In an effort to save money around here, I am learning how to coupon shop. Now, there are some of you that are saying "coupon shopping doesn't save you money - just buy store brands and sale items and you'll come out ahead." I want to say that I have been doing my investigating and I've found that coupon shopping CAN get you some great deals. I am learning how to buy both name brand and store brand items to come out with the cheapest grocery bill.
I started collecting Sunday coupons at the end of August. I get them from our neighbors who get the paper. I have bought two papers myself on weeks when I didn't get coupons. After 4 weeks of collecting, I went to Walgreens for my first purchase. I am going to show you my first 5 purchases - 2 from CVS and 3 from Walgreens.
Walgreens - Purchase #1 - 9/26/2008
I bought:
3 Garnier Shampoo and/or Conditioners for $6.99 each
1 Pert Plus Shampoo+Conditioner on-sale for $4.99
1 Glade Scented Oil Candle for $5.79
1 Glade Fabric & Air Odor Eliminator for $3.99
Total: $35.74
Coupons I used:
Walgreens Coupon $3 off Garnier x3 bottles for -$9.00
Manufacturer's Garnier Coupon -$1.00
Walgreens Pert Plus Coupon -$2.50
Manufacturer's Pert Plus Coupon -$2.00
Walgreens Glade Candle Coupon -$2.00
Manufacturer's Glade Candle Coupon -$2.00
Walgreens Glade Air & Odor Coupon -$1.00
Manufacturer's Glade Air & Odor Coupon -$1.50
Total: -$21.00
I paid $14.74 (plus tax) for these items.
THEN, I went home and applied on-line for $19.29 in rebates, which will be mailed to me PLUS 10% more on a Walgreens gift card.
CVS - Purchase #1 - 9/28/2008
I bought:
1 CoverGirl makeup (not pictured - gave it away!) for $5.49
1 CoverGirl mascara for $5.49
1 Gillette Fusion Razor for $9.99
Total: $20.97
Coupons I used:
Manufacturer's CoverGirl coupon -$1.00
Manufacturer's CoverGirl coupon Buy-One-Get-One-Free -$5.49
Manufacturer's Gillette coupon -$4.00
CVS coupon Save $4 when you spend $20 (I got this for registering my CVS card)
Total: -$14.49
I paid $6.48 (plus tax) for these items.
I also received $10.79 in Extra Care Bucks - money that can be spent at CVS.
Walgreens - Purchase #2 - 10/5/2008
I bought:
5 SoftSoap Body Washes on-sale for $3.49 each
1 Oral B Toothbrush for $4.49
1 SoftSoap Hand Soap for $2.79
2 Boxes Nutri-Grain bars on-sale for $2.50 each
Total: $29.73
Coupons I used:
Manufacturer's SoftSoap Hand Soap coupon -$0.35
Walgreens SoftSoap Hand Soap coupon -$1.80
Walgreens SoftSoap Body Wash coupon $1 off x5 bottles for -$5.00
Walgreens Save $5 when you spend $20 (coupon e-mailed to me)
Total: $12.15
I paid $17.58 (plus tax) for these items.
I also received $16.50 in Register Rewards - money that can be spent at Walgreens.
CVS - Purchase #2 - 10/5/2008
I bought:
2 Speedstick Deodorants on-sale for $1.99 each
1 Bic Soleil Razor on-sale for $5.99
1 VitaminWater for $2.29
1 Always Infinity Pads on-sale for $4.98
1 Colgate Toothpaste on-sale for $2.99
Total: $20.23
Coupons I used:
Manufacturer's Speedstick coupon -$0.50
Manufacturer's Bic coupon -$2.00
Manufacturer's Colgate coupon -$1.00
CVS Colgate coupon -$1.00
CVS Extra Care Bucks (from Purchase #1) -$10.79
Total: $15.29
I paid $4.94 (plus tax) for these items.
I also received $15.27 in Extra Care Bucks.
Walgreens - Purchase #3 - 10/5/2008
I bought:
2 Glade Flameless Candles on-sale for $5.99 each
1 Glade Candle on-sale for $1.99
1 Crest Toothpaste for $3.99
Total: $17.96
Coupons I used:
Manufacturer's Glade BOGO coupon -$5.99
Manufacturer's Glade coupon -$5.00
Manufacturer's Glade coupon -$1.00
Manufacturer's Crest coupon -$1.00
Walgreens Crest coupon -$1.00
Walgreens Register Rewards (from previous purchase) -$2.00
Total: 15.99
I paid $1.97 (plus tax) for these items.
I also received $3 in Register Rewards.
Ed and I are really into doing this - it is a fun Sunday afternoon hobby for us!
6 comments:
what the hell's a flameless candle?
Good job! You make me want to start Walgreens....Dare I say that their deals might be BETTER than CVS!? Is that even possible!?
Yeah, this should probably be my next endeavor for saving money for my family. I tried it once but wasn't committed enough :) Did you do the grocery game or just play it by ear? And do you have a good way to organize your coupons?
Meg
Oh my gosh! She is her father's daughter!!
How 'bout taking the three hours you both wasted doing this. Spend that time delivering pizza's or walking dogs and buy the name brand stuff you really wanted anyway.
+ $48.00 (plus tips)
.... just a suggestion
(we do coupons too, but not to this extent) It can also lead you to buy stuff you really don't need because you "have a coupon" like flameless candles : ) dave
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