Our 3rd and final family shopping trip!
Retail $49.59 ... Saved $36.33 ... Paid $13.26 ... 73.26% Saved
Saturday, August 25, 2012
CVS 8-2-12
Our 2nd family teaching trip was more successful!
It us such a joy to be able to share what I have learned and know that they can continue to use the info to save money for their families!
CVS stores are harder to find but worth the extra 10 min drive out of the way. We were in & out in about 40 min. About a third of that time was spent explaining how to coordinate multiple transactions in order to maximize the use if Extra Bucks.
Retail $168.79 ... Saved $144.34 ... Paid $24.42 ... 85.51%
Overall after 2 stops ... about $250.00 retail for just under $40.
Rite Aid 8-2-12
Visiting family on the east coast gave me the opportunity to share my couponing techniques with my sister, niece and my mom.
Reading about how to do something is good ... but ... tend to learn by doing. It was fun walking them through it. Rite Aid is not one of my usual stops ... simply because I don't live close to one ... But with them all over ... it was an easy stop. I also couldn't help enjoying no tax too!
We were in & out in about 20 min!
Retail $82.96 ... Saved $67.50 ... Paid $15.46 ... 81.36% Saved
Target 7-28-11
Couldn't pass up some great deals!
Smoothies are a favorite ... and at $3.00 or so at a local smoothie shop ... I can't pass up a good deal to be able to make them at home for less. We will be set for the summer (and beyond) for about $.65 a serving ... and ... making them at home gives me the opportunity to sneak in extra veggies!
Retail $140.89 ... Saved $76.26 ... Paid $64.63 ... 54.12% Saved
Welcome Summer!!!!!
Summer is a welcomed relief after a busy school year! With one in pre-school and one in elementary school ... this mommy is happy for a few months off.
I tend to consistently coupon during the school year ... mostly because it offers the alone time to focus on what you are doing. We all know how difficult it can be to coupon with your kids in tow.
When the kiddos are on vacation ... summer ... spring break ... Christmas ... I also take a break. Couponing can become overwhelming ... and when you take time off ... it helps you refocus. Yes ... while taking a break ... you will miss deals. It's ok ... all deals will come back around!
I don't stop completely during these breaks ... I just pick and choose more carefully. Our days are full & fun so the time isn't there. I might take the kids with me if I know I only need a few things or maybe shop at night or on the weekend.
Just enjoy the time spent with family!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Ralphs 6-25-12
I can't tell you how many times people say "it is so expensive to shop at Ralphs" ... But time and time again I seem to prove that it's not really true ... I consistently save 50% or more just about every time I go ... And using the method I teach you would be surprised at how little time it really takes!
I would have saved a little more ... but I forgot to use a gift card I got from a previous shopping trip when my balance was over ... I'll just save it for next time.
During this trip I used to $5 coupon off of $75 purchase found in the entertainment book ... and I also used a $20 Gift Certificate sent when I received my Ralphs credit card ... I got the credit card because of the $20 gift certificate and because you also get more points with purchases ... since my spending is minimal I plan to use it like cash ... just pay it off prior to acquiring any finance charges and enjoy the benefits.
Retail $135.59 ... Saved $93.29 ... Paid $42.30 ... 68.80% Saved
Sunday, June 24, 2012
CVS 6-23-12
Gotta love CVS ... I can't believe I used to walk into CVS ... pick something off the shelf ... pay full price for it ... (unless there there was an off chance the item was on sale) ... and leave ... WHAT WAS I THINKING ! ... No CVS Card ... No Extra Bucks ... No stops to the magic machine ... All that money I could of saved ... Now my eyes are wide open and I'm a saving maniac! With CVS ... there is a learning ... It took me about a month to really get it ... Reading about how to shop at CVS is one thing ... but I learn by doing ... Now It's easy and fun!
Retail $140.56 ... Saved $140.27 ... Paid $.29 ... 99.79% Saved
Ralphs 6-10-12
Gotta love a great deal on detergent ... The deal I got was awesome ... works out to $.06 a load!
78 Items ... Retail $219.71 ... Saved $130.57 ... Paid $89.14 ... 59.42% Saved
Ralphs 5-16-12
Better than free once again ... Woo Hoo!
Retail $72.77 ... Saved $76.71 ... Paid $0 ... Received a $3.94 Gift Card ... 105'.30 Saved
Walgreens 5-4-12
The hits just keep coming! It is weeks like this that make couponing so much fun ... Saving money is already fun ... but 100+% in saving is better than fun !!!
Retail $37.57 ... Saved $42.63 ... Paid $0 +$5.06 for next time ... 113.46% saved ... More for next time!
CVS 5-2-12
Another great trip ... In the plus!
Retail $44.91 ... Saved $51.01 ... Paid $0 ... +$6.10 ... 113.50% Saved
Walgreens 5-2-12
An awesome day at Walgreens ... FREE and then some!
Retail $80.18 ... Saved $122.11 ... Paid $0 ... +$41.93 ... Lots extra for next week! 152.29% Saved
Stater Bros 4-9-12
I usually don't shop at other grocery stores ... mostly because my Ralphs is super convenient and I know it really well ... but sometimes I venture out for a good deal!
22 Items ... Retail $58.98 ... Saved $35.62 ... Paid $23.36 ... 60.39% Saved
(No photo ... Forgot to take one)
CVS 4-2-12
A little bit of this & that:-)
Retail $58.58 ... Saved $66.85 ... Paid $0 ... +$8.31 left over ... 114.11% Saved ... Wooo Hooo ... Better than free!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
CVS 2-15-12
Realized I had some additional coupons and got some unexpected ones from the " CVS Magic Machine".
TIP: ALWAYS ... ALWAYS ... Scan your CVS card when you are there ... Some people scan ONLY 1X ... Some scan 1X upon entering the store and 1X upon leaving the store ... I use the "scan until the machine tells me to go away" method ... I have found that method works best for me ... Not sure if anyone ever noticed ... but sometimes you get more coupons on the second scan. CVS coupons for FREE items are fun! ... And remember that a Manufacturer Coupons can be used with the CVS Magic Machine coupon!
13 Items ... Retail $47.14 ... Saved $42.73 ... Paid $4.41 ... 90.64% saved ... I still have $12 in Extra Bucks ... My actual out of pocket is $0 ... with $7.59 left over ... Adjusted amount saved is $54.73 or 116.10% savings ... I start my next shopping trip with $12 in EB:-)
Ralphs 2-12-12 Rainchecks are awesome!
77 Items ... Retail $140.95 ... Saved $92.90 ... Paid $48.05 ... 65.90% savings!
I patiently waited for a special order to come in to fill my raincheck ... I LOVE the new Lipton 100% Natural Iced Tea ... Lemon flavor! They are pricey retail ... usually $1.39 to $1.79 ... When I can find them on sale or have a coupon ... I stock up!
A couple weeks ago they were on sale For $.99 and also part of the "Buy 10 - Get $5" deal ... That is $.49 each ... Woooo! My store did not carry Lemon flavor so I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask if ... since they carried other flavors ... maybe they could get Lemon. After some confusion and time ... they were able to fill my raincheck ... (I got a raincheck in hopes that they would be able to get them for me). It was a nice surprise when I got the call that my order had arrived.
In addition to my raincheck ... I picked up a few other deals!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Positive shopping trips and left over RR & EB!
A little explanation of "a positive shopping trip" & " Extra Bucks & Register Rewards" left over for next week.
I use those phrases from time to time. Once my shopping trip is complete ... I add up how much I have spent (combining totals from multiple transactions if that is the case). Then ... I add up how much I saved ... usually printed on the receipt somewhere near the bottom. If I have Extra Bucks or Register Rewards left from my shopping trip, I subtract that amount from my amount spent (because that is ... in reality ... paper money for that store). The same amount is then added to the amount I saved. Taking the new totals ... I add the new amount saved with the new amount spent ... The total gives me the total retail. To find the % saved ... I take the amount saved and divide it by the retail amount. Ta Da!!!
Example:,
*Total Retail = $8.00 ... Total Saved = $6.00 ... Total spent = $2.00 ... A 75% Savings but with $3 Extra Bucks left over.
---> Subtract $3 EB from amount spent ... and ... Add $3 EB to amount saved
*New totals are $0 paid and positive $1EB ... essentially spending $0 with $1 left over ... and ... Amount safer reflects the left over EB ... or $9 ... A 112.50% savings ... more accurate!
It all sounds much more confusing than it is ... I used to get overwhelmed trying to figure out and understand how to best maximize EB & RR ... I used to go in the store with my list in hand ... multiple transactions (for rolling over EB & RR) all figured out ... then get flustered when items were not in stock. I would have to re-work my plan or start over.
In time ... once you are comfortable with how it all works ... you too will get to the point where you just have your list (I include the breakdown of item cost, coupons, EB or RR, and final cost) ... shop for what is available from your list ... and work out your plan on the fly. It usually takes me about 5-10 minutes to plan out my transactions ... The goal is to spend the least 'out of pocket ' per transaction.
If you are not familiar with CVS and Walgreens .... They offer Extra Bucks and Register Rewards when certain items are purchased. CVS usually has a limit on the number of items that can be purchased per card ... Walgreens Limit the number of items they can be purchased per transaction. Feel free to read the info located on the tabs at the top for more information on how to shop at he both CVS & Walgreens. Check out the videos for additional helpful information!
I hope you find this info helpful!
Happy Saving!
Tracey
CVS 2-13-12
13 Items ... Retail $51.10 ... Saved $53.21 ... Paid $0 ... $2.11 left over! A positive shopping trip ... That includes $15 in Extra Bucks for next week!
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Walgreens 2-8-12
24 Items ... Retail $67.56 ... Saved $68.49 ... Paid $0 ... 101%saved ... +$.93 left ... Includes $14 Rebate & $4 RR.
CVS 2-6-12 Patience pays off!
CVS has had a variety of great deals these last couple of weeks! I didn't even go to Walgreens last week ... and this week I will only be picking up a couple things.
I was able to get some items I have been patiently waiting for ... *** Remember ... Get a raincheck if the item is out of stock ... the rainchecks NEVER EXPIRE at CVS! Hold onto that raincheck until you get a good coupons to go with it!
37 Items ... Retail $130.37 ... Saved $119.09 ... Paid $11.28 ... Includes $13 in Extra Bucks ... 91.34% savings! That included about $60 in raincheck items that were finally available (1 was from October).
Target 2-3-12
Another great trip to Target ... I had Gift Cards from filling prescriptions ... plus deals and a Gift Card promo ... It is possible to save at Target & Walmart ... Be patient and consistent and you can achieve some unbelievable savings!
Retail $39.20 ... Saved $33.69 ... Paid $5.51 ... 85.94% saved
CVS 2-3-12
Great timing ... we only had 2 cases of water left ... found it on sale for $2.22.
Retail $78.00 ... Saved $80.04 ... Paid $0 ... +$2.04 ... 102.61% saved.
Between moneymakers and Extra Bucks ... I got my shopping trip for FREE ... and I have Extra Bucks for next week!
Ralphs 1-31-12
Since Ralph's was having there "Buy 10 get $5" deal ... and it included some family favorites ... This trip was more of a stocking-up rather than regular shopping!
I chose to place an order so as not to clear the shelves.
ANYTIME YOU NEED MORE THAN 25 OF SOMETHING ... PLACE AN ORDER ... DON'T BE A SHELF CLEARER! IT IS KIND OF A COUPONING NO NO.
Retail $271.59 (my largest total to date) ... Saves $257.86 ... Paid $13.73 ... 94.94% saved.
I did 2 transactions to be able to double a few coupons ... Ralph's only doubles the first of a like coupon.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Walgreens 1-27-12
We have been dealing with one illness after another in the past couple weeks ... So when I saw the awesome deals on OTC meds ... I made sure to stock up !
Also ... ALWAYS check the clearance section ... It is amazing what your can find for $1.
Retail $117.72 ... Saved $112.75 ... Paid $4.97 ... 95.77 saved!
Save to say we are covered when the next round of illness comes.
CVS 1-20-12
Another great week at CVS! They had a great deal on Nabisco crackers ... usually priced between $3 - $4 ... But when combined with a sale and Extra Bucks ... they were about $1 each ... Plus I still had some Extra Bucks left from the week before!
Retail $133.90 ... Saved $110.52 ... Paid $23.38 ... 82.53% saved
Target 1-5-12
Target has great deals when your combine a sale with a coupon and they offer a Gift Card.
Retail $115.35 ... Saved $96.04 ... Paid $29.31 ... 83.25% saved.
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 1-1-2012
I heard an interesting thing ... Did you know that the #1 New Year's Resolution is SAVING MONEY!
I would love to show you how! Contact me and find out hiw to host a FREE Couponing 101 Class!
OCCouponCafe@gmail.com
Happy Couponing!
Tracey
Ralphs 12-31-11 ... 50% savings is do-able for anyone!
I took advantage of some deals just before some coupons expired! I didn't plan ahead ... unless 30 min is considered planning ahead! Just took advantage of deals and picked up some random things.
Retail $202.09 ... Saved $106.87 ... Paid $95.22 ... 52.88% saved.
Anytime you can save 50% ... count yourself lucky! I shoot for a 50% savings ... anything more is a bonus.
50% is completely realistic and do-able with little effort or time. The system I teach is meant to be fast and easy. Got to love that!
Walgreens 12-7-11
Retail $125.13 ... Saved $95.06 ... Paid $30.07 ... 75.96% saved ... Not as good aa usual ... but awesome! So funny that a 76% savings is a bit disappointing.
I got some great buys and put together some fun things for both my daughters' classes for the holidays!
CVS 12-7-11
Retail $93.96 ... Saved $113.22 ... Paid $0 ... +$21.13 ... Again ... I ended up with Extra Bucks ... Less out of pocket next week!
CVS 11-30-11
A great week ... It's nice to find great buys and end up with a few bucks:-)
Retail ... $128.62 ... Saved $133.14 ... Paid $0 ... +$4.52 ... 103.51% Saved ... I basically ended up with Extra Bucks in the end! The best thing about that is that my next shopping trip is less out if pocket.
Catching up!
I have been having tons of fun couponing and saving money! Now I need to catch up with my posts ... we had a houseful of sick people ... so it's been a crazy few weeks!
I did, however, forget to take some pix ... oops! I may still post my savings ... because saving is fun and I would love to share :-)
Happy Couponing!
Tracey
Thursday, January 5, 2012
It's great to take a break!
Saving money is so much fun! Getting things my family needs and uses for free (or practically free) is a blast! It can be overwhelming ... so I encourage ... taking a break every few months ... It is ok to miss a deal ... it will come around again ... I promise ... and after a break ... like a vacation ... you feel refreshed and ready!
My kiddos were off school for 2 weeks ... it is tough to shop with them so I usually go when they are in school ... When they are home ... I would rather be doing with them ... The coupons & deals will still be there ... With these Holiday mayhem ... there aren't alot of deals anyway ... so the timing couldn't be better. I Sid make it out once or twice ... but primarily enjoyed family time.
Welcome to 2012! Did you know that the #1 resolution is TO SAVE MONEY! I can show you how ... contact me and learn how to be a host for a FREE Couponing 101 Class ... Get some friends and family together ... and as a host ... receive a gift!
Happy New Year!
Tracey
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