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Monday, November 2, 2009

Trying To Figure Out Couponing

Well, after being curious once again about couponing and how some ladies get lots of items for pennies I decided to give it one last try. I have tried a couple of times before and became frustrated. I have run across some blogs over the weekend that I have read on how they do this.

I decided to start simple and try to master CVS and their system and coupons at that one store. I bought my paper yesterday and actually got 2 for the price of 1. So Nikki got her coupons too. So I had my coupons, and had gone over the CVS sales paper and decided I was on my way. My first trip to the store I was not too pleased, I had asked for their in store $4 ECB credit that was in the Holiday Catalog. Well I did not know I had to ask for it by name, and they had no idea what I was talking about. I bought my purchases, used my coupons, got $3 ECB to spend again at another time at CVS. Well I was not satisfied and came home and went to the handy internet and found the catalog I was looking for and the proceeded to call CVS store and asked them if there was any way they could give me the credit since I had spent the $20 that I needed to, to get my $4. They informed me that there was not and the cashier and I decided the best thing I could to was come back for a refund and repurchase the items. And that is exactly what I did. I got my coupons back and everything.(Wow, pretty amazing) She also gave me an extra $4.50 credit. The cashier was so very nice and did not seem to mind me learning to coupon on her.



My total purchase for the above items were 33.30. I had $4 in store ECB to spend for the future, and I had used 3.50 in coupons and all my items were on sale.



My total purchase for the above purchased items were $4.63. That is correct $4.63. I got 3 jars of spaghetti sauce, 1 tube of toothpaste, dish washing detergent, and dishwasher detergent. How did I do this, I used my $7 in store ECBs(money that is on your cash register receipt that you can spend later for other items, and I had coupons, and all my items were on sale) So really my spaghetti sauce was all free, my dish washing detergent was free and I paid only .81 for my toothpaste and $2.99 for the Cascade. Also, remember the $4.50 extra credit that the cashier gave me. So really my total out of pocket was .13 for the above listed items $33.30 and .13 out of pocket for all the items in picture 1 and 2 I did not think was to bad. 14 Items. So this is a start on couponing. Not to bad for a beginner. I left the store the second time more pleased than the first.



Clayton's Christmas(since he is only 20 months old I can post it). Toys R Us, had the Leap Frog Junior Tag Book reader on sale for $29 and I had a coupon for $5 more off. The books for the reader were also on sale for $8 and I had a coupons for each one with $3 off. Clayton's Christmas at Wal-Mart would have been $66 plus tax. I had $38 with the sale price and my coupons. I had already decided that this was going to be his Christmas and I had just not purchased it yet. I got it on sale and found coupons for it too. He will probably get a couple of more books by Christmas time to go with his book reader. I still have some time.

All in all not a bad day of couponing. I have decided that if other ladies can do this so can I Lord willing. But I am just trying to figure out CVS and couponing so it does not overwhelm me, I have a lot to learn still. I just want to be a good steward or our money in these economic times that we live in.

In, With, Through Christ
Joan

3 comments:

Amber McCarthy said...

Yay for coupons! When I worked for CVS we had lots of pro coupon ladies and it was just amazing to see what they would get for almost nothing Im talking carts full of stuff!

Ive started coupon-ing too fun isnt it?!

=)

chadandnikki said...

You did it!! And you even posted pictures. Way to go!!!!!!!!!

Jamie Lynn said...

I'm proud of you Joan!
Mom wants to start couponing...
I would to if I had the necessity.