Walgreen Week #1

I gathered my coupons and headed out early this morning in hopes of finding what I was looking for!  It only took me 3 different Walgreen stores and 2 hours, and we found 90% of what we were after!! :)


My favorite part of these shopping trips is the entertainment my children provide for all the other shoppers.  I mean who can't resist a cute baby who is so sleepy and a 5 year old who likes to look with his hands!?  :)


I started in Greenville, the only item I found there that I was after was 2 Pine Sol concentrate I got for $.75 after coupons and instant store savings.  I did get to use register rewards I had left over from last week's purchases so I didn't have any money come out of pocket at this store.  But, I ran into an old friend and it was good to see her...so the trip was worth it :)


Our next stop was the Walgreen store at Plainfield and the Beltline.  This was by far my most successful stop of the day! 
I had 6 B1G1FREE coupons for deodorant that was on sale B1G1 so I got 12 for free.  The men's deodorant I purchased had a travel size body wash attached for free as well...so that was an extra bonus. 
BC Pain reliever Powder...I had not heard of this before...but I checked it out when I got to the store and it's pretty cool...!  It's an aspirin powder that you can put in your food or drink...or put it directly on your tongue for faster relief.  This was on sale for $1.50 with a register reward of $1.50.  I purchased 6 of these...
My favorite item of the day...just because it paid me was All Natural Icy Hot Cream...!  I had 6 manufacturer coupons to go with these items that were $1 off.  They were on sale for $.99 plus they printed a $.99 register reward so I didn't pay anything for them but I got $.99 back in register rewards to use next week.  1 tube is already being used, as we speak :)
The 1 item I was REALLY excited about but neither store had was Ritz crackerfuls (which is by far the favorite household snack here) They were on sale for $2 but they gave you $2 register rewards...so they were essentially free.  That is where our third stop came in...but we had no luck there either.  Maybe we will keep looking this week while we are out and about :)


So here is an overview of my purchases today:
Total Product: $85.55
Total out of Pocket Expense: $11.50
Total Rewards for Next Week: $13.95
So essentially I made $2.45 after I use my Rewards next week :)

The Beginning

Why here...why now?

I have been doing a great day of 'couponing' in the last 3 years on my grocery purchases, but I recently realized I wasn't being extra careful where I was spending our other money.  I would do a really good job as I would take my couponing trip(s) each week, but I would sometimes go back to the store and just randomly buy things even if they weren't on sale.

Here is my plan for the next 12 months:
1. I get $10 each week for unnecessary food purcahses (fast food, eating out, pops, snacks for the kids while we are out)
2. Only buy groceries when they are on sale and I have a coupon for them. Which means I will have to do a great deal of planning ahead on what I am going to need.
3. I have to cook meals from what is in the pantry and freezer.
4. If we need any non-consumable items, we have to wait at least 2 weeks to make the purchase, and it has to be on sale (or have a coupon) or it has to be used.  The 2 week wait period will ensure we really need the item we have been wanting.
5. I have to blog my shopping trips and meal plan...so I stay accountable to my readers.
6. No items are to be purchased unless they are necessary.
7. If the kids want items that are unnecesary they will have to earn and save their money for these purchases.

Thank you for keeping me accountable and for sharing in this journey with me :)