Crackers Galore

This past week at Shaw's I took advantage of the Nabisco Cracker sale.  Triscuits, Wheat Thins, and Wheat Thin Artisans were on sale 2 boxes for $4.  Ritz crackers were also on sale 2 for $6.  I had tons of manufacturer and store coupons for these (still do!) and bought a total of 38 boxes of crackers.  I ended up paying 50 cents a box and got all different kinds of flavors.  Generally, Shaw's is an expensive store and I often hear people say that they would rather shop at cheaper stores.  I don't care where you shop, .50/box is a smokin' deal, even at the cheapest stores.  It pays to use those manufacturer and store coupons together with a good sale price.  It also pays to be patient and stock up when the price is right.  ;)  Happy shopping!

BTW--Pictured above are only some of my haul, the rest were already put away in my  bulging pantry.

Shaw's - $108.08 of Product for $56.75 OOP

Transaction 1

Bananas -  $3.51

Strawberries - $5.00 (48 oz)

2 Tyson Frozen Chicken - $22.98 (totally a dumb purchase because chicken is on sale next week!  Oh well.  Live and learn!)

Shaws Peanut Butter - $1.89

2 Loaves of Bread - $3.38

8 Kellogg's Poptarts - $14.16

3 Instant Jello - $2.00

6 Kraft BBQ Sauce - $6.00

4 Crystal Light - $8.00

6 Vitamin Water - $6.00

2 Shaw's Gallon Milk - $4.98

2 Reduced Bakery Rolls - $2.85

-$4.00 MQ (Poptarts)

-$1.00 MQ (Jello)

-$4.00 MQ (Kraft BBQ)

-$4.00 BOGO MQ (Crystal Light)

-$2.00 MQ (Crystal Light)

-$6.00 MQ (Vitamin Water)

-$3.00 Store Q (Vitamin Water)

Total Before Qs:  $80.75

Total After Qs:  $56.75

Transaction 2 (Done by my DH.  He's trying to redeem himself)

6 Vitamin Water - $6.00

7 Joint Juice - $7.00

6 Mars Bars (Varieties) - $5.34

-$6.00 MQ (Vitamin Water)

-$3.00 Store Q (Vitamin Water)

-$7.00 MQ (Joint Juice)

-$2.67 MQ (Mars Bars)

Total Before Qs:  $18.34

Total After Qs:  -$.33, The cashier zeroed it out so it was FREE!

Transaction 3 (Again, done by the DH.  He is AWESOME!)

6 Vitamin Water - $6.00

Klondike Heath Bars - $2.99

-$6.00 MQ (Vitamin Water)

-$3.00 Store Q (Vitamin Water)

Total Before Qs:  $8.99

Total After Qs:  -$.01, The cashier zeroed this one out too, so FREE!

I broke my own rule and planned poorly.  I spent $22.98 on chicken and used no coupons.  What a dink right?  I shouldn't have even bought it, but I knew we were out.  Had I looked at the ad for next week I would have seen that chicken breasts are on sale for $.99/lb.  Oh well.  What my DH did after me almost made up for my stupidity.  Live and Learn!  TTFN!

My Receipt is 5'2" Long. WOW!

Okay friends.  I went to Shaw's this evening and my receipt says I saved $116.53 on my groceries tonight.  I didn't take a picture of my purchase.  Unfortunately, it is late and the thought of laying all of my groceries out all pretty and nice on my dining room table sounds tiring.  So, use my title as your visual.  My receipt was 5'2" long!  Literally.  I measured.  ;)

Bananas - $1.21

Tomatoes - $2.66

Iceberg Lettuce - $.99

Strawberries - $2.50

Iodized Salt - $.89

Shaw's Whole Wheat Bread - $2.19

Shaw's Wheat Sandwich Bread - $2.19

Sandwich Rolls - $3.19

6 Grill Mates Season Packs - $6.00

2 French's Yellow Mustard - $2.98

2 Shaw's Tortillas - $3.00

7 Sunrise Capri Suns - $17.43

6 Del Monte Fruit Chillers - $15.00

4 Quaker Rice Snacks - $4.00

1 Shaw's Pancake Syrup - $1.77

6 Lipton Knorr Rice Sides - $6.00

1 Kellogg's Corn Pops - $1.77

4 6pk Flip Top Poland Spring Water - $8.00

2 Ken's Marinade - $3.34

6 Easy Mac and Cheese - $6.00

2 Gallons Shaw's Milk - $4.98

Dozen Large Eggs - $1.19

2 Shaw's Turkey Deli Meats - $8.58

9 Hefty Zip Lock Quart Bags - $13.50

-$4.00 MQ (Hefty)

-$3.00 Store Q (Market Basket - Hefty)

-$2.10 MQ Peelies (Hefty) - Not sure why these went through.

-$3.00 MQ BOGO (Mac and Cheese)

-$2.00 MQ (Ken's)

-$4.00 MQ (Poland Spring)

-$2.00 Store Q (Poland Spring)

-$.28 Store Q (Kellogg's)

-$1.00 MQ (Kellogg's)

-$2.00 MQ (Lipton)

-$4.00 MQ (Quaker)

-$3.00 MQ (Del Monte)

-$3.00 Store Q (Market Basket - Del Monte)

-$7.00 MQ (Capri Sun)

-$1.00 MQ (French's)

-$3.00 MQ (Grill Mates)

-$4.00 Store Q (Dollar Doublers - Stop and Shop)

-$20 off purchase of $120.00 Store Q

Total Before Qs:  $119.36 (I guess with Tax it was over the $120 required for the $20 off $120 Store Q)

Total After Qs:  $50.98 + $.43 Tax =$51.41

That is it for me for the week.  Hope you had as good of a week as I have.  TTFN!

My Final ConAgra Purchases

Transaction 1

2 Hebrew National Franks - $11.98 shelf- $5.99 sale

6 Hunt's Ketchup - $15 shelf - $6 sale

1 Wesson Canola Oil - $7.99 shelf - $2.50 sale

-3

 $1.00  MQ (Ketchup)

-$10 CAT

Total Before Sales and Qs:  $34.97  

Total OOP:  $1.49, Earned $10 CAT

Transaction 2

6 Marie Calendar Meals - $25.74 shelf - $15 sale

-3 $1 MQ (Marie Calendar)

-$12 CAT

Total Before Sales and Qs:  $25.74

Total OOP:  $0, Yay!  Ding, ding, ding!!!!  Another $0 transaction!!!  Earned $10 CAT

Transaction 3

6 Healthy Choice Cafe Steamers - $26.94 shelf - $18 sale

-3 $1.00 MQ (Healthy Choice)

-$10 CAT

Total Before Sales and Qs:  $26.94

Total OOP:  $5.00, Earned a $10 CAT

Transaction 4

Bananas - $2.78

Apples - $4.04

2 Kraft Bagelfuls - $4.00

2 Shaw's Milk - $5.18

20 Yoplait Yogurt - $10

3 Kotex Pantyliners - $3.00

-$2.00 Store Q (Yoplait)

-2 $1.00 MQ (Yoplait)

-2 $1.00 MQ (Bagelfuls)

-3 $1.00 MQ (Kotex)

-$10 CAT

Total Before Sales and Qs:  $35.38

Total OOP:  $10.00

All in all, I'd say this was a pretty good stocking up sale.  I used my final CAT to cover a few essentials including some fruit and milk.  At a coupon class I recently taught, I had a girl share that she would never buy the food that qualifies for these kinds of CAT deals.  She preferred organic foods.  There was also another girl that had some kids with severe allergies, so she too was unable to take advantage of these kinds of food CAT deals.  If you are like them and you, for whatever reason, cannot take advantage of these CAT deals to stock up, consider taking advantage of the non-grocery CAT deals and then use those CATS to pay for the specific dietary needs of your family.  Generally, I would suggest that you can get a better deal on non-grocery items at CVS, Walgreens, or Rite Aid, but if it helps you to also lower your grocery bill then it could work better for you to shop those sales at your grocery store.  Anyway.  Just something I have been thinking about that I thought I would share.  HTH!  TTFN!

Today At Shaw's

It was a busy day filled with 6 transactions!  I still have a bit more I would like to do, but I'll see how things go next week.  For a break down of each transaction visit the Shaw's forum at A Full Cup. I got the following:

3 Hunt's Tomato Sauce

5 Wesson Oil

2 Reddi Wip

10 Healthy Choice Steamers

3 Egg Beaters

2 Hebrew National Franks

3 Pam

11 Chef Boyardee

3 Orville Redenbacher

9 Snack Packs 4 pk.

3 Peter Pan Peanut Butter

3 Banquet Chicken Nugget Dinners (used 3 $1 MQ from the May All You so these were free!!!)

4 Taco Bell Refried Beans (rang up $3.16 and earned $3 CAT so only $.04 per can!)

5 Muir Glen (2 Sauce and 3 Diced tomatoes--these earned a $3 CAT)

Total Before Qs:  $126.69

Total After Qs and Catalinas:  $28.31, 77% savings!!!

They were out of the $7.99 Wesson Oil and the Ketchup so I am hoping to get some of that on my trip next week.  We shall see.  Happy Shopping!!!

%57 Savings at Shaw's

Today I was taking advantage of a couple of Catalina deals.  The first was on the Poland Water.  If you buy 2 6-pk Flip Tops for $4 dollars you earn a $2 Catalina.  Use 2 $1.00 off coupons and after you roll your Catalina you get both for free.  I did that one several times over as you can see.  I also used the Taco Bell product Catalina a couple of times.  Shaw's emailed me a $10 off purchase of $50 so I used that and some competitor coupons from Roche Bros.  Here is what I got:

Bananas - $1.66

2 Koolaid - $3.98

Applesauce Snacks - $2.50

12 6-pks Poland Spring Water - $24

Mandarin Oranges Snacks - $2.50

2 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars - $4.00

6 Duncan Heinz Cake Mixes - $6.00 (Cake Balls here I come!!!)

3 Loaves Shaw's Wheat Bread - $4.38

2 Reduced Fat Oreos - $6.00

2 Gallons Skim Milk - $5.18

2 Sargento Cheese - $4.00 

Shaw's Ham Sliced Deli Meats - $5.29

Shaw's Turkey Sliced Deli Meats - $4.29

Cascade Crystal Clear - $4.49

2 Flipz Pretzals - $4.78

1 Head of Lettuce - $.99

Honey Tangerines - $1.87

Green Peppers - $1.47

Taco Shells - $4.38

Cucumbers - $1.50

3 Cans Refried Beans - $2.97

Total Before Qs:  $94.36

Total After Qs:  $40.25, Earn $2.00 CAT for next visit

Starting on Friday, there are a few other Catalina deals that I'll be doing.  There is one that includes some Organic products (Muir Glen and Cascadian Farms) and another for Con-Agra.  Both are shaping up nicely so I am excited for a bit of stocking up.  Who knows, maybe I will be able to throw in a few more Taco Bell items for taco night next week.  Happy Shopping!

I Just Saved $108.82 on Groceries!

  

Transaction 1:  

Bananas - $3.40

Plum Tomatoes - $1.27

Iceberg Lettuce - $.99

3 lb Apples - $3.99

Green Grapes - $5.09

2 Pineapples - $3.98

1/2 Spiral Ham - $13.41

Shaw's Jam - $3.19

4 Kraft Salad Dressings - $6.67

McCormick Vanilla Extract - $3.59

3 Wheat Thins - $7.50

3 Triscuits - $7.50

5lb. Flour - 1.89

3 Kellogg's Raisin Bran - $10.00

2 Kellogg's Special K - $6.67

2 Kellogg's Special K Blueberry - $6.67

12 Ronzoni Bistro Pasta Meals - $34.68

2 Kraft Mayo - $6.00

3 Dozen Eggs - $3.57

Green Giant Boxed Frozen Veggies - $16.99

Bird's Eye Steamfresh Veggies - $4.00

Red Sox Single Serving Ice Cream - $1.00

2 DiGiorno Pizza - $11.98

2 I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray - $5.98

2 Land O' Lakes Butter - $3.76

2 Breakstone Light Sour Cream - $3.00

4 Tropicana 50 - $10.00

-$1.00 Store Q (apples)

-$3.00 Store Q (Instant Kellogg's Q)

-$1.00 Store Q (Ham)

-$17.34 Store Sale BOGO (Ronzoni)

-$6.00 MQ (Kraft Dressing)

-$17.34 MQ BOGO (Ronzoni)

-$5.00 Store Q (Ham)

-$5.37 Store Q (Eggs)

-$3.00 MQ (Del Monte Pineapple)

-$7.00 MQ (Kellogg's Cereal)

-$1.00 MQ (McCormick Vanilla Extract)

-$3.00 MQ (Wheat Thins/Triscuits)

-$1.00 MQ (Red Sox Ice Cream)

-$2.00 MQ (Steamfresh Veggies)

-$7.00 MQ (Green Giant Veggies)

-$2.00 Store Q (Green Giant Veggies)

-$2.00 Store Q (Kellogg's, Online Printable)

-$1.00 MQ (I Can't Believe...)

-$1.00 MQ (Breakstone Sour Cream)

-$4.00 MQ (Tropicana)

-$4.00 Store Q Competitor Match Q's

-$1.00 MQ (Mayo)

-$1.00 MQ (Land O' Lakes Butter)

-$5.00 Bedtime Promotion WYB Kellogg's (Dont' know why I got this.  Certainly didn't expect it.)

Total Before Qs:  $186.77

Total After Qs:  $85.72, Earned 3 Free Milk Catalinas

Transaction 2:

3 Gallons of Milk - $7.77

-$2.59 Catalina

-$2.59 Catalina

-$2.59 Catalina

Total Before Qs:  $7.77

Total After Qs: $0

Shaw's offers printable store coupons on their website that can be combined with your manufacturer coupons.  I also used my 1$ doubler coupons from a competitor store to bring my total down even more.  Knowing a grocery store's coupon policy is so important because it allows you to really maximize your savings.  Happy Shopping!

Produce and Stuff

My Shaw's trip today was not my best, but I really needed some fresh produce, so I made the best of it.  Here's what I did:

Transaction 1:

Bananas - $3.14

Tomatoes - $4.46

Potatoes - $2.00

Oranges - $6.00

Grapes - $4.80

2 Salad Mix - $4.00

Feta Cheese - $2.99

Deli American Cheese - $3.63

Humus - $2.50

Deli Turkey - $6.99

2 Betty Crocker Warm Delights Mini - $5.00

5 Frank's Hot Sauce - $3.45

2 Cains Salad Dressing - $2.00

2 Loaves Bread - $2.19

4 Boxes Kellogg's Cereal - $8.00

1 Gallon Milk - $2.59

1 Dozen Eggs - $2.89

-$3.45 MQ (Frank's Hot Sauce)

-$1.00 MQ (Kellogg's)

-$1.00 MQ (Kellogg's)

-$1.00 MQ (Cain's)

-$1.00 MQ (Warm Delights)

-$1.31 Store Q (Potatoes)

-$1.00 MQ (Salad Mix)

-$1.00 MQ (Salad Mix)

-$1.79 Store Q (Eggs)

-$1.00 Peelie (Feta)

-$3.63 (deli cheese)

Total Before Qs:  $66.63

Total After Qs:  $49.45, Earned Free Milk CAT

Transaction 2:

Shaw Milk - $2.59

-$2.59 Free Milk CAT

Total Before Qs:  $2.59

Total After Qs:  $0

There you have it.  TTFN!

Gotta Love Those CATs!!!

  

Transaction 1:  

1 Shaw's Giant Bread - $1.00

7 Kellogg's Mini Bites - $14.00

1 Shaw's Plain Bagel - $1.39

2 Tyson Anytizers - $6.98

1 Topps Push Pop - $.65

1 Topps Baby Bottle - $1.19

-7 $1.00 MQ (Kellogg's)

-$.51 Shaw's Giant Bread

-$1.39 Shaw's Bagel (FREE)

-$1.00 MQ Tyson Anytizer

-$1.00 Store Q Tyson Anytizer

-$14.00 CAT

Total Before Qs:  $25.21

Total After Qs:  $.31, Earned 3 Free Gallons of Milk for buying the Kellogg's

Transaction 2:

2 Bird's Eye Meals for Two Shrimp Alfredo - $13.98

2 Bird's Eye Steamfresh Vegetables - $4.78

1 Dozen Eggs - $2.19

3 Gallons Shaw's Skim Milk - $11.07

-$14.07 Store Q (Free Milk Q's from Transaction 1)

-2 $2.00 MQ (Bird's Eye Meals for Two)

-2 $2.99 MQ (Bird's Eye Steamfresh)

-$6.00 CAT

Total Before Qs:  $32.02

Total After Qs:  $1.97

Transaction 3:

2 Tyson Anytizers - $6.98

1 Head of Lettuce - $1.99

Tomatoes - $5.20

2 Lunchables - $2.00

-$1.00 MQ Tyson Anytizer

-$1.00 Store Q Tyson Anytizer

-$14.00 CAT

Total Before Qs:  $16.17

Total After Qs:  $.17

Total Before Qs for the Day:  $73.40

Total After Qs for the Day:  $2.45

Today I got to use up a bunch of CATs I had from previous transactions.  My savings were huge and I am feeling pretty good about the week so far.  As you can see, I was able to get some fresh produce for cheap as well as milk.  Sometimes it is hard to get the healthy foods you prefer your family to eat and still get great deals.  CAT generating deals are a great way to earn money that you can use on the healthier options that are sometimes harder to get cheaply.  Well, that is all for this post.  Happy shopping!  TTFN!!

The New Look of $2.03~Shaw's

Transaction 1:  

1 Pancake/Waffle Syrup - $1.50

6 Rice Krispie Treats - $15.00

2 Frank's Red Hot Sauce - $1.38

6 Strawberry Pop Tarts - $15.00

2 Hood Frozen Yogurt (chocolate and strawberry, of course) - $7.58

2 4ct. Corn on the Cob - $6.18  (I was mischarged.  It should only be $5.38.  I want my $.80!!!  LOL!  Whatever!)

2 Deep Dish Pie Shells (Quiche, here I come!) - $5.38

2 Shaw's Steamy Vegetables - $3.58

2 Shaw's Lemonade - $2.38

1 Shaw's Presliced Bagels - $1.25

1 Cascade Crystal Clean Rinse Agent - $4.49

-2 $1.00 MQ (Kellogg's Rice Krispie)

-2 $.69 MQ (Frank's Hot Sauce) - FREE

-3 $1.00 MQ (Kellogg's Pop Tarts)

-2 $3.79 MQ (Hood's Frozen Yogurt) - FREE

-2 $2.69 Store Q (Corn on the Cob)

-2 $2.69 Store Q (Pie Shell) - Free

-2 $1.79 Store Q (Veggies) - Free

-2 $1.19 Store Q (Lemonade) - Free

-$1.39 Store Q (Bagel) - Free

-$4.49 MQ (Cascade) - Free

-$10 off MQ for purchasing $25 in Kellogg's products

-$10 CAT

-$2 CAT

-$2 CAT

-$2 CAT

Total Before Qs:  $63.72

Total After Qs:  $1.16

Transaction 2: 

1 lb. Carrots - $.50

5 lb. Potatoes - $2.50

3.30 lb. Pot Roast - $9.87

-$3.00 Store Q (Free potatoes and carrots when you purchase a roast.)

-$2 CAT

-$2 CAT

-$2 CAT

-$2 CAT

-$1 CAT (From Stop and Shop, Shaws does accept some other stores coupons)

Total Before Qs:  $12.87

Total After Qs:  $.87

Total Before Qs for the Day: $76.59 

Total After Qs for the Day: $2.03

These transactions worked out so great in part because I was able to use my Catalinas from last trip to bring my subtotals down even further.  Last week, I was also given two pamphlets filled with coupons that gave me many items free after coupon.  So, I only paid 2.65% of the retail price OOP.  Not too shabby, right?  Some of my Catalinas expire tomorrow so, I plan on going again.  The new circulars are out for Shaw's and it looks like starting tomorrow there is a sale on Kellogg's Cereal--buy 3 boxes of Kellogg's Cereal for $6 and get a free gallon of milk.  So, I plan on doing that deal a few times and we will see what else I am able to find.  TTFN!  Happy shopping.  ;)

I {Heart} Shaws!!!

I took advantage of the deal that I mentioned a couple of posts ago. Here were the results of my labors today.

Transaction 1:
6 South Beach Granola Bars - $15.00
1 Jello Chocolate Pudding - $3.00

-6 $1.00 MQ (South Beach)
-$.60 MQ (Jello)

Total: $11.40, Earned $10 CAT

Transaction 2:
6 Oscar Mayer Shaved Turkey Deli Meat - $18

-3 $1.00 MQ (Oscar Mayer)
-$10 CAT

Total: $5.00, Earned $10 CAT

Transaction 3:
7 Nabisco 100 Calorie Snacks - $21.00
1 Jello Chocolate Pudding - $3.00

-$.60 MQ (Jello)
-7 $.75 MQ doubled to $1.50 (Nabisco)
-$10 CAT

Total: $2.90, Earned $10 CAT

Transaction 4:
4 Oscar Mayer - $12
18 Crystal Light To Go - $6.00

-2 $1.00 MQ (Oscar Mayer)
-$10CAT

Total: $6.00, Earned $10 CAT, 6 $2.00 CATs

Transaction 5:
Arnold 100% Whole Wheat Bread - $2.50
8 Kraft Macaroni and Cheese Crackers - $20.00

-4 $1.00 MQ (Kraft)
-$1.00 MQ (Arnold)
-$10 CAT
-$2 CAT
-$2 CAT
-$2 CAT

Total: $1.50, Earned $10.00 CAT

Transaction 6:
75 Crystal Light To Go - $25.00

-$10.00 CAT
-$2.00 CAT
-$2.00 CAT

Total: $11.00, Earned $10.00 CAT, 25 $2.00 CATs

Transaction 7:
Shaws Creamy Peanut Butter - $6.99
2 Dozen Eggs - $2.38
Shaw's Butter - $2.00

-$10 CAT

Total: $1.37

Total Before Qs: $136.87
Total OOP: $39.17, I still have $52.00 in Catalinas to use on my next trip!

Examples of Sales Your Grocery Store May Have For You

For this post, I thought I would give you a glimpse into the kinds of sales you may get at your local grocery store.  I shop at Stop and Shop and Shaws here in MA.  Both have interesting sales this week, but for this post I will share what is specifically going on at Shaws. 

At Shaws this week, they have two Catalina deals going on.  A Catalina is a special coupon that prints out from the little machine next to the cash register.  It is triggered by purchasing a particular combination of products or by reaching a predetermined purchase total from purchasing certain products.  Sometimes it is a coupon for a specific product and sometimes it is worth money off of your next order.  At times, Catalinas are advertised in the weekly ads but not always.  It is for this reason, that I HIGHLY suggest that you join a free coupon community like A Full Cup.  These forums help you to be aware of these deals before they even start so that you can gather coupons and think up scenarios that maximize your savings.  Let me share with you an example of what is happening this week at Shaws.

In this deal, if you buy $25 of Kraft products you earn a $10 Off On Your Next Order Catalina.  The great thing about this deal is that the $25 is based off of the regular prices and most, if not all, are on sale this week.  Again, it is to your advantage to "roll" your Catalinas just like you do at CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid.  Ideally, you want to keep each transaction right around $25 (pre-sale prices) so that your OOP is as low as you can get it.   Okay.  Now for an example:

Hat Tip:  A Full Cup Shaws Forum

Transaction 1:  

6 boxes South Beach Living Cereal Bars ($3.59 shelf price) - $2.50 each

1 Jello Pudding 6-pack ($3.99 shelf price) - $3.00 each

-6 $2.00 off Manu Q. South Beach

-$.60 off Manu. Q Pudding - doubled to $1.20

Total Before Sale:  $25.53 - It reaches the required $25 for the Catalina

Total With Sale Prices:  $18

Total With Sale Prices After Coupons:  $4.80, Earns $10 off your next order Cat.

Transaction 2:  

2 Kraft Bagelfuls ($2.50 shelf price) - $2.00 each

4 10-pack Capri Suns ($2.99 shelf price) - $2.00 each

4 Nabisco 100 Calorie Snack Packs 6 pk. ($3.19 shelf price) - $2.00

-2 $1.00 off Manu. Q Bagelfuls

-2 $1.00 off 2 Store Q. Capri Sun

-4 $.75 off Manu. Q doubled to - $1.50 off

Total Before Sale:  $29.72 - It reaches the required $25 for the Catalina

Total With Sale Prices:  $20

Total With Sale Prices After Coupons:  $10, Earn $10 off your next order Cat.

Pay with $10 Catalina from Transaction 1 for a $0 OOP on this transaction.

Total OOP for both transactions is:  $4.80

Total Before Sales and Coupons for Both Transactions is:  $55.25

That is over 90% savings.

During the course of one visit, I may do 3 or 4 transactions.  When I have exhausted my coupons (over the course of several visits), I usually spend my final Cat. on fresh produce, milk, eggs etc.  The picture in this post is of a few of my receipts from the last big Cat. sale.  Notice that most of my OOPs are around $2.  It is totally AMAZING right?  Haha.

Hope this gives you some ideas of what to look for.  Feel free to post questions if you have any.  TTFN!