As I began my 4thweek as a ‘Couponer’ (I guess I could be classified as one now, right?) a few things were running through my head. On the positive end, I felt like I had established a routine regarding finding and storing coupons, looking through sale ads, matching coupons to sale items, and creating my shopping list. On the opposite end of positive, (That means negative, in case you weren’t sure.) since I began this journey I have strived to spend less than $100.00 at Meijer. My husband and I have a running joke that spending at least $100.00 is a requirement at Meijer. So far I have yet to reach this goal. I have tried couponing because I want to save money and it doesn’t seem to me that I am saving money. If I look at my receipts I am able to see the‘savings’, but I’m quite seeing the savings that I’m looking for. I have to be honest I was thinking that this may all be a waste, until I completed my transaction at Meijer and saw my total came to $90.90! ~SUCCESS! ~ I spent less than $100.00 at Meijer!
I ran across a few new things this week that I would like to caution you about. First of all, I found it very helpful to have the store ads with me while shopping. It was also helpful to have the items I intended on purchasing circled (I was able to quickly find items when needed) in the ads. Manufacturers use such similar adjectives (Such as Super pack or Mega pack on toilet paper) on their products that it can be confusing to determine which specific product is on sale. The cashier and managers were very friendly and helpful when mistakes were made. I was appreciative and impressed with the customer service at both Target and Marsh. Second, be sure to watch as the cashier scans your items. Just because items are on sale in the ads does not mean that they have been entered in the computer system. I was thankful to have my ad with me so I could quickly and easily show the cashier the advertised price. This situation was handled appropriately and corrected. Lastly, I found it helpful to estimate how much my total bill should be before going to the stores. Knowing the estimate helped to alert me that items rang up incorrectly.
Meijer:
Sale and Coupon items purchased:
Item:
|
Original Price:
|
Sale Price:
|
Coupon:
|
Savings:
|
Cereal
|
$3.99 (I bought 2 = $7.98)
|
3 for $10.00 ($3.33 each)
|
$1.00 on 2
|
$2.32
|
Hot Pockets
|
$2.24 (I bought 6 = $13.44)
|
5 for $10.00 ($2.00 each)
|
$1.00 on 6
|
$2.44
|
Freezer Bags
|
$2.59 (I bought 2 = $5.18)
|
2 for $4.00 ($2.00 each)
|
.75 on 2
|
$1.93
|
Sandwich Bags
|
$2.50 (I bought 2 = $5.00)
|
2 for $4.00 ($2.00 each)
|
.50 on 2 (coupon doubled)
|
$1.50
|
Deodorant
|
$4.09
|
$3.98
|
$1.00 on 1
|
$1.11
|
Smoked Sausage
|
$3.69
|
2 for $5.00 ($2.50 each)
|
.55 on 1
|
$1.74
|
Cookies
|
$2.49 (I bought 2 = $4.98)
|
2 for $4.00 ($2.00 each)
|
$1.00 off 2
|
$1.98
|
Fruit
|
$1.45 (I bought 2 = $2.90)
|
4 for $5.00 ($1.25 each)
|
.50 on 2 (coupon doubled)
|
.90
|
Total Sale and Coupon items savings: $13.92
|
Sale Item Purchases:
Item:
|
Original Price:
|
Sale Price:
|
Savings:
|
Milk
|
$2.99 (I bought2 = $5.98)
|
2 for $5.00
|
.98
|
Salad
|
$2.99 (I bought 3 = $8.97)
|
3 for $5.00
|
$3.97
|
Pastry Treats
|
$1.79 (I bought 3 = $5.37)
|
3 for $5.00
|
.37
|
Apple Sauce
|
$1.79 (I bought 3 = $5.37)
|
3 for $5.00
|
.37
|
Fruit Cups
|
$2.00 (I bought 3 = $6.00)
|
3 for $5.00
|
$1.00
|
Total Sale items savings: $6.69
|
Total Meijer Savings: $20.61
Marsh:
Sale and Coupon items purchased:
Item:
|
Original Price:
|
Sale Price:
|
Coupon:
|
Savings:
|
Bacon
|
$4.69
|
$3.69
|
.75
|
$1.75
|
Toaster Strudel
|
$2.95 (I bought 3 = $8.85)
|
2 for $4.00 (I bought 3 = $6.00)
|
.75 on 3
|
$3.60
|
Nature Valley Granola Bars
|
$4.19 (I bought 2 = $8.38)
|
4 for $10.00 (I bought 2 = $5.00)
|
.50 on 2
|
$3.88
|
Breakfast on the Go
|
$3.79 (I bought 3 = $11.37)
|
2 for $5.00 (I bought 3 = $7.50)
|
$1.00 on 1
$1.50 on 2
|
$6.37
|
Total Sale and Coupon items savings: $15.60
|
Sale Item Purchases:
Item:
|
Original Price:
|
Sale Price:
|
Savings:
|
Bread
|
$3.19 (I bought 3 = $9.57)
|
Buy 1 get 2 free
|
$6.38
|
Chips
|
$4.29 (I bought 2 = $8.58)
|
Buy 1 get 1 free
|
$4.29
|
Juice Boxes
|
$2.59 (I bought 2 = $5.18)
|
$2.19 (I bought 2 = $4.38)
|
.80
|
Total Sale items savings: $11.47
|
Total Marsh Savings: $27.07
Total Weekend Savings: $47.68
What I learned:
1. Bring the store ads with you. The sale prices do not always ring up correctly.
2. Read the fine print carefully on what specific item is on sale.
3. Have an estimate in mind of what your total bill should be when all is said and done.
Your making me want to start couponing as well. I'm sure I could save some money at the store as well! thanks
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! I hope it helps you :) I am still couponing. I just haven't had as much time to blog about it since I've been back to work. I learned you defiantly have to take one step at a time.
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