If you do not like planning...don't even bother with coupons. If you are not careful you will end up buying things you don't need or even spend MORE money my not looking for the best price/deal...shopping around.
One thing that helped me decided to go for this "life-style" was when I lucked-up on a few websites that help with the planning. These sites help to put the deals right at your fingertips and make is easier to get organized.
I suggest that you start clipping coupons a few weeks before you want to begin super-saving. See, the manufacture coupons ALONE won't save you very much. You need to use the coupons when the items are on sale and in combination with other coupons to get the greatest discount. There are many different ideas about ways to organize your coupons. I don't like the binder method because I don't want to be in the store flipping through coupons. I have an according folder I keep all my coupons in...by week. Before I shop, I compare sales prices with the coupons I have and place the coupons I need for each store in an envelop. I also take along coupons of items that I "might" use if the price is right.
I am not going too deep into the vocabulary in this post. You can read up on this on the websites I give you and soon you will know the lingo. If you have questions about each store's coupon policy you can goggle that or check their website, but you need to know...
Wal-Mart:
- will take mfg coupons only (can be printed from online),
- matches any competior's advertised price except BOGO
Publix: a
- ads run Wed-Wed and
- they have great BOGO (can use TWO coupons; one for each item),
- they have great 10/$10 buys and you DO NOT have to but 10 to get them for $1!,
- they STACK coupons or allow you to use a store + mfg coupon, the accept competitor's coupons,
- they double all coupons up to $.50 (so a $/50 coupon is really worth $1.00 off!)
CVS:
- has great sales!!,
- ads run Sun to Sun,
- has a rewards club that gives you extra cupons,
- has Extra Bucks that you earn on product and can spend on anything in store
Before I show you this week's buys I want to give a disclaimer. I am a coupon newbie. I have short-term as well as long term goals for couponing. This week, I did not spend any more $$ that I usually do for shopping. I did however "stock-up" on some items so that in the near future...I will be able to have lower weekly grocery bills :) yeah!!!
Week One: Publix
One two items here were purchased that were not "on sale" or with a coupon, or BOTH!
Gain: on sale $9.50, coupon $3 =$7.50
Motts: BOGO
Scotts 12pk TP: on sale $7, coupon $1.50 = $5.50
Slim Jim's: on sale 2/$6, 2 coupons $1 = $2.00 ea
Dove's new Body Wash: on sale $5.19, target coupon $1.50, mfg coupon $1= $2.69
Luzianne Tea: BOGO
Publix Ginger Ale: BOGO= 2 for $.86
Del Monte Fruit Cups: 10/$10, 2 $1/2 coupons = $.50 each
Juicy Juice: $1.50/2 coupon = $2.25 each
Truvia Sweetener: on sale $1,99, coupon $.50 (which doubles)= $.99
Publix Bread= $.89
Grapes= $1.99/lb
Hillshire Farm Lunch Meat: $1.00 coupon = $1.98
Toaster Strudel: coupon $1/2
Cantaloup= on sale 2/$3.00
Ballpark Franks= on sale 2/$6, coupon $.50 (which doubles) = $2.50 each
Kraft Cheese: On Sale 2/$4, target coupon $1.50/2, 2mfg coupon $.50 each (which doubled)= $.25 each
Boston Butt: on sale $2.39/lb
Cresent Rolls: coupon $.50/2
Shrimp: on sale $4.99/lb
Ragu Spaghetti Sauce: BOGO
Spaghetti noodles: $.79
Alfredo noodles:$.99
Success Rice: coupon $1.00/2
DentaStix: publix coupon $1.00, mfg coupon $1.00= $1.34
All together I spent $120. I saved $89.19!!!
I am happy. I could have gotten a better deal on the Scott's TP if I watch the CVS sales (I still have a coupon and I am watching!) but we needed TP! I could not tell everyone to stay on the toilet until the sale!!
A Few things I learned this week...
**Check prices: ex. DentaStix are $2.49 at our Walmart. The price was $3.34 at Publix. Without the "competitor" coupon it would have been cheaper for me to get these at WM than Publix.
**Stock Up: avoid buying things you don't use or need. But if a good deal on an non-perishable comes up...snatch them! (ex. spaghetti sauce)
**Don't be too brand loyal. Sometimes you have to "switch brands" to save. Don't forget to check the store brands they may be cheaper than the name brand WITH a coupon!
Sites you need to visit:
My Four "Big" Meals for the Week are:
Spaghetti with toast and green beans/or salad
Garlic Shrimp Linguine with cheese grits and salad
Homemade HotPockets (using crescent rolls) Ham & Cheese
Pot Roast with carrots, onions, and potatoes
1 comment:
You did great! You will find that you will start to spend less as you build your stockpile! I now know that when my tp goes on sale, I stock up on it! I have 4 packages in the closet right now...LOL! We only use Cottonelle...It's my fav.!
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