Publix Trip - Retail $74.09 - OOP - 13.73

I am participating in a challenge (living off our stockpile) this month. So, my limit for the whole family is $15 a week:) I stayed under! Yeah!!

(13) Lunchables (my son is thrilled!!)
(2) boxes Aunt Jemima Waffles
(1) Publix Garlic Bread
(1) Stouffers Lasagna Party Size (Huge!)
(2) boxes of fresh mushrooms
(1) head of Iceberg lettuce
(1) Large tomato
(1) 1/2 gallon of Peach Iced Tea
(1) Pkg of Dixie Paper Plates
(1) Large Box of Orville Red. Popcorn
(3) boxes of Scotties tissue
(4) jars of Prego spaghetti sauce
(1) box of Ronzoni pasta

I also went to CVS and purchased three i Motion Airwick kits for 99 cents each, Sally Hansen clear nail polish, Sally emery board, and of course, I said to the cashier; "I guess I have an overage, what kind of candy bar would you like today? I actually paid like 23 cents lol! I used ECBs and coupons. Got another $1 ECB with my Green Tag:) I was a window clerk (cashier) at the Post Office for years. A sweet elderly lady was a regular customer of mine, who would always bring me lunch, home baked cookies, books, stationery etc. She was 98 years old and get this, she still drove her car! What an inspiration she was!

Saving Printing Costs

Depending on your printer, it may be a good idea to do a few things to minimize the cost invloved in printing coupons.

Change Your Printer Preferences is one way to save money. I think this is one of the least known money saving printing methods.

Go to print your document.
Click on the Preferences button.

Chose the Fast or Fast Normal setting. The fast will look more pixelated but will still be readable, and the fast normal looks nearly the same as regular printing, just a tad lighter.

These printer preferences will make your printer use much less ink, saving you much money in the long run.

Another money saving method is to use the Staples Ink Reward program. You can receive $2 for each ink cartridge. The limit is 10 cartridges. When I am ready to purchase more ink, I bring a competitor coupon (Office Depot) and combine paper deals with ink purchases. Use the ink rewards and competitor coupons. My stockpile price (at Staples) is $1 for 500 reams of paper (after rebate). This is definitely a money saver!

"I have an overage, what kind of candy bar do you want today?"

Got paid to shop today!! -18.03

I went to CVS today and got the following (in two different transactions):

1)Dulcolax (retail $9.99) - used $4 off coupon, ECB $9.99 (printable)Note: there is a rebate for $5 on this product, it has been extended until September.
2)Clean N Clear trial (retail .99) - used 2)$1 off coupons (printable)
1) Schick Hydro Razor (retail $8.97) - used $5 off coupon 8/8, ECB $4 Note: Try me for Free Rebate
1) Hydro Shaving Gel (retail $3.99) - used peelie that was on Schick Hydro Razor - FREE Hydro Gel and used $1 off coupon 8/8
2) i Motion Air Wick packages (retail $4.99) - used $4 off coupon 8/8
1) Two pack Air Wick (retail $4.99) - used $1 off coupon 8/8

Total retail: $28.93
ECB: $13.99
Rebate: $13.97
-$18.03

Fresh Express Salad - $1

Fresh Express is BOGO at Publix, this week. Be sure to print this coupon. Let's just say coupons with an "s"! Save this as a pdf file and you can print several:) Bought six bags to make our favorite salad.

Recipe below:

Topping: 2 pkgs Oriental Ramen Noodles - crumble noodles and sautee in butter until brown and crunchy. add almonds to the mix.

Dressing: Oriental seasoning packet (Ramen Noodles), 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/4 c. soy sauce, 1/4 c. olive oil

My family loves this!

Five A Day

I have gotten great feedback in the form of coupons. In fact, I have gotten many boxes of laundry detergent for FREE this way! If I have not tried their products, I will ask them for the opportunity to try them providing they send me a coupon.

This only takes ten minutes a day!

Couponing to Disney

Retail: $343.34 - OOP: $90.74 - Saved - $252.60

Here is what I did:

Krogers:

(1) Oil of Olay Body Effects Body Wash (will go towards PG Rebate)
(1) Ivory Body Wash
1 lb. grapes
(6) Kraft Cheese slices
(9) Philadelphia cream cheese
(5) Sargento cheese slices
(1) Softsoap
(3) Lady Speed Stick
(1) Pkg of Bounty Paper towles
(7) Gillette Body Wash
(1) Dove soap
(2) Suave deodorant
(5) Crest toothpaste
(4) Crest toothbrush
(4) Old Spice Body Wash


Publix:

(5) cartons of Smart Balance Milk
(1) large onion
(1) pkg celery
(1) Pkg Fresh Express Ceaser Salad Kit
(2) Tombstone Pizza
(2) Crest Toothpaste
(2) Lysol Bleach Cleaner
(2) Soft Scrub with Bleach
(1) Lysol Fresh Mountain Cleaner
(1) Large Jar of Peter Pan peanut butter
(1) Med. Jar of Smuckers Jelly
(4) Glade candles
(1) Large Pkg of Viva Mega Roll Paper Towels


CVS

(2) Biotrue
(1) Kotex UBy
(FREE after ECBs)

Rite Aid

(4) Nivea Body Wash
(FREE)


Also got the following items at Target for FREE :

10 pkgs (small) Purina One Dog Food.
2 Wonka Chocolate Bars - these are GOOD.
1 box Kraft Crackerfuls
2 Degree deodorants (trial)
2 Right Guard deodorants (trial)
2 Vaseline Aloe Wipes (trial)
2 Pantene (trial)
2 Sobe
2 pkgs Bic Pens

Stocked up on meat at a local butcher shop:) TOTAL: $38.70
(10) Garlic hot dogs
(4) pork chops
(4) Italian sausages
(2) New York strips
1 lb. of garlic salami
1/2 lb of swiss cheese
1/2 lb of gouda cheese

Grand total:
Retail: $343.34
OOP: $90.74
Saved: 73.6%

What to do with coupons that will expire soon?

There are quite a few coupons that will expire within the next week. Check out www.totallytarget.com and take a look at the link: "cheap finds".
Great way to put your coupons to use for mostly FREE items.

Need Another $5 off $25 Rite Aid Coupon??

Go to www.redplum.com
Use zip code: 43666

Great to use as a competitor coupon at Publix!

$107.16 Retail - OOP $34.02

Today, I did a lot of stockpiling. Glade candles will come in handy for gifts:) The Oil of Olay will pay for itself over again - with the PG Rebate (moneymaker).

Krogers:

(1) Oil of Olay Body Effects Body Wash (will go towards PG Rebate)
(1) Ivory Body Wash
1 lb. grapes

Publix:

(5) cartons of Smart Balance Milk
(1) large onion
(1) pkg celery
(1) Pkg Fresh Express Ceaser Salad Kit
(2) Tombstone Pizza
(2) Crest Toothpaste
(2) Lysol Bleach Cleaner
(2) Soft Scrub with Bleach
(1) Lysol Fresh Mountain Cleaner
(1) Large Jar of Peter Pan peanut butter
(1) Med. Jar of Smuckers Jelly
(4) Glade candles
(1) Large Pkg of Viva Mega Roll Paper Towels

Retail: $107.16
Total OOP: $34.02
Saved 68.3%

After rebate: Total OOP - $28.03

More Crest toothpaste for FREE!

Tomorrow, Crest toothpaste will be on sale for $1 each at Publix. I went to Publix today and noticed that there are peelies for $1 OFF!! on the boxes. So, I plan to try this scenario: Use 75 cents off coupons from 6/27 Red Plum inserts (note: the coupon on the page with the Scope mouthwash states 75 cents off ANY ONE toothpaste) and stack these with Target coupons also for 75 cents off from 6/6 Red Plum Inserts (FREE PLUS OVERAGE).

I will be sure to purchase those with peelies! I hope this works. I will be sure to let you know!!!

I might get enough for my son's boy scout troop to distribute them to the homeless (with free toothbrushes). It has been such a rewarding experience to see him work so hard in the food kitchen to feed the homeless.

My Stockpile Savings

These are some of the items I have picked up from over the last two - three weeks to add to my stockpile.



Finish Dishwashing Dishwasher Detergent (4 Medium boxes)
Fiber One Toaster Pastries (2 boxes)
Arnolds Bread (2)
Bic Soleil Razors (2 pkgs)
Schick Razors (4 pgs)
Shaving Cream *Hydro (2)
Ziploc Bags (2 large boxes)
Arm and Hammer Laundry Detergent (7lbs)
Socks (three pairs)
Scrubbing Bubbles Power Clean Sprayer
Glad Bags (2 boxes)
Stayfree Pads (8 large packages)
John Frieda Shampoo and Conditioner (8)
CVS Pantiliners (six small pkgs)
Papermate Pens (1 pkg)
Fiskar scissors (1 pr)
Colgate toothbrushes (2)
Colgate toothpaste (2)
Scope (2 medium bottles)
Seventh Generation dishwashing soap (8 bottles)
Dawn dishwashing soap ( 1 medium bottle)

Retail: $195.07
My OOP: $10.69
94.6% savings!

Exposing Coupon Myths

Yesterday, I read an article titled "Reasons You Should Not Coupon", by Amy Fontinelle, Investopedia. I decided to use this article to expose and address these myths.


1. Amy's Argument: Clipping coupons takes too much time. Yes, you can do it while you watch tv and turn "unproductive time" into "productive" time. But, there are a lot of things you can do while watching tv - mop the floor, prepare a week's worth of meals..your time may be better spent on other things.


REALITY: Extreme Couponing does NOT involve clipping anything in front of a BOOB tube. It is VERY productive: I saved $184.oo for 2 hours invested. (Will post my savings next!). Reading Amy's blog won't pay me $90 an hour!



2. Amy's Argument: Getting a newspaper invites lots of additional advertising into your home. Advertising is powerful stuff - this is part of the reason why companies offer coupons in the first place. You might actually end up buying and paying for more stuff. Coupons may compel you to venture into a store you wouldn't otherwise visit.


REALITY: Extreme Couponing is strategic couponing and precludes any item that does not realize a 70% or greater savings. Amy, are you suggesting that the average woman is that easily influenced?



3. Amy's Argument: Many of the coupons will be for things you neither need or want. If you are a die hard bargain hunter, it may be hard for you to turn down a good deal, even if it means you were not planning on buying it in the first place. From a financial perspective, buying more than you need or want, just doesn't make sense.

REALITY: Every purchase is precluded by this caveat: Will I use this, AND does it result in a (+) transaction carryover? FREE, if your family uses it, it's still FREE.


4. Amy's Argument: Coupons tempt you to spend your grocery dollars on things you shouldn't.


REALITY: Extreme Couponing generates (+) carryover that subsidizes and/or covers the cost of HEALTHY foods that we need. Amy, are you suggesting the the average woman can't make good decisions? GET REAL!

Welcome to my blog!

I'm Kelly Stockdale, Krazy Coupon Kelly!!!

Whether you learned about this site from a friend, family member, or a stranger, you're in the right place to learn how to radically cut your grocery bill!!!

Since this will be my first blog on the subject, I have decided to focus on two things: expose the myths of couponing and share with you the HUGE savings that can be realized by using extreme couponing strategies.

This isn't the coupon clipping of our parents' generation. Extreme couponers only clip their nails in front the the television! We do not waste hours each week managing hundreds of little pieces of paper. You can learn how to save big in the least amount of time possible -- minimum effort, with the maximum payoff. Contact me at krazycouponkelly@gmail.com for more information about my coupon workshops.

My goal for this blog is to maintain the easiest-to-use, most beginner-friendly instructional coupon blog on the Web. Newbie questions are welcome here -- we were all new once! It's my mission that the blog be the kind of site I wished I'd had when I was learning to coupon.