Here's another random for ya...stockpiling. When I first started couponing in August, it seemed toothpaste was my main stockpiling item. My family AND friends made fun of me, saying "Why do you need 10 tubes of toothpaste? Nobody needs that much toothpaste!" My response? "I will use it before it expires, and I didn't pay much of anything for it! And by the way, I have 14 tubes, not 10."
Stockpiling is great, and with a little effort, it won't take long before you see your stockpile grow. The first step is obtaining multiple sets of coupons. This may mean begging off family and friends, and enduring their relentless riddling, or it may mean spending a couple extra dollars on Sunday papers. Either way, you'll survive. Having multiples of a coupon will allow you to buy more than one of that item, obviously. But the trick is knowing when to use the coupons. Typically stores put items on sale about every six weeks. When the item that you have a coupon for is on sale, that's the time to buy!
For example, I had Old El Paso Coupons a while back. The local grocery store had taco shells on sale, and I used my coupons to buy about six boxes for next to nothing. Another stockpiling item from a few weeks ago was Betty Crocker Warm Delights. They were on sale for a great price, and I had tons of coupons for them. Over the course of a week, I bought about 20 or so, for only a couple dollars! The kids and the husband are still eating them!
Just because you have a coupon doesn't mean you should go out and use it. Hang onto it, and wait for the item to go on sale! Then, go hog crazy buying as many as you can, as long as you can use it before it goes bad. If you do overbuy on an item that you can't use, consider donating it to a local food pantry, or give the item to those friends and family members that poke fun at you. I'm voting for the food pantry.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Rite Aid Trip 2/27/09
I made my Rite Aid Trip tonight, and did pretty good. I varied a little from my scenario from the last post because my store was out of the chicken.
Here is what I bought.
Transaction #1
5 Aquafresh Toothpaste 19.95
Coupons used:
5/20 (Always give this first)
5 0.75 Aquafresh
Total OOP
12.50 including tax.
Will submit for 10.00 SCR.
Final Cost: 2.50 for 5 tubes of toothpaste.
Transaction #2
10 SoyJoy Bars 5.00
2 4 pk GE light bulbs 4.00
Garnier Wonder Waves Shampoo 2.99
Zilactin 4.99
M&M's BOGO 3.59
Coupons used:
5/20
3.00 SoyJoy
3.00 in ad GE coupon
Total OOP
10.35
Will submit SCR's for SoyJoy 5.00, Garnier 2.99, Zilactin 4.99. Total of 12.98.
Tonight I spent 22.85 OOP, because I am out of GC money! My SCR's for tonight total 22.98! A little profit, but not bad for over 44.00 worth of stuff! I also picked up a rain check for the chicken. Maybe I can work this into next week's shopping!
Here is what I bought.
Transaction #1
5 Aquafresh Toothpaste 19.95
Coupons used:
5/20 (Always give this first)
5 0.75 Aquafresh
Total OOP
12.50 including tax.
Will submit for 10.00 SCR.
Final Cost: 2.50 for 5 tubes of toothpaste.
Transaction #2
10 SoyJoy Bars 5.00
2 4 pk GE light bulbs 4.00
Garnier Wonder Waves Shampoo 2.99
Zilactin 4.99
M&M's BOGO 3.59
Coupons used:
5/20
3.00 SoyJoy
3.00 in ad GE coupon
Total OOP
10.35
Will submit SCR's for SoyJoy 5.00, Garnier 2.99, Zilactin 4.99. Total of 12.98.
Tonight I spent 22.85 OOP, because I am out of GC money! My SCR's for tonight total 22.98! A little profit, but not bad for over 44.00 worth of stuff! I also picked up a rain check for the chicken. Maybe I can work this into next week's shopping!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Rite Aid 5/20 Coupon for 2/27 and 2/28!!
Rite Aid has put out another coupon good only Friday and Saturday. It is for 5$ off any 20$ purchase. Give these scenarios a try, or comment with other ideas!
Scenario #1
Purchase:
Five select Aquafresh toothpaste tubes 5/19.95
Use: 5/20 coupon- should be ok due to sales tax
5 0.75 Aqua fresh coupons
Total OOP: 11.20
Submit for 10.00 SCR
Final Cost: 5 Tubes of toothpaste for 1.20!
Scenario #2
Purchase:
Garnier Wonder Waves Product 2.99
10 Soy Joy Bars 5.00
Zilactin 4.99
3 Sweet Sue Chunk Chicken 2.97
GE Light Bulbs 8pk or 2 4 pks 4.00
Total 19.95
Use:
5/20
3.00/10 Soy Joy Bars
3 0.75 Sweet Sue Product
3.00 in ad GE light bulb coupon
Total OOP 6.70
Submit for SCR's:
Garnier 2.99
Zilactin 4.99
Soy Joy 5.00
Final cost: PROFIT of 6.28!!!
I usually give the 5/20 coupon first. If you drop your total under 20.00 with your other coupons, they may not end up taking the 5/20 coupon.
Scenario #1
Purchase:
Five select Aquafresh toothpaste tubes 5/19.95
Use: 5/20 coupon- should be ok due to sales tax
5 0.75 Aqua fresh coupons
Total OOP: 11.20
Submit for 10.00 SCR
Final Cost: 5 Tubes of toothpaste for 1.20!
Scenario #2
Purchase:
Garnier Wonder Waves Product 2.99
10 Soy Joy Bars 5.00
Zilactin 4.99
3 Sweet Sue Chunk Chicken 2.97
GE Light Bulbs 8pk or 2 4 pks 4.00
Total 19.95
Use:
5/20
3.00/10 Soy Joy Bars
3 0.75 Sweet Sue Product
3.00 in ad GE light bulb coupon
Total OOP 6.70
Submit for SCR's:
Garnier 2.99
Zilactin 4.99
Soy Joy 5.00
Final cost: PROFIT of 6.28!!!
I usually give the 5/20 coupon first. If you drop your total under 20.00 with your other coupons, they may not end up taking the 5/20 coupon.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Rite Aid 5/20 and 10/30 Coupons
If you haven't done your Rite Aid Shopping for the week, check out these printables! For the last two weeks, Rite Aid has come out with 5.00 off of a 20.00 purchase and 10.00 off of a 30.00 purchase. This week they did it again! Click here for the 5.00 coupon, and here for the 10.00 coupon.
At other stores, I give this coupon before any others, because you need a 20.00 or 30.00 total in order to use this coupon. Hopefully this will come in handy. I think I will be waiting until Friday next week too!
Try this scenario!
Buy:
2 Rite Aid Ceterizine 2/10.00
4 Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick 4/9.00
3 Aleve 3.99 each 11.97
Total 30.97
Coupons:
10/30
2 5.00 Ceterizine printable (see Rite Aid post for link)
4 0.75 Speed Stick
3 1.00 Aleve
Total OOP: 14.97
Submit for SCR:
5.00 Speed Stick
10.00 Gift Card for Bayer purchase
The final tally is a 0.03 PROFIT!
Give me some more scenarios using sale items and I will put them up right away!
At other stores, I give this coupon before any others, because you need a 20.00 or 30.00 total in order to use this coupon. Hopefully this will come in handy. I think I will be waiting until Friday next week too!
Try this scenario!
Buy:
2 Rite Aid Ceterizine 2/10.00
4 Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick 4/9.00
3 Aleve 3.99 each 11.97
Total 30.97
Coupons:
10/30
2 5.00 Ceterizine printable (see Rite Aid post for link)
4 0.75 Speed Stick
3 1.00 Aleve
Total OOP: 14.97
Submit for SCR:
5.00 Speed Stick
10.00 Gift Card for Bayer purchase
The final tally is a 0.03 PROFIT!
Give me some more scenarios using sale items and I will put them up right away!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Coupon Preview for 2/22/09
Follow this link to preview Sunday's inserts. Doesn't look like a whole lot, but I've learned looks can be deceiving!!!
CVS Trip 2/16/09
I don't blog much about CVS and Walgreens, but I do get so many good deals there. I went to visit my great-grandma on Monday, and stopped in quick at CVS. Here is how my deals went.
Transaction #1
2 Earrinse 15.98
Used 15.98 in ECB's, so my OOP was ZERO!
Received 15.98 in ECB's.
Transaction #2
2 Colgate Total 2.99 each
Gillette Shampoo 4.99
CVS Chewable Aspirin 1.99
Instant Energy 4.99 (I was desperate, with a line behind me, and these were at the counter!)
Coupons Used:
0.75 Colgate
1.00 Colgate
1.00 Gillette
15.20 in ECB's (I think she adjusted my ECB's down without telling me)
OOP 0.20
Received ECB's for:
Colgate 5.98
Gillette 3.00
Aspirin 1.99
Instant Energy 4.99
Although I didn't need much of this stuff, it was nice to roll my ECB's, as many of them were expiring this week.
Transaction #1
2 Earrinse 15.98
Used 15.98 in ECB's, so my OOP was ZERO!
Received 15.98 in ECB's.
Transaction #2
2 Colgate Total 2.99 each
Gillette Shampoo 4.99
CVS Chewable Aspirin 1.99
Instant Energy 4.99 (I was desperate, with a line behind me, and these were at the counter!)
Coupons Used:
0.75 Colgate
1.00 Colgate
1.00 Gillette
15.20 in ECB's (I think she adjusted my ECB's down without telling me)
OOP 0.20
Received ECB's for:
Colgate 5.98
Gillette 3.00
Aspirin 1.99
Instant Energy 4.99
Although I didn't need much of this stuff, it was nice to roll my ECB's, as many of them were expiring this week.
Rite Aid Deals Week of 2/15/09
Here I am, slacking again...not posting deals until the middle of the week. Sorry :(
Rite Aid Jumbo Pack Diapers 2/15
3.00 SCR
$1 Rite Aid Printable (print two)
Final Cost: 5.00 per pack
Hershey's Candy Bars BOGO
Use Hershey's Buy one get a Special Dark Bar Free
Final Cost: Both are Free!
Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick 4/9.00
5.00 SCR
Use 4-0.75 Speed Stick
Final Cost 0.25 each
Ceterizine 30 count 2/10.00 This is generic for Zyrtec.
Use 2 5.00/1 Rite Aid Printable
Final Cost: FREE!
Rite Aid Cough Drops 2/1.00
Use 2 0.50 Rite Aid Printable
Final Cost: FREE
Aleve 20 Count Tabs or Capsules 3.99
10.00 Gift Card WYB 3
Buy 3 and use 3 1.00 Aleve coupons
Final Cost: FREE plus 1.00 overage!
You must sign up at the linked website to receive access to the Rite Aid printable coupons.
Rite Aid Jumbo Pack Diapers 2/15
3.00 SCR
$1 Rite Aid Printable (print two)
Final Cost: 5.00 per pack
Hershey's Candy Bars BOGO
Use Hershey's Buy one get a Special Dark Bar Free
Final Cost: Both are Free!
Speed Stick or Lady Speed Stick 4/9.00
5.00 SCR
Use 4-0.75 Speed Stick
Final Cost 0.25 each
Ceterizine 30 count 2/10.00 This is generic for Zyrtec.
Use 2 5.00/1 Rite Aid Printable
Final Cost: FREE!
Rite Aid Cough Drops 2/1.00
Use 2 0.50 Rite Aid Printable
Final Cost: FREE
Aleve 20 Count Tabs or Capsules 3.99
10.00 Gift Card WYB 3
Buy 3 and use 3 1.00 Aleve coupons
Final Cost: FREE plus 1.00 overage!
You must sign up at the linked website to receive access to the Rite Aid printable coupons.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Chief Sales 2/12 through 2/18
I know I am posting WAY too much in one day, but I am on a roll! I get Chief's flier via email the afternoon before the new sales start, and I was just glancing at it instead of doing my homework. I am really, really proud of myself for figuring out a General Mills deal for only 1.60. Read on to see what I am talking about. I'll highlight some other sales first.
Reiter Milk Gallons 1.99
Strawberries 1 lb pkg 1.99
Betty Crocker Cake Mix 0.99
Aunt Millie's Butter Top Wheat Bread 1.69
Use 0.35 off any Aunt Millie's
Final Cost: 0.70
Eggland's Best Eggs 3/5
Use 0.35 Coupon
Final Cost: 0.96 per dozen
Various General Mills, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, and other items are on sale, and are included in a Chief special. When you buy ten items included in the sale, use the 4.00 coupon in the Chief ad. Here is a deal that I thought up.
Buy:
3 Betty Crocker Warm Delights at 3/5.00
3 Betty Crocker Cookie Pouches at 3/5.00--These are actually pretty good!
4 Chex Mix at 4/5.00
Total=15.00
Coupons:
Use 4.00 Chief in-ad coupon
4-0.50 Chex Mix
3-0.40 Cookie Pouch
3-0.50 Warm Delights
Final Cost: 1.60 for 10 items!
I am sure there are many more scenarios to think up. Please leave a comment with your ideas if you come up with any others!
Reiter Milk Gallons 1.99
Strawberries 1 lb pkg 1.99
Betty Crocker Cake Mix 0.99
Aunt Millie's Butter Top Wheat Bread 1.69
Use 0.35 off any Aunt Millie's
Final Cost: 0.70
Eggland's Best Eggs 3/5
Use 0.35 Coupon
Final Cost: 0.96 per dozen
Various General Mills, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, and other items are on sale, and are included in a Chief special. When you buy ten items included in the sale, use the 4.00 coupon in the Chief ad. Here is a deal that I thought up.
Buy:
3 Betty Crocker Warm Delights at 3/5.00
3 Betty Crocker Cookie Pouches at 3/5.00--These are actually pretty good!
4 Chex Mix at 4/5.00
Total=15.00
Coupons:
Use 4.00 Chief in-ad coupon
4-0.50 Chex Mix
3-0.40 Cookie Pouch
3-0.50 Warm Delights
Final Cost: 1.60 for 10 items!
I am sure there are many more scenarios to think up. Please leave a comment with your ideas if you come up with any others!
Buy in Bulk? No way!
I haven't posted too many "random thoughts", but I am going to start trying harder to do this. One subject I have been thinking about posting is buying in bulk.
Before I started couponing, I would go to Walmart once a month or so, and spend over 200.00 on everything that we needed, including food, bathroom stuff, household and personal items. I am so happy to say that I have not done this since August! I would almost always purchase the largest package of the item I was buying, thinking this was the best deal, and the most convenient.
Using coupons, I have shifted my thinking from buying in bulk, to buying super small. Here's a couple examples. Before coupons (BC) I purchased my toilet paper in 24 roll packages, and usually bought two packs each time. Now, whenever I head to Toledo or am near Kroger, I stop and use multiple Cottonelle coupons for 4 roll packs. Kroger sells 4 roll packs for 0.99, and often there are 0.50 coupons that are doubled to 1.00. So, instead of paying 6.00 for 24 rolls, I don't pay anything for multiple 4 roll packs!
Another example that comes to mind is Reynold's Wrap. I would always buy the 200 sq ft or larger rolls, again for convenience. Recently, there has been 1.00 off Reynold's Wrap coupons. I wait to use these coupons until Walgreen's puts 20 sq ft rolls on sale for 0.89 or 0.99, and then use the 1.00 coupon. So now, I have 200 sq ft in my pantry, just in many many rolls, instead of one! And, they were all free!
Last month, Kroger had Daisy Sour Cream on sale 10/10, but the packages were only 8 oz. Who cares? I took my 0.50 coupon, which doubled to 1.00, and again, they were all free!
Frank's Red Hot Sauce is another coupon out right now that is great to use for a small package. Use the 0.50 coupon at Meijer to purchase the smallest size of Frank's, rather than a bigger one. The small bottles are 0.99, and your coupon will double! Remember, Meijer only doubles two of each coupon, so limit your purchases to two of each item/coupon.
So, as you are shopping, think about buying small, rather than in bulk. You might be surprised how much money you save!
Before I started couponing, I would go to Walmart once a month or so, and spend over 200.00 on everything that we needed, including food, bathroom stuff, household and personal items. I am so happy to say that I have not done this since August! I would almost always purchase the largest package of the item I was buying, thinking this was the best deal, and the most convenient.
Using coupons, I have shifted my thinking from buying in bulk, to buying super small. Here's a couple examples. Before coupons (BC) I purchased my toilet paper in 24 roll packages, and usually bought two packs each time. Now, whenever I head to Toledo or am near Kroger, I stop and use multiple Cottonelle coupons for 4 roll packs. Kroger sells 4 roll packs for 0.99, and often there are 0.50 coupons that are doubled to 1.00. So, instead of paying 6.00 for 24 rolls, I don't pay anything for multiple 4 roll packs!
Another example that comes to mind is Reynold's Wrap. I would always buy the 200 sq ft or larger rolls, again for convenience. Recently, there has been 1.00 off Reynold's Wrap coupons. I wait to use these coupons until Walgreen's puts 20 sq ft rolls on sale for 0.89 or 0.99, and then use the 1.00 coupon. So now, I have 200 sq ft in my pantry, just in many many rolls, instead of one! And, they were all free!
Last month, Kroger had Daisy Sour Cream on sale 10/10, but the packages were only 8 oz. Who cares? I took my 0.50 coupon, which doubled to 1.00, and again, they were all free!
Frank's Red Hot Sauce is another coupon out right now that is great to use for a small package. Use the 0.50 coupon at Meijer to purchase the smallest size of Frank's, rather than a bigger one. The small bottles are 0.99, and your coupon will double! Remember, Meijer only doubles two of each coupon, so limit your purchases to two of each item/coupon.
So, as you are shopping, think about buying small, rather than in bulk. You might be surprised how much money you save!
Rite Aid Deals Week of 2/8/09
Another great week at Rite Aid is here! Lots of freebies and some other great deals!
Clairol Herbal Essences Shampoo, Conditioner, or Stylers 2 for $6.00
SCR 3.00
3.00 Herbal Essences Coupon from 2/8 P&G insert
Final Cost: FREE
Bayer Aspirin 1.99
Buy 3 Bayer products and receive a 10.00 Rite Aid Gift Card
Use 3-1.00 Bayer Coupons
Final Cost: 7.03 PROFIT!
Nivea Lip Care 2.99
2.00 SCR
1.00 Nivea Lip Care Coupon
Final Cost: FREE + 0.01 Profit
GE CFL Light Bulb Single Pack
1.50 SCR
1.50/2 GE Coupon
Final Cost: 0.75 Each
Garnier Fructis Assorted Stylers 2.99
2.99 SCR
Final Cost: FREE
Finesse Shampoo, Conditioner, or Stylers 2.99
1.99 SCR
Final Cost: 1.00
Durex Condoms 12 ct or Play Lubricant 6.00
6.00 SCR
Supposedly there is a 2.00 coupon for Durex, but I have not seen this.
Final Cost: FREE
Reese's Whips 2/1.00
1.00 off 2 from 1/4 insert
Final Cost: FREE
Clairol Herbal Essences Shampoo, Conditioner, or Stylers 2 for $6.00
SCR 3.00
3.00 Herbal Essences Coupon from 2/8 P&G insert
Final Cost: FREE
Bayer Aspirin 1.99
Buy 3 Bayer products and receive a 10.00 Rite Aid Gift Card
Use 3-1.00 Bayer Coupons
Final Cost: 7.03 PROFIT!
Nivea Lip Care 2.99
2.00 SCR
1.00 Nivea Lip Care Coupon
Final Cost: FREE + 0.01 Profit
GE CFL Light Bulb Single Pack
1.50 SCR
1.50/2 GE Coupon
Final Cost: 0.75 Each
Garnier Fructis Assorted Stylers 2.99
2.99 SCR
Final Cost: FREE
Finesse Shampoo, Conditioner, or Stylers 2.99
1.99 SCR
Final Cost: 1.00
Durex Condoms 12 ct or Play Lubricant 6.00
6.00 SCR
Supposedly there is a 2.00 coupon for Durex, but I have not seen this.
Final Cost: FREE
Reese's Whips 2/1.00
1.00 off 2 from 1/4 insert
Final Cost: FREE
Friday, February 6, 2009
I Got 13 Bucks in the Mail Today!
This may seem silly to some, but I received 13 dollars in the mail today! I got a 8 dollar rebate for buying Flintstone Vitamins, and 5 dollar Chevron Gift Card for playing an online game. Sending in for the vitamin rebate took me about 3 minutes, and playing the Chevron game took me about 30 seconds! I don't often mail in for rebates, because I am too lazy, and don't want to take the time to do so. I am glad I took a couple minutes, because this "bought" our pizza tonight! Now I just need to find a Chevron Station to use my gift card!
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