Couponing!

The other night TLC had a marathon on of the TV show "Extreme Couponing". The show itself actually made me really, really mad. These people had huge stockpiles of food and other products that they had gotten really cheap. The part that made me mad was that it was stuff that they would NEVER use! For example, one family had over 1000 bottles of toothpaste, another had 100+ bottles of mustard and nobody in there family likes mustard. I really wish that they would donate the things to homeless shelters or something.

Even though the people annoyed me, the concept was great! By combining manufacturers coupons with store coupons and discounts you can get some really good deals! So, I decided that I would give it a try.

Our apartment building has a recycling bin in the mail room where everybody throws their newspapers and fliers. So, I was very easily and cheaply able to get a whole lot of coupons. I was able to look on blogs to find what coupons to use at what stores...so I didn't even have to do very much work at all.

Here is what I ended up with:

All of this would normally have cost me: $68.10

I paid only: $15.98

That is a savings of over 77%

Here is the breakdown:

• Heinz Ketchup (36 oz)=$1.00
• Originally 2.99
• On sale for 1.99 with store savings card
• I had a $.50 coupon which my store doubled 
• I bought 1 for a total of $1.00
• Playtex Tampons (18 count)=$2.00 each
• Originally $5.97 each
• On sale for $3.49 with store savings card
• I had 4-$1.50 coupons
• I bought 4 boxes at $2.00 each for a total or $8.00
• Luna Bars = $.15 each
• Originally $1.15 each
• I had a $.50 cent off coupon which the store doubled
• I bought three at $.15 for a total of $.45
• Rimmel Nail Polish=FREE
• Originally $3.99 each
• On sale at Walgreens for $2.00
• I liked them on facebook to get 2 $2.00 off coupons
• I got 2 things of nailpolish absolutely FREE!
• Pistachios (7oz bags)=$2.00 each
• Originally $4.99 each
• On sale for Buy 1 get 1 Free
• I had a $1.00 off coupon
• This made both bags $4.00 total or $2.00 each
• Wish Bone Salad Dressing (16oz)= $.19 each
• Originally $3.29 each
• On sale at the local Safeway for $2.19 each
• I had an in-store coupon to get 3 bottles for $1.19 each
• I used 3- $.50 off coupons that the store doubled
• This made all 3 salad dressings $.57 or $.19 each!
• Icy Hot Naturals=FREE
• Originally $1.99
• On sale at Walgreens for $.99
• Recieved $.99 Register Reward making it FREE!
• Ragu Spaghetti Sauce (22 oz)=$.49 each
• Originally $1.99 each
• On sale for $1.49
• I used 4- $.50 off coupons that the store doubled
• This made them $1.96 total or $.49 each!

I also have several coupons that I was not able to use today, but will use in the near future:

• Somebody had already been through the local Walgreens with their coupons, so they were out of a lot of the items that I wanted. I have combinations of coupons to MAKE $.75 on each box of Ritz Crackerfuls that I buy from Walgreens and I can buy 5 boxes. I can use the coupons through the end of the week so I will definitely be going back there. Because Walgreens will not give to cash back I was going to buy a new 2GB memory card that is on sale right now for $5.99 with the overage from the coupons. I would end up with 5 boxes of Ritz Crackerfuls and a 2GB memory card for $2.24. I am really excited about this deal and hope that they stock up soon!
• I also HATE going to Walmart on busy shopping days, so I did not go today. However, when I do I have coupons that should get me some FREE toothpaste (possibly depending on the sizes that the local Walmart carries) and also Rozoni Pasta for only $.08 per box (and I have 8 coupons). I know that I should suck it up and go...but even the savings isn't worth it. I will stop in tomorrow morning after work when all of the other night shift nurses are shopping (it's my favorite time)!

Overall, it was a good experience! It was very easy and actually kind of fun! I am looking forward to getting some good deals in the future! However, I PLEDGE NEVER TO STOCKPILE STUFF THAT MY FAMILY REALISTICALLY CANNOT USE IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME!

Meet My Family

I think that proper introductions are in order:

Scott: 

Scott is my best friend and husband. He is an amazing man who I cannot wait to grow old with (we are both more than ready to enjoy retirement, haha). He works as an electrical testing technician with Precision Testing Group. He travels quite a bit with his job, which can be difficult for both of us (although I can't argue that it has made our relationship stronger). He is caring, hardworking, fun, adventurous, loving, selfless, and most importantly MY SOULMATE!

Gunnison

Gunnison is our "four-legged kid". We adopted him back in January. Although he came with some quirks (which I am sure I will discuss in later posts), he is a spunky and cute addition to our family. We could not possibly love this doggy more than we do (and he knows that and uses it to his advantage)!

Just The 3 Of Us

Last June we moved from the beautiful UP on the shores of Lake Superior to the base of Pikes Peak in Colorado. Although we love the mountains, we both miss the waters of the good 'ol Gitchee Gummee and mighty Mississippi (not to mention our family and friends). It has certainly been an adventure...and a great way to start our lives as "The McLains". We have had to grow more independent, make our own decisions, deal with grown up issues like insurance and retirement plans, and rely on each other for support. The three of us are a happy little family just trying to make it in the world....and have fun along the way!

New Blog!

So, these night shifts really screw up my schedule. Even when I am not working I am up until 5-6am almost everyday. There is not very much to do during these hours...can't walk the dog without risking kidnapping or mountain lion attack, can't go to stores with getting arrested for breaking and entering (unless I want to risk the homeless population that live in the Walmart parking lot), can't talk to friends or family without waking them up, can't do anything on our apartments "quiet hours restriction list" (laundry, vacuum, dishwasher, garbage disposal, Just Dance)...as you can imagine I get quite bored. MORAL OF THE STORY: In order to do something productive (at least more productive than most of my other options) I am starting this blog (and clipping coupons....but I will blog more about that later)!