Couponing has impressed me yet again!

This week was Smith's week. Looking through the three main grocery store lists - Smith's had more things that caught my eye.

I had to go tonight after Girl Scouts because I am off to Portland in the morning and didn't want to leave it to the end. So when I got there... it didn't start off too well. The Gala Apples were "supposed" to be on sale for $.69 - they weren't... so I got the Golden Delicious instead (which were .69) and then they were out of the Dole Garden Salad bags that were $1 a bag. THEN they were out of the $1 Hormel Salami and Pepperoni... I was starting to get disappointed. However, I got just about everything else I had wanted, plus my usual weekly needs.

SO!
Total Bill: $333.37
Club Card: -$143.67
Coupons: - 47.25
Total Savings: -190.92
Out of pocket: $142.45
Number of Items: 110

So I definitely saved more then I spent - HURRAY! That is a $1.30 an item. That includes my milk, eggs, lunch meat, chicken at reduced price... However, to be honest, the checker didn't seem to check the coupons too closely. If something didn't ring properly he forced it through. I did manage to catch (before he forced it) a toilet paper coupon - realizing I had bought two and not three - so I stopped him for that. But as he was searching for the price to give me off for the Ricola (coupon was buy a reg Ricola get the Berry flavor free) - I realized that he had already rung and forced through the Tombstone Pizza coupons when I realized - Oops they said buy TWO get $1.50 off... I bought five, he rang five coupons. Then as he rings up the Ricola Coupon (he had done some fancy key stroke and got a print out of the cost of the Ricola - which told him that it was 2.19.) He gave me 2.19 off for each coupon... the Ricola was on sale for a $1 each - um so essentially I got ALL TEN of the Ricola FREE plus an additional .19 off.

I certainly wasn't trying to pull a fast one, I gave up my coupons as I always do and try to watch to see if they have problems. Because lord knows I am not the best most meticulous couponer and have made mistakes and will likely make them again. The checkers usually say something if they have a problem... however this guy just immediately started "fixing" them.

So winner week for me! I am off to Portland! (Which by the way... I used a free flight I earned while flying on the company dime!)

Shopping for 10/24

So I was very disappointed in the lists last week. I think the Grocery Stores are waiting for people to really be shopping for Thanksgiving to put out the good deals.

So I went to Vons as they seemed to have decent deals on a couple things. Not to mention their milk has moved onto their "low price everyday" deal at $2.09.

Total Bill - $144 (have no idea how it could be even)
Card: - 42.06
Coupons: -8.28
Total Savings: $50.34
Out of Pocket - 93.66
Items: 47

So not to bad. A couple of my coupons made the computer beep - the clerk said "I think we are only allowed to scan three per item." (To which I thought "whaaaa??") But didn't say anything. She entered them anyway and she gave me a tip about their "in store"ads. They are only good for the limit on the coupon - but you CAN do multiple transactions. For example Vons' had an in store ad for Simply Juice bringing the price down to $1.99 (from 2.50 the sale price) limit 2. I bought four and tore out two coupons - it beeped. The nice clerk rang them up anyway but gave me the "for next time; do two seperate transactions" spiel.  Keep that in mind!

So I am ready for this coming week. Again not impressive ads. But I saw a few things of interest. I will let you know how it goes... likely after I get back from Portland.

Even more disappointed going into this weekend

Good grief... I couldn't believe that the "list" could get much worse than last week - but it did!

I went through the Albertson's list and really found two things I could use and about the same for Smith's.

I think I will look again Friday night or something... maybe I am tired and missed something.

Follow up to my "disappointed" post

So I printed out my list, got my coupons and decided this week was Vons and Albertson's for the best deals.

Vons
Original Total: 171.14
Club Card Savings: - 70.56
Coupon Savings: - 20.14
Total Savings: - 91.05
Spent: $80.09
Items: 26

From Vons - I got some of their reduced meats (hamburger w/ additional 50% off, some boneless ribs with additional 30% off.) I managed to grab some of the steak for $1.97 a pound (only had a couple out when I was there.) I also did their by 5 juices and got $5 off plus I had coupons for the Welch's. I bought Tide which increased my spending somewhat. But I had a $1 off coupon.

Then back to Albertson's this week
Original Total: 145.54
Big Relief Price Cut: - 42.51
Card: -18.77
Coupons: -7.50
Total Savings: -$68.78
Spent: $76.76
Items:42

So I chose Albertson's for my weekly needs instead of Smith's. I picked up Milk, lunch meat, cream cheese and tomato sauce - but looked for either the marked down item or things further discounted with the card.

OH!!! And because of they I bought things - I got a $5 off my next $40 purchase, a $10 off my next purchase AND because I have been shopping there so much - I got one of their 5% off that I can combine with other 5% off (you get one every $250 spent with Card). So my next purchase is looking better and better!

So not too bad this week. I actually didn't need much, but still spent $156 this week. I think Darren is hating all the cereal in the cupboard. :) But didn't do the amazing $1 an item... bummer!

I went to Walgreens to use up my check out rewards, I got bags of candy for my work bowl and a Cover Girl Eyeshadow I needed... and paid nothing out of pocket. I like those trips!

After such a big week... a bit disappointed going into this weekend

So I went and created the list and looked over what I could get and what I needed.

Unfortunately it doesn't look like I am going to have as big a week as last week. There just wasn't much on the sales ad that appealed to me and the family. So this week may be a week of just getting buy with our necessities instead of stock up items.

I will let you know.

My Friday Coupon Frenzy

OH MY GOODNESS!

It was a great day at Albertson's! Are you sitting down? You might want to be if you are reading this on a mobile device...

Total items purchased: 106
Grand total prior to savings: $355.15
Total Savings: -253.63
Total out of pocket: $101.52
That is LESS than a DOLLAR an item!

Look closely - I have Multi-vitamins in there, C&H sugar, name brand stuff! So I know the yogurts shouldn't be $.96 each but we could easily knock those down to their usual .50 and add the difference to the vitamins, C&H Sugar, Press and Seal Wrap, etc and STILL be way under their normal price.

So then I went to Smith's because it is still in my head as the "better priced" store... not sure why exactly since my savings there this week were dismal. (Their milk IS cheaper so I am not completely insane.)

Total Items Sold: 38

Grand Total: $113.81

Total Savings: -$24.38

Total out of pocket: $89.47

I did miss in the picture a water jug for Josh, a super size bag of Malt O Meal cereal and 2 jugs of milk.

So tell me what you think of my shopping frenzy! My pantry is starting to burst at the seams!

Excited about this weeks shopping

So as usual my obsession has kicked in. I jumped online this morning and already printed out my lists and corresponding coupons... found the coupons in my inserts - cut those out. I won't even be able to go shopping until tomorrow night. I have to go Friday because of Alex's Eagle Scout project.

This will be my biggest use of coupons to date. I will let you know how it goes.

A couple people have told me they are reading this. Please comment and let me know!

Little Disappointed

So I went to try my hand at shopping using coupons at Walgreen's and CVS. And honestly I am not really impressed there either.

I picked up the Playtex that gets you the $3 rewards, a razor that got another $3 - these had to be done in seperate transactions. My first disappointment (besides the seperate transactions) is that one of the other razors that you are "supposed" to get a $6 reward for - they were out of. (Gillette MVP) then they had the space filled with the "Gamer" but of course that was not included in the reward. So I have to go back on Wednesday... which I really am not sure I need all that badly.

I then went to CVS for the Colgate - I had a coupon for a dollar off plus you get a $2 reward - I got it for the toothpaste (you have to swipe your CVS card for this) but didn't get it on the toothbrush even though I did two seperate transactions.

So it wasn't really worth all the extra trouble. I am seriously considering not even paying attention to the CVS/Walgreens opportunities.

My first October Shopping Trip

So I am thinking I didn't score like I did last week. However, I still didn't do badly...

I went to two - actually 3 stores tonight.

I started at Albertson's - my total bill was 82.50 with my card, coupons and their Big Price Relief savings - I paid $44.64 - so nearly saved as much as I spent. (savings - $37.86)

I then went to Smith's which is where I prefer to do my weekly regular shopping. My bill came to $115, I spent - $80.97 so another savings of over $30. But not the save as much as I spend rule again.

Because Smith's (nor Albertson's that I saw) carry the max pack Lemonade and I needed Ibuprofen, sheet protectors and Darren's favorite Dill Pickle Relish - I went to Walmart. That was not a good idea... *sigh* - Another $50+ because of course I couldn't just get those four things...

A little disappointing in my second week. I did however make it all week bringing my lunch. (With of course the BWW Thursday allowable exception.) Tomorrow I head off camping. So no more getting into trouble money wise I hope!