My First Venture Into the World of Couponing

Our first venture was to CVS - if you haven't shopped there, you're missing out.  LOL I think they are determined to out-do Walgreens because there's always at least one sale that's JUST a bit better.
The Loot:
Teddy Grahams: $1.00
Vanilla Wafers: $1.00
Mini Oreo Snack Cup: $1.00
Mini Chips Ahoy Snack Cup: $1.00
Ritz Bitz Snack Cup: $1.00
Teddy Graham Snack Cup: $1.00
2 Packages of Pull Ups: Regularly 12.99 each purchased for $18.00 and with a 4 dollar credit on CVS extra bucks - so REALLY like getting them for $14.00!
Palmolive Dish Soap: Regularly $1.99, purchased for $.88
2 Bottles of Wisk Laundry Detergent:  - Regularly 8.39 - $2.00 coupon - 8.39(BOGO), Purchased 2 for $6.39
4 Packages of Combos (BOGO) purchased for $4.74
Total before coupons, sales or discounts: $62.31
Total after coupons, sales or discounts: 38.10
Percentage saved: 39%

Next up was my first BIG purchase ever at Albertsons.  I've gone in for a thing here or there, but never to actually get groceries.  Unfortunately, our store no longer accepts the preferred customer card, but it is due to the fact that they give SUCH amazing deals on what is regularly in store.  Let me tell you I. AM. SOLD.
The Loot: 
Lysol Toilet Cleaners: 2/$4 (less a $1.00 coupon)
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes 2/$4 (less a $1.00 coupon)
Lysol Bathroom/Kitchen Cleaner 2/$4 (less a 1.00 coupon)
2 Cans of Pringles 2/$3.00
4.5lbs of apples $.99/lb
Eckrich Smoked Sausage $2.79 (less a $.55 coupon)
String Cheese $3.99
Sliced Cheese 2/$5.00 (16 ct.)
White Grapes $.99/lb
Johnsonville Brats 2/$5.99 (BOGO)
2 packages pepperoni 2/$5
3 pckgs petite sirloin (Buy 1 Get 2 Free) $11.09
3 pckgs chicken breast (Buy 1 Get 2 Free) $12.23
Total Before Discounts or coupons: $129.03
Total After Discounts and Coupons: $80.61
That's just under $75 dollars in savings at that one store!  
Percentage Saved:  38%
(In case you have an Albertsons and aren't familiar, let me give you a break down.  At the bottom of your receipt, they give a total breakdown of your savings.  One section is "Great Deal Savings".  This is what you would normally have gotten with the Preferred Customer Card.  They still give the savings, they just don't need the card now.  The next section is Manufacturer Coupons or what you get from your local paper, online, etc.  The third is for in store coupons (ie the amounts taken off for my 5 free meat products).  It's pretty nice to be able to see the total break down and exactly where you saved.





Next up, United. 
The Loot:
Orange Creme Ice Cream Bars: $2.50
English Toffee Ice Cream Bars: $2.50
5 Tony's Pizzas 5/$10
Golden Book for Kamden $3.99
3 packages of mini pound cakes $.99/each
3 packages Bar S Turkey Franks $.79/each
5 lbs red potatoes $5.99
12 ears of corn at 4/$1.00
Mini Bananas $1.99
Total: $32.64
No coupons here, but I hit tons of sales.

Next we have Dollar General.  Again, no discounts, but necessary items.
Neutra-Air refills 2/$5
Butter $2.35
Eckrich Smoked Sausage 2/$5 (unfortunately they wouldn't do my coupons off of a sale item)
24 double rolls of toilet paper $7.00

Total: 20.34





And finally we have Walgreens.  Yet another of my loves.  They will let you stack store coupons/deals with manufacturers coupons and it can lead to amazing deals or even free stuff!

The Loot:
Gallon of Milk: $2.99
Gatorade 32 oz 5/$5
4/2 Liters of Pepsi $.88 each
5 cans Bumble Bee White Albacore Tuna $.45/ea
4 Off Clip On Fans 8.99 each less $2.00 coupon for each
Off Refills 5.99 each less $1.00 coupon for each
Power strip $2.99
Speed Wheels Truck (Kamden) $.79
Total before coupons, in store sales or Walgreens Coupons: 103.11
Total after: 70.43
Percentage Saved: 32%
Walgreens is also great about giving you an exact break down of Walgreen's Coupon Savings, Walgreen's Advertised Savings, and Manufacturers Coupon Savings so you know exactly where and how much you saved.


So the grand total spent before savings was $347.43
After savings, our total was 242.12
Total Savings:105.31
Total Percentage Saved: 30%

I definitely hoped to do better, but we did have to purchase some things this time that aren't the norm so next trip will be an even better savings - I just know it!

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