The Consumed or Consumer?

So a year ago before I started coupon a drive into Topeka would leave my van partially full but at a hefty price tag. It was not uncommon to drive all the way into town go to Aldi, the Dollar Tree, and Walmart and spend an easy $125. Usually it would take forever too! My kids would end up grouchy and we would have to grab something to eat, I would have to "treat" myself for just "dealing" with everything. I tried so hard to save money and it was costing me a lot of time.

Today we left for town and were back in less than 3 1/2 hours! That is amazing for me when you think about the time just spent in the car (probably about an hour!). First we hit up HyVee and got paid to buy cereal, which was great since we had only 3 boxes (of course it was kinds no child would care to touch). This came right in the nick of time! And the samples of donuts and cookies made my children's day.

Total: $2.66 plus a $6 off you next order- made $3.44.  Creamer was .17 after coupon.

Then we HAD to get the oil change. I know many of you think, well it would be so much cheaper if you did it yourself. We have well meaning intentions but, there is that matter of TIME again. So, I found a coupon for an oil change for $19 (which was right across the street from HyVee). Spent a total of $20.70 and only 30 minutes of my day waiting (which I used clipping coupons!).

Then on to Dillons where my kids had a blast in the car cart and my oldest helped me find our treasures. Elizabeth is great at helping me stay on track and reminding me of what I went for. On this trip I received another answer to prayer. We just used the last filter on my water pitcher (I'm a tap water snob, but the rest of my family isn't). I find myself not drinking water if I don't have my filter but I couldn't justify the $15 that we spend on 2 filters at Walmart.  On my journey to the "clearance" section, I was jumping up and down (literally, my kids joined me even though they didn't know what for). I got 6 filters for a total of $7!!! I also got 4 packs of Duracell AA batteries that I got paid a .25 each to buy!


Total: $31.66 Totinos Pizza Rolls (8), Party Pizza (8), Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls (5)- MONEY MAKER, DelMonte Fruit (5), Yoplait Yogurt (3), Reames Egg Noodle (3)- FREE, Yakisoba Noodles (4)- FREE, Campbells Cream Soups (4), Kroger Sour Cream (1), Crest Kids Toothpaste (5), Crest toothpaste (2), Duracell Batteries (4)- MONEY MAKER, PUR Filters 2pk (3), Kids Suave 2in1 (1)

Today we left town with the oil changed, food jammed under our feet, in record time- even with 5 trips to the restroom, and only spent $52.36. I realized that because I have begun couponing I can easily plan my trip from home- not in the store wondering if I have gotten a good deal with three impatient children. I like the idea of going shopping, keeping most of my money, and keeping my time spent the way I want. I am now the consumer, not the consumed!

Overview of this "Month"

So this month our pantry was full and our time was limited (we get paid once a month, so our "fiscal" month is the 15th to the 15th). We ended up spending way over our budget on dining out. We were able to stay within our allotted food budget because we took the money from our grocery budget and used it on eating out. This month with all of the changes of school, sports, and birthdays, I felt like we were running everywhere! It astonished me to find out that I only spent $124 on groceries this month! Too bad its only a few dollars less than that on eating out :(

So we are at the end of the month and we were bare bones in our fridge. I was so excited to score this deal at HyVee yesterday! I way over paid for the tortillas ($1.65) but since my oldest will not eat bread I didn't want to go to Aldi for just one package of .99 cent tortillas.

Spent only $3.15 after sales and coupons! Notice the crisp, yummy Braeburn apples? 

Happy to say we are going to make it to payday with our budget intact- however, not as many savings, but there is a season for everything. However, knowing I can get by on such little money has challenged me to do even better about shopping next month! And a huge praise for this month- ALL doctor bills are now paid off completely!

Do you have any success stories or how-tos you'd like to share? Send them to me to share with everyone!

Coupons: Testimony!

At a birthday party in March a woman told me about moneysavingmom.com and many of you know it is one of my favorite resources. From there I have branched out to using my internet resources wisely saving me more time, money, and mental fatigue! So is couponing worth your time? Here deal that I snatched up last night at HyVee (please keep in mind that this "deal" is now expired):

In my first transaction I had my husband by 6 boxes of cereal (three boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch and three boxes of Golden Grahams). With a total of $3.45 out of pocket after coupons and discounts I also recieved a voucher for $6 off my next purchase.

The second transaction was another 6 boxes of cereal (we purchased four boxes of Cocoa Puffs and two boxes of Wheaties) our grand total out of pocket was $3.88 after coupons and discounts.  We also recieved another $6 voucher! Now, on Tuesdays at HyVee it is double coupons to $1, however, in this transaction the cashier forgot to double them. My total should have been closer to $2.70. 

My last transaction I went hog wild and got some favorites eventhough I didn't have great coupons. I got 6 more boxes of cereal and 9 cans of Van Camp Pork and Beans. I used one of the $6 vouchers and more coupons (which were doubled) and discounts to give me a total out of pocket price of $4.73.  Once again, I recieved another $6 voucher!

My grand total out of pocket expense for 18 boxes of cereal and 9 can of beans was $11.31 and I still have 2 $6 vouchers next time I go to HyVee! Now you are probably asking what am I going to do with that much cereal? Well, some of it we will eat the rest we are going to give away. I would not of gotten the beans if I had not recieved two emails and a letter saying that is one of the greatest needs at the Topeka Rescue Mission right now. The Lord provides, and he does it abundantly!

Transaction #3 (not pictured one box of Cookie Crisp- it has already been given away!)

And I did not figure this out on my own, this deal was courtesy of Shannon at thegroceryweekly.blogspot.com! Could this type of couponing help your family (and potentially others)?