I had such a fun weekend! Saturday night, my son and I went on a date. The main reason for the trip was to get him some new pants that can actually be worn below his ankles. I think we must be growing, because it took us three tries one morning this week to find a pair of pants that fit. We had a lot of fun, and he even let me go Krogering! It’s amazing what a boy will do if he has a video game system to play (and a couple of treats in the cart).
Kroger has a Mega Event going on now, where if you purchase 10 participating items, 5.00 will be deducted instantly at checkout, dropping the price by 0.50 per item. I love Mega Events, and was really excited to get to actually take my time shopping!
I am not into listing all of the items on sale, but Southern Savers has a great list of the participating items compiled if you so desire to check them out. I went to the Kroger on Airport Highway in Swanton, but Defiance also has the same event going on, but with some different items. Be sure to check the online ad first if you are heading to Defiance.
My best deals included stockpile items such as Rotel Diced Tomatoes, Quaker Rice Cakes, Hunts Tomatoes, Hormel Chili, and Electrasol Dishwasher Detergent.
Here’s an example of a transaction that I did.
8 Electrasol 3.49 each 27.92
2 Rotel 0.92 each 1.84
Subtotal: 29.76
Coupons used:
(8) 2.50 Electrasol 20.00
(2) 0.30 Rotel doubled 1.20
Subtotal after coupons: 7.96
Mega Event: 5.00
Total OOP: 2.96
The Electrasol coupons were great ones, and I am set on detergent for at least a year!
Here’s another one.
3 Quaker rice cakes 1.39 each 4.17
4 Hunt’s Diced Tomatoes .99 ea 3.96
2 Hormel Chili 1.34 each 2.68
1 Rotel .92
Subtotal: 11.73
Coupons used:
(3) Quaker .75 each 2.25
(1) Hunt’s 1.00/4 cans 1.00
(1) Hormel .55/2 .55
(1) Rotel .30 doubled .60
Subtotal after coupons: 7.33
Mega Event: 5.00
Total OOP: 2.33
What, do you ask, will one do with all of these canned tomatoes? One will put them in her pantry and will use them before 2012 when they expire. Or one will donate them to a local pantry or Boy Scout Drive. One may make a crapload of chili, too. One of the main ideas in the moneysaving business is stockpiling, and this is a great example.
So at the end of the shopping trip, I had a full cart, including fruits, veggies, a packet of gravy mix, 40 individual cartons of yogurt, Little Debbie’s (a main food group in case you didn’t know), Electrasol, and more! With 3 Mega Event transactions (15.00 total), 43.00 in coupons, and 41.69 in savings with my Kroger card, my subtotal went from 118.00 to 31.84. 73% savings, and I still had a content little boy!
If I were a good girl, I would have went home to put my groceries away, and then gotten out my needlepoint work. Instead, I took B to dinner uptown, and I enjoyed a fabulous (and expensive) Cosmopolitan without feeling one bit guilty!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Perfect Timing for 2010
It's official, I have yet another addiction...Oh wait, that's old news. I am in love with couponing. I know a lot of people think it's a waste of time, not worth it, or just a pain in the butt, but I completely and totally, yet respectfully disagree. As an RN, I make a great paycheck for the two years of schooling that is required for an associate degree, but this couponing business totally supplements my income, leaving me to spend or save my money as I please.
Since I started this adventure in August of 2008, I have always wanted to keep track of my savings so I could see the concrete evidence. Now that, my friends, is WAY too much work for just a little satisfaction. However, at the end of 2009, I came across a new blog that might just be my fav. The Coupon Project is a great blog showcasing deals, sales, reader success stories, and much more. She is also a self proclaimed "Excel Nerd". I have no idea how to work a spreadsheet--at all. When I read the posting on the savings tracker method she uses, I was impressed. When I read on and saw she was willing to share with every reader, I was ecstatic! In this post, the savings tracker is explained in detail, and all of the necessary formulas are in place to make this work magic right away! Plug in your numbers and immediately you can see the savings reflected in the spreadsheet.
Here is a copy of my January 2010 spreadsheet summary. I am not done, and am planning on eeking out more deals on the 31st. This will give you a great idea on how I am utilizing this wonderful creation!
January-at-a-Glance
Total Shelf Cost: $543.25 Monthly Budget: $400.00
Total Coupon Savings: $216.65 Variance: $205.51
Total Savings: $349.13
Amount Paid (after rebates): $194.49 Rebates Owed: $50.99
Savings Rate: 64.27% Amount Paid (exc. Rebates) $245.48
I know, I know, this is really bad. Check out the real deal on http://www.thecouponproject.com/, and maybe you will be able to figure out my mess of numbers. If anyone has any idea how to edit html so I can insert it into the blog, I would take any advice! It's way too late to keep trying!
Since I started this adventure in August of 2008, I have always wanted to keep track of my savings so I could see the concrete evidence. Now that, my friends, is WAY too much work for just a little satisfaction. However, at the end of 2009, I came across a new blog that might just be my fav. The Coupon Project is a great blog showcasing deals, sales, reader success stories, and much more. She is also a self proclaimed "Excel Nerd". I have no idea how to work a spreadsheet--at all. When I read the posting on the savings tracker method she uses, I was impressed. When I read on and saw she was willing to share with every reader, I was ecstatic! In this post, the savings tracker is explained in detail, and all of the necessary formulas are in place to make this work magic right away! Plug in your numbers and immediately you can see the savings reflected in the spreadsheet.
Here is a copy of my January 2010 spreadsheet summary. I am not done, and am planning on eeking out more deals on the 31st. This will give you a great idea on how I am utilizing this wonderful creation!
January-at-a-Glance
Total Shelf Cost: $543.25 Monthly Budget: $400.00
Total Coupon Savings: $216.65 Variance: $205.51
Total Savings: $349.13
Amount Paid (after rebates): $194.49 Rebates Owed: $50.99
Savings Rate: 64.27% Amount Paid (exc. Rebates) $245.48
I know, I know, this is really bad. Check out the real deal on http://www.thecouponproject.com/, and maybe you will be able to figure out my mess of numbers. If anyone has any idea how to edit html so I can insert it into the blog, I would take any advice! It's way too late to keep trying!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Babies R Us Gift Certificate
I know it's getting late in the day, but I just saw this offer for you Facebook moms! Become a fan of Babies R Us today on Facebook, and they will send you a 5.00 eGift Card. This is valid today only, and while supplies last. The eGift Card will expire 2.20.10. Here's a link for ya. http://www.facebook.com/#/babiesrus?ref=search&sid=1185856159.401429250..1
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Kraft has a ton of great printable coupons available right now! Follow this link to choose what you want to print. Remember to hit the back button three times if you want a second coupon.
http://www.coupons.com/ has a 1.00 off of 2 packages of Kraft cheese. This coupon is always a good one, and usually reaches its print limit quickly.
With the Superbowl coming up, check your grocery stores for sales on cheese, chips, and other "game day fare". Kroger has a great sale going on this week, and many of the sale items have coupon match ups!
http://www.coupons.com/ has a 1.00 off of 2 packages of Kraft cheese. This coupon is always a good one, and usually reaches its print limit quickly.
With the Superbowl coming up, check your grocery stores for sales on cheese, chips, and other "game day fare". Kroger has a great sale going on this week, and many of the sale items have coupon match ups!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Kroger and Walgreens Trip
I try not to make too many “special” couponing trips unless I am able to go to multiple stores. Sunday night I had my sister convince me it was acceptable to take our 13 mpg Tundra to Defiance to go shopping. Figuring I spent about 6.00 on gas to get there and back, I think my trip justifies the gas expenditure. If you don't agree, please don't tell me. Let me live in my own little world of justification. Thanks.
I had multiple free item coupons that I had gotten in the mail, and they were all expiring on the 17th (which is why I chose Sunday evening to go!). I don’t know how or why I received these coupons, as I just have the typical shopper’s card.
My free items included:
• 7 up two liter
• 16 oz Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
• Loaf of Private Selection bread (multigrain fancy kind)
• Nabisco Wheat Thins
• Dole Bagged Salad
• One dozen eggs
• One pound mini carrots
• Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa
I also wanted to get some asparagus, which was on sale for 1.88/lb. Of course this was gone, but I did get a rain check. I picked up a few other stockpiling items and ended up spending 6.16. My savings rate after coupons and the free item coupons was 84%!
Walgreens came next. Even though I love to coupon, I will NOT give up Diet Pepsi. I try to buy it when it is on sale, but if I need it, I will pay full price. One of my vices…not too concerned. Walgreens has a special this week, through Saturday, on select Pepsi purchases. WYB 20.00, you receive a 10.00 RR, which right off the bat gives you 50% off. Register Rewards (RR) are like cash, but can only be used at Walgreens.
I love it when people say “But I will never go back to use my RR”. Boo hoo. Don’t believe it. As you are shopping for your Pepsi items, fill your cart with 10.00 worth of other items that you could use for your stockpile, bathroom or pantry. Ideally, these would be items on sale, at great prices. Check out the flyer. Check out with your Pepsi items, pay 20.00 or so, receive the RR, and then check out again and use your 10.00 RR to pay for the other items. If you know you won’t go back to use them, use them right away!
Remember, you cannot use your 10 Pepsi RR to buy more Pepsi products. It will not roll to give you the second set.
Here is how I did my Pepsi transaction.
5 Diet Pepsi 12 packs at 3/15.00 (not an awful price by itself)
Tostitos Scoops 2.50
Tostitos Queso Dip 2.50
Total: 20.00
Used:
1.00 Tostitos coupon
7 RR (already had these)
Paid 12.98 OOP
Got 10 RR back!
I had multiple free item coupons that I had gotten in the mail, and they were all expiring on the 17th (which is why I chose Sunday evening to go!). I don’t know how or why I received these coupons, as I just have the typical shopper’s card.
My free items included:
• 7 up two liter
• 16 oz Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
• Loaf of Private Selection bread (multigrain fancy kind)
• Nabisco Wheat Thins
• Dole Bagged Salad
• One dozen eggs
• One pound mini carrots
• Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa
I also wanted to get some asparagus, which was on sale for 1.88/lb. Of course this was gone, but I did get a rain check. I picked up a few other stockpiling items and ended up spending 6.16. My savings rate after coupons and the free item coupons was 84%!
Walgreens came next. Even though I love to coupon, I will NOT give up Diet Pepsi. I try to buy it when it is on sale, but if I need it, I will pay full price. One of my vices…not too concerned. Walgreens has a special this week, through Saturday, on select Pepsi purchases. WYB 20.00, you receive a 10.00 RR, which right off the bat gives you 50% off. Register Rewards (RR) are like cash, but can only be used at Walgreens.
I love it when people say “But I will never go back to use my RR”. Boo hoo. Don’t believe it. As you are shopping for your Pepsi items, fill your cart with 10.00 worth of other items that you could use for your stockpile, bathroom or pantry. Ideally, these would be items on sale, at great prices. Check out the flyer. Check out with your Pepsi items, pay 20.00 or so, receive the RR, and then check out again and use your 10.00 RR to pay for the other items. If you know you won’t go back to use them, use them right away!
Remember, you cannot use your 10 Pepsi RR to buy more Pepsi products. It will not roll to give you the second set.
Here is how I did my Pepsi transaction.
5 Diet Pepsi 12 packs at 3/15.00 (not an awful price by itself)
Tostitos Scoops 2.50
Tostitos Queso Dip 2.50
Total: 20.00
Used:
1.00 Tostitos coupon
7 RR (already had these)
Paid 12.98 OOP
Got 10 RR back!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Rite Aid Deals Week of 1/17/10
There isn’t a whole ton going on at Rite Aid this week, but there are a few things that catch my attention. I’m always on the lookout for inexpensive shampoo and conditioner, and I think we may have it this week. Here are a few things that I see…please let me know if you see anything else!
Proctor & Gamble has a SCR starting today, and going until 2.13.10. If you buy 25.00 worth of select P&G products you will receive a 5.00 Visa Reward Card, 50.00 for a 15.00 Reward Card, and 100.00 for a 35.00 Reward Card.
Bayer Aspirin Assorted Varieties 1.99
2.00 off Bayer Adperk coupon
or 1.00 off Bayer
Final Cost: Free or 0.99 each
Halls Cough Drops 30 ct 0.99
Use 50/2 coupon
Final Cost: 0.49 each
Chapstick Medicated 0.99
Use 0.50 off one coupon
Final Cost: 0.49 each
Vicks Nyquil or Dayquil 6 oz or 12 ct 3.99
1.00 SCR
2.00 Coupon from 1.17.10 P&G insert
Final Cost: 0.99
Kraft Mac and Cheese 1.49 B1G1
Buy four and use B3G1 Free (old coupon)
Final Cost: 0.37 each
John Frieda Products B1G1 50% off PSA 6.99
Use 2 2.50 off of 1 Luxurious Volume product
Use 2 1.00 off John Frieda Adperks
Final Cost: 1.74 each
Use a 5/20 Adperks to further your savings!
Or use this 5.00 off 2 Root Awakening Products for a final cost of 2.74 each.
If taking the time for Adperks isn't for you, here is a 5/25.00 PDF coupon. This expires 1.31.10. Although, check out the following scenario, and you'll get the idea of how valuable the Adperk coupons really are.
Here is a scenario for you to try.
Buy:
2 John Frieda Luxurious Volume 10.48
Bayer Aspirin 1.99
2 Halls 30 ct 1.98
Vicks 3.99
4 Kraft Mac and Cheese 2.98
Total: 21.42
Coupons to use:
5/20.00 Adperks
2 2.50 Luxurious Volume printable
2 1.00 Luxurious Volume Adperks
2.00 Adperks Bayer
1.00 Halls
2.00 Vicks
B3G1 Free Mac and Cheese
OOP: 2.93 plus tax
SCR: 1.00
1.00 Vicks
Final Cost: 1.93 plus tax!!! Not a profit, but also not bad for a fairly slow week!
Proctor & Gamble has a SCR starting today, and going until 2.13.10. If you buy 25.00 worth of select P&G products you will receive a 5.00 Visa Reward Card, 50.00 for a 15.00 Reward Card, and 100.00 for a 35.00 Reward Card.
Bayer Aspirin Assorted Varieties 1.99
2.00 off Bayer Adperk coupon
or 1.00 off Bayer
Final Cost: Free or 0.99 each
Halls Cough Drops 30 ct 0.99
Use 50/2 coupon
Final Cost: 0.49 each
Chapstick Medicated 0.99
Use 0.50 off one coupon
Final Cost: 0.49 each
Vicks Nyquil or Dayquil 6 oz or 12 ct 3.99
1.00 SCR
2.00 Coupon from 1.17.10 P&G insert
Final Cost: 0.99
Kraft Mac and Cheese 1.49 B1G1
Buy four and use B3G1 Free (old coupon)
Final Cost: 0.37 each
John Frieda Products B1G1 50% off PSA 6.99
Use 2 2.50 off of 1 Luxurious Volume product
Use 2 1.00 off John Frieda Adperks
Final Cost: 1.74 each
Use a 5/20 Adperks to further your savings!
Or use this 5.00 off 2 Root Awakening Products for a final cost of 2.74 each.
If taking the time for Adperks isn't for you, here is a 5/25.00 PDF coupon. This expires 1.31.10. Although, check out the following scenario, and you'll get the idea of how valuable the Adperk coupons really are.
Here is a scenario for you to try.
Buy:
2 John Frieda Luxurious Volume 10.48
Bayer Aspirin 1.99
2 Halls 30 ct 1.98
Vicks 3.99
4 Kraft Mac and Cheese 2.98
Total: 21.42
Coupons to use:
5/20.00 Adperks
2 2.50 Luxurious Volume printable
2 1.00 Luxurious Volume Adperks
2.00 Adperks Bayer
1.00 Halls
2.00 Vicks
B3G1 Free Mac and Cheese
OOP: 2.93 plus tax
SCR: 1.00
1.00 Vicks
Final Cost: 1.93 plus tax!!! Not a profit, but also not bad for a fairly slow week!
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Rite Aid Deals Week of 1/10/10
Instead of blogging tons of stuff on Rite Aid’s flyer, I am going to try out just letting you know what is free after rebate, or super cheap. If there is a notable product for a great price, I will of course let you know that as well.
The FAR items for the week are not complete necessities, but may come in handy as the winter kooties multiply.
Theraflu 8.3 oz, 6 ct, or 24 ct 4.99
SCR 3.00
Use 2.00 printable coupon
Final cost: FREE
Contac Cold and Flu 4.99
SCR 4.99
Use 2.00 coupon from the 1/10/10 Red Plum insert
Final cost: 2.00 PROFIT!
GE Soft White Longlife 2 pack 2.00
SCR 2.00
Final Cost: FREE
Assorted Kleenex boxes are on sale for 3/3.99, and an in ad coupon takes off yet another 1.00. I was able to combine the in ad coupon with an Adperks coupon for an additional 1.00/2 boxes for a great price on tissues! Each box of tissues earns a ticket for the Game of Life as well.
Aveeno Body, Face, and Bath products have a 1.00 in ad coupon. Combine this with a 2.00 printable coupon, and you might find a good deal. Prices of Aveeno lotion start at 3.49. I purchased a 4 oz lotion for 0.49, mainly as a filler item to get my (cousin’s) total above 20.00.
Purex 50 oz bottles are B1G1 Free, with the price of the first bottle 6.99. This price is ok if you need detergent now, but it isn’t the greatest price for buying ahead.
Combine these items as you wish for a total that is right above 20.00. Then use a 5/20.00 Adperks coupon first, followed by the rest of your coupons. You should easily end up with a profitable trip, even if it is a small one. Believe me, the small profits end up adding up. I checked my “Rite Aid envelope” before going in, and I have 169.00 just for spending at Rite Aid, by flipping the SCR money! This doesn’t include the 20.00 Gift of Savings Certificate and the 19.00 check on my table either!
Give this a try and let me know if you have any questions!
The FAR items for the week are not complete necessities, but may come in handy as the winter kooties multiply.
Theraflu 8.3 oz, 6 ct, or 24 ct 4.99
SCR 3.00
Use 2.00 printable coupon
Final cost: FREE
Contac Cold and Flu 4.99
SCR 4.99
Use 2.00 coupon from the 1/10/10 Red Plum insert
Final cost: 2.00 PROFIT!
GE Soft White Longlife 2 pack 2.00
SCR 2.00
Final Cost: FREE
Assorted Kleenex boxes are on sale for 3/3.99, and an in ad coupon takes off yet another 1.00. I was able to combine the in ad coupon with an Adperks coupon for an additional 1.00/2 boxes for a great price on tissues! Each box of tissues earns a ticket for the Game of Life as well.
Aveeno Body, Face, and Bath products have a 1.00 in ad coupon. Combine this with a 2.00 printable coupon, and you might find a good deal. Prices of Aveeno lotion start at 3.49. I purchased a 4 oz lotion for 0.49, mainly as a filler item to get my (cousin’s) total above 20.00.
Purex 50 oz bottles are B1G1 Free, with the price of the first bottle 6.99. This price is ok if you need detergent now, but it isn’t the greatest price for buying ahead.
Combine these items as you wish for a total that is right above 20.00. Then use a 5/20.00 Adperks coupon first, followed by the rest of your coupons. You should easily end up with a profitable trip, even if it is a small one. Believe me, the small profits end up adding up. I checked my “Rite Aid envelope” before going in, and I have 169.00 just for spending at Rite Aid, by flipping the SCR money! This doesn’t include the 20.00 Gift of Savings Certificate and the 19.00 check on my table either!
Give this a try and let me know if you have any questions!
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Trying Again...
Well, here I am again, after another lengthy break. This fall was absolutely crazy around here. For the last four weeks I have enjoyed not having to worry about my classes, and have been able to go and do as I please. It has been wonderful! My new niece and nephew are both absolutely adorable. One is a firecracker baby, and the other was born August 4th. It has been fun to watch them grow and begin to develop their distinct personalities.
At the persistent urging of a friend, I am going to give the blog one last try. I love to do it, but the time it takes to create the posts is quite consuming at times. This friend, who I will call "Megan", has decided to create her own blog. She also loves to save money, but is blogging on alternative ways to save while maintaining a lifestyle based on simplicity. She is also blogging about food, design, remodeling, travel, technology, and photography. She has some great ideas and suggestions, and her blog is very interesting. Check it out at http://www.megasimple.blogspot.com/.
I have been shopping when my schedule allows, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Rite Aid right now! From July to December, I received checks totaling over $350.00. Knowing that I usually have profitable trips, it is safe to say that I bought over $500.00 worth of merchandise! Right now Rite Aid is sponsoring a Game of Life Sweepstakes. Adperks is a great benefit to have available when shopping Rite Aid, and the opportunity to obtain a 5.00 off of a 20.00 purchase is incredible! For me, it is close and convenient, and also very simple. The ability to combine the adperks and other Rite Aid coupons with manufacturer coupons helps to bring down out of pocket totals. Then add the Single Check Rebate Program savings to that!
Although I've been busy coming up with decent deals, I think my proudest couponing moment came Friday, when we finished up the last roll of toilet paper in the main bathroom in the house. It marked the end of the $2.50 toilet paper that I bought in APRIL of 2009! Yes, 36 rolls for $2.50 and it lasted us eight full months! That is one I will never forget!
At the persistent urging of a friend, I am going to give the blog one last try. I love to do it, but the time it takes to create the posts is quite consuming at times. This friend, who I will call "Megan", has decided to create her own blog. She also loves to save money, but is blogging on alternative ways to save while maintaining a lifestyle based on simplicity. She is also blogging about food, design, remodeling, travel, technology, and photography. She has some great ideas and suggestions, and her blog is very interesting. Check it out at http://www.megasimple.blogspot.com/.
I have been shopping when my schedule allows, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Rite Aid right now! From July to December, I received checks totaling over $350.00. Knowing that I usually have profitable trips, it is safe to say that I bought over $500.00 worth of merchandise! Right now Rite Aid is sponsoring a Game of Life Sweepstakes. Adperks is a great benefit to have available when shopping Rite Aid, and the opportunity to obtain a 5.00 off of a 20.00 purchase is incredible! For me, it is close and convenient, and also very simple. The ability to combine the adperks and other Rite Aid coupons with manufacturer coupons helps to bring down out of pocket totals. Then add the Single Check Rebate Program savings to that!
Although I've been busy coming up with decent deals, I think my proudest couponing moment came Friday, when we finished up the last roll of toilet paper in the main bathroom in the house. It marked the end of the $2.50 toilet paper that I bought in APRIL of 2009! Yes, 36 rolls for $2.50 and it lasted us eight full months! That is one I will never forget!
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