Couponing Week 2

This has bee an AMAZING week of couponing.  I loved watching the cashier scan all my groceries and watching the cost go up and up...and then I hand the coupons over and the price goes way down!
This week Lowes Foods had "super doubles" meaning not only did they double coupons under $1...they doubled coupons up to $1.98! 
Here is what I got:

I paid $14.74 for all of the above...the only things I didn't buy with coupons or on sale was the pasta sauce and the bananas.  The rolls were under a dollar and will last Adam and I for three meals.  The gum was .33 each.  The cake mix and frosting was under a dollar (total) and will be used for Z-man's b-day.  With this shop I saved almost $20!

I also did well at Harris Teeter:

I think I have fulfilled my Pillsbury need for the rest of my life...I did make a rookie mistake, I thought the croissants were on sale but the store brand ones were and the labels at the store were sort of messed up.  I still did well,  the cookies were about 9 cents, the frozen green beans were 19 cents...my savings don't seem amazing as a total because I bought strawberries, grapes, blueberries and some noodle bowls and milk which I didn't have coupons for.  I saved almost $42 just under 50%.

And I went to CVS:

This was last weeks shop and I made 2 transactions.  The first transaction I bought the NyQuil and the nature fusion (normally about $9 each) for a total of $8.81 plus I got $3 in extra care cash which I used on the rest of he items.  This trip should have cost me about $42.  I paid under $19.  I was never one to get protein shakes but now that I don't get lunch every day they give me a little "boost" until Z takes a nap and I can make a sandwich.

This week I got this for just over $4 when one pizza usually costs around $4!

and made a second trip to Lowes Foods:

I paid a total of $14.95 when I should have paid over $40!  The Capri Suns were free (and a great drink for kids that come to Z-man's b-day) V8 Splash (my favorite juice) were $1.50 each, the eggs were $1.25 oh and they paid me 50 cents to take the water out of there.

Oh and...those noodle bowls I bought BOGO without a coupon had a coupon in the box so I went back just to get a couple more with the coupons while they were still BOGO:

The original cost was $4 each...I paid $2.04 with taxes!  I love when the check out person makes a comment about how much I saved!  And, no, Adam did not finish the other noodle bowls I just stole the coupon out of them.

Most of what I bought is good meals for when Adam works late...when he works really late he doesn't like a heavy meal so the noodle bowls are perfect and now that Z-man eats real food the Mac and Cheese are perfect for the nights when it's just the two of us...plus it's an upgrade from the boxed mac and cheese.  I still buy meat in bulk from BJ's and I was really proud of myself when Adam asked for cold medicine and I had some in the cabinet (usually we buy the medication after we feel sick).  Starting today Harris Teeter is having Super Doubles (don't worry I am not going crazy...just picking up a few things).

Meet a new Couponer!

That would be me!
I took a class on Tuesday and organized the coupons in this cute new binder on Wednesday.

all you need to coupon...newspaper inserts, remote control, and a drink...oh and the phone near by so you don't mess up your piles racing to answer it.

Thursday I tried my hand at couponing like a pro.

I bought the pre made binder because they recommend zipper (in case you drop it the coupons won't fly away) and the dividers were all included along with the coupon page protectors.  As much as I was excited about going to Staples and making it myself this was much easier, the same price and the binder has a strap.

The teacher of my class suggested starting off small by picking up a couple things using coupons matched with sales and store policies.  I decided not to bring my binder...I really wanted to take it easy and I was nervous about walking the store with a binder...plus I knew it would take a long time and I wanted to see how Zack would do with our longer than normal trip.
Here is what I got:

The breakdown:
What I would have paid at full price
             Emerald Nuts x4 $29.96
             Colgate Toothpaste $2.89
             Pace Salsa x2 $5.58
Total: $38.43
What I would have paid with store discounts:
            Emerald Nuts x4 $15.48
            Colgate Toothpaste $1
            Pace Salsa x2 $4
Total: $20.48...Not bad, but here is what I actually paid:
            Emerald Nuts x4 $12.48
            Colgate Toothpaste $0 (FREE)
            Pace Salsa $2.50
Total: $14.98
A savings of almost 50%
If I was a more seasoned couponer I would have had more salsa and toothpaste coupons and stocked up (especially the toothpaste).  I don't plan on hording but I do like the idea of stocking up on a few of the things we use all the time.  Would I have bought these items without coupons?  Nuts...no...they are too expensive but I figured I could allow a treat at under $4 a can.  Meanwhile Adam loves his new snack.  Salsa...yes...but the Walmart brand which is pretty good but I would have spent more.  Colgate...maybe I usually buy what sticks out to me.  I can't wait to add to my coupon stock and see what other amazing deals I can find.