I decided to try to go small after my first experimental couponing trip to Harris Teeter (where I got $50 worth of groceries for $20). So I made a list of just a few things I wanted to go at each store, organized my coupons into envelopes (stacking manufacturer and store, where I had both), made a shopping list, grabbed some circulars, and hit the road.
For a beginner couponer, I am very pleased with the results. See for yourself.
First Stop: Food Lion
The first thing I realized when I hit Food Lion is how badly I need one of those organizer binders for my coupons. I know I could probably save a lot of time flipping through my envelopes if I had one of those. (I also have a birthday coming up in a couple of weeks, hint, hint.)
Overall, I was very pleasantly surprised by the MVP deals and coupons I got from Food Lion. I didn't use all of my store coupons (mainly because Huggies diapers suck and, though I have no idea what a "feminine sanitary cup" is, it sounds disgusting).
But I did find some very good deals when I stacked manufacturer and store coupons, or just great MVP (Food Lion's loyalty card) prices. Here's how the best deals broke down:
Ronzoni Pasta Side: Reg. $1.89. MVP sale price $1.00. Manf. coupon $.50 off. I paid $.50.
Ritz Crackers (2): Reg. $3.99 each. MVP sale BOGO. Manf. coupon for $1 off each. I paid $2.00 for two boxes.
Country Crock Spread (2): Reg $2.99 each. MVP sale BOGO. Manf. coupon $.50 off each. I paid $2.00 total for both.
I also got some good savings on diapers, wipes, and other necessities, adding up to 9 items total. Final bill before discounts applied: $43.66. Subtract $8.39 for my loyalty card and $17.39 from coupons, and I paid $17.88. Savings: $25.78 or 59%.
Second Stop: Rite Aid
Super-friendly employees and clean, well-organized store. Love it. Also, the Rite Aid loyalty card (Wellness Card) works like a rewards card, in addition to getting you sale prices. So you can apply additional savings to future purchases.
Here are some of the best deals I got:
Suave Body Wash (2): Reg. $2.79 each for 12 oz. Had 50% bonus packages with 18 oz. Wellness sale price $2.50. Manf. coupon for BOGO. I paid $2.50 for two.
L'Oreal Feria Hair Color (my favorite brand): $9.99 each. Wellness sale price $7.99. Manf. coupon for $3.00 off. I paid $4.99.
Deodorant and other essentials were on the list, for 10 items total. Final bill before discounts applied: $24.12. Subtract $2.58 for loyalty card and $10.25 for coupons, and I paid $11.29. Savings: $12.83 or 53%. (AND I got a coupon for $3 off my next purchase!)
Third Stop: Family Dollar
Well, two out of three ain't bad. At first I was really excited about my trip to Family Dollar because they provide a TON of store coupons, so I had lots of things to match and stack savings on.
When I went inside, I found out why...The prices were ridiculous! Even stacked with the store coupons, I realized I'd get better prices saving my manufacturer coupons for a cheaper store. Also, the place was a mess. It was cluttered and incredibly disorganized. Not that the items weren't all perfectly faced and fronted, it was that the store layout was that terrible. I couldn't even find the storebrand items that were featured in the circular. Who doesn't have their circular items front and center? Maybe I'm just a little pickier than most because I used to manage a retail store, but they definitely were NOT maximizing their sales and profit.
I ended up getting only one item, and it was easily my worst trip.
9Lives Cat Food: Reg. price $4.99. On sale for $3.99. Manf. coupon for $1 off. I paid $2.99.
Final bill before discounts applied: $5.04. Factor in sale price and subtract $1.00 for coupon, and I paid $3.04. Savings: $2.00 or 40%.
So, for my grand morning of shopping, all told I purchased $72.82 worth of groceries for $32.21, for a savings of $40.61, or 56%.
Oh yeah...this couponing thing is definitely addictive.
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