Costco

Category : Costco

Delegating

April 2nd 2011 Posted at Budget, Cleaning supplies, Costco, Coupons, CVS, Groceries, Hen House, Personal care, Price Chopper, Walgreens, Walmart
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I was busy this past week, so I delegated the grocery shopping. All in all, it wasn’t too bad, although a few small mistakes were made. I’m such a control freak, and this was a good experience in letting go and learning to be appreciative.

Walmart
Ken’s salad dressing, 16 oz: $2.24 – $1.00 coupon = $1.24 (this is what happens when you delegate)
Yakisoba noodles: $0.62 – $0.50 coupon = $0.12
Degree travel size deodorant: $0.97 (coupon didn’t scan. grrr!!)
Spent: $2.67

Walgreens
Walgreens aluminum foil, 20 sq ft: $0.69 – 20% off coupon = $0.55
2 bottles Renuzit, 13 oz each: $2.99 – 15% off coupon – two $1.00 coupons = $0.54
Spent: $1.37
Saved: $5.44

Hen House
Post Honey Bunches of Oats Raisin Medley, 17 oz: $2.00 – $1.00 coupon = $1.00
Lipton tea, 29 ct: $3.99 – $0.60 coupon = $3.39 (messed up)
Spent: $4.87
Saved: $3.29

CVS
5 Pepsi bottles, 2 liters each: $4.40
Skintimate shaving gel, 7 oz: $3.49 – $0.55 coupon = $2.94 (generated $2.50 ECB)
2 Clean & Clear shower gels, 16 oz each: (2 x $2.99) – BOGO coupon – $2.00 coupon = $0.99
Used $7.99 ECB from a previous transaction
Spent: $2.06
Saved: $24.69

Price Chopper
2 Tony’s four cheese pizzas: ($1.69 x 2) – $1.00 = $2.38
2 mangoes: 2 x $0.69 = $1.38
Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers: $$0.69
2 Yoplait Greek yogurts: (2 x $0.99) – $0.60 = $1.38
4 lbs oranges: $1.69
0.77 lbs green beans: $0.77
1.06 lbs asparagus: $1.05
Spent: $10.24
Saved: $10.16

Costco
36 flour tortillas, 63 oz: $3.99
Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches, 20 ct: $9.45 – $2.75 coupon = $6.70
Organic baby spring mix, 1 lb: $4.29
Kirkland Signature Parmigiano Reggiano, 1 lb: $14.99
Kirkland Signature wheat bread, 4 lbs: $3.79
Spent: $37.01

GRAND TOTAL: $58.22
TOTAL SAVED: $43.58

Menu for 3/28/11 – 4/3/11

March 28th 2011 Posted at Cooking, Costco, Menu planning, Recipes
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I had a pretty good week last week. There was only one night when I served leftovers, and the only thing that’s left from last week’s menu is breakfast for dinner, which doesn’t really count. My favorite recipe from last week was the Sirloin Steak with Garlic Butter. Nevermind that I overcooked the steaks and that I used garlic salt instead of garlic powder. In fact, I prefer garlic salt. What can I say? I like to live dangerously. Next time, I’ll know better than to make the full amount of sauce and store it for the following day’s lunch. It’s NOT the same.

Monday
Crispy fish fillets with honey glazed carrots and baked asparagus with balsamic butter sauce

Tuesday
Quinoa and Black Beans (modified because I only have pinto beans)

Wednesday
Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

Thursday
Pasta

Friday
Costco (yes, I eat at the Costco food court after doing all my shopping for the week)

Saturday
Light and Fluffy Spinach Quiche

Sunday
Grilled Salmon with green beans

Please give menu planning a try. It may seem like a chore at first, but it really takes a lot of stress away during the week. Check out the myriad of blogs linked at I’m an Organizing Junkie for more meal inspiration.

Groceries 3/27/11 and weekly recap

March 27th 2011 Posted at Budget, Costco, Coupons, CVS, Groceries, Hen House, Hy-Vee, Personal care, Price Chopper, Walgreens
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Hy-Vee
Peter Pan peanut butter, 3 pack, 48.9 oz total: $2.98
Spent: $3.25

Hen House
2 lbs strawberries: $1.38
Green Giant honey glazed carrots, 10 oz: $1.25 – $0.50 coupon (doubled) = $0.25
Roberts sour cream, 16 oz: $1.29 – $0.30 coupon (doubled) = $0.69
Spent: $2.60
Saved: $9.63

TOTAL: $5.85

All I really needed at Hy-Vee this week was the 3-pack of peanut butter, but I made up for it with a quick trip to Hen House. I love shopping at Hen House, and I get some of my best deals there. I should make more of an effort to pay attention to the sales they’re having because I don’t shop there nearly enough.

I also got a couple of things at CVS and Walgreens earlier this week.

CVS
Head & Shoulders shampoo, 14.2 oz: $4.99 – $1.00 coupon = $3.99 (generated $2.50 ECB)
Spent: 3.44
Saved: $2.89

Walgreens
2 Dove chocolates, 1.3 oz each: $0.98 – $0.75 coupon = $0.23
Spent: $0.32

TOTAL: $3.76

GRAND TOTAL FOR THE WEEK: $18.81 (including my earlier trip to Price Chopper and Costco)

That’s a pretty low total. I’ll gladly pocket the difference or use it to stock up next week.

Groceries 3/25/11

March 25th 2011 Posted at Costco, Coupons, Groceries, Hy-Vee, Price Chopper
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Today’s shopping trip was really small and cheap. I first stopped by Hy-Vee, but they were all out of the Peter Pan peanut butter. They were in the process of restocking it, but I didn’t have time to hang around waiting for it. I might swing by to pick it up tomorrow. The Price Chopper trip was mostly to get some fresh produce, although I did get some coffee ice cream. I was also looking for Dean’s bagel dip, but I can’t seem to find it no matter what. That was my second week looking for it. By the time I got to Costco, I was entirely too hungry and tired, so all I bought was milk. I wanted to get the box of Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches that’s a great deal with the coupon from this month’s coupon book, but that giant thing won’t fit in my freezer. Maybe next week.

Costco
1 gallon skim milk: $2.49
Total: $2.71

Price Chopper
1.38 lbs green beans: $1.36
1 lb radishes: $0.99
2 mangoes: $0.69 (hmm, only charged for one)
Edy’s slow churned coffee ice cream, 1.5 qt: $1.99
Blackberries, 6 oz: $0.99
Total: $6.49
Saved: $5.99

GRAND TOTAL: $9.20

Week ending on 3/20/11

March 20th 2011 Posted at ALDI, Budget, Cleaning supplies, Costco, Coupons, CVS, Groceries, Hen House, Hy-Vee, Pinching penies, Price Chopper, Walgreens
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This past week I shopped at SEVEN stores on two different days. I’m crazy, I know.

First, I ran to Walgreens and CVS last Sunday, and those were by far my most impressive shopping trips of the week. I’m pretty well stocked up, and I don’t need lots of things from the drugstores anymore, so I’d forgotten just how great it can be to walk out of there with a cart full of things for which you paid only a couple of dollars. It’s even better when the cashier can’t believe you’re getting such a good deal, and she asks to see the flyer before she lets you walk out of there with all those things.

Friday was my regular shopping day, and I went to Hen House, Hy-Vee, Price Chopper, Aldi, and Costco. I could’ve skipped Hen House and Aldi since I only went to each of them for a single item. Sometimes it makes sense to go a little out of your way if the savings are worth your time and money, but not always. Even when the savings justify it, make sure you grab the right item so that you don’t wipe your savings by overpaying.

All in all it was a great week. I was only slightly over my initial budget of $50/week, which I have actually upgraded to a more realistic $75/week. I figured that $50 was much too restrictive, especially since I use that money not only for groceries but also for cleaning supplies and personal care items. Moreover, even the thrifty USDA food plan for a family of 2 is $82.60/week as of January 2011. More often than not, I hover around $50/week anyway, but I no longer feel like I’m constantly failing whenever I go above.

Walgreens

Spent: $0.40
Saved: $8.98

CVS

Spent: $3.93
Saved: $42.42

Spent: $26.03
Saved: $3.00

Price Chopper

Spent: $12.98
Saved: $16.40

Hy-Vee, Hen House, and Aldi

Spent: $10.08
Saved: $9.36

GRAND TOTAL: $53.42
TOTAL SAVINGS: $80.16

Costco 3/18/11

March 18th 2011 Posted at Costco, Coupons, Groceries
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2 loaves Kirkland wheat bread, 4 lbs: $3.79
1 lb organic baby spring mix: $3.99
4 lbs organic quinoa: $8.99
3 pack Palermo’s ultra thin pepperoni pizza, 47.1 oz: $9.89 – $3.00 coupon = $6.89

Total: $26.03

I was really tempted by these amazing Belgian waffles that I got to sample today. They weren’t cheap, but I was almost ready to buy them until I looked at the nutritional information. I put them down, and my heart sank a little. Come to find out that they’re just as unhealthy if not worse when you make them at home. I might have to return sometime soon. Yum!

This was the first time I bought quinoa. I had been thinking about trying it for a long time because I’d heard such great things about it. The funny thing is that a woman just passing by grabbed a bag after she heard me say that there are 6 grams of protein in a serving. I can’t wait to try it.

Week ending on 3/13/11

March 11th 2011 Posted at Budget, Costco, Coupons, Groceries, Hy-Vee, Price Chopper
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I spent a very small amount of money on groceries last week. As expected, I made up for it this week. Overall, I’m still within budget for this month, but I’ll do a recap at the end. This week I shopped at Costco, Hy-Vee, and Price Chopper. I made a somewhat costly mistake at Hy-Vee when I bought the corned beef brisket. My excuse is that I know very little about meat cuts, but maybe I should educate myself about it and expand my horizons.

Costco

Quaker Chewy Granola Bars, 60 ct – $7.74 after $3.25 coupon
2 lbs sliced Tillamook cheddar cheese – $6.99
5 lbs shredded mild cheddar cheese – $10.99
SunChips variety pack, 24 ct – $6.75 after $2.00 coupon
4 lbs Mountain High low fat yogurt – $3.99
Apple strudel, 8 ct, 38 oz – $5.49 after $1.50 coupon

Total: $46.15

Price Chopper

5.38 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts – $6.40
4 boxes Kellogg’s Raisin Bran, 20 oz each – $4.76 after two $1.00 coupons
1.04 lbs green beans – $1.03
1 lb strawberries – $1.49

Total: $15.00

Hy-Vee

2.68 lbs organic Granny Smith apples – $2.36
4.48 lbs cabbage – $0.85
4.16 lbs red seedless grapes – $4.12
1/2 gallon Hy-Vee orange juice – $0.99
2 jars Skippy natural peanut butter, 15 oz each – $1.98
3 pouches StarKist chunk light tuna, 2.6 oz each – $1.50 after $1.50 coupon
2 cans StarKist chunk light tuna, 5 oz each – $0.78
Colgate toothpaste, 4.6 oz – $0.13 after $0.75 coupon
Louis Kemp imitation crab, 8 oz – $1.00
Louis Kemp imitation lobster, 8 oz – $1.00
Van de Kamp’s frozen crispy fish fillets, 19.44 oz – $3.34
2.84 lbs Buckley Farms corned beef brisket, flat cut – $8.49 (I should’ve grabbed the point cut at $1.99/lb. Live and learn.)

Total: $29.10

GRAND TOTAL: $90.25

Week ending on 3/6/11

March 6th 2011 Posted at Budget, Costco, Groceries, Pinching penies, Price Chopper
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As I mentioned in a previous post, this was a very light week for me. Most of the deals didn’t really appeal to me, so I decided to only go out for the bare necessities, such as milk, lettuce, and fruit. I also got some fresh yeast because the little that I still had left was a bit too old, and my bread dough wasn’t rising properly. Here’s what I got this week:

Costco
1 lb organic baby spring mix – $3.99
1 gallon skim milk – $2.15
2 lbs Red Star active dry yeast – $3.99
Total: $11.03

Price Chopper
4 lbs navel oranges – $1.69
Total: $1.79

GRAND TOTAL: $12.82

Week ending on 2/27/11

February 26th 2011 Posted at Budget, Costco, Coupons, Groceries, Hy-Vee, Price Chopper
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Wow, it’s been a LONG time since I last updated. Let’s pick up where we left off. Here’s this week’s haul from Costco, Price Chopper, and Hy-Vee. Please excuse the quality.

Costco
Laughing Cow spreadable cheese, 32 wedges, 24 oz total – $8.19
Teriyaki chicken, 40 oz – $7.14 after $2.25 coupon
KS wheat bread, 4 lbs – $3.79
Total: $21.02

Price Chopper
1.88 lbs red grapes – $1.86
Texas Toast croutons, 5 oz – $0.50 after $0.50 coupon
4 cans Progresso soup – $3.00 after $1.00 coupon
3 lbs ground turkey – $3.00
Total: $9.21

Hy-Vee
2 cans Campbell’s Healthy Request condensed soup – $1.36 after $0.40 coupon
4 cans Campbell’s condensed soup – $3.12
4 cans Campbell’s condensed tomato soup – $1.56
4 packages Buddig thin sliced meats, 2 oz each – $1.25 after $0.75 coupon
Pagoda Express egg rolls, 4 rolls, 12.27 oz – $0.92 after $0.75 coupon
1/2 gallon Hy-Vee orange juice – $0.99
Total: $10.22

GRAND TOTAL: $40.45

Week ending on 7/18/10

July 17th 2010 Posted at Budget, Costco, Coupons, CVS, Groceries, Hen House, Hy-Vee, Personal care, Target, Walgreens, Walmart
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I was slightly under budget this week. I would’ve been quite a big under budget had I not shopped at Walmart yesterday. I had bought some steak at Hy-Vee and I was all set for my birthday, but then Walmart came around with a deal I couldn’t pass: $0.98 bacon wrapped beef filets. Naturally, I picked up some more stuff while I was there, and that brought my total for the week up to $48.07. Not bad at all. Here’s where the money went:

Costco
I only got some Romaine hearts.
Spent: $3.91

Walmart

Spent: $5.65