Anyone Out There?

So, is this information helping anyone? Has anyone actually started couponing? If there is other information you'd like me to post, please let me know.

I know I don't have a ton of readers, but there are a few of you out there. So please, leave a comment. Tell me if you are a regular or if you just stopped by to see what this blog is all about. Do you coupon? Do you want to coupon? And was any of this information helpful. Oh, and what would you like to see more of?

My Food Storage

Before I started couponing I had an "okay" food storage, but once I started couponing, WHOA! I am still nowhere close to having an adequate supply, although I am close to 3 months worth, but I was running out of places to put my stash.

Okay, wait... I'd better clarify that. I don't have a storage room, but I have plenty of empty closets. But, if you know me, I am a little OCD about stuff having a "home" and it has to make sense in my head. Therefore, having my food storage stashed away all throughout my basement was making me crazy. So, I started leaving my bags of loot on my basement living room floor. I couldn't bring myself to put it into closets where it didn't really belong.

Well, my aunt is visiting from New York and she is a distributer for Shelf Reliance. So, we made a trip to their warehouse (they're in Utah) and I bought a couple of shelving units. Tyler and I spent Friday night assembling them. I love stuff like this... anything to make my house & life more organized! We were up until 2am because once we finished putting them together I wanted to fill 'em up!

We also bought 2 more shelves for the rest of my storage, ya know, the non-canned stuff. I don't have pictures of them because I haven't finished organizing them (translation: it's a mess) but once I finish I'll be sure to post pictures!

Obviously, they're not full... but they're ORGANIZED!

A New Web Site...

I heard about this site a while ago, but haven't really looked into it much. However, I started posting about Macey's and I thought I would post it so that all of you can look into it.

The Grocery Guru, www.gurusdeals.com/flash.htm

I think this site focuses on a different store every week, but I am not sure. And I think you can get the information for free, but again, I am not sure. Check it out. Let me know if you end up using it and if you find it helpful!

Assignment #4: Finding the Deals

Once you have your coupons organized and you understand how to read coupon lingo, you are ready to start searching through different shopping lists and clipping coupons!

As I've mentioned before, you can use sites such as The Grocery Game, but it costs money. So, I'll be referencing Pinching Your Pennies because it is free and all of you can use it. However, if you get discouraged but still want to try couponing, I recommend signing up for the one month trial of The Grocery Game, simply because I think it is actually more user-friendly and easier for newbies like all of us. Then, once you are "good" at couponing, you can use the free sites. But, I don't want to discourage you from using the free sites from the very beginning... just giving some suggestions, that's all!

1. Everyone please visit www.pinchingyourpennies.com. Yes, right now. Open another browser window so you can read this blog and PYP at the same time.
2. Click on "Screaming Deals By State" at the top of the site.
   
3. Scroll down to find the message board for your state. Since I live in Utah, I'll be using the Utah Forum.
4. Once you are at your state's forum, you should see different threads (or sub-forums) for all sorts of topics. There is one for newbies (I suggest you read it). There are also a bunch of sub-forums for each of the different stores. For example, if you click on the sub-forum for that says, "Albertsons deals 7/9-7/15" you will see a link that says, "For a printable shopping list click here." If you click that link, you will find a shopping list. The list will tell you what the item is, the sale price, which coupons to use & where to find them, and the final price. The stars on the far left side tell you how good of a deal it is; the more stars-- the better the deal.

I print the list and then highlight the items I want to buy and clip the corresponding coupons. Then, I secure the coupons to the list with a binder clip. Since I shop at a couple of stores, I usually end up with 3 or 4 lists. I take the list and coupons into the store. While I am shopping I reference that list to make sure the sale price on the shelf matches the sale price on the list (helps me verify that I have the correct product). I also check to make sure I have the right quantity (for example, 2/$5).

After I check out I clip the receipt to the list in case I need the receipt to submit any rebates (at RiteAid and Walgreen's).

Here is a photo of what I take to the store... I use The Grocery Game, so my lists will look different than the list on PYP, however the information is the same. Also, you'll notice that I crossed through a few items. I couldn't find the coupons. I looked everywhere, but either they listed the wrong coupon reference, or I lost the coupon! I crossed them off my list so I wouldn't accidentally buy them. Also, you can see how I wrote "x2" and "x6" next to a few items. That is because I had multiple coupons and/or needed to buy more than one to get the sale price. It's just my way of making sure I get it all right BEFORE I get to the check out stand.

** The Grocery Game only offers lists for Albertson's, Walgreen's, RiteAid, and Smith's (for the Utah County area, I'm not sure about other areas). They don't offer a list for Macey's, but I love Macey's. So, I use The Grocery Game for RiteAid, Walgreen's and Albertson's. I use PYP for Macey's.

**Macey's doesn't seem to have as great of deals, but they're so close to my house AND super customer-service oriented, so I like to shop there. Alberstson's prices are higher, but they seem to have great deals for stocking up. And RiteAid and Walgreen's have lots of good deals, too... especially on FREE stuff!

Land of the FREE!

I know I've been terrible and have not posted any new coupon info lately, but I promise, I will soon. But, I got just got a few things for FREE at RiteAid and I wanted to brag about it. So, here you go!


(2) Herbal Essences Shampoo/Conditioner, reg $3,99. On sale for 2 for $5 + MFG coupon for $3/2, making them 2 for $2. There is a rebate rebate available, $2/2, so I have $2 coming back to me, making this item FREE!
(1) Infusium Leave-In Treatment, reg $6.99. On sale for 4.99 + MFG coupon for $3/1, making it $1.99. There is a rebate available for $1.99... making this item FREE!
(1) Crest ProHealth Toothpaste, reg $3.49. On sale for $2.49 + MFG coupon for $.75/1, making it $1.74. There is a rebate available, making this item FREE!

Yes, you read that right. I got all of that stuff for free. All of those coupons were from this last Sunday, in the P&G coupon insert. So, if you have coupons for all this stuff you should all make a run to RiteAid! I did have a coupon to get a Gillette Venus Embrace razor for $.99 (reg $12.49) but I made a trip to two different stores and they were already sold out. So, I'll try again later in the week.

I promise I will tell you how to find all these deals... it's just that it's been a busy couple of weeks. Summer is too much fun. Don't give up on me!

My Walgreen's Deal!!

Here is a picture of my most recent haul from Walgreen's. I admit, I was pretty proud of myself.

(4) cans Butterball Chicken Broth, reg $1.19. Walgreen's in-ad coupon made them 2/$1, limit 4. So I bought 4 cans for $2.
(1) 32oz Powerade, reg $1.69. Walgreen's in-ad coupon made them $.89 + MFG coupon for .75/1, making it $.14!!
(1) box Snuggle Fabric Softener, reg $3.49 on sale for $1.99. MFG coupon for 1.00/1 made it .99!
(2) 12oz bags Dark Chocolate Peanut M&Ms, reg $3.19 on sale for 2/$4. Walgreen's IVC coupon (available in-store) was 1.00/2, making it 2/$3, or $1.50 each as long as your purchased 2 bags. I added 2 MFG coupons for .75/1 making each bag $.75!
(1) Sippy Cup, reg $1 (not on sale, no coupon... used as a filler to bring my pre-tax total to $5 so I could use my RR worth $5)
(1) RR coupon, worth $5 (RR's like free money at Walgreen's... it's part of their incentive program. I'll post more about it soon).

Total Retail Price: $16.26
Total OOP: $1.03 Yes, that's right!! Only $1!!
Total Savings: $15.23

Walgreen's & RiteAid have a bunch of additional ways to use coupons, some of which confused me in the beginning. So, don't get too hung up on the details of how I got away with such a steal. If it doesn't make sense, don't worry... it will. Just ask if you have questions. Otherwise, I'll soon be posting more about how to shop with coupons and Walgreen's & Rite Aid.

Assignment #3: How To Be A "Smart" Shopper

I'm almost done with the boring stuff, I promise. This should be your last "assignment" before I have you start clipping coupons (but don't hold it against me if it isn't).

Before you start buying and get carried away you'll want to know a little bit more about being a "smart" coupon shopper. Just because you use a coupon doesn't mean you'll save money. Here are a few links of information that I highly recommend.

PYP (Pinching Your Pennies) Coupons 101
HCW (Hot Coupon World) Getting Started

You'll probably read a lot of duplicated information. Like I said, all this information already exists, I'm just trying to condense it and make it easier for all my friends!

If you have questions please leave me a comment! I will post my answer in a comment, too. Just give me some time to answer it; since I am still new to this it may take some research!