I had a hard time deciding on when to make this post. Unless you have been with me from the start, you won't be able to get most of the deals in it. But, my #1 goal of this blog is to help busy people save some money. I've found many websites out there that have tons of good information and I love them all!! But, the one thing they have in common is “take extra newspapers” (just to get coupons?), “Ask the mailman for more circulars“ (which, by the way, he could be fired for), “Buy your coupons on line” (what!?!). “Run to the store and buy 10 -20 boxes of cereal” (why?). “Take a class and learn how to use a coupon” (huh). “Then strip the shelves with all those coupons and sell the stuff at yard sales to get more money to buy more coupons etc. You get the picture.
While I applaud all this creativity (except the yard sale thing) and I even tried it for awhile, (except the yard sale thing) the fact is the reason most of us don't use coupons or stick with it, is because all that is a major hassle!! Saving money using coupons doesn't have to be that complicated. Will I save as much as others? Most times probably not. Will I save a lot? 100% positively YES! So, that's what you can expect from this blog. You will NEVER see a “deal scenario” that uses more than 1 newspaper, 1 weekly Redplum circular and 1 computer.
***Now: On to the Smith's trip. My reason for this trip was just to simply show you how easy it is to get a lot for a little. Stick with me and you will be doing this too.
Here's what I got and where I got the coupons.
- Marie Callender's Homestyle Creations – $3.23
- Healthy Choice Fresh Mix – $3.23
- I had 2 coupons to get these FREE.
- They came from an offer in All You magazine. Read more about that here. If you find yourself at Walmart, pick one up. Aprils issue has a whopping $81.55 worth of coupons in it!! And the magazine is a great read!
- (4) Mira Exfoliating Cleansing Clothes – $2.49
- I used (2) of the $5.00/2 coupons previously posted here
- My cost FREE for all 4!!
- Excedrin – $5.99
- I used the coupon for a FREE one previously posted here
- (4) Ronzoni Pasta – $.75 wyb 8
- I used the coupons still available here
- My cost FREE for all 4.
- Bumble Bee Tuna – $.49 wyb 8 (which I didn't, oops)
- I used the .55/1 coupon from the 2/21 SS
- I paid .44 (could have had it FREE if I had been paying attention)
- (4) Del Monte Tomatoes – $.49 wyb 8
- I used the $1.00/4 coupon previously available here
- My cost .24 each!
- Kroger Corn $1.49
- I used a FREE coupon Smith's sent me for being a member of their Fresh Value program. Read about it here
- Holland House Cooking Wine $3.09
- I used a FREE coupon I got here (I think it's still available)
- (2) Johnson's Soap Buddies – $.99
- I used (2) $1.00/1 coupons found here. ***however, it now excludes the Soap Buddies
- My cost FREE for both!!
- Kroger Creamy Salad Dressing – $1.58
- No coupon, my Hubby snuck it into the cart.
- Reeses Peanut Butter Cups – $.51
- No coupon, I snuck it into the cart.
My Total? $5.89. a little less than what the Excedrin alone costs. I realize this is a VERY unusual transaction. The point of which, is only to help you see how much you can save.
Stay tuned: I'll have a shopping trip posted in the next couple of days that is a little more practical.