Couponing Kickoff

I have to confess, I've always clipped coupons and shopped at discount stores for a bulk of our groceries. I can't stand the thought of paying full price for anything, let alone on consumables, things that won't be around more than a week or two. Well, even with all of my trying, we had a grocery bill in June that was mind-boggling. I won't say how much it was, I'm terribly embarrassed, but I'll give ya a hint that it was fairly close to our mortgage payment. Yeah, there's (only) 3 of us here. Not good, time to cut back or Henry was going to have a find at least a part time job. Ha!  Nikki told me about The Krazy Coupon Lady and how easy it was to save money. I was skeptical, but kinda excited as I LOVE to shop and get great deals.

After a few evenings clipping coupons and getting organized, I made my first trip to the store. I didn't do too bad, was able to use a bunch of coupons on products that we needed.  I've used the KCL techniques for the last 4 weeks and the savings have been great!!!  The kicker when you start, you have to stockpile to get a great deal so it's a little costly the first few weeks, but the good news, that stockpile won't go bad and you won't have to give up any closets or your parking spot in the garage.

I didn't keep track of my savings at first, like I said, I was skeptical. Today was pretty awesome and I hope to have many more trips like this.  I decided to document each week some of my big deals, not everything I purchase or every deal, that wouldn't be very fun reading material.  :)

Today's trip to CVS

Transaction #1

4 bottles of Skintimate shaving cream

1 Schick Intuition Razor

Total spent $17.37 (savings $9.80)

Received $10 in CVS Extra Care Bucks for my next purchase

Here’s the trick that Nikki taught me; ask to do 2 separate transactions. I paid for these products and got my $10 in ECB. I then purchased transaction #2.

Transaction #2

2 – 10 ounce bottles of Palmolive dish soap

3 – 2 liters of A&W root beer

6 boxes of Strawberry Pop Tarts

2 cases of 24 Nestle Bottled Water

1 Soft Soap hand soap

2 Soft Soap body wash

3 bags of M&Ms (1 not pictured as it fell victim to my afternoon hunger at work today. Ha! )

Total spent: 10.50 (savings $41.90)

Received $3 in CVS Extra Care Bucks for my next purchase I used ECB from previous purchases that I accidentally stockpiled. I was treating them like coupons instead of "cash" so that’s why I was able to knock my bill down to that amount. This is not typical for me, but it sure felt great to get away with so much for such a small price. 

Total spent at CVS: $27.87, total savings $51.70

I know there are some naysayers who don't understand why the stockpile is necessary, but trust me, when you're getting your favorite bath soap for a quarter or toothpaste for free, you're willing to stock up.  I'm not an extreme couponer, I don't buy 200 candy bars or random food products we wouldn't eat just because they are on sale.

The good to all of this, aside from a lower grocery bill, we're able to donate more to charity.  I was able to pick up several boxes of Milk Bones for $1 each;  those will be donated to a local animal rescue group.   Feminine hygiene products, diapers and shaving supplies are going to a local women's shelter.  I'm also currently stockpiling toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant and other toiletries for BUMRUSH, a not-for-profit group that gives to the homeless population on Christmas Eve.  So while couponing might come off dorky or even greedy, try to keep in mind that there is a greater opportunity to do good for others.  I've been blessed with a great job, but it's nice to stretch my paycheck just a little further, especially when I can help so many others.

If you aren't into couponing or don't have the time, don't toss the Sunday paper just yet.  The coupons you don't use can be mailed to the Overseas Coupon Program.  The OCP distributes coupons to military families that can use coupons at the commissary that have expired within the last 6 months. If you want the mailing address, email me at laceyholland1 at gmail dot com