Before you start reading: its a LONG post but very informative.
Well since my earlier post, I mentioned that I was in class looking at coupons and see what deals are the best in my area. Well I did a lot of research once I got home from school, gathered my coupons and off I went. After about an hour and 45 minutes, I got all the things I needed except for a few because Walgreens was sold out of the item I wanted, so I got a raincheck on it =)
After all my shopping the grand total was $87.15 and I only ended up paying $19.01 after coupon and club card savings. Mrs. Sykes over at Forever Yours, Semper Fi asked me to explain on how this coupon deal works. So here it goes (sorry if its a bit complicated)
Every sunday I go buy the sunday newspaper. Here in california I get the LA Times or the Orange County Register. In the middle of the newspaper it has a bunch of inserts that include: ads from target, bestbuy, walmart, cvs, walgreens you know local stores and most importantly COUPONS! Usually every sunday their are about 2 coupon inserts maybe even 3 if we get lucky. So I sit down and go through the coupon insert and see what coupons I could use. Obviously there are some you wont use but many you will. The trick to couponing is to get as many "Like" coupons as possible so that you can stock up for less. "Like" meaning the same coupons multiple times say maybe 5 of the same coupon.
You can also find other coupons online through the manufacture itself, coupon services such as CouponSuzy.com, couponing101.com and many other coupon databases (just google search coupon database) After you have the coupons you want you must go through the ads and see if any of the items you have coupons for are on sale. The trick is to see if the sale is worth using the coupon. For example, this past sunday 4/17 there was a coupon for Nivea Body wash for men and women. The coupon 's face value was $3.00. Well I searched online and found that Nivea body wash was being sold at Walmart for $3.00.
Do the math : original price $3.00 + $3.00 coupon = FREE! all you have to do is pay tax.
Another example: CVS is having a sale for Degree deodorant 2/$5.oo both men and women. Well in this past sunday's ad there was a coupon for $1.00 off each deodorant, fortunately I had 6 "Like" Coupons so I used all six of them. Usually this deodorant at CVS is about $3.49 regular. Now lets do the math: 2 deodorant for $5.00 bucks meaning that each deodorant is $2.50 - $1.00 coupon = $1.50 each! I know that it doesn't sound like much of a big discount but I sure think it was considering I always buy them at full price. So I was able to get 3 for me and 3 for the hubby. If it was NOT on sale and I didn't have a coupon then the total price would of been $20.94 without taxes of course but since It was on sale and I had coupons it was $9.00 without taxes. I saved $11.94. That's gas money right there (P.S. Gas prices are redic)
Now that I've given you some examples hopefully you can find deals in your area too and see if they are worth it. When looking at items think to yourself of what the original price of that item is and see if the sale price is discounted enough that you can use your coupon to get a bigger discount. Sometimes stuff that is on sale is only a couple of cents cheaper and its not worth it.
Another trick, I just don't shop at one place. I shop at many places that include my favorites: Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and VONS. I live in a city where all the places I have named above are in a 3 mile radius from me so its easy to get to all of them and I dont have to drive around everywhere. But for you, this may not be the case, so chose wisely. Some grocery stores double even triple your coupons...this is where it starts to get good!
In CA, Vons is the only grocery store that doubles your coupons up to $1.00. For example: Reynolds foil sale price $1.99, the coupon I have is $.50 cents off and the double the coupon so that it is $1.00. Lets do the math : $1.99 - .50 cents(x2) = $.99 final price after coupons. I suggest you check what local grocery stores in your area doubles your coupons and maybe even triples them. (Also be aware of your local grocery store coupon policy, sometimes you can only use a certain amount per transaction and what not, so check online. Most have them posted on their website)
There is more! Vons and Target and Stater Bro's have their own coupons in their weekly ad or printable coupons on their website. The good thing about these are that you can combine coupons. Meaning you can use their coupon plus your own coupon for that item and get a bigger discount but remember make sure the item is on sale and usually when they have their own store coupon its on sale.
Dont forget to get your club member savings such as CVS card, Vons club card, Ralph's club card etc.
That's all I have for now but if you have questions or if i just completely confused you shoot me an email.
dance56289 @ yahoo dot com <<--my email is spaced so that I dont spam mail from others.
P.S. It's almost Wednesday here in CA only about an hour and 15 min left. On the east coast it's wednesday already so happy hump day, almost through the work week. Happy Wednesday, I know i'll be having a fantastic wednesday. Stick around I have big news, I'll be sure to post by late wednesday night =)
Until Next Time ♥
