Doing what I love

I love to shop. For anything. Clothes, food, furniture, books, toys, I love it all. And I love to save money. When I combine the two, I am seriously happy! Today I went shopping and made $2.35.

I started couponing just a little bit in New Mexico. Then in California I learned a little bit more. But when I moved here and knew we were permanent, I really got into it.

My favorites are the 3 big drug stores - CVS, Rite-Aid, and Walgreens. CVS and Rite-Aid are about a mile away from our house, but Walgreens is a drive across the bridge, so I only go there when I've got something else to do over there OR there's a really good sale.

I haven't learned the grocery store system too well yet. The reason is that I can shop at the Commissary and Wal-Mart and I feel like they always have the best prices. I still want to learn though because I know there are great deals to be had!

Okay, so here's what I did today. 

First I went to CVS. 

I bought some toothpaste, a razor and some mousse. My first transaction was the toothpastes, which were $3.50 each, and the mousse, that was $2.99. I had a coupon for $1.00 off 2 toothpastes and $1 coupon for the mousse. I paid $8.59. Then I got some ECB's (ExtraCare bucks) for $7 (for the toothpastes) and $2 (for the mousse). Next I bought the razor that was $9.49. I used my ECB's, so I only paid $1.06. And I have a coupon for a mail-in rebate for a free razor. So I'll send that off and get a check back for $9.49.

So at CVS I made $0.16.

Then I went over to Rite-Aid. 

I registered at Rite-Aid.com and got a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase.

I bought the diapers for $8.99 and used a $1.50 Huggies coupon and a $1.50 Rite-Aid Huggies coupon. Rite-Aid also has a monthly rebate program and is offering a $3.00 rebate for the diapers. Then the Oil of Olay body washes were $6.00 each and I had 3 $1 off coupons. Then I will send away for the Oil of Olay Buy 3 get a $15 Rebate that's going on right now. So I paid $16.81 and I'll get a rebate check from Oil of Olay for $15 and one from Rite-Aid for $3.

At Rite-Aid I made $2.19.

Here's how I organize. I go through the ads and my blogs (there are millions but I like The Krazy Coupon Lady and The Centsible Sawyer) and circle anything I think might be a good deal or I might want. Then I make a list of coupons to find or print from all the ads. Then I only have to go through my coupons once. After I've got the coupons I need, I paperclip them to the ad and I'm on my way! Organization is key to couponing!

There are a few things I never want to pay for again. 

The first is toothpaste. 

Seriously, if I ever pay for toothpaste again I will be very sad.

Here's my stash of toothpaste. If that's not a years supply it's pretty dang close!

The other is razors. If I ever have to pay more than $1 or $2 for razors... so help me. :)

And here's my stash of razors. Matt, Alexis, and I also have extra's in our bathroom drawers. 

There's just a small taste of what I do.

A nice day of shopping and I made $2.35. 

Doing what I love. :)