wow

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a day in the life of a coupon-er

I have learned a LOT about couponing since I began back in June. I thought I'd share a typical day of "finding deals" as well as some tips for anyone who'd like to get started. I learn something new EVERY day, so I'll be sure to share new stuff as I learn.

Today was a "deal day" for me. On Fridays (Asah's day off) I try and sneak a few hours to myself to strictly focus on great bargains. This involves planning out what deals I want to do where and then going out and making them happen. Here's what today looked like:

Stop #1: Walgreens

-Oatmeal Deal

3 oatmeals @ $1.00 each = $3.00
Tax .15
Coupons (3 $1 off) (3.00)
Total .15

This didnt go off "without a hitch". Great deals usually never do, even though what you are doing is completely honest and legitimate. Cashier called the manager over, and after scrutizing they "let me use the coupons". *Note: Coupons are put out by manufacturers and stores. The particular coupons I had were manufacturer coupons, meaning the store is reimbursed Full coupon price plus 8 cents just for taking my coupons. So dont give in if they say "we cant take these". Ask why. I also keep a copy of each stores coupon policy printed out and in my binder so if there are questions I can pull it out.

Stop #2: CVS

Great day at CVS!

Here's what I got--

2 All Small and Mighty (on sale for Buy 1, Get 1 Free): $5.79
5 Propel Fitness Water (on sale 5/$5): $5.00
4 Quaker Oatmeal (on sale 2/$5): $10.00
CVS Brand Diapers 8.99
CVS Antibacterial Wipes 1.49

Total before coupons/discounts $31.27

Coupons Used:
2 $1 off All Small and Mighty (2.00)
5 .50 off Any Propel (2.50)
$2.50 off any $10 CVS Purchase (2.50)
$4 off of $20 purchase at CVS (4.00)
$3 Extracare bucks from last week (3.00)

Total Paid $17.27

Extracare bucks that printed $5.00
Coupon that printed $2.50 off $10 purchase

Stop #3: Walmart

1 Huggies Cleanteam Wipes $1.64
$1 off coupon (1.00)
Total Paid .64

FAQ's:

Where do you get your coupons?
Two Places:
1. The Sunday Paper (I buy one each Sunday and clip coupons on Sunday nights after Jordan is in bed)
2. The Internet
Master List of Internet Coupons: http://www.couponsinc.com/corp/source/cp_clientlist.asp
Also, if you like a product, go to their website. You just may find a coupon or can sign up for coupons to be emailed to you.

I don't have time to go to 10 different stores. How do you have time to do this?
This is a new hobby for me. I usually spend time clipping coupons/finding deals while Jordan is napping or at night. I like to save money and this is my "downtime". If I just swing by one place a day with my coupons and deal already planned out, it only takes 5-10 minutes, and Jordan enjoys getting out of the house each day.

Where can I find store ads?
You can view your local store ads to find out what's on sale at:
shoplocal.com

How do you organize your coupons?
I have a binder:




I organize by category, these are the ones I have so far:
Health and Beauty
Cleaning Products
Baby
Foods

You can do as many or as few categories as you like. I go through and remove expired coupons weekly.
The pages are baseball card binder sheets.
I also have the clear sheet protectors with each stores coupon policy printed out.

TIPS:
I always make out our weekly grocery list, then grab my coupon binder and see if there are coupons for the items I plan to purchase. I don't buy something just because I have a coupon. You WILL end up spending more that way!

Take your binder with you. You may find something on clearance or a great deal you didn't know about, and you just may have a coupon for it making it an even better deal!

Find out which stores double coupons and when. The only place that doubles here is Freds, and only on Saturdays. BUT I can get GREAT deals on cleaning products, etc at Freds if I wait until Saturdays.

I hope this gigantic post helped anyone who wants to get into couponing. It is SO fun! Asah likes to see how much I spent/saved each week.

never too early...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Marco??? Polo! (Cheap Polo!)

Eddie Bauer Polos for $4.99! and FREE SHIPPING!

http://www.eddiebauer.com/eb/eob_product.asp?skuA=I33&skuB=709&skuC=6259&searchstring=I33%20709%206259&referringurl

Lot's of colors and sizes - must buy 2+ for the $4.99 price to show up-

Then Use this code at checkout:

NO COST S&H: SeptFS

Tip: I had to keep entering in the above link to get to the "sale" ones. Several were on backorder but at that price I can wait on them.

eat your oats!

Deal of the week: (sorry this is so late--you have until Saturday!)

Free Oatmeal at Walgreens!

Print coupon HERE (link at bottom of page)

Mom's Best Naturals Oatmeal, on sale for $1. Coupon for $1 off! Sweet!

Jordan loves his oatmeal in the mornin!

Enjoy.

YYYYYYEEEEESSSSSSSS

UGA: 26

Bamer: 23

almost forgot the deal of the week!

sorry bout that.
this one's not necessarily a DEAL, but a great place to find more coupons..and lots of them.

Walmart carries a magazine in the front near the registers called "All you". It is $1.97 but has tons of money saving coupons...most are for $1 off or more.

Out of this months issue I got two things for free, so it totally paid for itself and then I still got a ton more coupons.

The two free items are using the $1 off reynolds foil and $1 off any Johnson's buddy product. There are "Reynolds Foil Wrappers" sheets at walmart for $1 and the Johnson's buddy bar soap is .97. So I got them both free when using my coupons from the magazine. Sweet.

beachin it

we had the pleasure of going to Grayton Beach, FL with Asah's family last weekend. It was a great time to relax and "step away" for a few days. We enjoyed hanging out with Papa and Mimi, and Asah's sister and family. Jordan got really good at saying "Mimi". Enjoy the pics-

daniel liked the waves crashing

phil and alida

jordan checks out his bucket

alida rose

daniel

sleepy kiddos

sandy hands


no photos please...

hi mom!

hanging out with mimi after a long beach day (waiting for dinner!)

Hmmmmm....

beach bum

back from the beach.

more pics later!

just because

typical jordan.

deal of the week II: juuuuuuuuiiiiiiccccceeee

juice.
that's how jordan pronounces it.

we love gerber graduates juice. it's basically purified water with a little juice mixed in. so i don't have to dilute it as much as regular juice. it's easy and i like it.

at your local walmart, the juice should run you $1.88. but never fear, i have a printable coupon that takes a whole dollar off, so you get juice for 88 cents! quite the bargain.

My computer only allows me to print two...so i printed them off everywhere and anywhere else i could. in fact, if you don't have small children and want to print and mail me yours i would love it!!!! hee hee.

here's the link.

enjoy your juuuiiiiiccccceeeeee!

ps-there are also other really great gerber graduates coupon on this link, so print away.

lest we forget

deali-o of the week-Lysol

If ya have a CVS I've got a Lysol deal for you.
Buy 2 products for $5 (as shown in the ad). Click Here for pics of the ad.
Use your coupons from this Sunday's paper.
I Bought the Toilet bowl cleaner and Multi surface cleaner...had $1.00 and .50 coupons for them.
So my total was $3.50.
At www.Lysol.com you can get $5 off your next pediatricians' visit for buying two lysol products.
So save your receipt and ya got free stuff. Sweet deal if you ask me. Details on the lysol website.

beach hat?

i was trying to find a hat that J can wear at the beach this weekend. he actually let me put this on him while he played this morning. a little small but it will work. not necessarily beach-y...he got it for christmas from gram and pops last year...i cannot believe it still fits. he has a big noggin.
happy monday!

best fajitas ever.

i had these at chilis a few weeks ago and have been thinking about them ever since. when it's in the budget again we're for sure going back.

Description from Chili's website:

BUFFALO CHICKEN FAJITAS
Crispy breaded chicken breast tossed in our tangy Buffalo sauce, served on a bed of fire-roasted poblano peppers & onions, then topped w/bleu cheese crumbles & applewood smoked bacon. Served w/Ranch dressing.

Try these...they'll change your life!

genius.

he's reading now.....

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

appetizing....

Free appetizer at Longhorn for signing up for their e-newsletter...
Yummy.

LINK

note to self...

pay closer attention when coming to bed if the lights are out and it's really dark.
broke my toe last night.....

deal(s) of the week!

Walgreens:

Get your Laundry Detergent!
They are Buy one get one free (So two for $5.99). Print two of the $1 off coupons and that's two things of detergent for 3.99! Pretty Incredible deal.
Link to Arm and Hammer Laundry Coupon
(You will need to click on special offers in the top left of the screen)

CVS:

Thanks to Joni for this great deal!
Colgate Total-4.2 oz for $2.99, get $2.99 in extra care bucks. So print out some coupons for $1 off and you got you some free toothpaste. In fact, THEY are paying you! Woo Hoo! Here's the Link.

asthma's NO fun.

going through another flare up. been about 10 days now of congestion/wheezing. probably heading for the doc today. yuck.

more rain play

it poured yesterday and there was no thunder/lightning so we thought it would be a good way to entertain jordan. he LOVES water. and had a great time....



trying to get me to open the door to storage where we keep the popsicles. it was too close to dinner time so i said no and he was trying to persuade me. didn't work.

we decided to strip him down and head straight for the tub. after being stripped he ran for it. our little streaker.

Sah Hudgins

we got one of those solicitations in the mail the other day where they send you something pre-printed with your name on it.
i laughed out loud when i saw this. "Sah" Hudgins. hee hee. keeping it just cause it's funny.