Safeway Trip May 15th

I had the $5 CRT from last trip I needed to use so I tried to keep my cost as close to $5 as I could. There wasn’t much on sale and we are really stocked up so I just picked up a couple of items. Transaction 2 Doritos chips (Reg. $3.99, Sale $1.77) Mentos candy (Reg. $.79, Sale $.50 –these were a filler so I could get to $10 and get the strawberries) Hefty Bags (Reg. $4.19, Sale $2.49 - .50 Safeway @ - .55Q doubled to $1 = .99) Blackberries (Reg. $3.99, Sale .99) Strawberries (Reg. $3.99, Sale $2.50 – Free coupon = FREE) I used the $5 CRT. When she rang up my free strawberry coupon she gave me the regular price of $3.99. We didn’t realize it until the transaction was done so she said don’t worry about it. I paid 0 out of pocket and she actually paid me .32 to take my groceries home. The receipt says that is a savings of 102%. That is a first for me. Woohoo!!!

Fry's Trip May 15th

Looks like a slow shopping week at Fry’s. There isn’t much I needed and not much on sale so I just stopped by to get a few things. It was one of the quickest shopping trips I have had in a long time. Transaction 2 C&H Brown Sugar (Reg. $2.69 - .55/2Q doubled to $1/2 = $2.19 each) Fry’s Milk (Reg. $3.59, Sale $1.89) Electrasol Tabs (Reg. $5.69, Sale $2.99 - $2.50Q = $.49) 5 Kroger hash browns/fries (Reg. $2.69, Sale $.98) Fry’s Eggs (Reg. $2.19, Sale $1.19 – Free coupon = FREE) 3 Hunt’s Ketchup (Reg. $2.19, Sale $.98 - $1/2Q & .20Q doubled to .40 = 2@ .48 & 1@ .58) Kraft Dressing (Reg. $2.99, Sale $1.69 - $1.50Q = .19) 2 Bar-S Turkey dogs (Reg. $1.99, Sale $1.19 - $1/2 = .69 each) I ended up spending $14.77 and saving $29.07 which was 66%.

Target Trip May 9th

Target had a couple of great deals this week so I stopped by to see what I could find. We also needed coffee and a couple sodas to take with us to our picnic lunch. Transaction Dunkin Donuts Coffee (Reg. $7.49 - $1.50Q = $5.99) 2 Sodas (Reg. $1.39) Dog Treats ($.99) 2 Glade Candles (Sale $5.99- $4Q = $1.99, Earn $5 Target gift card when you buy 2) 4 Fiber One Toaster Pastries (Sale $1.79 - .50Q = $1.29, Earn $5 gift card when you buy 4) I spent $19.56 and earned $10 in Target gift cards to use later.

Yard Sale May 9th

I got up this morning and went to a couple of yard sales. I found a great one that had something the boys would love. Well actually that Trevor would love. I got this train for $10!! It was actually meant for Cole but I knew Trevor wouldn't stay off of it. He was so excited as soon as I walked in the door with one of the tracks.

I also got 2 baskets and a long sleeved shirt for .50 each. I had a great time and hope to get out to yard sales more often.

Safeway Trip May 8th

Safeway is having a couple sales going on right now. One is a juice promotion. Buy 5 participating juices get $5 off. With coupons that can make these .49 each. The other promotion is for ice cream. Buy 4 participating ice cream products and get a $5 CRT to use on your next trip. Transaction 2 Mott’s Apple Juice (Reg. $2.99, Sale $2.49, $1.49 after deal) Ocean Spray ruby Pomegranate (Reg. $4.29, Sale $2.99 - .55Q doubled to $1 – deal = .99) 2 Ocean Spray Cran Pomegranate (Reg. $4.29, Sale $2.99 - .55Q doubled to $1 – deal = .99) 4 V8 VFusion (Reg. $4.49, Sale $3.49 - $2Q – deal = .49) Capri Sun Sunrise (Reg. $3.29, Sale 2.49 - $1Q – deal = .49) 2 Betty Crocker Muffin Mix (Reg. $3.35, Sale $2 - .40Q doubled to .80 = $1.20) Bisquick (Reg. $4.19, Sale $3.49 - .60Q doubled to $1 = $2.49) Kraft Mayo (Reg. $4.29, Sale $2.50 - $1Q = $1.50) 5 Duncan Hines Brownie/Cake Mixes (Reg. $2.29, Sale B2G3F - .60/2Q doubled to $1/2 = $3.58/5) Safeway 18 ct Eggs (Reg. $2.39, Sale $2.29 - .80 Safeway Q = $1.49) 2 Drumstick/Eskimo Pie Ice Cream (Reg. $3.99, Sale $3 - $1/2Q = $2.50) 2 Haagan Daaz Ice Cream (Reg. $3.99, Sale $3.50 - $1/2Q = $3) 9 Corn On the Cob (Reg. $6.21, Sale $1.13) Grapes (Reg. $2.90, Sale $2.42) Strawberries (Reg. $3.99 – free coupon = FREE) I used my $10 CRT from the Living Well, Feeling Great promotion and paid $25.71 OOP and saved $72.28 which is 69%. I also earned a $5 CRT for my next shopping trip.

Fry's Trip May 8th

There wasn’t much on sale this week at Fry’s. I really need chicken which is on sale Buy One Get One Free but when I got to the store they were out. So I will be making a second trip to pick some up. Transaction 2 Fry’s Milk (Reg. $3.59, Sale $1.47) 2 Blue Bonnet Margarine (Reg. $1.49, Sale $.99) Daisy Cottage Cheese (Reg. $3.29, Sale $1.99 - .50Q doubled to $1 = .99) Yoplait Yogurt (Clearance $1.59 - .50Q doubled to $1 = .59) Danimal Yogurt Drink (Reg. $3.29, Sale $2.99 - .55Q = $2.44) Vitamin water (Reg. $1.59, Sale $1 - $1Q = FREE) 2 Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes (Reg. $5.19, Sale $1.97 - $1.50Q = .47) Bakery Coney Rolls (Managers Special $.99) Halls Cough Drops (Reg. $1.99 – free coupon = FREE) 3 Kroger Sugar Sprinkles (Clearance $.10) 2 Daisy Sour Cream (Reg. $1.89, Sale $1.25 - .50Q doubled to $1 = .25) I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter Sticks (Reg. $2.89, Sale $2.50 - $1Q = $1.50) Daisy Sour Cream (Reg. $3.99, Sale $1.99 - .50Q doubled to $1 = .99) 4 Bumble Bee Tuna (Reg. $1.69, Sale $.89) French Baguette (Reg. $1.50, Sale $1 - .50Q doubled to $1 = FREE) Corn Skewers (Reg. $1.99, Sale $1.59) Onions (Reg. $1.99, Sale $1.77) Dole Salad (Reg. $1.99, Sale $1 - $1Q = FREE) Potatoes (Reg. $3.99, Sale $2.67) Kroger Carrots (Reg. $1.69, Sale $1) Granny Smith Apples (Reg. $1.72, Sale $1.33) Lettuce (Reg. $1.29, Sale $1) Roma Tomatoes (Reg. $1.28, Sale $.86) Broccoli Crowns (Reg. $3.72, Sale $2.84) I got .25 off for bringing my own bags. I paid $30.72 and saved $41.38 which is 57%.

Safeway Trip May 1st

Safeway is still running the Living Well, Feeling Great promotion where you spend $30 on participating items and earn a $10 CRT to use on your next visit. After wandering around the store for awhile I found my $30 worth of items. I didn’t do as well as I hoped but bought stuff we need or use on a regular basis. Transaction 2 Doritos/Cheetos (Reg. $3.79, Sale $3) 2 Snuggle Fabric Softener (Reg. $5.29, Sale $3.99 - $1 = $2.99) Snuggle Dryer Sheets (Reg. $5.29, Sale $3.99 - $1 = $2.99) 3 Freezer Bags (Reg. $5.39, Sale $3.49 - $1/2 Q & .40 doubled to .80 = 2 @ $2.99 & 1 @ $2.69) Healthy Ones Lunch Meat (Reg. $3.99, Sale $3.50 - .75Q doubled to $1 = $2.50) Pork Chops (Reg. $18.08, Sale $4.85 – NOT part of deal) 3 ears of corn (Reg. $2.07, Sale $1.50 – NOT part of deal) I used the $10 CRT from my last deal and earned another one for this deal. I spent $24.30 and saved $41.27 which is 65%.

Fry's Trip May 1st

There wasn’t much I needed this week so I stopped by Fry’s to stock up on some Ortega products. Transaction 2 Welch’s Aqua Juice (Reg. $3.99 – B1G1 Q - $1.50Q = $2.49/2) Las Palamas enchilada Sauce (Reg. $2.89 - .50Q doubled to $1 = $1.89) Ortega Sauce (Reg. $2.69, Sale $1.80 - .75/2Q doubled to $1 = $1.80-other .50 posted on other Ortega item) Ortega Seasoning (Reg. $2.39 - .75/2Q doubled to $1 = $1.89 – other .50 posted on other Ortega item) 2 Ortega Salsa (Reg. $2.99, Sale $2 - .75/2 Q doubled to $1/2 = $1.50 each) Fry’s Tortilla chips (Reg. $1.59, Sale $1) 2 Mission Tortillas (Reg. $2.59, Sale $.99) Fry’s Instant Rice (Reg. $1.99, Sale $1.69) 2 Fry’s dozen Eggs (Reg. $2.19, Sale $1.50) Mahatma Rice (Reg. 2.79 - .50Q doubled to $1 = $1.79) Kroger Syrup (Reg. $2.89, Sale $2.19) 4 Farmland Sausage (Reg. $3.49, Sale 4/$5) Kroger Parm cheese (Reg. $2.79) Kroger chocolate Syrup (Reg. $1.99, Sale $1.49) Kroger Bread Crumbs (Reg. $1.99, Sale $1.69) Kroger Strawberry Syrup (Reg. $1.99, Sale $1.49) Ortega Jalapenos (Reg. $1.49, Sale $1 - .75/2Q doubled to $1/2 = .50- other .50 on other Ortega item) Ortega Salsa (Reg. $2.79, Sale $1.87 - .75/2Q doubled to $1/2 = $1.37 –other .50 posted on other Ortega item) Banana (Reg. $.32, Sale $.27) Fruit Roll Up (Reg. $.50) Yoplait Yogurt (Reg. $3.29, Sale $2.39 - .35Q doubled to .70 = $1.69) Strawberries (Reg. $3.99, Sale $.97 - .35Q = $.62) I spent $40.92 and saved $36.22 which is 46%. Not nearly as good as I would have liked but I guess you can’t win them all.

Baking Day-Strawberries

Strawberries were on sale this week so I got a couple of containers and tried some new recipes. Both were pretty tasty although I didn't like the Strawberry Butter that was listed with the muffins. It never set up right so was a weird consistancy.

Strawberry Coffee Cake Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 egg, beaten 1/2 cup milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 1/2-2 cups sliced fresh strawberries

Topping

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup brown sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon Few grates of fresh nutmeg 1/4 + 1 Tablespoon cup cold butter 1/4 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, add the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt; stir to mix. 2. In a second bowl, add the egg, milk and butter; stir to mix; add to dry ingredients and stir just until moistened. 3. Pour mixture into a greased 8-inch square baking dish. 4. Place strawberries evenly over the top of batter.

To make the topping:

1. Combine the flour, sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg in a bowl. 2. With a pastry blender, cut in the butter until consistency of coarse crumbs. Stir in pecans. 3. Sprinkle mixture evenly over the strawberries. 4. Bake at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until wooden pick comes out clean.

Strawberry Sweetheart Streusel Muffins Ingredients

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 2/3 cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 cup milk 1/2 cup butter, melted 2 eggs, beaten 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup fresh strawberries, chopped and tossed lightly in 2 tablespoons flour

Streusel

1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Strawberry Butter

1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup confectioners' sugar 1/2 cup chopped fresh strawberries 1/4 cup finely chopped toasted pecans

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. 2. Grease bottom and sides of 18 cup muffin tin/s 3. Mix together ingredients for streusel and set aside. 4. Mix together for the muffins the flour, sugar, and baking powder. 5. Separately, mix together the milk, melted butter, beaten eggs and vanilla. 6. Gently mix the wet ingredients into the flour mixture. 7. Fold in lightly floured chopped strawberries. 8. Pour mixture into prepared muffin tins and top with streusel mixture. 9. Bake at 375F for 25-30 minutes until toothpick comes out clean. 10. Allow muffins to cool for 10 minutes before trying to remove them from the pan (or they will stick). 11. Finish cooling muffins on a wire rack. 12. To make strawberry butter, mix together thoroughly the soft butter and powdered sugar. Fold in the strawberries and toasted pecans. Chill until needed and soften before serving on split muffins