Back to couponing 101

Saved about $135 shopping yesterday between Giant Eagle and Walgereen’s. I was stopped 3 times in the Giant Eagle with questions about coupons and couponing. That TV show is really making people take notice of how to save when shopping. A couple of things to remember when starting out – those people on the TV are “EXTREME” just like the show’s name says. Also, more often than not they live in areas or will go out of their way for stores that really maximize discounts.

There are stores that will triple coupons like on the show, but I don’t know of any of those in Ohio. There are stores that will double coupons over the value of them item (i.e. the “cash back” couponing) but not in Ohio. There are stores that will double coupons over $1.00 but the only time I’ve seen that around here is when it is a special event and advertised as such (K-Mart has this event about 2 times a year and even then will only honor 5 coupons per shopping trip – so you could be going through the check outs a couple of times to get all of your deal). So be sure to know your stores coupon rules before you head out expecting to achieve the results on TV.

Remembering to stack coupons when possible is key at the drug stores and department stores like Target and K-Mart. Remember, if they have a store coupon in the paper (these will usually state "store name" Coupon) and a manufacture coupon for the same item you can likely use 2 coupons on one item. Charmin on sale with the Walgreen’s coupon & coupon from the Sunday paper means more savings!

New Giant Eagle Receipts

All the better to track your savings with...

Stopped at Giant Eagle on the way home today and noticed a new feature on the receipt. They are now tracking, and breaking down, your shopping savings. They've been listing the fuel perks savings for some time now but now they are really itemizing how your savings break down.

Now I've only been doing the "couponing thing" for about 6-1/2 months to date. Before that I "looked for sales" and did a bit of coupon shopping but really my majority of targeted coupon/sale shopping has only been in calendar year 2010.

Today my Giant Eagle receipt informed me that in the past 12 months my savings in their stores and at their gas stations has totaled $1,124.71 - not too shabby!

Here is the breakdown:

Fuelperks savings: $121.50
Weekly Specials: $632.45
Coupons: $370.76

again - not too shabby!

I can't wait to see what the total will be in January 2011 when I've been doing this style of shopping for a full year.

And remember - that is only at one store. I've also been saving BIG at Walgreen's, CVS, and a few others.

Now tell me again - is this a waste of time?