Crazy for Coupons

What does one do with two weeks off of work once the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday is over? Glad you asked, and I’m sure this is not the answer you expected – COUPON. It’s amazing what you can do with a bit of free time. The prelude to my couponing actually starts with a lazy day on the couching watching TLC marathons. After one episode of ‘Extreme Couponing’ I was hooked. A couple hours of internet research later, I stumbled upon this amazing site Krazy Coupon Lady. These ladies do all the work for you – from searching the ads for the best deals to providing you links to coupons and more. Their beginner guide for couponers was a fantastic read Beginner Guide.

Now just to calm all of you who might think I have lost my mind… am I intending to become a self-proclaimed penny pincher? NO. Will I still pay full retail price for nearly everything in my closet? YES. I’m just looking to save a few $$$ here and there on stuff I would buy anyway. (It’s also scarily addicting, a tad exhilarating and even a bit FUN). I’ve included my first attempt at couponing below and a few ‘highlights’ that I’m proud of.

Two trips to Walmart and one trip to Food Lion later, here is the fruit of my shopping… 

Walmart

Retail price $94.44

Coupons $33.50

Paid $60.94

Highlights

Maybelline New York Great Lash BIG Mascara

Retail $4.44

Coupon $2.00 coupon link (coupons.com)

Paid $2.44

Ajax Laundry Detergent (39 loads)

Retail $2.50

Coupon $1.00 coupon link (smartsource.com)

Paid $1.50

*We got two of these which means we can wash 60+ loads of laundry for $3.00!!! 

Dial for Men Body Wash 

Retail $3.97

Coupon $2.00 coupon link (coupons.com)

Paid $1.97

Yes To Facial Towelettes  (face wash / make up remover wipes)

Retail $5.97

Coupon $3.00 coupon link (yestocarrots.com)

Paid $2.97 

Food Lion

Pompeian Olive Oil (16oz)

Retail price $12.98

BOGO + Coupons $7.49 coupon link (pompeian.com)

Paid $5.48 

And finally... a couple things I learned

• Don’t buy things you don’t use – there is also a show on TLC for hoarders
• The best deal is to use a coupon for something already on sale – I recommend scouring local grocery store ads for good deals or items you need and then searching the web for coupons you can use (olive oil example)
• Sign up at coupons.com
• Many coupons only let you use one per transaction (hence me enlisting the help of my boyfriend and multiple trips to Walmart)
• Walmart is one of the stores that apply additional savings to your entire transaction or allow you to receive cash back for coupons (ie. $3.00 product, $3.25 coupon, either .25 off your transaction or cash back) – I haven’t found a “moneymaker” yet but I am on the hunt!

Give credit where credit is due:

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

http://www.coupons.com/

Sincerely,

Chardonnay

P.S. What's in my glass...

I usually don’t care for Chardonnay with a screw off top– personal preference but I love to hear the “pop” when you open a nice corked bottle. However, this particular bottle happened to have a pair of flip flops printed on its screw off top and with a sale price tag of $5.00, I couldn’t resist. This flipflop California Chardonnay was yummy, I love $5.00 finds. Pretty dry, not too fruity – was delicious with sharp cheddar and crackers!