Once upon a time ago, I was a coupon/deal blogger. Okay, it wasn't that long
ago. I started that job about a month before Lincoln's arrival. It was my first venture into the world
of blogging - and it taught me a lot about myself, and the way that I work.
Ultimately, I figured out that I don't have what it takes to be a deal blogger
(those of you who are - you're amazing). I threw out my coupons and haven't looked back.
Occasionally, though, I feel a little sad that I'm no longer keeping up with
the best deals. When I was blogging about freebies and coupons, my mailbox was always
full of free samples and my receipts usually reflected a savings of 40% or
more. Whether or not I was actually using any of these free things or fantastic
bargains is beside the point.
Every now and then I want to start collecting more coupons and do it all
over again, but by the time I think about taking the kids into multiple
drugstores every week, it doesn't seem worth it. I'm thrilled when I find the
occasional deal at a place I already shop - because I can relive the fun
of being a bargain hunter without ending up with 19 tubes of expired
toothpaste in my stockpile.
Last week, Target (aka my favorite place in the world - after Disney and NYC anyway) was offering a mobile coupon deal
that was too good to pass up: Spend $40 on select groceries and get $10 off!
When I saw that GoGosqueez was included on the approved items list, it was a
no-brainer. It may not be the cheapest applesauce option, but it's not filled
with artificial ingredients and is so convenient. It's also possible
that no one but mommy is allowed to eat the Apple-Cherry variety in our home.
So, here's the deal I snagged:
-7 Small Boxes of GoGosqueez (at $2.49 each): $17.43
-3 Large Boxes of GoGosqueez (at $6.99 each): $20.97
-2 Bottles of Simply Lemonade + Blueberry (at $2 each): $4.00
Total: $42.40
Coupons/Discounts Used:
-$10 off $40 Grocery Purchase Mobile Coupon
-$.15 off for bringing my own bags
-$2.12 (5%) off for using my Target RED Debit Card
Total after Coupons:
$30.13
Total Saved:
$12.27 or 29%!
Is it my best deal ever? No. But I'm happy with the savings because my kids will eat all of this applesauce before it expires. They'll probably eat it all before September! A deal is only a really great deal if it's something that you would buy at regular price anyway - and this one definitely fit that bill.
Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll sneak in some Apple-Cherry for myself while Lincoln is napping!
I used to coupon too. Then the Extreme Couponer shows started, and people started committing mass coupon fraud. I got tired of walking into a store only to find the shelves wiped clean five minutes after the sale started. So frustrating!
ReplyDeleteNow I price match at the grocery store. I don't save as much, but still save some!
How do you commit mass coupon fraud?
DeleteThere are several ways to commit coupon fraud; a common one is making photocopies of a printable internet coupon - the barcode will still scan, even though you're limited to one or two uses per person. If it was a freebie, people would make tons of copies and cause stores extreme losses by using coupons that would not be reimbursed.
DeleteI'm with you, Rebecca. Saving a little is better than saving nothing, right? :)