My Publix Trip~~7/19/11

Even though I was irritated, I did manage to find a few things today at Publix.

4 Yoplait Smoothie mixes~1.60/each; $1 off coupon= .60
1 Noxema bikini shaver~2.99; $2 off coupon= .99
2 Colgate toothpaste~1.35/each; 50 cent coupon (doubled to $1)= .35
5 boxes of Mini-wheats~1.64/each; $5 off of 5 boxes coupon= .64
4 boxes of Ritz Bits~1.59/each; $1 off 2 coupon= 1.09
2 bags of Eight O'Clock coffee~3.42/each; $2 off 2 coupon= 2.42
6 bottles of Hershey's syrup~90 cents each; $1 off 2 coupon= .40
6 bags of Chex Mix~1.30/each; 50 cent coupond (doubled to $1)= .30
2 boxes of jumbo shells (full price; no sale, no coupon *gasp*)~2.09
2 pr of scissors~1.00; 1.00 off coupon=FREE
3 pks of mechanical pencils~1.00/each; $1/2 coupon=2.00 for all three

Total before: 102.95

Total out of pocket: 26.51

Total savings: 76.44 or 74%

Rant from an Ol' Time Couponer

This past week, I have been looking around facebook at pictures of other people's deals that they get. I admit to being a little bit jealous but the more I looked around, the more irritated I got. I mean, 40 packs of pens at one time??? Hundreds of cans of pasta??? There is no reason for that...even if you ARE donating it. There are those of us couponing in an attempt to feed our families. If you are clearing shelves, SHAME ON YOU!

My irritation grew when I ventured to Publix today with my modest list of deals to get. I found NO feta, NO Bugles, NO toothpaste!! Empty shelves. Then I see wandering through the aisles with her coupon binder in tow, a lady with at least 20 boxes of mini wheats--along with fruit snacks, coffee, and other things. (And yes, I did check to see if she had a bunch of bugles LOL).

Don't get my wrong, I like a good deal as much as anybody. But there was a time when it was thrilling--like hunting. You would literally squeal in the aisles when you happened upon something great!

I remember going to Target one day to see my favorite pricing lady, marking down toys in the big toy clearance to 75 percent and there being 3 full aisles worth!! Or walking to the holiday clearance and seeing candy left on the shelves when it hit 90 percent....or ANYTHING left at 90 percent. Now, people snatch that stuff up when it hits 30. Or how about the lists of secret stuff to look for hidden among the regular stuff.

There was a time when you could go to CVS on a Friday evening and get everything that you painstakingly wrote up in your scenarios IN ORDER without trying to work on the fly because there was no more Herbal Essence.

But not any more.

I understand that times are tough and couponing is the latest fad for some people--especially with coupon classes on every corner and TLCs Extreme Coupon show, but something's gotta give. I have heard from many long time couponers that it almost isn't worth it anymore. I think it still is we just need to bide our time. Wait it out. Like legwarmers, parachute pants, and TAB--this fad will fade and we can again triumphantly walk into a store and find shelves and shelves of clearance just waiting for us to snatch it up and take it home....just wait it out....

Look at what I got for less than $20...

I made a little trip to Publix yesterday. I really like those Luigi Italian Ice things and had great coupons so wanted to be sure that I got those. Not a huge trip but a good trip. Everything you see on the table was 19.95 out of pocket.

Here is the breakdown:
2 bags of Tostitos~ 3.00/each (*gasp* No coupon...)

6 boxes of Barilla mini-bowties~ 58 cents each. I had 55 cents off coupons making them 3 cents a box

7 Luigi Italian Ice~ 1.60 each; I had $1 off coupons so 60 cents for each box (making them 10 cents per cup)

7 Dove deodorant~ 1.50/each; used 75 cents off coupons = .75/each

2 Crest toothpaste~ $1/each; used 75 cents off coupon = .25/each

6 Chow Mein noodles~ .40/each (no coupon)


Total before sales and coupons: 68.96
Savings: 49.01
Out of Pocket: 19.95

A total savings of 71 percent.

Another CVS post...

I wrote up my deals early in the week and decided to go ahead and get them while I was out yesterday. I did two transactions at CVS. First, I stopped at the Magic Coupon Machine. I got my $1 ECB for quarterly savings/spending and (to me surprise) $5 ECB for beauty club spending! Wasn't watching that total so didn't know it would print. I also got several coupons--2 I used in the transactions above.

Transaction #1:
Starburst candy (got $2 off coupon from machine making it 50 cents)
2 Crossaction toothbrushes
2 Oral B Pulsar
1 Always Infinity
1 Big Chill water (it was gone before we got home LOL--got 50 cent coupon from machine)

Total before coupons: 24.47
Coupons used: 10.50
ECBs used: 11.00
Out of pocket: 6.03

Got back 11.00 ECBs to use next week.

Transaction #2~I intended to use the ECBs from Trans #1 in this one but when it came down to it, I could use ones left from the week before plus the ones printed from machine.

Herbal Essence Shampoo--got a coupon from the machine for this in addition to my mfr coupon I had
Aussie hair spray
Gillette Fusion Razor

Total before: 16.97
Coupons: 9.00
ECBs used: 7.49
Out of pocket: 1.32

Got back $5 ECBs

So I got almost $42 worth of product for basically free! I spent 7.35 out of pocket but got back $16 ECBs for use next week.

CVS Trip 6/22/2011

Now that the boys are out of school, I feel like I have the time to do my coupon shopping justice. Today I bounced back into it with a few trips to CVS. Lots of good stuff at CVS this week. Be sure to check out Simply CVS for weekly deal match ups. As well as, Coupon Wizards who have a wealth of information about everything coupon! Both sites offer scenarios if you are new to CVSing to get you started. I often use these to help jumpstart my thinking through of deals. And on weeks when I am feeling a little more "mommy-brain" than normal, I copy their scenarios to use for my stuff.

On to the deals!

Today I had my deals for CVS broken down into 3 transactions but only did two.

Transaction #1:
GUM Periobalance lozenges--on sale for 15.99 (no coupons available)
I used 11.99 in ECBs from the week before and paid 4.48 out of pocket.
I left with 15.99 in ECBs to use on my nest transaction.

Transaction #2:
2 Pantene shampoo 6.97 (used $2/2 coupon)
3 Powerade Zero $1/each (used a BOGO free coupon--cashier took off pre-sale price of 1.69)
2 Honest Teas $1/each (used BOGO free coupon--again cashier took off pre-sale price 1.79)
1 LA Looks gel 2.99 (used $1 off coupon)
1 Powerbar Energy bites 2.49
1 Gain dishwashing liquid 97 cents (used $1 off coupon)
2 Revlon nail polish 4.99/each (used 2 $1 off coupons)

I also used my 15.99 ECBs from Transaction #1 and paid 4.62 out of pocket.

I got back 14.49 ECBs for next week. So basically, I got all that stuff for FREE! The CVS I shopping at was out of the Bliss candy (5.99 get 5.99 ECBs back) but said she needed to unload truck still. I might go back later in the week to get those and maybe more nail polish--although with all the Revlon deals, we have a LOT of nail polish.

On my couponing adventure today, I also stopped at Publix. We had been low on cereal and I really needed to stock up again. No picture but here is what I got.

2 Magnum ice cream bars
3 boxes of Trix
3 boxes of Cocoa Puffs
2 Golden Grahams
4 Cheerios
2 Crystal Light drink mix
1 Sandwich from deli (for my cart pusher today)
1 6-pk of Sweetwater Georgia Brown beer (for my breadwinner)

Total before coupons and sales: 65.54

Total after sales and coupons: 30.98

For a savings of 34.56 or about 52 percent. A small trip so small savings...but better than nothing.

One More Deal Post....Toys R Us

When I did my big day of deal hunting, I also hit Toys R Us. I saved about 50 percent, which isn't that great but I got some things that will go in Easter baskets this weekend.

I purchased:
2 Crayola Color Wonder Color and Stow things (9.99 BOGO)
2 Color Explosion packs (11.99 BOGO)
2 Vtech Buzz Lightyear Alphaberry (15.99 BOGO)

I used:
$3 off $3 or more purchase from a birthday sign up with one of the boys
2 $2 off coupons for the Crayola
2 $1 off coupons for Crayola

I also had 2 $5 off coupons for Vtech which I intended in using but the stuff that was BOGO and more than 19.99 (required for the coupon) were not things that we would use. They were geared more towards infant. So I opted to get the Buzz Lightyear things that teach spelling, ABC order and have several games and not use my coupons.

My total out of pocket was 32.49 with a savings of 41.97. These will all be nice additions to the Easter baskets.

Publix Deals 4-19

After we hit the drugstores, we stopped by Publix. Thanks to a great coupon clipping service, Coupons and Things by DeDe, I was able to get some extras. I find it cheaper to order coupons from a clipping service than to buy a bunch of newspapers. Most of the time, Savannah doesn't get the good coupons anyhow so it would be a waste. For example, we didn't get the *HOT* Nivea coupon this past weekend. That just plain stinks. But no need to complain, hopefully some coupon service will have it in and I can order a few.

I haven't been to Publix in several months. Today's trip wasn't one of my better ones but it was still good and the kids are thrilled with Pop-tarts.

12 50-ct packs of gum
6 cans of pineapple
4 Ritz Crackerfuls
2 Wesson oil

4 Duncan Hines brownie mix
2 box Triscuts
5 boxes Special K
12 boxes of Pop Tarts
2 Alexia frozen breads

Total before sales and coupons: 137.52
Coupons used: 31.60
Sales: 67.27

Total out of pocket: 38.65 or a savings of 72 percent.

Not spectacular but I just can't bring myself to use my ECBs or RRs at Publix. If I did that, then how would I get free toothpaste and shampoo at CVS? Or cheap diapers at Walgreens? Although this Publix trip wasn't my best it still got me a *high five* from the cashier, Tammie and a "Great Job" from Andrew the bagger. And I love that!

P.S. The grumpy little boy in the background is my youngest. He had just woke up from a too-short nap and really wanted to eat something. :-)