Jul 18 2008
First Trip Useing Coupons.
Let me start off by saying I did indeed save money. However, it was on stuff I usually don’t buy, but for the most part needed. What do I mean? Well, batteries which I use for my camera, deodorant which my husband needs about every three months, etc… I also bought my regular food items minus the oatmeal since we have that in bulk and minus eggs since the chickens are laying half a dozen a day. Plus I was able to get all the condiments I haven’t been able to buy for the past 6 months, like mayonnaise, and ketchup. Add to this I also bought some junk. (Okay we didn’t need the junk, but I always buy some junk food…this was just cheaper than I usually buy)
I bought absolutely EVERYTHING from toothpaste, to diapers, to cheese, to salad dressing, along with the carrots, potatoes, etc.. I usually buy for 150 dollars. According to the receipt I got about 60 dollars off the total. To compare, for food alone it costs about 220 dollars a month. Add everything else and it’s about 260 dollars. This doesn’t include any of the rebates I have to send away for yet.
However, and yes I am going to complain, #1 it’s a pain. #2You don’t save as much as you think #3Most of the coupons are for junk food #4You can not do this with kids #5 Many items even with the coupon are cheaper with the store brand #6 I just barely made the amount I spent on coupons back so in reality I only saved 40 dollars. #7 It is hard to organize these things
Did I save a lot on things we have completely run out on? You bet! Would I do it again? Sure. But I wouldn’t do it every month. I will continue to keep a stash of coupons, just in case. However, next time I am definitely going to try and get only fresh foods since I now have enough ketchup and mustard to last a lifetime. (It was free after the coupon)
