This is the third week of official “couponing” and the numbers were fairly consistent with last week– the two total bills were within five dollars of each other.
We were able to use a few more coupons this time around because we bought some toiletries (which you can usually find discounted if you are flexible on brand). Â Below is this week’s receipt (right) compared to last week (left).
You can see that our total savings were four dollars greater because of the coupons used.  Our store sale savings would have been substantially more as well except that the salmon that was on special was sold out.  Salmon is our favorite healthy protein, and every week we have “Salmon Monday’s.”  The sale price (or in this case, lack thereof) makes a big difference!  We probably paid about ten dollars extra in order to keep our weekly tradition alive.
This added to my frustration that has been building with our usual grocery store (last week there was a coupon item I needed which was also sold out).  The store where we shop appears to have a policy aimed at limiting your potential savings with coupons, and they don’t offer rain checks on special items that are sold out before a sale is over.
In three weeks of our experiment, we’ve saved almost $50, which isn’t too shabby.  However, I’m wondering if that number would be higher if we shopped at a store that was more coupon-friendly (or maybe has lower prices to begin with).  I’m thinking that next week we might see if the store itself makes a difference.  Stay tuned!
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Erin says
I’ve found kroger to be the best as far as using coupons! Plus they offer many of the exact same coupons that are in the newspaper as “digital coupons” that you can add to your kroger card so no need to print or clip coupons!! Much easier and much more savings!! I save an average of $30-$60 per week with their sales and coupons!! 😉
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Actually Kroger is where I was planning to go next week! I remember they always used to offer double and triple coupons (not sure if they still do that) in addition to Kroger card specials. Hubby is a creature of habit, but I think I have him convinced…it helps to have second opinions confirming mine…so thanks!! 🙂
Liz says
Really enjoyed reading through your blog tonight. I am a new mom and my husband and I decided it’s best for me to stay home even though he doesn’t make much. But we’ve been doing meal planning and coupons and it really does work! We hear so much flack from working mothers saying “we can’t afford to have one income.” However if people wouldn’t buy fancy things they don’t need they would very well be able to live on one income. Our philosophy is “live like no one else now so you can live like no one else later.” It’s a challenge, however I am so thankful!
Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says
Thank you so much for reading and for your kind words Elizabeth! Being a stay at home mom IS a blessing, and we made a lot of adjustments and sacrifices to do it. I’m sitting on a 10 year old couch (that has definitely seen better days) as I write this–haha! You’re absolutely right, living within your means is the key– it’s all about priorities and what is really important.