Let me just say first of all that I never aspire to be one of those extreme couponists. I don't want to even learn how to try. I did however take advantage of a few coupons and Wallyworld's policy to accept competitive pricing. So why don't I want to take on the challenge that so many women (and I am guessing a few men) have taken to save some dollars? TIME...it's my number one answer. I don't have the time. And IF I did have the time, I can think of a lot more valuable things to do with it than couponing. If I need to save money, it will have to start with the gluttonous splurge on McD's fries.
Today, though, I decided to see how competitive pricing and couponing worked to my advantage. I bought 13 items and paid a total of $13.17 (I actually bought a lot more, but these 13 items were actually bought using competitive ads, coupons, or a combination. With my Sprouts and Walgreens ads and a few choice coupons in hand, I proved to myself I can save money without being an extreme couponist!
I did discover a few things along the way:
-When using coupons, you'll actually save more by purchasing the smaller amount. The Ivory soap was only 97 cents, but with my 50 cents off-I only paid 47 cents. I don't need more than 3 bars at the moment anyways!
-Look at the competitor's ads for specials they have that also include the use of coupons. I bought the 2 toothbrushes for free this way. Used the competitive pricing and the coupon all thanks to Walgreen's research.
- I love, love , love my Sprouts. BUT it is so hard to get to sometimes. I wish it were at a closer locale, though. I can still take advantage of their pricing! Today, I bought the onions, red and green bell peppers, and celery at Sprouts' pricing. What a deal! Had Wallyworld had their cucumbers stocked, I could have taken advantage there too! Somehow, I missed the peach pricing at the top of the page too. Oh well!
-Wallyworld only accepts pricing item for item. Because the Walgreens' ad shows a picture of a different egg package--though no brand was mentioned, it disqualifies it for competitive pricing. I was lucky and was given the egg discount. I was a bit confused though why they accepted the celery (the Sprouts ad showed a picture of bunch celery) and the one I bought clearly is packaged as the jolly green giant.
While checking out, I offhandedly made the comment that I don't understand how the extreme couponist do it. My clerk said that they cheat the system. Many use more coupons per item than they are supposed to. Well, I didn't cheat the system. I didn't use more coupons than what I was supposed to! And just in case you were wondering, I didn't hold up anyone else just to get a few things cheaper. No one even got in line behind me. I was kind enough not to make my whole purchase based on competitive pricing and coupons!
But I did save a few dollars and even got some things free! Now, that makes me happy!
*Disclaimer: I am not endorsing Wallyworld, nor am I getting paid for this...so today they will remain being called "Wallyworld".
No comments:
Post a Comment