Does Couponing Save? January, 2011

Does Couponing Save?

I have been a Couponer for about 10 months now. The question I hear the most is "how much do you spend a month on groceries?" Honestly, I have to say that I really don't pay much attention anymore since I've learned to save so much. But, I decided to write this and show everyone what I did for the month of January, 2011. I will start with an itemized list of everything purchased. This list will include grocery and household items.

There are a few things I want to start out with. One, I do have to point out that my husband and I purchase 1/2 a cow every year with our Income Tax Return, so you will not see meat as apart of my cost. Two, I am a Stay-At-Home Homeschooling Mom of 4 kids. We eat every meal here. I make breakfast and lunch for 5 people a day and dinner for 6 (8 on Thursdays). This will show everything for all my meals (89+ meals/month). Hopefully everyone will see what you can purchase and how couponing really does save a lot of $ and is more than worth your time and effort.

January 2011:

ALBERTSONS

25 Mission Tortillas

4 Rotini Tri Pasta

6 Finish Power Tab Dishwasher detergent

12 Classico Pasta Sauces

1 Mr. Clean all purpose cleaner

1 12pk bounty paper towel

1 Kelloggs Raisin Bran Cereal

2 Kelloggs Fiber Plus Cereal

2 Wholly Guacamole

10 cans of Albertsons Olives

Total Before coupons and Sale Price: $96.54

My Total: $10.79

FREDMEYER

8 Bags of Starbucks Coffee Beans

13 FredMeyer Preserves

4 packs of Fred Meyer TP

1 FredMeyer Napkin

Total before coupons and sale price: $124.54

My Total: $67.87

RITEAID

1 Visine Eye Drop

1 Blink Tears

2 Wet Ones Antibacterial wipes

2 Huggies size 4 Boxed diapers

4 Zicam Cold

8 Auqafresh Advanced Toothpaste

1 Claritin D 24 hour

1 Flavorex Flavoring for prescription

1 Sobe Life water

6 Trident gums

1 Mentos Chewables

4 packs of Dixie plates

1 Wet n'Wild Make up remover

1 Wet n'Wild mascara

1 Wet n'Wild Tinted Moisturizer

1 Wet n'Wild eye liner

1 Wet n'Wild pencil sharpener

2 Boxes of Quaker instant oatmeal

8 Boxes of Special K Red Berry Cereal

2 Boxes of Special K Original

1 20ct. Always Panti liners

2 Tide Detergants

1 Tide Stain Release

2 8ct. Bounty Paper towel Double Rolls

2 Xtra Laundry Soaps

10 Stay Free Pads

Total before coupons and sale price: $347.93

My Total: $55.18

SAFEWAY

2 boxes of Chex Cereal

2 Rice Crispies Cereal

1 bag Marshmallows

4 Whelch's Grape Juice

4 V8 Fusion with tea

Total before coupons and Sale price: $33.86

My Total: $11.92

MISC. stops

Produce ($15)

Bread ($15)

Milk ($19.99)

Total: $49.99

Rewards Recieved:

2 $5 rewards from Alby's

$98 in +ups from RiteAid (there are more, but can't remember how much)

1 $7.99 in SCR from RiteAid

Total: $115.99

I could have spent: $652.86

My total spent this month was: $195.72

My total savings was: $457.14 or 70%

Rewards still to spend: $52.99 (if I were to factor these in my total spent would go down to $142.73, but I like to count them in my savings when I use them)

I do have to end this with the fact that I am not known for purchasing 25 packages of tortillas and these will last me about 10+ months. Also, I stock up on Starbucks coffee whenever I can. I haven't done this for 5 months and still have 3 or 4 left in my freezer so coffee wise I'm good for 8 months or more. Because of these two items, I'm thinking this is one of my more expensive months. I will continue to keep tabs on what I spend and report back next month.

Here is where I am at with my stock-pile:

Toilet Paper -about 7 months worth

Laundry Soap - about 1 year worth

Paper Towels -4 months worth

Tooth paste - more than 3 years worth but I like to donate these

Cold meds - good for this season

Cereal - 4 months worth (I never pay over $.75 for cereal)

Pasta - 6 months worth

Pasta Sauce- 6 months worth

Dish soap- 6 months worth

Coffee - 8-10 months worth

Tortillas - 10+ months worth (they freeze)

Shredded & Block Cheese - 3 months worth (also freeze)

Dish Soap - 5+ months

Crackers - 4+ months

Cake Mix - 1+ years

Juice - 2 months

Deodorant - 1 year

Body wash - 4 months

Shampoo/Conditioner 3+ months

Girly Supplies - 8 months (stocking up for my 3 girls too)

Please leave any questions or comments. I would love to respond. I really hope you found this helpful especially if your new to the coupon world. I'm am proud of my savings especially considering I have a family of 6. Let this be encouraging to you that a family of any size can save money all while purchasing name brand items (and not a lot of junk food). Collect and organize your coupons, wait for a good sale, make a shopping list, get things in order before you go, and save.

Happy Couponing!

{ -Rachel- }

We would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment, question, or your monthly savings! We love sharing in this journey and will be more than happy to do the "Happy Dance" with you!

-Savvy With Savings-