I have researched blogs, couponing sites, clipped, printed, scoured ads and become a intermediate couponer in a matter of a week. I finally had a chance to put my research to work this afternoon. With Jason home with the babies, I grabbed my briefcase (read: envelopes marked Rite Aid and Giant Eagle) and set off to work. I even wore my old AMT logo shirt...looking all professional.
I was like a fish out of water shopping a brand new place. It took over an hour to figure out where everything was and what I was getting. I only bought stuff that I a) had a coupon for and b) was on sale. I brought my spoils up to the register and asked her to split the order because I had 2 coupons that were $5.00 off a $20 purchase. I cannot put into words the look of disdain this cashier gave me. It was like I had asked her to simultaneously do jumping jacks while rubbing her belly and patting her head AND cashing me out. After a few short minutes, she handed me the longest receipts I have ever seen for just a few items and I practically ran out to my car fully expecting the manager to chase me down and tell me to pay for the rest of my stuff!!! I had just paid 1/2 price for everything!!
In the car, I excitedly examined the receipts to relish the moment of success. Then, at the bottom of the receipt, I saw them. 2 more coupons!! I quickly ripped them off, searched through my briefcase for matching coupons and ran in the store like a heroin addict who found a five-dollar bill on the sidewalk. I picked up 2 more boxes of cereal and 2 Old Spice body washes and only paid for one each. LOVE IT!!
(Some of what I picked up)
In sum I spent $55.44
I saved $43.58 total
($25.79 in coupons and $10.00 in Rite Aid free money and $7.79 in sales)
I also had 3 rebates totaling $5.00 so I spent $50.00 when those come back in.
I then trecked across the street to the Giant Eagle. I excitedly shopped the store pulling and filing each coupon I used. I did the best I could to only buy things that I had a coupon for.
Then, I approached the cereal aisle. I had lots of coupons for this aisle and had been looking forward to it the most. It was the dessert portion of the meal. I had 2 coupons for each box of cereal and I was sooo excited to use them. I put the boxes in my cart and then I saw it: a little blue box. I pulled a coupon out for .75 cents off a box of cereal. I couldn't believe it! I greedily put it in my briefcase and I heard a whirring sound. I turned around and another little coupon appeared. YES!! I glanced over my shoulder and pulled it. Then another and another. I pulled six of those suckers and ran out of the aisle laughing like a crazy woman.
I approached the register fulling expecting the cashier to sound the alarm that someone was robbing the store. I watched as she ran all of my coupons 1 by 1. It was like watching a slot machine spit out quarters at you when you cash out. Then she got to the cereal coupons and ran the 1st one. Time stopped. My heard started beating faster waiting for her to yell into the loudspeaker, "This customer is a greedy fool" She didn't even slow down. She ran the next 14 and my eyes bugged out of my head and I nearly passed out. My hands were shaking as I signed the credit card receipt and got outta dodge.
All in all, I did well for myself at Giant Eagle. I spent a total of $100.21 ($14 of that was toward vitamins for Leo that were doctor-ordered). I saved $36.74.
That, my friends, was AWESOME!! I will now spend the rest of my life chasing the coupon high.
Now, I am going to go spend $50 on a haircut.
That's some cheap heroin....
ReplyDeleteNo, in all seriousness, you should get together with Julie and swap ideas/strategies.