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Tuesday, May 24

Saving a Buck Part 1

OK so I have been a little busy the past couple of weeks.  I had another short trip back to Miami and I have been back in forth between Chattanooga and Atlanta working on a few projects.  But in between traveling I have been able to save a few $$$Bucks.  So I decided to do a series on how I save.  Today is part one of many.

Throughout the series of post I will be talking to you about shopping with coupons (since that is all that's in the news now).  I usually don't shop unless I have one. 

  
I use them at thrift stores, grocery stores, on gas, clothes etc. just to name a few.  I'll also have a few guest bloggers give you their incite on how they save as well. 
SERIOUSLY!!


Today I'll start with shopping with coupons at the local grocery and pharmacy stores.  But before I get started let me say that by me using coupons I'm able to get name brand items.... quality items at a discounted price as an alternative to just using generic brands.


How do I shop with coupons?

1.  I choose a store that will give me the best price
     A.  For food/household items I shop at Publix, Kroger's and Cvs (which are my main stores)
 ... I have learned their coupon policy like the back of my hand....

2.  I rarely purchase an item unless its on sale and I have a coupon to go with it

3.  I buy Sunday papers EVERY Sunday for the coupons of course and
     A.  print coupons online as well

4.  I also have 2 main websites that I go to that gives me all the information I need to shop at a     
     particular store.
     A.  southernsavers.com
     B.  hip2save.com
     C.  coupons.com  (which I'm usually referred to by one of the above)

5.  Be patient!  Couponing takes time but it is well worth it!!

Now that's it! 

My goal is to be able to spend half the total amount on whatever I buy!  For example:  If my total comes up to $50 then I only want to spend $25.  And this works perfect for me all the time! 

Today I spent some time with my mom (who is a newbie to couponing) showing her how I save at CVS.  Now if your thinking what I use to think CVS is high as all get out and you stay away from it.  But I must say that with their weekly deals combined with their in store coupons bundled with a manufacturers coupon the DEALS ARE GREAT!!

Shopping at CVS:
1.  I usually make at least 2 separate transactions
2.  The 1st transaction will give me in store coupons back that I can use on my 2nd transaction.
3.  At this store you can use a manufactures coupon and an instore coupon on the same item.
     -They also have a kiosk machine that will give you coupons just by scanning your CVS card-


Abbreviations
MQ= Manufacturers Coupons 
B1G1= Buy one get one free  
Ecb= electronic coupon buck (instore coupon)  


Today I bought 28 items and on spent $28.52....




         1st order                             Coupons used:

4 Suave body washes             (2) Suave B1G1 MQ
2 Suave deodorants                (2) $.50 off 1 Suave deodorant MQ
2 Irish Spring body washes    (2) $.50 off 1 Irish Spring MQ
2 Axe body spray                     (2) B1G1 Axe MQ (used on all axe products)
1 Axe deodorants
1 Axe body wash
2 Thermal Care heat wraps       (2) $3.00 off Thermal Care wraps MQ
______________________

Total $52....(b4 Q's)
                                                    Total after coupons= $25.34

Not bad huh... I received $17 back in Ecb!! Yeah me...
..If I stop right there you can kinda say that I only spent $8.34 on all of these items.. but I didn't.. :)

         2nd order                    I used all $17 of Ecb for this order...plus

3 Lucky Charm cereal                  (1) $1 off 3 General Mills cereal MQ            
1 11oz Maxwell House coffee                free w/purchase GM cereal
3 Pringles cans (reduce fat lol)      (1) $1 of 3 cans MQ  
3 bottles of barbecue sauce            (1) $1 on 3 BBQ sauces MQ
1 Betty Crocker creamy Alfredo bowl
1 bottle of Purex detergent
2 Degree deodorant for women      (1) Degree B1g1 MQ
_________________________                                 
Total $30... (b4 Q's)
                                                                                      Total $3.18----> Yippee!!!!
That's an average of $.24 cent per item!!

Now that's a savings.. I had a ball and so did my mom!  When shopping at stores like CVS don't forget to use your...




So have do you coupon?  What kind of deals do you get?

 

2 comments:

  1. While you were traveling, I believe Publix changed their coupon policy. There was a big write up on the ajc.com.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Yes Melissa they did! But that want stop me from shopping there. The thing I love most about Publix are the b1g1 sales!

    ReplyDelete

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