Getting Back Into Couponing

So I’ve taken about a month-long break from couponing and CVS shopping, but now I’m getting back into gear. I did my major grocery shopping last week but I went to CVS and Kroger’s this morning to pick up a few other sale items. I was also hoping that Kroger’s would have some mark-downed produce and dairy products. I was out of luck, I guess 8:30 in the morning is too early for the mark-downs to be out.

CVS

Scott Paper Towels: $4.99 (I’ll use them for homemade baby wipes)
Colgate Total: $2.99 each ($2.99 ECBS earned for each) -$0.75 coupon

Total:
$10.99
ECBs earned: $6.00

Krogers

Total: $4.65
4 rolls Cottonelle ($0.43 ea after coupons)
1 box Kroger’s instant oatmeal ($0.65 after sale and catalina)
1 bag Kroger’s 8 oz cheese ($1.05 after sale and catalina)
1 box 20 ct freezer bags ($0.99)

Although I didn’t stock up on any amazing deals I was still pretty satisfied with what I picked up. I plan to drop by CVS again this week and rotate my ECBs.

New February Printable Coupons

It’s the start of a new month and that means new printable coupons on my sidebar.

Here are just a few of my favorites:

Save $0.50 on Cottonelle TP (Kroger’s will double this coupon, making the tp free!)
Save $0.50 on WackyMac pasta
Save $1.00 on YoPlait YoPlus

There are many more available, but be aware that the good ones go fast and may only be up for a few days.

Dollar Tree Early Sunday Edition Saves Money

A few months ago I started a simple experiment. I wanted to see how much money I would save by using coupons. My local newspaper was running a special promotion where I got three months of the Thursday and Sunday paper for $10, or about $3/month.

By taking the price of the paper into account I estimated that based on my normal shopping habits I saved about $10-$12/month on groceries and household items using coupons. Since I was only receiving one paper I didn’t have access to multiple coupons to combine with store sales and stock up on rock bottom prices.

I could easily justify spending $3/month on a paper when I saved $10-$12/month using the coupons. However when the promotion ended and I would pay around $10/month for the subscription I couldn’t justify keeping the subscription. So I started looking into other options.

First I called the paper to ask for an extension of the discount, which they weren’t able to do. I then asked if I could only order the Sunday paper or just buy the ads. They said that service wasn’t available in my zip code.

So I then went on a local discussion board where someone mentioned buying the early Saturday edition of the Sunday paper for $1.00 at the Dollar Tree. I decided to give that a try and have been very happy. For less than  the price I was paying for a subscription I am able to buy two newspapers and get twice the amount of coupons. If I know that a certain week doesn’t have great coupons I will buy only one paper. Hint: This Sunday’s paper has 5 coupon inserts now that the holidays are over.

The only hang-up with this arrangement is making sure that I make it to the Dollar Tree on Saturday before the papers are gone. Most weeks this shouldn’t be a problem unless we are traveling or have other engagements.

If you are hesitant to try coupons I would give yourself a few months to see if it’s worth the time and energy needed for clipping coupons. Call around and find the best deal on the paper in your area. If you’re intimidated by matching coupons with sales there are many great online resources and blogs like couponmom.com, mypennypile, dealseekingmom, and moneysavingmom that match out the store deals and coupons each week to make clipping coupons a little easier.

Cellfire

Cellfire is similar to Shortcuts, a savings program you can learn about here. Just like with Shortcuts, with Cellfire you can load coupons onto your Krogers card. Through Cellfire you can also load coupons onto your cellphone for other businesses like Hollywood Video, Sears and 1-800-Flowers.

You need a cellphone number to sign up and receive a verification text message. After the initial text message you can manage all your savings online, except for those businesses linked solely to your cellphone.

Just like Shortcuts, Cellfire coupons won’t double but they can be used in addition to manufacturers coupons. Some coupons that I have currently loaded on my Krogers card through Cellfire include Kroger’s bar cheese, Colgate, Cottonelle, Huggies and others.

I would recommend printing out a list of Cellfire coupons to take with you to the store so you don’t forget what coupons you have. When you check out at the store, the register will automatically take off your Cellfire coupons.

I have only started using Shortcuts and Cellfire in the past few months but I already enjoy the hassle-free extra savings they give to my grocery budget.

Vocalpoint

This week I will do a special series on websites and companies that can help save you money.

Vocalpoint is a marketing company that mails out samples and coupons to members who are then encouraged to try the products and recommend them to family and friends. In addition they have an interactive website that has surveys, a message board and other features for members.

I joined vocalpoint in March and I have received high-value coupons (including free item coupons) for Crest Cleaning Paste, Sunkist Tuna, Kashi cereal, Kashi bars, DelMonte Fruit Cups, Venus Breeze razor, Special K Cereal and other well-known brands and products.

In the last two weeks I have received a sample of Kashi cereal bars with a coupon for a free box of the bars and 5 “$2.00 off any box” coupons. In this time I have also received a coupon for a free tube of Crest cleaning paste.

Joining vocalpoint is easy. You just fill out a small survey with your mailing information and you will soon be receiving samples and coupons.