After repeatedly watching Ma waddle in to the kitchen, peek in the cabinet, then the fridge and hearing her sigh very loudly before stomping back to her room like a four year old, I decided to take the hint, give in and go grocery shopping.
I didn't want to go, I was trying to put it off until payday (Thursday) but I have to admit, it was getting to be slim pickin's. When I got the Sunday paper this morning and saw that it was day one of triple coupon week at our local grocer, that sealed the deal.
I spent over an hour going through all the coupons I had, clipping new ones and then systematically going through the sale paper, comparing the specials with the coupons I had on hand. There are special rules governing triple coupon week, so it pays to plan ahead. Only those coupons for .50 or less are tripled. You must have at least $10 worth of groceries for every three coupons you're using with the special triple rate. No coupon doubling or tripling applies to coffee, tobacco or alcohol products.
Pictured above are the deals I'm the proudest of. Because ya'll have asked me in the past how I save on the grocery bill, I thought I'd highlight these few items and break it down for you:
The Duncan Hines Brownie Mix wasn't on sale, the regular price was $2.28. I had a coupon for .50, which saved me $1.50 after it was tripled at the register.
Final Price .78
The Cheerios Snack Mix was regularly $2.38, on sale for $2.00. With a coupon for .50, tripled, I saved $1.50.
Final Price .50
The Pop-Secret was regularly $2.38 a box, on sale as buy one, get one free. I had a coupon for .50 off two boxes, saving me $1.50 at the register
Final Price .44 each
I took a chance buying those single serving packets of Spam. Had the Amazon been with me, she would have snuck them back out of the cart when I wasn't looking. Luckily, I was shopping solo. The Spam was .98 each. My coupon was for .40 off two. When that was tripled, I saved $1.20.
Final Price .38 each
We all enjoy chocolate syrup on our ice cream, but I usually buy the store brand. On this trip, this large bottle of Nesquik syrup was $1.86, but after using my .50 coupon during triple coupon week:
Final Price .36
There in the back row, you can see three cans of Pringles Potato Crisps. They are regularly $1.28 each. This week, I found them on sale for $1.00 a can. I had a coupon for .30 off three cans, which normally is a pretty sucky coupon, but when tripled it saved me .90.
Final Price .70 each
I've always wanted to try those special chocolate blends that Coffee Mate has in the refrigerated section, but I usually just buy the store brand powder, in the econo-size container. The regular price is $2.18. My coupon was for .50, saving me $1.50. I figured I was worth the splurge this week.
Final Price .68
I'm not sure which of our dogs will end up with the can of Mighty Dog. It's not big enough to split between them and none of them usually get the canned stuff. The regular price was .67, but I had a coupon for a free one.
Final Price .00
You'd think that was the best deal yet, but we've forgotten the sour cream. I may never open the container, I might just keep it in the freezer, with my receipt, forever... for the bragging rights. Daisy sour cream is regularly priced $1.27, on sale this week for $1.00. My coupon was for .50.
Final Price (.50)
That's right chil'ren. I made .50 on that deal.
Of course, that's not all I bought. The total bill, before coupons was $98.43, after coupons, $76.72... which was a good thing, since I only had about $90.00 in my checking account. I have to admit, this is an extreme case. Our store only offers the triple coupon deal about twice a year, but even with double coupons you can save a bundle. You have to be careful not to buy things you can't use, unless it's completely free, then you can always share it with someone. I horde coupons until the items go on sale. If it expires and I end up throwing it away because it's not something we "need" and it didn't go on sale, all I've lost are the few seconds I spent clipping it out of the paper.
When you've got a really good coupon for something and it goes on sale it's like hitting the lottery.
Triple coupons are good for the rest of this week at our store. When payday rolls around, I'm going through my remaining coupons, pulling out everything that's .50 or less and going back to stock up on fabric softener, laundry detergent and dish washing supplies.
Triple coupons cancels out the "only buy it on sale" rule.
Anywho, I hope I've not completely bored you to tears with my coupon clipping ninja skillz. Let me know how your household is coping with the high prices, leave me a comment.
Now.. what the heck am I going to fix for dinner?
Ya'll have a good one. Later Taters!
13 comments:
you rock :) i wish a store near us did triple coupons...i only dream of it :D
i don't mind clipping as many coupons as i do because if i don't use 'em, i send them to military bases overseas, and i know that someone can still use them at least... :)
For other great money saving tips at the grocery store go to www.savemoneytoday.net
I'm horrible, horrible, horrible. I only really shot once every couple of months, sending one of the kids to the store in-between which means - here's a 20 - and I never see the change.
When all of my items are totaled - I am always embarrassed to say - no, I don't have any coupons. None. Obviously I can make a lot of changes and really should.
That sour cream deal is awesome...like getting paid to eat!! We don't ever seem to have triple coupons but the store I go to (besides Walmart) has 2-fer deals each week that are usually pretty good. And I checked into the local Angel Food ministry and I want to give that a try this month. I'll let you know how it goes.
I clip coupons and try to be conservative when I shop, but that is about all I do.
Every other day it seems I turn the thermostat up one more degree to save a bit on the electric bill and, sadly, I only shower every other day, unless I work outside in the yard. That saves on the gas bill since I'm not heating water more frequently. Cook outside on the grill so the stove doesn't use gas and heat up the house, which saves electric.
I should clip coupons must a lot of times I can use my grocery store card and get some good deals. Plus, my Mom always loads me up on food when I go up their. Its worth the price in gas.
Dang it girl, I just can't seem to do this! #1 I don't take the paper...#2 no one I know does double or triple coupons. Crap, it looks like a great way to save some money!
The Sunday paper is the best source for coupons and you'll get back what you spend, several times over. Other sources are websites like couponmom.com and individual brand websites. If you only buy sale items with coupons, you can still save a lot of money. The key is planning. It does take time and effort, but it will pay off.
I work for a company that manages and tracks gift cards, and I've been following retailers filing for bankruptcy on savvywallet.com. My advice? Go spend your gift cards, you may not know how long they will be accepting them. Don't forget The Sharper Image incident: $25m in unused gift cards.
That is some nija shopping...amazing!
Although it is a heck of a deal, I see a lot of sugar and carbs. Funny how eating cheap is so fattening.
The cheaper you eat, the less healthy it is. It's the American way :)
'coupon clipping ninja' I LOVE it! We don't have coupons up here like ya'll do. If only... :(
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