I didn't realize until today just how much I'm into couponing and saving money. I spent several hours between last night and this morning doing all my calculations and splitting my order between hubby and me so we could maximize the coupons, get the best deals, and pay as little as possible (this seems to be my goal nowadays). Well....I should've headed back out the door when the first 3 items on my list were out. I got rainchecks on them, but it threw everything off because 1 of the items was a big part of hubby's "list" and the other 2 were big parts of my "list".
So....I proceed on with getting the remaining items on my list. I figured that I could figure out my totals when I was done in case I added a few extra sale/coupon items along the way. BIG MISTAKE! I was pulling out coupons right and left, adding items here and there, and even ended up getting something that was supposed to be B1G1 Free and didn't ring up that way! I was standing in front of the yogurt trying to do my calculations in my head. When that didn't work, I pulled out a pen and leaned on the frozen food container trying to add things up. This didn't work either because when I did my calculations (on my scratch paper and without a calculator), I got a total after coupons and before taxes of around $6.50. Okay....so if I add in the $3.99 that I was overcharged for the Steakum things, it's still only $10.49 plus taxes. Imagine my surprise when the total came to $20.15! I thought I was going to pass out or hyperventilate in the store! I couldn't believe I spent all that money and didn't even get any real meat (No, I don't count Steakum things as meat).
Well....I thought my trip next door to CVS was going to be better because it was supposed to be cut and dry. I had a plan that I've carried out several times this week. It went well all week so I thought it would again today. Again, I should've just gone home as soon as I walked into Publix. I have the items for my transactions, John's transactions, and my parents' transactions. Everything worked fine for my parents' tranasctions. Well...I grabbed my bag so John's stuff and my stuff could just be loaded in the same bag. Lo and behold, in the bag, is the candy bar that I bought Logan YESTERDAY. Needless to say, I didn't have the receipt for it because I filed it after I entered the info on here. So....I had no proof that I had purchased it already. Hubby had to purchase the candy bar again! The rest of the transactions went okay after that. But....again...I felt as though I should probably just go home. Do I? NO! We head to Walgreens instead.
Walgreens actually wasn't that bad. The lady was very helpful and nice. The transactions went smoothly and I was happy! They were out of Hubby's Frappuccinos so we had to go to another Wags but it was on the way to my next stop - Target.
I have had nothing but BAD experiences at Target. The cashiers are not exactly coupon friendly. I've shared my experiences with Hubby. I asked him if he would go there with me today so he could see for himself how I was treated like a "criminal" for using coupons. Not that he could do anything except "be Hubby" and be some reinforcement for me (or provide bail should it be needed - LOL)! We got the items on our list and proceeded to the checkout lane. I placed the items on the counter with the coupon for each item stuck on top of the item. The cashier proceeded to ring the item and then the coupon for each of the items I had. No problems, no questions! My mouth dropped as I walked out of there without any hassles! I don't know if I didn't have problems because Hubby was there (which is what he thinks), if it was the cashier, if they've received complaints about how they treat couponers, if the planets are aligned a certain way, or what! In any case, I'm not going to complain about the good service. In fact, I probably shouldn't even be talking about it here because I may jinx it for the next time.
After Target, we went to the 2nd Wags for Hubby's Frappuccinos. Hubby being the brave one that he is said that he "can do this". So...I sent him in with the Qs and exactly what he needed to get. I'm impressed. He did exactly as he was told. LOL
So....after my near hyperventilating experience and almost accused of shoplifting a candy bar event, we made it home. Now....to head out to another CVS to see if they have the "new" sale items out. I just don't learn!
Saturday, May 22, 2010
5/22/10 Publix Trip
I learned some very valuable lessons in Publix today. First....don't just trust that the B1G1 Free sign is actually for the item that is listed on the sign and in front of the item. Secondly.....I don't do too well when I have my whole "plan" worked out and they are out of items. Thirdly.....CARRY A CALCULATOR!!! Here's what I got:
(6) Tornados at $2.00 each = $12.00
(5) Go-Gurts at $1.39 each = $6.95
(12) Idahoan Instant Potatoes (I LOVE the Loaded Baked Potato ones!!!!)at $.62 each = $7.44
(2) Philly Gourmet Steaks (like Steak-ums) at B1G1 Free $3.99 = $7.98 (Nope...didn't ring up at B1G1 Free and I was already home when I noticed it!)
(6) Betty Crocker Brownie Mix at $1.20 each = $7.20
Total Before Coupons: $41.57
Coupons Used:
(2) $.40 off Go-Gurt (not doubled) = $.80
(1) $.40 off Go-Gurt (doubled) = $.80
(3) B1G1 Free Tornado at $2.00 each = $6.00
(4) $.75 off 3 Idahoan Instant Potatoes = $3.00
(3) $1.00 off 2 Betty Crocker Brownies = $3.00
(1) $5.00 off $25.00 Rite Aid = $5.00
Total Amount of Coupons: $18.60
Total OOP After Coupons and Taxes: $20.15
Savings of: 69.5% (Not too bad, but not too good, either.)
(6) Tornados at $2.00 each = $12.00
(5) Go-Gurts at $1.39 each = $6.95
(12) Idahoan Instant Potatoes (I LOVE the Loaded Baked Potato ones!!!!)at $.62 each = $7.44
(2) Philly Gourmet Steaks (like Steak-ums) at B1G1 Free $3.99 = $7.98 (Nope...didn't ring up at B1G1 Free and I was already home when I noticed it!)
(6) Betty Crocker Brownie Mix at $1.20 each = $7.20
Total Before Coupons: $41.57
Coupons Used:
(2) $.40 off Go-Gurt (not doubled) = $.80
(1) $.40 off Go-Gurt (doubled) = $.80
(3) B1G1 Free Tornado at $2.00 each = $6.00
(4) $.75 off 3 Idahoan Instant Potatoes = $3.00
(3) $1.00 off 2 Betty Crocker Brownies = $3.00
(1) $5.00 off $25.00 Rite Aid = $5.00
Total Amount of Coupons: $18.60
Total OOP After Coupons and Taxes: $20.15
Savings of: 69.5% (Not too bad, but not too good, either.)
5/22/10 Walgreens Trip
Even though I had 4 transactions at 2 Walgreens, I would say this was a success! Because I never know when I will go back to Wags, I don't like leaving with RRs. I like to use them before I leave the store. However, the first store didn't have what hubby wanted so we had to go to another Wags to get it. Here goes:
Transaction #1:
(4) Velveeta Mac & Cheese Cups - $1.00 each = $4.00
(2) Old Spice Body Wash - $4.49 each = $9.98
Total Before Coupons: $13.98
Coupons Used:
(1) B1G1 Free Old Spice Body Wash = $4.49
(2) $1.00 Off 2 Velveeta Mac & Cheese Cups = $2.00
Total Amount of Coupons = $6.69
Total OOP After Coupons and Tax: $7.16
Received: $4.50 RR for Old Spice & $1.50 RR for Velveeta
Transaction #2:
(2) Old Spice Body Wash - $4.49 each = $9.98
Coupons Used:
(1) B1G1 Free Old Spice Body Wash = $4.49
(1) $1.50 Velveeta RR from Transaction #1 = $1.50
Total Amount of Coupons: $5.99
Total OOP After Coupons and Taxes: $3.62
Received: $4.50 RR for Old Spice
Transaction #3:
(4) Velveeta Mac & Cheese Cups = $4.00
Coupons Used:
(2) $1.00 Off 2 Velveeta Mac & Cheese Cups = $2.00
Total OOP After Coupons and Taxes: $2.04
Received $1.50 RR for Velveeta
**Note** I'm leaving the store with (2) $4.50 Old Spice RRs and (1) $1.50 Velveeta RR
Transaction #4 (at a different Wags):
(3) Royal Gelatins at $.19 each = $.57 (only purchased to use as fillers)
(4) 4-Pack Starbucks Frappuccinos at 2/$10 = $20.00
Total Before Coupons: $20.57
Coupons Used:
(4) $1.00 off 4-Pack Starbucks Frappuccinos = $4.00 (Thanks, Jane!)
(2) $1.00 off 2 Starbucks 4-Pack Frappuccinos Store Coupon = $2.00
(2) $4.50 RRs from Old Spice = $9.00
(1) $1.50 RR from Velveeta = $1.50
Total Amount of Coupons: $16.50
Total OOP After Coupons and Taxes: $5.60
Transaction #1:
(4) Velveeta Mac & Cheese Cups - $1.00 each = $4.00
(2) Old Spice Body Wash - $4.49 each = $9.98
Total Before Coupons: $13.98
Coupons Used:
(1) B1G1 Free Old Spice Body Wash = $4.49
(2) $1.00 Off 2 Velveeta Mac & Cheese Cups = $2.00
Total Amount of Coupons = $6.69
Total OOP After Coupons and Tax: $7.16
Received: $4.50 RR for Old Spice & $1.50 RR for Velveeta
Transaction #2:
(2) Old Spice Body Wash - $4.49 each = $9.98
Coupons Used:
(1) B1G1 Free Old Spice Body Wash = $4.49
(1) $1.50 Velveeta RR from Transaction #1 = $1.50
Total Amount of Coupons: $5.99
Total OOP After Coupons and Taxes: $3.62
Received: $4.50 RR for Old Spice
Transaction #3:
(4) Velveeta Mac & Cheese Cups = $4.00
Coupons Used:
(2) $1.00 Off 2 Velveeta Mac & Cheese Cups = $2.00
Total OOP After Coupons and Taxes: $2.04
Received $1.50 RR for Velveeta
**Note** I'm leaving the store with (2) $4.50 Old Spice RRs and (1) $1.50 Velveeta RR
Transaction #4 (at a different Wags):
(3) Royal Gelatins at $.19 each = $.57 (only purchased to use as fillers)
(4) 4-Pack Starbucks Frappuccinos at 2/$10 = $20.00
Total Before Coupons: $20.57
Coupons Used:
(4) $1.00 off 4-Pack Starbucks Frappuccinos = $4.00 (Thanks, Jane!)
(2) $1.00 off 2 Starbucks 4-Pack Frappuccinos Store Coupon = $2.00
(2) $4.50 RRs from Old Spice = $9.00
(1) $1.50 RR from Velveeta = $1.50
Total Amount of Coupons: $16.50
Total OOP After Coupons and Taxes: $5.60
5/22/10 CVS Trip
I had to go back and get the final day of the paper products and cosmetics coupons. I also wanted to get some more of the Dawn since it was so cheap. I'm going to donate some of the Dawn to church for them to use in the kitchen. The store I went to hadn't "loaded" Sunday's specials yet, so I had to stick with just this week's specials. Gotta go back out later so I'll check a different CVS to see if they're loaded. Here's what I got:
(12) Dawn Dish Detergents (a variety including the Hand Renewal - my favorite!) = $10.00
(1) 50 Count CVS Q-tips = $.99
(2) CVS Pocket Tissue = $.99
Total Before Coupons: $11.98
Coupons Used:
(8) $.25 off Dawn Dish Detergent Coupons = $2.00
(3) $.50 off Dawn Dish Detergent Coupons = $1.50
(1) $1.00 off Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Detergent = $1.00
(1) $1.00 off 2 CVS Paper Products = $1.00
(1) $1.00 off CVS Cosmetic Item = $1.00
(1) $2.00 ECB from Herbal Essence
Total Amount of Coupons: $8.50
Total OOP After Coupons and Taxes: $5.24
(12) Dawn Dish Detergents (a variety including the Hand Renewal - my favorite!) = $10.00
(1) 50 Count CVS Q-tips = $.99
(2) CVS Pocket Tissue = $.99
Total Before Coupons: $11.98
Coupons Used:
(8) $.25 off Dawn Dish Detergent Coupons = $2.00
(3) $.50 off Dawn Dish Detergent Coupons = $1.50
(1) $1.00 off Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Detergent = $1.00
(1) $1.00 off 2 CVS Paper Products = $1.00
(1) $1.00 off CVS Cosmetic Item = $1.00
(1) $2.00 ECB from Herbal Essence
Total Amount of Coupons: $8.50
Total OOP After Coupons and Taxes: $5.24
5/22/10 Target Trip
I actually had a pleasant couponing experience at Target today. That may be why we are going to get rain this afternoon. Here's what I got:
(1) Tide Trial Size = $1.02
(2) Milk Chocolate Ovaltine - $2.94 each = $5.88
(2) Gillette Gody Wash - $2.99 each = $5.98
(2) Bic Pens - 7 count - $.99 each = $1.98
(1) Nexcare Bandages - 20 count - $1.99
Total Before Coupons: $16.85
Coupons Used:
(1) $1.00 off any size Tide = $1.00
(2) $2.00 off any size, any flavor Ovaltine = $4.00
(1) $4.00 off any 2 Gillette Body Washes or Deodorants = $4.00
(2) $1.00 off any Bic Product = $2.00
(1) $1.00 off Nexcare Bandages = $1.00
(1) $.50 off 20 count Kids Nexcare Bandages Target Coupon = $.50
Total Amount of Coupons: $12.50
Total OOP After Coupons and With Tax: $5.85
(1) Tide Trial Size = $1.02
(2) Milk Chocolate Ovaltine - $2.94 each = $5.88
(2) Gillette Gody Wash - $2.99 each = $5.98
(2) Bic Pens - 7 count - $.99 each = $1.98
(1) Nexcare Bandages - 20 count - $1.99
Total Before Coupons: $16.85
Coupons Used:
(1) $1.00 off any size Tide = $1.00
(2) $2.00 off any size, any flavor Ovaltine = $4.00
(1) $4.00 off any 2 Gillette Body Washes or Deodorants = $4.00
(2) $1.00 off any Bic Product = $2.00
(1) $1.00 off Nexcare Bandages = $1.00
(1) $.50 off 20 count Kids Nexcare Bandages Target Coupon = $.50
Total Amount of Coupons: $12.50
Total OOP After Coupons and With Tax: $5.85
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