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Coupon Abbreviations
  • SC = Store Coupon
  • MC = Manufacturer Coupon
  • SS = Smart Source
  • RP = Red Plum
  • PG = Proctor and Gamble
Coupon Terms
  • WYB = When You Buy
  • B1G1 = Buy One Get One Free
  • .75/1 = 75 cents off one item
  • .75/3 = 75 cents off three items
  • EXP = Expiration Date

Going Nuts? I can help you understand coupon terms and abbreviations

Friday Finals 9/18

on 9.18.2009 at 10:39pm
Jenny 18 Comments

We had a scattered week this week with shopping.  Rarely will I hit 3 stores in the same week, but you will see that one was only out of necessity.  I really wanted to go CVSing, but wasn’t enticed by any of the deals.

Kroger:
Total before sales and coupons: $54.26
Total Spent: $21.23
Total Saved: $33.03 or 61%

A chunk of this savings was catching a pricing error!

Bi-Lo:
Total before sales and coupons: $8.13
Total Spent: $7.49
Total Saved: .64 cents

This was a “How did we manage to go out of town without Baby Wipes” trip.  Compiled with my husband yelling out of the window “Get me some Cokes” as he dropped me at the door.  We all have these trips…  they aren’t pretty but they are life.

Publix:
Total before sales and coupons: $21.31
Total Spent: $10.32
Total Saved: $10.99 51.5%

This was a small transaction to get the penny item and spend right at $10.  I got toaster strudels, goldfish crackers, and yogurt.  Staples at our house even if you can’t make a meal out of them.

Weekly Totals:
Before sales and coupons: $83.70
Spent: $39.04
Saved: $44.66 or 53.8%

How did you do this week?  Leave a comment or link to your savings.  Please link to your savings post and not your home page.

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  • http://foodcloset.blogspot.com/ Laurel

    Harris Teeter trip: $120 and some change worth of food for just under $20.

    I got three bottles of BBQ sauce, 3 Tabasco, Chex bars, 6lbs of rice, and a few other things for my homeless project and it was all free! I am thinking I actually want to put together boxes and distribute the foods myself once a month.

    Tomorrow I am going back and getting more stuff. Most likely I will use forty coupons at HT each day until triples are over. A lot of the free stuff will go in the Coupon Cornucopia food closet.

  • ang

    I did great this week!!! First week I have felt all around successful since I’ve been couponing. Finally got a Rite Aid deal to work out right after going to another RA that was much frendlier. The one on West End in Nashville, TN.

    Rite Aid:
    5 Johnson and Johnson products
    2 CG makeup products
    candy bar for filler.

    Spent: 7.88
    SCR: 10.00 (2.12 profit) Woohoo!!

    Harris Teeter Triples:
    1.15 for Hillshire lunchmeat
    free frosting
    free taco seasoning
    free pasta
    free cereal
    much more
    Before coupons: 44.00
    After coupons: 12.00

    Kroger:
    Free TP
    .19 Viva paper towels
    .34 Palmolive
    much more
    Before coupons: 53.00
    After coupons: 27.00

    HG Hill:
    1/2 price sausage

    Loved my shopping week. I didn’t want it to end. I even spent time collecting coupons for a friend so that she could go take advantage of the triples.

  • Mina

    Ah, I don’t live in the Land of Triples like Lauren. Heck, even KMart doesn’t think we’re worth offering doubles. Maybe it’s a good thing we don’t get those super offers. I’m not sure I could take the excitement!

    I did keep everything under $100 this week, which is my real, and achievable, goal to average. I thought last week was an exciting week, and expected this one to be boring, but it wound up feeling like a GREAT week to shop. I was satisfied to get enough *diapers* and pet food to last a bit longer. Here’s how I did.

    Kroger -
    One trip to buy and one for a price adjustment. This was just the compulsory CapriSun and EasyMac which will be given away, and my dark rye which wound up being free. They didn’t have the ONLY thing I really wanted – my chocolate chips.

    Before savings – $17.10
    Actual cost – $7.60 (after pre-paid card and senior discounts)
    “saved” – $9.50

    Target -
    (Even though it’s not really covered here, it’s part of my grocery shopping.)

    A bunch of Kashi products and little bags and cans of dog food. I just hope the big dog doesn’t get spoiled and refuse regular food after these feasts.

    Before savings – $42.36
    Spent – 85 cents
    “saved” – $41.51

    Bi-Lo
    It really wasn’t possible to shop much at Bi-Lo when I went. They were getting ready to strip floors. So, all the movable displays were pressed along the shelves of the aisles. I wound up just getting a bag of apples, a very big, thick London broil, and lots of Emerald Trail Mix, and Fresh Express salad mix.

    Before savings – $36.25
    Spent – $12
    “saved” – $24.25

    Publix -
    Once again, this is where I really spent my money. :-) The Sunday morning trip to RiteAid where I found the much needed GoodNites were not on sale and other items needed to get an acceptable deal from their $5/25 were not in stock, made it necessary to dig out the best immediately available price on “diapers”. Publix to the rescue! Their stacked deal made the mega-pack about the same as a small, otherwise known as Jumbo, pack. Why do they call the smallest pack “Jumbo”?

    Trip #1 -
    Goodnites, bagels, vanzilla wafers, trail mix, and Alexis onion rings (splurge).

    Before savings – $28.82
    OOP – $14.79
    “Saved” – $14.03

    Trip #2
    Included lots of detergent and candles, trail mix, GG frozen veggies, and yogurt

    Before savings – $77.35
    OOP – $14.70
    “saved” – $62.65

    Trip #3
    3 resuable bags, 6 Special K, a bunch of A-1 marinade, bananas, Triscuits, chocolate Reddi-Wip, cat food, several packs ground round, pita, hummus, thick sliced deli ham, several soy candles, deli raspberry iced tea – It doesn’t sound like much, but it looked like a big pile when I brought it home.

    Before savings – $105.04
    OOP – $18.94
    “saved” – $86.10

    Total Publix value – $211.21
    OOP – $48.43
    “saved” – $162.78

    CVS -
    Had less than 5 minutes to quickly burn expiring ECB’s. I used them mostly to extend the “diaper” supply, and tossed in milk, TP, and granola bars.

    Pre-savings – $26
    OOP – $0
    Saved – $26
    new ECB’s $2

    Pre-savings for the week – $334.82
    OOP – $70.78
    TOTAL WEEK’s SAVINGS – $264.04

    I think that’s just over 79% savings.

    The best part of the week was today. My $30 of GC’s from the Publix/Kraft rebate arrived! I was soooo happy!

  • Algebra

    Jenny
    I went to Publix in Florida yesterday and i was told that the policy has changed about the coupons. IF a MF coupon is more than the price of the item than they are going to adjust to the price NO OVERAGE. Is there a number we can call or talk to or do you think you can find out.
    please thank you

  • http://www.chattanoogacheapskate.com Jamie

    Jenny, reading your deals and matchups and scenarios can sometimes seems so imtimidating. Everything is so precise, and sometimes involves just the right books and inserts and peelies, and often I find myself thinking I’m the only one who just doesn’t have it all together. And then you do Friday Finals! And every time I am reminded just how normal it is to get about 50% savings. Your baby wipes and cokes example is the story of my life. Thanks for sharing and encouraging- you’re great!

  • Dina

    9/13-9/19

    Publix trip 1:
    Total cost-$35.43
    Total OOP-$4.17,but sent off for a $2.50 rebate ($1.67)

    Publix trip 2:
    Total cost-$59.96
    Total OOP-$1.77 (used 2 $10 kraft rebate gc-cost would have been $21.77)

    Wags trip:
    Total cost-$9.04
    Total OOP-$2.07

    CVS trip:
    Total cost-$31.32
    Total OOP-1.77 (got 6ECB-would have been $7.77)

    This weeks total:
    Total Purchase:$135.75
    Total OOP (including the deduction of the Palmolive rebate I just sent in and my $6ECBs): $7.07

    Since August 2, 2009:
    Total Purchase: $1,143.33
    Total OOP: $151.26

  • Stacie F in AL

    Jenny –

    It would be soooo nice i you would post what you actually got on these riday Finals. i would love to see what deals YOU get! Thanks for all of your help!

  • Elisha

    So this was my first big shop “couponing”.Wow!! i went from 120 a week to last night i bought for 2 weeks and spent 110 for a family of 5 !! And i bought diapers pullups and a big bag of wipes! Ok i’m hooked. And the kids Love the bagelfuls something i would have never splurged for before, now i have boxes of them in the freezer Yeay I’m not good with percentages but id say i saved…Alot.

  • Cathy

    Yesterday I took on the evil giant that is Walmart. I have avoided it on the whole since I started couponing because I can do SO much better at Publix, Kroger, and the drugstores. I went with the intention to only buy what would be free or close to it after coupons. Here is what I got:

    3 Healthy Choice Meals $1.68 ea used 2 $2 off q and 1 $1 off q (Con Agra mailer)
    2 White Cloud Toilet paper $2.00 each less 2 $1 off q
    2 Moms best oatmeal $.75 less 2 .75 q
    3 Klondike Choco Taco $1 ea less 3 $1 off Klondike q
    2 Ore Ida Krispy Fries $.93 ea less $1 off 2 q
    Smithfield Bacon $2.58 less $3 off q
    2 Airwick I motion $5 ea less 2 $6 off q
    4 Sara Lee Deli Turkey Breast $3.98 less 4 $3 off q
    8 Breyers YoCrunch yogurt $.58 ea less 4 $1 off 2 Breyers q
    2 Ajax Dish Soap $.97 less 2 $1 off q

    Total before coupons: $52.79
    After coupons: $6.63
    Saved $46.16 about 88% – and it was WALMART!!!

    Thank you Jenny for teaching me to look at shopping in a WHOLE new light. I have “accidentally” spent $6.63 at Walmart on junk! You are amazing and make a HUGE difference in so many people’s lives and budgets!!! Thanks!!!

  • Jessica

    I’m just starting getting into the coupon clipping thing.

    With tripple coupons at Harris Teeter I was able to save $38.98 with coupons and only pay $5.43

    1 box of Reynold’s Foil
    1 box of Fiber 1 Bars
    2 boxes of Betty Crocker Warm Delights Brownies
    1 bag of Chex Mix
    3 pouches of Betty Crocker potatoes
    2 boxes of pop secret pop corn
    1 Scrubbin Bubbles Bathroom Cleaner
    3 bottles of Mentos gum
    1 pack of Famous Amos Cookies
    1 Zone Bar
    1 box of Kotex Lightdays
    2 boxes and 1 bag of frozen veggies

  • Lisa

    I got Prilosec on sale at Walgreens for $22.99. I used the $5 Register Rewards to get FREE toothpaste and $2.00 feminine products.

    I went to Publix and got apples on sale for $2.49 and a box of Special K for $2.00 since they are B1G1. I then used a coupon on the Special K for $1.00 off.

    Between both stores I got $44.46 worth of stuff for $28.47. That is less than the original price of the Prilosec alone!

    I saved $15.99!

  • Lisa

    By the way, the $1.00 coupon for Special K is on Coupons.com. The coupon specifies the blueberry flavor, which is really good.

  • Annamarie

    Ok, this is the first time I have done a final tally and its not really a final tally because I know my husband had to purchase some stuff without coupons for a sick child and I didn’t keep the reciept…this is what I spent this week:

    Harris Teeter(2 trips):
    Before Sales AND coupons $161.68
    OOP $59.19
    saved almost 64%

    Walgreens: Bought 2 packs of razor refils for my husband on BOGO originally $10.99 each
    Before Sales and coupons $23.52
    OOP: $4.61
    Saved: almost 81%

    Rite Aid: 2 packs of pancake mix, cascade and a jumbo pack of pampers because it couldn’t hold off til next week!!
    Before Sales and coupons (and a $7 rebate check) $32.06
    OOP: $9.62
    Saved 70%

    Total spent (by me! LOL): $73.42
    Total saved: $143.84!!!!! OMG

  • Mina

    Jamie, I know what you mean, but try not to feel that way. Jenny does a good job of pulling the available information from other sites, adding her own touch, and creating easy to follow pages. NONE of us have all the coupon possibilities listed. Most of us don’t have more than two prints of any single IP q. We all have times when drug stores seem to be out of, not only items we *need* to follow through on our pre-decided scenarios, but also anything we planned on using for a backup plan. I get practically giddy when I have a plan and actually wind up both having all of the q’s I need in sufficient quantity AND find all of the items in stock at the store.

    Possibly the biggest help for my attitude is keeping in mind that I’m shopping for MY family’s needs and preferences, and that what I purchase and how much I spend over the long haul is much more important than any single trip or item. For instance, I bought Triscuits while they were on BOGO this week, even though I did not get any Nabisco cracker q’s, because they are favorite of a few members of the family and we haven’t had them in over a year. Some things, like the hummus, pita, and raspberry tea, weren’t even on sale. I felt no guilt at all buying them because they are healthy foods that we enjoy while sitting around together, and buying them saved me time that I could spend with my family instead of of making them from scratch. Some of what we save is direct monetary savings, but some goes toward purchasing other things that we wouldn’t otherwise buy. This way has made my family very happy, and now they feel like the bargain hunting is freeing instead of confining.

    I rambled. ;-)

  • Phillis

    Just got back from an awesome morning of triple couponing in Nashiville. Spent $44.74 on $262.33 worth of groceries. Thanks to all who comment with deals. You made my shopping today a wonderful success.

    Took my friend Barbara and she did just as well as I did.

    LOVE TRIPLE COUPONING

  • valerie

    i wish i lived somewhere that tripled, or even doubled coupons…but i’m still proud of the money i’ve saved. i’ve managed to lose my receipt already, but yesterday i spent $30 and some change at publix and saved over $65. pretty good. my husband and i have been struggling financially, so we haven’t really been able to “stockpile.” we just buy what we absolutely need to survive until the next payday, but i think i’m starting to get the hang of this couponing business, so once we get ourselves out of this rut we’re in i’ll be able to save even more!

  • Sarah Beth

    I think I did really well this week, except for my terrible experience at Rite Aid. However, I am thinking happy thoughts and moving on. This sums up my week:

    Kroger: Spent 63.79 and saved 42.10 (I bought milk, a bag of chips, three packs of kraft singles, three packs of shredded cheese, 2 half gallons of juice, 2 juicy juice, 2 apple juices, 2 coffee creamers, a pot roast, hamburger patties, steak, 2 boxes of bagelfuls, a 12pack of charmin double rolls, 1 4 pack of charmin, snack bars, bacon and some clearance items for my favorite girl.)

    Walgreens: Spent 2.42 Saved 20.09 (bought 2 things of deodorant, mascara, eye shadow and gum)

    Target: Spent 6.57 Saved 12.38 (bought a bag of dog food, 10 cans of wet dog food, and a bounce bar)

    The Terrible Rite Aid Spent 7.13 Saved 13.75 (After I fought with the store associates)

    Weekly Total: 79.91

    I think I did well.

  • DOC

    Ok, so I am new to this, but, I have to brag….

    I have used your site and have been collecting coupons for a little over a month. I have been getting better and better at this and my discount grows every week. However, I may have outdone myself this time. :)

    First, let me say, I did cheat slightly, kinda. The last time I tried to do the “15 and get $5″ my store messed it up. HT was nice enough to finally add a $5 credit to my EVIC. So, I did earn it, just not this trip.

    I used a combination of the buy 15 and the free after triples pages here on your site. I did also buy some items that were “reasonably” priced with triples.

    My total for one trip is as follows:

    Before Savings: $117.96
    Total Spent: $7.22

    Total Saved: $110.74 or 94%

    And i wont even go into my trips to CVS, Rite Aid, Walgreens…. hahaha

    I have been warned that if I bring home another $.30 Airwick retail ($12.58 ea) I may be building a house out of them…