April 30th Harris Teeter :-(

So I went last night with my kids to get
3 Milks
3 Mac and Cheese
3 Steamers
1 Mio drink
EVERYTHING was out in the Fuquay store on 401 by Dairy Queen. No surprise but I wanted to get out after being up since 3am watching the Royal Wedding I was ready for a shopping break.

Well this morning I woke up at 630am and ran to the store because I was told that they were getting a truck in and they would have the stuff in the am. NOT I went they were out of Milk, I got 3 mac and cheese, and no steamers or Mio drinks. The Mio drinks were not even in a spot in this store but they were before?????
So I got my mac and cheese thinking ok I will just try the Holly Springs one later while my daughters are at practice. Did I mention I have the most talented kids? LMBO Every mom says that right? 1 is a Gold Medal Winning Competitive Dancer, 1 is a Competitive Gymnast who has a 2nd home on the beam and too won many Gold Medals, 1 is a Dancer, Gymnast, T-Ball, Work momma and daddy to the nerves Gold Medalist ;-), and our son he hasn't shown his true talent yet he is only 2 but he swears he wants to be a hockey player but points at baseball and says hocket so we will see what he really means in due time. Ok back to the task at hand see I can go on and on about my kids!
So I get in line and see a couple in front of me with the ughhh Coupon Nightmare Cashier. I swear lady if you hate coupons that much maybe you shouldn't work in the only grocery store in town that has Super Doubles! But not only that the Co-Manager from HE** was standing next to her. The couple has no binder and I don't see tons of coupons but I at first think Please God let them tell me go first I only had 3 coupons LOL but I am glad they didn't. What I witnessed Corporate will get a letter from me about this manager who shall remain nameless I don't want to get sued LOL. But if you see me out in person ask me I will tell you. ;-) So I notice they have items that will be using coupons so I like to watch the game as much as I like to play so I gladly wait my turn and sit back and wait to do the SCORE cheer for them because I think they will save a ton. 1st transaction great no problems. I hate saying she and he because I have a feeling I will learn her name. Because you see she is the 1st person who knew me from my couponing blog so she reads this....so to you the great saving Diva Kudos to you and tell me your name we should shop together!
So they have items left in the buggy and they say this is a seperate order. The cashier and manager both say they don't seperate orders as they shake heads and breath out that sigh like ughhhhh x 10.
So the manager says if your card is used and it is attached with her number it isn't going to work. The man says well it shouldn't be. He gives the coupons to the Coupon hater and she says see they didn't double. He said I don't know why. I would have loved to been able to come in and save the day and say here scan my card but it was only 645am and I still had 17 other coupons to double at the Holly Springs Store so I couldn't. Ughh I felt so selfish and at the same time a bit like I should have made them eat that little ughhhhh x10 and attitude they were giving these 2 customers. I don't know if they really lived apart like they said but neither did the rude manager or coupon hating cashier. So I was taking the customers word....THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT! But thankfully another customer was in line behind us with 2 items and she saved the day. She said here use my card I swear I heard to coupon angels singing SCORE....close your eyes and imagine with me SCORE!!!!! sung by beautiful angels. That's right Mean Manager and Coupon Hating Cashier us Coupon Men and Women Stick TOGETHER! So the customer said well I want a VIC card they said we need your ID and if corporate puts it together that you have 2 cards at the same address they will be put together. That is when the manager said and don't get me wrong he can feel anyway he wants BUT NEVER IN FRONT OF THE CUSTOMER DO YOU SAY STUFF NEGATIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!! So the Manager says "People will find a way to manipulate the system anyway they can." I had enough and said are you the manager he said ughhh yea in a snotty tone like Duh Yea like that. I said well listen I worked in retail many years you should never say anything to a customer like that. Telling them they are manipulating the system. He said it was a general statement not directed at them just a statement. I said well I apologize I thought it was directed at them as I saw his name badge in full view. I believe he is the overnight manager and HT did something right doing that he only works with the employees most of the time not the customers. I will commend them on that. But seriously I had customers who would return used shoes when I was younger and a manager at Bob's Stores. We never said no or Kohl's too they have a never say no return policy. Mr Mean Manager get over it maybe you should work in a store that doesn't use coupons and you get to be rude to customers...oh wait not many stores like that still in business right?
This did not turn me off from HT just THIS HT. I am sure they won't miss me but I did like the General Manager he was a very nice man and he will be getting a visit from me. My husband says not to say anything they might take it out on me but they can't and I am not going to sit by and let a mean manager or cashier that hates coupons just keep doing this.

So I went to my daughter's Tball practice and we had snack today so I ran well drove but I have run from my house to Avent Ferry road before (man that hurt) training for the 1/2 marathon. I got
2 boxes of Granola Bars
2 Hi C Juice Boxes packages
2 Mac and Cheese the coupons didn't double the system is so smart!
3 Waters
3 Steamers
The milk is out everywhere. I think I might go to Walmart later and price match at Walmart I love this milk.
All of this for 11.61 I saved 26.00 So 31.61 Retail and 11.61 Cost! LOVE IT!

I put the stuff away in a hurry because the rice was outside at practice and the granola bars and hi c is gone LOL. I will post my letter this weekend that I send to corporate. I am getting excited about the inserts tomorrow. Debating on 4-6 papers or just buying coupons or on http://www.wholeinserts.com I can get 40 inserts for 22.20 I am thinking that might be the best way to go. Still tossing it all around in my head.
If you have any ideas tell me. I plan on doing one Extreme Couponing trip at Kroger this month. I want to plan one with the manager and do it with his consent. He is a nice guy I think he will let me try it out LOL.

I love my Harris Teeter....in Holly Springs and the Manager is so customer service driven it is a delight shopping in that store WITH COUPONS TOO!

93 cents from 17.20 at Harris Teeter!!!!

I went for my 2nd trip to Harris Teeter this week.
3 Deer Parks 3.00 MONEY MAKER
2 Salad Kits FREE
1 Reach Dental Floss .12 cent MONEY MAKER
3 Smart Balance Milk 1.50 for all 3
1 Pasta for pennies

All in all I paid .93 cents for this order. My daughter thought I was crazy I was so excited I was high fiving her. She told me to stop and she wanted to run away and pretend she didn't know me!

Walmart 30.50 Total Paid 2.50!!!!

I decided to go to another Walmart instead of the one by me. I think in my area we have tons of couponing women which is a good thing when you want to save money. Bad if you want to get the merchandise LOL. I went to Holly Springs and hit the jackpot. I had 7 Nivea Lotion coupons making them free!

7 Nivea Lotions FREE
1 Secret Clinical FREE plus a 43 cent MONEY MAKER!
4 Dial body washes these took up some of the money I would have gotten back. 2 Were free 1 was 54 cents and 1 was 97 cents
1 Head and Shoulders shampoo was a 1.03 MONEY MAKER
Tax was 2.19 my total before tax was 32 cents!

91% SAVINGS

Lowes Steal on Make Up!

So I love my Cover Girl Brown and Beige eye shadow. I used to hate buying it because it was expensive. I get one that is normally 4.99 I saw it on clearance for 2.54. I had 1.00 off coupons so 1.54 I got 4 since Lowes limits you to 4 like coupons. That was a huge score for me. So I have enough eye shadow to last me the next 2 years since I don't wear it often. I need to check out the expiration dates LOL.

I got
4 Covergirl Eye Shadows 1.54 each
3 Krunchers Chips 1.00 each
1 Rhodes bread 1.00 each

25.60 Retail
13.37 saved
12.23 Out of Pocket
Not my best deal ever but I saved at least 50% so that is good.

83% Savings at Kroger

104.31 Retail Paid 19.70 Out of Pocket
28 FREE Crest Toothpaste
1 Gentlelax for my daughter who was at the doctor earlier in the day because of a tummy ache poor kid is well should say was constipated ;-)
for 3.99
1 French's Worchestershire Sauce for 55 cents
1 Eggo Waffles for 1.85
2 Mini ice creams for 2.50 for my 2 shopping troopers with me.
1 Kraft cheese for 1.39
4 Betty Crocker icings clearance 75 cents I had 1.00 Q's so I made 1.00 on them! MONEY MAKER!!!!
2 Kroger brand toaster pastries for 2.01 total
2 Old El Paso Taco Dinner Kits for 3.25
1 Kroger Bagels package for 1.25
1 Kroger Wheat Bread for .59
2 Ivory Soaps 3 pack FREE
This was a good trip got everything I wanted and it was worth waiting 20 minutes in the car for the down pour to end. The toothpaste is for our soldier program I am doing in my kids classes at the end of the school year. This was a great deal too because the coupons expired on the 30th!

The Royal Wedding

I feel the need to tell you this little part of me besides being Frugal Fit and Fabulous......I too am a FANATIC about the Royal Family. My first time ever hearing about the Royal Family I was 6 years old watching the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana. I was with my Grandma watching it at the crack of dawn and I can remember the beautiful train and tiara. I am thankful I had a Grandma who

shared in my crazy obsession with the Royal Family. She would subscribe to all the tabloids and magazines and give them to me after she read them. I had scrapbooks made of Diana and eventually Sarah the Duchess of York when she married into the family. I remember Princess Diana was coming to America to FAO Schwartz growing up so close to NYC it was a given I was going to NY. My mom took me and I will never forget the first time seeing her in person it was so much fun to be in the same area as a real life princess.
My Grandmother heard a high school in our town was going to England and my Grandma was friends with the teacher running it. We got to go on tour and from my Royal Magazines that post the monthly schedule I knew when we were going it was the Prince's Trust Concert in London and we would be in London that day. My grandmother went to the concierge and asked about tickets he said no sorry that is not going on she must be wrong. My Grandma laughed and told him she is never wrong when it comes to the Royals. We went to the play and she said that I would be able to go and my Aunt Terry and me snuck out of the play and I got to see Prince Charles and Princess Diana. That isn't the best part that was the next morning when my Grandma went back to that same concierge and said see I told you see was right and he said sorry! While in London we went into Kensington Palace and saw a Royal Museum. I was walking ahead because I knew I would get to the Diana part. I was alone and came upon her wedding gown and screamed. Security came and my Grandma yelled to my Aunt Terry to come get me....she knew it was Diana's gown LOL. That has to be my favorite memory of my Grandma seeing her gown together. We would share Royal books we bought and sadly when Princess Diana died in that Paris car crash I was living away in VA. I had friends and family calling to offer condolences and see how I was. It was insane it was just known I was a huge fan and that I would be so sad. My husband met me that June and she passed away in August...he stuck around with me after the days of 24/7 news coverage. I left to go to NJ to watch the funeral with my Grandma. I remember watching Earl Spencer giving his eulogy of Diana and me and her looking at each other with our mouths on the floor like no he didn't just say that! We often talked about going to London when William and Harry get married. Sadly my Grandma passed away and she didn't get to see this. My aunts were talking with me and my mom via computer and phone today. I chatted with friends online sharing in the day.

As a mom I have been very emotional I guess I see it in 2 ways. 1 I see it as a mom who is worried for this young woman and hope she knows what she is getting herself into. I thought in the run up to the wedding hmmm it isn't that crazy maybe they will leave her alone after the wedding. BUT hello this wedding was beautiful they are not going to be left alone. 2 I wanted so much for my girls to see this and dream like I did about being a princess one day and knowing that in the world real life Princesses are not just in books. Plus not everyone gets happily ever after.

I watched the wedding and the coverage in the days leading up and when I caught the first glimpse of William WHOA he looked so cute! I thought well when she gets a view of him at the end of the alter it is going to make her pass out. When I saw her I thought uh oh we are going to have 2 of them passing out. I was thrilled to see she did wear a tiara and sad to not see a very long train. But all in all a good day.

Favorite moments of the day
First glimpse of Kate with her dad in the car.
Harry looking like a nervous wreck it was so cute!
William talking to Kate's dad at the alter and the lip readers claiming he said-"wasn't this suppose to be a small family affair?"
Kate walking out of the balcony saying "oh wow!"
Prince Charles holding his step grand daughter on the balcony precious!
The 2nd Kiss it seemed to take her by surprise and her giggle afterwards
Personally my little prince Jalen seeing the horses walking and heads going up and down and he turns to me and says "Mommy the horses are saying yes!"

Here are some of my favorite pics of the day. I hope you enjoyed your day. My kids and I had a Royal breakfast with Dunkin Donuts Royal Donut and Tea which they hated on my Grandma's China. I know she would have gotten a kick out of that.

Harris Teeter Super Doubles Baby!!!!!

Ok so today I planned on going and waking up at 6 to be in the store by 630 I just didn't get up I looked at the clock and thought those coupon ladies will leave some stuff on the shelves FOR SURE! HELLO what was I thinking banging my head against the empty Smart Balance Milk Door!!!!

So last night I met a fearless couponer named Nancy. She doesn't use a binder yes you read that correct she DOES NOT use a binder. I am amazed but she does use a check filing system file that is plastic so it won't come apart and she shops with her coupons in a envelope with her fabulous list on top. Nancy saves 75% on her shopping trips all the time so I thought if it works for Nancy I want to do it like her. As I am typing this it reminds me of Fancy Nancy I have to tell her next time that is my new nickname for her...it so fits her she is a riot! So I got all my coupons out of my binder and got over my fear of what if they are out of stock of the item on my list. She said just go to your next day and pull something from that list. (she keeps all her HT shopping trip coupons in this envelope for the week)

So here is my list
1 Smart Balance Milk with a 1.50Q making it free
3 Smart Balance Milk with a 1.00Q making it .50 cents each
3 Minute Rice Steamers 1.00! making it free
3 Kotex 1.00Q making it free
3 Reach Floss 1.00Q making it free
3 Baily Creamers 1.00Q making it 19 cents
3 Hefty Paper Plates 1.25 on 2 Q which I thought would make it .69
1 Band Aid with neosporin 1.50Q making it 29 cents

Here is where it goes downhill and fast! Smart Balance Milk is OUT!
Kotex ummm hello what pricing was I looking at? It was on a national site so no idea what pricing but I learned from a new coupon friend in the HT that I met last night that I can check thes store here by store because they have different prices and I would have seen the kotex are not that price in the Holly Springs store I was in.
Bailey's Creamer damn coupon printer thing I printed my coupons yesterday well it said I printed my 2 already....ummm no I didn't so I only had 1 to use.
Band Aids again these were 3.99 I am sorry I don't need bandaids for 99 cents....that sounds funny seriously before I would have bought them for that and stocked up thinking 99 cents is a deal....so not the case anymore.
Hefty Paper plates were 3.79 a package so I was so not going to pay 7 and some change to get 2.50 off I can get a better deal elsewhere.
I saw a clearance area with 3 buggies full of stuff. I got 3 Glade Oil Candles in the tin for 2.12 I had a 1.00Q so I only paid 36 cents for 3 of them in total....I love smelly stuff for my house LOL

Ok so the good news I hadn't planned on doing the Homestyle Mac and Cheese yet that was for day 3 but I had the coupons so I got 3 of them for 50 cents. I got Birdeye steamers they were 1.00 each I had a 1 off 3 so it was really 2.00 off 3 with the doubled coupon so I paid 33 cents a bag. I liked that deal so I used 2 coupons and got 6 bags for 2.00 SCORE!
Minute Rice Steamers....OK I AM STEAMING MAD!!!! Ladies and Gents if you are not buying it don't take the peely off of it. I got 3 steamers for FREE but my peelies were gone. Ughhh I just don't get that it isn't yours and you are stealing someone elses coupon. Grrrrr
I did get 1 Bailey's Creamer for 19 cents I am happy with that. I don't really drink coffee I just like the creamers LOL. I put about half a cup of coffee and half a cup of creamer hehe!
I got my 3 reach floss they were 1.65 and I got paid .35 a piece for these...I will get to that at the end how I got paid for these things and HT doesn't pay you for overage.
I got 3 6 packs of Deer Park Water they were 1.00 I had a 1Q so it doubled to 2 so I was paid 3.00 to take these from the store.
2 Cheese Nips they were 1.00 each I had a 1.00 off Q that does not double so I got them for 1.00 for 2 50 cents a box is a deal to me SCORE!
Hidden Valley Salad kit was 2.00 I had a 1 Q doubled to make it free....I was hunting the store to get another free item.

So I go to self checkout with my helper shopper Jalen....I love shopping with him he gets a kick out of the coupon printers in the aisles and he loves to drive the carts but today he decided to take a kids cart and shop. So I am checking out and I think it is a new cashier because she keeps calling a girl over when a beep goes on the register when a guy was checking out. I think oh good god I hope this goes ok. So I ring all my stuff up. I hit the coupons button and hand her my coupons to scan. I am watching and counting because I know it is 20 coupons. I see the total only came down 20.00 and I had already scanned my debit card so I couldn't stop the transaction. I let the receipt print and I go to the customer service desk. Ummm excuse me the cashier only scanned 10 of my coupons not the entire 20. The cashier comes over and says oh something must have not beeped and I just kept scanning and they weren't working! UMMM OMG!
So the customer service clerk and me go and grab all 20 of my coupons she doesn't ask to see the items and she just takes out the last 10 coupons....THANK GOD!
I got the water and reach in that part so I was paid 3.00 for water and 1.05 for 3 dental floss.
My total before VIC discounts and coupons was 58.93 Out of Pocket (OOP) was 1.82 I saved 57.11!!!!!!!!!!!

All in all it was a great shopping day. I got a raincheck on the 4 smart balance milks. Tomorrow my plan is
3 Smart Balance (going to another HT)
3 Rice Steamers
1 Reach Floss
3 Kraft Mac and Cheese
3 Salad Kits
After that I am not sure I will check the stores prices to see what else I can get for free. I love couponing and can't wait to go back tomorrow!!!!