Helpful websites:

I have found a few websites that are helping me find excellent deals so I thought I'd share:

http://www.couponinsertspreview.com/

www.nomorerack.com

www.frugalgirls.com

www.coupondivas.com

www.thekrazycouponlady.com

www.thecoupongirlz.com

Hope you find everything you need!

74%?

So I made it to Gerbes yesterday and got the things on my list and some. The only thing they were out of was the Ivory bodywash, so I'll probably try another Gerbes when I go back to Columbia today. So here's the lowdown of what I got:

2 Ocean Spray 64oz juice- on sale 2/$5 B1G1Free coupon-1.25 each
4 cans Dole Pineapple- 10/$10 $1.00/2 coupon-.50 each
2 tubs I can't believe it's not butter-$1.99 1.25 coupon-.74 each
8 Pure Protien bars 10/$10-2 $1.00 off coupons and 3 $1.00/2 coupons- 1st 2 were FREE, remaining 6 were $.50 ea
1 Revlon Eyelash curler clearance 1.49-1.00 any Revlon beauty tool coupon-.49
6 bags Birds Eye vegetables 10/$10-.80/2=.60 each
Betty Crocker potatoes-10/$10 1.00/2 coupon-.50 each
6 Reeses Eggs .89 each-B2G1 Free sale-.30 off each coupon(so I was getting even $.30 off the 1 the store was already giving me for free) plus the coupon then doubled-making all of them FREE
4 Colgate Toothpaste10/$10 $1.00/1 coupon-FREE
1 kids Colgate $1.18-1.00/1 coupon-.18 each
2 Windex multi-surface cleaners 1.99 $1.00 coupon-.99 each
6 Colgate toothbrushes 10/$10 .80 coupon-.20 ea

Totals:
Before sales or coupons- $86.98
After sales and coupons-$22.15
Total savings: 74%

That is my highest percentage of savings yet at Gerbes! So excited about that! Remember on my coupons, some were for less but they doubled so I just included the doubled amount, not the actual coupon amount.

But that's not all, no that's not all. I also hit Walgreens to pick up my FREE photo prints from the deal I posted Thursday on FB. While I was there I picked up:
2 Dove Chocolate bars-$.59 ea on sale
6 Mentos UP2U gum $.99 on sale -$1.00/2 store coupon-$1.00/2 mfg coupon=FREE
2 Revlon packs of emery boards-B1G1 50% off 1.99 for the 1st, .99 for the second-$1/1 store couponx2, and $1/1 mfg couponx2=FREE
1 Dansani Water
1 Package of Cashews
(Can you tell Marcus was with me on this one?)

All in all, my total was $4.43, but I had a $3 RR I hadn't spent yet so out of pocket I ended up paying $1.43 for all of that.

Yesterday was a good day. We will see what today holds :)

Coupons this Sunday

Just a note: Since it is Easter Sunday, there will be NO coupon inserts this weekend. Don't waste your money on a paper.

Back to normal?

So there hasn't been any great deals to speak of the last couple of weeks, so I haven't spoken of them :) Things are looking up for this week, and I'll give you my planned shopping list. I do not keep track of when I clipped each coupon, only if I have it or don't so I hope you have been clipping and have your coupons organized! :)

WalMart:
Betty Crocker Frosting 1.77
Betty Crocker Cake Mix (price match to Schnucks) $.86
Coupon- $.75 off both mix and frosting=1.88 for both, or $.94 ea

Allegra 5 ct $5.94
Coupon-$7 off any Allegra product=FREE + overage depending on which cashier you get. Some give me my overage, some don't.


Bratcher's:
2 Doz Eggs $.99 per doz with coupon from ad
"Like" The Incredible Edible Egg on FB for a $.55 off coupon any 2 doz eggs.
Bratchers will then double that coupon for a grand total of $.88 for both
(Side note: the website will let you print 2 coupons, but Bratchers has a limit so go in buy your 2 doz-on the way out, grab another ad and go back later for another 2 doz.)

Gerbes:
Bird's Eye Steamfresh Veggies 10/$10
Coupon-$1.00/3=$.67 ea

Betty Crocker Mashed Potatoes 10/$10
Coupon-.50/2 doubled to 1.00/2=$.50 ea

Colgate Toothpaste 10/$10
Coupon-.75/1 doubled to 1.00/1=FREE

I can't believe it's not butter 1.99
I have a internet coupon for $1.25 off which may still be available from coupons.com. If it is not however you should still have a coupon for .75/2 from the newspaper inserts.
=.74 w 1.25 coupon
=1.49 w .75 coupon

Ivory Bodywash 10/$10
Coupon-1.00/2=.50 ea

Pure Protein Bars 10/$10
I have 2 online coupons from pureprotein.com for 1.00 off any pure protein product, plus 1.00/2 from newspaper inserts. My first 2 will be free, $.50 after that

Schnucks:
Jet Puffed Marshmallows 1.00
Coupon .40/2 says do not double, but alot of times they double automatically and its not caught so:
If it doubles: $.60 ea
If not: $.80 ea

Cascade dish pacs 3.99
Coupon- $.25 any cascade dishpac doubled to .50=$3.49 ea

Kelloggs Cocoa Krispies 2.50
Coupon-$1/2=2.00 each

The real reason I'm buying those because I certainly have more than enough cereal is this:

I have a coupon which I peeled off the last boxes of Rice Krispies I bought for free large bags of M&M's with the purchase of 2 boxes of Rice Krispies. So for $2 a box I'm getting Cocoa Krispies AND a large bag of M&M's.

Target:
Covergirl Eye Shadow on sale 2.94
Coupons: 1.00 off any CG product + $5.00 gift card when you buy 3. So I will spend $5.82 on 3 and get $5 back. Making it .82 for 3 eye shadows, or $.27 each

Nestle NestEggs on sale 2.88
Coupon-1 mfg coupon for $1.00/2 bags and 1 target coupon for $2/2 making each bag $1.38

Assorted Board Games: CandyLand, Memory, Chutes and Ladders, or Cootie $5
1 mfg coupon for $3 and 1 Target coupon for $3 making them FREE!

Happy Easter, and even happier couponing!!

The Great Easter Egg Hunt...Well, the fillings anyway.

I went and hit up Walgreens huge candy sale today. All of the coupons I used today have come out in the last 2-3 weeks in the paper so you all should have them :)

(6) 8 oz bags of Cadbury Mini Eggs (reg. 3.29 ea sale 2/6-1.00 walgreens coupon-(2) 2.00/3 mfg coupon= $1.33 ea
(6) Bags Easter M&M's (reg. 1.69 on sale 2/$1-1.00/2 coupon=Free)
(12) Snickers Eggs (.75 ea-$1/2 coupon=$.25 ea)
 Plus I had a $3 Register Reward from the last time I was in making my grand total (should have been) $7.98

P.S. For the umpteenth million time I had issues using my coupons and had to duke it out with a manager. Because of that I did not notice until I left that I was overcharged by about $6. Looks like the store coupon didn't scan so I will be going in tomorrow for my refund. Be careful when you go to Walgreens and always check your reciepts before you leave. I don't think I have EVER gone in, used coupons, and had a pleasant/correct experience or transaction. This includes the Moberly and the Columbia on Nifong stores.

3/18/12 shopping trip

Time to reconcile what I said I was gonna do with what I actually did! Now, my couponing goal is to save overall 60%. Not sure if I did that or not, so let's see.

Side note: I have been notating when my coupon is .50 and doubled to 1.00, etc... For the sake of my typing hands, let's just assume those are doubled so you will see them as $1.00 coupon unless they are only taken at face value.

Gerbes:
5 Suave sweet pea and violet large bottle of lotion (on clearance for 1.29-1.00 coupon in 3/18's KC star=$.29 ea)
5 Suave deodorants ($1.06 reg price-1.00 coupon=.06 ea)
Franks Hot Sauce big bottle (2.75 reg.-.50 sale -.76 plus savings-1.00 coupon=.49)
4 Pace Picante Salsa (reg 2.18-.50 sale-.19 plus savings-.50 off ea coupon=.99 ea)
Kellogg Krave cereal (reg. 3.89-.50 sale -1.20 plus savings-1.00 coupon=1.19)
5 Post Shredded Wheat cereal big box (reg. 4.75-.50 sale+2.06 plus savings-1.00 coupon=1.19 ea)
Post Grape Nuts cereal (reg. 3.89-.50 sale-1.20 plus savings-1.00 coupon=1.19)
4 10pck of Capri Sun(reg 2.67-.50 sale -.38 plus savings-b3g1 free=1.34 ea)
36 oz Maxwell House coffee (reg 13.15-.50 sale-5.16 plus savings=7.49)
Dillons Milk 2.89 reg price (vs. 3.75ish @ Walmart)
8 Super Stack Pringle cans (reg 1.67-.50 sale-.18 plus savings-1.00/4 coupon=.74 ea)
(2) 3 liter bottle Ozarka water (reg. 1.39-.50 sale-.40 plus savings=.49 ea)
10 bottles of Sunny D (reg. 1.74-.50 sale-.25 plus savings-1.00/2 coupon=.49 ea)
(8) 2 liters Diet Pepsi (reg 1.79-.50 sale-.30 plus savings-1.00 coupon=FREE)

Total before sales/coupons= $129.36
Total after sales/coupons=$43.57
Total % saved: 66%

Walgreens(note: On b1g1 free or 50% off items, you can use 2 coupons):
(2) 240 bottle of 3mg Melatonin (reg. 18.99 ea, b1g1free-3.00/2 coupon=8.00 ea)
4 bottles Bayer baby aspirin (reg 2.99-b1g150%off-1.00 walgreens coupon-1.00 mfg coupon=.25 ea)
2 Blue Diamond honey roasted almonds cans (3.79 b1g1free-1.00 off coupon=.80 ea)
2 64 oz bottles Welchs grape juice (reg. 3.99 ea sale: 2/$6-1.00/2 walgreens coupon-1.00 mfg coupon=1.50 ea)
.5 tube of Neosporin (reg. 4.79 sale 3.49-1.00 coupon=2.49) I would have paid whatever they wanted for this after Jenna's spill this weekend. Glad I caught it on sale!

Total before coupons/sales: $70.29
Total after coupons/sales: $25.23
Total % saved: 64%

Target:
     Transaction 1
20 lb bag of Purina Dog Chow ($14.99 reg on sale 11.49-1.00 coupon=10.49)
25 oz bag Beggin Strips dog treats ($8.99 reg.-2.00 coupon=6.99)
With the purchase of these 2 items, I recieved a 5.00 gift card for transaction 2.
Total: 17.48
     Transaction 2
7 pack of too cute socks for Jenna I couldn't pass on: $6.99
(4) Bic Silky touch disposable razors (2.79-2.00 coupon=.79 ea)
Revlon Eye makeup (reg. 8.36 on sale for 2.54-2.00 target coupon-1.00 revlon coupon=.46 money maker)
(2) Nexcare bandages (1.87-.55 coupon-.75 target coupon=0.57 ea)
.99 gift bag for a party (had I planned ahead I would have made something at home)
Total: 11.19-5.00 gift card=7.07

Total Target retail value: $55.22
Total out of pocket: 24.55
Total % Savings: 56%

WalMart: Of course the dreaded walmart trip to get the absolute needs.
Countrytime Lemonade: $2.50
GV Ketchup: $1.00
GV BBQ sauce: $1.18
GV Bread: $.98
Total: $5.66

Total retail overall: $260.53
Total Out of Pocket: $99.01
Total % saved: 62%

Yaay Me!

Big Shopping, little $

I'm excited to get my shop on tomorrow! I have been scouring the ads and the coupon sneak peeks for next week. This is a list of some of the awesome deals I'm going to be taking advantage of (items with an * are the coupons in tomorrow's paper):

Gerbes:
Sunny D .99 -$.55/2 doubled to $1.00/2=.49 ea
Pace Salsa 1.49-.50/2 doubled to $1.00/2= .99 ea
Franks Hot Sauce 1.49-.50/1 doubled to 1.00=.49 ea
*Post cereal 2.19 ea-$1/1=1.19 ea (I'm not sure what varieties will be on sale vs which will have a coupon so this might be something I will have Walmart price match)
*Kettle brand chips 2.49-$1/1=$1.49 ea
*Pringles Super Stack .99-1.00/4=$.74 ea
*Capri Sun 10 pk 1.74-Buy 3 get 1 Free coupon=4@avg 1.34 ea
*Diet Pepsi 2 liters .99-.55 coupon doubled to 1.00= FREE

Walgreens:
Blue Diamond Almonds buy1 get 1 free @ 3.79 -(2) 1.00 off coupons=2/1.79 or around .90 each
Nature made vitamins buy 1 get 1 free
Acai Berry Cleanse $10.00 with $10.00 RR=FREE
Neosporin Essentials $12.99-$12.99 Mail in Rebate in most sunday papers=FREE, Also I have printed a coupon from NeosporinEssentials.com for 3.00 off. So I will pay 9.99 and get a check for 12.99 back thus making $3.00.

There are also some good deals going at Target and Walmart this week, check http://www.thekrazycouponlady.com/ or back here within the next few days!

Shopping trip to Walgreens

So I didn't do a full shopping trip this week because I was in KC all weekend, plus there just isn't a whole lot I need. I did go make a Walgreens trip and got some great deals! Now, if we could just find a coupon for gas...

Walgreens:
6 jars of Planters peanuts (on sale 2/$7-$1.50/2 coupon-$10 RR if purchasing $20 or more worth of Planters, Hersheys, and some other product I can't remember=$1.08 each reg. 3.99 72% savings)
2 bars Irish Spring deodorant (on sale $2/6+$3 RR-$1.00/1 coupon=.50 ea reg. 3.99 87% savings)
3 Packages Purex Ultra Packs (on sale 3.49-.50 walgreens coupon-1.00 mfr coupon=1.99 ea reg 4.99 60% savings)
4 32 ct bottle low dose Bayer Aspirin (2.99 ea B1G1 50% off= 4.50 for 2 -2 1.00 mfr coupons and 2 $1 off walgreens coupons=$.50 or $.25 ea 92% savings)
3 lbs ground turkey on clearance $1.08 ea I'm not 100% sure what it was before clearance, but I think it would be safe to say at least $2.25. Based on that price, it was a 52% savings

Total pct saved avg. 73%

I <3 coupons!

Coupons on 3/11

There should be 2 inserts this weekend in the KC star or Columbia Tribune. If anyone knows where/how to get a St. Louis paper please let me know. I can't find them anywhere around here. Anyway- click this link, then change source date to 3/11 and it will give you a listing of what to expect this weekend. Coupons vary GREATLY from region to region (basically every paper has it's own version of the coupon inserts) but this is a good guideline to go by.

http://coupondivas.com/coupon-database.html?search=Search+Coupons&source=&date=1331442000&values=&expires=&user=99f59c0842e83c808dd1813b48a37c6a&secure=http%3A%2F%2Fcoupondivas.com%2Fcoupon-database.html&paginate=23&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcoupondivas.com%2Fcoupon-database.html

Sales!

So I've browsed the sales flyers for the upcoming week and already went and got what I wanted from them. Also, here's some ideas for you if you're dying for the deals!

Bratchers:
Chicken Breasts 1.27/lb
Best Choice Chunk Cheese 1.27/chunk
Navel Oranges 6/$1
Russet Potatoes 5lb bag/$1.57

WalMart:
DulcoLax (2 different varieties) $1.98-3.00/2 coupon=.48 ea
Arm & Hammer Laundry Detergents (These are at Bratchers, but have WalMart price match them because Bratchers has a limit of 1) $1.99-1.00/2 coupon=$1.49 each
Oil of Olay 2 ct body soap (white milk variety) $2.57-$2.00 coupon (this coupon was in last sunday's paper so if you don't have it, run over to Prengers in Huntsville or Caseys and get it since they only bring the papers on Sunday to Huntsville)=$.57 each box
Oreo's 2.98-Price match to Hy-Vee $2.00
Oscar Mayer Bologna $1.98-price match to Hy-Vee $1.25
Small bag of Hershey resealable pouch candy on clearance for $1.00-1.00/2 coupon=$.50 each bag

What did you do today?

I slacked AGAIN!!! I'm sorry, just stay with me folks :) I did go do all of my shopping today and I got some good deals. I have done better, but I was excited nonetheless. Also, this was my first week of Target couponing and I have to say I was impressed! So here's the lowdown:

Target:
Transaction 1
2 Schick Hydro Silk Razors-reg. 9.49-$4.00 manufacturer coupon+1.50 target coupon (from target.com)+buy 2 get $5.00 gift card=
Out of pocket $7.98 Final cost $2.98
Transaction 2
2 Mio Beverage enhancer-$3.84-1.00 manufact coupon +1.00 target coupon-$1.84 each
Target peanut butter-$1.83 on clearance due to dent in bottom of jar
Lip smacker lip balm-$.44 on clearance
L'Oreal Foundation-reg price $13.03 on clearance due to crack in powder 3.96-$2.00 off any L'Oreal make up product coupon
2 3.5lb bags Beneful dog food 5.24-2.50 beneful coupon+2.00 target coupon-$.74 each

Total retail price of both transactions $53.75
Total with coupons and sales-$12.75


Schnucks:
2 All laundry detergent reg. 5.77 on sale for 2.89-1.00 coupon=$1.89 ea
1 Pretzelful pepperjack pretzels-reg 3.29 on sale for 2.79-.50 coupon doubled to 1.00=1.79 ea
1 large bag cascade actionpacs-reg 6.17 on sale for 4.99-.50 coupon doubled to 1.00=3.99 ea
2 Febreze Air effects reg 3.29 on sale for 1.64-1.00 off coupon=.64 ea
3 boxes Quaker cereal reg. 2.99 on sale 1.88-1.00/3= 4.64/3 or 1.55 each
4 Kraft Fresh Takes cheese and breading mix-reg 2.49 on sale for 2.00-1.00 coupon=1.00 ea
2 Ballpark Hot Dogs 3.59 buy 1 get 1 free-1.00/2 coupon=2.59/2 or 1.30 ea
2 Dole fruit crisp reg. 2.39 ea on sale for 2.00-.55 coupon doubled to 1.00-1.00 ea
5 lb bag red grapefruit 2.99
Chorizo Brats (no sale, but I've never tried them and I <3 Chorizo so I couldn't pass it up)
4 Progresso soup cans- reg 1.99-on sale for 1.00-1.00/4 coupon

Total retail price-76.63
Total after sales and coupons-34.47

Hyvee:
2 Boxes Seapak Maryland Crab reg. 3.99 on sale 1.99-.75 coupon=1.24 ea
2 canisters Blue Almond reg 4.29 on sale 3.49-1.00=2.49 ea
2 v-8 splash bottles-2.28-1.00/2 coupon-1.78 ea

Total retail price 21.12
Total after sales and coupons-13.29

Gerbes:
(This was by far my worst shopping trip, as I got a call from my husband in the middle of it telling me to hurry and come get him he needed to go to the Dr. When I showed up to get him after hurrying and ruining my trip, I sat and waited for him to get ready to go for 30 minutes. And then he didn't end up going to the Dr. Just sayin')
2 11 oz cans of Maxwell house coffee reg. 4.95 on sale for 3.71ea
2 packages of Yoplait with granola reg 2.25 on sale for 1.99-.75 coupon doubled to 1.00=.99ea
3 bags Ruffles Chips reg 4.29 on sale 2/$5-coupon for .55 doubled to 1.00=$1.50 ea
4 bags frozen vegetables $1.00 ea
2 cases diet pepsi reg. 6.99 on sale for 5.99-2.00/2 coupon=4.99 ea(I wouldn't buy this if it was anything else, but I am borderline addicted to diet pepsi)

Total retail price $51.51
Total after sales and coupons=$32.82

Walgreens:
2 2 packs Triaminic fever reducer-regularly 9.99 on clearance for 2.49 ea-3.00/2 triaminic products=.99 eac 2 pack or .50 each bottle

Total retail price=20.00
total after sales and coupons=1.98

Total retail for entire trip: $222.99
Total after sales and coupons: $95.31
% savings: 57%

Slacker!

Sorry I haven't done as promised and posted anything this week! My daughter's school had an event I helped to plan and it took up most of my free time this past week. With that being said, let me tell you about some good deals you can get this week and maybe you'll forgive me for abandoning you :)

Walmart- In last week's paper, there was a $4 off any Schick Hydro Silk razor. WalMart carries those (with a bonus shave gel) for $5.97. With your coupon, you are getting a very very nice razor and a can of shave gel for $1.97. If you go to facebook and like "Challenge Butter" they will give you a coupon for $2.00 off. At Walmart, your challenge butter is now free. *Most of the time they will only give out x amount of coupons online so if they have already reached that amount, you will not be able to get a coupon. I printed mine out 2 days ago, so I'm not sure if that amount is reached or not. Also in last week's coupon inserts you should have gotten a coupon for $1.25 off Gas X. A 10 pack at Walmart is 1.97, making your Gas X $.72

Walgreens-You will have to run out and do this TODAY. Walgreens new sale will start tomorrow. With that being said- Arm & Hammer detergent is 2.99. If you have a coupon (I did) it will make it $2.49 each. They are 4.99 or something of that nature at Walmart. In last weeks paper there was a Belvita breakfast biscuit coupon for $1.00 off. Walgreens was giving $1.99 register rewards, making your Belvita free. Just remember if you buy more than 1 on 1 transaction you will only get 1 register reward. Also, if you use your register reward from the one item to pay for the same item in a different transaction it will not print the register reward. My suggestion? Get them in as many different transactions as you have boxes. Pay cash. Save the RR's for the sales that start tomorrow. That's what I did :)

I will post tomorrow about this weeks sales, tomorrow's coupons, and my planned shopping list!

Sales next week

Here is my planned sales list, plus some things I think will help you out if you're just beginning to get a stockpile going.

Walmart:
Pumpkin Spice Country Crock (1.16-1.00 coupon from coupons.com)
Hidden Valley Ranch Veggie Kit *near dressings* (2.00-1.00 from coupons.com)
I Can't Believe It's Not Butter (2.48-1.00 coupon from coupons.com)

Bratchers:
Boneless skinless chicken breast-1.39/lb
Chuck roast-2.69 (2.59 at Prengers)
Butter-1.69
Betty Crocker fruit snacks (2/$4-.50/2 coupon doubled to 1.00/2=1.50 each)
Crest toothpaste (5/$5-1.00/2=.50 ea)
Pillsbury Cresent rolls (2/4-.40/2 doubled to .80/2=1.60 ea)

Schnucks (I will price match this at Walmart since I have only 2 things and no coupons to double)
Del Monte Fruit Cups (2/4-1.00/2=1.50 ea 4 pack)
Kool Aid mixes 10/$1

Gerbes:
Dillons milk 2.89 (I believe Aldi's has milk for $2.99 currently)
Totino's Pizza Rolls (.99-.40/2 doubled .80/2=.59 each)
Pillsbury grands biscuits (.99-.30/2 doubled to .60=.69 ea)
Gortons Frozen fish (3.99-1.00 coupon=2.99 each)
Orville Redenbacher microwave popcorn (1.59-1.00/2=1.09 each)
Danimals Crush and smothies (1.99-.50/1 coupon from facebook doubled to 1.00=.99 each)
Brawny paper towels (.79-1.00 off any roll coupon from facebook=FREE)

Hyvee:
Bananas $.39/lb everyday this week!
Plus, if you buy 10 Betty Crocker items you will get 3.00 off + any coupons you have!

Shopping-Week of 2/19

I have to admit, I was a little disappointed in this weeks coupon and sales selections. Therefore, I didn't do any grocery shopping this week except for the meats I posted about last week. I did, however, go to Walgreens and get a few things on the cheap so I thought I'd share!
Tylenol Precise Pads (the same thing basically as thermacare or icy hot patches) for FREE. They are on sale for $5.00 and in Sunday's paper there was a $5.00 off coupon. If Walgreens is out, have Walmart price match them.
Gillette Mach 3 Razors (3 pack, disposable)-10.99 Buy 1 get 1 50% off with (2) $3.00 off coupons
1st one-$7.99
2nd one-$2.49
Total for both-$10.48 (or 5.25 each, a savings of 48%)

Also, I got some toothpaste and toothbrushes from Gerbes in Columbia. I got 5 tubes of Colgate toothpaste for free (On sale 10/$10 with $.50 off coupon doubled to $1.00) and 5 Colgate toothbrushes for $1.00 (On sale 10/$10 wit $.40 off coupon doubled to $.80=$.20 each).

I'll be getting all the sales flyers today so I'll post tomorrow what I'm planning on stocking up on this weekend!

Get your meat on!

It is definately meat stock up week! I have been scouring the sales ads this morning, and I have already been to the store to get the meats I need.
Prengers-
$1.99 Ground Beef! (Bratchers has it for $1.89, but bratchers is 73% and Prengers is 81%, worth the $.10 difference) I got 10 lbs.
1.69 Pork Chops (Bratchers has them for $1.79, so if you don't eat red meat and live in Moberly, might be worth going to Bratchers rather than paying the gas)I didn't end up getting these because they were still cutting them and didn't have them out yet, but you bet I will be up there again this afternoon!
Hormel refrigerated ready to eat meals $3.99-$1.00 coupon-2.99 for a lb of meat (Prengers has the choice of beef tips in gravy or meat loaf)I bought 4 of these
Also, I didn't get any because I still have plenty of chicken but I noticed Prengers still has some of thier $.99 split chicken breast out.

So, make some room in that freezer and stockpile! Remember, its about buying what you don't need now at an unbelievable price so that when you do need it, you have it!

PS. Also, remember WalMart price-matches! I'm not a huge fan of thier meat, so I just went straight to the source. But you can also have them price match Bratchers ground beef price and Prengers pork chop price in 1 shop!

Shopping Trip 2-12-12

I completely, and I mean COMPLETELY, busted the budget this week. There were so many great deals that I could not pass up. Add to that the things I needed around the house and VOILA-budget buster. I did bust the budget, but my stockpile closet is actually moving to another spot in my house because it won't fit in my kitchen pantry anymore. I got probably literally 10x the stuff for the money I spent than I would have if I had not been couponing. So without further ado, this is what I got:

Walgreens:
6 boxes Hefty one zip storage bags (regularly $3.29, on sale buy 1 get 1 free + $1 off 2= $1.15 per box)
4 large cans Progresso soup (regularly 1.99 on sale for 1.25 - 1.00 off 4 coupon - $1 RR when you buy 4= $.75 ea)
Ouchless ponytail holders neon colors on clearance for $1.09
Scope mouthwash (regularly 4.19 on sale for 2.99-1.00 coupon=1.99)
Walgreens total before sales:$32.98
Walgreens total after sales: $18.95
Walgreens total after coupons:$12.98 (Actually paid 13.98 but have $1 RR for next visit)

Schnucks:
6 Pouches Beggin Strips dog treats (Reg.3.49 b1g1 free+$2.00 off 2 coupon=$1.25 ea pouch)
4 boxes Betty Crocker potatoes (Reg 1.85 on sale 10/$10+.50 off 2 coupon doubled to 1.00 off 2=$.50 per box)
6 Knorr Rice or Pasta (Reg. 1.66 on sale 10/$10+.50 off 2 coupon doubled to 1.00 off 2=$.50 ea)
2 Pillsbury Grands Jr. biscuits (reg 1.59 on sale 10/$10 + 1.00 off 2 coupon=$.50 ea)
3 Pillsbury Cinnamon rolls (reg 1.87 on sale 10/$10 + .30 off coupon doubled to .60=$.40 ea)
2 Grande Tortilla chips (reg 2.99 on sale $2.50 +$1.00 off coupon =1.50 ea)
Kraft BBQ sauce (reg 1.59 on sale $10/10=1.00)
Schnucks brand tupperware $1.88
2 Febreze Set & Refresh (reg. 3.18 on sale for 2.38-1.00 off coupon=1.38 ea)
Q-tip cotton swabs (reg 3.59 on sale 2.99+.30 off coupon doubled to .60=$2.39)
Schucks total before sales: $75.60
Schucks total after sales: $46.62
Schnucks total after coupons: $25.22

Gerbes:
5 Kettle Brand Chips(reg 2.99 on sale 1.49 + 1.00 coupon=.49 ea)
12 Ortega Taco Seasoning (reg 1.09-.10 plus card savings-1.00 off 2 coupon=.50 ea)
2 Zatarains rice mix (reg 1.86 on sale 10/$10=1.00 ea)
2 Nature Made Vitamin A (reg 5.49 ea + b1g1 free sale +1.00 off coupon=1.24 each)
3 Blistex medicated lip ointment (on sale $.99+.35 coupon doubled to .70=.29 ea)
Brawny paper towel roll (reg. 1.59+.34 plus savings +1.00 coupon=.25ea)
Welches grape jelly (reg 1.85 + .55 coupon doubled to 1.00=.85 ea)
Neutrogena Acne Gel Pen (reg. 4.59 on sale for 2.19 +1.00 coupon=1.19)
2% milk (reg 3.75 + .86 plus savings=2.89)
Gerbes total before sales: 45.58
Gerbes total after sales:$36.44
Gerbes total after coupons and sales:$17.36

Hyvee:
6 Boxes Cheez it snacks (reg 2.99 on sale for 1.49 + 1.00 off 2 coupon=1.00 ea)
2 Ocean Spray 64 oz bottles (reg 3.64 on sale for 1.88 + buy one get 1 free coupon=.94 ea)
10 Vlasic Dill Pickles (reg 1.59 on sale for 1.00 + .55 coupon=.45 ea)
4 Dove Revival Shampoo (reg 4.19 on sale for 2.00 - 1.00 coupon=1.00 ea)
Hyvee Total before sales:$57.88
Hyvee total after sales:$27.15
Hyvee total after coupons and sales:$16.35

Walmart:
2 Maxwell House coffee canisters 23 oz (5.11 ea - 1.00 off 2 coupon=$4.61 ea)
2 Smart Balance peanut buttter (2.68-.75 coupon=1.93 ea)
1 GV Wheat Bread loaf .98
6 boxes post cereal (2.86 price matched to walgreens price of 2.00 box on sale -1.00 off coupon=1.00)
5 KY Jelly-I have to put a disclaimer on here that I don't really need 5 tubs of KY, but it was free so I figured I would find a use for it. (2.84-3.00 off any ky product coupon=FREE)
7 tubes of vaseline lotion (.97-1.00 off any vaseline product coupon=FREE)
Reduced pork chops 8.37
reduced steaks 5.26
Hormel pork loin 6.98-1.00 coupon=5.98
Then I needed some things for V-day and no coupons :(
Skittles-2.48
Flowers-2.98
Glass jar-2.97
Card-.97
Straws-.98
Walmart total before coupons-$83.04
Walmart total after coupons-$55.39


Total for the week before coupons or sales:$295.08
Total for the week after coupons and sales:$127.30
Total savings:43%

Weekly Deals

Coupons vary GREATLY by region, but I do have a website that gives you a lil sneak peek at what should be coming this Sunday. I want to share some of that with you, and tell you what my plans on getting this week are. Since I told you I would never tell you about a deal unless I went and purchased it first, here is my disclaimer: I HAVE NOT PURCHASED THE LIST I AM ABOUT TO GIVE YOU, IT IS MY "GOAL" LIST.
The KC Star should have 2 inserts this week. A Smartsource and a Red Plum insert. Here is a sample of what should be in those inserts:
Smart Source *If you go buy Moberly's Weekender today, you should get most of these also*
Stride Single Packs $1 off 2
Post Raisin Bran $1off 1box
L'Oreal Preference hair dye $2 off 1 box
A whole host of Glade Air Freshener coupons
Cortizone 10 item $1 off 1
Axe body spray or deodorant $1 off 1
*Red Plum-not in Moberly's paper
Got2B hair care products $3 off 1
Secret Deodorant $1 off 1

Most of the coupons listed above have a corresponding sale item at Walgreens. Hurry and go today or tomorrow though because Walgreens sales start over on Sunday. Also, when you hit Walgreens, grab the little coupon books up front by the flyers, they have tons of extra savings in them!

Some of the things I am going for this week are:

$.97 Vaseline lotion at Walmart ($1.00 off coupon=free + $.03 overage)
$3.00 Iams Dog food trial bag at Target ($3.00 off coupon=free)
$1.00 Knorr rice or pasta at Gerbes or Shnucks (.50 off 2 coupon, doubled to 1.00 + .25 off store voucher=.25 each when you buy 4)
$1.00 Manwich sloppy joe mix at Gerbes (1.00 off if you buy sara lee buns= Free+price of buns)
$1.00 Blistex lip care at Schnucks ($.35 coupon doubled to $.70=$.30 each)
$1.00 Betty Crocker Potatoes at Schnucks ($.50 off 2 coupon doubled to 1.00=$.50 each)
$2.00 General Mills Cereals at Bratchers (1.00 off 2 coupon=$1.50 box)

Again, these are just some of the things I will go for or else it wouldn't be worth the drive all the way to Columbia. I have gone to Bratchers and taken advantage of some of thier deals already. This is what I got:

Reames Noodles-Sale 1.50-.50 coupon doubled to 1.00=.50 each (regularly 2.19) PS If you are interested in this deal, get with me this weekend because I have a bazillion of those Reames coupons.
Chicken Breast $.99/lb
Betty Crocker Cookie mix-Sale $2 each-$.40 coupon doubled to $.80=1.20 each pouch (regularly 3 something)

So are you ready? Are you motivated? Grab some store flyers and start making your list!

Shopping trip 2/5/12.

I was going to do a coupon sneak peek, but if you are reading and paying attention to this blog you should already have your coupons. I won't waste your time recapping them. I did end up going to do my shopping yesterday, and dragged my poor husband with me. He was mesmerized by the Columbia grocery stores, and still doesn't understand the whole "couponing" thing. He threw me a little off my mojo because he just kept randomly throwing things in the cart. Even so, we scored some good deals! Heres what it looked like:

Hyvee:
4-8 packs 24 oz bottles diet pepsi (regularly 3.50 each-store coupon $4/10-2 mfg coupon $2 off 2=$1.50 each)
Hyvee total before sale or coupons= $14.00
Hyvee total with in store coupon=$10.00
Hyvee total with all coupons=$6.00

Gerbes:
10 Bottles of Sunny D (reg. 1.74 each-.25 plus savings -.50 sale savings -.55 coupon off 2 doubled to 1.00=$.49 each)
Bottle of Aleve 100 ct (reg 8.80-2.00 coupon=$6.80)
4 tubs Heluva Good dip (reg. 2.29-.80 plus savings-.50 sale savings-.75 off coupon doubled to 1.00=FREE)
2 tubs I can't believe it's not butter (reg 2.95-.96 plus savings-.50 sale savings-.50 off coupon doubled to 1.00=.49 each)
2 Dove Men's Care shower tools (reg 3.99-.50 plus savings-.50 sale savings-1.00 off coupon=1.99 each)
1 Bag Kroger Brand tortilla chips $1.00
6 jars Ragu spaghetti sauce (reg 1.80-.04 plus savings-.50 sale savings-1.25 off when you buy 3 coupon= $.84 each)
4 boxes mom's best natural cereal (reg 2.79 -1.30 plus savings-.50 sale savings-1.00 off 2 coupon=.49 each)
Gerbes total before sales or coupons $72.45
Gerbes total with plus card and sales savings $48.14
Gerbes total with card, coupons, and sales $28.68

Schnucks:
4 cans Campbells Chunky soups (reg. 2.26-.76 sale-1.00 off coupon when you buy 4 or .25 off each can =$1.25 each)
6 cans Campbells Condensed soups (reg 1.50 -.50 sale-.40 off 3 doubled to .80 or .27 off each can =$.73 each)
1 bar Suave deodorant (reg 1.35-.35 sale-.50 coupon doubled to 1.00=Free.)
And heres where my husband comes into play.
2 packages imitation crab sticks (reg 2.99-1.00 sale=1.99 ea)
1 lb deli sliced Honey Mesquite ham-5.04(this was on sale from 8.07 per lb)
1 bag seedless lemons-2.99 (not on sale)
1 bottle sunkist soda-1.69 (not on sale)
Schnucks total without sales or coupons $41.72
Schnucks total with sales only $30.30
Schucks total with sales and couons $23.10

Patricia's
4 packages of Johnsonville Brats 2.47 ea (lost the reciept so don't know what they are normally, but I did check all of the sales flyers and Patricia's was cheapest.-1.00 off 2 coupon=1.97 each)
Patricia total $7.88

We also made a WalMart trip to get some things we needed that I didn't have coupons for, and my husband once again messed up my mojo. So I spent way more than I planned to, but I'll give you the totals anyway in the interest of fairness.

WalMart-
1 box Celestial Seasons Sleepytime Tea- $2.38 box -1.00 off coupon =1.38
1 dz eggs-1.98
1 loaf pumpernickel bread (reduced sale) -1.68
1 pan cinnamon rolls (reduced sale) 2.39
1 pack hot dog buns- 1.25
1 loaf wheat bread-.98
1 bag seattles best coffee- 6.00-1.50 off coupon= 4.50
1 box prarie farms butter -2.88
1 big tub pre cut grapefruit in juice-6.88
1 gal milk -3.86
Walmart total-27.78

Total Shopping for week- $93.44 (and officially the last time I take the Mr. with me!) but still not bad to feed a family of 4 with what we got.

I know you're saying "Where's the meat?" Keep an eye out for meat sales. I got all the meat I needed last time it went on sale so I'm not buying it now. But if you are just starting out you will want to find good meat sales to stock up so you aren't eating Campbells soup for dinner every day :)

Stockpiles!

Holy Moly! I know I was supposed to do this post a few days ago, but I have the flu or food poisoning or something and literally have not left the bed in days. I'm feeling only slightly better today, so I'm here. Sorry I'm late. So apology accepted? Good. Onto our next topic. Stockpiles.

Getting tuna for free or toilet paper for $.15 a roll is all fine and dandy but what good does it really do you if you get 1 package of tuna or 1 roll of toilet paper? What did you save by doing that? A dollar, two? Big deal. No really, that's why we are talking stockpiles-so you can get BIG DEALS! The purpose of couponing is to buy what you will EVENTUALLY need at a rock bottom price so that when you need it, you don't have to shell out full price. That's why (in a previous post) I talked about getting multiples of the same coupon. So that (for example) if I had a $1 off a package for chewing gum and WalMart had said chewing gum for $.99 a pack I can go to WalMart and get my free chewing gum. But if I get 1 pack, and I need more next week and have to go pay $.99 for it, I haven't done myself alot of good. But now lets say I have 20 of those coupons. I can go buy 20 packs of gum for free and have enough chewing gum to last me the next 6 months. By stockpiling things that I can get 60% or more off I have things I need when I need them, and I'm not freaking out over paying $5.99 for a bottle of shampoo. Plus, if there ever happens to be a zombie apocolypse, I'll be able to board up all my windows and doors and have enough food, deodorant, paper products, and chewing gum put away to last until all the zombies starve to death. In a more practical sense, it's so nice to be able to just throw the tube of toothpaste away and grab another out of my pantry instead of wrestling the tube for the next week because I forgot to pick some more up. I know we have all been the ones in the shower filling the shampoo bottle up with water and shaking it up to get that last litte bit, praying it's enough to wash our hair clean because there isn't another bottle in the house.  I'm the only one? Didn't think so.

Now lets talk "how" to stockpile. Obviously you will want to have your tons of coupons we talked about earlier. You will also need a space to keep all of the items you are stockpiling. Clean out an under-used closet and put some shelves in it, buy a shelving unit for your garage, kick one of your kids out into a tent in the backyard...I mean, however you want to get the space is up to you. But you will need it if you're couponing right so go ahead and get it ready. Food service tip: Keep non food items on shelves under the food items. You wouldn't want that cheap/free shampoo leaking out all over your Wheat Thin stash. After you have your space ready, you will want to scour all of the online couponing sites (some of my favorites are listed below) and your local ads. Of course I will list deals here weekly too. My general rule of thumb is that if I can get an item 60% or more off, I stock up. Some people only stockpile free things, some say 30% off is enough for them to stock up. You will have to decide that for yourself. But my thinking is that if I can get something for 60% off, I can buy 3 and only pay 20% more than the original price of 1. If I can get it for more than 60% off, it's on like Donkey Kong.

So really that's the basics of stockpiling. Clip your coupons, find your deals, buy your deals up while you can get them, and the next time you are shaking the last little bit of laundry powder out of the box you can go the your own personal stockpile and get a new box instead of taking from the store's stockpile at full retail price (+ gas + hassle).

Some of my favorite sites to check for deals are:

http://www.thecoupongirlz.com/
http://www.thekrazycouponlady.com/
http://www.coupondivas.com/


Up next: A sneak peek at Sunday's coupons and my planned shopping list!

Shopping trip 1/30/12

Schnucks-
Valley Fresh Chicken Breast (canned)- 2 cans @ $1 ea (regularly $1.89-on sale 2/$3 + $1 off coupon)
Select Harvest Campbells soup-2 cans @ $.75 (regularly $1.68-on sale $1.25 + .50 off 2 cans doubled to $1.00 off 2 cans.)
Uncle Ben's rice mix-4 boxes @ $.75 box (regularly 1.3?-on sale $1 + buy 3 get 1 free coupon)
Schnucks total regular price- $9.92
Scnucks total with sale price only-$9.50
Schnucks total with sales and coupons- $5.52

Gerbes-
Hormel Chili-10 cans @ $.23 each (1.41 regularly + .50 off sale + $.55 off 2 coupon doubled to $1.00 off 2 coupon + $.13 plus card reward)
Brawny paper towels-1 roll @ $.25 ( 1.59 regularly + $1.00 off coupon + $.34 plus card reward)
Dillons gallon 2% milk- 1 gallon @ $2.99 (regular price)
Palmolive dish soap (big bottle)- 3 bottles @ $.99 ea (regularly $2.82+ $.50 off sale + $.50 off coupon doubled to $1.00 off + $.33 plus card reward)
Birds Eye frozen vegetables Chef's variety- 5 bags @ $.49 ea (regulary $3.15 + $.50 off sale +$.50 off coupon doubled to $1.00 + $1.16 plus card reward)
Moms Best Natural Cereals- 2 boxes @ $.49 box (regularly $2.79 + $.50 off sale + $1 off 2 coupon + $1.30 plus card reward)
Zone protein bar-1 bar @ free ($1.00 regularly + $.55 off coupon doubled to $1.00)
Granny Smith Apples- 2lbs @ $1/lb (regularly $1.88 lb on sale for $1)
Lysol Neutra Air aerosol spray can- 1 can @ 1.49 (regularly $3.75 + $.50 off sale + $.50 off coupon doubled to $1 + $.76 plus card reward)
Mens Speed Stick- 6 bars @ $.44/ea (regularly $2.15 + buy 1 get 1 free + $1.27 plus card reward)
Lady's Speed Stick- 6 bars @ $.44/ea (regularly $2.15 + buy1get1free+ $1.27 plus card reward)
Gerbes total regular price- $82.68
Gerbes total with sales items and rewards only $48.87
Gerbes total with sales, rewards, and coupons $26.59

Bratchers (I can't tell the original price, only the sales price shows on the reciept)
Knorr's rice mix-8 @ $.50 ea (On sale 5/$5 + $.50 off 2 coupon doubled to $1 off 2)
Franks hot sauce-4 @ $.25 ea (regularly $1.25 + $.50 off coupon doubled to $1)
Texas Toast croutons-4 @ $.20 ea (on sale 5/$5 + $.40 off coupon doubled to $.80)
Grapefruit-6 @ $2.00 total (on sale 3/$1)
Prarie Farms sour cream 16 oz- 2 tubs @ $.80 ea (on sale 2/$3 + $.35 off coupon doubled to $.70)
Totinos pizza rolls- 2 boxes @ $.20 each (on sale 5/$5 + $.40 off coupon doubled to $.80)
Bratchers with sales prices-$27.00
Bratchers with coupons- $9.80

I did end up getting some things I needed from WalMart last night also (and even some without coupons!), so in fairness I'll go ahead and add them into the total. I got a tub of Country Time Lemonade ($2.18), A package of Starbucks coffee ($7.98-$1.50 coupon), 3 rolls of Jimmy Dean Sausage ($2.78-.55 off 2 coupon), 1 lb of Velveeta ($3.83-.55 coupon), Honey Bunches of Oats ($1.99-$1.00 off coupon) 5 Oral B dental floss ($1.14-$.75 off coupon).
Walmart total- $22.67

Total spending for the week: $64.58

Take into account that I am stocked up on meats from sales in previous weeks. But even if I had to get meat, I would go to WalMart early in the morning, pick up clearance meat and still be around $85 for 1 week of food vs. the $125+ I would spend in my pre couponing days :)

Today we are going to talk about getting even more power out of your coupons. The first rule of getting the most power out of your coupons is this: Don't use a coupon just because you have it. Don't use it the 1st week after you clip either, unless you find a heckuva deal on something. If you're getting $1 off prune juice and you hate prune juice, that's pretty pointless. Only use the coupons you have worked so hard for when you are going to get the most bang for your buck. That brings me to my next tutorial! Double coupons. Triple coupons. Stacking store and manufacturer coupons. Rewards cards. Oh it goes on and on. I will share with you all, my fine friends, what all this means (and which stores in our vicinity actually participate!)

Double coupons- A store that doubles coupons will basically take your coupon's face value and give you double that discount. For example, if you have a $.55 off coupon, you now actually have $1.10 off coupon with a store that doubles. Some coupons will specifically say "Cannot be doubled/tripled" so then you're hosed, but for the most part this is an excellent way to get some extra savings.
Stores that double every day:
-Brachters (up to $.75, giving you a total of $1.50 off. Maximum of 4 like coupons in 1 trip. Maximum of 25 doubled coupons per day. Any coupon over the $.75 mark will be redeemed at face value only)
-Schnucks (up to $.50 giving you a total of $1.00 off. Maximum of 3 like coupons in 1 trip. Maximum of 15 doubled coupons per shopper. Will take total of 1.00 even if coupon is more than $.50. Example- a $.75 coupon will actually give you $1.00 off)
-Gerbes (up to $.50 giving you a total of $1.00 off. Gerbes reserves the right to put a maximum on thier couponing, but they do not practice this. In other words, if you have 10 coupons they will probably let you go. If you have 500 coupons, they might have a manager step in. Also gives a total of $1.00 off even if your coupon is more than $.50)
-Patricias (up to $.50 giving you a total of $1.00 off. Coupons between $.51-$.99 will be redeemed at $1. No limit on how many you can use per thier written policy)
-WalMart, Walgreens, HyVee, and Target do not double coupons. HyVee's website says they do, but I had a discussion with their manager about it last week and they don't.
(If there is a local store not listed here, it's because I don't use that store so I wouldn't know)

Triple coupons-There is no one around here that triples coupons that I know of. Prengers did it as a promotional thing a few weeks back, but they are not going to continue that. If you ever find someone who does triple coupons, take advantage!

Stacking- Coupon stacking is the practice of using 2 coupons on 1 item (or for 1 deal). To do this you must have a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon. IN ALMOST ALL CASES YOU CANNOT USE 2 MANUFACTURER COUPONS ON 1 ITEM. So lets say, for example, Walgreens puts out a $1 off 2 bags coupon for a big bag of M+M's (February's coupon book, hint hint) and I have a $1.50 off 2 big bags of M+M's. They are on sale this week for 2/$5. I will use Walgreens store coupon, and my manufacturer coupon to get 2 big bags of M+M's for $2.50 or $1.25 each bag (if you haven't caught on yet, this is all a true story so get on your couponing and go get you some M+M's!). Each store differs on what they allow for stacking. Walgreens is the biggest store around Moberly area that does store coupons so I'll start there. At Walgreens, you cannot have more coupons than items. IE, if you are using 2 coupons for 1 item, you will need to have an item you are not using a coupon for (like, maybe the $.25 caramels at the checkout line). If you are using a coupon that is $x off when you buy 2 and a store coupon on top of it (like the example above) you are ok. Before using store and manufacturer coupons, check with the store manager.

Rewards- Sometimes a store will give you an extra perk for shopping there, which is a reward. Each store does something different, if anything at all. Gerbes has a Plus card. You will want to get one of those. The Plus card gives you access to all of Gerbes sales, and it also gives you a few extra cents off each thing you buy there. Walgreens has Register Rewards. The register rewards are so touchy, it's hardly a reward. With Register Rewards, you only get 1 reward, even if you buy 10 products (for example, if you buy 10 $1.99 protein bars that has a $1 RR, you get $1, not $10). So, I tried to get around that by doing each thing with a RR in seperate transactions. But if you use your previous RR to pay for this RR you won't get another RR. It's really confusing and hardly worth it. If you plan to get Register Rewards, this is how I recommend doing it. If you have more than 1 of the same thing with RR's, pay for them in seperate transactions. Use cash for each transaction. You should then get all of your rewards. Then you can use those RR's on your next trip.


I think you all get the jist of this now. Get excited, because tomorrow we talk STOCKPILES! I will also post later today on my shopping trip how my shopping trip yesterday went. :)

Mommy and Daddy,where do coupons come from?

Whenever I start to share my couponing adventures, I inevitably am asked "Where do you get your coupons?" I am just a beginner, less than a month into my sobriety from full retail prices so I am sure I don't have anywhere near the coupons as some seasoned vets. Yet, my coupon binder literally weighs more than my first child. I am going to give you a list of some places you can get coupons, and which ways I think work the best.
-Newspapers- This is where the bulk of your coupons should come from. The trick to getting the good deals is to get multiple Sunday papers. For example, I usually get 1 Moberly Weekender, 2 Columbia Tribunes, and 5 KC Stars. The reason you want at least 1 of each is that they each have a different coupon insert because they are different regions. For example, 1 week my Moberly paper had a ton of Lysol coupons that no one else had, 1 week my Columbia paper had Prarie Farms coupons (yes for milk!) that neither other paper had.  For this I pay around $15, but I saved over $80 in groceries this week.  I think it's a fair trade.Plus, you can get Sunday only subscriptions which work out to way cheaper than buying them from Caseys or getting them from the machine. I just have been too lazy to get it together. When you buy 5 KC Stars, you then get 5 copies of each coupon therein. So when you can get Sunny D for free with coupon (Gerbes this week) you can snatch up a month's worth (or more) because you have enough coupons to do that. Be forewarned, it takes a long time to buy the paper, seperate the pages, stack the pages, clip the coupons, organize the coupons, re-organize the coupons according to expiration date, and so on. But you will get better at it. The way I see it is if I spend 2 hours a week couponing and another 4 shopping to save $80 on my groceries, I just paid myself $13 per hour.
-Internet coupons-I love internet coupons. Most of the time they have a higher value than newspaper coupons, and longer expiration dates! There are 3 catches to internet coupons: 1. Because of fraud, a lot of stores won't take them or at least will give you the stinkeye about it. 2. Ink for most printers is around $30-$40 for a refill. 3. You are limited to how many you can print from 1 computer. Avoid the pitfall of printing a coupon for a new item unless you have actually been to the store, seen the item, and know the price. Some smaller brands put thier coupons out there without any stores around here carrying said item. So now you're out the $.35 or whatever it cost you to print the coupon and no way to use it. ONLY PRINT COUPONS YOU ACTUALLY PLAN ON USING. I actually won't print a coupon unless I am leaving to go to the store and get that item. Remember, we coupon to save money. Wasting a bunch of ink and paper on an item you aren't getting is not an efficient way to coupon.
-Coupons from packaging- Believe it or not, the items you are getting at a discount or free can sometimes also help you get your coupon count up. There are 2 ways to get coupons from packaging. 1. Peelies- Peelies are the little stickers on the outside of the package that contain a coupon. Here is a little trick. The manufacturers put the peelies on the biggest, most expensive package of whatever they are trying to give you a coupon for. There is absolutely nothing wrong with taking that sticker off that package and using it to buy a smaller, less expensive package. The manufacturer is trying to attract you to his/her product. In my eyes, it shouldn't matter what size that product is. As long as you plan to use it, go ahead and peel it.
2. Inside the packaging-These are the coupons that the manufacturer is hoping you'll miss and throw away. 98% of people do. Keep them. If you like that product or it goes on sale, you'll be happy you did.
-Blinkies- This is just a cute name for the little machines in the store aisles that spit the coupons out at you. Again, there is nothing wrong with you standing at the machine (if you have the patience for it) and taking 50 of those little coupons, AS LONG AS YOU PLAN TO USE THEM. Most of these cannot be doubled, but still worth grabbing. Also note, you don't have to use the coupons from the blinky machine at the store where you got it. That is a manufacturer coupon, good to use anywhere.
-Store coupons- Store coupons are just that. An additional discount the store is going to give you if you have the magic slip of paper. The difference is that with a manufacturer coupon, the person who makes the item gives the discount (and pays the store back that discount + a handling fee), and with a store coupon, the store gives the discount. In most cases you can use both and get a super discount!
-Ebay- So there are actually people who do all the couponing work, then list the coupons on eBay so that you don't have to spend hours clipping! It is illegal to sell coupons, so you will see on each listing something to the effect of "you are paying for a coupon clipping service, not for the actual coupons". This comes in handy when there is a good sale on something and you want to really really stock up. I usually will check the sales ads on Tuesday and if I can get something free I will go on Ebay and snatch up 10 more coupons for that item. It's not something you'll want to use all the time, but it does have it's perks.
-Catalina- A Catalina coupon is the one that comes with your reciept at the end of your shopping trip. Most of the time, the computer can tell what you bought the most of or the types of things you bought and will give you a coupon for something along those lines. A Catalina is a manufacturer coupon, but it must be used at the store that gave it to you.
-Ecoupons- an E coupon is a coupon that can be downloaded to something like a rewards card and used at a specific store. Gerbes uses softcoin.com to put coupons on your Plus card. Also, target is leading the way with E-coupons. When you sign up at Target.com they will send you a text message containing your coupon. Hand your cell to the cashier at checkout and BAM! Money in your pocket.

Coming up tomorrow...Double-coupon, Triple-coupon, Stacking, and more!

Where to start.

Now that you have decided to take the couponing plunge, you are going to need a few things to get you started.
1. You will need a way to organize your coupons. Honestly, with the amount of coupons you will be clipping, those old "coupon organizers" are not going to cut it. There are really 2 ways you can organize. You can use a binder or a box. Either way you choose, you will then want to organize it. (I will go further into detail at the end of this post on this)
2. You will need a GOOD pair of scissors. Believe me (from experience) there is nothing worse than trying to clip through 30 seperate piles, each one 5-7 pages deep with a 1st graders safety scissors. It's enough to give you carpal tunnel. If you are a scrapbooker and have some type of paper trimmer, that will work too.
3. A source of coupons. There are several different ways to get coupons. You can print them from online, get them from your Sunday paper, printed out at the register with your reciept, from the packaging, and on and on. The key to saving money is having a plethora of coupons to choose from!

How to organize your coupons is a personal preference, and I'm sure there are more ways than the few I'm about to go through. I personally like these the best, so these are the ones I am sharing.

Binder:
--Things you will need:
Large 3 prong binder (3 inches or more)
Sheet protectors
Baseball card sheet protectors
a few envelopes
     To start your binder you will need to decide by what category you are going to organize. You can organize by date (which I don't personally recommend, but you can) or you can organize by category. That's what I do. Whether you choose to organize by date or category, you will start by seperating each page of your coupon insert. If you have more than 1 insert (which you should) you will stack like pages on top of each other. First, we will talk about organizing by date.

     If you choose to organize by date you will take your like pages, and staple them together. Then with a sharpie or some other bold pen or marker write the date that you clipped them on the page. Do not clip the coupon, keep the entire page. You will then simply put that stack of pages into a sheet protector and into your binder. This takes MUCH less time when you are couponing on Sundays, but much more time when you are at the store searching for that coupon you just know you had. But if you make a very detailed list before you go to the store and aren't an impulsive shopper listing by date can work for you.

     If you choose to organize by category, you will need to get your binder in order before you start clipping. I recommend using http://www.thekrazycouponlady.com/ 's template. This template will give you a table of contents with all of the categories you will need. Once you have printed this off, you will put the full sheets of paper from the template into sheet protectors (also, if you have a paper punch that will make tabs, use it. It's much easier to create a file type system in your binder than have to look for category 32 without any help from outside sources) You will then put a few baseball card protector pages in for each category. Next you will clip your like stacks of coupons and put them in the baseball card slots. I like to organize mine by expiration date so that I can easily see what I might need to use soon.

If you choose to organize by box,  you will need:
A hinged index card organizer box (the big one)
Numbered or lettered tab insert dividers for box
Lots of paperclips
You will create a table of contest (you can use the one on the template given above, but you will have to retype it smaller so it will fit on/in your index card organizer). You will clip each coupon by stack, similar to organizing by binder category. You will then paperclip off each set of coupons and drop that stack behind the corresponding divider. You will want to glue/tape your table of contents on the front or put it somewhere you can easily see it. The pro to the index card organizer is that it is small. You can throw it in your purse or whatever. The con is that you can not easily see all of the coupons at your disposal.


     However you choose to organize, I like to also keep a few envelopes in mine so that I can take the coupons I plan to use out and have them ready. I then organize that by store (so I will have an envelope for coupons I'm using at Walmart that day, Walgreens, so on...) Whichever way you choose, I recommend also printing and keeping a copy of each stores coupon policy in your book. It's a nice thing to have if you get a snotty cashier, or if you personally are wondering how many coupons you can double, etc...Most customer service desks have the policy for you. Also, write your name and address in your book. Checking out with a bazillion coupons is a little nerve wracking and if you should forget the binder you have put so much work into at the store, at least the person who finds it would be able to call you. I think I have touched on everything you need to get started, so start thinking on which organizer works best for you and I will talk to you tomorrow :)


Next up...Mommy and Daddy, where do coupons come from?

Welcome to life in the cheap lane

Hi friends! I assume if you're here it's because you're my friend and I gave you this website address, or you are a friend of a friend (In which case I trust my friends judgement). In any case-Welcome! Are you ready to save some money on your grocery bills? There are plenty of couponing websites that will tell you where to get your coupons, where to use them, and how to get things cheap (or free). I have decided that I'm going to add to that by telling you where and how to use them in central MO. Too many times I have checked my favorite couponing site for a deal and run to the store only to find that our Wal-Mart doesn't carry that item, or our Walgreens is more expensive (making my coupon less valuable) than the website states. Of course, there are many other very frustrating things that can happen when you decide make couponing part of your lifestyle, and I want to help you avoid the pitfalls. I make a promise on this blog right here and now, I will NEVER tell you about a deal unless I have first went to the store and purchased said item so that I can attest to the success or failure of that deal. For the first week or two I will probably post daily or every other day. After that my plan is to post 1-2 times a week. So, please follow my posts, get ready to stock your home (and keep some hard earned dollars!).

Coming up tomorrow...Don't know where to start? Let me help.