CVS Trip: $0.66 for Purex Laundry Detergent

As with my Walgreens trip yesterday, my CVS trip was also very short. In fact, I was in-and-out of the store within 5-minutes; it would've been less time if I hadn't stopped to chat with a fellow couponer. Overall, I spent $1.98 on 3 full size Purex Ultra Concentrate Laundry Detergents.

I did two transactions, one for a no-brainer deal on jelly beans, and the second for the Purex transaction. Here's how it works out.

First Transaction

Bag of CVS Jellybeans: $0.99 

Paid: $0.99

Got back: $0.99 ECB good on my next order. 

Second Transaction

Purex Ultra Concentrate Detergent: $1.99 (we bought 3)

(-3) $1/1 any size Purex Ultra Concentrate Coupon (2/20/11 RP)

(-1) $0.99 ECB

Final Price: $0.66 each 

My $0.93 Trip to Walgreens (Lots of FREE Items)

Today's trip to Walgreens was quick and cheap - I even got six items for free, which is always my favorite price! I went to Walgreens with the intention of coming out $0 out-of-pocket (besides tax, of course). However, I needed a filler item to make up the difference between my 7 coupons and 6 items. So, I added a random $0.99 pack of gum to my order to balance things out. I'm sure I could've found something cheaper, but I just chose one of the closest items to me, as I wanted to be on my way as quickly as possible. Aside from the pack of gum, every other item in my order was free.

Check below to see how I did it.

Dove Deodorant: $3.49 before coupons (we bought 3)

(-1) in-ad coupon that makes the deodorant $1.99 each

(-3) $2/1 Dove deodorant manufacturer coupon (RP 1/30/2011)

Final Price: FREE

Gain Liquid Dish Detergent (We bought 3)

(-1) in-ad coupon that makes Gain dish detergent 11 oz $0.99 (also applies to Joy 12.06 oz, Dawn 10.3 oz)

(-3) $1/1 any gain liquid dish product (P&G Everyday Saver home mailer)

Final Price: FREE

Trident Layers Gum: $0.93

Note: The pack of gum was actually $0.99, but seven cents of overage from all of the coupons applied towards my balance, which was made up of only this item. 

Target Trip: Spent less than $4.60!

My personal goal for the day was to spend less than $20 on our grocery trip to Publix and our personal care trip to target. We did very well and met our goal, with $8.15 to spare! Everything we bought at Target came out to just $4.49. The details on how we made that happen are outlined below.


Glade Sparkle of Spring Spray: $2.99 (we bought two)
(-2) $1/1 Glade Seasonal Aircare purchase Target store coupon (Target.com printable)
(-2) $1/1 Glade Premium Room Spray manufacturer coupon (EatBetterAmerica.com)
Final Price: $0.99 each


Vaseline Intensive Rescue Lotion (with free Q-Tips attached): $2.69
(-1) Vaseline Intensive Rescue Skin Care lotion Target store coupon (Target.com printable)
(-1) Vaseline Intensive Rescue Item manufacturer coupon (Red Plum 1/30/2011) 
Final Price: $0.69


Vaseline Men's Lotion (with free Q-Tips attached): $2.69
(-1) Vaseline for Men Lotion Target store coupon (Target.com printable)
(-1) Vaseline for Men Lotion manufacturer coupon (Red Plum 1/30/2011)
Final Price: $0.69


Note: We found these on the endcaps about two aisles down from the lotion. So, stroll around for a bit if you're not able to find them at first.




Aquafresh Extreme Clean (Travel Size): $0.97 (we bought two)
(-2) $1/1 Any Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste manufacturer coupon (Aquafresh.com printable)
Final Price: FREE!


Note: If printing the Aquafresh coupon, scroll to the bottom of the page to find this specific coupon. It'll be the second to last coupon on the page.

Men's Degree Deodorant: $1.97 (we bought two)
(-1) $2/2 Degree deodorants Target store coupon (Redplum.com printable)
(-1) $0.75/1 Degree deodorant manufacturer coupon (Red Plum 1/30/2011)
Final Price: $0.59 each.


Note: We would have used two of the $0.75/1 coupons, but we only have one. If you have two, go ahead and used them to further your savings. Your final price will be only $0.22 each!

My Publix Trip: $7.36!

I did my weekly Publix coupon matchup last night and just knew that I had to rush over this afternoon! The deals at Publix are crazy this week. Truthfully, you can save quite the chunk of change even if you step into the store without coupons just to buy the items on BOGO. But of course, using coupons just makes the deal even sweeter! 


On a more personal note, my fiance and I enjoyed a very nice afternoon. We started off with going to Target to snag some awesome deals that are going on this week (I'll post my Target trip as my very next blog post). We did very well at Target. Then, we had lunch and enjoyed the nice Florida weather, made a stop at Barnes & Nobles to grab a few books. And, then we shot off to Publix.


Here's how we did, and it just goes to show you that buying the right items, even without coupons, can save you a nice amount of money.


Before coupons and Bogo the order would have amounted to: $55.72
Before coupons, but accounting for the Bogo sale, the order would have amounted to: $27.86
After bogo and coupons the order came out to: $7.36!


Enough with my blabbering, below are the deals I got at Publix this week:



Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes: Bogo @ $2.69(2)
(-1) $1/2 Manufacturer coupon (facebook video offer - click "Our Kitchen")
Final Price: $0.84 each


Green Giant Canned Vegetables: Bogo @ $1.25(12) 
(-1) $1/4 Publix store coupon (clickcallmail.com)
Final Price: $0.37 each


Progresso Bread Crumbs: Bogo @ $1.97 (2)
(-1) $1/4 Publix store coupon (clickcallmail.com)
Final Price: $0.73 each


Bertolli Pasta Sauce: Bogo @ $2.95 (2)
(-1) $1/2 printable target web coupon (Redplum.com)
Final price: $1.01 each


Progresso Soups: Bogo @ $2.29 (6) 
(-1) $1/4 manufacturer coupon (couponnetwork.com)
(-1) $1/4 Publix coupon (clickcallmail.com)
Final Price: $0.64 each. 


Nabisco Honey Graham Crackers: Bogo @ $3.99 (2)
(-1) $1/2 target web coupon (target.com - print the coupon that pictures Wheat Thins)
Final price: $1.49 each 


Hunt's Natural Tomatoes (Crushed): Bogo @ $1.89 (2) 
(-2) $0.75/1 printable manufacturer coupons (no longer available)
Final price: $0.19 per can


I also used two more $5 coupons to get my order total down. Publix is having an Italian Days sale, which allows you to use a $5 off coupon if you purchase 20 participating products). Here's the link to that coupon. Then, I used a $5/$25 order coupon from Savealot.com, as my store accepts Save a lot as a competitor. 

My Coupon Binder!

Once upon a time, I stored my coupons in envelopes, which would end up scattered throughout the office, random drawers and even in the car. So, I decided to upgrade to a more organized approach... a coupon binder. I bought a cute binder for $5, and 30 sheets of sports card organizers for another $5, and voila... I made myself a coupon binder. I use the pockets on the side to hold circulars and coupon inserts that I haven't cut into yet, just for the sake of keeping things organized. 


When I go shopping, I bring my grocery list which have been matched to the coupons I've decided to use. I also print the number of coupons I expect to use, as well as the projected cost after coupons and total savings. Though this works for me, it might not work for everyone. I use a paper clip to attach the coupon stack to the groceries. And, I also bring my binder in case there are any unadvertised deals going on in the store.


I'll be honest, sometimes I do get stares from people because of my clunky binder and stack of 20+ coupons. But, I don't let it get to me. Because of my "embarrassing" coupon habit, I'm able to walk out with a cart full of groceries for $30 to $50, while most of the judgmental shoppers are spending $200.

Below, I've included a few photos of my coupon binder... I removed the uncut inserts and placed them on the side of the binder, just to give you a better view of my coupon "stock."On average, I buy two to three newspapers every Sunday, so I typically have four to six new inserts to add each week. I organize my coupons by category, and place duplicates in the same slot. Coupon organization - it's serious business, people. 

My L'oreal page. Each slot has two high value coupons! :) 

Wal-Mart Couponing: $30.62 before Coupons down to $16!

Generally, I'm not a huge fan of shopping at Wal-Mart. Partially, because it's congested - but mainly because I feel I can get a better value elsewhere. Kind of ironic considering that their store brand is named "Great Value." Nevertheless, I went to Wal-Mart one friday in November because I had nothing better to do (Woohoo to couponing @ Wal-Mart at 9:00p.m on a Friday night while all of your friends are clubbing, on a date or at the movies!) I felt like a BIG winner... 


So, I gathered my coupon binder (yes, I have one of those - I'll post pics soon, it's super cute!) and off to Wal-Mart I went. If it weren't for a certain someone slipping candy into the cart while I looked away (the 8-year-old boy trapped in my fiance's body) I would have walked out of the store for less than $8.


Deal Breakdown:


Advil Liqui-gels: $3.62
- (1) Coupon for free item
Final price: FREE


Superfruit Tea ($1.68)
- (1) Coupon for Free item
Final price: FREE


Burger King Cofee 
- Free Coffee Friday Promotion in November
Final price: FREE


Simply Orange Orange Juice: $1.26
- (2) $1/1 printable coupons.
Final price: $0.26 ea. 


Coffeemate Creamer: $1.38
- (2) $1/1 printable coupons.
Final price: $0.38 ea.


Yakisoba: $0.64
- (1) $0.50/1 coupon.
Final price: $0.14


Idahoan Mashed Potato Packets (4-oz): $.98
- (2) $0.50/1 printable coupons.
Final price: $0.48 ea.


Tony's Pizza: $1.98
-(1) $1.50/1 printable coupon.
Final price: $0.48


Hidden Valley Fresh Salad Kit: $2.50
- (1) $1/1 printable coupon.
Final price: $1.50