Super Savings Saturday!

This week's Publix trip was one of the most interesting ones I have ever had! When I saw the deals for the week, I was thinking it would be a terrible savings week. There was not much I wanted to buy. I needed a lot of produce, so I figured I would keep it simple and just buy what I needed, even if I didn't save a lot. (Go here to read about why we have to buy a lot of produce each week)

Then, I stumbled across some of the great Publix dollar deals, many of which gave me overage that would cover other items on my grocery list! So, I went for it! This is why I love Publix. Not all stores allow overage, but mine does, so I'm lucky. I was able to still stay way under my grocery budget, while buying all the produce I needed, because of the overage from the free items!!!

So I got all of my coupons together, and headed out! Here's what I got:

1 Orange
1 Jalapeno Pepper
1 Cucumber
1 Tomato
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 bunch of Celery
1 package of Romaine hearts lettuce
2 Zucchini squash
1 Cucumber
1 head of Cauliflower
1 bag of red delicious apples (3 lb bag)
1 box of clementines (so yummy!)
1 bulb of garlic
2 Philadelphia cream cheeses
2 packages Dixie brown sugar (2 lb each)
1/2 lb wild-harvested shrimp
2 packages Phazyme
6 Rolaid 3-packs
3 Bear Naked granola bars (so delicious! try the fruit & nut)
3 Hot Wheel Cars
1 Revlon Tweezers
1 package dry Italian dressing
1 CoverGirl eye shadow
1 Tums
1 gallon milk
1 package dry Ranch dressing
2 bottles Infusium hair care (shampoo/conditioner)

Total Before Sales and Coupons: $88.73
Total saved from sales: $7.05
Manufacturer coupons used: $30.00
Store/Competitor coupons used: $27.59
Total amount saved: $64.64
Total paid after all sales and coupons: $24.09

Notice a couple of things:
*I did not buy a single BOGO item this week!
*Almost all of my savings came from coupons. If you look back at past Super Savings Saturdays, at least a quarter to half of my savings usually comes from the store's sales.
*We are stocked up on anti-gas and stomach products for the rest of our lives! Between the tums, rolaids, and phazyme...the cashier probably thought we have major issues! Haha! Oh well, I will probably donate them or give them to somebody who needs them. They gave me free groceries, so I'm not complaining!

...just goes to show you how much coupons can really help you save!

*I also got back into the CVS game this week. I spent $5.64 (and saved $89.96) there. Therefore, with Publix and CVS combined, we spent a total of $29.73 this week!

December Totals:

1st week: $36.15
2nd week: $29.73

Total spent for month of December so far: $65.88
Total savings for month of December so far: $256.70

We're under budget for the week and the month so far! =)

New to saving money on groceries? Try this series for helpful information on how to save.

Not sure how to use coupons? Try this post for couponing basics!

Want to start saving at Publix? Check out the Publix Basics post to learn all about it!

What about you? How did you do this week? Share your deals and scenarios below! If you are new to saving money, I invite you to e-mail me with a picture and explanation of a great deal you got, so that I can share it with all of the readers! Go here to see some readers' savings! They all do so great! We're all in this together!!! =)

Want to see how others save as well? Many bloggers join Money Saving Mom in her "Super Savings Saturday" every week! Check it out!