Yep, I've started a new blog! Don't worry, the GroomerBlog isn't going anywhere :) I just wanted to share another one of my hobbies with everyone. I think we can all benefit from learning how to save money on the things we buy and use every day: Groceries in particular! I'm also going to cover lots of other deals around the Southeastern Illinois area including fun, affordable things to do with the family, local coupons, free samples, etc. Read my first post (about a day of shopping for this couponer) by clicking on the link below...
Post Titled: "They Call Me 'The Crazy Coupon Lady'"
Yep, that's me! I've been annoying standers-in-line for a few months, now :) Just be patient, people, and watch my total go down, down, down. I used to hate shopping, but now that I've learned to be a deal shopper I absolutely LOVE shopping - especially grocery shopping! Sometimes I call it "stealing" because that's what it feels like, but without the guilt or illegality ;)
Are you wondering about the picture? It's a brag picture of the goodies I got on my first posted deal-shopping trip made at Walgreens, CVS, and Kroger on Saturday, September 20:
Walgreens:
2 Glade Oil Refills (each with free warmer) - $4.79 each, cost me $1.40 each
BOGO Q from 8/24 SmartSource Insert + $1 Easy Saver Rebate Each
2 Glade Gel Warmers (for work) - $1.99 each, cost me $0 each
BOGO Q from 8/24 SmartSource Insert + 1 Easy Saver Rebate Each
Revlon Nail Polish - $4.29, I made $1
$2 Revlon Product Q from last SmartSource Insert + $4.29 Easy Saver Rebate
Crest Pro-Health Toothpaste 4.2oz. - $3.29, I made $.75
$.75 Q from 8/31 Proctor & Gamble Insert + $3.29 Easy Saver Rebate
Colgate Max Toothpaste 6oz. - $2.99, cost me $0
One Q from Easy Saver Booklet, and I forgot where the other one came from.
Nivea for Men Body Wash - $4.99, I made $1
$1 Q from SmartSource Insert + $4.99 Easy Saver Rebate
Chemistry Root Lifter Spray - $7.99, cost me $0
$7.99 Easy Saver Rebate
4 Power Ade 32oz. - $1.19 each, cost me $0 each
In-Flier Q brings cost to $.79 each, + 2 $1 Qs and 2 $.75 Qs from 7/13 and 6/08 SmartSource Inserts
Total Out of Pocket Expense: $23.59
Total Amount of Rebates: $24.56
Total Cost for Today's Trip: $ .97 cents profit!
CVS:
4 Purex ("20% More" bonus bottles!) - $5.99 each, cost me $1.55 each
Sale $2.99 each, $1 Extra Buck each, and $1.75/3 Q from ALL YOU magazine (I think)
3 Glade Spray Air Fresheners - $1.89 each, I made a penny on each!
Sale $.99 each, 3 $1.00 Qs from a Sunday Insert
Total Out of Pocket Expense: $10.18
Used $10.18 EBs, Actual OOP: $0
Extra Bucks Earned: $4.00
Total Cost for Today's Trip: $4.00 Profit!
Kroger:
Yoplait Kids - $2.60, cost me $1.40
Kroger Plus Sale at $2.50 + $.50 Q doubled to $1.00
Nesquick Syrup - Cost me $1.59
No sale
Cottonelle Toilet Paper Regular 4pk - $.99, cost me $0
This is a frequent deal! It's $.99 at regular price, with a $.50 Q doubled to $1.00!
3 Birds Eye Steam Fresh Frozen Veggie Packs - $2.49 each, cost me $1.37!
Kroger Plus Sale + Q
Kroger Brand Cream of Celery Soup - $.69, cost me $.67
Kroger Plus Sale
Kroger Brand Cream of Chicken Soup - $.72, cost me $.67
Kroger Plus Sale
2 V8 Splash Diet Juice - $2.99 each, cost me $2.49 each
$1.00/2 Q
2 Boxes Kroger Sandwich Bags (120 ct.) - $2.75 each, cost me $2.00 each
Kroger Plus Sale
3 cans Kroger Brand Broth - $.59 each
No sale.
Campbells V8 Soup - $2.99, cost me $1.50
Kroger Plus Sale at $2.50 + $1.00 Q
And a few fruits and veggies.
Total Savings at Kroger: $10.51
Total Spent Out of Pocket: $23.87
Percentage Saved: 30%! I made my personal "Kroger Goal" of 30% saved :)
So basically, all of that stuff you see in the picture, alllllll of that stuff you see listed, cost me a net total of $18.90. Not too bad, eh? :)
What do you think? Doesn't this sound like fun? Doesn't this sound like something you'd like to learn how to do to save money for your family? Doesn't this sound like a lot of work?!?! It was for me at first. Now it doesn't take long at all. I'd say the thing took about 3 hours between clipping, sorting, analyzing coupons, making my list, and actually shopping and putting up the goods. That's really no longer than it took before I was a Crazy Coupon Lady. I'd just go without a list, spend forever trying to figure out what I wanted to get, what meals to make and what ingredients I'd need, what I was missing at home, squinting at the shelves to see which brand is on sale, etc. It's so worth the time spent deal-searching to save so much on the things that we buy and use every single day!
My goal here is to help you and teach you how to do this as well. I'll post my own examples and extra deals that might apply to other families, along with a few extra goodies here and there including free samples, cheap or free fun family events in our Southeastern Illinois area, and who knows what else! It's all about living the fun and frugal life with our families :)
If you find a great deal around town or on the web, or have any information about an upcoming fun family event, please leave a comment or email me at kendrah_11 at yahoo dot com.
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