The $20 Challenge

My dear husband doesn't understand the joy of couponing. His argument is that couponing just makes people buy things that they don't need, or won't use, just to get a deal. Which I guess could be true, although I know many people that get free items via couponing and then donate them to animal shelters, hospitals, or send them to Iraq. So I don't know. He decided to give me $20 to see what I could do, saying that everything I bought had to be something that we need or would use. I chose Target and Meijer as my stores of choice for this challenge, and off I went.

Meijer

The Goodies:

2 Betty Crocker Warm Delights : on sale for 99¢ each

Used 2 75¢ / 1 coupons (SS 3/28/10)

Cost: 24¢ each

2 Snuggle Exhilarations Sweet Blossom and Pomegranate fabric softener sheets (70 count)

Priced at $3.48 each

Used 2 $3/1 coupons (SS 3/28/10)

Total cost: 48¢ each

3 Boxes Of Barilla Pasta

On sale for 89¢ each

Used Meijer Mealbox coupon for $1 off 3

Cost $1.67

2 V-8 VFusion Juices

On sale 2 for $5

Used 2 $1/1 printable coupons- Found Here

Used Meijer Mealbox $1/2 coupon

Cost: $2.00

Always Pads

On sale for $4.95

Used BO GO (12-22 count) free coupon from 4/4 PG

Register decided to take off the $4.95 for the larger package, rather than the $2.99 for the smaller package

Cost : $2.99 for both packages combined.

Cost Wrap Up!

Meijer Promotions Savings : $2.02

Meijer Ad Savings : $6.20

Coupon Savings: $14.45

Total Savings: $22.67

Final Price: $9.36

Amount remaining from $20 challenge - $10.64

Annnnd onto Target!

The Goods:

4 Banquet Frozen Dinners (yes, healthy I know!) : 

Priced at 89¢ each

Used $1.50/4 coupon - Found Here

 Cost: $2.06 for all 4

Degree Invisible Solid Men's Deodorant
Priced at $1.97 each

Used $1.25/1 Coupon - Found Here (as well as some other good coupons!)

Cost: 72¢

1 Package Ball Park Angus Beef Franks

On sale for $2.49

Used 75¢/1 Coupon found on http://www.coupons.com

Cost: $1.74

4 Pack Activia Yogurt

Price Drop to $1.87 per 4 pack

Used $1/1 coupon from SS 3-28-10

Cost: 87¢

Trial Size Clean & Clear Morning Burst facial scrub

Priced at 97¢

Used $1/1 coupon from 3-28-10 SS

Cost: FREE

Trial Size Johnson's Lavender & Chamomile lotion

Priced at 97¢

Used $1/1 coupon from 3-28-10 SS

Cost : FREE

Trial Size Tide 2x Laundry detergent

Priced at 97¢

Used $1/1 coupon from 4/4/10 PG

Cost: FREE

Tums Extra Strength 750 (116 tablets)

Priced at $3.89 on sale

Used $1/1 printable - Found Here

Cost: $2.89

1 Jar of Ragu

Price Dropped to $1.87

No coupons, had just run out at home!

Cost : $1.87

$0.05 credit for bringing my reusable shopping bag

Cost Wrap Up!

Total saved : $9.55

Final Cost: $10.62

Amount left in $20 challenge : $0.02

I'm waiting for him to get home and see my victory now!

XOXO

-V

Saving Money! Coupon Crazy :)

I know it's been a while :( I've been neglectful to this blog. Life went back to being chaotic again!

This week started K-Marts Super Doubles event. Doubling coupons is fabulous, although their new 5 coupons doubled limit kind of kills it a little. Luckily it's close by home, so it's not out of the way to go up there and take advantage of the sale!

I went to K-Mart this morning with my stack of coupons in my hand. I walked out with this:

I know i know, microwave steamer bags take all the nutrients out of the steamed veggies I love so much, however since we are always on the go, they are more practical for us to use, and we love them nonetheless.

I walked out with:

3 packages of Large Ziploc Zip 'N Steam bags : $2.89 each at the store.

Used 3 of the $1/1 coupons from the 3/28 SS insert
Final Cost: $0.89 each after doubling!

Hartz Crunch N Clean dog biscuits : $3.99 each
Used one printable $2/1 coupon (Found Here)
Final Cost: FREE

1 Dove Ultimate Visibly Smooth deodorant: on sale for $3.79
Used printable $2/1 ( Found Here )
Final Cost: FREE

Left me enough money to pick up that cute red shirt in their $1.99 Winter clearance clothing!
Total Saved: $7.38
Final Transaction Cost : $5.56

Annnnd Walgreens:

 There weren't too many completely awesome deals at Walgreens this week, however I did score a few goodies for a small price!
1 box 30 Tuf trash bags : $2.99 after coupon in Walgreens ad
1 package Pilot Frixion gel pens : Sale for $1.19
Used $1/1 from Walgreens April coupon book
Total: $0.19

Walgreens storage bags:
$0.99 after in ad coupon

Dawn hand soap:
Normal price : $1.99
Used $0.99 coupon in Walgreens ad
Used $0.50/1 coupon from 4/4 PG Brandsaver
Final cost: $0.49

Total savings: $8.70 (includes sales, and coupon savings)
Final Cost: $5.03



So it was fun. I like saving money, especially since we're just not making enough right now! And we will be well stocked on the things we run out of after this week is over :)

I'm working on putting more things up in my Etsy shop as well.

I'm actually thinking about learning how to make soaps and candles, but we shall see.

I wish there were more hours in a day!

XOXO
-V