My Week in Review

Before I started couponing, I never knew what I was spending each week on groceries and household items. I don't think I wanted to know because I felt so out of control of the situation. We had to eat, had to shower, had to clean the house, and had to pay the prices at the store.

Since couponing, I know I am saving a ton of money. But until this week, I never added it all up to know the total amount I spent or saved.

I shop at Aldi's for dairy and some produce; Deal$ to get Sunday papers for extra coupon inserts. I calculated my savings at these two stores by comparing them to Schnucks - where I shopped before couponing.

Aldi's
Regular price: $16.40
Aldi's savings: - $1.78
Total spent: $14.62
11% savings

Deal$
Regular price: $4.86
Deal$ savings: - $1.62
Total spent: $3.24
33% savings

Dierbergs
Regular price: $42.93
Sale savings: - $19.23
Coupon savings: - $7.50
Total spent: $16.20
62% savings

Schnucks
Regular price: $12.98
Sale savings: - $3.17
Coupon savings: -$7.00
Total spent: $2.81
78% savings

Shop 'n Save
Regular price: $154.16
Sale savings: - $51.07
Coupon savings: - $92.66
Cash back: - $10.26
Total spent: .17 (woo-hoo!)
99.9% savings
(see Seventeen Cents for details)

Target
Regular price: $59.49
Sale savings: - $5.00
Coupon savings: - $8.00
Total spent: $46.49 (ouch!)
22% savings

Walgreens
Regular price: $68.84
Sale Savings: - $26.35
Coupon Savings: - $31.15
Rebate Gift Card: - $5.17
Total spent: $6.17
91% savings

From Walgreens, I will have a $8.49 Easy Saver Rebate for Orajel, $8.00 manufacturer's rebate from Orajel, and $3.79 manufacturer's rebate from Windex.

Weeks Totals
Regular Price: $359.66
Sale Savings: - $108.22
Coupon Savings: - $146.31
Rebate Gift Card: - $5.17
Cash back: - $10.26
Total spent: $89.70
75 % savings

And I have $20.28 in rebates coming.

I might need to rethink Aldi's. I'm not saving as much as I thought for a trip off my beaten path.

More than half my total spending was at Target. Most of that was for CFL light bulbs. (I know, they will save me in the long run.) And for dog food - the same dog food that gave me the great savings at Shop 'n Save.

I would suggest you add up your total weekly spending. It is quite eye opening.