Saturday, February 6, 2010

The Grocery Goddess Returns with A GIVEAWAY!!

That's right, folks, I'm having a giveaway! Thanks to the marvelous folks at MyBlogSpark (and Safeway and FiberOne) I am hosting my very first giveaway! Spread the word, yo.

Through MyBlogSpark, FiberOne and Safeway gave me the opportunity to try the new FiberOne Yogurt (for free!) and to blog about my opinions of it. I also got a bonus $50 Safeway gift card for participating. One lucky reader will also be getting a $50 Safeway gift card, but more on that in a moment.
The FiberOne yogurt comes in several flavors, including Vanilla, Strawberry, Peach and Key Lime Pie (though the Safeway I went to didn't have the last one). I chose Vanilla, and while I was initially put off by the fact that the box proudly proclaims that it contains aspartame, I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I am ridiculously sensitive to artificial sweeteners and I can taste them no matter what anyone else says about how they taste just like sugar. The same does hold true for this yogurt, but it's less of a kick-you-in-the-mouth fake sweetener taste and more a subtle aftertaste. The texture and overall flavor of the yogurt were actually pretty good, and honestly, for only 50 calories a cup you can't beat it (plus it has 20% of your daily fiber requirements, so that's cool). By the way, if any of you are interested, you can get FiberOne yogurt at Safeway (and affiliate stores: Dominik's, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Vons, and Genuardi's) for 2/$4 with your Safeway card (through next Tuesday, 2/9). I think they're 2/$5 without the card, so still not a bad deal. The FiberOne website also has a coupon for $2 off the purchase of the yogurt, so this is a fantastic deal! 

With my $50 gift card, I was able to do the vast majority of our grocery shopping for the week (I still went to Target and Sunflower for a few items) and then some, and I still have some left on the card. Go me! I was super proud of this, so pay attention :-).
  • 2 Sweet Baby Ray's Barbeque sauce, on sale for $0.99 each
  • One box Nature Valley Granola Bars, $1.50 with purchase of 4 total participating items, plus coupon for $0.40/1 which doubled to $0.80, final cost $0.70
  • One bag Nature Valley Granola Nut Clusters, $1.50 with purchase of 4 participating items, plus $1/1 coupon here, final cost $0.50
  • Two boxes Cheerios cereal, $1.50 with purchase of 4 participating items, plus 2 $1/1 coupons (I was actually able to print my email coupon twice), final cost $0.50 each
  • 1 can Safeway pineapple, on sale for 10/$10, final cost $1
  • 1 can tomato paste, $0.99
  • 1 bottle Kikkoman Soy Sauce, on sale for  $1.99
  • 4 cans Campbell's Chunky Soup, on sale for 4/$5, plus $0.50/4 coupon doubled to $1, final price $1 each
  • 3 packages of Mission tortillas, Safeway coupon made them $0.99 each
  • 1 package corn tortillas, $2
  • 1 graham cracker pie crust, $2.39
  • 1 box Annie Chun's Pad Thai Noodles, $3.25 plus $1/1 coupon, final price $2.25
  • Caribou Coffee, $9.99 plus $1/1 coupon, final price $8.99
  • 1 80 ft roll Reynolds Aluminum Foil on sale for $3.49, plus Safeway Coupon for $0.50, plus coupon for $1.25/1, final price $1.74
  • Lucerne 2% milk, $1.99
  • Lucerne Reduced Fat Sour Cream, on sale for $1.29
  • FiberOne Yogurt, FREE after coupon
  • 1 small bottle orange juice (I know, impulse buy, but I am recovering from being sick AGAIN and I was thirsty), $1.79
  • 1 California Pizza Kitchen pizza, on sale for $3.99 (with purchase of 3 total participating items), plus $1/1 coupon, final price $2.99
  • 2 Freschetta Pizzas, same deal as CPK, plus 2 $1/1 coupons, final price $2.99 each
  • Suave body wash, on sale for $1.99, plus $0.50/1 coupon doubled to $1, final price $1
I also got $0.30 off for bringing my own bags. My grand total spent was $47.48. My savings? $42.80, or 48%. GO ME!

When we lived in Washington, Safeway was actually our preferred store. After Trader Joe's, I mean. *Sigh* Oh, TJ's, how I miss you. Anyway... once we moved back here we realized that King Soopers generally has better prices than just about anyone, and we only go to Safeway for specific items that are on sale. This week I was impressed by the store-wide price reductions in order to be more competitive, and as you can see, if you stack coupons with sales and store coupons you can make out like a bandit. This was a great chance for me to get re-acquainted with Safeway. I realize that the food groups are not all well-represented here, but as I said, I picked up other items elsewhere.

On to the giveaway!
The folks at FiberOne and the Safeway family of stores (Dominik's, Tom Thumb, Randalls, Vons, and Genuardi's), through MyBlogSpark, would like to give one of my readers a $50 gift card of your very own!

To enter:
1. Post a comment here sharing your favorite or best tip on keeping your family's budget under control.
2. You can get one extra entry if you post a link to my giveaway in your own blog! Post the link to your post in a separate comment.

This giveaway will end at 9:00pm Mountain Time (11:00pm Eastern Time) on Friday, February 12. The winner will be announced on February 13. Good luck, everyone!

51 comments:

Elliott's Mess said...

My favorite tip is to meal plan based off of what is on sale that week.
Thanks for the opportunity!
angienoden at gmail. com

Robin Hughes said...

I buy meat in bulk and then break it down into half lb bags. I make my own baby food and when we eat out, we usually bring it home so we save the money on drinks. We try to keep our eating out to once a week. Other than that, I just try to tell myself no when I know I don't really need something.

micmic2177@yahoo.com said...

dont shop hungry:-)

Deanna said...

One thing that always for me is to keep a list & stick to it! I always have a wondering eye when I go shopping & I remind myself "If it's not on the list, we don't need it!"

Kirsten said...

Looking through all the weekly fliers is helpful! I might see avocados for 88 cents at Sunflower and think "Wow that's not bad".... until I go to King Soopers and see that they're only 50cents there. If I read through the fliers I can figure out where things are cheapest!

Anonymous said...

We buy our meat from Omaha Steaks, the more we buy the more we save. We have saved A LOT of money this way.

Anonymous said...

Here is the link to my link!
http://danaandhorace.wordpress.com/

Keri @ Spirit of Power said...

My best tip for keeping the family budget under control is to RUTHLESSLY stick to your budget. My grocery budget is tight, and I don't cheat. EVER. Each two weeks I get that amount in cash and I only buy what I can afford. If something we are craving is too expensive, I try to think of a creative substitution for it. By not buying things we don't need, I am able to use extra money to stock up on things when they go on sale. Every bit of savings, every single thing I can do makes a difference, and it all starts with completely commiting to the budget you have set.

branham said...

One thing that has helped us stay in control of our budget is to limit the amount of eating out. We eat at home as much as possible and bring lunches from home. We also don't frequent coffee shops but buy great coffee online and save.

Keri @ Spirit of Power said...

I blogged about your giveaway at Spirit of Power:
http://spiritofpower.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/check-out-this-great-blog-with-a-great-giveaway/

Penny said...

I buy generic brands whenever possible. They're typically so much less expensive and they are the same thing or sometimes even better i.e I've found name brand cerials that use HFCS whereas the generics use real sugar.

The Olson Family said...

Coupons. I clip them and print them and try and match them up with sales when it comes to meal planning.

Teresa said...

Sticking to my list is key!

Dawn said...

I buy most of my staples at Costco=]

Caeseria said...

My favorite budget tip is to buy meat that's really, REALLY cheap in bulk - like ten pound bags of chicken leg quarters for $5.90, a frequent sale price at our local County Markets - and then pressure-can the whole thing, as pints of meat and quarts of stock. It's usually enough for a couple months of chicken soup, chicken salad, chicken wraps... Just can't beat that.
My e-mail's caeseria9 at gmail.com if you need that.

Lori said...

Here is my latest safeway trip.

5 bags of Doritos
7 32oz G2 Gatarode
$10 gift certificate

Total $17.63

www.nwcouponlady.blogspot.com
horsley_fricke at msn dot com

Ashley Bradford said...

To keep our grocery budget under control I make sure and stick with a menu plan and shop the loss leaders at several stores. I also shop for markdowns at different stores!

Melody said...

I only buy based on what is rock bottom price and stock up. Then I meal plan around what is in the pantry or freezer. I used to meal plan, then buy what I needed and spent the same amount of money each month, but with a quarter of the food. This way, when I stock up when items are super cheap, I have a great stock pile and can still make our favorite recipes!

mommyluvs2save said...

My tip is to organize your coupons by deal in the store and go into each store with a plan of action. Please enter me in the contest! karenyoung29@yahoo.com

Rebeca said...

I make a meal plan but it's based on what I have in my cupboards then I just need to pick up fresh produce and dairy items to make it work (and only buy staples when they're on sale!)

Linz said...

My best tip is to keep a piece of paper with my budget on it in the wallet and subtract what you are spending every time you spend it. Seeing the balance really helps!

Shelley said...

I make a weekly menu plan before shopping. I use the weekly sales & what I have on hand, of course I use coupons, to make the most of my budget. Thanks!
Mrspoofa(at)aol.com

a boy a girl and a pug said...

best tip visit the grocery store with a list and eat in.

Traci Fae said...

I follow several of the growing number of amazing Coupon blogs in order to match coupons to sales. It's been so much fun! Thank you for this opportunity!

JC said...

One of my favorite tips is meal plan (weekly or bi-weekly).

JC said...

blogged.http://tcarolinep.blogspot.com/2010/02/giveaway-mamas-gonna-buy-you.html

JenCala said...

My favorite tip is to plan your meals around what is on sale that week and match it up with coupons to save even more.

superpaige said...

My best tip is to actually eat what you buy, instead of letting leftovers go bad in the fridge.

Kristin said...

We always go to the store with a list and stick to it. We try not to buy anything that isn't already on the list.

MKB said...

I use cash so that is all I have to spend. Kbroderi@msn.com

Fun times with the Larsen's said...

My best tip is to use cash for groceries. It makes you think about what you are getting. Seeing your stack of cash dwindle is more painful than putting it on a card.

kristi said...

My tip is to plan based on sales, and buy things like meat, cheese, etc., in bulk and freeze in meal-sized portions for later use.

Krista said...

My best trip is when almost everything is under $1 (after Q) I love going to the register and seeing my total drop!!

Kwhiz84@live.com

Heavenly Savings said...

Posted on my Blog!

http://heavenlysavings.blogspot.com/2010/02/50-safeway-giftcard-giveaway.html

kwhiz84@live.com

Mary said...

Go with a detailed shopping list and stick to it!

mrossi0513 said...

I stick to my grocery budget by stockpiling and planning a head! Keeping a list and going to the store organized with my list and coupon matchups keeps me on target. Thanks for the giveaway!

Unknown said...

How can I pick just one favorite tip?! Stock up when it's cheap. Use coupons & sale match ups. Stick to that darn budget! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity! Fiber One Key Lime ROCKS - I hope you find it! :-)

Kathryn said...

Make a budget every month, use cash, and stick to your budget! Thanks.

kathrynbaby2004@yahoo.com

Samantha R said...

Buy in bulk!! and buy what's on sale... even if it's means changing a recipe a bit ;)
Don't eat out.
Drink water.
Make everything from scratch

jubilant_health at yahoo dot com

Dolphin Girl said...

Shop with sales and coupons. Make a menu to cut down on little extra trips to the store that add up!

Anonymous said...

The number one tip for me is pay with cash. When it's gone it's gone.


couponmama2010@hotmail.com

Coupon Teacher said...

My coupons with your stores loss leaders for the week and stock up!

Trish - Mom On Timeout said...

I try to keep a realistic budget so I don't get discouraged.

Deane said...

I have been stockpiling for about 2 years, so I rarely have to pay for things like shampoo, razors, toothpaste, etc... I also save all my receipts so I can look at where all of my money goes.

deanenpr at yahoo dot com

Wendi P said...

I meal plan, use coupons and make a list.

Anonymous said...

Well, I try to buy cheap then cook from the pantry.

Darrell
miamichickens at yahoo dot com

Melissa Stuff said...

CVS has been my best help in keping my budget under control. They have great deals. I don't have to pay for staples like shampoo and toothpaste which frees up more of our "grocery" budget.

Melissa Stuff said...

I thought this was such a fun deal, I shared it with the readers on my blog - http://melissastuff.blogspot.com/2010/02/50-tom-thumb-giftcard-giveaway.html

Anonymous said...

my best tip is to combine coupons and sales and manufacturer promos. I've gotten some great deals (at Safeway actually) by doing this!
onecrypticmama AT yahoo DOT com

Anonymous said...

Make a list and stick to it, shop the sales and use coupons to double the savings, use cash instead of plastic! I also keep track of meat/chicken prices and stock up when it goes on sale (this is when our foodsaver and deep freeze pay for themselves!)

mkit77@gmail.com

Springjoy said...

Being creative and not sticking to the same old recipes, but being willing to try out new and different (and made up-no recipe) meals and still eat well helps me keep our grocery budget under control.

Would love to win this card!