Target: Another Happy Ending

So last night I made a trip to Target that had me smiling from ear to ear.  Just like this :)
It's amazing how much money you can save at Target-when you shop the right way. What exactly does it mean to "shop the right way"?

Simple. Shopping tip for today: Stack manufacture coupons with Target store coupons. If you go to the Target website, click on the Get Coupons link and BAM! You instantly have access to tons of printable Target coupons that you can pair with manufacture coupons. If you're still not sure about how to conquer Target, learn Target 101 from the expert.

With a little effort, here is an example of the kind of savings you can enjoy at Target...

First things first. Everything I bought last night was purchased with a coupon. If you aren't going to use coupons, I wouldn't recommend shopping at Target for everyday household items. I would suggest going to Wal-Mart; preferably the one in College Station, for Always Low Prices ;)

Tide 3 ct. (travel size):  $0.99 each

-(3) $1.00 off coupons from Sunday paper

Final Price: 3 for FREE

Cascade (trial pack): $1.09 each

-(3) $1.00 off coupons from Sunday paper

Final Price: $0.09 each

Cottonelle Wipes: $2.34 each

-$0.75 off 2 coupon from Sunday paper

-(1) $1.25 off 2 printable coupon (http://coupons.target.com/)

Final Price: $1.34 each

Johnson & Johnson First Aid Kits (travel size): $0.97 each

-(1) $1.50 off 2 coupon from Sunday paper

Final Price: $0.22 each

Loctite Super Glue: $2.49

-(1) $1.00 off coupon from Sunday paper

-(1) $1.00 off printable coupon (http://coupons.target.com/)

Final Price: $0.49

Shout Wipes (travel size): $0.97

-(1) $0.55 off coupon from Sunday paper

Final Price: $0.42

Ziploc Bags: $1.75 each

-(1) $1.00 off 2 coupons from Sunday paper

-(1) $1.00 off 2 printable coupon (http://coupons.target.com/)

Final Price: $0.75 each

Olay Bar Soap: $0.97

-(1) Free Satin Care shave gel with Olay purchase ($1.89 value)

Final Price: $0.97 for Olay bar soap and Satin Care shave gel

Total paid: $6.79

Total savings: $22.68

CVS Success Story AKA The Highlight Of My Week!!!

Shopping tip #2 for today. If you don't already have a CVS card, go get one! Right now. Ok maybe not right now, but sometime this week before Sunday rolls around. CVS is where I get the majority of our toiletries and miscellaneous household items for pennies. If you are new to the couponing world, and are looking for a place to start, your best bet is CVS. 

Now I know what you're thinking...you think that CVS is over-priced, and that I'm insane for recommending that you start shopping there. I used to think the same thing, until I discovered the power behind these 3 little letters: ECB. For all you beginners out there, learn from the expert: The Krazy Coupon Lady herself :) Just click on the CVS 101 tab and you'll be on your way to saving millions in no time.

OK. Back to my wonderful shopping trip to CVS. Don't focus too much on the picture...the items aren't anything exciting to look at. It's the numbers that really make me want to do my happy dance :)

Herbal Essences Shampoo: $2.49 each

*CVS sale is $1.00 ECB when you purchase two

-(2) $1.00 off coupons from Sunday newspaper

New Price: $1.49 each

Excedrin Extra Strength: $6.39

*CVS sale is $5.00 ECB when you spend $10.00 on Excedrin

-$0.75 off coupon from Sunday newspaper

New Price: $5.64

Excedrin Tension Headache: $5.99

*CVS sale is $5.00 ECB when you spend $10.00 on Excedrin

-$0.75 off coupon from Sunday newspaper

New Price: $5.24

Total Cost: $13.35 - $3.00 off coupon from The Magic Red Machine = $10.35

- $10.00 ECB from previous shopping trip

New Price: $0.35 + $6.00 earned ECB that I can use on my next purchase

Moral of the story: I basically got paid $5.65 to shop at CVS

(cue happy dance)

Walgreens Success Story

The sales this week at Walgreens weren't absolutely amazing, but I did walk out with a few items that we really needed (for really good prices).

Paper: 3.99 regular price

-(1) in-ad coupon ($2.00 off)

New Price: $1.99 

Colgate Toothbrushes: 2 for $6.00

*Walgreens sale is $4.00 Register Rewards when you purchase these items

-(2)$0.40 coupons from the Sunday newspaper

New Price: $5.20 for 2 

Notepad: $0.49 (used as a filler item)

Retail Value: $10.48

Price After Coupons: $5.68

-$2.00 Register Rewards from last week's shopping trip

New Price: $3.68 + $4.00 earned Register Rewards = Net Price: -$0.32

Kroger Success Story

Shopping tip #1 for today. Don't throw away those $0.25 and $0.35 coupons. Because some Kroger stores (like ours) continue to double and triple coupons, those little pieces of paper can save you BIG TIME. Let me prove it to you!

 Retail Value: $85.04

Price After Using Kroger Card: $60.46

Price After Manufacture Coupons: $37.57

Price After Kroger Doubled/Tripled My Coupons: $26.43

Total Savings: $58.61

And what exactly did I get for $26.43? Glad you asked! :)

Doritos, Honey Nut Cheerios, teriyaki sauce, 2 protein bars, Bugles, Pillsbury Toaster Strudel, Sobe Life Water, milk, 3 Crest toothpastes (for free), Colgate toothpaste (for free), 2 Smart Ones Entrees for One, Hillshire Farms sliced turkey, 2 bags Kroger shredded cheese (great for freezing), 6 bags of Peanut M&Ms (only paid $0.75 for all 6), Yoplait Yogurt 4-pack, 2 Dole Pineapple Juices, 3 4-packs of Ivory soap (for free), 3 packs of Carefree liners, Lysol toilet bowl cleaner, Axe shower gel and loofah, 2 cans of Kroger tomato sauce, Welchs grape jelly, Pam cooking spray, Dial liquid hand soap, and Excedrin.

Average price per item was $0.629. Woohoo!!!

So the moral of the story: Those little coupons might not save you much anywhere else, but at a Kroger store that doubles/triples coupons, they can save you BIG TIME!!!

CVS Success Story

Retail Value: $24.77

Total Paid: $3.48

(2)Schick Hydro 5 Razors: $8.99 each (sale price with CVS card)

*CVS Sale is Buy One Get One Free

-(2)$4.00 off coupons from newspapers

New Price: $0.99 for 2

Band-Aids: $2.99 (sale price with CVS card)

*CVS Sale is $1.00 ECB when you purchase this product

-$0.50 coupon from newspaper

New Price: $2.49

Total Paid: $3.48 + taxes = $3.52 plus $1.00 ECB that I can use on my next purchase

Total Savings: $21.29 or 86%

Walgreens Success Story

I'm so excited about this one! Who doesn't love cheap Excedrin and Twizzlers?!?!

Excedrin (125 ct.): $8.99

-$1.50 coupon from newspaper

Excedrin (100 ct.): $8.99

-$1.50 coupon from newspaper

(2)Twizzlers (16 oz.): $1.50 each

-(2)$0.50 coupons from newspaper

*Walgreens was running the following sales:

Spend $15 or more on Excedrin products, receive $7.00 Register Rewards

Buy 2 packages of Twizzlers, receive $1.00 Register Rewards

Retail Value: $20.98

Price After Coupons: $16.98

-$5.00 Register Rewards from last week's shopping trip

New Price: $11.98 + $8.00 Register Rewards = Net Price: $3.98

Total Savings: $17.00 or 81%

I'm Baaaack!

I'm not exactly sure where the last 32 days went, but I'm going to blame the following holidays for my blogging unproductiveness: Memorial Day, National Doughnut Day, Donald Duck Day, Flag Day, and Father's Day. Yes, I was so busy preparing for and celebrating each of those holidays that I couldn't find time to blog (that's my story and I'm sticking to it!) :)

But I'm back now. So let the fun begin (again)...