OC Coupon Cafe

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Walgreens 8-6-12

Our 3rd and final family shopping trip!

Retail $49.59 ... Saved $36.33 ... Paid $13.26 ... 73.26% Saved

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