Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Back in the Couponing Saddle

I coupon, which if you've read my blog for more than a few months or been to my house and see the coupon stash, you know. Its pretty great. It saves lots of money and gives lots of wiggle room in our budget. But sometimes I don't want to. Sometimes it seems like its too much work for too little result, especially here in Utah County where tons of people coupon and the best deals are generally gone the first day of a sale, which can be so frustrating. I've felt pretty off lately. But tonight I got excited about how much I can save all over again.

I went to Albertsons to use my double coupons. My neighbor gave me hers (thanks, Julie!) so I had 6 sets of doublers to use (18 doublers total). Here is how I did:

  • 8 Boxes Post Selects Cereal
  • 4 pints Bryers Ice Cream
  • 4 bottles Juicy Juice
  • 4 pouches Bumblebee Tuna
  • 4 packs Kraft String Cheese
  • 2 "Family-sized" boxes Wheat Thins
  • 1 box Ritz Crackers
  • 1 box peanut butter Ritz Bits
  • 2 tubs Philidelphia Cream Cheese
  • 2 packs M&Ms (no coupon... potty training treats)
  • 1 bag Orange Slices Candy (no coupon...potty training treats, but on clearance)
  • 1 3-pack Wrigley's Gum
  • 1 loaf Earth Grains bread
  • 1 box Hefty One-Zip freezer bags
  • 2 Liter bottle A&W Rootbeer (no coupon... potty training drink)
  • 2.5 pounds 85% lean ground beef
  • A "mega pack" of Albertson's brand training pants (not pictured)

Total spent out of pocket: $17.61, including tax!

Total Saved using sales & coupons: $137.07... thats an 88% savings!

I did this in 7 transactions using 18 doublers. I used $20 in catalina coupons ($15 earned last week and $5 earned in my first transaction today) and still have $6 in catalinas to use on my next shopping trip. It took 2 hours... but not bad "earnings" for 2 hours work, eh?

Oh, and here's the best part... I'm submitting my first transaction for a $20 rebate from Kraft. So technically, once I get that rebate, everything I bought today was free!

8 comments:

Erin said...

Okay, you have me intrigued! I have seen on many blogs couponing posts like yours, and I have been interested in hopping on the band wagon. This is where you come in! Did you use websites or anything to learn how to do this as well as you just did in this post? If so, can you point me in the right direction to learn the finer points?

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CMK5 LINDSEY said...

Ur amazing! When things slow down for me....I'll be seeking your expertise! Ur babies are adorable=)

Thad and Julie said...

A-W-E-S-O-M-E! You are my couponing idol.

Rosie said...

Erin, I do check several blogs to look for tips on deals, freebies, coupon match-ups and deal scenarios. My 3 favorites are:
athriftymom.com
krazycouponlady.blogspot.com
moneysavingmom.com

I also like stretchingabuckblog.com for Target match-ups. The first 2 blogs will provide some match-ups that include Washington in the region (Utah and Washington are in the same ad region for Albertsons).

To find more comprehensive match-ups for Washington, check out the Washington Screaming Deals forum on pinchingyourpennies.com

Julie... couldn't have done it without your doublers. Thanks again! =)

Ashleigh said...

Okay, Rosie, you're amazing. I know that I need to start doing the coupons, but I'm so lazy. Maybe if I keep reading posts like yours, I'll eventually get off my butt and start clippin'. You're awesome!

Lauren said...

I still haven't convinced myself that getting the newspaper with the ads is worth it. Is it?! Maybe I should try it. I just feel like a lot of time the stuff on sale is snack food and not really homemade meal food.

Rosie said...

I think its definantly worth it, but you are right... lots of coupons are for snack food and junk food. But there are also lost of coupons for canned goods and TONS of coupons for non-grocery items. Even if you never use a single food coupon and only use the toiletry and household goods coupons (shampoo, conditioner, deorderant, dish & laundry soap, paper towel & plates etc) you will still save a ton of money... certinaly more than your paper subscription every month. =)