AuburnChick's Adventures

Guess what today was?

SHOPPING DAY!!

My Publix starts new sales every Wednesday.  It usually takes me a couple of days to research how I want to use my coupons to get the most for my money.

I think I did a good job today.

Take a look at the following:

See those two black Publix bags?  They’re reusable, and I got them FREE today!  For every two boxes of General Mills cereal I bought, I got a free bag.  There were peelies on the cereal boxes, and I had already planned to buy the cereal because it was B1G1, and I had big coupons.

As I watched the gal bag my groceries, I was astounded at the amount each bag held…

The bags are a lot wider and deeper than they look hanging up in the store!  They hold way more than the plastic bags you typically carry your stuff in.  Plus, they are a lot more durable.  I have two more coupons for them…good until 2010.  I can’t wait to get more!

Ok, so…inquiring minds want to know…what was in the bags, and how much did I save?

A few highlights:

Uncle Ben’s Rice – B1G1 @ $1.49
Used:  $1 mfg off of each box
Spent:  NOTHING!  This was a MONEYMAKER of $.51

Ragu – on sale for $1.29
Used:  $.55 mfg (one per jar) AND a $2 off of 3 jar competitor store coupon
Spent:  $.22 for all three — $.07 per jar of sauce!!!!!!

Mott’s Apple Sauce – 3/$5 (I only bought one at $1.67)
Used:  $1 mfg AND $1 competitor
Spent:  NOTHING!  This was a MONEYMAKER of $.34!!!!

Edwards Pie Slices – B1G1 @ $2.85
Used:  $1 competitor (one per box)
Spent:  $.75 for both – that’s $.37 each!!!!!

Grand Total Spent – $25.13

Total Saved – $92.18

Percent Saved – 73%

You guys, I know it looks like a lot of hard work, but it is really worth the effort!

Here’s how I do it each week.

I read both Southern Savers and Frugal Coupon Living updates.  I mainly shop at Publix, so I especially focus on its store list each week.  I check A Full Cup for coupons.  It’s a GREAT resource!

I copy the list from either Frugal Coupon Living or Southern Savers (they do different stores…I mostly use Publix) into a Word document.

Then, I go through each item and ask myself the following questions:

• Will I use this or is it something I can donate?
• Do I have the coupon(s) for it?
• How much will it cost in the end?

I run numbers.  After figuring in the final price that I will pay (after coupons), I determine the percentage I’m going to save.  If it’s 60% or over, and I’ve answered yes to the above questions, then I will buy it, and it stays on the list.

If I don’t have coupons or know I won’t use something (baby food, vitamins, etc.), I delete that item from the list and move on.

Southern Savers and Frugal Coupon Living provide you with links to sites where you can print specific coupons.  It’s right there for you, so it’s easy!  Sometimes, you won’t be able to print a coupon.  That might be because the specified number of printings has already been reached.

Because I have my new coupon filing system in place, I have a much easier time locating coupons.

I got my list together last night while watching television.  On the list, I wrote down the coupons I had and the value of each.  It’s useful when going back and looking over your receipt.  Cashiers make mistakes.  Especially when you hand them 36 coupons like I did today.

I waited until this morning to head to the store.  A rested brain was needed.  I popped on my headphones and listened to music while I did my thing.

When I shop, I’ll note the price of each item.  My store’s prices tend to run higher than what is listed online.  I want to make sure each item rings up properly.  I’ve caught myself scanning a receipt, noting a huge price difference and realizing that I bought the wrong size of something.

Checking out is the most fun part.  I always apologize to the person standing behind them and warn them that they might have to wait awhile.  Most people are polite.

Then I keep an eagle eye on the register’s screen…especially when the coupons are getting scanned.  I ask the cashier if she’d like competitor coupons separate from the others because they have to manually enter them.  My favorite cashier is awesome and takes them in whatever order I give them to her.  I also try to keep coupons for free items separate.  Those have to be entered manually as well.

And folks, that’s all there is to it.

Yeah, it does sound like a lot of work now that I read back through the above.  But, the best I can tell, I don’t have a money tree growing in my back yard, so I’ve got to save where I can.

Shopping has almost become like a game for me.  I follow the rules but take advantage of the perks that the manufactures offer (coupons, rebates, etc.) for buying their products.  It’s a win-win situation for everyone.

Oh, and before I forget, here are two coupon links.

Pat (thank you!) sent me this one for $.75 off of one gallon or two half-gallons of Borden milk.  Click on Coupons (middle left of the page).

Here’s one where you can sign up for a free sample of Yoplait Whips.  I accidentally found it when I was googling for a rebate form for yogurt I bought last week.

Filed under: Saving Money | Tagged: A Full Cup, couponing, frugal coupon living, grocery shopping, publix, Ragu, Saving Money, Southern Savers, yogurt, yoplait | 1 Comment »