Wednesday, September 28, 2011

A Laymans How To: Extreme Couponing

I think by now, we've all heard about the TLC hit, "Extreme Couponing". The opinions are widespread, as some think it ruins it for the rest of us, some think it is too cool for school...(yeah I just said that...) and some just don't see HOW.




I by no means consider myself a pro couponer, but I do get the point, and with that, several freebies each week. I have no stock pile ROOM, but I have a shelf :)

I thought in light of the season premier TONIGHT, I would share how this is done, for the regular gal. (Guys, you are soooo welcome to join in!)

STEP 1:
  • Buy at least 2 newspapers, and a binder to organize. (Baseball card inserts work great)You will quickly need this, even if you don't on week #1.
  • Clip every single coupon in those papers. I don't care if you don't need those items, will never use them, bla bla bla. Clip them ALL.

STEP 2:
  • Get the weekly ads for the following stores: CVS, Rite Aid, and Walgreens. (These are the easiest to do, and each offers rewards on certain items each week) AND check if they have a monthly coupon packet on display in the front of the store.

STEP 3:
  • Match the coupons you have, to ads that offer rewards. Split up your transactions to use each reward toward your next purchase. For example, CVS:

Transaction #1
Buy 2 Crest Pro Health Mouthwash ($4.50 each on sale)
Use 2 x $2/1 coupons
Total $5.00
Get $5.00 rewards to use next

Transaction #2
Buy 2 Colgate Max toothpaste ($2.79 each on sale)
Buy 1 Dawn dish soap (99 cent sale)
Buy Excedrin 8 count (99 cents sale)
Use 2 x $1/1 coupons for Colgate
Use 50 cents/1 Dawn
Use $5 reward from transaction #1
Total  $0.06
Get $4.99 rewards to use next

Transaction #3
Buy 2 Oral B Pulsars ($6 each on sale)
Use 2 x $2/1 coupons
Use $4.99 reward from transaction #1
Total $3.01
Get $6 rewards to use next

Transaction #4
Buy 2 John Frieda Full Repair Stylers ($5 each on sale)
Use 2 x $2/1 coupons
Use $6 reward from transaction #1
Total $FREE
Get $3 rewards to use next

Transaction #5
Buy 2 Garnier Fructis Shampoo/Conditioner (2/$5 on sale)
Use 2 x $1/1 coupons
Use $3 reward from transaction #1
Total $FREE

No I absolutely didn't need 4 shampoos, 2 toothpastes, and 2 mouthwashes that week, (a few weeks ago) BUT imagine how my grocery bill shrinks exponentially with each trip like this?

So- to make your life easier, I will post my list for you each week. 1 for CVS, 1 for Rite Aid, and 1 for Walgreens. No, you won't get baskets and baskets for $5 like on the show, BUT you will get some freebies, and some cheapies!

Here is a little help getting started!



2 comments:

MariaS said...

I clip coupons some times...of the things I use and need and...and discard the rest. I LOVE the digital coupons that you load to the reward cards (I do it for Kroger a lot through their website). I also get coupons from Costco and buy the max of the stuff I use...that helps in the long run. Right now I have 6 large bags of Starbucks coffee and a gazillion rolls of toilet paper and paper towels. LOL. I will start following these posts by you...I know I can learn something! :)

Stylin' Binder's said...

I sell a cute Coupon Organizer at www.stylinbinders.com come check us out. We also do custom styles and sizes!