Coupon Adventures - Week 7

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5



Week 6

So I have a small confession that I feel compelled to share (get off of my chest and make myself feel better is more accurate) . . .

I think I the reason I am excited to embark upon my weekly shopping trip is because . . . well because I treat myself to a Frappuccino from Starbucks! Wow there I said it, well typed it, Whew! I feel so much better now that I have that off of my chest.

Doesn't this just look delish?!

I do put a lot of work into trying to save money for our family so I am entitled to this itty bitty little treat once a week right?! Well that’s what I tell myself anyhow.

Also, as silly as this may sound I do actually enjoy my weekly shopping trips because it allows me to spend time with my daughter. Even though she is only 2 months old I like that it’s just the two of us. Sadly, this is the last week for our weekly shopping trip as we have known them to be. I return to work next week LI will continue my couponing, our typical Thursday shopping will change.

How am I going to leave this sweet little baby and return to work?

We went to Target first today because I didn’t need to get any cold items there and because they have a Starbucks inside. I headed to Starbucks once I got inside after ordering my drink I realized that my clutch (which contained my method of payment) had fallen out of the diaper bag and was still in my car!

The truth is as I was driving I reached behind the driver’s seat (where the diaper bag sits) and grabbed the clutch because I needed some chap stick. Apparently my aim wasn’t that great because I didn’t get the clutch back in the bag.

Matching bag that I use as a
diaper bag. Super cute,right?

Clutch, that fits in matching bag.
Now the need for a purse is
eliminated!

Totally embarrassed! I explained my predicament to the lovely Barista. She was extremely understanding. I hustled out to my car, retrieved my clutch and high tailed it back to find my drink awaiting me!

On a lighter note I would like to give a shout out to the nice lady who stopped to admire Baby M. During our little chitchat she managed to tell me that I looked too young to have 3 children! Gotta be honest here, this was the HIGHLIGHT of my day. THANK YOU!!!

CVS Savings: $ 11.83

Marsh Savings: $ 2.33

Meijer Savings: $ 36.40

Target Savings: $ 15.45

Walgreen Savings: $5.00

KMart Savings: $10.35

Total Saving (all 6 stores): $81.36 Total Spent (all 6 stores): $129.78

What I learned:

1. Remember to take everything that belongs inside of you diaper bag in with you!

2. If you bring reusable bags with you to Target they give you a .05 credit for each bag.

Couponing Adventures Week #6

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Week 5

The Adventure this week started out kind of stinky! I sat down on Sunday to go through the coupons and ads from the paper and sadly learned that my coupons were missing! What’s up with that?! I only purchase the darn paper to get coupons and they were not included this week? Needless to say, I was super BUMMED! Despite the fact that a small hitch was thrown into my routine, I still managed to pick myself up and carry on with business as usual.

I have established the following Couponing ‘Pattern’ for myself. On Sunday, I clip the coupons that come with the Sunday paper. I add them to my computer data base and file them in envelopes by expiration date. Next, I look through the new ads that come out on Sunday (These usually consist of Target, Walgreens, and CVS). I look at the ads near my computer (When I come across items my family uses I am able to quickly check my coupon data base for a coupon that matches with the item). If I find a matching coupon I circle the item in the ad (I circle the items so I am able to quickly locate it should I need to while shopping) and get the coupon out of its envelope.

I also create a written list of items to purchase from each store (This helps to keep me on track and remember exactly what I am purchasing from each place). On my list I write the store name, the item to be purchased, the sale price, the coupon value, and the item price after applying the coupon. At the bottom I figure an estimated total of what I will spend at the store.

After going through an ad I put my list along with the coupons to be used in my small coupon file.

I keep individual store cards (Like CVS and Marsh) in this file as well (This way everything is together).

The Meijer ad is usually emailed to me on Wednesday. While browsing the ad on line I am able to create a shopping list by clicking on the item (I like to do this because I am able to simply print the list out after creating it and add my coupons to it rather than writing everything!) I add the list and coupons to my small coupon file behind the Meijer tab.

Marsh updates their ads on Thursday (along with Meijer and Kroger). They come in the mail. I scope out the Marsh deals, match my coupons, and create my list on Thursday. Thursday is also my shopping day. It seems to be less busy so I am able to get in and out of the stores more quickly and the selection isn’t depleted. Also, I have eliminated a ‘chore’ from my weekend list of things to do. I have to add the disclaimer here that I have been able to do all of this couponing stuff (searching for coupons, creating lists, and shopping) while home on maternity leave. I fully intend on maintaining this routine once I return to work, but I am also keeping in mind that the schedule may have to be altered (I really hope it doesn’t , but I’m also trying to be realistic).

CVS Savings: $20.44

Marsh Savings: $13.56

Meijer Savings: $26.29

Target Savings: $19.54

Total Saving (all 4 stores): $79.83 Total Spent (all 4 stores): $153.64

What I learned:

1. Coupons are not always included in the Sunday paper

2. If you bring your own bags to CVS you can purchase a Green Bag Tag for $1.00. You earn .25 each time you use the bag. So the tag pays for its self in 4 trips. You earn money after that!

Coupon Adventures Week #5

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

2/19/12

Weekend #5

After Couponing for 5 weeks now, I am beginning to create a stock pile. A stock pile is a collection of items that have been purchased because they were on sale and/or a coupon was used. These are items that were not necessarily needed currently, so they need to be stored somewhere.

I have chosen to keep my stock pile in our basement. My husband built a shelving unit. I put the extra items in baskets that I have around the house or old diaper box and place the boxes on the shelves.

I have been trying to keep‘like’ items together, such as baking goods, cleaning products, breakfast items, etc., on the shelf.

Keeping the‘like’ items together helps in 2 ways 1) I am able to easily find items when I need to replenish the supply in our pantry and 2) I am able to easily see how many we have of a particular item, so I know if I need to purchase more or not.

Last week I mentioned that I was beginning to get a little discouraged with Couponing because I had set a personal goal of walking out of Meijer without spending $100.00. Up until last week I had not been able to accomplish this goal. Not only did I finally accomplish the goal of spending less than $100.00 last week at Meijer, but I accomplished the goal this week as well! In fact, I spent less at Meijer this week then I spent last week.

This week I’m trying something a little different to display my savings. Rather than listing all of the items I purchased how much I saved on each individual item I have chosen to simply share how much I saved at each individual store. I shopped at 4 different stores. The savings break down from each store can be seen below.

CVS Savings: $4.00

Walgreens Savings: $7.60

Marsh Savings: $12.08

Meijer Savings: $14.39

Total Savings (at all 4 stores): $38.07 Total Spent (at all 4 stores): $89.21

What I learned:

1. When items are listed in sale the CVS sale ad are not always actually in the store.

Coupon Adventures Week #4

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

As I began my 4^thweek 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.