Walgreens & Fred Meyer Plan

About a month or two ago, I signed up for the email rewards program for Fred Meyer.  About a week & a half ago, I got an email from them with an exclusive coupon for email rewards customers & attached was a 50% off any pair of shoes coupon!!  I printed it & have been holding on to it.

This week in the Fred Meyer ad, there's Converse Chucks (women's) on sale for $39.99.  (i don't know how much they go for, but whatever...it's for Nunu, not me)  So with my coupon, it becomes $19.99.  Then while I was reading the fine print, it states that it MAY BE COMBINED WITH A BONUS COUPON.  Which, if you got this weeks ad, there's a bonus coupon for 15% off apparel, shoes & accessories.  So now the Chucks will be $14.00.

Wait...i'm not done.

I've written multiple times that I'm a fan of Walgreens, simply because you can buy something, then get most or all of your money back in their Register Rewards program & then take those Register Rewards to Fred Meyer for more expensive items.  Well here's the plan, since I'm ok with meats for this week....

At Walgreens:

** Scuncii No Damage hair Elastics on sale $3
Buy 2, get $3 RR (& 40x points or $3)
Pay $3, get $3 RR
FREE after RR or bonus points

**Irish Spring Deodorant or Body Wash on sale $3

Buy 2, get $4 RR (20x points or $3)
Use $1/1 deodorant coupon 7/24 SS insert
Pay $4-$5, get $4 RR
FREE - $.50 each after coupons & RR, $.50-$1 each after bonus points

**Oral-B indicator toothbrush on sale $2.49

Buy 2, get $3 RR
Use $2/2 coupon from 7/3 P&G insert
Pay $2.98, get $3 RR
FREE after coupons & RR

**Huggies wipes (64-72 count) on sale $2.49

Use $.50/1 coupon from 7/17 SS insert
Use $1/1 coupon from July Walgreens coupon book (at front of store)
$.99 after coupons

So after that, my total out of pocket should be about $12.00 + tax & then i'll get back $10.00 in Register Rewards when I check out.  

I've had a $3.00 Register Rewards catalina in my purse, so this transaction will be bringing my Register Rewards total to:  $13.00

I'll do this Walgreens trip first & then i'll hit up Fred Meyer for the shoes, using $13.00 in Register Rewards & paying about $1 + tax out of pocket.

Making the two trips:  about $13 out of pocket for:

   Converse Chucks

   2 boxes of Huggies wipes

   2 Oral B Toothbrushes

   2 Irish Spring Deodarants

   2 packs of Scuncii Hair things

WISH ME LUCK!! :)

How this got started

I thought today that i'd post up how this couponing thing got started.  I'm sure it's no surprise, but that stupid tv show, Extreme Couponing, got me curious to how these people were getting away with so much stuff for hardly any money.  I cut coupons randomly from the ads every week & more than half the time, I forgot to give them to the cashier.  I was pretty committed to Safeway.  I know the store well.  It was always stocked with what I needed.  I saw the show one evening & decided to check out The Krazy Coupon Lady blog.  I read it when I remembered, but I wasn't really paying too close attention.  And then one day she had a post about how to get free popsicles & the kind of ice cream i liked for super cheap.  I had been clipping a few coupons here & there when I remembered & i just so happened to have the coupons needed for the deal....and it worked.  I was shocked to be able to walk out with free ice cream & I had to try it again....and again....and again.  I found a few blogs that were easy to read & understand, I clicked on references to other blogs, I read-read-read.  And that's how I got here.

At first I only cut coupons of items that we used.  I used a small accordion folder that I found in the dollar section at Target to house all my coupons.  After awhile, I couldn't figure out how to organize my coupons in the accordion folder.  I had all my coupons mixed together.  The makeup coupons with the toilet paper & mixed in was a coupon for chips or hot dogs.  I'd stand in the end of the aisles, grab my coupons out of my little accordion folder & start flipping through them, in search for my coupon.  Sometimes i found it, sometimes i didn't.  It was annoying & frustrating.

That's when I found a blog post titled:  How to become an Extreme Couponer in 10 Days on another blog.  I read through to Day 8 & stopped.  I decided that maybe I did need to start a binder, with categories so I could find my coupons easily.  I also started to buy 2-3 Sunday papers & clipped more of the manufacturer coupons.  I found in my daily blog reading, that when the price is good on something, you want multiples of it right?  So in order to get multiples at that wonderful price, you have to have the coupons to go with it....whether you buy 3 or 100.

After reading more, I found Target coupons & Coupons.com where I could get more coupons.  And then I decided to ask my Dad to save me his Federal Way Mirror newspaper that's free & delivered on Tuesday & Friday's that have ads in it also.

AND THEN...I started to find that I could get the "free" (or close to free or money maker) items....BUT I was throwing away the coupons for em, because I didn't use those particular items.  So now, I clip almost everything & just put it in my binder.  If i use it, i use it...if not, oh well.  I will say that most times a deal will come up where I can score good items for really cheap.

So, for those of you that ask me "how do i start couponing too?"  My advice is to start cutting manufacturer coupons (doesn't matter where you get them from, Sunday paper, work break room, the neighbors.  and you don't need 5-10 inserts, even 1 is good) & just hold on to the coupons.  The following week, do the same & again for the next 4 weeks. While doing this, look at your store ads every week.  When items are on sale, see if you have a manufacturer coupon for that particular item also...that's called "stacking."  That's pretty much how this couponing thing works.  There's more to it, of course, but that's for another day.

Example #1:

At Walgreens this week, is this coupon for Pure Silk Shaving Cream.  You can purchase 4 using this one coupon. And the sale price is $0.99ea.

2 Weeks ago, there was a manufacturer coupon in the Red Plum insert for $0.80 off Pure Silk Shaving Cream.  So you take this Walgreens coupon & your manufacturers coupon & you get shaving cream for $0.19ea.  If you have 1 manufacturers coupon, then you can get 1 can...but if you have 4, then you can get 4 cans for less than a dollar.

Example #2:

At Safeway, this coupon for Finish Dish Washer Detergent is on sale for $5.49.

2 Weeks ago, there was a manufacturer coupon in the SmartSource insert for $1.00 off Finish Powerball Quantum Detergent.  So just like example #1, you'll take this coupon, along with your $1.00 manufacturers coupon & you'll get this for $4.49.

I did a small trip today to Walgreens.  I'll post up about it tomorrow.

Starting my lists

It's Friday & all of the blogs are coming out with what to expect in Sunday's paper, what inserts are coming, what deals are expected, etc.  I didn't make it to Walgreens or Fred Meyer this week.  There wasn't enough at either store to make it worth it for me.  But I already see a few things at Walgreens for this upcoming week.

I've been working on the evil thing called budgeting.  I've been researching what is ideal for a family of 4 & I think I found something that'll work for us.  Like mentioned before, I used to budget $125 per week for groceries.  I've been under that lately, but in some cases, i'm not paying attention to the fact that I didn't buy any meat or veggies or items to prepare a REAL meal.   So this week, i'm hoping to pay better attention & designate a certain amount to "stock piling."  I've decided to work with cash this week (the envelope method) & once it's gone, it's gone.  This will cause me to take a better look at what i'm spending the money on, making sure all the bases are covered for our family.

I also have to take a look at what is coming up for us between now & next Thursday (pay day).  We've joined the Y, so that means daily car trips in the morning, packing snacks, drinks for when we're done.  Next weekend we're taking a day trip out of town, so packing up some stuff for the drive down & to hang out for the day.  And next Sunday is a birthday party at a local pool, snacks & drinks for the kids is mandatory or else we'll be spending a ton at the concession.

So if all goes well this week, i'll come across some awesome deals!!

Evening Shopping Trip

Did I mention that Ry wasn't a good shopper yesterday morning?  I decided to head home after my second Albertsons trip & if I had the chance to make it out again, then I would.  My sister inlaw came over around 7:30 & I got to finish up my shopping plan.

First Stop - Target
  I bought 2 - Ortega Taco Seasoning Packets (paid $0.34 for 2)
               4 - Scotch Tape (all FREE)
               4 - 10pk of Bic Pens (all FREE)
               2 - 10pk of PaperMate Pens (all FREE)
               2 - V8 Fusion Drinks (paid $1.98 for 2)
  TOTAL:  $2.32.  Paid with the $5.00 gift card that I had gotten at my last Target couponing trip. ($0.00 out of pocket running total)


Second Stop - Albertsons
   I completed Transaction #3, but I swapped the Nature Valley Thins for 4 boxes of Golden Grahams which my sister inlaw said she liked.
   I bought 4 - Golden Grahams
                1 - Pot Roast
   TOTAL:  $11.88, used 2 of my $2.00 off my next shopping trip catalinas & paid $7.88 out of pocket.  ($7.88 running total)
     I also got:  A catalina for FREE milk

                      A catalina for $2.00 off my next $2.00 or more purchase

                      A catalina for $2.00 off my next shopping order

                      A catalina for $2.00 off 5 General Mills Cereals

                      AND a catalina for $4.00 off my next purchase of $40 or more

Third Stop - H Mart  (this was not a coupon trip.  this is the only store that carries the brown rice we like)
     I bought 1 - 15lb bag of brown rice
                   1 - package of baby bok choy
                   1 - thing of ginger
                   1 - package of thin sliced beef
    TOTAL:  $32.35 out of pocket ($40.23 running total)


Fourth & Final Stop - Safeway (a stop mostly just to buy my beloved Magnum Ice Cream that was on sale LOL)
       I bought 2 - Magnum Double Chocolate Ice Cream Bars
                    1 - Small bottle of Pepsi
                    1 - Box of Capri Sun
                    1 - Package of Cascade Dish Washer Gel Packs
       TOTAL:  $12.03 out of pocket ($52.26 running total)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So my complete shopping trip for the day was:  $73.32.  I think I did great!! Especially if I didn't have to buy rice this week, which is $22.99 (would've made it $50.33) & if i'd gone shopping earlier yesterday, I wouldn't have bought the 10pc Fried Chicken meal, I would've had time to cook (would've made it around $41.00).  Poor planning on my part.

I'm hoping that this stuff is starting to make sense or that the breakdowns are easy to follow.  If not, can you please let me know & I can adjust where necessary.  I'd love to help you all in any way!!
 

Albertsons morning trip - SUCCESS!

This morning I had a small flub in my plans, but i got it worked out & the kids & I were on our way to try out my couponing plans.

First Stop - Dollar Tree - bought 3 Sunday papers @ $1.00ea.  (tried to buy 5, they limit you to 3...shoulda taken Nunu in)  ($3.00 running total)

Second Stop - Albertsons - Location #1


   **I did Transaction #2 from below - 3 - Dan-o-nino Yogurts (they were $2.49 damn) - so i paid $0.50ea.  Paid out of pocket $1.19.  ($4.19 running total)  **if you do the math it doesn't add up, i know.  in the "tax" line of my receipt, it deducted $0.28 from the $1.47 subtotal, making it $1.19.**  I also got:  A catalina for $1.00 off my next purchase.  *Score, i didn't plan on this one!*

  **Then I did Transaction #5 from below - 4 boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios.  Paid $5.81 out of pocket. ($10 running total) 
    I also got:  A catalina for FREE milk

                     A catalina for $2.00 off my next $2.00 or more purchase

                     A catalina for $2.00 off my next shopping order 

                     A catalina for $2.00 off 5 General Mills Cereals 

                    AND a catalina for $4.00 off my next purchase of $40 or more

Third Stop - Albertsons - Location #2

    **I did Transaction #6 & a few items from Transaction #4 & some from Transaction #3

        4 boxes of Golden Grahams Cereal

        2 packs of Tree Top Juice

        1 Gallon of Milk

        1 Franz Bread

        10pc Fried Chicken meal (includes:  Chicken, 1lb of salad & 4pk of Kings Hawaiian Rolls)

     Paid $11.06 out of pocket ($21.06 running total)  (used my free milk catalina, my $1.00 off catalina & my $2.00 off catalina)

     I also got:  A catalina for FREE milk

                      A catalina for $2.00 off my next $2.00 or more purchase

                      A catalina for $2.00 off my next shopping order

                      A catalina for $2.00 off 5 General Mills Cereals

                      AND a catalina for $4.00 off my next purchase of $40 or more

 **if you follow me on FB, i forgot to add in my Dollar Tree amount**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Breakdown:  $21.06 out of pocket

8 Boxes of Cereal

3 Packs of Dan-o-nino Yogurt

2 Packs of Tree Top Juice

1 Gallon of Milk

1 Franz Bread

and a 10pc Fried Chicken meal for lunch today.

The crappy thing...is that the Fried Chicken meal was $9.  So really my GROCERY out of pocket was $12.06.  Which makes my trip sound much more successful. LOL!  I still have the rest of my trip that i'd like to finish, but we'll see what happens.  My Ry was NOT in the mood to shop today.  However the nice cashier said "Hey, i've seen adults come through here today much more grumpier than her, especially with those Twice The Value coupons.  Their insane!"

Albertsons Trip Planned Out

First let me start by saying that this morning I stopped by the Albertsons on Canyon Rd. on my way to my cousins house & I foolishly used 3 of my Twice The Value coupons on items that would've been cheaper else where without the coupons.  Stupid me.  I went with a "what am i going to make for lunch" mindset & grabbed coupons for the items without even know what their prices were.  BOO ON ME!  That's what I get for not planning my trips carefully.

But no more wasting these Twice The Value coupons for me....my trip is planned out.

So after following & reading through all the blogs that I follow, I found a few deals that are going to work out for me.  (Note:  I mentioned in yesterday's post that I feel HORRIBLE at the thought of doing all my transactions in a row, so my plan is to hit up 2 different Albertsons tomorrow morning & then either hit the same 2 up in the evening or the next morning...i know, i'm a sucker.  BUT, i'll be out & about both times anyway)  I'm hoping that if these Cereal/Granola bar deals work out, I can use BOTH the $2.00 off next purchase AND the $2.00 off next order in ONE transaction. If not, then I'll stop after transaction 4 & come back to re-evaluate.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Albertsons - Location #1 - AM

  **Transaction 1**
  3 - Fiber One Cereal @ $2.50ea ($7.50 total).  I'll use 3 - $0.75 off coupons & 3 - doubles ($4.50 off)
  1 - Fiber One Chewy Granola Bar @ $2.50.  I'll use 1 - $0.40 off coupon
  TOTAL:  $5.10 out of pocket.  
     I will then get:  A catalina for FREE milk
                            A catalina for $2.00 off my next $2.00 or more purchase
                            A catalina for $2.00 off my next shopping order (not sure the difference on this)
                            A catalina for $2.00 off 5 General Mills Cereals (thanks Kristy! :))

   **Transaction 2 (gonna send Nunu through the line lol)**
   3 - Dan-o-nino Yogurts @ $1.98ea ($5.94 total).  I'll use 3 - $1.00 off coupons & 3 - doubles ($6 off)
   TOTAL:  FREE  (running total of $5.10)

Albertsons - Location #2 - AM

   **Transaction 3**
  4 - Nature Valley Thin Granola Bars @ $2.50ea ($10 total).  I'll use 2 - $0.75 off coupons & 2 - $0.50 off coupons & 3 - doubles (since I can only use 3 per transaction) ($4.50 off)
  1 - Gallon of Milk - FREE (from catalina in Transaction 1)
  1 - Franz Bread - $1.50ea.  I'll use a $1.00 off coupon.
  TOTAL:  $6.00.  I'll use from Transaction 1:  catalina for free milk, catalina for $2.00 off next purchase, catalina for $2.00 off next shopping order)  So that would be a total of $4.00 using catalinas.  Paying $2.00 out of pocket.  (running total of $7.10)

   I will then get:  A catalina for FREE milk

                            A catalina for $2.00 off my next $2.00 or more purchase

                            A catalina for $2.00 off my next shopping order (not sure the difference on this)

                            A catalina for $2.00 off 5 General Mills Cereals

    **Transaction 4 (gonna send Nunu again)**
   2 - Ronzoni Pasta @ $1.00ea ($2.00 total).  I'll use 2 - $0.50 off coupons. ($1 off)
   2 - Tree Top Juice 3pk @ $1.00ea ($2.00 total).  I'll use 1 - $1.00 off 2 items coupon & 1 double ($2 off)
   1 - Hormel Pork Tenderloin @ $3.59ea.  I'll use 1 - $1.00 off coupon & 1 double ($2.00 off)
   TOTAL:  $2.59 out of pocket   (running total of $9.69)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Albertsons - Location #1 - PM


   **Transaction 5**
   4 - Honey Nut Cheerios @ $2.50ea ($10 total).  I'll use 2 - $1.00 off 2 items coupon & 2 doubles ($4 off)
   1 - Gallon of Milk - FREE (from catalina in Transaction 3)
   TOTAL:  $6.00.  I plan on doing the same as I did in Transaction 3.  Paying $2.00 out of pocket (running total of $11.69)

   I will then get:  A catalina for FREE milk

                            A catalina for $2.00 off my next $2.00 or more purchase

                            A catalina for $2.00 off my next shopping order (not sure the difference on this)

                            A catalina for $2.00 off 5 General Mills Cereals 

Albertsons - Location #2 - PM

   **Transaction 6**

   4 - Golden Grahams Cereal @ $2.50ea ($10 total).  I'll use 2 - $1.00 off 2 items coupons & 2 doubles ($4 off)

   TOTAL:  $6.00.  Again, using the same method as Transaction 3.  Paying $2.00 out of pocket (running total of $13.69)

   I will then get:  A catalina for FREE milk

                            A catalina for $2.00 off my next $2.00 or more purchase

                            A catalina for $2.00 off my next shopping order (not sure the difference on this)

                            A catalina for $2.00 off 5 General Mills Cereals 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Like stated earlier, if i can't use those 2 - $2.00 off catalinas in Transaction 3, then it'll mess me up.  I'm not a good shopper under pressure & taking the kids makes it worse for me.  But if all of it works out, this will be the breakdown...

$13.69 out of pocket

  3 boxes of Fiber One (M wants to be healthy, this is my way of contributing LOL)  (now looking at the paper, i'm not sure if this cereal will qualify for the deal...shit! i'll look when i get to the store)

  4 boxes of Honey Nut Cheerios

  4 boxes of Golden Grahams

  1 box of Fiber one Chewy Granola Bars (M's fave to leave in the car)

  3 packs of Dan-o-nino yogurt (Ry's fave)

  2 Ronzoni Pasta

  2 Tree Top 3pks Juice

  2 Gallons of Milk

  1 Tenderloin Pork

  1 Franz Bread

And then I'll have left 2 catalina for free milk, 1- catalina for $2.00 off next $2.00 purchase, 1 - catalina for $2.00 off my next order, and 4 - catalinas for $2 off 5 General Mills cereal.

I think that's pretty good.  Did you happen to figure out how many Twice The Value coupons I had??

I take that last post back...

I've known since Tuesday that this Sunday there's going to be an Albertson's insert with their Twice The Value coupons inside.  I'm getting my hands a few of these as this is a GREAT way to stock up on foods that we like, whether on sale or not.

Have you used the Twice The Value coupons?  They're awesome!  You use one of those along with one of your manufacturer coupons & they will double your manufacturers coupon up to $1.00.  So if you have a $1.00 manufacturers coupon for Kings Hawaiian Bread, you match that up with a Twice The Value coupon & you get $2.00 off.  The catch is you can only use 3 of these Twice The Value coupons per transaction.  So if you bought 3 Sunday papers, there'd be 3 Albertsons inserts, times that by 3 Twice The Value coupons = 9 total coupons to use.  And another catch...they're typically only good for Sunday thru Tuesday.  So you gotta go or else you miss out.

Yesterday I posted up some upcoming deals that I was going to do at QFC & Walmart (i'm still doing the Target ones though) & i've changed my mind.  Using these Twice The Value Coupons will make those items cheaper.

Here's a few items on my list for Albertsons:

**King Hawaiian Sweet Bread Rolls - usually $2.99 - I have a $1.00 off coupon + double = $0.99
**Franz Bread - $1.50 with the in ad coupon this week - I have a $1.00 off coupon + double = FREE
**Ball Home Canning Funnel - $1.99 - I have $1.00 off coupon + double = FREE (probably do this 2x)
**Tree Top Juice - $1.00 (i'll get 2) - I have a $1.00 off 2 coupon + double = FREE
**Dan-o-nino Yogurt - $2.00 - I have a $1.00 off coupon + double = FREE
**Ronzoni Pasta - $1.00 - I have a $0.50 off coupon + double = FREE
**Bagel Bites - $2.19 - I have a $1.00 off coupon + double = $0.19
**Crystal Light - $2.49 - I have a $1.00 off coupon + double = $0.49

I'll still do the Nature Valley deal also because I can't pass up a good deal.  I need to figure out the rest of my trip.  But in my mind, this is how it's going to work...because I can only use 3 of those Twice The Value coupons in 1 transaction.

Transaction #1
FOUR boxes of Nature Valley Thins ($2.50ea) - I'll use 4 - $0.75 off 1 box coupons + 3 double coupons (a total of $5.25 off)
I'll pay $4.75 out of pocket.  Then i'll get a $2.00 catalina coupon to use towards my next trip AND a catalina for FREE milk on my next trip.

Transaction #2
Milk - FREE
Kings Hawaiian Sweet Bread - $0.99 (after coupon & double)
Franz Bread - FREE (after coupon & double)
Bagel Bites - $0.19 (after coupon & double)
Case of Water - $2.88 (with in ad coupon)
My total will be $4.06, I'll use the $2.00 catalina from Transaction #1 - I'll pay $2.06 ($6.81 running total)

Transaction #3
Ball Home Canning Funnel - FREE (after coupon & double)
2 - Tree Top Juice - FREE (when I buy 2, after coupon & double)
I'll pay $0.00 (still $6.81)

Transaction #4
3 - Dan-o-nino Yogurts - FREE (after coupons & doubles)
I'll pay $0.00 (still $6.81)

Transaction #5
2 - Ronzoni Pasta - FREE (after coupons & doubles)
Crystal Light - $0.49 (after coupons & doubles)
I'll pay $0.49 out of pocket ($6.91 running total)


That's all I got so far on my Twice The Value list SO FAR.  Aside from those items I have Tortillas ($0.99ea), Boneless/Skinless Thighs ($1.99/lb), Pork Roast $2.99/lb) on my list.

And in case you're wondering, I can't do all the transactions in a row...I feel bad.  Unless no one else is in the store & the check stand is empty.  I'll probably do 3 in a row & run away.  Hopefully I'll go at a non busy time & get all my shopping done in one go.

But I think that it's awesome to pay less than $10 for 18 items.  Hope to get this done on Monday morning.

Upcoming week deals are up!!

By following the blogs on the left, i can get a head start on the deals coming up next week.

Fred Meyer, Target, Walgreens, Rite Aid - all run their ads from Sunday through Saturday
Safeway, Albertsons, QFC, Top Foods - all run their ads from Wednesday through Tuesday

I have a notepad document up on my computer so that I can track all the deals that are coming up.  That way I also see if someone else has a better deal.  There's probably an easier way to do it but it works for me.  I haven't made my list yet for next week, but when I do I'll post it up.  Here's some awesome things that i'll be getting so far....

**At Target**
Scotch Tape - $0.50 - COUPON for $0.50 off Scotch tape - makes them FREE
Bic Crystal Ballpoint Pens 10ct - $0.50 - i have a Target coupon for $1.00 off Bic Pen items (no longer avail to print)
Sharpie 2pk Markers - $1.52 - COUPON for $1.00 off Sharpie Markers - makes them $0.52
PaperMate Pens 10ct - $1.02 - COUPON for $1.00 off PaperMate Pens - makes them $0.02
Cottonelle Toilet Paper 30pk - $15.99 - i have a Target coupon for $1.00 off + a manufacturers coupon for $0.50 off) - makes it $14.49

**At Walmart**
Picollini Pasta - $1.32 - i have a coupon for $0.55 off - makes it $0.77
Gerber Meals - $0.98 - i have a coupon for $0.55 off - makes it $0.43
Gerber Crunchies - $0.99 to $1.07 - i have a coupon for $1 off 2 - makes it about $0.49

**At QFC**
They have a buy 10 items, get $5.00 off promo going on (like usual)
2 Classico Pasta Sauce - $1.49ea (2.98 total) - i have a $1.00 off 2 coupon - makes them $1.98 for 2 jars
Wisk Laundry Detergent (50oz) - $2.99ea - i have a $2.00 off Wisk Detergent - makes it $0.99
3 Crystal Light  On the Go - $1.99ea (5.97 total) - i have 3 - $1.00 off one coupons - makes it $2.97
4 Easy Mac Cups - $0.50ea - no coupon
Sooooot that's 10 items which should be $13.94, but I will get it for $7.94.

Like I said I haven't made my shopping lists yet & am eagerly waiting for the Albertsons Twice The Value coupons due out on Sunday.  That's where I'll be spending most of my money this week, i'm sure.

I Love an AWESOME deal

If you follow the blogs that I posted up in my first posting here, you will be able to sit back & just watch the deals unfold.  They will tell you who has the best deals for the week, which coupons to use & from which insert they came from, and in some cases they will tell you how much you’ll pay out of pocket & how much you will save.

The blog Totally Target, is one of my FAAAAVORITES.  Probably because Target is my favorite store ever.  But for the simple fact that you can get even better deals by combining their Target coupons AND manufacturer coupons is AWESOME!!

So this is the awesome deals that they shared today:

**Free $5.00 Gift Card when you buy 2 select Shick Quattro Disposable Razors

Some are priced at $6.54.  If you buy 2 it’s $13.08.  Use the “Buy 1 Get 1 Free” coupon from SmartSource from June 26th.  Means you will pay $6.54 for 2 packs of razors & get the $5.00 Gift Card.  Making it $1.54 for 2 packs.

**Free $5.00 Gift Card when you buy 2 Venus Brand Razors

It’s not advertised, but apparently the single pack of Venus razors are qualifying for the $5.00 Gift Card deal.   They are priced at $5.99.  If you buy 2 it’s $11.98.  Use 2 of the $2.00 off 1 Venus Razor coupons, which gives you $4.00 off.  Means you will pay $7.98 for 2 packs of razors & get the $5.00 Gift Card.  Making it $2.98 for 2 packs.

**There’s a ton of Gerber coupons out there.  On the Lil Entrees, the Finger Foods, etc.  And Target has the Gerber products marked down this week.  Making these items anywhere from $0.32 - $1.74.

**This week there’s all kinds of apparel coupons on the Target database:

    ~20% off Merona Women’s item

   ~$2.00 off 1 pillow

   ~$2.00 off 1 newborn or kids jeans

   ~$2.00 off Men’s or Women’s Graphic Tee’s

   ~$3.00 off Men’s or Women’s Denim Jeans

You can use these coupons on CLEARANCE items as well, because it’s not indicated on the coupon that you can’t.  So many times i’ve found jeans for Ry for $3.50 on clearance….if I use the $2.00 off jeans.  I’ll get them for $1.50.  Or I can find a cute graphic shirt for Nunu for $4.98 on clearance…if I use the $2.00 off Graphic Tee’s coupon, i’ll get it for $2.98.  And JEANS?  Some of you know that I found jeans for $5.00 on clearance last year (we went during our lunch break for Hula Camp), pair it up with the $3.00 off jeans coupon & you’ve got $2.00 jeans.

HELLO???  What’re you waiting for?  If you don’t wanna coupon, tell me & I’ll shop for you. LOL  It’s all a game & i’m having a BLAST playing it. 

Late Night Planning

Last night I was up til 1:30am, planning my upcoming couponing trips.  (i didn’t spend countless hours on it, i spent time watching True Blood too!)  Typically, my planning begins on Friday’s.  I start to see “sneak peeks” on the blogs that I follow giving details about what deals are coming out on Sunday.  I usually start writing down the deals as I see them & separate them by what store they are good for.  I compile my list throughout the weekend & double check it when I get my Sunday paper.  By Sunday evening, many of the blogs have “deal scenarios” which give you the best bang for your buck.  Of course, those don’t help unless you have the specified coupons.  So I check the list a few times, the “deal scenarios” a few times, the coupons that I have to make sure it all adds up & then I make a “master” list to take with me when I decide to go.

Last night, I compiled my list which consisted of 4 stores.  Walgreens, Fred Meyer, Albertsons & Target.

**this is just the front of my list, the back was full too**

Here was my list…

Walgreens 

G.U.M Floss or 2pk Toothbrushes - $2.00 - get $2.00 Register Rewards - Free

Infusion23 Shampoo - on sale for $5.99, had a coupon for $1.00 off - get $4.00 in Register Rewards - $0.99

Garnier Shampoo/Conditioners/Hair Prod - 4 for $14, had 4 coupons for $1.00 off shampoo or conditioner, which made it 4 for $10, get $4.00 in Register Rewards - 4 for $6.00.

Cottonelle Toilet Paper - $5.00.  Word on the street is when you buy 2 packages, a catalina coupon (similar to the register rewards that prints up) will print up for $3.50 off your next shopping trip.  When I went to get this deal, they only had the BLUE Cottonelle…my husband is particular to his PURPLE one.  (TP snob…who knew you could have one of those)

Now mind you, I completely understand that my ending price is not what I paid at the register.  At checkout, my total was about $24.00.  After coupons, my out of pocket amount was $19.08 & then $12.00 in Register Rewards printed out.  (to spend at Fred Meyer YAY)  So in reality, when you subtract the Register Rewards, I paid $7.08 for my 6 items.

Target

Tide - $12.00 - I couldn’t bring myself to buy 2 to get the $5.00 gift card.  I had a Target coupon for $0.75 off any Tide & also had a manu. coupon for $0.50 off. - $10.75

Pepsi Products - 4 - 12pks for $11.00 - I had 2 Target coupons for $1.00 off any Sierra Mist.  So I bought 2 - Pepsi Max & 2 - Diet Sierra Mist - 4 12pks for $9.00

Cottonelle - since they didn’t have it at Walgreens, I had to buy it here (we were down to 1 roll people…it was a necessity! LOL) - $5.99 - I had a manu. coupon for $0.50 off (i TOTALLY forgot my $1.00 off Target coupon, DAMN!) - $5.49

Target Brand Pillows - $2.50 - I had 2 Target coupons for $2.00 off any Target Pillow.  So I bought 2 - $1.00 for 2 pillows.

Lunchables - $1.00 - I had my kids with me, they were hungry & I had no coupons. 

At checkout, the total was about $37.00.  After coupons, my out of pocket price was $32.33.  I kinda gasped at the $30 mark, but c’mon….i got 4 packs of soda & TWO pillows!

Fred Meyer

Kelloggs Cereal - 3 for $5.00 - I bought 1 box of Corn Pops, for which i had a $0.70 off coupon.  Then I bought 2 boxes of Corn Flakes, for which i had a $1.00 off purchase of 2.  So in the end it was 3 for $3.30.

Shrimp - bag for $5.99 - it was sold out

Bok Choy - $1.00 pound - i passed & bought squash, pototoes & mangos instead

Colored Pencils - $1.00 ea - bought 2 - $2.00

Crayola 24pk Crayons - $0.25 ea - bought 4 - $1.00

Glue Stick 4pk - $0.79 ea - bought 2 - $1.58

Spiral Notebook - $0.15 ea - bought 10 - $1.50

#2 Pencils 10pk - $0.50 ea - bought 2 - $1.00

Composition Notebooks - $0.25 ea - bought 3 - $0.75

Filler Paper - $0.75 ea - bought 2 - $1.50

Also bought pork ribs, 2 cans of cream of mushroom soup, gallon of milk.  My total was about $35.00.  After coupons, my total was about $32.00.  Then I used my $12.00 in Register Rewards & my out of pocket price was $20.10.

Albertsons

Pasta - $0.88 ea

Sauce - $0.88 ea

Mac & Cheese - $0.79 ea

Brats - $3.99

Didn’t make it to Albertson’s today.  Oh well.

So i hit up 3 stores today, got 54 items & paid $71.51 out of pocket.  That’s like $0.75 for each item I bought today.

Distracted

I am a horrible shopper when I have the kids with me.  It’s frustrating.  It’s better if I just go alone, but it’s rare that I get that chance.  I need to plan my trips better.

Yesterday I did a Walgreens & Fred Meyer run.  I didn’t do as good as I could have but still got good deals.

At Walgreens I got:

Always Pads - $5.49, on sale for $4.49, then I had a $2.00 off coupon - paid $2.49

Colgate Toothpaste - $1.00.  Was not the “total” brand, so I just had a coupon for $0.75 off - paid $0.25.

At Fred Meyer I got:

2pks of english muffins & 18pk eggs for $5.00

2pks of strawberries for $4.00

4 binder zipper pouches (for my individual coupons for certain stores) - $0.79ea

Index dividers (for my coupon binder) - $0.99

I got more stuff, but was on a mission to find certain things.  It wasn’t a coupon only type trip.

Today I hit up Target, in search of some school supply deals & to get some stuff that i didn’t get the other day.  Sadly i just saw that the items i bought today will end up to be close to free this coming week.  i’m not complaining though….i did better than what the price on the shelf is.

Coffee Mate Creamer - $1.83, paid $1.28.

GoGurt Yogurt - 2 for $4.00, paid $3.25

Sharpie Permanent Thin Marker 2pk - $1.52ea, paid $0.52.  (bought 2x)

PaperMate 10pk Pens - $1.02, paid $0.02

Steak (wasn’t sure about meats there, but I did) $4’something. Paid $2’something.

Cottonelle Wipes - (saw online that they were $1.77, but at my store they were $2.01) I bought 4 tubs, making it $8.04, then I had $4.50 in coupons, so paid $3.54 (making them $0.88ea)

Then I hit up Safeway…

Got 3 - 2 liter sodas - $0.88ea, paid $2.64

Ragu Pasta - bought 2 for $3.00 & got a free box of pasta too

Red Potatoes

Whole Rotisserie Chicken - $5.00

**************************

I’m done for the weekend.  I hear there’s good inserts on Sunday & a few good deals are starting to show up on the blogs for next week.  

Happy to say that I’m below budget this week for our groceries.  It’s not as low as I’d like it to be, but I know that my stocking up trips, will mean that I won’t have to buy those things for awhile.  My typical weekly budget was $125-140.  Right now I’m at $93.00 which included stock-up items & food for the week to last through next Wednesday.

Target Trip 7/5/2011

So the other day I posted my “trips to make this week” & it included a trip to Walgreens & Target.  Well I made it to Target yesterday & had a few flubs.  These are the items on my list (in bold) & then next to it will be my “finds.”

**Buy 2 Shick Items, Get $5 gift card - The Intuition refills were $10.99 each.  So for me, it’s not what I wanted the deal to be, so I left it.  (If I did do the deal, it would’ve been about $6.50 each x2 = $13.00 then get the gift card)

**Sally Hansen Nail Color - $2.09 - We did this deal & Nunu scored some nail polish for $0.09.

**Hershey’s Chocolate Candy - Didn’t do this one.  Kinda forgot.

**Nexcare Bandaids - It was $1.89.  I used my $1.55 in coupons & paid $0.34.

**Palmolive Dish Detergent - It was $2.39.  So after my $1.25 in coupons, I paid $1.14.  Still not bad.

**Benadryl Itch Stick - $2.29 - I used my 2 coupons for $1.00 ea & paid $0.29.

**PaperMate Pens - $1.02 - I used my 1 coupon & paid $0.02.

**Scotch Tape - I must’ve been blind because I went to find it & could only find it for $2.89.  Not the deal I was looking for.

**Oral B Floss - I forgot my coupons.  Damn.

**I ended up buying a pack of wife beater tank tops as a gag gift for my hula brother.  It was $8.99 for 5 pack.  I had a $1.00 off any Hanes product, so I paid $7.99 for it.

Regular price for all the items would’ve been $19.50’ish & in the end I paid $10.61. 

I’m hoping to get to Walgreens in the next few days & also get some good grocery deals also.  I’ll post those trip plans a little later.  

Teaching What I've Learned

I have a hard time teaching anyone what i’ve learned with this whole couponing deal.  Probably because I too am just learning.  Every day I’m on the blogs that I posted about trying to make sense of the “lingo” & figure out what the heck they’re talking about.  When I finally “get it,” I still have to do my own math calculations to make sure that it’s right.  (sad i know, especially when 3-4 blogs all have the same amount)

So my best advice is to start clipping the coupons.  You won’t necessarily need them NOW or THIS WEEK, but they will come in handy in the next few weeks…TRUST ME!!

I began seriously clipping about a month ago. Seriously meaning, buying 2-3 Sunday papers to get more inserts.  The reason for doing this is so when the deal is good, you can buy more than 1 at that good price.  Hence the term “stock piling.”  I clip the items that we use in my house, items that i know others use & items that i wouldn’t mind using (these are items that i’m not picky about, dish soaps, body wash, razors, etc.)  Since my “serious clipping,” i’ve been just putting my coupons in my binder, waiting for the deals to come up.  It’s just a waiting game really.  And this is the week, that I think I can finally do some GREAT couponing!!

**Walgreens

Colgate Toothpaste - 10/$10 (or $1.00ea) - I have a few coupons for $1 off any Colgate - FREE

Oral B Indicator Toothbrush - $1.00 ea - I have 1 coupon for $1.00 off any Oral B Indicator Toothbrush - FREE

Oral B Advanced Toothbrush - $2.99 ea - I have 1 coupon for $2.00 off any Oral B Advanced Toothbrush - I will pay $0.99 for this & get a $1.00 Register Rewards back (making this item FREE)

Gillette Fusion or Venus Razor - $9.99 ea - I have 1 coupon for $2.00 off - I will pay $7.99 for this & get a $5.00 Register Rewards back (making this item $2.99)

***My total out of pocket expense should be about $9.50.  And I will get $6.00 in Register Rewards back (to buy meat at Freddy’s yay).  Which makes it about $3.50 spent on the 4 items***

**Target

Buy 2 Shick Items ($6.49ea), Get $5.00 Target Gift Card - I found out that the Shick Intuitions product qualifies for this deal.  I have 2 coupons for $4.50 off a Shick Intuitions Refill.  So take $6.49 x 2 = $12.98 - $9.00 (for the 2 coupons) = $3.98 for TWO refills AND you get a $5.00 gift card.  Which means you get refills for FREE. (i’m hoping that i’m correct on the refills being $6.49, if not, i’ll have to re-evaluate)

Sally Hansen Nail Color - $2.09 ea. - I have a Target coupon for $1.00 off & also a manufacturers coupon for $1.00 off - I will pay $0.09

Hershey’s Chocolate Candy 6pk - $2.49ea - I have 2 - Target coupons for $0.50 off one package (meaning I have to buy 2 to get $1.00 off).  Then I have a manufacturers coupon for $1.00 off two packages - I will pay $2.98 for 2 packs or $1.50 for each

Nexcare Bandaids - $1.89 ea - I have a Target coupon for $1.00 off & also a manu. coupon for $0.55 off - I will pay $0.34

Palmolive Dish Detergent - $1.97 - I have a Target coupon for $1.00 off & also a manu. coupon for $0.25 off - I will pay $0.72

Benadryl Itch Stick - $2.24 - I have a manu. coupon for $2.00 off - I will pay $0.24

Paper Mate Pens 10pk - $1.02 - I have a Target coupon for $1.00 off - I will pay $0.02

Scotch Tape - $1.59 - I have a Target coupon for $0.50 off & also a manu. coupon for $1.00 off - I will pay $0.09

Oral B Floss - $0.97 ea - I have 7 manu. coupons for $0.75 off & 1 manu. coupon for $1.00 off (FREE YAY) - I will pay $1.50 for 8

***My total out of pocket expense should be around $12.50.  And I will get a $5.00 gift card (to use on my next purchase).  Which makes it about $7.50 spent on 18 items***

**TOTAL FOR BOTH SHOPPING TRIPS - about $22.00.  With $6.00 in Register Rewards & a $5.00 Target gift card.  Making it about $11.00 for 22 items!!**

Hope to make this trip on Tuesday or Wednesday!! :)