My Best Trip EVER

Normally I do not blog about my shopping trips, but today was such an exceptional trip, I had to. I have to start out by saying I love Publix (where shopping truly is a pleasure) and their BOGO's and I love Southern Savers because she always helps save me money. So here's what I got:

• 4 gallons of Sweet Tea (BOGO)
• 2 peaches @ 1.99 lb
• 1 Red onion
• 2 Fresh Express Triple Hearts (BOGO)
• 1 Bolthouse Farms Green Goodness (large)
• 1 Naked Juice
• Sliced Cantaloupe
• 1/4 watermelon
• 1lb green beans
• 2 Bertolli pasta sauce (BOGO)
• 2 Bush's Baked Beans (BOGO)
• 3 Ritz Crackerfull's - total after coupons on these were $3, yup $1 a box
• 10 Goldfish (10/$10) - total after coupons $6.35 yup, 3 free
• 4 Duncan Hines Brownie Mix (BOGO) - only paid for 1 box after coupons
• 2 Sweet Baby Rays BBQ Sauce (BOGO)
• 2 Lawry's 30 Minute Marinade (BOGO)
• 4 Kraft Salad Dressing (BOGO) - after coupons only paid for 1 bottle
• 1 Hillshire Farm Lite Smoked Sausage - bonus because there was a 55 cent off peelie
• 1 Johnsonville Sausage
  
• 6 boxes Aunt Jemima Waffles (BOGO)- after coupons paid $2.19 for all 6
  
• 6 Banquet Dinners (10/$10)
• 2 boxes Quaker Granola Bars
• 4 boxes 25 count Finish Dish Detergant (BOGO) - $9.98 after coupons
• 2 packages Kraft Shredded Cheese
• 1 1lb block of sharp cheddar - paid $3.99
  
• 4 Jell-O Temptations - paid $7 for all 4
  
• 1 Oscar Mayer Center Cut Bacon - paid $3.99
  
• 2 Lay's Potato Chips (BOGO)
• 1 slab pork spareribs
• 1 $50 Hess Gas Card - only paid $40 because of coupon

Add in my $10 Sweetbay coupon (they consider it a competitor), plus all my other coupons and advertised savings the total was.....drumroll please.....

Yes, $137.51 with a savings of $145.91. I walked out of the store with $283.42 worth of groceries. With 75 items in my cart the average cost was $1.83 an item. My sister sent me an angry face when I texted her the receipt and I have a feeling Scott has showed this photo to 99% of his coworkers. Had I not gotten the gas card it would have only been $97.51 with a savings of $135.91 which is equally awesome.

How do you save money on groceries? What's been your best trip?

Thanksgiving Thursday!

Has it really been a week already? I guess so.... This week I am thankful for....

• An awesome visit with my sister and niece. I feel bad that it rained the entire time they were here, and that it is now raining in Chicago. But, I think that had a good time, and I know the kiddos had fun with them.
  

• My super secret plan coming together and actually being able to surprise Scott on Saturday!
  

• Everyone who helped make Saturday possible!
  

• A relaxing, semi-three day weekend with Scott and the kiddos. I love three day weekends! Always have, always will!

• The past three years and everything it has brought. I never thought that we would be where we are today and I am so glad that we are :) Thanks for the best three years ever Scott!

• All the sweet comments here and on Facebook from everyone!

• Finding $20 in my purse. I have no idea where it came from, but it was awesome to find.

• Publix selling organic milk by the gallon. You make my life a little easier by doing that!

• Lani picking up the slack for me while I was on my staycation!
  

Be sure to play along with Nicole at What a Trip!

Yesterday was pretty chill. I'm trying a new schedule with the kids and it seems to be working quite well! The only snag I've hit is that Jill wants to go to bed later (she didn't fall asleep until 8:30 last night), other than that it's awesome!

The rain in the afternoon is still pretty rough, and will be until September at least. We got hit pretty hard yesterday afternoon, to the point that we almost lost power. The rain is great though, honestly, it's saving us money because we don't have to water our grass, excuse me, savanna. Seriously, I'm considering buying a flag to attach to our dog so I can find her in the backyard. Hopefully this weekend the grass will dry out so Scott can cut it.

Other than that not much else is really going on over here. I get to pick up a baby gate today that I found on craigslist. Now if I could only find a big baby gate, then I'd be set! Here are some photos from the past two days....

And finally, HAPPY 2ND ANNIVERSARY DEBBIE AND DAVID!!!!!!!

Hope you have a great day!

Mission Organic 2010

My favorite cousin that lives in South Carolina, Debbie, sent me this since she knew I tend to eat more organic and natural foods, so I thought I would pass it along to you. Mission Organic 2010 is a pledge to eat and buy at least 10% of your products organic. So basically when you go to the store try and have 1 in every 10 items you buy be organic. When you register on the site there is a booklet that they give you that shows you the pesticide numbers (yuck-o) on imported and domestic produce. It's honestly disgusting when you really look at it. Grocery stores are making it a lot easier though to go organic and start buying healthier foods. I know Publix has an entire Greenwise section in their store, and Sweetbay has overhead signs that point out all the organic food that they have. I know organic is more expensive, but honestly in the long run you will be so thankful that you did it. If you don't want to go all out on the organic, just pick a few items, like your root veggies, meats and diary. You will notice a difference, I promise. And that is my public service announcement for the month :) Hope you're having a great day!