"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).

Working so hard, yet not working at all

Today I woke up full speed, with a long list of to-do's, and didn't stop until dinner was done.  Now, I don't feel like moving.  I had a "group interview" at the local substituting company.  It was the worst hour I've had in a very long time, and I'm pretty sure there was another girl in the room who was thinking exactly what I was thinking (with the exception of the occassional "I hope Hamilton's doctor appointment is going well".)  I am a good teacher, and the frustration of not even receiving a phone call for an interview boiled over in the hour I sat there listening to the drill.  Even though I have a masters degree in education and many years experience in a classroom you are forcing me to pay you to spend a day in a room full of people with no educational training?  I think I'd rather practice reciting the daily specials for my next job as a waitress.  I'd make more anyway.  Why did I spend all that money on college?

So, anyway, after trying not to storm out of the room, I began checking things off of my list.  I did manage to make a few stops that weren't on the list.  Found a cute little thrift shop near my mother-in-laws house.  Didn't get the two things I had my eye on because it was cash only.  They would definitely be quick, easy, and awesome projects.  Maybe I will go back tomorrow.  Also stopped at the Goodwill and got a brand new, in the box, office chair (much needed, since I don't have anything now) for thirty dollars (whoo hoo).

After getting the hubbys car fixed, taking it to get registered, and stopping at Lowe's to grab lamp parts for a project (stay tuned), I went to pick up the pooch and fell in love with Charlotte, the three month old kitten up for adoption at the vet.  I may go back tomorrow ;-)  If we didn't have a 120 pound Rhodesian Ridgeback, we would be currently showing Charlotte her new home.  The vet tech even took her out to see how her and Hamilton got along.  It was adorable until Charlotte realized that Hamilton was a giant and clawed her way up the techs arms.  Ugh, she was so cute!

Since Hamilton and I got home, he's been sleeping off the anxiety of being at the vet all day, while I have been applying for every job under the sun that I can find, even the ones I am not qualified for.  Here is a question that I am sure many people in my situation ask:  how do I get the experience that this job is requiring without getting hired?  Maybe my blog will take off, I will become famous, people will start buying my pictures, and I can get by with odd jobs for the next few month.  Or, maybe even better, collecting all those Acme game pieces will result in me winning the grand prize.  I don't think I should hold my breath for that one.

Until tomorrow, my friends.