I get asked the questions "Is couponing really worth it?" or, "Do you really save that much?' ALL the time! Well, you tell me.
I spent a total of about 3 hours shopping (much more than normal), and if you want to include prep time, including clipping coupons, I think half an hour is very generous. So, total time spent: about 3/12 hours. Here is what I purchased:
All for about $17.71 including tax
If I had no coupons, all of this would have cost me $256.81 including tax. This also includes if I were to buy it at the sale and clearance prices. So just with my coupon usage, I saved $239.10, or roughly 93%.
The breakdown:
40 Boxes of Post Pebbles (and no I will not eat all of them, I donate:) ) = $1.49 each
-Buy 4, use $1/2 (from ebay) + doubler+ $3 OYNO = $1 money maker
20 Boxes of Crystal Light = $2
-$1/1 (eBay) + doubler = FREE
10 Boxes of Wheat Thins = $2.99
-FREE when you buy 2 Crystal Lights = FREE
3 Allergy plus Cold Benadryl = $1.99
-$1/1 (from RP-3/14) + doubler = FREE
6 Trident Super packs of gum = $1.99
-$1/1 (from 4/11 SS) + doubler = FREE
5 Crest Premium Weekly Toothpaste = $1.50
-$1/1 (from PG-4/4) + doubler = FREE
4 bags Lays Restaurant Style Chips - $2.99
-$1/1 Peelies + doubler = $.99
6 Fresca (husband's obsessed with this!)= $1.20
-buy 3 save $1 instantly = $.87 each
4 gallons of milk = $2
-(2) FREE Milks (from Kellogg's sale last week) = $4 for 4
Bananas, French Bread, Tomatoes, 2 heads of lettuce, 2 bags of croutons (not pictured)
Plus:
6 Scrubbing Bubbles Bathroom Cleaners
6 Scrubbing Bubbles All purpose Cleaners
3 Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Power Sprayers
Disclaimer: Yes it did take me 3 1/2 hours (ok, and maybe 20 minmore building the Pebbles tower), but I have extra time in the evening when my husband watches our children, and $68 an hours is worth it to me :). Especially since everyone probably spends at least an hour preparing and shopping for groceries during the week. (So really it like making $95 an hour!) And, I enjoy some time to myself wandering isles, alone, without kids. I also don't shop very often. In fact I rarely coupon but once every week or so (gasp! I know!). I have reached a point where my house is stocked full of grocery, hygiene, medicine, cleaners, paper products, etc... I shop for fresh foods every other week or so and coupon when I feel like it. I don't shop every sale or every deal I post, not even close. Having said all of this, I don't think couponing is for everyone. Especially if it stresses you out, consumes too much time away from family, or you make more than $90 and hour and could be working instead :).
11 comments:
Where was your crystal light $2. I only saw it tagged at $2.99. I am going out to do this deal tommorow. Thanks! Alicia
Wow good for you! Where did you do all your shopping? Thanks for sharing!
These are the best posts! way to go!! If I wasnt so large and exhausted right now I would have jumped on the pebbles deal. For some reason cold cereal has been a major craving :)
I am very new with couponing and I have to admit that I really do not understand what you're saying. haha. I don't understand what ONYO is. :) what do you mean by doubler? and did you buy the coupons from eBay? I'm just confused about nearly everything you've said on here. It's like you're speaking another language and I really want to know what you're saying! Help!
I'm sorry! I should have typed it all out! It was kind of a late night and I hurried through the post.
An OYNO or OYNSO stands for On/Off Your Next Shopping Order, or On/Off Your Next Order. It's a coupon that prints from a little machine beside the register (we call these catalina machines, that's the company that owns them). If I say I got a $3 OYNSO, that means I got a $3 coupon, good on anything I purchase in my next transaction, like cash. These OYNO, or Catalina coupons are triggered to print when you buy spcific items. This time they printed because I bought 4 Post Pebbles
A Doubler, or Twice the Value Coupon, is a coupon that can be found generally in Albertsons ad, doubles any coupon that is $1 or less. See: http://discountqueens.blogspot.com/2009/11/twice-value-coupons-faq.html
for our FAQ's on these.
Yes, I did purchase those particular coupons on eBay. Usually you can buy 20 for $2 or so, shipped.
I'll try and write up a post today explaining some more lingo and terms.
Hope that helps!
Wow Tamra!!! Way to go! Love it!
The first pic was all purchased at Albertsons. The Post came from Fairview/Meridian, Most of the rest came from Eagle/McMillan. The Crytsal Light Fitness on the Go was marked to $2 only at the Eagle/McMillan store - lots left when I was there last night!
The second pic was from Target, on Eagle, though I have hear they are out of almost everything, stock was low when I was there.
I would love more info. I have a family of 10 and I am willing to spend a little "me time" to save money!!! It's becoming a passion.
Thank you for taking the time to share that info! That helps so much. I was feeling pretty hopeless because I was trying so hard to understand what you were saying. haha
Thank you thank you!
is that catalina only on the pebbles? i purchased some honey bunches of oats with coupons and doubler but no catalina, but still a good deal and the cashier told me that catalina was only printing on the post selects.
It was only printing on the pebbles, though it ended on 4/12.
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