The day sort-of slipped away from me yesterday and by the time I sat down to start gathering my coupons, it was already after 6pm. I decided my best bet was to get everything prepared and then hit the stores first thing in the morning, right after dropping off Princess at school.
I first worked on my Publix list (which normally I would’ve done on Wednesday night for my Thursday shopping). It was a BIG list with a lot of coupons and got distracted more than a few times (mostly by Twitter), so it took me several hours to get it all done.
At about 10:45pm it occurred to me to check my Walgreens Register Rewards from two weeks ago, only to discover that they were going to expire at midnight. I was already in my pajamas and about to head to bed (Husband was already half-asleep by this point) when I realized that I had to run to the store. Husband told me I was crazy, that it was only $17.50 (only?!!! my how those roles have reversed!), and that I should just come to bed.
But there was NO WAY I was going to lose all those hard earned RRs. It would’ve killed me. So off to the store I went.
Here is what I got:
At Walgreens I spent–wait for it–$1.23 for $137.92 worth of drugstore merchandise, a savings of 99%. (I know, right?!) I found some great deals on spices and canned goods for 75% off, and also managed to stock up on some always-needed staples like bread and eggs.
At Publix, Trouble and I decided to make a little video of our shopping adventure (since I know how much you all LOVE my dorky videos!)
Here is what I got:
At Publix I spent $39.29 for $237.17 worth of groceries, a savings of 85%.
Altogether, I spent $40.52 for $375.09 worth of groceries and drugstore items, an average savings of 89% for the week so far.
Walgreens Coupon Info:
Transaction 1: Bought: Natrol Melotonin, Blink Tears, Arnicare, Wonder Bread, cranberry sauce, mandarin oranges. Coupons Used: (1) $2 off Natrol product (Red Plum 10/10) (1) $2 off Arnicare cream (printable here) (1) $1 off Blink Tears (Smart Source 1/02) (1) $10, (2) $2.50 RRs (from 2 weeks ago) Total Paid OOP: $0.21 Got Back: $3, $6, $8 RRsTransaction 2: Bought: Blink Tears, mandarin oranges, shoe charms (clearance filler item) Coupons Used: (1) $1 off Blink Tears (Smart Source 1/02) $6, $2.50 RRs (from Trans. 1 & 2 weeks ago) Total Paid OOP: $0.19 Got Back: $8 RRs
Transaction 3: Bought: Natrol Melotonin, Arnicare, Wonder Bread, cranberry sauce Coupons Used: (1) $2 off Natrol product (Red Plum 10/10) $2 off Arnicare cream (printable here) (1) $8 RR (from transaction 1) Total Paid OOP: $0.09 Got Back: $3, $6 RRs
Transaction 4: Bought: Natrol Melotonin, Arnicare, NutriGrain Bars, canned pumpkin, baking powder Coupons Used: (1) $2 off Natrol product (Red Plum 10/10) (1) $2 off Arnicare cream (printable here) (1) $8 RR (from transaction 2) Total Paid OOP: $0.17 Got Back: $3, $6 RRs
Transaction 5: Bought: Blink Tears, eggs, mandarin oranges. Coupons Used: (1) $1 off Blink Tears (Smart Source 1/02) (1) $3, (1) $6 RRs (from transaction 3) Total Paid OOP: $0.18 Got Back: $8 RRs
Transaction 6: Bought: Blink Tears, eggs, pumpkin, cranberry sauce, baking powder Coupons Used: (1) $1 off Blink Tears (Smart Source 1/02) (1) $6, (1) $3 RRs (from transaction 4) Total Paid OOP: $0.23 Got Back: $8 RRs
Transaction 7: Bought: spices, shoe charms, cranberry sauce, manderin oranges. Coupons Used: (1) $3 RRs (from transaction 1) Total Paid OOP: $0.16 Leftover RRs: $16
Coupons Used at Publix:
(2) $0.50 off French’s Yellow Mustard (printable here)
(2) $1 off A1 Steak Sauce (printable here)
(3) $1 off 2 Kraft Mayo, BBQ sauce, or A1 (Target coupon, printable here)
(2) $1.50 off 4 Campbell’s Chunky Soup (printable here)
(2) $2 off 5 Campbell’s Chunky Soup (printable here)
(2) $0.50 off Juicy Juice (printable here)
(3) $1 off 2 MorningStar Farms (Kellogg’s Ultimate Guide to Savings booklet)
(1) $1.25 off 2 Kraft Shredded Cheese (Target coupon, printable here)
(1) $1 off 2 Kraft Cheese (Smart Source 1/23)
(4) $1 off Purina Beggin Strips (Smart Source 12/12)
(4) $1 off Purina Dog Treat (Publix coupon, printable here)
(1) $3 off Freschetta Pizza (Blissdom swag bag)
(2) $3 off Glad Force Flex (no more prints available)
(6) $2 off Vivarin (printable here)
(4) $2 off Sominex (printable here)
(4) $2 off Phazyme (printable here)
(7) $5 off 2 Vivarin, Sominex, or Phazyme (Publix Green Advantage Flyer)
(2) $2 off Flinstone’s Vitamins (no more prints available)
(1) $5 off 2 Flinstone’s Vitamins (Publix Green Advantage Flyer)
(1) $1 off any Dairy product (Publix Baby Club mailer)
(1) $1 off any Deli item (Publix Baby Club mailer)
(1) Free Barnum’s Animal Crackers (Publix Baby Club mailer)
(1) Free Excedrin Product (received in mail)
(2) $0.75 off low-fat Ball Park Beef Franks (peelies on package)
(1) $2 off Pull-Ups (Smart Source 1/23)
(1) $2.50 off Pull-Ups (Publix coupon, Kimberly Clark start your year off Right booklet)
Finally, a HUGE thank you to those of you who mailed me the Pull-ups and Huggies coupons!
Affiliate links may be used in this post. Printing a coupon or ordering a product through this link may result in a commission, which helps pay for the cost of running this site and keeps the content free. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Tonya January 31, 2011 at 11:25 pm
Loved the video helpful tips too. Your daughter is addorable. Keep the videos coming,they are always fun to watch
Ruth February 2, 2011 at 1:21 am
Thanks Tonya!
Jessica @ These are the Days February 1, 2011 at 3:58 pm
Ruth,
You AMAZE me! You are so cute and helpful and organized and INSPIRING!! I’m going to have to tweet this. Thanks for the coupon help.
xoxo,
Jess
Ruth February 2, 2011 at 1:20 am
Thanks Jessica! You’re too sweet…I’m really just a crazy coupon lady who takes random videos at the grocery store. Let me know if you have any questions!
alohakaarin February 1, 2011 at 11:31 pm
I love your videos! keep them up! Your newest video helped me buy lunch today for $1.23. I used the Manuf Vivarin coupon w/ the publix coupon and “made” $6.00 which i then used to buy lunch. Thank you! I’m finally starting to get the hang of it.
Ruth February 2, 2011 at 1:19 am
That’s awesome!
patty February 3, 2011 at 1:39 am
ok, ruth. i’m amazed. just WRITING that post must have taken some time!! i can’t believe your savings! truly, amazing. loved the video, too-your both adorable!
i referred a reader to you today.. and btw, what are “RRs” points?
Ruth February 3, 2011 at 1:46 am
RRs are Walgreens Register Rewards–they are coupons that print when you buy certain items that can then be used to buy almost anything (there are a few restrictions–no dairy, alcohol, tobacco, or lottery tickets.) Each week Walgreens usually offers several items that are “free” after RRs, meaning that you will receive back a RR worth the same amount as the purchase price. If you then add a coupon to the sale, it makes that item a “money maker.” Does that make sense? You can read more about all the ins and outs of Walgreens on Week 5 of my Beginner’s Guide to Coupons (located under Coupons 101 above.)
And yes, writing these shopping results posts always takes forever! Hopefully someone is getting some use out of it!
Wendy Mercado April 15, 2011 at 5:22 pm
Do you purchase items you and your family don’t use to make the deal work, and if so, what do you do with those items? Donate them or garage sale them? Thanks, Wendy