The Results of the $40 Challenge!

Are you guys ready for this??

 I am truly amazed by what I was able to get with $40. I mean... I feel so blessed to be able to give away all of this food. My experience has been fantastic. Normally when I go to stores to cash in on deals, I get anxious and worried that something might go wrong, but with this $40 challenge, I couldn't wait to get to the store and buy these things! I knew deep down that everything would work out... and it did. 

Here is the finally tally of my $40 Challenge:

Total Spent:

$40.59 (Oh well! lol)

Total Saved:

$100.31

This means that all of these items on regular price would have cost $140.90. But I got it all for $40.59! I know that this is not the typical savings I have, but this challenge has enabled me to donate so much food to those desperately in need.

Now... Here is a final picture of everything I am donating, along with a list of the items pictured. Keep in mind that there are few additions to my donations because I took out a few items from our pantry to add to the collection.

Final List:

16 Boxes of Stove Top Stuffing

10 Boxes of Betty Crocker Mashed Potatoes

12 Bags of Idahoan Mashed Potatoes

6 Bags of Betty Crocker Cornbread/Muffin Mix

8 Jars of Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce

8 Cans of Del Monte Vegetables

8 Cans of Campbell's Gravy

13 Cans of Hunts Tomato Sauce

10 Boxes of Gelatin

4 Boxes of Zatarain's Rice

2 Cans of Beans

4 Cans of Progresso Soup

2 Boxes of Nestle Hot Chocolate

4 Boxes of Spaghetti/Noodles

4 Jars of Spaghetti Sauce

1 Package of Tuna

=

112 ITEMS!!!!!

That's like paying only $.35 per item!

Here is a closer look....

I really hope that this blog entry isn't just like the rest... and that you guys take something away with you by reading about my challenge and my results. WE can make a difference in this world, even in the simplest of ways. I can go to sleep tonight knowing that I may have helped feed some very hungry people this holiday season. But it will not stop here! I will continue to make a difference in this world and I hope that you guys realize that you are capable of greatness! Use your coupon skills and your savvy ways to help those in need this season. It took me less than a week to put this entire package together. IMAGINE what this world would be like if everybody took $40, or even $20 or $10 out of their paycheck and used it to buy food for those in need. Let's just say this world would be a better place.

So go out and make a difference! You have the power to help those in need, just by making a small sacrifice. If you can't devote $40 to the challenge, just start with $5 or $10! Every penny counts. Besides, we can all afford to sacrifice some junk food or a trip to the movies here and there if it means making a difference in our hometown.

I hope you enjoyed keeping up with the challenge and I hope you found some great deals that you plan on pursuing! Good luck and please share your thoughts with me :D

Trip #4 of the $40 Challenge!

Hey!! I am so excited about this post today. First, I'm just gonna wrap up my trip today, and then I'm going to make a post with a conclusion and final photo of the $40 Challenge! 

Here was my trip today to Walgreens:

Transaction 1 and 2:

1 Estroven $9.99 get $10 RR (Bought this since it was a money maker)

- (1) $3/1 PDF coupon no longer available

4 Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce .99 each

- (2) $1/2 Coupon HERE

Makes them $.49 each!

4 Campbell's Chicken Gravy .69 each

- (1) $.50/4 HERE

Makes them $.57 each

5 Gelatin 5/$1

Used $9 RR 

Got $10 RR

Spent: 

$3.21 but I had a gift card the first transaction so it was free!

Saved: 

$38.49 on each transaction!

____________________________________

Total Spent:

$3.21

Total Saved: 

$76.98

Trip #3 of the $40 Challenge!!

Hello all of you beautiful people! I made a couple of quick trips today to use up some more of my money from the $40 challenge. I figure that even though Thanksgiving isn't for a couple of weeks, I should take my items to be donated sometime this week so the stores have time to find families to donate the items to! Here is what I bought:

Publix

12 Idahoan Mashed Potatoes $1.33 B1G1 Free (Normally $1.33 Each)

- (4) $.75/3 HERE

= $4.98 or $.42 each!

Saved: $10.98
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Target:

8 Stove Top Stuffing .89 (Reg $1.99)

4 Betty Crocker Potatoes .89 (Reg $1.52)

2 Spaghetti Pasta $1

2 Spaghetti Sauce $1

- (2) $1/2 Spaghetti Sauce and Pasta (Target Coupon) HERE

Spent:

$12.68

Saved:

$13.32
________________________


Total Spent:
$17.66


Total Saved:
$24.30


So in an ordinary trip, this would have cost somebody over $40, but I got it for $17.66! Again, these aren't the greatest savings but it is for a great cause and I feel like I have gotten so much food already to donate! I really encourage you guys to follow my tips and do the same!




$2.62 left in the $40 Challenge!

Trip #2 of the $40 Challenge!

Hey guys! Today was fabulous. My class was cancelled so I was able to make my trip to Target to make some progress on my $40 Challenge. 

One thing I want to make clear is that this effort to get items to donate is not my typical process of saving money. Normally, I pay pennies for certain items that I need. In this case, I am simply finding the best current prices of Thanksgiving food items and using a coupon if there happens to be one. For this reason, my spendings are a bit higher than usual but for a very good cause. And in all honestly, I had a smile on my face the entire shopping trip. I was so thrilled to be able to give to those in need and to be able to do it for a lower price than many people may think! So here are the results of my trip. What I want to show you guys is the sale price of the item, the price of the item regularly, and if there were any coupons on the items I purchased. Hopefully with all of this information, you guys will be able to repeat my trips and donate things yourself!

Target Trip:

6 Betty Crocker Potatoes [Mashed and Scalloped] $.89 (Reg $1.52)

Used (3) $.50/2 Coupons from 10/2 General Mills Insert

Makes them $.64 each

8 Stove top Stuffing .89 (Reg $1.99)

No Coupons

4 Zatarain’s Rice Mix .89 (Reg $1.12)

(2) $1/2 Coupons HERE

Makes them $.39 each

8 Del Monte Vegetables .65 (Reg $.99)

No Coupons

Spent:

$17.72

Saved: 
$40.94

SO! For someone making this trip on a regular day, without watching for sales and coupons, they would have spent over $50 for all of this! But I spent only $17!

___________________________

$20.28 Left

in the $40 Challenge

Trip # 1 of the $40 Challenge!

Hello! 

This week I was able to make 2 trips to Walgreens :D 

Unfortunately, the first trip I made was based on the sales that ended yesterday, so you guys won't be able to get those deals. However, the second trip I made today! So you guys can cash in on the awesome deal just like I did!

Trip 1

Transaction 1 and 2:

2 Pantene Shampoo/Conditioner 2/$7 get $2 RR
- (1) $3/2 from 10/30 P&G

2 Hunts Tomato Sauce (Donate!) 3/$1

2 Crest Toothpaste 2/$7 get $5 RR

- (2) $1/1 from 10/30 P&G

Used $9 RR

Got $7 RR

Total Spent:

$1.65 including .98 tax!

Saved:

$21.27 both transactions

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Transaction 3:

2 Pantene Shampoo/Conditioner 2/$7 get $2 RR
- (1) $3/2 from 10/30 P&G

2 Hunts Tomato Sauce (Donate!) 3/$1

Used $4 RR

Got $2 RR

Spent:

$1.16 including .49 tax

Saved: 

$11.29

_______________________________

Today's Trip:

Transaction 1 and 2:

3 Smart Water 3/$3 get $2 RR 

3 Betty Crocker Muffin/Cornbread Mix 3/$1

Used $2 RR

Got $2 RR

Spent:

$2.34

Saved: 

$8.09

It seems like I didn't save much but I was able to get 6 Cornbread Mixes to add to my donation for the $40 challenge. It only cost me $2 for all 6 of them!

By the way, the price of the Smartwater is FANTASTIC! I would have bought more but the stock was so limited I didn't want to clear the shelf.

__________________________

Total Spent: 

$9.14

 Total Saved:

$61.92

Not too shabby.

:D

____________________________

$38 left in the $40 Challenge!

Spreading the "thankfulness"... $40 Challenge!

Hello everybody!!
My friends definitely know me to be one of those huge holiday freaks who tends to decorate the house super early.. and listen to Christmas music all year round.. but I embrace it and I love it! I think that the Christmas spirit is one of the best feelings in the world so I am grateful that I have it year-round!

Well anyways, we've been decorating our apartment for the past few days full of Christmas decorations.. you would think that we just plain skipped Thanksgiving.. lol. But no, I just love the look of the Christmas tree :D

Since this is my first year cooking a lot of food for Thanksgiving, I decided to go through our pantry and clear out the things I won't be needing, or things I can donate to a food-drive for Thanksgiving. I can honestly say that at first I was like... How am I going to part with all of this?? But then before I knew it, my box for donating was overflowing with things to give away, and it felt amazing. 

It was then that I realized how thankful I was to always have food available to me, and how sad it is that many people go hungry and struggle to provide Thanksgiving dinner for their families. So I decided to take on a personal challenge (although I encourage you all to do the same!)....

And the challenge is this! I have set aside $40 to spend solely on food to donate for Thanksgiving. My question is, how much food can I get?! 

I am SOOOO excited to see how much food I end up getting with just $40. Now I know I can't go and buy a bunch of Turkeys or anything, but at least I can provide tons of food such as stuffing, vegetables, potatoes, etc. 

I know that this time fo year is really tough financially for many of you. But it is for me too. I mean, $40 is a sacrifcie, but one that I think everyone can make. When you think about it, we throw away money all the time on fast food and quick indulgences. But imagine what a blessing you could be to someone if you just sacrfice a few dollars to help those in need. 

With that said, I hope you guys decide to participate in my challenge and donate whatever it is you can manage to donate to those in need! Please share your experiences with me!!

Here are a few tips about upcoming sale prices:

Target 11/06-11/12

Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes .89

 $1/4 coupon in 10/2 General Mills insert

Stove Top Stuffing .89
___________________________________

Walgreens 11/06-11/12

Betty Crocker Cornbread or Muffin Mix 3/$1 !!!
___________________________________

Walgreens 11/13-11/19

Gelatin (Jell-O) 5/$1

Green Giant Vegetables .69

Broth and Campbell's Gravy .69

50/4 Campbells Gravy HERE