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