So, at one time I was getting into using coupons. I wasn’t saving a ton, but I was saving my family a little. I was having a hard time learning the lingo of coupons. More often than not, I found myself buying papers for the coupons, then the coupons sitting there and expiring, because I didn’t know how to properly get an awesome deal on the product I had the coupon for.
We ended up getting our taxes back, and well I had no real reason to watch what I spent at the store… BIG mistake, just because you have a little extra money doesn’t mean you should stop saving money. Why? More often than not, the store is jacking the price up on the product anyways…
With the steady rise of gas prices, I decided I had to be a big girl and tackle the coupon world once and for all, I needed to learn how to get awesome deals at Walgreens, Kroger, and Walmart…
First thing I did was collect all the red plum inserts I get in the mail, went through and removed all the expired coupons form my binder, hate to say this but almost all had expired. I started clipping and sorting, then I filed them in my binder. I Think I need a better way to file them still, but for now this will work.
I then hit Google, I was determined to not only find good deals, but learn some lingo. I printed out Walmart, and Walgreens coupon policy found an awesome site that not only shows you the deals, BUT gives you a scenario, so if you are a dummy like me you will understand it! That’s not all about this site, The Thrifty Mama, ALSO has a coupon database!
I am subscribed to a lot of deal sites, and I have to say this one is the best I have found so far, I am not saying the other ones are not as good, but I like The Thrifty Mama’s the best.
So I hit the Walgreen section of her blog, and start matching what coupons I have with sale items. I pulled an all-nighter, and hit Walgreens right at opening. I didn’t get much but I got some good ones. For being a semi beginner, I am extremely proud of myself… This is the break down…
2x – 12 pack Cottonelle Toilet Paper
Retail Price $5 each = $10
I used 2 print offs from online for .50cents off when you buy 4 pack or larger. I then stacked it with the Walgreen monthly coupon booklet $1.00 off Cottonelle coupon… This took the $1.00 off twice because I bought 2 packs. That drops the total to $7 dollars for both packs… BUT it gets better… I also got $3 in RR! Making my total on the toilet paper $2 EACH!
2x – Right Guard Total Defense 5 Deodorant
Retail Price $4.49 each = $8.98
Sale price $2.99 each = $5.98 plus you get $2 in RR.
I had a coupon for buy one get one free. The coupon ended up taking off the retail price not the sale price… So I ended up buying one for $1.49 and got the second for free… then I got the $2 in RR, which made it be free plus .51 cents overage for ME!
2x – Garnier Fructis Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Retail $3.99 each = $7.98
Sale Price $2.99 each = $5.98
I used 2 coupons for $1 off 1 making them $1.99 each for me
Reese’s Peanut Butter Easter Bunny
Retail $5.39 <- I think…
Marked Down to $1.24
Total without sale/coupons/register rewards = $32.35
Total with Sales = $23.20
Total after Sales/Coupons/Register Rewards = $8.71
About Jammie Morey
Alright, you have me hopping on the bandwagon! I’d like to find ones for Walmart since it’s the closest to my house. CVS is the next town over. Rite Aid isn’t too far either. So I think I’m going to do some cleaning in my living room/playroom/office so I can become a couponing queen like you!
I am FAR from a couponing Queen, I am just learning all the lingo. If you can get the ads from CVS/Target/Walgreens/Rite Aid, Walmart will price match as long as you take the ad in showing them it is cheaper else where!
Good job =D Don’t ya wish you had more of those deodorant ones? :P
Great job!.. I am starting into coupons, I need to start shopping weekly.. been a habit I went at the beginning of the month when we got our pension and stocked up at Aldi’s then hit wal-mart for the things I need that are name brand. I did the printing out.. but the stores around our small town will not accept any printed coupons.. they have to be the real deals.. which kinds of doesn’t make sense.
Thank you! The key to couponing is getting the coupon policy to these stores! I know a few around here that say no they do not take them, but their corporate site says oh yes they do… I have bee ordering coupons online… Today I hit Walmart and I got 14 packs of ivory soap 3 bars in each pack, a trial secret and some all laundry detergent for $2.81 that was after taxes as well…
I got more coupons coming for body wash which is b1g1 free at Walgreens… that is 14 bottles of clean and clear body wash for free… total savings will be about $75 because I paid $8 for the coupons. I am stocking up on as much as I can… :)