Coupon Challenges

momof2boys · **Coupon Challenges**

What is your average weekly savings in coupons? Lets post them here and maybe inspire others to get the coupon bug

summeranne · 08-12-2007, 03:06 PM

I started a blog recently tracking my purchase amounts so that my husband could easily see how much we are saving since I started couponing hardcore:

Savings Tracker

My big shopping day last week:

Subtotal: $329.21
Savings: $267.60
Total Spent: $61.61
Percent Saved: 81.2%

shackney · 08-12-2007, 03:50 PM

Good for you! I wish I could get organized enough to be that successful!

majikmommie · 08-14-2007, 02:04 AM

summeranne that is awesome! I wish I was as organized as you.

momof2boys · 08-22-2007, 01:20 PM

Summeranne, That is awesome may I ask how much time do you spend? Its certaintly seems worth it.

This week at my local grocery I saved 50% but if I perused all the ads I am sure I could do better. Most places are close enough that really no gas would be wasted if I planned it right.

Of course I went to our local farm market today and spent almost $20.00 but hey you can only get truly fresh stuff here 3 months out of the year. i also don't go every week because of kids swimming.

Sundowner2 · 08-22-2007, 03:31 PM

Today my total was $63 and some change before my coupons were deducted, then it dropped to $42 and some change. I didn't end up with quite everything on my list (they were out), but I did stock up on some good sales, a few things to have in the pantry for when I do have the baby (slowly filling that up) and got a few unplanned extras from the dented/damaged section, oh and a package of diapers, so pretty happy overall, since I budget $50 a week for groceries.

Homemommie · 08-22-2007, 08:37 PM

Wow, that is awesome! I need to learn at your feet. :happy dance: I'm new to couponing so am still trying to learn how to save the most.

Quote:

Originally Posted by summeranne

I started a blog recently tracking my purchase amounts so that my husband could easily see how much we are saving since I started couponing hardcore:

Savings Tracker

My big shopping day last week:

Subtotal: $329.21
Savings: $267.60
Total Spent: $61.61
Percent Saved: 81.2%

summeranne · 08-23-2007, 08:58 AM

I spend more time on it than I need to, just because I enjoy the chatty friendly aspect of the couponing board that I've been going to. If I were just to go once a day, check the threads relevant to my stores, make notes and leave, I wouldn't spend more than 30 - 45 minutes a day between clipping coupons/organizing my binder/figuring out what I want to buy.

I spend more time on a couple of different boards than I probably should, but hey it gets lonely being a SAHM!

I'm HORRIBLE at math, so without calculator, my receipt adding up process would take forever, but it's not to bad now, maybe 10 minutes depending on how many receipts I have and if I'm a week behind or not!

One thing that I don't calculate in, is that we get the majority of our meat through Angel Food. What we do buy separate is usually bought at Sam's Club, so I have to estimate my savings. I shop the regular stores to stockpile good sales on HBA, dry goods and the convenience foods that I normally wouldn't buy otherwise.

The first rule of couponing is keep everything unless you absolutely know you wouldn't buy it... because you never know when a great sale will happen!

If a sale is amazing, I will buy coupons for it so that I can stockpile... I had a fairly long post about it in another topic so I'll just paste it here:

Quote:

I buy to get multiples of coupons to stockpile items that are on sale for extremely cheap or free.

Example: I paid .10¢ a coupon for $1 off any Reynolds Aluminum Foil excluding 25 ft. - bought 20 of them. Walmart has boxes of Reynolds Foil Wrappers up by the registers - 20ct for $1.00, so free after coupon. 20 boxes for $2.00 is still a great deal after paying for the coupons.

This past week I bought 10 of the $2.00 of Gillette Quattro Razors that were on sale at CVS for $2.00... Free after coupon, and paid .20¢ per coupon. I got 10 razors for $2.00, which is far cheaper than I could ever buy refills for.

I didn't get a Kellogg's insert a couple of weeks ago in my local paper. I bought 5 Eggo Waffle coupons $1 off 2 for .10¢ each. Bought 10 boxes at Publix BOGO last week... $10.25 before coupons... $5.25 after coupons were deducted... add back the .50¢ that I paid for the coupon and they cost me $5.75... Bonus: the 10 boxes qualifiy for a $10 mail in rebate from Kellogg's.

When I first heard about coupon buying I thought it was nuts too, but I quickly changed my tune!

Another example where buying coupons can be smart is in the month of September, CVS is having a deal on Zantac... Buy one for $5.49, get $5.49 ECB back, making it free, limit 5 per card. I just ordered 10 coupons (5 for my card, 5 for DH's) for $2 off Zantac, which will end up profiting us $8 after the cost of coupons (.20¢ per coupon)

Also in the month of September, CVS is having a deal on Adidas Deodorant... Buy one get $3 ECB back limit 5... well there is a coupon in the current issue of All You magazine for a free Adidas Deodorant. The magazine costs $1.97. Free Deodorant (nothing out of pocket) + $3 ECB - $1.97 magazine cost = $1.03 profit per x10 = $10.30 profit between 2 cards.

Well this was more long winded than I intended! Sorry!