Happy New Year - Welcome to 2012

Although the time this post was posted at 1am today, I wasn't up, I haven't seen a New Year in, in years now.

So on Friday I had to go into the city for an appointment and figured I would do some running around while there.  Dragged dh with me as he took Friday off.

One of the places I wanted to go was Sears.  I hadn't been in there in ages and it looked as though a tornado had blown through it, with empty shelves, things laying all over the place.  There had been a lot of good deals on earlier in the week so a staff member told me.

Anyhow I had a list of things I wanted to buy so off we went around the store.  I ended up with a new pillow and pillow case protector for dh.  Four pair of underwear for dh, 4 pairs of socks for me, a top for me and a three piece baby outfit and a one piece baby outfit (friend had a baby girl, Avery Elizabeth, super cute name I think) and including taxes I paid $115.47 for all of that.  I also had a coupon for $25 worth of Sears points when I spent $100.  The good news was we were given $100 in cash for Christmas, so all in all it technically only cost us just over $15 out of pocket.  I worked out that if I had paid full price for everything it would have cost us $197.21 (taxes included)

I bought a stainless steel kettle so I can heat water on top of the wood stove, should have been $30 I paid $19.99 plus taxes.  We had lunch out and paid for that with what was left on a gift card, plus gave the server $2 cash as part of her tip (the rest came off the gift card).  Filled in a survey online from the receipt from the restaurant and got a code for a free appetizer on our next visit, which happened to be last night.

Went to Shopper's to participate in the 20 x the points event (all recorded in my side bar) and ended up spending $51.98 after coupons and taxes.  Only used $4.00 in coupons, but better than nothing.  Stocked up on facial tissue (Kleenex), shampoo and conditioner for me and just general stuff.  Best deal a tube of toothpaste for 38 cents after the coupon.  By the way I bought a $50 gift card so I could get an extra 500 points.

Then popped into Zehrs and spent $28.34 and used $2.25 in coupons and saved $2.60 in store savings.  Although I haven't officially started my only spending $75 a week, I had hoped to do it this week.  Only I went over when I bought 8 long bread rolls for the price of 4, it wasn't on my list!!!  So all in all this week I spent $80.32 which is $5.32 over my ideal budget.  I used $6.25 in coupons.

I also went through my coupon binder last night and got rid of all the 2011 coupons, so no confusion when I go shopping next!!!