Black Friday

This year was my first for shopping black friday. I got up at 5 and was at JoAnns by 5:30. There were about 20 people ahead of me in line, so I scrapped my plan to dash into the front doors at the last minute, and just got in line like a "nice" Minnesotan. I was glad I did, because by the time the doors opened there must have been about 150 people waiting!

I grabbed my cart and I was off to the flannel. There was a traffic jam of sorts, with people practically climbing over carts to grab bolts of fabric. Right away I saw a few that I'd been looking for, so I had good luck! By the time I was done with flannel I grabbed a ticket at the cutting counter, and with 20 people ahead of me, I just kept shopping. I found some fleece and some fashion fabrics to make new clothes, and then headed over to Christmas. I grabbed 8 rolls of wrapping paper and some Christmas cards, some cinnamon pinecones and then I found my OttLite! I grabbed some BOGO thread and then I waited. It probably took 1/2 hour for my number to be called, but it went quickly because as others finished cutting from their bolts we were able to snag them right off the table!

After I finished at the cutting table I was ready to check out, since I'd found all of my other items before cutting. There were two people in line ahead of me at 7:45ish, so I got out at about 8 on the nose.

Then I popped over to Target and grabbed some gifts for family and a few groceries. Front parking space, no lines, it was easy!

Here is a picture of my haul:

JoAnn's:

61 yards of fabric: flannel, fleece, and fashion fabrics

11 yards of elastic

6 spools of thread

8 rolls of gift wrap

24 Christmas cards

1 OttLite desk lamp

1 bag cinnamon scented pinecones

1 Butterick pattern

Total spent: $170.42

Total saved: $557.85

Savings of 77%

Target:

2 Crockpots

1 fire pit

4 DVDs

Total spent: $84

Total saved: $78

Savings of 49%



Real Saving 10/26/11

This week wasn't my best in coupon land. Not many great things on sale and not many great coupons to pair with them.

Rainbow:
Reynolds parchment paper: $2.50 - $.50 (doubled) coupon = $1.50
Dr. Pepper TEN: $1.25 - Try me free coupon = FREE
Lean Cuisine: $2 x 4 = $8
DiGiorno pizza and breadsticks: $6.49 - $1.25 coupon = $5.25
Pert shampoo: $1.99 - $1 coupon (doubled) = FREE
Roundy's carrots: $.48 x 2 = $.96
Roundy's onions: $.98
Roundy's cheese: $1.66 x 3 = $4.98 ($3.30/lb)
Roundys pie crust: $3.09
Roundy's skim milk: $2.69 x 2 = $5.38
Yoplait 4 pack: $2.28 - $.50 coupon (doubled) - $1.28

Total spent: $31.71

Total saved after sales and coupons: $18.45

Savings: 37%

Target:
Febreze plug in: $4.99 - $2 coupon = $2.99 (Supposed to be 2/$5, make sure you pay attention at check out!)
Febreze oil: $2.50 - $1 coupon = $1.50
Glade spray: $1.27 (clearance) - $.55 coupon = $.72
Cover Girl foundation: $4.94 x 2 = $9.88 - $8 coupon = $1.88
Old Spice deodorant 3 pack: $2.80 - $1 coupon = $1.80
Children's book: $5.35
Children's book: $7.99
Swedish fish: $1.69
Swedish fish: $2.49
Pear Italian soda: $2.89
Wrapping paper: $2.99

Total spent: $35.55*

Total savings from sales and coupons: $13.34

Savings: 27%

*$23.40 was spent on supplies from an upcoming party, when removed my savings percentage is 52%!

Minneapolis Restaurant Week

This week is Minneapolis Restaurant Week, which is great for anyone, but especially for anyone wanting to try a new fancy restaurant without spending tons of money. Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine organizes the event to promote restaurants in the area, and the restaurants offer a special price on some of their best dishes.

I'll be making a trip to Fogo de Chao on Thursday with some (20?) friends for the meat festival of a lifetime. Their MRW special is $30 for dinner and dessert, when dinner is normally $46.50 + dessert. What a steal!

Real Saving 10/19/11

Last night I made my weekly trip to Rainbow Foods. Armed with my coupons I planned to do two transactions that would save me over 50%. Here is what I got:

Transaction #1:
4 cans Progresso tomato soup: $4 - $1 coupon (doubled) = $2
DiGiorno supreme pizza: $5.98 (w/store coupon) - $1 coupon (doubled) = $3.98
3 bags halloween candy: $6/3 - $1.50 coupon = $4.50
Ground beef: $7.77
Generic shampoo for Andy: $.88 (w/store coupon)
5 lbs potatos: $1.88 (w/store coupon)
Frigo 12 pack string cheese: $3.99 - $.55 coupon (doubled) = $2.89

Total spent: $19.24
Total saved after sales and coupons: $28.06

Savings: 59%

Transaction #2:
2 boxes Cheerios: $3.96 - $1 coupon (doubled) = $1.96
2 DiGiorno personal pizzas: $5 - (2) $2 coupons = $1
7 Healthy Choice frozen meals: $11.62 - (2) $1 coupons (doubled) = $7.62
Chicken breasts: $5.76
Aquafresh: $1.50 - $.75 coupon (doubled) = FREE
Tampons: $2.98 (w/store coupon) - $1 coupon (Do not double) = $1.98
Halls cough drops: $.88 (w/ store coupon)
Bananas: $2.46
Butternut Squash: $2.38
Broccoli: Just now realized that I wasn't charged - FREE
4 Roundy's yogurts: $2.20

Total spent: $26.96

Total saved after sales and coupons: $36.80

Savings: 58%

How Do I Know What's a Good Deal?

Over time, I've developed a sense of what I will pay for an item, for example:

Chicken breasts: $2/lb (I might also buy 10 lbs at a time if I can)
Cheese: $4/lb
Salad dressing: free
Toothpaste: $.25 MAX, but preferably free
Pasta: free
Cereal: No more than $1/box, usually between $.60-.80/box

I also use another website to help me find coupon/sale match ups so that I know what to look for. My favorite is Pocket Your Dollars, which provides lists for all stores in the Minneapolis metro: Rainbow, Cub, Walgreens, Target, CVS, Wal Mart, and others. This website cuts literally HOURS from my couponing time. I can just check her site, print the list of deals that I'm interested in, and pull my coupons.

Getting Started

When I was starting to learn about couponing, I came across this site that has tons of great instructions and tips for beginners, from couponing strategy to organization, it was really helpful. Here is the link to 10 Days to Become a Krazy Coupon Lady.

She also has Binder Dividers that I use to organize my coupons. I found a cute smallish (9"x7") binder and some business card organizers that go with it from Target's office supply section. This binder fits into my purse, which I like because 1. I can have all of my coupons with me while shopping and 2. I don' t have to look that crazy! If I want to pull out my binder at the store I can usually find an empty aisle and make quick work of it without being seen.

Here's my binder:

Myths of Couponing

7 Myths of Couponing
1. Generic is Cheaper
2. Coupons are for low quality, highly processed foods
3. I don't use anything that coupons are for
4. I don't have any stores that double so it isn't worth it.
5. I don't have space to store things.
6. Couponing means I have to shop at a ton of stores and waste gas.

1. Generic is Cheaper

Couponing is like playing a card game. You don't throw everything out at once or show your hand early. You hold back and wait for that perfect moment to play those cards. The trick with couponing is to hold those coupons until that perfect sale price comes along.

An example:
Activia Yogurt 4 pack: $3.59
Rainbow generic yogurt: $.40 each, $1.20 total
I can use my  $1 Activia coupon and get the 4 pack for $2.59, and still pay $1.39 over generic.
OR I can wait until it goes on sale for $2 and use my coupon on double days and get it FREE!
This is NOT a made up analogy by the way. Real scenario that I have used.

2. Coupons are for low quality, highly processed foods

Lets say for a moment that there really are NO coupons out there for any food you would possibly eat. You still brush your teeth, wash your hair, shave, take medications, and wipe your butt don't you? By saving on necessities like toiletries (which are easy to get free with coupon) you are able to then roll that extra money into your food budget.

Now - there are plenty of good coupons out there for good healthy foods. A sample of healthy foods I've gotten with coupons:

Whole Grain Pasta
Tomato Sauce
Frozen Veggies
Yogurt
Tuna
Canned Tomatoes
Oatmeal
Cereal (Healthy varieties!)
Fresh meats

Another important point here is that some stores allow coupon overages. So if they have "highly processed item" on sale for $1 and you have a doubled $1 coupon, you get a $1 overage towards your total order, allowing more room in your total for fresh veggies and fruit! Rainbow no longer allows overages, but when they did I would take the item for the additional discount and throw or donate it!

3. I don't use anything that coupons are for.

This is true - IF you are brand loyal. You can't be successful in couponing if you are brand loyal. It's okay to be loyal to a few things. However, most of the time any brand will do. I prefer Aquafresh toothpaste but if I can get Crest for free - why not use that instead? Reevaluate what is worth it to you.

4. I don't have any stores that double so it isn't worth it.

Reference my Activia example back in #1. Even if that coupon wasn't doubled you would have come out ahead of the generic by $.20.

5. I don't have space to store things.

Be creative. I have heard of people that put stuff under beds, put it in boxes and cover it with fabric to make an end table, etc. Also, you don't have to be a super-hoarder to reap the benefits of couponing. I limit the number of items that I'll take into my stockpile, especially if they have an expiration date or if they're large. For example, I don't want too many boxes of cereal, but I'll take just about as much free toothpaste as I can get.

6. Couponing means I have to shop at a ton of stores and waste gas.

This can be true if you aren't careful. Try planning out your trips all in one day. In the Minneapolis metro, it is easy for me to hit Rainbow, Cub, Walgreens, and Target without too much driving. I've found that the best couponing is happening at Rainbow, so usually I only go there anyway!