Annual Budget Countdown-updates

Wow, I think it has been 4 weeks since I last did my annual budget countdown!

So here are the results of my spending from week 21-24 of 2009!

Week 21
Kroger Spent: $72.23
Kroger Saved: $27.44

Week 22
Kroger Spent: $78.91
Kroger Saved: $46.21

Week 23
Kroger Spent: $67.89
Kroger Saved: $31.93

Week 24
Kroger Spent: $72.15
Kroger Saved: $48.41

Totals for weeks 21-24
Total Spent: $291.28
Total Saved: $153.99

Total for 2009:
Total Spent: $2142.52
Total Saved: $1624.84
Total Left for year: $2857.48

Annual Budget Countdown

And now the most anticipated post of the week:

I only grocery shopped once since last A.B.C. post:

Kroger Spent: $80.67 (on 45 items)
Saved: $33.49

Totals for year:
Total Spent: $1851.24
Total Saved: $1470.85
Total Left for year: $3148.76

Annual Budget Countdown

This week was the First Stockpile Creations Challenge and my original goal was to spend no more then $35 this week. Well........ I busted! I went over, but can I just say I got some really good deals and I haven't done the math yet but I think I am officially back on budget after this week. We'll see.............

Kroger trip 1
Spent: $35.51 on 34 items
Saved: $26.82

Kroger trip 2
Spent: $3.36 on 8 items!!
Saved: $14.47

Walgreens
Spent: $5.92 (on gift card so won't deduct from annual budget
Saved: $10.79

Dollar General
Spent: $0.75
I used my $2.50 off 1 Electrasol coupon from 4/19 inserts because they had a 12 pack for $3.00

Target:
Spent: $2.02 oop (I used a $5 gift card to pay for some of my purchase)
Saved: Hard to say because I also bought a swimsuit on sale so that was part of my savings. Note: The swimsuit is NOT part of my total spent. I also got back a $5 gift card for buying 5 special K products.

Total for week 17
Total Spent: $41.64
Total Saved: at least $41.29
Total Spent in 2009: $1619.23
Total Saved: at least $1358.02
Total Left for year: $3380.77

To be on budget for the year I needed to have spent no more then $1634.62 for the year. Well take a looky! Woopie!! Woo Hoo! Yippy Skippy! Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!!! I AM BACK ON BUDGET FOR THE YEAR!!!!! Actually, I'm UNDER budget for the year!!!!!........................ ok I am calming back down. Pride comes before the fall....................

Annual Budget Countdown

I forgot to check in with you on Thursday for my Annual Budget standings. (gotta keep it honest here)

Since I last checked in I shopped a total of 6 times. Here is the damage:

1st trip to Target
Spent $1.78
Saved $1.75

Target trip 2
Spent: $0
Saved: $ 11
(My total was actually $9 something but the $9 came out of my gift envelope but I got all my grocery stuff for free)

Walgreens trip 1
Spent $14.34 (paid with giftcard so will not go toward budget countdown)
Saved: $90.48 (plus sent in for $7.99 rebate and $5 rebate AND got $ 2 in RR)
(Saved was high because I got a glucometer for FREE)

Walgreens trip 2 spent: $5.28 (paid with giftcard)
Saved: $160.93 (Plus $3.50 RR)
(bought 2 more glucometers- to give to patients)

Kroger 1
Spent: $70.20 on 41 items
Saved: $31.81

Kroger 2 (cookout groceries)
Spent: $26.12 on 9 items (ouch)
Saved: $3.33 (no coupons, this hurts my feelings)

Totals for week (does not include walgreens transactions):
Spent: $98.10
Saved: $47.89
Total Spent for year: $1476.05
Total Saved for year: $1260.60
Total Left for year: $3523.95

Annual Budget Countdown

Last week I shopped at Kroger and Target.

Target:

Total Spent: $1.04 (9 items)

Total Saved: $5.50

Kroger:

Total Spent: $91.32 (49 items)

Total Saved: $62.53

Totals for Week 14 of 2009

Spent: $92.36

Saved: $68.03

PLUS it was a fun mail week. Not only did I get some fun samples and great Kroger coupons but also got back $2.50 from a Windex Rebate AND an $8.00 Orajel Rebate! This money will go right back into my grocery budget!

You take pictures of your mail too, right?......... anyways...

Year to Date:
Total Spent: $1388.45 - rebate money ($10.50) = $1377.95
Total Saved: $1212.71
Money Left for 2009: $3622.05

Still $44.45 over budget for year! Arggg

Annual Budget Countdown

Last week and so far this week I have shopped a total of 5 times. 2 times at Kroger and 3 times at Walgreens

First Kroger (and this was my favorite trip!)
Total Spent: 91.98 on 76 items
Total Saved: 85.24

Second Kroger Trip (cheese run)
Total Spent: $8.18 for 10 items
Total Saved: $29.34

Walgreens first Transaction:
Total Spent: $3.32 for Softsoap Bodywash
Total Saved: $1.50

Second Walgreens Transaction:
Total Spent: $0.33 (used the FREE Bodywash coupon from above deal so just paid tax)
Total Saved: $4.49

Third Walgreens Transaction:
Total Spent: $5.86 (plus got $3 RR)
Total Saved: $22.04

Side Note: I was really hoping to keep getting FREE bodywash coupons over and over and over but when I used my FREE bodywash coupon it would not spit another FREE bodywash catalina so I am a little bummed over this deal. Because I am plenty stocked in bodywash $3.65 for 2 bodywashes is a little more then I am wanting to spend at this time SoOoOoOo I am planning on taking back Walgreens Transaction #1 and #2 tomorrow. Therefore I am not going to include them in my totals for the week.

Second Side Note: I got my February Rebate Gift Card in the mail this week.... $62.09!! Woo Hoo!!! So although I won't add this back into my budget I will start using this to pay for future Walgreens purchases so I won't have to deduct from the budget for a while- does that make sense?

Total week 13 Spent: $106.02
Total Saved: $136.62
Total Spent for year: $1296.69
Total Saved for year: $1144.68
Total Left for year: $3703.31

Annual Budget Countdown

I shopped at 3 places this last week- Walgreens, Target and Kroger. BUT I also got 2 rebate checks back- totaling $8.68!!!! Yea!!! I tell you what- Rebates are FUN!

Not only do I get to add the Rebate total back into my budget I am also crediting the budget another $5 for my ebay profit on the coupons I sold ($6.05 minus postage and any ebay fees). Woo Hoo, I should be back on track with the budget before we know it!

I know you'll sleep better once I do. I do it all for you:)


Week 12 Damages:

Walgreens:
Total Spent: $0.71
Total Saved: $6.60


Target:
Total Spent oop: $12.93
Total Saved: $18.90 PLUS a $5 Target Giftcard


Kroger:
Total Spent: $79.39 on 54 items
Total Saved: $62.33


Week 12 Summary
Total Spent: $93.03
Total Saved: $87.83


YTD:
Total Spent: $1190.67 - rebate and ebay
Total Saved: $1008.06
Total Left: $3795.65 + $13.68 (rebate and ebay) = $3809.33


Now only about $25 over budget for year!!! I'm getting closer...........

Annual Budget Countdown

Last week I shopped 4 times. Two times at Walgreens, Once at Kroger, and Once at Target.

Here is a breakdown of the damage:


Walgreens #1

Spent: $2.89
Saved: $42.53

Walgreens #2
Spent: $2.50
Saved: $30.58

Target
Spent: $4.48
Saved: $9.65

Kroger
Spent: $70.46
Saved: $69.86

Total Week 11 Spent: $80.33 WOO HOO!!!!
Total Saved: $152.62 Double WOO HOO!!!
Total Spent for Year: $1111.27
Total Saved for Year: $920.23
Total Left for Year: $3888.73

I made some headway toward getting back on track with my budget this week!!! Now only $55 over budget for the year!!

Annual Budget Countdown

Last week I shopped 3 times. Once to Kroger and 2 times to Walgreens. Here is the damage breakdown:

Walgreens First Trip:
Spent: $6.85 oop (out of pocket)
Saved: $25 PLUS got back $10 in RR

Walgreens Trip #2
Spent: $0 but got back an additional $3*
Saved: hard to say Plus $2 RR

*How did I get paid $3 you ask? I'm still a little confused myself, BUT here is what happened. I shopped at the Walgreens in my parent's hometown because I was anxious to do the Dove trial size deodorant deal because they were out at our Walgreens. Well, first let me say I was extremely sad to find out that this particular Walgreens did not accept Printables (let's all say a brief word of thanks that our Walgreens does- at least now). So I already was forced to put back the Sambucal and Excedrin I was planning on getting. Then I proudly presented my 4 Dove Deodorants and my 4 Dove bar soaps with respective coupons and paid my $6.41 oop (also picked up the FREE Ritz crackers and more toothpaste) and waited in anticipation for my $10 RR to print. Welllll, No Such RR printed, instead I got a lousy $2 RR.

I tried to "nicely" explain that all across our Great Nation women were receiving a $10 RR for purchasing 8 Dove products- my speech got me no where but a very nice Manager was called to the scene. After repeating my speech to him, and once again getting me NO closer to that $10 RR, I surrendered and "nicely" asked to return all 8 Dove products. Well some where in the confusion, the Manager handed me back a little over $9 for my return, even though I had only spent $6.41 oop. I tried to give back the $2 RR but he said to keep it (I think he was relieved to see me go and was thrilled to learn I was not local!). Sooooo, it ended up being a profitable trip after all.

This week I also received a $19.98 check from Walgreens for my January Rebates (I guess I forgot to mark "gift card" when I entered all my receipts on the ES rebate form)

Kroger:
Spent: $103.95 for 52 items
Saved: $71.85

Total Weekly Spent: $110.80 - $22.98 from rebate check and Walgreens fiasco
Total Saved: at least $96.85

Year to Date:
Total Spent: $1030.94
Total Saved: $767.61
Total Left: $3969.06

Still $70.94 over budget for year! Ahhhhhhh!

Annual Budget Countdown

Last week I went to Kroger 2 times and Walgreens 1 time. Here is what I spent

Walgreens:
Total Spent: $12.67
Total Saved $12.66 + I did get back a $6RR and will submit for a $4 rebate
(So just for the record I spent $2.67 and saved $22.66 but I will not count those savings at this time in my annual budget!)

Kroger Trip #1
Total Spent: $88.14 for 47 items
Total Saved: $32.43

Kroger Trip #2
Total Spent: $13.46 for 8 items
Total Saved: $8.88

Weekly Total:
Total Spent: $114.27 Ridiculous!
Total Saved: $53.97
Total Spent for Year: $943.12
Total Saved for Year: $670.76
Total Left for Year: $4056.88

I am addicted to sales! I must stop spending! There... I feel better now that I admitted I have a problem. I can do better now.... right?

Annual Budget Countdown

As I mentioned last week I shopped at 4 different stores last week. You can read about my Walmart, Target, and Walgreens run here. My total from the first 3 stores was $64.15 out of pocket (does not include rebates).

On Sunday I made my weekly Kroger run:
Total Spent: $61.57
Total Saved: $41.49

Total for week Spent: $125.72 (OUCH!!!!) (By the way this use to be my weekly budget B.C.(before coupons) and I ALWAYS went over)
Total Saved: $41.49 (this is not accurate because I saved a lot of money at Walmart, Walgreens, and Target I just did not figure those numbers in)

Total Spent for 2009: $828.85
Total Saved for 2009: $616.79 (Kroger only)
Total $ left for year: $4171.15

I am about $60 over budget BUT I should have around that amount coming back in rebates. Still I have got to do better. No more Walmart!!!

Annual Budget Countdown

Last week I shopped at both Kroger and Walgreens. I used the remainder of my Walgreen Gift Card balance and my recent $15 Mastercard rebate from Olay to help pay for some of my Walgreens purchases.


Out of Pocket Money Spent at Walgreens: $17.70

After manufacturer and EasySaver Rebates I will get back $45.47! (This money will be applied to future purchases therefore will not be included in my annual budget status at this time)


I went to Kroger 3x this week. Once to take advantage of the 12 hour sale on Friday and to pick up ingredients for our Valentines Dinner, and then my normal weekly shopping trip on Saturday night and then once again because I forgot 3 ingredients I needed for prep day!


Total Spent: $70.66
Total Saved: $28.77



Total Spent for week: $88.36
Total Saved (just Kroger): $28.77
Total Spent for year: $703.13
Total Saved for year: $575.30
Annual Budget countdown: $4296.87

Annual Budget Countdown

I have two receipts for the countdown this week- Kroger and a Local Meat Market. I am very picky about my meat and so I opted to spend a little more for the ham I will need for our ham and cheese sandwiches.

This Week Kroger:
Spent: $104.33 for 62 items
Saved: $69.00

Meat Market Spent: $9.15 (ouch!)
Saved: $0

Total Spent this week: $113.48
Total Saved: $69.00
Total Spent to date: $614.77
Total Saved to date: $546.53
Budget left for 2009: $4385.23

Ok this is getting ridiculous! I am STILL about $38 above budget for the year! I am going to really buckle down this week and try to catch myself up by at least $15!! Surely with my $5 Entertainment Book coupon AND my $15 rebate Mastercard I can do it... right?

Go Niki, Go Niki- you can do it!!! Sorry, sometimes I'm my number one and only fan!

Annual Budget Countdown

Before my trip I went to Kroger and Walgreens. I temporarily lost my Walgreens gift card so I did use some of my budget money toward that purchase. I also went to Kroger tonight to get groceries for the remainder of the week. Here is how those trips went down:

Kroger pre-trip:
Total Spent: $32.59
Total Saved: $52.31 (that was fun!)

Walgreens pre-trip:
Total Spent: $7.52
Total Saved: $41.56

Kroger post-trip:
Total Spent: $38.95
Total Saved: $7.99 (only had 2 coupons!)

Total Spent for week: $79.06
Total Saved for wee: $101.86
Total Spent for Year: $501.29
Total Saved for Year: $477.53
Total Left for Year: $4498.71

Annual Budget Countdown

Last week I went to Kroger and Walgreens. I put all my Walgreens' purchases on my Walgreens' Gift Card so I am not counting that against my budget.

Last week's Kroger Trip:

Total Spent: $90.44 for 58 items
Total Saved: $102.64 Woo Hoo!
Total Spent for Year: $422.23
Total Saved for Year: $375.67
Total Left for Year: $4577.77

I am still over budget by $38 for the year, but I feel confident I will be able to catch up in February. Watch and see!

How are you doing on your budget?

Budget Countdown-Update

Ok, so I went back to Kroger and they had lots of Laura Lean Beef. I had 4 coupons (used printer at work to print 2 more) and so I got 4 packages of 4% fat ground beef. I am way over on my $96/week budget but again, I felt like I could not pass this deal up and will simply make up for the overages over the next couple of weeks.



Total Spent: $15.16
Total Saved: $8.56 (not bad for meat!)
Total Spent to Date: $236.59
Total Saved to Date: $180.54
Total Left for Year: $4763.41

Thrifty Thursday- annual budget countdown

My last Saturday night grocery trip to Kroger put me a little over my $96/week target budget- but I'm not worried. Close to $30 was from chicken that will be used over the next 6 to 7 weeks.


After coupons and Kroger card savings my Total was: $121.49 (for 56 items)
Money Saved: $83.37
Money Spent to date: $221.19
Saved to date: $169.50
Left: $4778.81

Last night I did run to Kroger to get toilet paper. I got 2 packages of Cottenelle TP and 1 roll of paper towels: Total was: $0.24

Total Saved: $2.48; Money Spent to date: $221.43; Saved to date: $171.98 Left: $4778.57

Annual Budget Coutdown-update

If you remember, many posts ago, I told you about my personal challenge to keep our annual grocery budget to $5000.00 this year. This equates to about $96.00 per week to cover all food (not including dining out), personal hygiene, cleaning products, and OTC meds.

Last Sunday's Kroger trip was my first bite into the budget. With a ziplock full of coupons and the determination of a ??? (what's something that is known for it's determination, anyways...) to not stray from "the list," I felt confident that I would be off to a great start. So you can imagine my surprise when my grocery bill rang up to $123.04. $123.94- It was just week one and I was already $27.94 behind schedule!

I studied my receipt all the way home to see where I went wrong. (husband driving- not me) I discovered that I was not awarded my $5 discount for buying $25 worth of Proctor and Gamble products, and I had purposely bought some items just to get me to that amount; specifically: the bounty paper towels- 8 roll pack $6.99, although I do love them, they are a luxury item & the Folgers Gourmet Coffee Blends-$4.99 for a small bag.) Right then and there I decided- They must go back!!!

So the next day I loaded up my two boys in the two-door civic (that detail is important to the story, because you have to be really motivated to go anywhere when it means loading two boys into car seats in a two-door vehicle), swallowed my pride (actually I am way past that, but I know for some of you this would be extremely humiliating), ran across the parking lot in the frigid rain carrying a 15 month old on one hip, and an 8 roll pack of paper towels on the other, while begging my four year old not to drop the coffee or jump in the puddles. Soaking wet we presented our items to customer service.

It was all worth it when the cashier handed me back my $11.77 to go back into the budget. You might think that is where the story ends, but no my dear readers there is more....

You see when I got home and started preparing my weekly meals, I discovered an extra bag of Salmon. You don't know this, but I typically will make a special trip to Walmart to buy my fish because it is significantly cheaper then Kroger. I didn't think I would have time to get to Walmart before I started my marathon of meals so I had just closed my eyes and placed the $9.99 salmon in my basket when I had shopped on Sunday. So you know what I did, don't you? I made a second trip back to Kroger and returned that fish, for a refund of $11.57!


So I am very happy to report: $ Spent to date: $99.70 $Saved: $86.13 (found on Kroger receipt) $ Left: $4900.30 with 51 weeks to go!