Target
I used overage from the camera and cocoa mix to help pay for the garbage bags and corn muffin mix. When I get overage, I try to use it for items I haven't been able to pick up on sale or don't have coupons for.Before sales & coupons: $10.64
Total spent: $0.40
Total saved: $10.24 for 96%
Walgreens
Last Saturday, I realised I had Register Rewards expiring. So I grabbed them and ran to Walgreens without a plan or a coupon. It worked out that I was able to roll some of them, and I bought toilet paper with the rest of them. Since starting couponing, I don't think I have ever shopped at Walgreens without coupons; it was a strange feeling. This week was better with the Progresso, Mars and John Frieda coupons.Before sales, coupons and rolling Register Rewards: $56.24
Total spent: $4.52
Total saved: $51.74 for 92%
Shop 'n Save
My cashier this week at Shop 'n Save called me "That Woman." The cashier I like to check out with wasn't working, and the only other cashier I recognized I knew I wouldn't check out with. I rolled the dice and picked a lane. About halfway through scanning my coupons, the cashier stopped, looked up at me and said, "You're that woman." Oh my, I didn't know if that was a good thing or a bad thing. I asked her and I didn't get an answer, but she said the clerks talk about a woman who hardly spends anything on groceries. I hope I didn't disappoint her. I spent more at Shop 'n Save this week that I can ever remember spending since I started using coupons.
Before sales & coupons: $83.63
Total spent: $14.72
Total saved: $68.91
Schnucks
Last week's and this week's ad. I had to get the chicken out of the freezer to include in my picture.Before sales & coupons: $41.56
Total spent: $16.71
Total saved: $24.85 for 60%
Dierbergs
Again, two weeks of ads in this picture.Before sales & coupons: $72.11
Total spent: $30.98
Total saved: $41.13 for 57%
Aldi
Comparable Schnucks Price: $10.67Aldi price: $5.18
Total saved: $5.49 for 51%
Weekly Totals
Before sales & coupons: $274.85
Total spent: 72.51 (ouch!)
Total saved: $202.34
Totals since April 1st
Spent: $1603.83 ($45 weekly average)
Saved: $7486.69 ($208 weekly average)
Posts
it amazes me that cashiers don't try to coupons themselves. i get comments like, i don't have time, i could never do that, how do you figure this out? but i think some cashiers feel like you are stealing from their company and it make them nervous. at schnucks twin oaks they put a young man from produce in the checkout lane and he wasn't rude, but he acted like he had never seen a stack of coupons that large before. I spent too much this week, too. (shift key not working properly, sorry) But I didn't buy enough baking items at Thanksgiving, I'll run out after baking. But I'm just learning, it hasn't been a full year that I've been do this. Kelly
ReplyDeleteJerri, you are "that" woman to me. You are "that" woman who has helped me save money b/c I am unemployed and I didn't know how I was going to do it. You are "that" woman who showed me how to buy the essentials at walgreens without emptying the little in my wallet. You are "that wonderful woman" who showed me that a little time spent on coupons can save a whole lot of money in the long run. You opened up a new world and hobby for me and I appreciate it a lot! I can't be the only one either, so anytime someone says something along those lines to you, just remember there are us out here who outnumber them, ..and we think you rock.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly, I agree, I don't understand why cashiers don't use coupons. They get to see first hand how much money can be saved.
ReplyDeleteThe first year of couponing is a huge learning curve. It's really hard to pay full price for something I didn't buy enough of on sale. And, I have a few things I never needed that much of.
I keep two huge jars of Hamburger Dill Pickles front and center in my pantry to remind myself - it doesn't matter how good the sale is, if I don't use it don't buy it. Especially if it can't be donated somewhere.
Jenny B - Thanks so much for the kind words - you just made my day. I'm so happy I've been able to help.
ReplyDeleteHang in there, things will get better. I'm hoping for a much better economy in 2010.
Jenny B. said it so well..and I couldn't agree with her more! Jenny, you wrote very eloquently and many of us thank you for sharing the sentiments that we too share!!
ReplyDeleteI laughed when I read about "that woman" because I too have experienced similiar experiences..but my SNS cashiers seemed inspired when I have taken $52 down to $4! This week when the assistant manager had to "key" because of my abundance of coupons, she commented that they liked it because that meant the store was getting business/sales.
I love couponing and have become quite a whiz at it...with many thanks to this website!!
I ran into a checker from CVS at Walmart (shopping with her mother). She asked me where my coupon binder was. I laughed and pulled out the few coupons I was using from my purse. They were so nice to me. I feel like the checkers are my friends. One from Walgreens was so excited when she tried to do what I do and saved over $40 from her $100 bill a week or so ago. I cheered her on and we have a good time. And yet another cashier tells me she is going to coupon when she retires, and has more time. I just started this in Oct. I had no idea the value of coupons until then.
ReplyDeleteThat's great Jeri! I pulled a good one off at Walgreens myself, although it never seems to look as good as yours since I try to shop for 2 weeks worth of groceries at a time! I'm working on it though :)
ReplyDeleteKeep on being "that" woman. You are an inspiration so be proud of being her. :)
ReplyDelete