"Hey, are you one of those extreme coupon people?"

This is the question that the ladies behind me at the Shoprite asked.  I loved it!  The main reason I have decided to blog about my deals is that my aunt Beth started couponing when I told her I was having success with it.  Then, she started emailing me questions about how I was doing it.  When you sit down and create a plan of attack, it really is kind of easy once you get in the store.  I now have a firm belief that I shouldn't have to pay full price when I go shopping, and if I need to stock up to prevent paying full price, I will.

In addition to my Shoprite trip, I also went to Rite Aid, Acme, Walgreens, Dollar General, and Walmart.  When all receipts were added up, I had spent a grand total of under $75.  (This included my weekly grocery shopping and the purchase of Transformers on blue-ray.) So, for those of you interested in trying couponing, here are some examples of what I got today:

Big deals at Shoprite this week!
(some of the items were needed for a recipe I pulled up on my phone for dinner, so a few things altered my game plan... they are not included in the calculation below)

Lysol disinfecting wipes:
        Sale price: $1.99
        Used a $1.00 coupon
               Total: $.99

Pam cooking spray:
        Sale price: $2.49
        Used a $.50 coupon (doubled= $1)
               Total: $1.49
               Added bonus: ($4 mail-in rebate)

4 Yoplait Greek Yogurt cups
        Sale price: $1.00 per cup
        Used two $.50 off 2 cups coupons (both doubled)
               Total: $2 (or $.50 per cup)

Johnsonville Italian Sausage:
        Sale price: $3.99
        Used a $1 off coupon
               Total: $2.99

2 Betty Crocker cookie mix bags (the holidays are coming up!):
        Sale price: 2 for $4
        Used two $.40 coupons (both doubled)
               Total: $1.20 per bag

Celestial Seasons Box of Lemon Tea (will come in handy come cold season):
        Sale price: $1.99
        Used $1 coupon
               Total: $.99

Barber Chicken Cordon Blue:
        Sale price: $2.99
        Used a $1 coupon
               Total: $1.99

Multigrain Tostitos AND Salsa
        Sale price: $2.99 each
        Used a $1 off both coupon
               Total: $4.98

2-liter bottle of Diet Pepsi
        Sale price $1.25
        Used a Free w/ purchase of tortilla chips and salsa coupon
               Total: FREE

Bag of Birds Eye Steam Fresh Veggies
        Sale price: .99
        Used a $.50 coupon (doubled)
               Total: -$.01

Box of Fun-da-middles coupcake mix:
        Sale price: $2.49
        Used a $.75 coupon (doubled to a $1)
               Total: $1.49

2 bags of Nestle Halloween candy:
        Sale price: $1.87 per bag
        Used a $1 off 2 bags coupon
               Total: $1.37 per bag
(This is awesome if you have noticed the prices of Halloween candy!)

2 bags of Haribo Gummy Bears (I don't know why I bought them):
        Sale price: $.88 per bag
        Used two $.30 coupons (both doubled= $.60)
               Total: $.28 per bag

(I had a $5 off coupon from an entertainment book)

GRAND TOTAL: $16.41 (plus tax)

My stash from Acme, doesn't look as impressive.  However, if you notice, one of my items is Transformers (blue-ray). So, here is what I did:

Old El Paso Taco Dinner Kit:
        Sale price: $2.03
        Used $.50 coupon (doubled)
               Total: $1.53 (for an entire dinner!!)

2 Lipton Diet Green Tea bottles:
        Sale price: $1 each
        Used $.50 coupon (doubled)
               Total: $.50 per bottle

2 bags of Halloween Candy (Skittles and Starburst):
        Sale price: 2 for $4
        Used two $1 coupons
               Total: $1 per bag

Acme is having a knockdown deal with General Mills Products: (Buy 5 for an additional $3 off)
Senerio:

2 boxes of Original Cherrios:
        Sale price: $2.48
        Used two $1 coupons
               Total: $1.48 per box

2 boxes of Chex Cereal:
        Sale price: $2.48
        Used a $1 off two boxes coupon
               Total: $1.98 per bag

1 box of Nature Valley Granola Bars:
        Sale price: $2.48
        Used  $.75 coupon (doubled)
               Total: $.98

-$3.00 for buying five GM products

Total for all five products: $4.90

And finally, Acme is running a deal this week: buy an 8 pack of enegizer batteries and Transformers, get $5 off.
Enegizer Batteries:
        Price: $6.99
        Used $3.00 coupon
               Total: $3.99

Transformers (on Blue-Ray: you can get the DVD for cheaper)
        Sale price: $24.95
        $5 instant coupon
               Total: $19.95

GRAND TOTAL: $36.39 (tax included)
(If you aren't interested in the Transformers/battery deal, the shopping total is under $10)

Last one I'm going to share for the night is my deal at Walmart.  Ladies, we know makeup is expensive (and I am a snob when it comes to my MAC obsession, but I have decided inexpensive items are ok.  As long as I wear my MAC foundation and eye shadow, I feel great!)

What I bought:

Covergirl eye liner:
       Price: $4.44
Cover girl blush:
       Price: $3.74
            Used the $8 off two CG items in this weeks newspaper
            Total: $.18!!!! (yes, that is $.09 each)

Two NYC mascaras:
        Price: $1.00 each
            Used a Buy One Get One Free coupon
            Total: $1.00

Old Spice travel size body wash:
        Price: $.97
             Used a $1 coupon
             Total: -$.03

GRAND TOTAL: $1.15 (plus tax)

Tomorrow I am heading to Target.  They have some great deals this week.  Remember, Christmas is right around the corner, so if you find a deal, get it (even if you don't know if you will use it now).