Ah, the end of the month.
Usually, I’m running around like a chicken with my head cut-off because I have next-to-no-money in my cash envelope. For some strange reason, this month, I had over to $40 left in my wallet.
I really wanted to just save it till next month because we are running low on meat and the prices haven’t hit my “rock bottom” yet. And that was the plan, until yesterday, when I realized we had no toilet paper.
Before I go any further, let me just say that I hate buying toilet paper. I’m like a strategic shopping ninja when it comes to finding the lowest price for the best value for most things – but toilet paper completely stumps me.
Either I buy the cheapest brand and Hubs complains that is is like using “air” to wipe. Or I go expensive and find that my daughter has used it create a “pretty dress” in the bathroom.
So I’ve completely given up trying to figure out the toilet paper mathematical equation that takes rolls-yards-2-ply-stronger-quilted-Hubs preference and divides it by $$ and coupon. I’m sticking my head in the sand, buying it at Costco (along with my Dishwasher Detergent) and forgetting about it for the next two months.
With that being said, my extra money is gone and here is a look at my small trips to Hen House, Costco, and Walgreens.
Hen House
Pictured: 3 lbs of Strawberries for $2.99, 2 lbs of Peaches for $1.82, and Country Bob’s Sauce that was FREE after coupon.
Total: $5.53
Costco & Walgreens
Pictured: 36 Rolls of PREMIUM Kirkland Brand Toliet Paper (HA-HA), Organic Salad, Horizon Creamer, (2) Newspapers, Complete Contact Lens Solution, Crayola Markers, ProGlide Razor, and (2) 100-count Splenda Boxes.
Total: $41.77
I will be able to send off for a $3.00 rebate for the Crayola Markers and while I don’t include that rebate in total – it does make them FREE.
Add today’s purchases with my Mid-Week Target Deal Run and my weekly total is $58.97. A little over my $75 per week (when you include the retail of my Hen House CSA), but still within my monthly goal.
Join me next week, when the dials get turned back to start and I’ll have another $300 to make it through the month. 🙂
BTW: Those markers are MINE. I’m so excited! I was tired of using the kids’ beat-up markers when we color and now I have a set all for me. Yipee!
BTW#2: I know it seems foolish to buy newspapers, but I just can’t bring myself to dumpster dive. Has anyone else done it? Do I just need to get over it?
Hi, my name is Jennifer, and I’m an office supply junkie. (Now you say “Hi Jennifer.”) I would do backflips over free markers, especially if they’re for me! 🙂
Looks good to me! 🙂
Tell me more about this “dumpster diving” for newspapers….is it for the coupons? How do people do it?
Dumpster Diving is just like it sounds….you dive into a dumpster and look for newspapers (YES! for the coupons!…lol). It is best to do it where you know it is okay so you don’t get “busted” for doing something against the law. I dive in paper recycling recepticles so I don’t have to root through garbage….blech! Once I found FIFTY SETS of inserts!!! Too bad it was a not-so-good coupon week. I was there after the NEXT weeks’ coupons, of which I found three. Win some, lose some.
Wow, learn something new everyday! Thanks Rachel 🙂 I like the recycling bin idea….will look into it. Thanks!
Do you have a fareway near you? They carry Marcal toilet paper 4-pack for $1.19 in our area. There are $1 coupons that frequently appear in the inserts. I order 10-15 at a time and go stock up on toilet paper on occasion. The toilet paper is very good quality and is made from 100% recycled paper.
This may sound funny, but if given a choice I prefer Costco’s Kirkland toilet paper for overall cost and feel. Plus I like the single wrapped rolls. I don’t have a membership, but next time my dad says he is going I might ask him to pick me up a big package like you got there!! I have gotten Sam’s big box of single wrapped rolls and it is nowhere as good.
Rachel –
That makes me feel a little better about giving up “strategic” shopping for toilet paper.