Budgeting and Coupons

Recently it was like a light bulb went off after reading a friends status message on social media regarding budgets.  It really got to me to think.  Do I really gear my blog posts to people on budgets?  I don't go shopping with a set amount of money in my pocket or knowing I have only so much in food stamps.  I do not receive food stamps so I have not had that experience.  We don't have an envelope with our food more for the month.  However, we do have an average per day for us to spend.  However it's only an average.  There are many days that we spend nothing at all.
This got me to thinking more though.  I have heard many different views and thinking with coupons.  Some people tend to buy more if they have coupons for items they use.  While for others coupons help them stretch the already tight money.  Then there are those that just like a good savings and helping others.  I for one don't think twice about picking up multiple of an item that is on sale.  However, if your on a budget do you just get one?  Does stocking up on something that is a really good price help you?  I would think in the long run it helps.  I would not go overboard stocking up on everything you use.  No, there is always a happy medium.  What works for me might not work for you.  
My view on a budget and using coupons is that coupons can be helpful.  They can help you save money on an item you were already planning to buy.  I see for my house how much getting something on sale and at times using coupons on top of the sale has saved us already for this year.  The money that is saved could be used towards another area in your life.  Maybe treating yourself to the movies, a mani-pedi, outfit, etc.  It also could be set aside to use towards a vacation, make bigger payments to pay down debt, etc.
I am not saying just one shopping trip with coupons is going to cure everything.  Once you find that groove that works for you I would hope that you see the savings start piling up.

I'm reevaluating our Cable, Netflix, Hulu+ ...

Since we have added the DVR feature to our cable service we have had two different issues.  Besides cable we get Netflix both streaming instantly and DVD by mail.  This last DVR issue has me ready to completely cancel our cable.  If the bill was in my name I might have cancelled it already.  However it has had me really rethinking if we can do without cable and still watch the shows we like to watch.  I have been able to find just about everything we watch online whether it's at ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, Hulu, Netflix.  

I started looking at the potential savings though.  Netflix is about $20 for the DVD and streaming options we have.  Hulu has many shows you can watch for free without signing up for the + feature.   As long as you have internet you can head to most channels websites and view episodes of shows on there.  Not every show is available to watch online, but that is what is great about Netflix.  Eventually all shows go to DVD don't they?  I would rather pay the $20 a month plus internet cost then pay the overpriced prices of Cable, Dish and Direct TV.  

At this point I have lost the fight of cancelling our cable.  Some people in the house like to be able to flip the channels and watch what's on when it's on.  Me however, I think I would be just fine without.  

A Way to Track Prices

When I see toilet paper and dish washing detergent on sale I never know if it is a good sale or one I should pass on.  I finally got tried of having to figure out each time they are on sale if it is a good price per tablet or sheet.  So to help that frustration I started making spreadsheets.  Hopefully I will be able to quickly glance, make adjustments for sales or coupons and then be able to tell which is cheaper per tablet.  I have yet to find a sale that beats the price per tablet at BJ's for Finish.  Normally the wholesale club big packages of things do not make the most economic sense.  Finish seems to be one of the exceptions to the rule.
A spreadsheet of your frequently purchased or sought after items might help you cut down your couponing time.  It might require a little more time in the beginning as you set up your spreadsheet, but hopefully overtime it cuts down on your time.  
Okay so I said a mouthful, but what am I really trying to say.  Let's take a look at Toilet Paper and Dishwashing detergent.

Toliet Paper Prices
Brand	Pack	Ply	Sheets	Amount	Price Per Sheet
Angel Soft	6	Double	1,800	2.34	0.0013
Angel Soft	12	Single	1,800	2.34	0.0013
Marcal Small Steps	12	Double	4,032	4.99	0.001238
Scott	20	Extra Soft	9,380	12.99	0.001385
Scott	20	Single	20,000	12.99	0.00065

	Dishwashing Detergent Price Comparison
Store	Brand	Type	Quanity	Price	Price Per	Price After Coupon
Walmart	Finish	Gel Pacs	20	3.97	0.1985	1.82	0.091

You can do this for just about anything.  Hope this little tip helps you on your couponing journeys.



*On a side note if you don't know how to do formulas in Excel send me and e-mail and I will be happy to give you step-by-step instructions.

Cold Front Stalling Shopping

It is mighty cold here.  Watching the weather earlier in the week I knew my shopping was going to be slow or non-existent.  I am using this week to catch up on things, take stock of what we have and what we are low on.  Honestly I think the only thing that I will be looking at the papers for are paper towels.  We only have three rolls in our storage closet.
I have to admit I have been enjoying not having to run to the store when finish the bottle of laundry detergent we are using, squeeze the last drop out of the bottle of shampoo, toothpaste, etc.  Instead I walk down to our storage closet/pantry and get the item I need to replace.  This does cut down on paying full price for an item that is needed.

One Sale I Personally Struggled With

Last year I discovered Bath and Body Works scent Aruba Coconut.  I received many compliments on it and tried to buy another bottle of it.  However I discovered that it was a limited time scent.  Seeing that I had only bought the one bottle last year I have not been using it every day.
To my delight I saw that Bath and Body Works had a buy 3 get 3 free sale going on 1/19-1/21/2013.  One of the three featured scents was Aruba Coconut.  I start plotting out what I am going to buy.  Start adding them to my online cart.  Deleted scents.  Decided not to order.  Went to the store to get a bottle of lotion that ended up being free with coupon.  Glanced at their stock.  Saw they had plenty of the Aruba Coconut in case I decided to head back and get 6 scents.  Checked the web site again, made a potential list.  Decided at 5:45 Sunday evening to head to Bath and Body Works.  We only live about 7 maybe 10 minutes from the mall.  There was a problem the store was going to close at 6.  I knew I wouldn't get there in time.  Well maybe it was for the better since I knew I had a whole lot of different scents already and really didn't need to add to my collection.
That was the real issue that had me struggling on whether to go and pick up 6 scents or not.  I knew I already had a lot of different fragrances some I really don't even wear anymore.  Why would I go add more just to get one scent.  True I could have just purchased one bottle of Aruba Coconut, but it's $14 a bottle.  If I took advantage of this sale and used my 20% off coupon they would only be $5.60 a bottle.
Since store had already closed I'm considered placing an online order.  I can't see paying 6.99 for shipping, so I decide against the order. I guess I'm not meant to add six more scents.
Part of me was regretting not making up my mind sooner.  However I don't really need them.  I really was conflicted.  Then I read my e-mail today.  Wait the sale in stores and online ends today, not yesterday.  Okay, don't run to the store and buy impulsively.  Think about it.  I finally decide around 3 to head out as long as the snow has not started yet.  You're kidding I'm all dressed and ready to go and it's snowing.  Wait it's not sticking.  Should I go...No...Yes....No...YES.  I give in and go.
Finally I'm at the mall pick up the first three or four scents no problem.  Now trying to figure out the remaining so this trip wasn't a wasted trip.  What feels like a long time later I have the six bottles in hand, head to the check-out and ask if I could use the 20% coupon on top of the buy 3 get 3 free sale.  Yippee I can!!
After examining the receipt I saved $50.40 and only spent 35.73.  For the 59% I saved it was worth going out and getting the Aruba Coconut and the other five scents.

Print Store's Coupon Policy

I know I have touched on this before, but since it is a new year it is worth repeating.  Print out the store's you shop at coupon policy.  Familiarize yourself with it, keep it with you in case a question arises while shopping or checking out.  Also note that these policies are from the cooperate office and each store might have adjusted their policy some.  Inquire at the stores you frequent as to what their policy is.  Do they have a limit on how many total coupons you can use per transaction?  Unless noted on the coupon do not double some stores will double a coupon whose value is up to .99 before doubling.  Does your store limit the amount of doubled coupons.  Does the store allow your balance to be a negative?  If you have six coupons do you have to have six or more items or could you just have four items?  Seems like a lot of questions to consider, but you don't want to get caught off guard one day while shopping.

Where to Print Coupons From

A few people I have come in contact with recently have had some great questions.  These questions had me looking at my past posts and I couldn't find any posts that I shared the sites I print coupons from.  I know it's there, well I thought it was but maybe I overlooked sharing with you a simple way of getting coupons. 

It's hard to know which coupons to print and what sites you can trust.  

If I'm looking for a certain coupon and I don't find it in the Sunday Coupon inserts here are some sites I use:

• www.coupons.com
• www.smartsource.com
• www.redplum.com
• www.allyou.com
• www.target.com
• www.pgeverydaysolutions.com
• www.bettycrocker.com/

Besides these sites I go to manufacturer websites of the products I'm going to buy.  Well I go to them when I remember.  It does help that must sites I print from I subscribe to their newsletters.  This helps because their are coupons within those newsletters.

Since I do find out the best sales from www.couponmom.com's website if there is an online coupon coupon mom will attach a hyperlink to that coupon's spot on the net.

What sites do you print coupons from?

Don't fall in the fraudulent coupon traps, if a coupon looks to good to be true check it out here www.couponinformationcenter.com/

Stockpile Wisely

As you shop and save it is easy to fall into the trap of overbuying.  Sometimes people clear spaces in order to store their stockpile.
When I started couponing I made a vow to myself that I will not overbuy, I will not buy items we don't use, don't have a person in mind to give it to, don't have a designated space for, or just don't need.
Seeing the savings rack up, not knowing when it will be on sale next makes you want to buy more.  Try to resist the urge to buy more than a few of each item in a shopping trip unless you are going to donate the overage somewhere.
Watch the sales you will find they cycle.  Some of the coupons are the same way, you could pretty much guarantee what will be in the Proctor and Gamble coupon inserts each month.  There are a few surprises month to month though.
Stockpile wisely!!!

Savings Tracking

I know I have talked before about tracking your savings, but I want to discuss it again.  I have been keeping a spreadsheet tracking my spending and savings since 2011.  I will admit I don't register every receipt into my spreadsheet because at times I just forget.  If I carried my laptop everywhere I went then maybe it would be easier to register the receipts.  :-)  Moving right along...

Tracking your savings helps you to see what you are spending the most on, how much if anything you are saving, what can you cut if you need.  I know my weakness in summertime is Starbucks Vanilla Bean or Strawberries and Cream Frappachino.  When I see Starbucks on my spreadsheet day after day I know it's time to cut that for a bit.

So exactly how do I track my spending?  I track the date, store, total before savings, total after savings, amount saved and percent saved in an excel spreadsheet.  Recently I was registering some receipts from 2013.  Since 2013 just started I had to insert a new tab to my spreadsheet.  I was amazed and driven when I saw my figures from 2012.  I know I didn't register every receipt, but from what I did I was very impressed with how much we saved.  It was shocking at the amount if we had paid full price we would have spent.  Seeing all the figures in front of me has driven me to continue to use coupons, not pay a lot for things and just save!!

So far in 2013, with the receipts I have registered in my spreadsheet, I have saved $114.87.  The average percent saved is 48%.  However that does not really reflect my percentage saved each shopping trip.  Trip 1 41%, Trip 2 96%, Trip 3 75%
The 41% brings down my average percent saved.  For it being only January 13th I am quite happy with my savings thus far.
How much have you saved this year?

Comparison Shopping

You could be going out of your way to get things cheaper and not even realize it.  Since BJ's stopped carrying the gallon of orange juice a year or more ago, I head to Price Rite to get our orange juice.  We seem to go to Price Rite once or twice a week depending on the week.  However, our actual grocery shopping is done elsewhere.  There are days that I dread this extra stop, but know the orange juice is needed.
When shopping I tend to notice prices of things we use and buy often.  For the past month I have noticed that Shop Rite has their gallon of orange juice for the exact same price as Price Rite.  Since I do a lot of my shopping at Shop Rite, there is a good chance that I can eliminate the Price Rite shop or at least cut down on it.
By comparison shopping I am saving myself some time knowing I can get the majority of my shopping done all at one store.  Is what you are going out of the way for cheaper or the same price at a store you frequent?

Almost a Year

I am approaching a year since I started this blog.  I can't believe I have been blogging that long.  I know that I don't post daily, but have enjoyed the posts I have complied.

Thank you to all of you who have read even once.  Without you this blog would not have been a success.  I have had over a thousand views in this past year.  Pat yourself on the back for being one of those 1000 views.  I hope that I have taught you'll something.  Helped you to save, got you thinking about saving, etc.  Now I have to figure out if I should continue with the blog or just continue couponing and not blog.  Any input from my readers would be appreciated.

On a savings/shopping note.  Shop Rite's Can-Can sale appears to be in full force.  I found that a lot of the sales that started last week are still in effect this week.  It's a great time to get canned veggies, tuna fish, pasta, etc all at a great price.

Talk to Friends About Savings

This week a friend of mine posted pictures and how much she spent out of pocket for certain items at CVS.  These items happen to be part of the clearance, but not marked in stores.  I inquired about what store and what coupons she used to get the items so cheap.  Since my friend shared it with me, I was able to duplicate it.  If you know of a good deal on things, let others know.  With so many sales and clearance events happening we are likely to miss something.

Today coupon and saving wise I did quite well.  At Toys "R" Us I saved 75% and saved at CVS I saved 96%.  After the 96% savings I did a little happy dance in the parking lot.  Yup I was very proud of myself.

Some of the things I bought for Christmas was from Toys "R" Us and ended up racking up some rewards.  I had $6 in rewards that expires on January 11th.  I decided to use it on a Yahtzee game and knew I was going to have to pay some out of pocket.  Also, most of their Christmas items are now 90%.  I picked up a few rolls of wrapping paper.  With my rewards I paid .19 a roll,  without the rewards the 3.99 rolls are down to .39.  Their price beat most places I have been to lately. I picked up three rolls so I'm all set for next year now :-)

At CVS I paid only .51 for two bottles of Dial 21 oz. lotion.  I went to three different CVS before I found them.  They were all in the areas I was heading today so I didn't have to go out of my way to look for this lotion.  I have found that it is just the Nutriskin 21 oz bottle of lotion that is on clearance.  The store I purchased mine from the regular price is 6.99 and they were on clearance for 1.74.  They did not have them marked on clearance, but still had the sticker at full price.  If my friend hadn't told me about this I would have walked right by them.  I scanned the bottles they had there to find the one on clearance.  I had already printed two coupons from coupons.com to save $1.50 off 1.  The cashier said, "Now that's a good deal" after she scanned my two 1.50 off coupons and saw all I had to pay was .51.

Here is what only spending $1.11 looks like.

These six items total cost me $6.03.  The majority of the out of pocket was spent on yahtzee.

If I had purchased all of these items at full price without any coupons or sales I would have spent a total of $36.30 out of pocket.  Wow what a big difference coupons and sales make.  I'll take my $6.03 out of pocket any day.  

My Help to You

I have been hearing of people struggling, I know coupons don't solve everything.  However I do know that coupons and sales help to cut down on spending.  Yesterday with coupons and sales I saved 41% at Shop Rite.  The year has really just started and I am saving 41% on one shopping trip.  If I had prepared more and seen what coupons were available on coupons.com and printed them, I might have saved more.
Also, read the ad carefully.  Make sure the item you picked up is really the one that is on sale.  I even get tripped up with this sometimes.  Yesterday, I bought yogurt that I thought was on sale.  Well it was, just not 20 for $10.  The kind I purchased was excluded from the 20 for $10 sale.
So far I have not told you how I am willing to help you.  Well here we go.  For my local readers who are serious about saving I am willing to help one or two of you start your coupon binder or box by giving you coupons from my binder or buying you a newspaper with great savings inside.  All you have to do is contact me.
For everyone I am always here for questions.  I know some of you have inquired about me showing you how I save.  Let's do it!  

Coupon Inserts for Sunday's Paper

We are back to getting our paper delivered everyday, so I got the ads and coupons today.  I was quite surprised to see that there are four coupon inserts in the paper this week.  I even received duplicates of some of the inserts. There are some good coupons.  

I also like that CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid tells you in their ad that their might be coupons in the Sunday coupon inserts for said item that is on sale.  It helped me to see what coupons I did not get and now I have to weigh if it makes sense for me to purchase a Sunday Paper tomorrow that has the coupons I didn't get and want.  It could mean I have to buy multiple papers which then might not make financial sense.

If you have not started couponing and want to this is a week to head out and get those papers.

CVS Clearance

I have not checked this out yet, but from reading my e-mail from Hip2Save I found out that CVS is having an awesome clearance sale.  Not only is Christmas items on clearance, but regular items are as well.  From the prices I saw you could get some good deals on shampoo, candy, etc.  Prices and stock may vary per store.
For those of you with cats I noticed that Target might have cat litter on clearance for a great price.  I have not confirmed this at any local Target's.
What other stores are have good clearance prices and items?