Monday, April 20, 2009

Money Savings


Years ago when I was a newlywed, I clipped coupons and used them. Not like some people (click on her Past Deals tabs - it's AMAZING!), but I did use them. We always eat out with coupons (well, on the rare occasions that we actually eat out, lol). Recently, I've been reading blogs about money savings using coupons, store rewards (cash back receipts), double/triple couponing and other strategies.

I've never gotten into it as a way to save mega bucks because I shop at Aldi's, the bread store, food co-ops and of course, the other favorites (Farmer's markets, Farmers, gleaning, craigslist, freecycle etc.) I tend to buy the store brands when they're on sale, and store brands usually don't have coupons.

Well, this past weekend, I was surfing around and came across a few blogs that boasted of buying $100 of grocerries for a mere $10. Right, I said, like everybody can do that. But, as I continued to read, I found out that a lot of people are really scooping up some good deals out there.

Just to see if I could do it too, I flipped thru the coupon section from Sunday's paper. I clipped a $.75 off Colgate coupon and headed to Walgreen's. They have these deals where if you buy certain products, you'll get the same amount of money back to use on your next purchase (store credit receipts) and of course, they have stuff on sale. So, I bought a shaving cream for my husband and the colgate. I used the coupon. Here's how it worked:
  • I bought shaving cream which was marked down to $2.99 ~ got a $3 store credit
  • Colgate was on sale for $.99 ~ had a $.75 off coupon ~ paid just $.24 for it
So I spent out of pocket $3.48 (includes tax) but I have a $3 coupon to use on the next trip.

I've put the word out that I'd love to have other people's coupon papers if they're not using them. It'll be interesting to see what all I can purchase for a reduced amount. I've set a goal of spending less than $200 a month for our family of 7. Between the sale shopping and the garden, I'm sure I can do it!

As a side note, at Aldi's, the green beans which were $.29 a can are now $.49 a can! Brown sugar which was $.79 in December is now $1.19. So, even at the low cost stores, prices are rising at a very fast pace!

Also, if you are into coupons and weren't aware, K-Mart is doubling coupons up to $2 in my area and even more in other areas. Our local circular didn't show this!!! I went online and still didn't believe it so I called the store and she said, yes, they are doing it too. When I got there, I snagged a coupon booklet at the front door (under the circular rack) and it has some good stuff in it.

When I used to travel for my job, I always hit the CVS as they have stellar deals. I'm not prepared to drive 2 hours just to get a good deal but if you have one near you, check it out!

Here's a few sites I found that got me started in my path to savings this one, this one , this one and this one.

If you are into couponing, how do you stay organized?! I knew what I wanted to buy so I didn't take all the coupons with me, but at Walgreen's they have unannounced in-store sales that I could've taken advantage of had I had the coupons with me.

I did see a few people who have taken this to an extreme and seem to be hoarding a ton of stuff. I still can't imagine getting things I won't use (like the lady who has cases of cat food, but no cat!) I guess you can donate it? Or swap with someone for stuff you do use?

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

That was a good find at Walgreens. I try to be a super shopper but it doesn't always work out for me. My DH was asking me prices of a few staples last night and I told him the prices off the top of my head. But I decided to recheck the numbers against a grocery store receipt and I realized just as you did how much everything has gone up. MY DH said maybe I should readjust the numbers in my head. Ahh, sarcasm.

Sue said...

I agree that groceries are raising very quickly. I chuckled when the government said food prices rose 6% last year. I'd LOVE to know where THEY shop. Michigan has to put the price tags on all grocery items. The items stocked in my pantry are up an average of 30-40% from last year. So much for their theory!

mmpaints said...

Wow, heck of a deal. There's a CVS being built in the town nearest me, I'll for sure have to check them out.

Yah, I agree about even Aldis' prices being up, I still buy AP flour and sugar, misc baking stuff I can't grow. I hate it how the prices keep going up. I can remember when their white bread was .19 a loaf!

Jena said...

I use a plastic box that fits 3x5 index cards to store my coupons. I cut the index cards with little tabs on top and label them with different categories (health & beauty, paper products, etc.). The box stays on the counter with the grocery list so it doesn't get forgotten. Watch your box like you do your purse, my Mom's was stolen right out of her cart!

I don't use coupons now because I mostly buy locally or grow our own food. I used to be obsessed and got a lot of almost free stuff for my efforts. Rite Aid usually has products free after rebate. Just figure out how much your family uses and watch exp. dates. I still have dozens of shampoos and toothpastes that we will never use.

Leasmom said...

Good deals!!!

Together We Save said...

I am learning to do this too. That is why I started my blog. Not there yet but I am doing pretty well. It is fun. And I really need to save money.

mjs said...

melissa,

thanks for visiting my blog through that strange rabbit hole. hope you stay around to see where two chairs and a table goes.

feel free to shoot an email to me if you ever want to say hello mstillman at gmail dot com