A Picturesque Life

About six months ago, I read a post at Days to Come about saving at the supermarket. Of course, I was intrigued. Who doesn’t want things for free?

After following some of her links, and accidentally stumbling on a few of my own, and following their links, I learned how people were saving loads at CVS, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, and even Wal-Mart. I began reading. And reading more. I actually even stopped by a CVS store and signed up for the Easy Care program. Then I never stopped by CVS again. It just seemed so intimidating.

I kept reading the frugal blogs though. And looking at their pictures of gazillions of products that they spent $.13 on. I was still intimidated.

We don’t subscribe to a newspaper. We pick one up every now and then but it’s rarely the Sunday paper. A friend from church gave us a Sunday paper a few weeks ago to read an article in it. He gave us the entire paper. I greedily pulled out the ad papers and the coupons.

After that, I became excited. All my reading was paying off. I understood how to match coupons with store ads. It made sense. And although it was a bit time consuming, it was exciting to see how easy it was. I spent the entire afternoon clipping coupons and attaching them to the correct ad paper. I thought I was ready to go.

I just wanted to check a few things. I once again pull up some of the frugal sites I’d been reading (mainly All Things Frugal) and began reading this article before I ventured on my first saving spree! Then, I checked out her blog roll.

Finding this site blew my mind. Erin was planning on spending $800 this year on groceries! I spend about $450-500 (since prices have gone up) monthly on groceries for my family. I was not only intrigued but jealous! My husband and I are committing to getting out of debt! If I could save half that on groceries that’s a big chunk of money to go in that direction! I think I spent three days reading Erin’s blog, all her former posts, and watching her local news station do a program on couponing!

Now, I’m hooked.

I’ve now been couponing for two weeks. I don’t have it down to an art yet. I’ve made some mistakes. I will, however, figure this out. And I’ve already gotten enough dishwashing liquid to last me awhile (which I was almost out of!)

I admit, it’s hard to be patient. I want to stock up on products we use right now and am having a hard time containing myself, and making myself wait for the right deals. Until I get a stockpile, there will be things I need that I won’t have a coupon for, or that won’t be on sale. I do, however, plan on sticking with this.

In that light, let me share with you my CVS deals this week. I’m very excited about them!

(My camera is broken so no pictures…also, I’m going from memory on how this all worked. I’ll try to work out the kinks before I post my deals next time. But I got such a great deal…I’ve got to share!)

CVS transaction #1

1 pack CVS exfoliating wipes (3.49)
2 Ajax dishwashing liquid BOGO ($1.79 each)
6 Gatorade G2 BOGO ($1.20 each)
2 Sure deodorant BOGO ($2.80 ? each)
Gain laundry detergent ($4.99)
1 Maybelline Colossal Volume Express mascara ($5.99)
2 Neutrogena Healthy Volume mascara ($5.99 each)
1 AirWick Mini Freshomatic ($4.99)
2 Herbal Essences shampoo/conditioner (2/$5.00)
2 CVS pantiliners ($.99 each)

Total 46.61

I used:
$2.00 CVS beauty coupon
$4.00 off AirWick coupon
$1.00 off Sure coupon
(?) Herbal Essences coupon (I don’t remember the value)
$15 EB

OOP $23.61

EB’s recieved:
2 Gain
2 Maybeline mascara
1 exfoliating wipes
3 sure deodorant
1.98 pantyliners
8 Neutrogena mascara

Total EB’s earned 17.98

CVS transaction #2

1 4×6 10 page Hardcover Photo book (3.99)
2 6×8 10 page Hardcover photo book (7.99 each)
2 boxes General Mills cereal (4.29) BOGO
3 candy bars ($.50 each)

Total: $25.76

I used:
1 $4/20 CVS coupon
$1 off any 2 General Mills cereal
$.40 off any box of Lucky Charms cereal
(lady realized photobooks were BOGO at this point-I didn’t know it and took off $7.99)

New total: $12.33

I used 12 EB’s (I only got the candy bars to make up the difference)

Total OOP: $.33

Received: $19.97 EB’s!!!

I’m loving this!!

I’m in!

So, go check out The “Cent”sible Sawyer to check out other CVS deals for the week!