My views of Extreme Couponing to this point

Ok, so I've been at this for about a month now, and I have to honestly say I am very suprized at the speedy results I've seen. Overall I give my coupon experience a 10/10!

Now, a few disclaimers... I am not even close to an "extreme" couponer at this point. LOL I have been shopping 2 places recently, Price Chopper and Walmart, with a third, Grand Union, thrown in when they have extra good deals on items. I read a TON about these amazing couponers that manage to stockpile things for free or just cents and I just wish I had the room to store a stockpile, and more time to be able to really shop the deals. The women and men that do the Wallgreens / CVS / Rite Aid circuit have all my respect. It takes a ton of work, but ahhhh.... the rewards make it worth it! I'm just really glad I found the site (click the green button over there ----> for the site I'm talking about, WeUseCoupons rocks!) to get me started on saving.

Ok, back to my month long journey to learning this "extreme" couponing thingamajig... So I head out for my first grocery trip with coupons, only a few that first trip, and saved $10. Hmmm, I really wasn't that impressed but Hubby reminded me when I got home that 10 bucks was 10 bucks! True. I started scrounging up more coupons, buying a Sunday paper, printing them off the internet, and scoring extra inserts where I could. I clipped everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, even the stuff I couldn't, or wouldn't, use. I sorted everything out into catagory envelopes, then pulled out all the coupons I knew I wouldn't be using. I had joined WeUseCoupons website by this point and was devouring the forums, articles and information there like they were a big fat, juicy steak and I was a starving lion (can you tell DD is watching Lion King in the background? hehe). The more I read, the more I learned, and the more I discovered how kind, helpful and generous the folks at WUC are. I decided to post an RAOK (Random Act Of Kindness) list of all the coupons I wouldn't use, and offer them to people that might be able use them. I sent out quite a few envelopes, and got quite a few envelopes back! It was so nice to have people to trade with and get those coupons to the people that would use them, rather than having them go to waste.

So at this point, my coupon stock is building and I am able to use more coupons when I shop. I went from saving $10 on my first trip to $16 on my second, to $30 on my third, all the way up to now, I saved $90 on last week's trip and $66 on this week's trip! Now THAT's savings! I'm so glad I didn't get discouraged at the beginning and stuck with it. I also decided after a few weeks that I needed to switch to a different grocers to get the best deals. I had been a faithful Grand Union shopper for years, and in their defense they were a GREAT store, employees are friendly and helpful, they doubled coupons up to $1, over all a nice place to shop. Then I decided to give Price Chopper a trial run. Once I looked into it, between the better prices, larger selection, nicer produce, AdvantEdge savings and benefits, money off gas for Hubby's car, UPromise college savings for DD... I was sold. So 2 trips later and a total of just over $150.00 in savings... I am now a Price Chopper Shopper!

I also made the jump to a coupon binder this weekend and WOW is it nicer! I'm now able to look through coupons so much easier and not have to shuffle through the whole pile to find one! I also transfered my price list into the 3 ring binder too, much easier to have everything all in one place. (Note to anyone reading this that is saying "WTH is a pricelist?!?" I have a list of all my purchased items and the price at the 3 different stores I go to regularly so I know when something is a really good deal, either on sale or at a different store) I feel so "professional" now with my fancy-shmancy binder! LOL

So, one month in, am I glad I've decided to do this? You betcha! I just got back from picking up the Sunday paper and I'm gonna clip some more coupons while I sip my coffee. :) Happy clipping to all, and to all a good day!

Price Chopper Ad Scan and Matchups - 6/26 to 7/3

Thank you to greenmountainwife and Doodlebug over at www.weusecoupons.com! Original post here.

Ball Park meat franks BOG2
-$1/2 6-6-10 RP

4C Drink mix 2.99
-$1/1 5-23-10 SS
-BOGO Totally light, 5-23-10 SS

Hillshire Farm Kielbase BOGO
-$1/2 6-6-10 RP

Johnsonville Brats 2/$5
- $1/2 5-23-10 RP

Kraft salad dressing 1.68
-$1/1 6-20-10 SS
**FREE if your store doubles dollars!**

Pop Tarts 2/$5
-$1/2 6-13-10 RP
-$1/2 HERE

Apple Jacks, Froot Loops, Cron Pops, Raisin Bran, Rice Krispies, Frosted Flakes, BOGO
-various coupons HERE
-$1/2 HERE

Filippo Berio Olive Oil 5.99
-$1/1 HERE

Old El Paso 25% off
-.60/2 HERE

Chex Mix 2/$3
-.50/1 HERE

Tropicana Trop 50 2.99
-$1/2 6-6-10 RP

Sunny D 64 oz 10/$10
- .25/1 5-09-10 SS
- .25/1 HERE

Mrs. T's Pierogies 2/$5
-$1/1 Potato, Spinach and Feta variety 6-6-10 RP

Dixie Plates BOGO @ 3.19
-$1/2 5-23-10 RP

Cottonelle 12 pack 6.99
-$1/1 5-23-10 SS

Angel soft 12 pack 2/$12
-$1/2 5-23-10 Rp
- .50/1 HERE

Friskies canned cat food 10/$4
-$1/15 5-02-10 SS

Whiskas Temptations 2/$3
-$1/2 5-23-10 RP

Dove Body Wash 5.98
-1.25/1 6-27-10 RP

Dove Bar soap 6 pack 5.98
- .75/1 6-27-10 RP

Dove Deodorant 2/$7
-.75/1 6-27-10 RP

Dove Shampoo or conditioner 2/$7
-$1/1 6-27-10 RP

Goldfish crackers $2
-.50/1 HERE

Weekly Sales Flyer Links for local stores - 6/26/10 to 7/3/10

Links to the stores around me (Rutland, VT area) current online sales flyers:

Grand Union Grocers

Price Chopper Grocers

Hannaford's Supermarkets

CVS Pharmacy

Rite Aid Pharmacy

Walgreens Drugstore

Walmart

Kmart

Reusable Grocery Bag Patterns

Reusable Grocery Bags You Can Make - Free Patterns:

T-Shirt Grocery Bag - Turning an old T-shirt into a reusable shopping or grocery bag is a simple, clever craft to help everyone be “green.” It’s a Good Thing that will help protect the environment.

Morsbags.com - Offers a downloadable pattern in pdf or word doc format (also an animated web tutorial). Simple tote style, easy to make.

Cheap & Easy Fabric Produce Bags - A great alternative to the clear plastic bags available in the fruits & veggies aisles, these are made from repurposed sheer curtains (watch for them at garage sales), drawstring closure. Wash & reuse, lovely!

Cheap & Easy Fabric Grocery Bags - By repurposing some old sheets, you can make a batch of these up for less than $2 each, and look how cute your groceries are in bags that are all the same pattern . Simple design with sturdy webbing for the handles (or just whip up some fabric straps if you prefer).

Pillowcase Tote - Sewing Tutorial: Here’s a simple grocery tote made from an old pillowcase, including the handles.

“Green” Re-usable Grocery Bags - Another simple fabric bag, this one has the handles cut out with the pattern rather than sewing on straps separately. Another good one for beginners to make.

Wallet-Sized Fold-Up Re-Usable Shopping Bag - This bag folds into a wallet size that fits perfectly in your purse so you’ll always have one at your fingertips when needed. The bag is more detailed than most, but how nice it is!

T-Shirt Reusable Produce Bag - This bag is made from an old t-shirt and is a replacement for the plastic produce bags at the grocery store. Easy to make and easy to wash.

The whole list of 35 reusable grocery bags (including knit and crochet) is here. Thank you to TipNut!!

15 Cheap Dinner Recipies - $1.50 or less per serving!!

Found a great list of cheap dinner recipies, all under $1.50 per serving! These are all here.

Almost Lasagna - $1.50 per serving
Click here for recipe

Easy Chicken Lo Mein - $1.20 per serving
Click here for recipe

Creamy Chiken and Rotini Primavera - $1.35 per serving
Click here for recipe

Italian Turkey Sliders with Honey Dijon Mayo - $.90 (two sliders)
Click here for recipe

Tortellini with Edamame and Smoked Sausage - $.85 per serving
Click here for recipe

Chicken Barbeque Cheddar Pitas - $1.10 per serving
Click here for recipe

Kids Pasta and Cheese - $.85 per serving
Click here for recipe

Easy Calzone Rolls - $1.10 per serving (two slices)
Click here for recipe

Cheeseburger Pie - $1.10 per serving
Click here for recipe

Chicken Ravioli Soup - $1.50 per serving
Click here for recipe

Chicken and Pepper Egg Rolls - $1.35 per serving
Click here for recipe

Chicken Lettuce Wraps - $1.35 per serving
Click here for recipe

Easiest Barbeque Chicken Sandwiches Ever - $1.40 per serving
Click here for recipe

Turkey Waldorf Salad - $1.50 per serving
Click here for recipe

Fried Rice with Chicken and Veggies - $1.10 per serving
Click here for recipe

Price Chopper Ad Scan and Matchups - 6/20 to 6/26

Thank you to greenmountainwife and Doodlebug over at www.weusecoupons.com! Original post here.

Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs BOGO
$1/2 - 06-20-10 SS

Lloyd's St. Louis Style Pork Spare Ribs $6.99
$1/1 - 05-16-10 SS

Hormel Natural Choice Cold Cuts 2/$6
$1/2 - 06-06-10 SS

Kellogg's Pop Tarts $2
$1/2 - 06-13-10 RP

Huggies Jumbo Diapers $8.99
$1.50/2 - 06-20-10 SS

Reynolds Aluminum Foil $3.99
.75/1 - 05-16-10 SS

Hefty One Zip Storage Bags $3
.55/2 - 05-23-10 RP

Whiskas Temptations 2/$3
$1/3 - 06-20-10 RP

Ken's Steak House Marinades BOGO
$1/1 - 05-09-10 SS

General Mills Cereal Lucky Charms, Reese's Puffs or Cookie Crisp $3
$1/2 - 06-13-10 SS

Egg-Land's Best Large White Eggs 2/$5
$1/2 - 05-02-10 SS

Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice $3.99
$1/2 - 04-25-10 RP

Lean Cuisine 5/$10
$1/5 - 05-02-10 SS

Eggo Pancakes 3/$5
$1/2 - 06-20-10 RP

Super Pretzels BOGO
.50/1 - 05-02-10 RP

Raid Max Long Lasting Bug Barrier $7.99
$3/1 - 05-23-10 SS

OFF! Skintastic Insect Repellent Spray $4.99
$1.50/2 - 06-20-10 SS

Zegerid OTC $9.99
$4/1 - 06-20-10 SS

Neosporin Ointment $4
$1.50/2 - 06-20-10 RP

Degree Invisible Solid or Ultra Dry Deoderant BOGO
.75/2 - 05-23-10 RP

Top Care Extra Strength Pain Relief, Ibuprofen, Aspirin Coasted or Regular Strength Pain Relief BOGO
$1/1 - Price Chopper Active Families Spring 2010 Magazine

Weekly Sales Flyer Links for local stores - 6/20/10 to 6/26/10

Links to the stores around me (Rutland, VT area) current online sales flyers:

Grand Union Grocers

Price Chopper Grocers

Hannaford's Supermarkets

CVS Pharmacy

Rite Aid Pharmacy

Walgreens Drugstore

Walmart

Kmart

Price Chopper Ad Scan and Matchups - 6/13 to 6/19

Thank you to greenmountainwife and Doodlebug over at www.weusecoupons.com! Original post here.

Bounty 15 roll $10
- $1/1 6/6/10 PG

Dynamo BOGO $3.99
- $1/2 5-23-10 SS

Kotex 2/$5
- 1.50/2 5-16-10 SS

Kotex U 2/$7
- $1/1 HERE

Raisin Bran or Frosted mini wheats $2
- $1/2 6-6-10 RP

Butterball turkey bacon 2/$4
- .75/1 5-9-10 SS

Quaker chewy granola bars $3
- $1/2 5-2-10 RP

V8 Fusion 2/$5
- $1/2 5-23-10 SS

Mott's medley's $3
- .50/1 6-13-10 SS

Eight O'Clock coffee BOGO
- .75/1 4-25-10 SS or $1/1 HERE

Ragu 2/$3
- .60/2 5-23-10 RP

Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ sauce 28 oz 1.79
- $1/1 5-23-10
**FREE if your store doubles dollars!

KC masterpiece marinades or BBQ 2/$5
- $1/1 5-9-10 SS

Hidden valley ranch 2.99
- $1/1 5-16-10 SS

Central Market Classics Ice Cream $1.99
$1/2 - Price Chopper Spring 2010 Generation Magazine

Wise Cheez Doodles or Pretzels BOGO $2.99
.75/2 - Wise Snacks

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream BOGO
$1/2 - 06-06-10 RP

Blue Bunny Ice Cream Sandwiches BOGO
.75/1 - All You, June 2010

Yoplait Greek Yogurt 10/$10
$1.50/5 - 06-13-10 SS

Q-Tips Cotton Swabs $2
.30/1 - 05-23-10 RP

Price Chopper Glass Cleaner or Price Chopper Disinfectant Wipes $2
$1/1 - Price Chopper Active Families Spring 2010 Magazine

Topicana 2.99
-$1/2 6-6-10 RP

Breyer's smooth and dreamy bars BOGO@ 3.99
-$1/1 5-23-10 RP

Luigi's Italian Ice BOGO @ 3.89
-$.50/1 5-2-10 RP

Weekly Sales Flyer Links for local stores - 6/13/10 to 6/19/10

Links to the stores around me (Rutland, VT area) current online sales flyers:

Grand Union Grocers

Price Chopper Grocers

Hannaford's Supermarkets

CVS Pharmacy

Rite Aid Pharmacy

Walgreens Drugstore

Walmart

Kmart

Price Chopper Ad Scan and Matchups - 6/6 to 6/12

Thank you to greenmountainwife and Doodlebug over at www.weusecoupons.com! Original post here.


Folgers $1.99
$1/2 - 05-23-10 RP

Osteo Bi-Flex BOGO
$4/1 - 04-25-10 RP

Nature's Bounty BOGO
$1/1 - 04-25-10 RP

Quaker Cap' N Crunch BOGO
$1/2 - 05-16-10 RP

Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice $3.99
$1/2 - 04-25-10 RP

V8 Fusion 2/$5
$1/1 HERE

Price Chopper Peanut Butter $1.49
$1/1 Price Chopper Generation Spring 2010 Magazine

Stouffer's Corner Bistro Subs 5/$10
$1/1 - 04-11-10 SS

Gillette Body Wash 2/$7
$4/2 - 05-02-10 PG
Buy one body wash, get one body wash free 6-6-10 PG
Buy one body wash, get one deodorant free, 6-6-10 PG
Buy 2 body wash, get one body spray free, 6-6-10 PG

Price Chopper Jerky Treats for Dogs $2
BOGO - Price Chopper Animal Tails Spring 2010 Magazine

Betty Crocker Hamburger Helper 4/$5
$1/3 - 05-02-10 SS

Fiber One Bars $3
$1/2 - 05-30-10 GM

Knorr Pasta Sides $1
$1/3 - 05-23-10 RP

New York Garlic Bread BOGO
$1/2 - 05-23-10 SS

Yoplait Yogurt Cups 10/$5
$1/10 - 05-16-10 SS

Danimals $2
$1/1 - 06-05-10 SS

Dannon Dan-O-nino $2
$1.50/1 - 06-05-10 SS

Suddenly Salad 4/$5
$1/2 - 06-05-10 SS

Glide Floss, 2/$5
-$1/1 6-6-10 PG

Secret Deodorant 20% off
-$1/2 6-6-10 PG

Crest Pro Health rinse 2/$9
-$2/1 6-6-10 PG

Tampax $3
-$1/1 6-6-10 PG

Always $3
-$1/1 6-6-10 PG

Gillette Satin Care or Series Shave Gel $2
-$1/1 6-6-10 PG
FREE if your store doubles dollars!!

Venus disposables $6.49
-$1/1 6-6-10 PG

Tampax Pearl BOGO
-$2/1 6-6-10 PG

Scope BOGO
-$1/1 6-6-10 PG

Gillete Fusion razor $8
-$4/1 6-6-10 PG

Fixodent $4
-$1/1 6-6-10 PG

Dawn 2/$5
-$1/2 6-6-10 PG

Bounty 8 roll $10
-$1/1 6-6-10 PG

Charmin 18 roll $10
-$1/2 6-6-10 PG

Cascade Action packs 60 ct $11.99
-$1/2 6-6-10 PG

Pampers Jumbo packs 9.99
-$1.50/1 6-6-10 PG

Pampers Wipes refills 6.99
-$2/1 6-6-10 PG

Weekly Sales Flyer Links for local stores - 6/6/10 to 6/12/10

Links to the stores around me (Rutland, VT area) current online sales flyers:

Grand Union Grocers

Price Chopper Grocers

Hannaford's Supermarkets

CVS Pharmacy

Rite Aid Pharmacy

Walgreens Drugstore

Walmart - No local ad for my store this week

Kmart