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Is It Really Only Tuesday?

Posted on September 15, 2009 by auburnchick

I cannot believe that it’s only Tuesday night.  I feel like I’ve already been through the wringer this week.

Monday was an interesting day as far as shopping goes.

I had a bit of a disappointment, missing out on $8 of free groceries.  Still, though, I walked out of the store with 12 boxes of TGI Fridays frozen snacks, a whole chicken, and an onion for $.16.

Yeah, you read that correctly.  Sixteen cents, and I was disappointed.  Even though I saved $49.14.  Sigh…

In fact, I was so frustrated that I came home and sat on the couch like a zombie.  I didn’t even take a picture of my loot.

Rooster is having a bit of a crisis (regular student stuff) in one of his classes, so that also threw me for a loop, making my day that much worse.

I called my mother-in-law, expecting a consoling ear.

What did I get?

A question:  “Will you send me the coupons you couldn’t use?”

A true couponer at heart, eh?

I sent her half since the coupons don’t expire until next year (I’m a couponer at heart too).

I felt sorry for myself for a couple of hours…until I received a phone call from a gal I used to work with.

She has started her own food pantry, and I’ve delivered a couple of bags of food to her.

She asked me if I would help her spend a $100 donation she recently received.  She’s a new couponer and is feeling a little overwhelmed.

You know, I have to admit that as we talked, my focus was redirected…off of myself and on to others…just as it should be.

What a wonderful God we have…to remind me in the midst of my self-induced pity that I don’t need to be greedy, and I would be better served in helping others.

With my head on straight again and my heart uplifted, I headed out to Target.

I bought eight bags of dog food for $.26 each (total out-of-pocket was $3.64) and saved $33.84…

I went to bed feeling a little better.

Tuesday morning loomed, and I started off the day by subbing.

Let’s just say that I had some interesting classes.  They were vocal, but we all kept good attitudes…even after I scored three cell phones (one per class).  I actually did the Happy Dance when I nabbed the third suspect.  The kids chuckled.

After school I headed back to Publix.  It’s the last day of last week’s sales, and I wanted to get a few more things…

Wanna know what I paid?

$1.88.

The only thing that wasn’t free was the orange (plus tax on the other items).

Hooya!

Good thing I saved so much and was in a good mood.

As Rooster sat on the couch finishing up his math homework, his friend from across the street called and asked to borrow To Kill a Mockingbird, the book their English classes are currently reading.

Uh oh…Rooster left his book at school, not realizing that his five-chapter reading assignment is due tomorrow.

By this point, it was 7pm.

Good thing he has a smart Mama.

I went online and looked up the hours of my local library.

On Tuesdays, it is open until 8pm, and it had three copies of this book available!

Off I ran to check one out.

As I drove home, I shook my head.

I can’t believe it’s only Tuesday.  I think tomorrow I might just stay in my jammies and snuggle with the dogs.

Filed under: Saving Money | Tagged: , , , | Leave a comment »

How to Stack Coupons

Posted on September 12, 2009 by auburnchick

I constantly run across people who don’t know that you can stack coupons when you shop.

In fact, I did not know this before I got serious this summer.

I thought I would explain how this works.

First, let’s talk about the difference between manufacturer and store coupons.

This is a manufacturer coupon…

Do you see how it says “Manufacturer’s Coupon” in black across the top?  This means that the company that produces the item produced the coupon.

Every time a store accepts one of these coupons, they, in turn, redeem them for the face value of the coupon.  In other words, the manufacturer of that product reimburses the store for allowing the customer to use it.

Now, a store coupon is a little different…

The top coupon is from Publix, and it clearly says “Store Coupon” across the top.  It also has Publix in bold at the bottom.

The second coupon says “Super Target Web Coupon” across the top.  Any Target store will accept them.

These coupons are produced by the stores themselves.  They receive no reimbursement for the face value.  Manufacturers do not produce these.

Stores that accept competitor coupons are, in essence, “losing” money because their competitor is obviously not going to reimburse them for an item they wanted a customer to purchase in their own store.

However, stores that do this use it as a lure to entice customers to shop at their stores.  You may go in for that product, but you’ll probably buy something else while you’re there.

Many stores allow you to “stack” coupons by using a store coupon AND a manufacturer coupon on the same product.

In fact, Target’s coupon policy, found here (some people suggest you print it and keep it in your wallet…just in case you need to present it to a manager), clearly states that customers can use a Target and manufacturer coupon on the same item.

This can lead to huge savings!

Take, for instance, my recent purchase of TGI Fridays frozen snacks.

I stacked a $2/1 Publix coupon with a $1 manufacturer coupon.  That dropped my out-of-pocket expense from $3.59 to $.59.

Of course, you know that I was able to save more because this product is B1G1 this week.  Publix policy allows customers to use coupons on both items in their B1G1 offers.  That is why I made money on this deal.

You can sweeten your deal further if you get coupons that say, “Save ‘x’ amount on ‘y’ product when you buy ‘z’ item.”

This is how I got free barbecue sauce a few weeks ago.  I stacked mac and cheese coupons and then got the sauce for free.

If you have any questions, please feel free to comment.  I do respond (many of you know this already).

Filed under: Saving Money | Tagged: , , , , | 4 Comments »

A Good Student

Posted on September 12, 2009 by auburnchick

Anyone who knows me personally will tell you that whenever I set my mind on something, I don’t mess around.

I devote myself to learning as much as I can about whatever that “something” is.

When the Mr. and I first got married, I was the breadwinner of the family, working my way up the clerical ladder and eventually shifting over to a technical position (computer helpdesk) in my company.

When I decided to take up knitting, I did my homework and quickly jumped into more complicated projects.

When I started writing my blog, I was one term short of finishing my college degree…after a twenty year absence from school.  I studied hard and graduated with a 3.8 GPA, graduating Magna Cum Laude.  During my return to college, I made A’s in every class.

Why am I saying all of this?  It’s certainly not to toot my own horn.

I’m telling you because when I tell people how much I’ve been saving at the grocery store, they always say, “I wish I could do that.”  I also have heard, “That seems so hard.”

Well folks, any time you learn something new, it’s certainly not easy at first.  You have to do your homework, get organized, and stay on top of things so you don’t get behind.

I know life is busy.  I often feel like I’m on a merry-go-round that is being spun by some unseen hand.

But in the end, the payoff is well worth it.

Take, for instance, my recent shopping trips.

During the last couple of days, I made a few trips to Target…

I originally posted that I paid $.78 for the above, but after checking the receipt, I see that I paid only $.37.

I originally posted that I paid $.78 for the above, but after checking the receipt, I see that I paid only $.37.

I recently stumbled across Attention Target Shoppers, a blog devoted primarily to Target deals.  What an amazing site!!

My “research” taught me that if a coupon says “Any Size,” you can use it on travel sized items and save mucho bucko’s.

Did you hear a bell go off in your head?

I sure did after reading that!

Then I read about a Target coupon on General Mills cereal.  It expired today, but it was for $1 off of any General Mills cereal.  This week, Target has General Mills cereal bowls on sale for $.95.

Did you notice something?  You make $.05 on every bowl!!

Cha Ching!

Then, the deal got even sweeter.

There is another Target coupon for $1 off of any 2 Market Pantry cheese products.

Folks…Target sells individual cheese sticks.  My Target has them for $.40.  The cash register does adjust the coupon when it scans, so you don’t get the overage.  Who cares!  Free is free.

Rooster was thrilled with my first purchase.  He LOVES Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

So, I decided to go back for more.  He’s a growing boy and eats constantly.  He’s so skinny that I don’t know where his food is settling.

My second purchase didn’t cost anything…

Paid NOTHING for this second trip!!

Paid NOTHING for this second trip!!

Now, being a good student also involves the skill of observation.

You have to pay attention to prices, and you need to be aware that there might be a better deal than what you read about on the internet!

After reading someone’s blog post about some unadvertised savings at Publix, I headed back over today…

Spent $6.61 and saved $25.51

Spent $6.61 and saved $25.51

While filing coupons this morning, I found another $.60/2 Dinner Kits, and we eat a lot of tacos (think cheap meals here).  We also eat a lot of rice, which was a great deal, and I love mustard and cook with honey mustard (which was free with the purchase of the regular mustard).

Publix also has All detergent (32 loads) as B1G1, and I had two $1 coupons, which made them $2 per bottle.  A steal.  Detergent is pricey (unless you make your own)!

The real deal here, though, was the candle purchase.

See, I had read that the 2oz candles were on sale for $3.19.  The All You Magazine had a $3 coupon on any Glad Fragrance Collection candle.  I also had two $2 coupons that I had printed from the internet some time ago.

When I got to the candle section, I noticed that the 4.9 oz Glade soy candles (notice that they are the bigger ones) were marked from $5.99 to $2.99.  Less money for a better candle.

Guess what I did?  I bought one candle and made a penny.  I used the other two coupons and paid only $.99 for each, saving over 80% in the process.

But folks, the story doesn’t end here.

As I was checking out, my mother-in-law called to tell me about a new coupon booklet she had just found…

Her call reminded me that I had somehow missed a lady who was passing out coupons in the store.  So, before heading out to my car, I made a beeline for her.

Guess what she had?

Yep…the above booklets.

So, I got four and headed to my car.

I sat there, talking to my mother-in-law, while flipping through the booklet.

Guess what I found?

$3 coupons on Glade candles.

There were also $1 All laundry detergent coupons in that thing!

Guess what I did?

Yep.

I went back in the store and got four more candles and two more bottles of detergent.

I spent $5.03 and saved $31.99 for a savings of 86%.

Oh yeah, Baby!

When I got home, I admired my candles…

See, I have this thing for air fresheners.  I love them!  With three dogs and two stinky teenagers in the house, we need all the help we can get!!

You know…as a college student, I never tired of making my A’s.  I knew I had worked hard for them and savored every one of them.

The same goes for the other areas of my life…knitting, shopping…whatever it is.

It’s a feeling of accomplishment…having done a good job.

I think I did good today.

Filed under: Saving Money | Tagged: , , , , | 5 Comments »

AuburnChick Saves $100 on Groceries

Posted on September 11, 2009 by auburnchick

Oh, you guys, I am really doing the happy dance right now!

It’s all because of money…money that I DIDN’T spend!

Wanna see what came home with me during today’s excursion?

Now, first of all, one thing is missing from the photo.  Imagine another package of Bounty napkins.  I forgot that I had set it down on the dryer when I walked in the house.  I think my hands were full, and I was trying not to trip over the dogs.

Ok…let’s talk numbers first.  See, I’m not going to make you wait for totals this time because I want you to be so excited that you read how I did it.

After the cashier took my coupons off of my bill, I had saved $99.98.

However, this afternoon, while writing this blog post, I found three coupons that I had not pulled out of my purse this morning.  I mean, they were in the pile, but I had a few coupons that I wound up not using, and these got mixed in with them.

So, I trotted my little aggravated behind back to the store.  It was worth it when I got back $3.39.

One of my friends saw and acknowledged me, but I didn’t hear her because, in her words, I looked like I was in deep discussion with the manager.

I was.  Anytime “you” have “my” money, I’m gonna get it back.

So, with the rest of my “change” back in my pocket, my savings totaled $103.37!!

No, you did not misread that.  That’s more than $100 off of my bill!

I only spent $42.96

My bill would have been $146.33 if I had not combined store savings with coupons.

So, I saved 71% today!!

Now, let’s look at how I did this.

General Mills Cereal – B1G1 @ $3.99
Used:  $.50 mfg AND $1 Target coupons (one set per box)
Spent:  $.50 per box

TGI Friday’s Frozen Snacks – B1G1 @ $3.59
Used:  $1 mfg AND $2 Publix coupons from the Toss for Cash booklet (one set per box)
Spent:  NOTHING! This was a MONEYMAKER of $1.20 per box!!  And I bought six!!!!

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel – B1G1 @ $2.49
Used:  $2 mfg coupons (one per box)
Spent:  $.25 per box

Lender’s Bagels – B1G1 @ $2.15
Used:  $.50 mfg (from All You Maagazine, but I only had one for all four bags) AND $.75 Publix coupons from the Toss for Cash booklet
Spent:  $.20 per bag

Ronzoni Healthy Harvest – B1G1 @ $1.79
Used:  $1/2 mfg coupons (one per set)
Spent:  $.40 per box

Old El Paso Dinner Kit – B1G1 @ $3.03
Used:  $.60/2 mfg coupon
Spent:  $1.22 per box

Old El Paso Seasoning Mix – @ $1.19 (not on sale)
Used:  Buy 2 Old El Paso Dinner Kits, get a Season Mix Free (up to $1.09)
Spent:  $.19

All Detergent – B1G1 @ $5.99
Used:  $1 mfg coupons (one per bottle)
Spent:  $2 per bottle

Philadephia Cream Cheese @ $1
Used:  $1 mfg coupons from the Publix Grape Magazine
Spent:  NOTHING!

Kraft Shredded Cheese @ $3.49
Used:  $1/2 mfg coupon
Spent:  $1.25 per bag

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables @ $1
Used:  $.50 mfg coupons
Spent:  $.50 per box

Healthy Choice Steamers @ $2.50
Used:  $2 mfg coupon
Spent:  $.50

Progresso Soup @ $1.25
Used:  $1.10/3 mfg coupon
Spent:  $.88 per can

Skintimate Shave Gel @ $1.66
Used:  $1 mfg coupon
Spent:  $.66

Bounty Napkins @ $2.99
Used:  $.25 mfg coupons and $1 Publix coupon (repeated for each package)
Spent:  $1.74 per package

Charmin Toilet Paper @ $6.15 (not on sale)
Used:  $.25 mfg AND $.55 Publix coupons
Spent:  $5.35

Bounty Paper Towels @ $2.05 (not on sale)
Used:  Buy 3 particular items (this is why I bought two packages of napkins and the Charmin), get one roll of paper towels free
Spent:  NOTHING!

I also bought milk and meat, which were not on sale and for which I did not have a coupons.

And that was my shopping at Publix today!

I am excited because I broke the $100 ceiling.  I mean, after the first total, I was like, “C’mon…another $.02 and I would have been there.”  But after those three coupons and a price adjustment of something that did not ring up correctly, I did it!

Fridays are always good.  Saving so much money made it even better!

Filed under: Saving Money | Tagged: , , , | 6 Comments »

How to Stretch $10

Posted on September 8, 2009 by auburnchick

Oh you guys…I had a fantastic day!

First, I got to sub for my favorite teacher.

Picture this…a clean classroom with lime green walls.

It sounds a little strange (the green walls, I mean), but it’s really quite eye-catching and endearing.

My students were attentive as we listened to The Scarlett Ibis.  It’s a short story that takes you through a range of emotions.

Then, coupons in hand, I went shopping!!

Woo Hoo!

I just HAVE to share the deals I got today!

First was Publix…

Ragu – $1.29
Used:  $.55 mfg AND $.75/2 Target coupon
Spent:  $.37 per jar

Popsicles – B1G1 @ $3.99
Used:  $1 mfg AND $.75 Target coupons
Spent:  $.25 per box

Ball Park Franks – B1G1 @ $4.09
Used:  $1 mfg
Spent:  $1.55 per pkg

Sara Lee Hamburger Buns – $3.19 (not on sale)
Used:  Buy 2 Ball Park Franks get Sara Lee Buns FREE
Spent:  NOTHING!  FREE item!!

Ritz Crackerfuls – 2/$4
Used:  $1 mfg AND $1 Harveys coupon
Spent:  NOTHING!  FREE items!!

Publix Reusable Bag – $.99
Used:  $.99 coupon
Spent:  NOTHING!  FREE item!

Grand Total Spent:  $4.31
Total Saved:  $32.84
Percent Saved:  87%

Then, I went to Target…

A shout-out to my mother-in-law, who came across more coupons and passed them along!

Chef Michael’s Dry Food – $4.26
Used:  $3 mfg AND $1.50 Target coupon
Spent:  NOTHING! This was a MONEYMAKER of $.24!!!

Chef Michael’s Wet Food – $.84
Used:  B1G1 mfg AND B1G1 Target coupon (the Target coupon actually took off $1 – go figure)
Spent:  NOTHING!!! Both cans were FREE!

I bought a little something extra to get the total over 0 because the store’s system won’t allow negative amounts.

Grand Total Spent:  $1.23
Total Saved:  $6.67
Percentage Saved:  84%  (this is misleading only because of the extra item I purchased)

After running to Target, I spoke to my mother-in-law, who mentioned another deal at Publix, so back I went since my ads run Wednesdays through Tuesdays (this was the last day)…

Publix recently put out Toss for Cash coupon booklets.

The coupons inside are STORE coupons, which means that you can stack mfg coupons with them.

The one I was interested in was the $3 when you buy 1 40oz Heinz Ketchup AND 2 Ore Ida Tater Tots or Fries.

This week, the ketchup is on sale 2/$4…a GREAT deal on its own.

My mother-in-law had figured out that by purchasing the smallest box of fries ($1.13), she could get the threesome for $1.26.

Good deal, eh?  Especially when you consider that the ketchup is regularly $4.58.

This was right up my alley because the Mr. had specifically requested this brand of ketchup.  I’ll use whatever is cheapest for cooking, but it’s gotta be Heinz for hamburgers, hot dogs, and fries.  Trust me…we’ve done blindfolded taste tests before.

Anyhoo…

Before I left home, I googled for mfg coupons for both products but came up empty.

I figured it was a great deal without additional coupons, so off I went.

I got to the freezer section, and what did I find?

A blinkie (a machine that spits out coupons)…suctioned to the glass door.

What was in the blinkie?

Mfg coupons for Ore Ida fries.

No kidding.

The coupons were $1/4.

Before leaving home, I had clipped four Publix coupons, so I had already planned on purchasing eight boxes of fries.

This coupon saved me an additional $.50 per “threesome,” taking my total from $1.26 to $.76.

Yeah.

I felt like I’d won the Lotto.

Ok…maybe not quite as good as that but pretty darned close.

I HAD to call my mother-in-law on the spot.

She was astounded because she had visited two Publix stores today and never saw the blinkies.

Grand Total Spent:  $3.04
Total Savings:  $19.56
Percentage Saved:  87%

Total for the Day:  $8.56

Guess what we’re having for dinner?

Hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, and corn on the cob.  If you only include what I bought today, I’ll be feeding my family dinner and lunch for a few days for less than $10.

Oh, and the dogs?

They’re eating Filet Mignon.

Living like royalty, I say.

Filed under: Saving Money | Tagged: , , , | 1 Comment »

My Week in Pictures

Posted on September 4, 2009 by auburnchick
Shopping at Target: Spent $9.83. Saved $23.81

Shopping at Target: Spent $9.83. Saved $23.81

Free Samples in the Mail along with Coupon Booklets

Free Samples in the Mail along with Coupon Booklets

Pele has grown to love tennis balls

Pele has grown to love tennis balls

Preparing for my Publix shopping trip

Preparing for my Publix shopping trip

Publix Trip: Spent $38.95; Saved $78.93

Publix Trip: Spent $38.95; Saved $78.93

I donated this bag of food today.

I donated this bag of food today.

Bex Socks...in progress (Cookie As pattern from Sock Innovation)

Bex Socks...in progress (Cookie A's pattern from Sock Innovation)

One baby hat (Project for Hope) complete!

One baby hat (Project for Hope) complete!

Mr. Bear decides to try it on...

Mr. Bear decides to try it on...

Roosters Band Helmet

Rooster's Band Helmet - First Football Game Tonight

Filed under: children, Knitting, Pets | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

More Shopping Deals

Posted on August 31, 2009 by auburnchick

It’s Monday, and despite a busy weekend, I had coupons that were expiring today.  So, instead of putting up my feet and eating bon bons all day (which we all know is what semi-employed people do), I had to actually plan on getting dressed and showered (you can thank me for the shower).

I did the prep work last night and set out this morning.

My first stop was Publix, where I came home with this batch of goodies…

It doesn’t look like much, but I’m at the point where I have a stockpile of the “extras” and am focusing more on the essentials and anything that is nearly free.

Aunt Jemima frozen products –  B1G1 @ $2.69
Used: $1/2 mfg coupons (one per set of two) AND four $1/1 Publix store coupons (one per box) — remember…you can stack mfg and store coupons
Spent:  NOTHING! This was a MONEYMAKER of $.62

Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits – $5/4 ($1.25 each)
Used:  $1/2 mfg coupon
Spent:  $.75 each

McCormick Grinder Seasons – B1G! @ $1.99
Used: $1 Publix store coupons (one per item)
Spent:  NOTHING! My coupons made both FREE!

Ritz Crackers – B1G1 @ $3.79
Used: $1/2 mfg PLUS $1 competitor coupons on each box
Spent:  $.40 per box

Crackerfuls –  $3.59
Used:  Get 1 box of Crackerfuls free with the purchase of one box of Ritz (I used two because I was buying two boxes of Ritz)
Spent:  NOTHING! My coupons made them FREE!

The meat was on sale, but the bread wasn’t (the kids need sandwiches, so it was a must-have item).

In addition to the above coupons, I had a $5 Publix coupon (off of a total $30 purchase), which I handed my cashier before I gave her the other coupons.

Total before coupons: $64.39
Total after coupons: $15.04
Savings of $49.35 or 77%

I ran home, put away the refrigerated and frozen items, and headed back out.  This time, my destination was Target, where I purchased the following…

I took advantage of some good deals.

Red Baron Pizza – 4/$10 ($2.50 each)
Used: $.75 mfg coupons (one per item) that I had cut off of the boxes of pizza I bought the last time they were on sale
Spent:  $1.75 per box

Gatorade – 3/$10 ($3.33 each…I only bought two)
Used:  $1 mfg coupons that were peelies (thanks to my mil for spying them this weekend and passing them along)
Spent:  $2.33 per six-pack

2-Liter Pepsi Products – $.89
Used:  $1/2 mfg
Spent:  $.40 per bottle

Now…my favorite buy…DOG FOOD!!

Thanks again to my mother-in-law who graciously shared her coupons with me.  Her grand-dogs thank her too.

Chef Michael’s dry food is on sale this week (makes this a better deal than last week) for $4.46
Used: $3 mfg PLUS one $1.50 Target coupon (stack a mfg with a store coupon)
Spent:  NOTHING! This was a MONEYMAKER of $.04

Chef Michael’s wet dog food is also on sale this week for $.84
Used: B1G1 mfg PLUS one B1G1 Target coupon
Spent:  NOTHING! Both cans were FREE!

Total Before Coupons: $33.54
Total Spent: $9.73
Total Savings:  $23.81 or 71%

Even though I’m still tired from spending the weekend in the sun, I feel energized after a good day of shopping and saving.

Filed under: Saving Money | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Seven Cents for Spaghetti Sauce!

Posted on August 20, 2009 by auburnchick

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.

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I Love Free Dog Food!

Posted on August 16, 2009 by auburnchick

My shopping trip today resulted in this…

I got all of the above for $38.25, saving $71.53 in the process.

My biggest delight was the dog food which, after using this manufacturer coupon and this Target coupon, wound up free.  Remember to print two mfg coupons by hitting your browser’s back button.

Publix has the 3.5lb bags B1G1.  Each bag is $5.49.  Because Publix accepts competitor coupons, I was able to stack the Target and mfg coupons.  Woo Hoo!  We go through 50lbs of dog food each month, so this will really help us out a lot.

Now, I have to take a moment to brag about Publix.  And no, I’m not being paid to do this.  LOL

For weeks, I had read about the “Raise Your Hands for Savings” Publix coupon booklet, but my store did not carry them.  So, I called the 800 customer support number.  I had to leave a message, so I figured that I would be lucky if anyone called me back.

Folks, less than 15 minutes later, my phone rang, and it was a store representative.  She took my number and told me she would be in touch with a buyer responsible for putting out those booklets.

Two days later, the buyer called me back and took my mailing information (I also gave her Coupon Queen’s).  Two days later I found three booklets in my mailbox.

Impressive, I tell you.

That is how you maintain customer loyalty.

I am curious…have any of you gotten started couponing?  What tips have you discovered?  I think it’s great that we have the internet to share ideas and support one another!

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Favorite Deals of the Week

Posted on July 28, 2009 by auburnchick

So, the shopping/saving is continuing.  There were a few deals that put a huge smile on my face this week.

Publix had Aussie products 2 for $5.  This is Chicky’s brand of choice these days, so I had to take advantage of the sale.

I had two $2/2 coupons from this week’s Red Plum inserts.  Before the sales price, those babies were $3.29 each.  After the coupons, I spent $6.60…on four bottles!!!  Without the sale and coupons, I would have paid that for only two bottles!!

My next favorite buy was today.  Walgreens has Scotch bubble mailers for $.39.  The paper this week had a $.50 coupon.  I bought two papers, so I have two coupons.  I bought three mailers, used my coupons and only paid $.27 after tax.  The neat thing?  The price was the same regardless of the size of the mailer!  I bought the biggest ones I could find.  I use them all the time to mail the oddball baby blankets, which will be getting started again in a month or so.

While I was at Walgreens, I picked up a free Mars candy item, courtesy of the coupon I received yesterday!  Remember how I’ve been posting the link for Free Chocolate on Fridays?  Well, it’s the real deal, as evidenced by the picture below.

My next favorite buy was at Walmart.  They have Breyers yogurt (the kind with fruit on the bottom) for $.50 each.  You can download $1/2 Breyers coupons here.  Remember to hit your browser’s back button and print a second coupon.  Folks…you get four free yogurt cups!

I don’t like the smell of yogurt…makes my skin crawl.  But Chicky likes it, and Walmart had a wonderful assortment.  I bought her two Strawberry Shortcake, one Strawberry, and one Orange and Creme.

I’ve learned a couple of things this week.

1.  Winn Dixie does not take competitor coupons.  I found this out the hard way after putting ten boxes of Pop Tarts in my buggy (it was B1G1) with the plan to use some TargetWeb coupons I had found.  I went through the self-scan line too!  Poor girl had to come and take off every one of them when I refused to pay even the sale price.  I knew I had a mfg coupon at home and wanted to wait to get them.

2.  Walmart does not take competitor coupons either.  I tried to buy the Pop Tarts there, but I was smart this time.  I only put one or two boxes in my buggy and went through the self-checkout.  The attendant had to come and void my purchase.  Ugh.

I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished the last couple of weeks.  I still have some of the cash I got out almost two weeks ago.  Things are going according to plan…cutting down the budget…one small bit at a time.

Filed under: Saving Money | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

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