Bargains!!!

I have started the coupon thing. I think it is a lot of fun. While it does take some time and organization, the rewards really pay off. I have learned a lot about this in past month or two, but I've still got a lot to learn I think.

My strategy is pretty simple right now. My first rule is that I only use a coupon on an item that is on sale or that we really need. My second rule is that I try to only buy things that we need or will need in the near future. I have to be open to "stock piling" things for the future. For instance, we have enough toothpaste, deodorant, and dish detergent to last a year probably; however, I can't pass up free, .25 cents, and .50 stuff on things that can cost $3-$5.

Last night, I got organized for this week's bargain spree. I went today and did OK. I've had better bargains, but I feel good about what I got.

My best deals were at CVS. On my first transaction I bought two Colgate Total Advance toothpastes. They were 2.99 each. I used two .75 coupons for a savings of $1.50 on two, and I used $2.00 of extra care bucks that I had left over. I paid 2.90 (including tax) for both things of toothpaste (that .09 less than the cost of 1). I earned 4 extra care bucks for these.

In the second transaction, I purchased:
1 Febreeze Air Freshener (2.50)
2 Special K Cereals (2 for $5)
2 Dawn Dish detergent (.97 cents each)

I used a .25 off coupon for one of the dawn dish detergents amd they doubled it (nice surprise), a $1.00 coupon off the two cereals, and a $1.00 coupon for the febreeze, and a $1.00 coupon for the Dawn Dish detergent (yes, you read that right -- it only cost .97 and I had a $1.00 off coupon). I had my $4 extra care bucks that I used also. For all 5 of those items, I paid $2.38. WooHoo!!!

So....at CVS today, I got all 7 things for $5.28. Less than $1.00 each.