People start couponing for various reasons. I decided to start when I saw those crazy people on Extreme Couponing getting 50 tubes of toothpastes for free. Now we didn't necessarily need 50 tubes of toothpaste but I thought if I could get stuff for free, close to it or dirt cheap, why not? I do have to say that it is impressive what all those people can get and it makes me feel better when I see some do it ALL for charity.
At the time, Lee and I weren't strapped for cash and made a comfortable living so it became a game to see how much I could save. I acquired a stockpile, not a room full, but for Lee and I it was enough of various items. Then in August, Lee's union went on strike and we knew we would have to watch our spending because we didn't know how long the strike would last. We figured out we could last about 2 months between me working, our small savings, and Lee's small strike pay. Glad we had that stockpile and coupons so we didn't have that worry in the back of our minds about paying a lot for food. Harris Teeter having their triple coupon event was perfectly timed with the strike too. Lee would make fun of me when I first started couponing but that quickly changed when we went shopping during triple coupons. He doesn't make fun of me anymore...much.
Thankfully the strike didn't last too long. Probably 2 or 3 weeks. But I will continue to have my stockpile. You never know what life will throw at you and I am glad I won't have to worry about buying laundry detergent at full price because I have quite a few bottles (understatement) that will last us a good long while. The money saved will go towards paying down credit card debt and increasing our savings which I like seeing go up substanially every month.
Now, coupons in action. I went to Harris Teeter last Friday. We are good on certain items but I plan on doing a lot of baking this holiday so I needed to stock up. Lee wanted some quick things for lunches and I needed somethings for last weekend's party.
The key to using coupons is to not use a coupon until that item goes on sale. Combine that tatic with Harris Teeter doubling coupons up to $0.99 and any electronic coupons Harris Teeter has, you can save a LOT of money. One of the best deals is when there is a BOGO special because you don't have to buy two items and one item will ring up half price at Harris Teeter. Since they both ring up on the register, you can use one coupon per item if you buy two.
Harris Teeter has an extra savings program called e-VIC where you can put electronic coupons on your VIC card and every Friday they send out an email with 5 special deals only for e-VIC customers. Again, combine with coupons and you can get stuff for dirt cheap. With all of this in mind, you can shop at Harris Teeter for cheaper than Food Lion or Walmart. A friend of mine told me that when people tell her that Harris Teeter is "so expensive," she simply tells them they aren't trying hard enough.
Harris Teeter savings from last week:
4 lb Dixie granulated sugar - reg $3.49/e-VIC price $1.97 - $0.50 coupon x2 = $0.97 final
Hormel Compleat meal - reg $2.47/sale $1.87 - $0.50 (coupon $1 off 2) = $1.37 final
2 Werther's Soft Caramel - reg $1.99/ sale $1.79 x2 - $0.75 coupon x2 (coupon for 2) = $1.08 each final
Karo syrup - reg $2.99/sale $2.49 - $0.40 coupon x 2 = $1.69 final
Minute Rice - reg $2/sale $1.50 - $0.50 coupon x2 = $0.50 final (75% savings)
Vicks Nature - reg $8.29/sale $5.49 - $3 in coupons = $2.49 final (70% savings)
Coffemate Creamer - reg $2.59/sale $1.67 - $0.75 coupon x 2 = $0.17 final (94% savings)
Millstone Coffee - reg $8.99/sale $4.49 - $2 coupon = $2.49 final (70% savings)
3 Balance Nutrition Bar - reg $1.45/sale $1 x3 - $1 coupon = $0.67 each final
8 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls - reg $1.89/sale $1x8 - $0.40 x4 coupons x2 -$0.50 e-VIC = $0.54 final
Along with my other items, my final total came to $44.08 with a total savings of $52.75 after coupons and VIC savings. Not my best shopping trip but I saved more than I spent which is always a goal.
**Updated: I went to Farm Fresh yesterday because they double coupons up to $1 on Wednesdays. On other days, they double up to $0.99 like Harris Teeter. They also were having a mix&match deal where they take off $5 when you buy 10 specific items.
7 Progresso Soups - Reg $2.39/sale $1.79 - $0.50 mix&match deal - $1 couponx2 = $1 each
Celestial Seasonings Tea - Reg $4.09/sale $3.19 - $1 couponx2 = $1.19 (63% savings)
Wholly Guacamole - Reg $3.29 - $1 couponx2 = $1.29 (60% savings)
6 Birds Eye Veggie Steamables - Reg $2.29/Sale $1 - 2 $1 coupons x2 = $0.33 each (85% savings)
9 Balance Nutrition Bar - Reg $1.39/sale $1 - 3 $1 coupons x2 = $0.33 each (76% savings)
3 Kraft Shredded Cheese - Reg $4.49/sale $2.49 - $0.50 mix&match deal = $2 each
2 Werther's Original Soft Caramels - Reg $2.19/sale $1.79 - $1 of two coupon x2 = $0.79 each (64% savings)
No comments:
Post a Comment