Testing Extreme Couponing 1,2,3...

Okay, I've mentioned before that I am interested in couponing. I cannot help but think of all the possibilities when I watch the TLC show "Extreme Couponing" because when someone goes in a store and spends $1,000 then hands the cashier enough coupons to get that total down to $10 I feel like I've been cheated of paying full price for groceries. I simply don't have the time to be like the couponers on the show, but what is it going to hurt to clip some coupons and try to save a significant chunk of money at the store. So yesterday morning I woke up and grabbed some Sunday papers. I chose the Kansas City Star paper over the Lawrence-Journal World and Topeka Capital Journal because they had more coupon inserts. I grabbed 2 copies because the rule of thumb is one paper per family member. Eric helped clip the coupons and we organized them into 3 envelopes: one for food items, one for stuff, one for restaurants.

But, I'm clearly going to need an organizer for these soon because it's easy to overlook expiration dates and which products I have coupons for.

I went to Kroger (Dillons) because I did my research and found that they "double" coupons. When you look at your coupon, just in front of the bar code, there is a single number. If that number is '5' then your coupon will double. If the number is '0' or '9' then the coupon will not double. (also, box stores like Target and Walmart will NOT double coupons). Kroger will double the coupon up to $1, for $.50. So if you have a "save $.50 off 1 box of X" coupon Kroger will add another $.50. Doing this, I know that there are a lot of items that I can save on. But...in order to truly be successful a couple of trips are needed to a few different stores.

A $1/3 items coupon may save me a little at Kroger but that same coupon may stretch a little further at a store like Super Walmart. My Morningstar Farms vegetarian substitutes for example: At Walmart a box is around $3.30. At Dillons a box is $4.99. So a $1 off coupon will save me more if I use it at Walmart vs. Dillons. (that coupon, if doubled at Dillons will make the $4.99 box $3.49 ($1.50 off) at Walmart the box is $2.30) Thankfully I'm in a location where the stores are on either side of where I live so it's not terribly wasting gas.

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/ has some GREAT tips on how to use the coupons that come in the Sunday paper and combine them with sales happening that week, etc. in order to get to the extreme  point of couponing. I'm really excited to start saving even if it's just a little at first.

So, how did my grocery trip turn out yesterday? I spent $39 after I saved $10. So, not bad but not extreme.

I have a $4.00 off coupon for Purina dog food. Using this coupon at Walmart will actually make the bag FREE and I'll get money back. But, Max doesn't eat Purina so I'm going to donate the bags to the Helping Hands Humane Society :)) Works out great!

I also got a coupon for a free Dr. Pepper Ten. I haven't tried it yet but hey, it is free!

Happy Monday :)