As promised, it’s time for that weekly savings update. In reality, I have little to report. I did the most frugal of all things – I searched the pantry for stuff because both scans (yes, in order to coupon correctly one must take a couple of ganders at the weekly ads) did nothing to move me from the computer to the grocery store. Which leads us to a couple of things about couponing correctly.
1) Coupons have the greatest value when you combine with an ad. If it ain’t on sale, wait ’til it is.
2) Which means, when it is, buy it. Create your own mini-store for those times the grocery gods are not cooperating with your needs.
Now, couponing correctly will take some time to learn, as do all things. At first, perusing five ads (which we have in my market) will seem overwhelming as you try to remember what coupons you have. However, with practice, this will become second nature and you’ll know in a flash what items, at which store, make your ’lil ol’ heart pitter-patter. You’ll pull out that list, jot down the items, pull out your coupons and have your list.
Note Here: Keep the coupons organized by category, in date order. My process? Cut out coupons Sunday & update coupon folder (out with the expired, in with the new), check weekly ads (ours comes out Wednesdays), make the list, then shop (all five stores at once, routed for efficiency of course – saving gas and time is very frugal!) In all, I spend maybe an hour a week for the whole thing. Most weeks, that saves me $10 – $20 for an hour I’d probably fritter away anyhow.
BUT, of course, I did SCORE, because, if I didn’t, I shouldn’t be blogging on this topic, now should I?
I am an addict, a Diet Pepsi addict to be exact. And, please, do not try to save my less- than-healthy form by apprising me about the dreaded Aspertame. I know. I’ve heard. I’ve been lectured, educated, advised… Sorry, I LOVE my Diet Pepsi. I savor it, long for it, can’t start a day without it.
Off topic, sorry. Anyhow, because of this addiction I can’t possibly buy at full price, and never do. However, this week I scored not only a (F) sale, but it came with two free tickets to the NFL Experience. Value? $17.50 per adult, $12.50 for those under 12. So, my $25 purchase of Pepsi saved my son $30. He can take the grandkids to this wonderous event for FREE (that’s FFF) and I can feed my addiction at no greater cost than normal.
Free stuff with items you already purchase is always a FFF. Look for those opportunities!
PS: I did use a $5 coupon from NYPD Pizza, a 45% savings on my bill. BUT, it gets better. They gave me a FREE drink while I waited to pick up my calzone. That’s another $1.99. We won’t add this to the list, but I think that kind of great customer service deserves a plug.
