Grocery Spending for May 2015

Happy June all! Well, it's that time again. Time for a monthly report on grocery spending in our house. The grand tally came to $363.64. All those groceries are pictured above.(you can click on the pictures to make them larger) As you can see there are a lot of cleaning products and bbq sauce. Combining coupons and money saving apps these were all money makers. So, that means some of my grocery spending this month has been covered by this! In case you are interested here's a breakdown by store spending.

Walmart made $128.44 profit

Rona made $54.15 profit

Independent $26.40

Quality Greens $7.96

IGA $4.34

Cooper's $16.60

Costco $110.83

Save On $73.75

Safeway $36.60(got 162 AM which will equal $17.05 cash)

Superstore $114.16

Shoppers $155.59(cashed in $100 worth of points and made 97885 points this month, which will be worth $206.07 in groceries)

 June's spending will probably be higher as we have another adult, gluten free, dairy free eater living with us from now on. Being accountable by having to post this is quite motivating so I hope I can keep the costs down.As you can see I have some cashable points stocked up which I could use at Safeway or Shoppers to stretch my budget further. Want to see what's on sale and where daily? Follow me on Instagram where I post much more regularly. @savingyourhardearnedmoney

Update Your Shoppers Profile and Get 6000 Points! Hurry ends Tomorrow!

Shoppers has been sending out promo codes on a regular basis. This time there are 2 different ones. Start with the 4000 point one first. Go to Shoppers here . There is a drop down promo that comes up right away click on the promo code 4141. This will prompt you to sign in with the Shoppers Optimum card number and password. Once you do that enter the promo code 4141 at the top where indicated. Update your info and submit. Do this before tomorrow, June 27, and you will get 4000 points added to your account July 11. 
 Do all these steps again this time entering promo code 1585 and you will get 2000 points added Aug 4. How much is 6000 points worth? Well if you wait until a 95000 points =$220 promo, these points are worth $13.89! Not bad for 5 minutes work!

A Year of Shoppers

Shoppers has a redeem your points and get points back today(yesterday also). If you have at least 50000 points you can redeem. There are two levels 50000 and 95000 that are eligible. If you cash in 50000 points for $85 worth of free stuff you get 15000 points returned to you on Dec 25. If you cash in 95000 points for $170 worth of stuff you get 30000 points returned to you. This is the best possible time to cash in it used to be they had mega redemptions where you could get $250 worth of stuff for 95000 points, but not anymore. The best level is $210 for 95000, which they usually do first week of December or end of November. Getting $210 worth of stuff for 95000 points makes your points worth $2.21/ point. Cashing in 95000 for $170 and getting 30000 back means that 65000 points equals $170 and that makes your points worth $2.61/point!

They had the spend 95000 get 30000 points back on July 31 of this year. This was my redemption. You have to pay taxes so the total here was $179.85-$170-$3(CH51)=$6.85 for all of this!
I earned 270 points on this shop plus the 30000 that was added later.

This photo and the one below are the redemptions I did November 30th. It was the spend 95000 get $210 promo.
My total was $218.48-$210-$3 CH51=$15.48 for all of this!
I earned 110 points.

This shop I spent $210.34-$207.08(I screwed up and didn't calculate in the tax!)-$5 CH51=I made $1.74 to buy all of this!
I earned 150 points.

Final redemption of the year was yesterday. I used my last 95000 points for $170 worth of groceries. My grand total was $183.20-$170-$2 CH51=$11.20 I paid to buy all of this! I earned 3040 points and will get 30000 back Christmas day.
The total points I cashed in this year
95000X4=380000
I got back 63,570 doing those shops, so I spent a total of 316,430 points and got $799.71 worth of groceries which I paid out of pocket $31.79(12 % tax)!
How much did I spend at Shoppers to get these points? A grand total for the year of $454.53!(this includes the taxes on the redemptions)
How did I get so many points you ask? Here's some things to do.
1. Buy Shoppers gift cards to pay for your items. You get points to buy Shoppers gift cards.(10 points for every dollar)
2. Even better buy your Shoppers gift cards with the Shoppers Optimum Mastercard, you get even more points.(15000 for signing up, 15 points for every dollar spent in Shoppers)
3. Even better buy your gift cards in November when they offer 8000 points for every $150 worth of gift cards.
4. Buy only on extra points days 20X points etc.
5. Use Mail in Rebates
6. Use coupons
7. Use Checkout 51, Snap Save and Cart Smart
8. Use the Shoppers coupons they email you.
9. Watch the till. Several times I got free items because of  SCOP.(scanning code of practice)
Right now this is one of the best points programs out there. It will be interesting to see what happens now that they have been bought out! Do you use Shoppers points?

This Week's Sales

This Week's Sales 
 Superstore 12-18 The gas deal is on again! 
 Spend $100-$250 and get 10-35 cents/liter off your gas.
 Must buy your groceries Apr 12-18 and your gas by Apr 24.
Coupons are on the front of the flyer or in store.

Pork Chops Frz Bone in rib center or sirloin center $1.78/lb
20Lbs Potatoes $4.88
Hot House Tomatoes .87/lb
Ice berg lettuce .96 each
NN English Muffins 6s $1
NN Beans or Chick peas 540ml .78 limit 2
NN Yogurt Plain 1Kg $2.48  limit 2
NN Beans 398ml .66  limit 2
NN Pasta 900g .98 limit 2
NN Cottage Cheese 1Kg $4.98  limit 2
NN Jam, Jelly, or Marmalade 1L $3.98  limit 2
Kraft Dinner Smart .99(Checkout 51 .50 cash back)
Cauliflower $1.69
Ham Picnic Smoked .98/lb!
Ragu $1 limit 1
Green Onions, Cilantro, Parsley .50

Walmart
Beef Steak Tomatoes .88/lb
English Cucumbers .88
Ragu $1
Green Onions, Cilantro, Parsley .50
Spinach $1

Shoppers
Eggs $2.29 limit 2

Sun-Mon only
Paper Towels Life 8s $1.99  limit 4
Always Pads $2.99  limit 4

London Drugs
Chunk Light tuna 170 g .79

Save On 

Pork Sirloin End Roast $1/lb This is what it looks like. The are $2-$5 sizes. Save On limits 2 per customer. Our Coopers had the same deal, but you could have as many as you want. Great! Deal!

Coupon in flyer for Schneider's All Beef Wieners B1G1, turns out these are $5.99 for one, so $3 each
(Checkout 51 has $2 off any Schneider's wieners or sausages)
Country Harvest Bread is $2.50 there are coupons in store for .75 off
20 lbs potatoes $4.99
Cauliflower $1.69
      

This Week's Sales

This Saturday is 20X the points at Shoppers Drug Mart. There are some good  Saturday only deals! Life Brand Facial Tissues 2-3ply with 6 boxes for $2.99...that's .50/box!limit 4
 Kraft Peanut butter is $3.99 for 750g-1Kg(there are $1 off coupons)limit 4
Christie Crackers are $1.69 limit 4
Ruffles or Cheetos are 2/$4 limit 4
Life brand mouthwash 1L $1.99
Colgate Optic Toothpaste 85-170ml $1.99(there are $1 off coupons)
Five Alive or Fruitopia 1.75L $1.49 limit 4
Royale Mega 9 or 12 rolls $5.88 limit 4(there are $2 off coupons)this is an ok deal with the coupon, not super.
All week
Everyday Market Eggs $2.29 limit 2(there are B2get $1 off coupons) also if you buy Tostitos and 2 dozen eggs there are coupons for $1.50 off, not sure if you can combine this.
There is a MIR below, that you could combine with 20X.

Save On Foods 1-7
Pork Picnic hams are .99/lb

Cooper's 1-7
Pork Picnic hams are .99/lb
10Lbs Navel Oranges $3.99!!!!

Safeway is having customer appreciation day on Tues Feb 5
Feb1-3
Wonder bread is 2/$4(there is a coupon for $2 WYB2)!
Lucerne Ice cream 1.89L 2/$5
These are just a few that looked like a good deal
Feb 1-7
boneless skinless chicken breasts $2.99/lb

Walmart 1-7
lemons .33
3lb onions or carrots $1.47
mushrooms 8oz $1

Extra Foods is having Family Appreciation Days Feb 4-5
Spend $25 get 10% off
          $50 get  12%off
         $100 get 15% off
NN Cheese Bars 800g $7.97(Superstore)
Cantaloupe $1.96(Superstore)
Mangoes 9lb case $7.98(Superstore)
20lb red or russet potatoes $4.88(Superstore)
Grape Tomatoes 2/$3(Superstore)
Chunky soup 540ml $1.48 limit 8(Superstore)
Country Harvest bread 2/$5(Superstore)
NN english muffins .98 limit 4(Superstore)
Cashews 908g $10.98 limit 2(Superstore)
Superstore has buy $250 get a $25 gift card

PEPSICO MIR Spend $20 get $20 in free product coupons


Participating products must be purchased between December 23, 2012 and February 18, 2013 and must all be purchased at the same time and in the same transaction to be eligible for the Coupon Booklet Offer. ALLOW 
6-8 WEEKS AFTER February 28, 2013 for delivery of Coupon Booklet by mail. Limit one (1) Coupon Booklet per address or household.
How to Get a $20 Coupon Booklet back by mail:
1. Purchase any combination of the following products for a total of $20 or more (before taxes) at participating retailers across Canada: Lay’s* potato chips, Doritos* tortilla chips, Tostitos* tortilla chips, Ruffles* potato chips 
(180g – 420g/any flavour), Tostitos* or Ruffles* salsa/dips (394mL – 645mL/425g – 432g/any flavour/variety), Pepsi*, Mountain Dew*, Mug*, 7UP*, Dr Pepper**, Crush**, Schweppes** soft drinks, Brisk
®
 beverages, Gatorade* 
and G2* beverages (any size/variety/flavour).
2. Enclose the original itemized store-identified cash register receipt dated between December 23, 2012 and February 18, 2013 with the purchase price of each participating product circled. All products must be purchased in 
the same transaction to be eligible for the offer.
3. Complete this official mail-in coupon offer with your full name, address (including city, province and postal code) and phone number.
4. Mail all of the above (with sufficient postage), postmarked by February 28, 2013 to: PEPSI/TOSTITOS $20 Super Bowl Coupon Booklet Offer, P.O. Box 12848, Saint John, New Brunswick, E2L 5E7.
INQUIRIES: Call 1-866-220-5534 to leave a message for a Customer Service representative or email pepsico-rebates@dhltd.com. Please allow 5 weeks for us to receive and process your form before checking your status.

Shoppers Credit Card Changes and Bonus Points

It seems Shoppers Drug Mart has changed their credit card from a MBNA Mastercard to a RBC Mastercard. If you had the old one, mine is pink, you should receive a new one to replace it from RBC. I received mine yesterday.
 The paper work with it says Activate Jan 25, 2013 to continue earning Shoppers Optimum points.
 Use your RBC card before May 31, 2013 and receive 2500 Shoppers Optimum points. At a bonus redemption those points are worth $5.53 At a mega they'd be worth $6.58.
You earn 15 Shoppers Optimum points for every $1 spent using the card at Shoppers, plus 10 extra/ $1 if you use your Shoppers Optimum card. This is the same as it was with the old card.
In order to make this card worth using here's some tips:
1. Pay it off every month(for sure, otherwise it's not worth it!)
2. Keep a close eye on what you spend. Research shows that with a credit card we spend on average 12-15% more than we would normally!
3.Use it to buy Shoppers gift cards and then use them when you buy things at Shoppers. You get your points from using your credit card and then you get points again when you buy products at Shoppers.Try and do it on 20X or other bonus point days.
4. Buy  the above mentioned gift cards in November, when you can buy $150 in gift cards and get a bonus 8000 points for doing so.
Last year I earned 24,468 in Shoppers Optimum points just by using my credit card alone.(This does not include my points earned in store). At a Bonus redemption this would be worth $54.09. At a Mega, $64.39. I really only use it to buy Shoppers and other(Home Depot)gift cards for the amounts we would be spending at those merchants any ways.For the last few years we have been able to go Christmas shopping in the beginning of December with our points and it really helps.
 

Spend Your Points Event At Shoppers

This weekend, Dec 1 and 2, at Shoppers they are having a spend your points event. Last year the points were worth more, but here's the levels for this year.
 95000 points = $210 
50000 points = $105 
38000 points = $70 
What are you buying? I am going to get lots of groceries!

Lysol No Touch MIR

The new Smart Source was in our free paper today(it is available all over Canada).

Inside are lots of coupons as well as this MIR. Just buy one Lysol No Touch Hand Soap System, between Oct 13 and Jan 11, 2013.
Fill out the official refund form, attach your original receipt with the purchase circled and the UPC handwritten on the receipt. Lysol will send you up to $14.99 to cover the cost of the product plus taxes and postage! Last year they had this offer and I sent in my purchase of $14.99(plus tax). 10 weeks later I got a check for $17.38. 
Sent mine in this year on Oct 22. On Dec 23 got a check for $15.16.
This is a great one to hang on and do on a Shoppers 20X the points day. You would now be down to spending $35 and would get at least 10000 points which is worth $26 at a Mega Redemption. Oh, and by the way, I heard that Dec 1-2 will be a Mega Redemption at Shoppers!!!
95000 points will be worth $250!
What are you saving up for????

The back of the Smart Source flyer....mmmmm.

20X the Points at Shoppers

Today is 20X the points day at Shoppers. I have had people ask me what I buy. Well, here's an example.
First, I bought a gift card with my Shoppers Optimum Mastercard, I pay it off every month. I got a $100 gift card and I received 1000 points. It is not shown on my receipt as I did that separately. Using my Shoppers Mastercard gets me 15X the dollar value spent so another 1500 points. So, together buying a gift card with my Mastercard made me 2500 in points, worth $6.58 at a Mega redemption.
The milk is on for $4.49, I need that any ways. The Sun chips are for the beach and 2/$4 is a good price. The Duracell chargers come with a charger and 2 batteries. They are on for $7.99, I had $5 off coupons from Brandsaver. The Vim was on for $1.99, I had a $1 off coupon from an insert. The Degree were on for $1.99 I had $1 off coupons from an insert. The Motrin was on for $5.99 I had a $3 off coupon they mailed me with a sample. The glade candles were the insert coupon spend $15 get $10 off. So, all together I had $26 in coupons.
My total before tax was $33.59.(As you can see you can spend less than $50 after coupons).
I got 11600 points for this. These points are worth $30.53 at a Mega Redemption. Add in the 2500($6.58) from above and the total is 14100 or $38.11. So, for all of this I will get all my money spent back (not counting taxes) on a Mega Redemption Day, plus an extra $4.52. Do you play this fun game?

Cheap Gas and Toothpaste with Toothbrush!

Superstore has a special offer this weekend of .10/litre in Gas bucks. I used the coupon from last week and was able to get .25/litre. My bill was $100.72, I got .15/litre for the coupon and .10/litre for using my PC MasterCard so my total after discounts was $80.72....THEN I got $8 back in Gas bucks! $28 for one fill! Not bad, especially when our gas is 125.9/litre!

Did the 20X the points and thought I better pass on this deal! At Shoppers these 130ml toothpaste with  toothbrush are $1.99. There are $1 off coupons for any Total Colgate, so these are .99!!!!!

Shoppers 20X the Points

It's 20X the points this Saturday at Shoppers and this week is not bad for deals so I thought I would  present some possible deals. Christie crackers are $1.88 with a limit of 4.  There are these coupons for  save .75 WYB2. Making them $1.51 each.

Campbell's Soup .49(limit 4)  with a coupon of B4YG$1 so 4 soups for .24 each!!!!!!!!

Sorry, I was writing and taking pictures in full sun...... Dempster's bread $2.79 less $1WYB2 making them $2.29 each.

.79 limit 4... the coupon is for $1 WYB4
after limit price is $1.29

Kashi cereal is $3.99 and there is a $2 off coupon for one box of toasted cinnamon crisp making if $1.99.

The Kashi snack crackers are $2.99 and this is a coupon for $3 WYB2 . Making them $1.49 each.

The Colgate Optic White is $1.99 and there are $1 off coupons.

Lever 2000 is $2.99 and there is a $1 off coupon. 

Physician's formula is 40% OFF and there are the MIRs.

Paper Towels are on sale for $1.99 for 8 rolls limit 4. Tostitos and Doritos Chips are 2/$5 limit 4. Sun Chips and Ruffles are $1.99 each limit 4. Milk is $4.49 for the 4L jug.

I don't for see any problems reaching the $50 for the 20X the points this time around. Using worz.ca my total without tax is $59.98 and my points are 15800.  What about you?????
.

Deals around Town

I thought I'd share some of the deals I found today. I stopped in at Shoppers to buy one Gillette  product as there is a coupon for 3000 points. You can find it here .You don't see my Gillette product pictured as I left it at the store(it's been one of those days) they are holding it for me. So, for a $3.49 purchase, I got 3000 points. 3000 points on a Mega redemption day are worth $7.89! The Orchard Park Mall Shoppers seems to always have great clearance in the food section. I needed whip cream for tomorrow and these small ones had $2 off coupons each. The regular price is $3.49, so with $2 off it's was $1.49. 1L at Costco $3.15, so this was a bit more savings. The Activia yogurt(8X100g) was $4.99 with a $2 off store coupon and I had a $1 off coupon, making it $1.99.

These yummy Europe's Best veggies are on for $2.99(at Shoppers), and there are these recent coupons for $2 off make these .99! By the way, rumour has it there is a 20X the points event this Saturday.

I used the coupon from the Entertainment book I got for $5 . It lets you buy 3 breads at McGavins discount bakery from the  discount  section, they are $1.49, each and get 3 free! All this bread was $4.47!!! There are 2 other coupons for McGavins bakery good for 2 free discount breads. So, so far my $5 book has saved me $2.98, $2.98, $4.47 in free bread, so $10.43!

Thanks to Jenelle and Jacob over at  Extreme Coupon Canada(you can see their video here)
I was brave and did some coupon stacking at Save On Foods. The Orchard Plaza Save On Foods  does coupon stacking, but not price matching. They are similar to Safeway in that if something is 2/$7 you can just buy one for $3.50. So, I had a $1.50 and a $1 off coupon(they had different bar codes) and I got this Hidden Valley Ranch dressing, which was $3.50. I  took it to the till and I must admit I was a bit nervous...the teller acted like it happens all the time and gave me my dressing for $1!

Costco has the frozen fruit salad 2.25kg for $6.99.

Dark Chocolate Acai & Blueberry are also on sale at Costco for $7.19 for 850g.  This is just dangerous for me! These are sooooo good! So, now I must justify why I needed to buy them. Well, it was a great deal does that count???? Let me justify further by showing you what a great deal it was! At Costco's price, $7.19 for 850g, they are $8.46/Kg.
The picture below is at Shoppers where they are $3.99 for 200g making them $19.95/Kg!!!! So, I am feeling quite justified in my purchase(beside the fact my husband says he NEEDS these)!

These are the same Acai Blueberries, "on sale",  at Shoppers for $3.99. The bag is 200g.

200g bag

Did you get your free magazine? If not you can by filling out this form. There are lots of recipes inside as well as coupons.

This Week's Sales

It was great to meet all of the participants at Parenting with Pizzazz Conference today! I enjoyed talking with you, thanks for being so kind and receptive! :)
Costco
Had to get hubby some of his favorite cheese! It's on until Sunday,April 1.

Safeway Mar 30- Apr 5
Safeway is having 10% off Tues. April 3
Grade A turkeys .99/lb(under 7kg limit 1, offer ends Apr 8)
Pineapples $1.99


The email direct coupons are here



Here's a couple that would be great to combine with 10% off day.

Coopers and Save On foods April 1-7
Do you have a whack of points? Redeem 6000 and get a free whole Schneider's dinner ham!
Pineapples $1.99(Save on only)
Yams .49/lb
Ham bone in $1.69/lb
Grapes $169/lb(Coopers only)


Extra Foods is having customer appreciation days again.
Get 10-15% off when you spend $25-$100 Mon-Tues
Superstore March 30-Apr 5
Spend $250 get $25 gift card
Pineapple $1.96(Extra Foods as well)
Marg $2.97 limit 4(Extra Foods)
Country Harvest Bread 2/$4.78(Extra Foods)
NN soups .44(Extra Foods)
Sweet Potatoes .46/lb(Extra Foods)
Brussels sprouts .96/lb(Extra Foods)


Shoppers Drug Mart March 31-April 6
Eggs $2.29

Walmart March 31-Apr 6
Armstrong Cheese 750g $6.97(not the lowest price)
Celery .77
Romaine, Green Leaf or Red Leaf Lettuce .77
GV Bacon $3.48
Ocean Jewel Shrimp 71-90 740g $8