In an effort to same some money this year, and inspired by the TV show extreme couponing, I have been doing some not-extreme couponing. I try to spend no more than $25 per week out of pocket. Let's see how I did this week.
Walgreens - 1st visit
Walgreen's was offering Lysol products for sale and a $5.00 register reward for spending $15 or more on the sale items. Lysol wipes are usually on the supplies list for back to school so I purchased four bottles of Lysol wipes at 2/5.00. I also had a coupon for $1.00 off two bottles. Additionally, I bought two bottles of Lysol all purpose cleaner for 2/$6.00 plus I had a coupon for $1.00 off.
My total was $15.12 after tax and I had a $5.00 register reward from my last purchase so I paid $10.15 in cash and received $5.00 in register rewards.
Walgreen's 2nd visit
Keri lotion (not pictured) was on sale for $5.99 with a $5.00 register reward to use on my next purchase. I had a coupon for $2.00 off. I paid $4.41 after tax and received $5.00 back.
Rite Aid
Rite Aid had Lady Speedstick deodorants on sale for 2/$4.00 plus a $2.00 Up+ reward to use next time. I had a coupon for $1.00 off two. The net price was $3.00 for two with $2.00 back to spend on my next purchase.
Oxyclean was on sale for 2/$7.00 and I purchase four different items. I had coupons worth $4.00 off and Rite Aid was offering $5.00 in Up+ rewards on the items I purchased.
Bic pens were BOGO so I bought two packs for $2.39.
My total was $15.77. I had $15 in Up+ rewards from prior purchases so I paid $.77 out of pocket and received $7.00 to spend on future purchases.
CVS
Garnier Nutrisse hair products were on sale 3/$9.00 with $3.00 Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) back on the purchase. I bought two conditioners and one hair gel. I had $1.00 off coupons on each of the conditioners so I spent $7.00.
Softsoap body wash was on sale 3/$9.00 with $3.00 ECBs back on purchase. I bought three and I had two $1.00 off coupons so I spent $7.00.
The balance was $16.34 including tax and I had ECBs from prior purchases totaling $9.99 so I paid $6.35 out of pocket and received $6.00 in ECBs to use on future purchases.
In total, I spent $21.68 out of pocket and received $23.00 to use on my next purchase.
Couponing FAQ #1
Where do you get coupons?
I buy one Sunday paper which has coupon inserts. I also watch for the coupons inserts that come in the mail in my area. Additionally, my mother gets the Sunday paper and puts aside all the coupons she gets from the paper and the mail for me.
There are also lots of coupons available online at
coupons.com,
redplum.com and
smartsource.com. Additionally, I follow two blogs that point to deals and other online coupons -
The Krazy Coupon Lady and
Wicked Cool Deals. Both track sales at sstores near me.
Next week's FAQ, what's are EBCs, Up+ and Register Rewards?
