I made a grocery shopping trip to Meijer this week – without a grocery list or any coupons. Really, I did! I got back from my St. Louis trip and debated going shopping at all. However, I needed to pick up snacks for our preschool field trip to the zoo. Since I was picking up items for preschool, I picked up several items along the way for us. Since I knew we had money in the budget, I didn’t worry about not having coupons along, but bought a couple items that were on sale at Meijer.

The Coke, lemonade, shampoo, bags, cucumber, and croutons were on sale for $1. I happened to have a Mperks coupon clipped for “B1g1″ on the kids shampoo. Normally, it’s $1.49 a bottle. I paid $1 for 2 bottles, which was a 67% savings.

I picked up some more Boston contact solution. I still have some on the shelf, but since it’s something I go through every month, I like to always have some on hand. The string cheese and applesauce were for quick and healthy snacks.

While I was wandering the aisles, I noticed that the Meijer organics / naturals catalina had returned. I stocked up on oatmeal and tomatoes last September when this catalina previously ran. Purchase any 5 products, and get a catalina for $2 off your next organics purchase. I paid $2.17 for the tomato sauce and paste – and have $2 to spend next time. I plan to roll this catalina, since it is ongoing through May 30th.

Speaking of catalinas, I picked up two bags of paper cups for preschool snack because they were producing a $1 catalina. At least, that’s what the shelf tag AND the print out at the register said. However, my catalina didn’t print. When I went to customer service to get it, two of the high school workers there insisted that I was wrong and had to buy another 2 products NEXT time, to get the $1 off another future purchase. Really? I don’t think so. I carefully read my flier, and showed them the print out. I was polite about it but firm. Finally, the one guy said to take $1 in cash because he would feel better about it. I took it – but I would have felt better if they knew their policies and followed them the way catalinas were intended to work. Sigh. It is a pet peeve of mine when grocery store workers do not know their own policies. Double sigh.

Anyway, at Meijer, I spent $24.40. Not bad for shopping the sales without a list or coupons. So far in May, I’ve spent only $45.02 out of my $180 monthly budget.