Bluebonnets To Peaches

I went to Publix today and got some great deals!  I spent a bit more than normal, but I needed to get a few convience items for our upcoming road trip and a few pounds of meat!

Here’s what I got:

• 5 packages Ziploc Freezer Bags ($2.29 each) = $14.95, less ($3 coupons), less ($5 Publix coupon, good for any 5 SC Johnson products) = .69 each (WOW – and I was in need of some freezer bags!)
• 2 packages Croutons BOGOF = $1.49, less (2 coupons for .55 each) = .20 each
• 3 boxes Bisquick BOGOF = $4.95, less (3 coupons for .60 each) = $1.05 each (another item I was in need of!)
• 4 Del Monte Canned Veggies BOGOF = $2.60, less (.50, doubled) = .40 each
• 4 Campbel’s Creamed Soups 4/$3, less (.25, doubled) = .63 each
• Bertolli Pasta Sauce 2/$4, less (.60 coupon) = $1.40 (not the best price, but I was in need of pasta sauce)
• 2 boxes Betty Crocker Potatoes BOGOF = $1.60, less (.25, doubled) and (.35, doubled) = .20 each
• 2 boxes Keebler Crackers BOGOF = $3.79, less ($1 coupon) = $1.40 each
• Betty Crocker Brownie Mix BOGOF = $1.35, less (.50, doubled) = .35
• Hormel Bacon $2.50
• Celery .89
• Trash Bags $7.99, less ($1 coupon) = $6.99 (again, not the best deal, but we needed them)
• Apple slices $3.29
• Grapes $1.49/lb
• Ground Beef $2.99/lb
• Cubed Steak $5.24
• Bread $2.59
• Deli Turkey Meat $4.32
• Domino Sugar $1.99
• Coles Garlic Bread BOGOF = $1.40

Total Before Savings $109.55

• Less Ad savings $32.41
• Less Coupons $17.20
• Total Savings $49.61

Total Spent $59.94

I don’t know if I’ve ever been this excited about a grocery store grand opening!  There is a new Publix grocery store that opened this morning about 5 blocks from our house and I have been patiently waiting for the grand opening . . . TODAY!

It started yesterday when I received the “grand opening” ad in the paper.  There were LOTS of BOGOF items that Publix is know for and the first 25 customers who spent $25 would receive an additional $25 bag of groceries for FREE!  I made my list and made sure that I had $25 worth of items on my list and made a plan to hit the store as soon as they opened at 7am this morning.  Luckily my mom is visiting from Texas so she was able to get the boys ready for school while I was grocery shopping.

As the alarm went off at 6:30am there was a small (very small) part of me that said “you are nuts, getting up at 6:30am to go to the grocery store.”  There was also a very big part of me that was super excited at the chance to be one of the first 25 customers!  I wasn’t sure what my chances would be of being one of the first 25 to check out since I had a long list and I wasn’t buying a single big ticket item (i.e. a turkey). 

As I arrived there were about 10 other cars in the parking lot and LOTS of Publix employees everywhere!  The employees were super nice and helpful and the produce section was unbelievable!  I have never seen potatoes stacked so perfectly in all my life!  I almost didn’t want to disturb the beautiful arrangement of sweet potatoes, but then again they were on sale for .43/lb. 

I stuck to my list and made it through the store in about 12 minutes.  There was a cashier just waiting for me and one of the managers came over to help unload my basket – see what I mean, super nice!  As they were ringing up my purchase, another manager came over with this:

And here’s what was inside the bag:

My $25 worth of FREE groceries!!!!  The bag contains everything for a spaghetti meal, including dessert!  How awesome is that?!  I was giddy with excitement!  It’s hard to see in the picture, but there is a package of 3 dozen cookies behind the sausage.  I decided to share the love and sent the cookies to Brad’s school for the teachers to enjoy

I was also super excited about all the deals I scored!  Here are the groceries I purchased:

And here’s the breakdown:

• Sour Cream .60
• Half & Half .53
• 4 Packages Cream Cheese $5
• Whip Cream (2/$4, less .50 coupon, doubled) $1
• Shredded Cheese ($2.50, less .40 coupon, doubled) $1.70
• Baisl $2.99
• Celery .89
• Sweet Potatoes .43/lb
• Sausage Roll $2.50
• 2 Cans Cranberry Sauce .73/ea
• 4 Cans Green Beans .39/ea (after coupons)
• Sweet Pickles ($1.40, less .50 coupon, doubled) .40
• 12 Cans Chicken Broth .37/ea (after coupons)
• Rolls (my father in laws favorite, since he will be here next week for Thanksgiving ($2.69, less .50 coupon, doubled) $1.69
• Domino Light Brown Sugar (.69, less .25 coupon, doubled) .19
• Domino Confectioners Sugar (.69, less .25 coupon, doubled) .19
• Duncan Hines Cake Mix .80
• Betty Crocker Potaotes (.80, less .35 coupon, doubled) .10
• 2 Uncle Bens Long Grain & Wild Rice (1.99, less .75 coupon) .62/ea
• Chex Mix ($1.28, less .50 coupon, doubled) .28
• Dixie Paper Plates ($1.50, less .70 coupon) .80

It is a beautiful day!