Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Cha-Ching

I am experimenting with using coupons.  I keep hearing amazing stories of people who save lots of money using coupons.  I don't think I will ever be an expert at it but I enjoy the game. I also have a cheap streak ingrained in me from my depression era mother. I suppose I should call it a frugal streak. I like the idea of not spending more than I have to on things that I need so it is easier to get/give or do things I want.  Here is my latest attempt. 
I got all this at Rite-Aid for $10.76.  I felt good about that since one box of Aleve at full price is $10.49. I went through the receipts and if I had paid full price for these same things it would have cost $52.51. 
Least you think I have a lot of pain and headaches, one of the ideas of the coupons is that you get things you use at their best price, not necessarily because there is a immediate need. So I think we are set for pain and fever for quite a while. The other thing is that you have to be willing to use brands that you might not normally use. It's fun actually to get out of the rut. For example, I would not normally buy the expensive Pantene shampoo. I am content with Suave for 99 cents. However, by combining a sales price, a store promotion and a manufacturer's coupon the shampoo and conditioner were FREE!  Far be it from me to turn down free fancy pants shampoo. 

2 comments:

  1. Wow! I am super impressed, I just spent 100 bucks at Target on household items similar to the type of stuff you bought, I am wondering how much I could have saved if I had the patience to figure it all out. Good job!

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  2. I have love-hate relationship with coupons. I have a cheap streak and a hippie streak. I don't get to the store very often because we get our produce from a co-op and I don't like the idea of going to the store just to take advantage of a deal. And yet, if I wait until there is an immediate need, I pay whatever the price happens to be at the time.

    So I go through phases. Sometimes I check all the circulars and make the rounds. Other times I don't go to the store for a month and then have to make 3 trips in a week because I keep running out of things.

    I'm sure one day I will get a system down... and as soon as I do I will find the system constricting and start all over again. :)

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