Still couponing, but other things take the cake... Er, my time.

Yep, Andrew's been running the budget the last few months and the verdict is that couponing is definitely worth the trouble. Hooray!

Thing is, I've learned that my time spent blogging about it- no so worth it. Plus, there are already so many great coupon blogs out there. :)

For one last blog post on this couponing thing- here's how my couponing routine has changed a bit. Yeah, a new job, a new house (more on that soon!) and less free time always forces me to manage my time better. Here's my new method:

- Collect 4 papers every Sunday morning.
- Stop by CVS to pick up whatever The Krazy Coupon Lady has deemed a great deal.
- Head home. Label the front of each insert with the date and file them away in an expandable file. I use to clip and file ALL the coupon in a big binder of baseball card holders- SUCH a waste of time! I think it really started to feel stupid at the end of every month when I'd end up having to throw away half of what I had clipped because they had expired.
- Check out the other deals of the week. I've narrowed my stores down to Target (via Cheap Deals on Totally Target), Tom Thumb and the occasional Family Dollar or Dollar General (all via Coupon Mom). Make a list, clip and print coupons from target.com.
-Hit up the stores as I have time.
- file coupons I don't end up using in my baseball card holder binder so I can easily find them later if needed.

Yay for couponing. Double yay for time-efficient couponing. :)

On to the next blog-worthy topic- our house the elbow grease we're putting into it!

CVS Couponing: Week of July 31st: The Plan

2 Skinny Cow Singel Crisp or Cluster Candies, 0.77-1oz $0.99 each

Buy 1, Receive $0.99 Extra Buck, Limit 1

Use 1 B1G1 Free Skinny Cow Singles Chocolate Candy coupon (RP 7/31)

Pay $0.99

(Final price: free!)

1 Bic Soleil Shimmer Razor Starter Kit or Cartridges, 4 ct. $5.99 eachBuy 1, Receive $3.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 1Use 1 $3.00/1 Bic Soleil Disposable or Soleil System Razor coupon (SS 7/10)Pay $2.99

(Final price: $0.01 Moneymaker!)

Total Cost: $3.98 + tax

Total OOP for this trip to CVS: tax only ($4 paid in EB)... maybe I'll add a 10 cent candy to make up the difference...or maybe I'll try handing over the EB first then the manufacturer coupons to see if the manufacturer coupons can be applied towards tax

EB remaining (for next trip!): $1.99 (I decided not to use a $2 EB this week instead of this one b/c of the expiration dates) and $6 and $2 (all remaining from last week) + $3 and $0.99 (earned this week)= $13.98


I also have a free Herbal Essence product (up to a $3.99 value) coupon from a mailer I signed up for several weeks ago that I'll try to use.


And on another note, I feel like I might need to broaden my drugstore horizons and through Walgreens into the mix.  I may peruse the store this week for some cheap Kelloggs cereal, free Crayola markers, L'Oreal foundation(?), money-making toothbrushes, cheap head and shoulders and more!  Here's the 4-1-1:


Transaction #1:

1 Complete Multi-Purpose Solution, 12 oz $8.00Buy 1, Receive $8.00 Register Reward, Limit 1Use 1 $1.00/1 Complete Multipurpose Solution, 12 oz+ coupon (SS 7/31)Pay $7.00

(Final price: $1 MM!)

Transaction #2:

2 Oral-B Advantage 1-2-3 Toothbrushes, $3.00Buy 2, Receive $3.00 Register Reward, Limit 1Use 2 $2.00/1 Oral-B Advantage Toothbrush, any coupon (PG 7/3) (exp 7/31)
Pay $2
(Final price: $1 MM!)


Head & Shoulders Hair Care, 8.5 – 14.2 oz $4.00
Buy 2, Receive $2.00 Register Reward, Limit 1Use 1 B1G1 FREE Head and Shoulders Shampoo or Conditioner, excludes trial size of equal or lesser value up to $12.99 coupon (PG 7/3) (exp 7/31)Pay $4

(Final Price: $1 each when you buy 2)


1 Crayola Washable Markers, 8 pk $2.00Buy 1, Receive $2.00 Register Reward, Limit 1

Pay: $2
(Final price: free!)


And we'll see about this:


4 Select Kellogg's Cereals, 12-18 oz, $2.50 each
Buy 4, Receive $5.00 Register Reward, Limit 1
Pay:  Depends on what coupons I have to match up with these so-called "select" cereals

CVS Couponing: Week of July 24th: The Loot

  
This week's loot differed a little from what I planned.  All the things I had originally planned to purchase I lumped together in one big transaction with several items missing, as you can see above.  I left out the Cheez-Its (somehow at the store they just didn't feels worth it), the razors and shaving cream (they were out and I'm pretty well stocked, so I didn't bother with a rain check), and one of the notebooks (I really only have need for one write now- where I keep track of "to do's" for work).

Then, the Magic Coupon Machine gave me a $2/2 Shampoos or conditioners coupon!  So, I went back today to get my free VO5 shampoo.  The cashier lady said, "Isn't it great getting free stuff?"  And, yes, I have to agree.

Total value (read: CVS prices totaled before sales or coupons): $11.77
Total OOP: $0.14+ tax = $0.15 (I spent one $7.99 EB)
Remaining EB (to spend on my next trip!): $2 and $2 and $2 (remaining from last week) + $1.99 and $6 (earned this week) = $13.99

CVS Couponing: Week of July 24th: The Plan

Transaction #1  

Bausch & Lomb Re-Nu Sensitive, 12 oz $7.89

Buy 1, Receive $6.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
Use1 $2.00/1 Renu Fresh or Sensitive Multi-Purpose Solution coupon (SS 6/12)
Pay $5.89

(Final price: $0.11 MM!)

Paper Mate Grip Pens, 8 ct. $1.99 
Buy 1, Receive $1.99, Limit 1 
Pay $1.99

(Final price: Free!)

OOP:  $0.88 + tax ($7 paid for with EB)
EB back: $7.99

Transaction #2  


4 Cheez-it Snacks Mix, Corn Nuts, Corn Nuts chips, Keebler Crackers, Nabisco Cookies or Crackers, 4-8 oz $1.25Buy 4, Receive $1.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 1Use 2 $1.00/2 Nabisco Cookies or Crackers coupons (SS 6/19)
Pay $3
(Final Price: $0.50 each)


Buy 2 Schick Quattro Titanium Disposable Razors $8.89
Buy 2 Edge Skintimate Cream (excludes travel size) $2.19 
Use 1 B1G1 Free Schick Disposable Razors coupon (SS 6/26)
And 2 $1.00/1 Edge Shave Cream coupons (SS 7/24)Pay $11.27
(Final price: $1.28)


2 Caliber 1 Subject Notebook, 70-80 sheets $0.25, Limit 8
Pay: $0.50
(Final price: $0.50)

OOP: $0.78 ($14.77 paid in EB)

EB back: $1

CVS Couponing: Week of July 17th: The Loot

So, I think my plan for this week was all kinds of off.... that's what I get make it while drowsy on a night shift....Here's what actually went down:


Total value (read: CVS prices totaled before sales or coupons): $14.94
Total OOP: $1.75+ tax = $1.91 (I spent a $5 EB and a $1.69 EB as planned)
Remaining EB (to spend on my next trip!): $7 + (remaining from last week) + $2 and $2 and $2 (earned this week) = $13

CVS Couponing: Week of Juy 17th: The Plan

Transaction #1 (and only):

2 Pantene Pro-V Shampoo, Conditioner, 12.6 oz or Styler, 5.7-11.5 oz $3.49 each
Buy 2, Receive $2.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
Use 2 $3.00/2 Pantene Product coupons (SS 6/19)
Pay $3.98
(Final price: $0.99 each)

2 Crest Baking Soda/Peroxide, Cavity, Tartar Control, Cool Gel 6.4 oz, w/Scope, 4.4 oz or Children’s Toothpaste, 4.6 oz $1.99 each
Buy 1, Receive $1.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 2Use 2 $0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel coupons (PG 7/3)
or 2 $0.75/1 Crest Toothpaste or Liquid Gel coupons (PG 6/5)
Pay $2.24
(Final price: $0.24 each)

2 Oral-B Indicator Toothbrushes, $1.99 each
Buy 1, Receive $1.00 Extra Buck, Limit 2
Use 2 $2.00/1 Oral-B Pulsar, CrossAction, Advantage, or (2) Indicator or Cavity Defense Manual Toothbrushes from PG 7/3
Pay nada!
(Final price: $2.02 Moneymaker total)

Total Cost: $6.22 + tax

Total OOP for this trip to CVS: tax only ($6.39 paid in EB)... maybe I'll add a 10 cent candy to make up the difference...or maybe I'll try handing over the EB first then the manufacturer coupons to see if the manufacturer coupons can be applied towards tax

EB remaining (for next trip!): $7.99 (remaining from last week) = $1 and $1 and $1 and $1 and $2 (all earned this week) = $13.99

II may also look for the Lumene eye cream I blogged about last week... but I doubt they'll have it.

CVS Couponing: Week of July 10th: The Loot

Total value (read: CVS prices totaled before sales or coupons): $9.68
Total OOP: $0.89+ tax = $0.95 (I spent a $2 EB and a $6.79 EB as planned)
Remaining EB (to spend on my next trip!): $5 + (remaining from last week) + $1.69 and $7.99 (earned this week) = $14.68


Still considering swinging by later this week for some tuna.... I forgot to check it out when I was there today. 

CVS Couponing: Week of July 10th: The Plan

Transaction #1:

Complete Multi-Purpose Solution, 12 oz $7.99
Buy 1, Receive $7.99 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
(Final price: Free)

Balance Bar, 1.76 oz $1.69
Buy 1, Receive $1.69 Extra Bucks, Limit 1 
(Final price: Free) 

Total Cost: $9.68 + tax

Total OOP for this trip to CVS: $0.89 ($8.79 paid in EB) + tax

EB remaining (for next trip!): $5 (remaining from last week) + $1.69 and $7.99 (earned this week) = $14.68

I may also get some tuna for $0.69 each... we'll see. 

CVS Couponing: Week of July 3rd: The Loot

  
My shopping trip this week was a smidge more exciting than I expected.  In addition to the tampons, I also redeemed 3 coupons for a single can (9.5 fl oz any flavor) from Seattle's Best Coffee from several weeks back.  (Sorry, I forget which week's coupons they were in exactly...).  i also got a coupon from the Magic Coupon Machine at CVS for a free Hershey's Air Delight bar, which I redeemed as well.  I'm sad to say it was not nearly as good as the Hershey's Bliss Dark Chocolate that I picked up for free a few weeks ago.... oh well, free chocolate is free chocolate. :)  And the price break down... *que drum roll* ...is:



Total value (read: CVS prices totaled before sales or coupons): $8.93
Total OOP: $0.50+ tax = $0.54 (I spent a $2.49 EB as planned)
Remaining EB (to spend on my next trip!): $5 + $6.79 (both remaining from last week) + $2 (earned this week) = $13.79

CVS Couponing: Week Of July 3rd: The Plan

Transaction #1 (and *most likely* only):

1 Tampax Pearl or Always Infinity Tampons, 18-20 ct. or Pads, 14-18 ct. $3.99
Per CVS: Buy 1, get $2.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
Use $1.00/1 Always Infinity coupon (P&G 6/5)
or $1.00/1 Tampax Pearl or Compak Pearl coupon (P&G 7/3)
***I would prefer to use the coupon from 6/5 so that I can stop by CVS, which is apparently uber popular with couponers in my area, before picking up my Sunday papers.
(Final Price: $0.99)

Total Cost: $2.99 + tax

Total OOP for this trip to CVS: $0.50 ($2.49 paid in EB) + tax

EB remaining (for next trip!): $5 + $6.79 (both remaining from last week) + $2 (earned this week) = $13.79

I'm sad to say, there's not a whole lot I'm interested in buying this week.  If they have the John Frieda hair stuff, which I doubt they will, I'll use the $2 EB made in the purchase of the above to buy them.  There are also some good toothbrush and razor deals (as in cheeeeeeeeep!, free and a $0.01 moneymaker) starting tomorrow, but we get toothbrushes for free at the dentist, I use an electric toothbrush, and we're pretty well stocked on razors, so I'm just going to pass on these things this week.  (However, if you're interested in learning more about those deals head over to The Krazy Coupon Lady.)  But for me this week: less stuff, less stress.

CVS Couponing: Week of June 26th: The Loot

Plus a raincheck :)

So things pretty much went as planned, except that the body washes and deodorants both rang up for $3 each for some reason.... normally this would be fine with me except that I wanted to reach the $15 on my Dove products to get my $5 EB!  So, I explained to the manager that the shelf had the body wash marked at $5, which should have pushed me above the $15 mark ($16 to be exact) to qualify for the  $5 EB.  He played nice, doubled checked the weekly ad, and just gave me the $5 EB without making me pay the remaining $5.  Sa-weet!  So, here's the breakdown:

Total value (read: CVS prices totaled before sales or coupons): $18.79
Total OOP: $0.80+ tax = $1.04 (I spent a $5.99 and $4 EB--> $9.99 in EB total)
Remaining EB (to spend on my next trip!): $2.49 from last week + $11.79 from this week = $14.28 EB total

And for the stat that really matters....

Total OOP spent in my first month of CVS couponing: $36.20 +tax
Not bad considering about $14 of that was "start up" costs and I have $14.28 in EB to use next month.  I expect to only spend $5 to $10 at CVS next month.  Do you think that's a reasonable expectation?

CVS Couponing: Week of June 26th: The Plan

Transaction #1 (and only):

1 RepHresh Brilliant pH Tampon, 18 ct. $6.79
Per CVS ad:  Buy 1, get $6.79 EB, Limit 1
Use 1 $1.00/1 – RepHresh Brilliant tampons – (brilliantcoupon.com)


2 Dove Men+Care Body Wash $5
2 Dove Men+Care Deodorant $3.50
Per CVS ad: Spend $15, get $5 EB whwen you buy specified Dove or Degree Products, Limit
Use  1 B1G1 Men+Care Body and Face Wash or Active Clean Shower Tool coupon (RP 6/26)
Use 2 $2/1 Dove Men+Care Antiperspirant or Deodorant coupon (RP 6/26)


Request a rain check for John Frieda Styler $6 (because if previous weeks are any indication, they'll be out)
With this rain check for the $6 styler (and Per CVS ad: $3 EB when I spend $10 in specified John Frieda, Biore, or Cureal Products, Limit 1- included in the rain check) sometime between now and 7/31 (when my coupon expires) I'll use:
2 $5/1 John Frieda Full Repair Treatment, Styler or Finisher coupon (SS 6/5)
In the future: Will Spend $2, and get $3 EB

Total Cost: $14.79 + tax

Total OOP for this trip to CVS: $2.31 ($12.48 will be paid with EB) + tax

EB remaining (for next trip!): $11.79 (all earned this week)


*I'll also have the rain check for 2 John Frieda stylers! :)

CVS Couponing: Week of June 19th: The Loot

plus a 99 cent birthday card

So this week's bounty was WAY more satisfying that last week's.  Ended up getting everything I had planned on (the toothpaste and protein bites, which were kinda gross but a decent snack for my rumbling tummy on the way down to Houston yesterday morning- a trip we made to surprise Andrew's mom for her big unspoken age birthday and of course to spend Father's Day with a father).  In addition to the shopping list items we also added to the cart Hershey's Bliss (which was $5.99 and earned $5.99 EB- there was also a coupon somewhere, but I didn't have it, but, well...who doesn't love dark chocolate?  *hint: NOT ME!*) and a 99 cent birthday card.  Here are the numeros:

Total value (read: CVS prices totaled before sales or coupons): $17.04
Total OOP: $1.06+ tax = $1.18 (I spent a $5.99 and $6 EB--> $12.99 in EB total)
Remaining EB - all earned on this trip- (to spend on my next trip!): $13.48....that's right I MADE money :)  And the game is getting fun!


I definitely did a little "Go cita!  Go cita!  It's your birthday!" dance out of the store... it *might* have embarrassed the cito as I boogied by the newspaper delivery man and a couple other customers.  My bad. (Not.)

CVS Couponing: Week of June 19th: The Plan

First, I have a confession.  I made a couponing mistake last week when I stopped at a second CVS to see if they had the John Frieda hair stuff (they didn't), and figured, "Hey, might as well pick up another razor since I'm here."  Why the mistake?  Oh, because I forgot there was a "Limit 1" deal on that little EB scenario.  Long story short, I tried to buy it, paid with EB, realized my mistake, decided not to buy it.  That meant to get my EB back (you know, the ones I paid with for the razor I actually decided not to purchase) the cashier had to call over a manager and ended up giving me cash back.  Totally ok with that.  Not so okay with the newb couponer mistake, however.  It ended up being ok with me though since it sort of offset my ONE CVS transaction that I actually meant to break into 2 to offset my OOP expense, but didn't because I was lame.  Anyway, I tell you that: 1.  to be real and 2. because now I have a $6 and $5.99 EB in my possession, and no $4 EB, as you may have thought previously.  Got it?

This week I plan to use the $6 EB only (both the $6 and $5.99 EB expire on 7/12).  You see, the CVS deal this week for me are only "meh."  Here's the plan:

Transaction #1 (and only):

1 ProteinBar Energy or Protein Bites, 2.6-3 oz $2.49
Per CVS ad:  Buy 1, get $2.49 EB, Limit 1

2 Colgate Total Gum Defense, Advanced or Enamel Strength, 4 oz Max, 6 oz or 360 Surround Toothbrush, $2.79 each
Per CVS ad: Buy 1, get $2 EB, Limit 2
Use 2 $1/1 Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste coupons (SS 6/12)

Total Cost: $6.07

Total OOP for this trip to CVS: $0.07 ($6 will be paid with EB) + tax

EB remaining (for next trip!): $5.99 remaining from EB earned last week + $6.49 earned this week =  $12.48

CVS Couponing: Week of June 12th: The Loot

So, I feel like this week was more of a fail than a success, and I'm starting to wonder if the entire couponing thing is worth it.  Andrew and I decided we'll give it a month before dropping the whole experiment.  Today we had no luck finding free Sunday papers, so we ended up laying down $4 (ugh) for 2 at the Shell station.  Then we headed on over to CVS, where they were out of the John Frieda Full Repair products and I was too shy to ask for a raincheck.... maybe I'll check back later this week?  Doubtful.  Not to mention, the whole lack of JF Full Repair products threw me for a loop and I decided to just put everything in one big transaction rather than figure out how to break it down into two.  Bad choice.  Why you ask?  Well, because now I'll be forced to spend another $15.99 in EB (no cash or EB back on EB you don't spend!) down the road.  Is all this number crunching and searching for Sunday papers really worth it?  Probably not.  It seems the whole EB thing will just keep us going back to CVS every week (or few) to spend our EB and a little more (tax, extra items to make sure we use up all the EB since there's no cash back, less the money we may loss on not using EB before they expire...).  We just don't really need to buy toiletries every month.  Now maybe one small trip every month could be worth it, but definitely not if we have to actually buy the Sunday paper.  Oh well, it's an experiment, right?? That's what I keep telling myself.  Andrew says I'm "such a maven," trying to safe us and others money, but right now I feel like a total fail.  Live and learn?

I doubt we'll even use the Motrin PM.

Total value (read: CVS prices totaled before sales or coupons): $21.99 + tax

This week's total OOP:  $7.16
EB back: $15.99

CVS Couponing: Week of June 12th: The Plan

Transaction #1:


1 Schick Hydro 3 or 5 Razors $8
Per CVS ad:  Buy 1, get $4 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
Use 1 $4/1 Schick Hydro Razor coupon (SS 6/12)

2 John Frieda Full Repair Foam Styler $5 each
Per CVS ad: Spend $10 on John Frieda Products, get $3 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
Use 2 $5/1 John Frieda Full Repair Foam Styler coupons (SS 6/5)

OOP:  $0 (cost will be $5 + tax, paid for with EB)
EB back: $7

Transaction #2:

2 Motrin PM, 20 ct. $4
Per CVS ad: Buy 1, get $3 Extra Bucks, Limit 3
Use 2 $1/1 Motrin coupons (RP 6/12)

1 Zyrtec 24 hr tablets, 5 ct. $5.99
Per CVS ad: Buy 1, get $5.99 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
There are coupons available, but it I don't have the RP from 4/10, and for some reason my printer isn't working.  Still a good deal, though!
$4.00/1 Zyrtec Product from RP 4/10 and
$2.00/1 – Zyrtec Product, Excludes Trial Size – (zyrtec.com)


Note: I was also initially going to hop in on the Bayer Aspirin freebie deal, but figured we never take aspirin and though it's "free" with coupons/sales, would still have to pay tax on it.... see the krazycouponlady.com if you think it's a deal you'd like to get in on.  Just wasn't practical for us. :)

OOP: tax only (the rest will be paid for with EB)

EB back: $8.99

Total OOP for this trip to CVS: tax only! :)

EB remaining (for next trip!): $8.99

CVS Couponing: Week of June 5th: The Loot

Ended up getting pretty much what I had planned, plus one more Ban deodorant (included in transaction #2) b/c at essentially $0.24 I figured, "Why not?!"  Here's the loot:

Total value (read: CVS prices totaled before sales or coupons): $32.72
Total OOP: $14.86
Remaining EB (to spend on my next trip!): $9

A success, I'd say. :)

CVS Couponing: Week of June 5th: The Plan

Let me preface this by saying that I don't actually have a Sunday paper subscription.  I do, though, have a couple ideas about how to get a hold of some of the free coupon inserts that come with it.  I'll update you later on how things pan out.  If all goes as planned, here's what I hope to buy on my first couponing trip to CVS.  I plan to break it up into 2 transactions my first week, just to limit my out of pocket expense.  As the weeks go by I should be able to just pay for my items using the previous weeks Extra Bucks (Extra Bucks are like CVS-specific monopoly money that I *believe* expires a month after "earning" it).

Transaction #1:

2 bottles of Crest Pro-Health Rinse, 1L $4.50 each 
Per CVS ad: Buy 1, get $2.50 Extra Bucks, Limit 2
Use 2 $2/1 Crest Rinse coupons (P&G 6/5)

2 bottles of Excedrin Extra Strength, PM or Migraine, 8 ct. $0.99 each
Per CVS ad: Buy 1, get $0.99 Extra Bucks, Limit 2

OOP (out-of-pocket expense): $6.98 + tax
EB (Extra Bucks) back: $6.98

Transaction #2:

1 bottle of John Frieda Collection Shampoo and 1 bottle of John Frieda Collection Conditioner $5 each 
Per CVS ad: Buy $10 worth of John Frieda Collection products, get $3 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
Use 2 $2/1 John Frieda Product coupons (SS 6/5)

1 Ban Invisible Solid deodorant, 2.5 oz. $2.99
Per CVS ad: Buy 1, get $2 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
Use $0.75/1 Ban Solid coupon (SS 6/5)

2 tubes of Colgate MaxClean SmartFoam, MaxFresh, MaxWhite, 6 oz $2.79
Per CVS ad: Buy 1, get $2 Extra Bucks, Limit 2
Use 2 $0.75/1 Colgate Toothpaste coupons (SS 6/5)


OOP after spending the $6.98 EB from transaction #1: $5.34 + tax
EB back: $9

Total OOP for this trip to CVS: $12.32 + tax

EB remaining (for next trip!): $9

Sorta like getting all that for $3.32 + tax, though I won't account for it in our budget that way.  Still, not bad!

What are your thoughts on couponing?  Have you found any extreme toiletry steals?

Couponing: Is it worth it?

The people that know me best will tell you I'm a research fiend. Need a paper shredder or new small appliance? How about the cheapest T's of the season? (Ladies, you could get them for $3 a piece at Old Navy last weekend. Sorry, I forgot to tell you.) How bout a new piece of furniture?  Craigslist is da bomb.  Yep, I might even check it daily for a new refrigerator, range, dishwasher for the house that we don't even own yet.... actually, that has slowed.  I can, in fact, come to grips with reality when the situation requires.

But the point is, if I need/what something, I research it. To death. To my death.  Yes, it turns into a vicious, addictive, terrible-for-me cycle that I get caught up in. I'll find a thing- anything of interest- an appliance, a hobby, a piece of furniture, a program, a fad- I'm not terribly picky. And I'll research it. And research it.  And then, once I've learned everything there is to know about said thing, I'll find another source (or two) just to make sure I'm not missing anything.  By this time, I usually consider myself an expert in said thing- which, mind you, I've never actually, experienced/used/owned.  So, in my proud ignorance and arrogance, I become tired of reading about/hearing myself talk about all the ins and outs of said thing, and (naturally) forget about it within a few days.  This break is usually semi-intentional, semi-necessitated by the normal things of life (work, eating, socializing, showering... you know).  But, once a few days have gone by, I'll come back to said thing, contemplate if I still really need/want it, decide that if fact I don't need it (which I really already knew prior to all the research), and Wallah!  Time to move on to the next thing. I realize that this hole researching cycle is totally ridiculous, a complete waste of time, and often becomes an idol, but hang with me.  Occasionally, there is a bit of value in all this craziness.

Every now and then I realize that 'said thing' might actually be worth buying/picking up/making a go at.  Couponing at CVS has recently become one of those things.

My initial skepticism of couponing went something like this:

• Couponing will probably lure me into buying things I would otherwise not buy (ie. drinks, candy, expensive(er) make up, air freshener etc.)
• The time I spend "prepping" for couponing could be put to way better use (ie. spending time with Andrew, working, visiting with friends, all the typical housework stuff...researching another "said thing")
• Even with coupons, my grocery bill would probably still be less if I just continued shopping at Aldi for everything.

However, I then thought about the things I normally don't buy at Aldi- namely toiletries, which I usually get at Costco or Walmart.  These things are usually not available in generic (or are, but I prefer the name brand).  As I researched (mostly at thekrazycouponlady.com), I learned that people often buy toiletries for pennies at drugstores, and my negative bent towards couponing began to change.

I now believe:

• Couponing can help me steward the Lord's money well.
• The area of my grocery budget where I typically have the hardest time saving (ie. toiletries), may the area where couponing efforts would result in the most payoff.
• There is way less "prep work" involved in couponing than I thought- maybe an hour per week tops?  This is mostly thanks to sites like thekrazycouponlady.com, where someone else points out what the best deals are for me.
• If I start couponing only at CVS, I may reap the benefits of couponing without becoming overwhelmed and having to stop at a bagillion different grocery stores.... it may eventually come to that, but probably not.

So, here's the goal:  Every week, I will plan a few items that are worth couponing for at CVS.  I'll only pick the items that The Krazy Coupon Lady marks with the little icons denoting that the deal is good enough to  stock up for a 3-6 or 6-8 month supply of).  This will keep me from spending more than necessary, and any extra we accumulate we will be able to donate.  I'll record my plan and my actual results on this blog.  Recording it here will help me stay focused and will help any of you who may be interested in not-so-extreme couponing see what couponing in a less-than-extreme fashion may look like.  For a little coupon basics just Google "coupon blog" and see what you can find.  There are TONS of resources out there.  Just don't spend 2 days researching it.... uhem, like me.

Here goes!