Typical

I thought I would share these hilarious pictures I took last night.

Every week or so we (Lisa and I) wait out traffic at Uno's, which usually involves one of us having a beast of a day so we get nachos...but since we've started couponing we swap coupons.

But since we are there quite a bit they don't care what we do Each of us comes armed with a resueable bag, coupons, scissors and notepads. I bring the sale papers, since I get the grocery papers on Wednesday) and we make our shopping list.

It sure makes waiting out the horrific traffic that much better.

Walgreens

I am not a fan of Walgreens (Wags) on the coupon boards for short..but every now and then they have a sale that I have to pick up a few things. Last night was just that sale.

We needed paper towels to add to our stockpile so I took two trips yesterday. Total spent on all this during my trips approx $7 so maybe I don't hate Wags that much.

I did have a little tip I wanted to share. Give your coupons to the cashier in order or else you will run into issues. I did when I bought one 6-pack of paper towels.

I handed the cashier my Walgreens coupon for $1 off and then my manuf coupon for $1.50 off paper towels. BIG mistake. Because it turned into a disaster. Always hand the cashier your manuf coupons first, store coupons second.

Let's just say a manager got called because the cashier was being a...well..I'm too polite to type it here. And I just smiled the whole time because I knew I was right.

End of story.

A trip to Target

Ever have one of those days when you just want to wander around a store to clear your head? I had one of those so I went to Target. I still ended up using coupons despite the fog in my head. Total spent $13.49. Total saved $28.68. I could have done better but my head wasn't in the game and I'm still waiting for my coupon holder!

Here's how I saved:
Glade candles each $2.99 = used a one free candle coupon and $1 off coupon
Lipton soup $1 off when you buy 2 (total cost $1.48)
Sun Crystals = FREE! I found 2, $3 peelies at the store
Clean and Clear face wash = $1 off coupon (total cost $3.04)
Revlon nail cippers (missing from the picture) = FREE! Used a $2 off Revlon coupon and the price was $1.57 so I made money on this
Allegra = $7.14, used $5 manuf coupon. Each box was $2.14
Kotex = $1 off Target coupon, $1 manuf coupon which ended up costing $.60
Knorr rice = $.50 off when you buy 2 Target coupon (total cost $1.54)
Target nail polish remover $.49 after using $.50 off coupon

The best part..I got about 8 coupons for Target items, including a $2 off Target coupon for Allegra, pair that with the other $5 off coupon I have, next time I go to Target, this will be FREE!

I like shopping for FREE stuff!

Why can't there be a Rite-Aid on every corner?

Let me count the ways of why I love Rite-Aid.

Is it the $3 off survey at the bottom of my receipt? Is it that they offer promo videos that give me in-store coupons that I can stack with MFG coupons? Is it their hassle free "ups" program? It is the amazing deals that I get each week? The answer is YES to all the above.

I have gotten more from Rite-Aid in the last few weeks, than I ever got from Walgreens...and their not too friendly RR program. One might go so far to say that I am a Rite-Aid Groupie.

Last night, with coupons I hand (and a few surprise items, that of course, I had coupons for) ... I was able to score:

3 Boxes of Tampons
2 hairsprays
2 mousse

1 bronzer
2 big bags of M&Ms
1 Veet
2 bags of halls
2 Reeses Cups
1 Tums

Wanna guess what I paid?

Well, my total was $65.73, I had $45.26 in coupons, $14.22 by using my Rite-Aid card = $6.25 total out of pocket. Oh yeah, and I got $1 in "ups" and another survey for $3 off.

The second thing I hate paying for is...

 ..toilet paper. I don't get why it's so expensive but that's besides the point. One of the things I learned in Kathy Spencer's class was to start small and challenge yourself so I decided to challenge myself this week to figure out how to get toilet paper for free.

I paid $1.46 for 24 rolls of toilet paper, a box of tissue, easter candy and paper plates. I went to Rite Aid earlier in the week and earned $10 in +UP rewards. After sitting down with the paper last night I figured how how I was going to do it. It took me a little thinking outside the box but I was determined. Here's how.

In case you didn't know Rite Aid has VV (Video Values) where you create an account, watch videos and earn coupons. I watched all the clean home videos and got a $2 off a $10 purchase on home cleaning items that were on sale this week  for $7.99 (aka the Scott toilet paper) and I also earned $2 off the purchase of 2 Dixie paper products, $.50 off the purchase of 2 Cadbury Creme Eggs and $.50 off two Resses peanut butter eggs. In addition to all these coupons I did a survey at the bottom of my receipt and got a $3 off a $15 purchase. Easy..right? Here's how it broke down.

2 Scott Tissues, on sale for 7.99 each
2 Dixie plates, on sale buy one get one free
2 Resses/Cadbury 2 for $1 on sale
1 box Puffs $.99

Coupons broke down as follows:

• Used 2, $1 off Scott Manufacturers Coupons
• $2 off $10 purchase VV coupon (this was specific items, included was the toilet paper so I had to buy 2 to make it over $10)
• $2 off 2 Dixie Plates VV coupon (I did buy 2 plates, the store was running a special buy one get one so this qualified)
• 2, $.50 off when you buy two candy coupons (one for Resses and Cadbury Creme Eggs)
• $3 off your next $15 purchase survey coupon
• 1, $.50 off Puffs coupon
• $10 +UP rewards from my purchase earlier in the week

The end result I got my toilet paper free and only paid $1.46  for all this. And...I got to make someone a cute little Easter basket for under $2 (I bought the holder for $1 at AC Moore on my way home) so he was very happy. Cha-Ching!

A Rockin' Week

I admit it, I went to CVS quite a few times this week. In fact, I'm a little ashamed to say it...but I stocked up on quite a few things and picked up stuff for my mom. This was from the two trips I took yesterday. Yes I went twice. Once quickly before work and the second trip was to find something I saw on clearance that I had a coupon for. I figured that if I the store didn't have it, I didn't lose anything because I was driving by the store on my way home.

Total spent out of pocket $5.85
Total saved $97.56

Here's how I did it:

• Floss 5/$5 printed 2, $1 off coupons when you buy one = FREE!
• Tape on clearance for $1.37 used 2, $1 off coupons = $.37 each
• Kotex wasn't on sale but was $1.57 each, the third one was on clearance for $.75 used 3 $1 off coupons = $.89 total 
• Physician's Fomula makeup was 40% off, used a $5 off any Physician's Formula coupon on each making each item less than $2 (mom will love the little package she's getting of makeup!)
• Maybelline buy one get on 50% off, had a CVS coupon for $2 off when you buy any eyeliner and shadow and then a $3 off when you buy any 2 Maybelline products

I used all my ExtraBucks on these I had the following $3, $1.99 and $5. When the cashier rang up my purchases he said, "Man, I need to hire you to shop for me."

So I think I did pretty good.

Learning Rite Aid

Lisa mentioned in an earlier post she is learning about the benefits of Rite Aid while couponing. I've decided to try it as well. My first shopping trip went well. I got these cleaning supplies and two boxes of cereal (yes, added MORE to my cereal stockpile) for approx. $30 and earned $10 in UP rewards. I actually feel like I made money because at the bottom of my receipt I had a $3 off your next $15 purchase for taking a survey. I messed up my first order and didn't have enough supplies for my UP reward so I went back and bought more things to meet the $30 and got another survey.

The best part, I had a coupon for EVERYTHING. Just by using the coupons I saved $15.

The way I look at it is I made $16 and got one heck of a deal on the cleaning supplies!

And I know, I need to clean off my kitchen table, I just shoved it all to the side to take the picture!

My Cereal Obsession Continues

I feel like ever since I came out of closet with my cereal stockpile I shouldn't buy anymore. But...at less than $2 a box, who can pass up this deal from Amazon?

So I'll be adding six more boxes to the stash under our kitchen table.

Grocery Store Hop

How much do you think 5 boxes of cereal, 2 packages of bacon, 2 packages of hot dogs, 4 jars of Newman's Own Sauce, 6 pouches of Starkist Tuna, 8 rolls of toilet paper, 2 Silk Soymilk, a gallon of milk, fresh strawberries, 1/2 lb fresh fish for dinner, hummus, deli cheese, trash bags, and other miscellaneous items ended up costing me today?

Go on...take a guess. I dare you..

Under $50! Here's how my savings worked out by hopping between Shaw's and Stop & Shop on Saturday.

Shaw's paid $18.90
Savings $27.32
Plus I got a CAT coupon for $1.50 off my next purchase

Stop & Shop paid $27.18
Savings $40.72

And I earned $.10 off gas from Stop & Shop. I just have to figure out how this gas program works now.

My favorite score of the day was the two packages of toilet paper. The toilet paper was on sale 2/$7 and I found a $3 off a 4 pack coupon at the register and had a second $1 off coupon from the newspaper for a total of $3 for 8 rolls or $.38 a roll.  I can handle that.

I just started detailing my obsession but I hate, hate, hate paying a lot of money for toilet paper (and cereal too). I don't know why but I just do.  It is a necessity but do the retailers really need to charge us an arm and a leg?!? Blah!

Since I had the day off today, I stopped at Shaw's to stock up on Newman's Own sauce, frozen vegetables that were on sale and two packages of chicken. Total spent approx $15 (I left my register receipt upstairs and I'm typing downstairs). I know I saved about $26!

A Slight Obession

I hate to say it but I have an obsession with two things while couponing. Cereal and toilet paper....I plan to detail my adventures (aka obsession) but...let's say all this cereal ended up costing approx $14 or $1.27 a box. And people wonder why I went to three stores this weekend and stocked up? $1.27. A. Box. That's why.

I hate to say it but I'm a little embarrassed. This is stashed under my kitchen table right now because I just have no idea where to put it all!

What does free look like?

One of the things I took away from Kathy Spencer's class was how great Rite-Aid is...and I found that out first hand this weekend.

Today's purchase $10 .. with $12 in "ups" back ... so I made $2 on this sale. Woo Hoo!!!!

Saturday Stock Up

I have not been one to shop at Stop & Shop (aka Stopy), since I have always found them overpriced, but now the more I read the circulars, the more I am seeing that you can find some great deals there....And what is even more appealing is that they not only take online coupons, but they double! Starting price of todays stock up ... $38, final price $16.

How to Shop for Free - Kathy Spencer Class

I recently attended Kathy Spencer's How to Shop for Free class in Framingham which was "Coupon Class for a Cause" where a portion of the proceeds went to Framingham High School.

It was the best money I could spend, I think of it as an investment in the wedding. Ha! I really look at it this way, if we can save any money we can, it's worth it, because the payback will be worth it in the end. If that means I buy 6 or 8 cans of tuna on sale this week, that's what I'll do (provided our tiny apartment has room).

Kathy walked us through how she shops at drug stores, grocery stores and even clothing stores (she couldn't give away all her secrets though. Most of them are in her book which I immediately bought). Some lessons I learned..are:

1. I need a better way to organize my coupons. The current method of clipping and having them all over the coffee table in the living room just isn't working. She told us about her method and I kind of like it -- a lot.
2. You can freeze yogurt. 
3. Coupons are everywhere, just don't look down while shopping (Lisa and I did a lap of a grocery store when the class was over and sure enough, Kathy was right!) 
4. If you can get stuff that's free or near free stockpile it so you won't have to buy it for a long time and pay full price
5. I have a new found appreciation for stores that have 10/$10 sales and if they double a coupon, it might mean you get the items FREE
6. Last but not least, you have to change the way you look at sales flyers and start to think double coupon = free. 

Did I learn more than this? Heck yes, but I'm not going to share all my secrets or hers. I can't wait to start her book.

CVS Rocks

Today they posted this on their Facebook page, "Because of your big response to our Cadbury Crème Eggs vs. Marshmallow Peeps question, today we’re offering a one-day, in-store coupon for $1 off 2 Cadbury Crème Eggs! Just visit any ExtraCare Coupon Center today to print this special offer. Enjoy!"

I stopped this morning on my way into the office and scored these for $.50! 

Thank you CVS!

This makes it worth it

I got a message today from one of my friends that said, "hey, coupon lady! the cashier @ staples totally rolled her eyes & sighed, while she was ringing up my free paper this morning. seriously - it's free paper - how can you blame me?? (ps - i've found a few new coupon deal sources thanks to your posts - keep it up! thanks!) =)"

And that is why I started blogging about my couponing (at least it's not turning into a wedding blog, right?). 

Sign of a good couponing trip

A happy happy kitty!

Today I stopped at CVS and picked up a few things I needed for the house and nothing extra.

Some of the savings broken down:
Olive Oil on sale for $3.99 used a $1 off coupon
Bubbles $1.99, earned $1.99 in Extrabucks
Xtra detergent on sale for $1.49, used $.50 off coupon
Kitty treat $1.09 on clearance
Circle of Beauty antibacterial soap (free from the CVS beauty club)
Loofah sponge (also free from the CVS beauty club)
Gum on sale 10 for $10 used 2 $1 off coupons
Snickers eggs used buy 2 get $1 off coupons

I also got my free candy thanks to CVS on Twitter!

Total out of pocket $9.18 (after coupons and Extrabucks from previous trips). Savings of $50.87.

Food and more Food

FH and I went to Hannaford after a tasting for our wedding tonight. The last place to go when you are stuffed is the grocery store but in this case it played our our advantage. We were each armed with a $2 off meat coupon and $1 off Hannaford item.

Total spent for my transaction: approx $2.25 (boneless chicken thighs and cream cheese)
FH's transaction approx $3.50 (boneless chicken thighs and a box of Hannaford brand mini wheats)

Each packet of chicken thighs we had were approx $5.50 and had $1.50 off coupon and used a $2 off coupon. $2 each!

I will really miss those $2 off meat items and the $1 off when they expire.

Need a Specific Coupon?

If you are in need of a specific coupon, there are coupon clipping services that you can turn to. I have found ebay to be a great place to look for specific coupons for the products that my husband and I use the most. For example, my husband loves Sugar Free Jello Pudding cup, these coupons are few and far between in the papers...so when they do run, I want to get as many as I can get my hands on. Tonight, I checked out ebay for the Jello pudding coupons. For $2.75, I just got 20 $1.00 off coupons for Jello, and they don't expire until May. When Market Basket has these on sale, for 2 for $4, using two coupons, now I am getting 2 for $2. And beleive me, we will use each of those 20 coupons. On Ebay, you are not buying the coupons, you are paying the sellers for their time and the shipping. I did purchase one or two auctions for 100 assorted food coupons, and it was a lot of the same stuff I already had ... so I don't recommend investing in those. I only caution, beware of what you spend on these. You don't want to find yourself getting in bidding war for coupons, and not saving you money. But, again, this is a great place to track down multiples of the coupons you use the most.

Mission Accomplished: Free Stuff Aquired

The funny thing with me, is I can't get out of bed early to save my life. I, like Elizabeth Taylor, will be late for my own funeral ... but the only day that this does not apply, is Sunday mornings. I can't wait to get up (usually by 6:30am), so I can hurry up to get the paper, cut my coupons and plan my day. Today, I was really chomping at the bit to get to Shaw's. With the Philly Cooking Cream Cheese being free after coupons, and having 9 of those coupons, and $1 off 2 Vitamin waters..I was counting the minutes to leave this morning. Before I went to Shaw's though, I stopped at CVS. When I scanned my CVS card, in not only did I get my quarterly ECB of $9, I got another $5 ECB from the beauty club, that was followed of $5 off Excedrin, and $3 off tampons. I coupled the Excedrin and the tampons with other coupons I had, and my starting total was $43.25, my ending total was $5.96. All of that $5.96 is eligible for FSA reimbursement. The funny thing, I only went in there to get Wesson Oil that was $2.99, and I had a $1 off coupon for. But with my headaches, you can never have enough Excedrin, and well you can never have enough tampons either.... My favorite score of the day was at Shaws, where my starting total was $81.40, I paid $39.74. I got 9 free Philly Cooking Cream Cheese, 4 boxes of Success rice, 30 Vitamin water, 2 bags of Lays chips, one 80 count Snuggle Dryer Sheets, 2 boxes of Skinny Cow ice creams, a pack of Perdue chicken breasts, 1 CPK frozen pizza and 4 Fuze drinks. What didn't I pay for? 15 Vitamin waters, 4 Fuze Drinks and 9 Philly Cooking Cream Cheese...those were all free. Everything else I bought, I had a coupon for, most doubled. And with all of my stops today, I did not spend over $100, which was my goal. I came in around $80. BTW, when I came home, I made two dishes with the Philly Cooking Cream Cheeses, and they are very yummy ... and not for nothing, you can't beat free!!!!

Some deals from today

Here are a few deals that I got today using coupons...

CVS - total cost for two Sunweet Prunes (on sale for $1.88 each and a 75 cents off coupon) and one Russel Stover Easter egg candy and I got 74 cents back in extra bucks. Total savings was $7.85 off regular price. Total out of pocket $3.00.

The bottom picture is some of what I bought at Stop and Shop (Stopy for short). I stacked so many coupons ($3 off meat, $5 off a 30 purchase and doubled coupons!) and used the $10 gift card that I got last week for signing up for the Sunday Globe delivery. Total savings $35.56. Out of pocket I ended up paying $19.64.

Last but not least I stopped at Shaw's and true to my word, I bought stuff for my sister for the kiddos. I got six boxes of Kix cereal, five Philadelphia cooking creme (free after coupon), some organic spices marked down to $1, seltzer and a few small things. Total savings $34.96. Out of pocket payment $15.59.

Total saved today: $78.37
Total out of pocket:  $38.23

A good day in my little world.

Who we are

Who we really are: Two friends who met in college, lost track of each other, found each other again because of Facebook and discovered we shared a work parking lot. Then each one of us had a change (job location-wise) and now we shop less at lunch but that hasn't stopped us. That brings us to today.

Lisa - Marketing Director in Life Sciences. Social Media junkie. New Kids fanatic. Alternative Rocker. Knitter. Baker. Fashionista. Bargain shopper. Spoiled & love it!

Susan - Senior PR Manager of a software company. Rock chick. 80s music lover. Concert-goer. Frustrated knitter.

That's our story.

My own coupon rules

The other day (on my other blog), I set up a few rules about what I will and won't coupon for. Here they are:

1. Only buy household items we will use.
2. Only buy food we will use, not stuff just because it’s cheap. (and try finding stuff with no HFCS!!)
3. Whatever I don’t use, I will donate or swap with friends.

Deal?

A Good Use for Your Expired Coupons ....

Rather than throwing away your expired coupons, why not pass them on to oversea military families? They can use coupons that are up to 6 months expired .. What a great way to help out our troops and their families. Want more information, visit: www.ocpnet.org or http://thekrazycouponlady.com/coupons-for-military/

Egads, I spent $$!

I actually spent money today killing time waiting out traffic. I had no envelopes and needed to start my coupon swapping through the Facebook group we created. I indulged and bought multi-colored invitation envelopes because they are fun and well, they were on sale at Staples for $3 (at least they weren't full price).

The second reason I went to Staples was for paper. Yes, paper (and I have no idea why the image is messed up..forgive me). Total price paid for the paper $0. I printed a $1 off coupon and then paired that with a $4.99 Staples rebate.

Can't beat it!

Taking it all the way!

Last night I started watching Extreme Couponers and said to FH, "do you see, do you see why I want to do this?" He finally relented and said, "Yes" and even offered to help me on our couponing adventure.

The real reason I coupon? Ahem...wedding. And it just might be a little fun too.