Year end totals

[TSUalum93]

My grand total at the main supermarket that I shop at for 2003 was $5346.83. This includes all of the food, cleaners, health and beauty -- everything. It does not include the rebates or double/triple deals (like free Mentos and then the free movie tickets with the UPCs). I did not keep track of things like Target or CVS 90% off items but I cleaned up there too -- especially with the CVS back to school plastic storage containers.

I would say 90% or more of what I bought at the supermarket was free or less than a quarter after sales and coupons . . . The one big thing I did not buy for free was Thanksgiving dinner but even at $50 (would have cost me more to make) I was able to combine it with a $5/$30 and a $10/$75 (I bought other stuff like sodas we needed for the holiday and other non-holiday items) I saved more than 50% off the order (low for me).

I still have to send in for my Reynolds forms ($5 for buying 4 items -- all free or nine cents after sales and doubles), Peperidge Farm forms (5 items get $10 back -- these weren't free but I paid less than $1 each after sales and doubles) and the Miller Meat form (I bought nice cuts of meat we wouldn't normally get to splurge and help me on my Atkins diet).

Goodluck to all in 2004.

Maddy

[MsSaveALot]

I have tried to keep track but with all my shopping, i lost track. I did get alot for free 2003.


Free spaghetti about 60 boxes
free macaroni
free baked cookies
free pillsbury toaster strudel
free hellsman dipping sauce
tons of free Vlasic pickles
free salad dressing
free tic tacs
free canned soup (about 20)
free BC oven favorites
free Reynold's plastic wrap
free shampoo Salon Selectives
free Loreal purezone cleansing cloths @ 7.99 each pack. got 6 for free
free Loreal purezone cleanser at 7.99 each all free got 10
free loreal lipgloss
free post cereal



Got Reynold's aluminum foil for .10 for 25sq feet so $1.10 for 275 sq ft.

WHere are people finding the Reynold's forms? I know people are trading them but where can they be found?

[TSUalum93]

Originally posted by MsSaveALot
WHere are people finding the Reynold's forms? I know people are trading them but where can they be found?

I wish I knew . . . I traded for mine . . .

Maddy

[Flocky]

I kept track of coupon and rebate savings for 2003.
I saved $3366.68. The best year for me yet. Thanks to all my YDF friends. I do not have any stores that double or triple coupons...I keep praying that maybe someday....

Here's what I did....total the coupons used from every receipt, and deposit that $$ in a special account, and deposit every rebate check too...and watch it grow.

Now I am starting over with another new account for 2004.

[MsSaveALot]

I know it was reported on the news that store cards are used, not only to keep track of what you buy, but that store sells things higher then says they discount it. they compare store cards to stores that dont have these cards. when the store card has a sale it averages out to about the same as the non store card but it was a tad cheaper at the non carded store.




i know that Tops upped their prices recently and then said "new low price". I'm like whatever!. pickles were 2.49, theu upped the price to like 3.zz then lowered it to 2.89 stating "new low price" im like yeah right! they do believe their customers are stupid.

[TSUalum93]

Originally posted by Flocky
Here's what I did....total the coupons used from every receipt, and deposit that $$ in a special account

WOW now that is AWESOME! YOU GO!

Originally posted by MsSaveALot
when the store card has a sale it averages out to about the same as the non store card but it was a tad cheaper at the non carded store.

I agree with this report 100% but I take two things into consideration:

1) Every store except for one in my area has store cards so alas its not much of a choice. Because what I buy is no ones business but my own I have several cards from each chain . . . I actually used all of them from the main chain I go to with different orders on 12/31 (with stuff I needed to get) so I could get the year end total I posted above.

2) The report does not take into account folks like us . . . Now I do have double couponing in my area. I can drive just a bit for $.99 but to get double dollars I have to travel to Long Island . . . about 34 miles but brutal in traffic. My plan is to go at least once a week during off peak hours when the deals are plentiful enough. With double dollars I have gotten thousands of dollars worth of free groceries . . . my limit is actually a nickle per item not including the cost of trading for the coupons UNLESS it is a product that I love and use all the time like the Clorox wipes. They retail for $3.69 each here . . . Free is almost unheard of (I once got Lysol wipes free with triples last year . . . ) so when I can double a $1 coupon with a 2/$5 sale it is worth the $.50 to me . . . Or today I got a dozen 12 packs of Energizer batteries for $1 each plus tax . . . Free . . . no. But they retail for over $6 here. They were on sale for $1.99 and I had the $1 off coupons (this store only doubles up to $.50) and while last year I got tons of free batteries my stockpile was looking thin and I figured it was worth $.25 per four to get them . . . So long story short while the stores with cards might be playing with pricing I am still winning by knowing the rules of the game and playing them to my advantage . . . Make sense? I am not sure if I am anymore . . .

Maddy

[MsSaveALot]

I understand. I love the clorox wipes! they are expensive here too! When triples came around I stocked up! I maybe didn't get to use one coupon. lol But I have about 15 to 20 of them. Most I got for free, others I paid about .50. I stockpile batteries when I can, it's easiest during triples. They only double up to .99 here. No $1 doubles. I am PRAYING for $$. I would really love that! My stockpile has increased, I made plans to keep track but I was going shopping so much I don't know where some of my receipts are lol, they are lost in an endless pile of coupons and my stockpile. I would travel the distance if it wasn't too dar for $$s. It's just harder to get the good coupons ya know?

[luckyme]

Originally posted by TSUalum93
. . . So long story short while the stores with cards might be playing with pricing I am still winning by knowing the rules of the game and playing them to my advantage . . . Make sense? I am not sure if I am anymore . . .

Maddy

Of course it makes sense. You're right on top of it Maddy.

I don't have a year total.
I guess I could add it up but it wouldn't tell me anything.
I can say I never paid out more than $50 a month for my food, HAB,cat's food & supplies during every month this year.

I can say there is certainly plenty of stuff here for the winter.
I can say I've helped my son re-stock his home with favorite groceries he or his kids like a few times this year for pennies on the dollar.
I can say I've shopped good for Mom. My mothers grocery bill is similar to mine and her house is filled with winter food too.
I can say none of my many relatives are gonna run out of free toothpaste this year!!
I may not need to buy bar soap for years.

Give that I'd say my year's totals are OK. :D

I have lost some doubleing ability around here but I still hope to do good next year. I take a winter break and use what I've stockpiled.. my shopping will be slow till March.

[redhead63]

I just drool when I read you all's posts about your grocery savings I live in a small town with two grocery's one doesnt take coupons its a save a lot and the other goes over them with a fine tooth comb and they dont hardly ever have any good deals

[LyndaSLP]

how do y'all keep track of your year totals/savings?

[TSUalum93]

Originally posted by LyndaSLP
how do y'all keep track of your year totals/savings?

Some folks use excel spreadsheets or notebooks.

The market I shop in most frequently keeps a running total of year to date saved which is what I personally go by.

Maddy