I'm Hooked!

Did you know there is a whole blog community dedicated to being frugal? Well, now that there are 5 mouths to feed instead of 3, the grocery bills have escalated tremendously! I figured it might just be time to start clipping coupons!! Today was my first day and I must say I did pretty damn good! ;) I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn, but I'm confident it won't take long to get all 5 of us on a $50 per week budget for groceries AND essential items. Sounds crazy, I know, but from the blogs I've started reading lately, I believe it IS possible! Check out my first day of coupon clipping and utilizing Extra Care Bucks at CVS!

I got all of this for $5.44! Can you believe it? I still can't!! Here's the breakdown:

If you bought 2 Style Science Lens Cleaning Tissue for $0.99 each, you received $10 ECB.

1st transaction: 2 Lens Cleaning Tissue = $2.13 / $10 ECB earned.

2nd transaction: 8 V05 Shampoos on sale for $0.77/each + $2 off coupon when you buy 8 and shoes for Goose on sale for 20% off at $6.39. Used $10 ECB = final total $0.74!

3rd transaction: 2 Lens Cleaning Tissue = $2.13 / $10 ECB earned.

4th transaction: 1/2 skim milk, 3 pack baby wipes on sale for $4.99 and 2 pack of CVS toothbrushes / $2 ECB earned. (also had to buy a candy for $0.33 to total up to the full ECB amount = final total $0.30!

5th transaction: 2 Lens Cleaning Tissue = $1.98 / used $2 ECB / $10 ECB earned = final total $0!

6th transaction: 12pk of Scott TP & 1 gallon of whole milk for $9.98. Used $10 ECB = final total $0!!!!

OOP: $5.44

Saved: $44.32

(*note: I think you can only get the $10 ECB on your card once, so we used AJ's and Mimi's..hehe)

And to top it off I got these items FREE at Target using coupons!! LOVE IT!!!!!!!!

Coming up..grocery shopping! I made a menu from the items on sale at our local stores and will hope to stay around the $50-$75 range for this week. Hey! It's only my FIRST week! I'll get the budget down in no time! ;)

Have any frugal advice or tips...PLEASE share!!!!!!!