"Where do you get your coupons?" is a question that I am frequently asked by people when they first hear about my super savings with coupons. They seem to think that there is some secret coupon clearing house that only I am privy to.
The truth is I get most of my coupons from the Sunday paper, just like everyone else.
I do get some coupons with the free samples that show up in my mailbox most days, and they're usually pretty good coupons in that they normally don't expire as quickly as the ones in the paper do. I also get some coupons online, but really, these are only a small percentage of the coupons that I use every week to save big at the grocery and drug stores.
I buy two copies of the Sunday paper every week. Yes, it costs me an extra $1.50 to that, but by doubling the amount of coupons I have I double my savings. And the extra savings from those extra coupons more than makes up for the extra expense.
Another source of coupons that is available to everyone, at no cost, are the store fliers.
Walgreens puts coupons in their Easy Saver Catalog every month, and it's not uncommon to be able to combine these store coupons with manufacturer's coupons to get something for free.
Publix publishes several fliers that contain store coupons: Publix Health & Beauty circular, Greenwise magazine, a seasonal Family Savings circular, Fresh Flavorful Frozen & More, a seasonal Traditions flier, and Family Style Magazine. All of these publications are available in the stores, however you must subscribe to the Family Style Magazine to get the version with coupons. (The subscription is free.)
All of these sources are great for picking up some additional coupons to create savings that I might not otherwise get, but again, they only make up a small portion of my overall savings.
The real "secret" of my super savings is not in where I get my coupon, but rather in how I use them.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Publix Savings - November 30, 2008
I went to Publix today to grocery shop. I only needed a few items for this week’s meals, so I was able to stockpile several items without blowing my budget:
- (1) 5 lb. bag Red Delicious apples - $1.99
Reg. $5.99,
- (2) Gatorade drink mixes - $1.49
Reg. 2@$6.97,
- (2) Crystal Light drink mixes - $4.69
Reg. 4.69/ea,
- (1) Old
- (1) Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn - .23¢
Reg. $2.45,
- (2) Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn - .85¢
Reg. $2.45/ea,
- (1) Tomato - .41¢
Reg. $2.99 lb.,
- (2) Fresh Express salad blends - $3.50
Reg. $3.49/ea.,
- Chicken breast cutlets - $3.63
Reg. $5.49 lb.,
- (1) Yoplait Fiber One - $2.09
Price $3.09, Coupon $1.00
- Eggland Best large eggs - $1.79
Price $2.49, Coupon .35¢ (doubled)
- Taco
- Publix supreme pizza - .01¢
Price $4.69, Mystery Coupon $4.68
Bonus Publix Coupon - $5.00 off $35.00
My Total Savings:
Regular Price $56.09
Store Coupons* $12.83
Manufacturer’s Coupons $6.65
Advertised Specials $14.95
In-Store Specials $3.48
*Store Coupons include the doubled amount of manufacturer’s coupons
Total Savings $37.91
Order Total $18.18
I have another “Mystery Coupon” and “$5.00 off $35 Coupon”, so I will be making a 2nd trip to Publix tomorrow to buy additional groceries in order to take use them. I will be primarily buying “stockpile” items, so check back for my savings posting on that visit.
CVS Deals - Sunday, November 30, 2008
I just got back from CVS, and even though there weren't as many deals today, I have another bag full of goodies for next to nothing out of pocket. Here's the breakdown:
(1) Pantene Shampoo – Net Cost $1.99
Reg. $4.99,
(1) Pantene Conditioner - Net Cost $1.99
Reg. $4.99,
(2) Febreeze Air Effects - Net Cost .50¢
Reg. $3.29,
(1) Febreeze Pet Odor Eliminator - Net Cost $1.75
Reg. $5.99,
(1) Febreeze Extra Strength Fabric & Air - Net Cost $1.75
Reg. $5.99,
(1) Extreme Energy 2 pk. - Net Cost $0
Price $4.99, Extra Bucks $4.99
^ Actual coupon - $1.00 off 2 products
*Extra Bucks Deal – Spend $10 & Get $5 Extra Bucks
My total purchase came to $24.25 before coupons. The total after the $4.00 in coupons was $20.25. I then used the $8.99 Extra Bucks from last week’s Complete Contact solution, the $8.99 Extra Bucks from last week’s Maybelline Mineral Power foundation, and $2.00 Extra Bucks from something else (I only got credit for $1.99).
Total Out-Of-Pocket - .28¢
Plus I got back $11.99 in Extra Bucks to use in the future!
Buying Less to Save More?
Zipping through the express line might save you a couple minutes and a couple of bucks right now, but if you fill up your cart, and consequently your fridge, you'll make fewer overall trips to the store, and save money, energy, and time in the process - proving that less isn't always more.
The benefits to shopping one or less times per week include:
Personally speaking, I know I spend less money overall by buying more groceries with fewer trips. I will plan my meals around store specials, check my grocery needs, purchase items that are on sale, and use coupons to reduce my costs. (Refer to my posting on Nov. 23rd) If I am just running in to grab a couple of items I am more likely to buy something on impulse, and less likely to shop for the better bargain or use coupons.
The benefits to shopping one or less times per week include:
- Reduced pollution. Half the pollution created in getting your food comes from driving to and from the store (the other half comes from farm to distribution center to store).
- Reduced gas use. Making extra trips to the store increases your gas consumption. (If you absolutely must go to the store to pick up a few extra items, try to do it when you’re already out running errands or on your way home from work.)
- Reduced electric bill. Your refrigerator and freezer operate more efficiently when full (but not so full that cold air can't circulate). In a power outage, they'll even hold the temp for twice as long as half-full ones.
- Less time at the checkout. Even the time you spend parking going to the store for just a couple items eats into the valuable time that you could spend doing other things.
Personally speaking, I know I spend less money overall by buying more groceries with fewer trips. I will plan my meals around store specials, check my grocery needs, purchase items that are on sale, and use coupons to reduce my costs. (Refer to my posting on Nov. 23rd) If I am just running in to grab a couple of items I am more likely to buy something on impulse, and less likely to shop for the better bargain or use coupons.
Saturday, November 29, 2008
CVS Recap for Thanksgiving Week
I was unable to take full advantage of the CVS deals this week because of my holiday traveling. By the time I got home, and made it to CVS, some of the specials were gone. I also realized that the CVS $5.00 off coupon that I had planned to use had expired - see, it even happens to me...
I was still able to get much of what was being offered though, and I had several coupons to work with. Here's what was in my shopping bags today:
(1) Hershey’s
Reg. $1.59,
(1) Aussie Shampoo – Net Cost (-) .50¢
Reg. $4.69,
(1) Aussie Conditioner – Net Cost (-) .50¢
Reg. $4.69,
(1) Johnson & Johnson Soft Lotion – Net Cost $0
Reg. $5.99,
(2) Colgate Total Whitening Toothpaste – Net Cost (-)$2.00
Reg. $3.89/ea.,
(2) L’Oreal Color Juice Lip Gloss – Net Cost $0
Reg. $8.19/ea.,
(1) Sally Hansen Maximum Growth nail polish – Net Cost $0
Reg. $4.29,
(2) Sony MP3 Headphones – Net Cost $0
Reg. $9.99/ea.,
(1) Maybelline Mineral Power foundation – Net Cost $0
Reg. $9.49,
(1) 5-Hour Energy Maximum Strength 2 pk – Net Cost $0
Reg. $5.99,
(1) Complete contact solution – Net Cost (-)$1.00
Reg. 9.99,
(3) Gatoraid G2’s – Net Cost $0
Price $1.49/ea., Extra Bucks $1.49/ea.
(1) CoverGirl Smoothers foundation – Net Cost $0
Price $7.99, Extra Bucks $7.99
(1) CoverGirl Smoothers compact powder – Net Cost $0
Price $5.99, Extra Bucks $5.99
Total Net Cost: (-)$4.00
My actual out-of-pocket cost was $40.11 after I used my Extra Bucks – considerably more than I normally pay on my CVS shopping trips – but I got $94.31 back in Extra Bucks, which will keep me from having to spend anything at the register for a couple of weeks.
Please keep in mind that if you are at CVS picking up their specials, and your out-of-pocket costs are going to be more than your budget allows, you can break up your purchases into two or more different transactions and apply the Extra Bucks from the precious transaction. If you’re just getting started using Extra Bucks, you can use this technique until you get to the point that you have enough Extra Bucks to make all of your purchases in one transaction.
(The candy bar is not in the photo because I ate it on the way home… LOL!)
Budget Dinner with Leftover Turkey
This recipe scores high in all three major categories: it's easy to fix, it's inexpensive, and everyone likes it. And it's a great way to use up leftover turkey when everyone is sick of turkey sandwiches.
"Turkey" Rice Casserole
1 cup leftover turkey scraps
1 can cream of (whatever) soup - purchased for .35¢ at Publix this week
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese - purchased for $1.25 at Publix this week
1 cup instant rice - I already have this in my pantry
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients together in a small casserole dish (8" square is a good size) holding back about a 1/4 cup of cheese. Bake for 45 minutes. Add remaining cheese to top of casserole and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
That's it! A one dish, budget friendly recipe that everyone will love. It's also very versatile.
I like to add a thawed box of broccoli florets to the top of the casserole for the last 15 minutes. You can substitute chicken or ham to use whatever leftovers you have. If you don't have leftovers, but still want to make it, you can use a large can of chunk chicken. The cream soup can be whatever you like (cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, cream of broccoli). Same with the cheese, although I do recommend including at least a little bit of an orange-colored cheese for color.
If you are feeding more than 2 or 3 people, you should probably double the recipe and use a 9"x13" or 10"x15" baking dish. Other than that, everything else is the same.
Serve with a salad, and some bread and butter, and you've got an entire meal for about $1 a person.
"Turkey" Rice Casserole
1 cup leftover turkey scraps
1 can cream of (whatever) soup - purchased for .35¢ at Publix this week
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese - purchased for $1.25 at Publix this week
1 cup instant rice - I already have this in my pantry
1 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350°F. Mix all ingredients together in a small casserole dish (8" square is a good size) holding back about a 1/4 cup of cheese. Bake for 45 minutes. Add remaining cheese to top of casserole and bake for an additional 15 minutes.
That's it! A one dish, budget friendly recipe that everyone will love. It's also very versatile.
I like to add a thawed box of broccoli florets to the top of the casserole for the last 15 minutes. You can substitute chicken or ham to use whatever leftovers you have. If you don't have leftovers, but still want to make it, you can use a large can of chunk chicken. The cream soup can be whatever you like (cream of chicken, cream of mushroom, cream of broccoli). Same with the cheese, although I do recommend including at least a little bit of an orange-colored cheese for color.
If you are feeding more than 2 or 3 people, you should probably double the recipe and use a 9"x13" or 10"x15" baking dish. Other than that, everything else is the same.
Serve with a salad, and some bread and butter, and you've got an entire meal for about $1 a person.
Friday, November 28, 2008
10 Tips for Surviving the Holidays With Your Budget in Tact:
- Prioritize.
Instead of getting stressed out with all the parties, baking, shopping and decorating, in addition to your normal daily life, set some priorities before you’re bombarded with a million obligations. Think about which things are “must do” and which are “would be nice to do.” It’s all right to say no to keep yourself sane. Shopping is a lot more fun when you’re not completely stressed out. - Establish a Budget.
Before you make a gift list and head out to shop, establish a reasonable budget for gift buying. Make a commitment that you won’t add more money to the pot every week just because you saw something cute that your niece would love. - Use Cash, Not Plastic.
Once you have set your budget, stay away from credit cards and debit cards! You will spend an average of 15% more if you use plastic, and, if you use credit cards, you’ll be paying it off in 2009 at an inflated interest rate that adds even more to the amount that you shouldn’t have spent! Doesn’t paying with cash sound more appealing than having a credit card balance looming over your head? - Limit Your Gift Buying List.
Do you really need to buy gifts for every extended family member and friend you have ever had? That can get overwhelming and expensive for everyone. Whittle away at your list until you have a doable number of people to buy for. Limit the amount that you spend on each person. Spend at the retail value – i.e., if the $20 sweater is on sale for $10, count it as a $20 gift and either save the extra $10 or apply it somewhere else in your budget. Talk with family members and coworkers about drawing names for gifts or donating money to a common cause. - Listen.
Listen to the hints your loved ones drop about what they need or want. Maybe your Grandmother would really like someone to help her in the garden this year, or your brother keeps losing his guitar picks. A thoughtful gift like this will mean a lot more to the recipient than just buying any old thing off the shelf because you need a gift and it fits the budget criteria. - Make a List - On Paper.
If you think you can spend time in “ - Shop Around.
“Shopping around” doesn’t mean you have to spend valuable time and gas running from store to store to save an extra 10 cents. Take a look at your gift list and do some comparative price-checking online or with the sale fliers before you head out into the madness. This will save you money, time, and stress! - Don’t Wait Until the Last Minute.
Procrastination is not the most appealing gift out there. Don’t find yourself stressed out on Christmas Eve just because you didn’t invest a little bit of time to plan. Buying under this kind of pressure will cause you to considerably overspend. - Plan for Next Year.
Throughout the next year, look for outrageous sales on things your loved ones will like or need. If you time the sales right, and clip some coupons, you could land a huge discount on something you were going to buy for a birthday or wedding present in a few months anyway. Remember to have a list and budget for this, too. - Remember Why We Celebrate.
If this season becomes all about shopping and gifts, you’ve missed the whole point. People—not things—matter.
We’ve all paid too much for holiday gifts - making costly choices with dollar signs in front of them. A lot of those decisions happen when we’re caught up in the stress and emotion of the Christmas season and procrastinate a little too long.
Here are 10 Christmas shopping tips to make this year different:
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