Papa John's for those in Western WA

EDIT: they've reached 750 fans and the code has been posted! Those of you in the Western WA/Seattle area might want to hop on over to the Papa John's Seattle Facebook page and become a fan. They're attempting to increase their fan base and will be offering fans a code good for a FREE large 1 topping pizza once they hit 750 "likers".

You can see which stores count as being part of the Seattle area here.

IHOP: Pancake Revolution (freebies!)

How about some free breakfast food? Right now, when you sign up for IHOP's Pancake Revolution- you'll start with a coupon for a FREE Rooty Tooty Fresh'n Fruity breakfast (or item of equal or lesser value). You'll also receive coupons for free meals in the future, one for your birthday and another for your 1 year anniversary with Pancake Revolution.

Thanks SD!

Safeway Trip: FREE Tofu

$5.24 spent, $21.03 saved (80%)

I decided to make a quick Safeway run tonight to take advantage of the "Buy 8, save $4" promo this week. We needed a couple more things for our upcoming camping trip and it was nice to see them included. Here's what I bought (original price listed includes $0.50 discount per item for buying as part of the promo):

• Safeway hot dog buns $0.50 (not part of the buy 8 promo)
• Cheerios $1.49 (minus ecoupon and half a $1/2 GM cereal) $0.44
• Trix $1.49 (minus ecoupons and half the GM q) -$0.11
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch $1.99 (minus ecoupon and half a GM q) $0.94
• Lucky Charms $1.99 (minus ecoupon and half a GM q) $0.94
• Hefty bowls $1.00
• O Organics Extra Firm Tofu $0.99 (minus $1 O Organics q) FREE
• Kraft Cheesy Explosion $0.75 (used FREE item q, took off the full $1.25) -$0.50
• Ballpark Angus franks $2.49 (minus $0.55 q) $1.94

The cereal didn't work out to be as cheap as I like, but they're some of the husband's favorites and will give him a nice break from the massive amounts of Post brand cereal he's been eating. Likewise, the hotdogs weren't super cheap but it's the brand I like and the husband really wanted some for the trip. The $1/2 General Mills cereal coupons came from the recent Shrek booklet (no longer in stores). Even if you don't buy it as part of the 8, the Tofu is only $1.49 or $0.49 after the O Organics coupon. This is not something I usually buy (I'm planning ahead for my vegan sister's visit in a few months) but it seems like a great price, especially since it's usually $2.49. That alone nets you an 80% savings!

One important thing to keep in mind when planning your trip is that you don't need to buy in sets of 8. As long as you have 8 or more items in one transaction, you'll get the $0.50 discount per item. Frugal Living NW has a really great matchup posted for this deal. Likewise, the Krazy Coupon Lady has an easy scenario using a combination of ecoupons and printable coupons that will net you 8 items for less than $5! Even if you don't follow that plan exactly, it's a great starting point for an easy deal.

Online sweeps worth playing

I know I haven't been doing TONS of posts lately, but we've been a little busier than usual around here. Today, I wanted to share a few online instant win games that are pretty win-able (is that a word?). You'll want to check them out, and if you win something, I'd love to hear about it!

Pace: FREE jar (up to $4): With 1 in 20 odds, and the ability to win up to 5 times- this is a good one to play daily. You can use it on any of their products, it's not just for salsa. It does require a code, but they have free code available as well so don't let that deter you. (I've won 3 times already)

BIC Soleil: 100 Days of Sunshine: It has some silly prizes (and some really nice ones), but almost everything comes as a pair so you can share with a friend.

Safeway Dairy Adventure: You have a chance to win gift cards (always awesome) or fun summer items. You don't actually have to play the weird dairy dunk game, there's a "skip game" button to watch for.

Dove Glee for All: You can spin the wheel 3 times daily for a chance to win free haircare products or Glee related prizes. I won a haircare product after trying for about a week.

Are there any other instant win games you're playing? I'd love to hear about them!