So how did I do it? First, I'm not an extreme couponer like you see on TV. I have some time on my hands, not an extra 60 hours a week to dedicate to planning, printing, clipping and organizing coupons. I think my way is reasonable, do-able and pretty much anyone can do it.
Every week, I follow Jenny on Southern Savers and she gives a great run down of what is on sale, where and the types of deals you can get. I just simply follow her lead and it's up to me to find the coupon. Now, I'm not one to go out and clip every single coupon from the papers or online, I clip the ones of products I use. I may hoard and stockpile things, but they are all things I need and/or use...I swear!!
I get the Sunday paper each week and I go online to Coupons.com to get a lot of coupons. Also, once every couple weeks, I get a good stockpile of coupons from my Mom (thanks Mom!) that she has collected from her papers and friends. And weekly, if you are a Harris Teeter shopper, make sure you are signed up for eVic because you can pick and choose the coupons you want loaded onto your VIC card. eVic can be used in conjunction with manufacturer coupons in case you didn't know. Another good coupon tip is always clip the store coupons! For example, if you see Target store coupons in the papers or magazines for an item you need, clip that and it can be used with the manufacturer coupon as well. Target is good having a lot of these, especially with pet foods and household items.
Now, I keep my coupons in a binder using baseball card sheets. You know, the things that hold the baseball cards. Sometimes they don't fit, just get creative with your folding, so you can see the item name, discount and expiration. It makes organization and purging easier.
I used to keep my coupons in the order of the aisles of Harris Teeter, but they went and changed their store layout, so now I just go with separate categories per page.
Anyhow, back to this week. Harris Teeter limits coupons to 20 per day. I have been known to go to two different Harris Teeters in one day to use coupons. But that's just me. So this week, I really didn't need a whole lot of things, just some things to replenish after the holidays. I'm really good at talking myself out of buying things if I can't justify their need or my use of them. Sometimes I go with a list and coupons in hand, other times, just go with my coupons and take my time browsing thru the store seeing the discounts first hand. I have no rhyme or reason, just whatever is easiest for me that day.
Here's a rundown of my receipt:
Item Reg Price Sale Price Coupons Final Price
Downy $6.29 $4.99 $1.00 (mft coupon) $1.99
$1.00 (double mft)
$1.00 (eVic)
Beggin Strips $3.99 $3.99/2 $1.00 off 2 (mft coupon) $1.99
(they were BOGO - making them $.99ea) $1.00 (double mft)
Welches Juice $3.79 $3.79/2 $1.00 off 2 (mft coupon) $1.79
(they were BOGO - making them $.89 ea) $1.00(double mft)
Millstone Kcups $9.15 $6.99 $1.00 (mft coupon) $4.99
$1.00 (double mft)
Secret Deodorant $4.99 $8.00/2 $2 off $2.00
(this made them $1/ea) $2 (double mft)
$2 (eVic)
Crest Mouthwash $5.99 $4.99 $1.50 (mft coupon) $.49
$1.50 (double mft)
$1.50 (eVic)
Herbal Essence $4.99 $2.50 $1.00 (mft coupon) $.50
$1.00 (double mft)
Carmex chapstick $1.59 $.99 $1.00 (mft coupon) FREE
(this coupon was for buying 2 $1.00
to save the dollar, so it basically
made them BOGO, I had 3
coupons so I got 6 free tubes)
***I didn't have coupons for these next items, but they were on VIC sale, so I could get them because I hate to pay retail***
Sweet Potatoes $.99/lb $.89/lb $2.39
Bacon $3.99 $2.77 $2.77
***These were not on VIC, nor did I have a coupon that would make them cheaper and I needed them, sometimes I can splurge :) ***
Eggs $1.89 $1.89
Butternut Squash $1.49/lb $4.93
Spaghetti Squash $1.49/lb $3.89
21 Total Items $78.86 $31.51
OK, so my math was originally off, but that's because I did it in my head and in the car AND I have never claimed to be good at math.
Oh well... I still saved $47.35! That's 60% savings! And if you want to get technical... that's around $1.50 per item. Not too shabby at the Teeter! I always look back and say to myself, darn it, why did I buy those things without coupons? I could've saved another $10-$15!
So this is how I saved this week. AND while I was shopping, I sold a purse in my eBay store for $44.99 that I bought for $3. If I want to get technical, I really made $10.48 while I was shopping!
This may sound confusing to you and I'm sorry, so please don't hesitate to ask me questions. I love showing people how to save money, and heck, I may even go with you to the store to show you how!
Happy Friday everyone!! It's payday!
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