Coupon Savings in 2009

I started couponing in the summer of 2008, just tentatively at first, because I wasn't sure the stores would accept them (the free product coupons). I started getting into the swing of things by the fall, and by the end of the year, used at least $500-700 in coupons in just a few months! So I decided I would keep track of the amount of coupons I used in 2009. I inputted most of the things I bought, but there were definitely things I forgot to write down.

I used over $6772 worth of coupons in 2009.

That's not including the $660 of free stuff I got from Shoppers Drug Mart points redemptions (3x $170, 1x $150), the mail in rebates I sent in (about $45), Canadian Tire money I used, and the multiple gift cards to stores I got from trading my coupons or in-store offers (about $130), or the things I got free due to the SCOP. And that's not counting the true savings I got because I price-matched from another store flyer or waited for a sale, or there was some crazy blowout closing sale, or used my SPC discount.

So for about $8400 worth of things (at sale price! AND including 12% tax), I'd say my out of pocket expense was less than $800. That's not even 10% of what the items cost (darn those pesky taxes!). Plus I have my own little stockpile of household, cleaning and personal hygiene items that I won't have to buy for the next while (and pay full price for!) and can "shop" in my own home.Shampoo, face wash, soap, toilet paper, household cleaners, razors, shave gel, granola bars, soup, you name it, I got it!

This year, I'm going to try and calculate my "true" savings, comparing the regular store price with the sale price with coupons. I'm hoping to save at least a few thousand again. Sales have been pretty bad the last 4 or 5 months, and I hope it doesn't continue in 2010.

For those interested in couponing, keep reading my blog, as I will be posting more about coupons and savings in the future!

Shopping again!

I went shopping again today, armed with my flyers to price match and my envelope full of coupons. I stumbled on a Christmas items clearance section, where I was looking at gift baskets (marked down to $0.25!!) and some lady sees me looking at them and snatches a bunch up! I managed to get a few still, thank goodness. I make a lot of gift baskets during the holidays and I can't pass up such an excellent deal! Here's what I picked up today after all the price matching and coupons:

6x Dole Pineapple Juice - $0.24 ea + $0.09 deposit & enviro fee
6x Glad Cling Wrap - $0.03 for all
8x Catelli Pasta - $0
8x Christmas Baskets - $0.25 ea (clearance)
1x Gift Card Holder - $0.25 (clearance)
1x Lindt Chocolate Star - $0.25 (clearance)
1x Christmas Pet Outfit - $0.50 (clearance)

All for a grand total of $6!! That's some excellent savings, if I do say so myself! It would only cost $5.70 after I bring the juice boxes back for deposit. There were many more interesting clearance items, such as lightbulbs ($0.15), wall decorations ($0.25), big bows ($0.25), fake ice/snow ($0.75), xmas catnip toys ($0.25), xmas dog toys ($0.50), dog outfits ($0.50) and some other stuff I don't remember.

Earlier in the week, I picked up 12x Dole Juice, 8x Catelli Pasta and a bottle of Cetaphil lotion for $9.02 minus a $5 gift card I had. Woot woot! I'm stocking up on pasta when it's on sale (hello, free!) and before the HST kicks in!

I hope you were able to find some great deals using coupons and price matching, or find some more excellent Christmas clearance items!

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Clearance on Christmas Items - Even more discounts now!

Most places still have leftover Christmas and holiday items that are being continuosly marked down. There are still some treasures to be found, depending on what you need or use! Be a savvy shopper and buy things now to save later! I hit up Walmart today and most Christmas items were 50%-75% off. There are a few things you should buy now to save yourself a load of money later on. I'll list some things I saw at Walmart today, as well as some other stores:

- Tissue paper: Everyone needs this to wrap gifts year round, they were $0.24
- Christmas Cards: Why pay full price for nice cards when you can pay 1/4 of the price! All xmas cards were marked down 75% off. This is cheaper than buying them at the dollar store!
- Chocolate: Whether you want to eat it or save it as gifts later, chocolate is now uber cheap. It's slim pickings so late in game, but there were still some good deals to be found: Hershey's Bliss $1 (Reg $4.xx), Pot of Gold individual gift box $1 (Reg $5.50), Candy Cane Chocolate Bark ($1), Candy gift set $2 (Reg $12.95)
- Gift Sets: Gift sets are usually 50% off after Christmas. This is an excellent time to stock up on hygiene products - shampoos, facial scrubs, body lotions etc. The sets are already a decent deal when the manufacture packaged it together, but with an additional 50% off, it makes it a steal! Some lucky people also have coupons for the sets, which make them completely free! Whether you are using the items for yourself, or saving it for gifts throughout the year, gift sets are an excellent investment. Most of the items won't go bad if you want to save it as 2010 Christmas gifts, though do watch out that things like body/face lotion might spoil. There is usually an expiry date written somewhere. Shampoo and things like that won't expire.
- Wrapping Paper: This is a big one! Definitely wait until wrapping paper is discounted before you stock up for the next Christmas! Now is a great time to buy them from store as they are usually heavily discounted (usually 60 to 75% off)
- Gift Tags: Again, something you need for Christmas anyways, why not get them while on clearance?
- Christmas Decorations: If you like getting new decorations, now is a great time to get the super cheap
- Fake Christmas Trees: There usually are quite expensive, about $80 or more. Now you can pick one up for about $20!

Of course there are tons more things to be found in store. Each store will still have their own holiday clearance section (Walmart, Superstore, Zellers, etc.) so go check out yours!

The Sims 3 - Game Review

I received a copy of  The Sims 3 PC game from my friend for Christmas and started playing it a couple of days ago. If you are a fan of the original Sims games (either The Sims or The Sims 2, then you will enjoy this one! It has much better graphics than the previous ones, and has a nice soundtrack. There are some new additions to the game, including new personality traits (I chose frugal coupon clipper, LMAO!), more challenges and opportunities for your sim, and being able to share Sims videos online. Of course, there are many cheats you can use to make your game play more fun. I always like to use the money one so that I can build and furnish my sim's house without worrying about money. The cheat is Ctrl + Shift + C and you type in motherlode. Other cheats can be found online, just google them. It's such an addicting game, so make sure you set aside a few hours the first time you play!

Free Cereal, Free Board Games, Free Nintendo Games!

Today and tomorrow only, Zellers has Corn Pops, Frosted Flakes, Fruit Loops and All-Bran cereals all on sale for only $2. Some people have $2 off any Kelloggs products, making them FREE! Remember to use your Student Discount Card for an additional 10% off (you'd be getting paid $0.20 to take the cereal home!). Corn Pops is the only one that will have the $10 boardgames coupons (see previous post) or the Nintendo game coupon ($5, $10 or $500). The other cereals only have the coupons on the larger boxes.

I picked up 3 boxes of Corn Pops myself, 2 with the Nintendo coupon (only $5) and one with the $10 game coupon! I see a lot of free board games and free/cheap Nintendo games for me in the future ;) I was lucky enough to have the $2 coupon and SPC discount, so my bill was -$0.60. I also got a bag of sidewalk salt to bring my total back to the positive. Hurry and get your cereal now! It's a good deal even if you don't have coupons or SPC discounts, especially if you can find the ones with the coupons on them!

A Start of a New Decade!

Happy New Year!!! I hope everyone had a great night (hopefully not too hung over!), celebrating with family and friends. We all have a fresh start for the new year and new decade, so let's make it a good one!