What it looks like when I shop

Most people have a favorite supermarket. I'm no different and do a substantial portion of my non-grocery spending (flowers, pharmacy, dry cleaning, etc) at Huge Bird. I do this because they partner with the FuelPerks! program.  The rewards are quite generous and my car chugs gas like a demon.

Things change, however, for the general grocery items one can find at any major grocer. I'm a moderately advanced couponer and this requires that I chase down combinations of sales and coupons. Luckily, in a five mile loop, I can hit two K-Roger groceries, Huge Bird, two Walgreens, two CVS Pharmacies, Wal-Mart, Aldi, and Target.

Because of couponing, my grocery shopping follows two rules:
1. I never buy a little of this and that, only specific items in quantities large enough to last until the next sale (1 - 3 month's worth.)

2. I only shop at a store having a sale and when I have a coupon for the sale item.

Here's what it looks like:
Stop 1:  Wal-Mart

6 Old El Paso Tortilla Stuffers
(2.50 - 1.00 coupon each)
2 Old El Paso Taco Seasonings
(0.78 - 0.50 coupon each)
13 Starkist Tuna Pouches
(1.08 - 0.50 coupon each)
5 Cascade Complete Trial Size
(0.97 - 1.00 coupon each)

1 NYC Clear Nail Polish
(.97 - 1.00 coupon)
Total 17.32 (with 6 dollar-off coupons from the Tortilla Stuffers package)

Stop 2:  K-Roger

2 Crab Classics
(BOGO 3.49 - 1.00 coupon)
3 Chi Chi's Tortillas
(1.50 - 1.00 coupon)
1 Dole Very Veggie Salad
(Free with store reward coupon)
1 Kroger Peanut Butter
(2.59 - 0.80 store coupon)

7 Dial Hand Soaps
(0.88 - 0.70 coupon)
Total 7.04.
Note - K-Roger in Columbus only allows 3 like coupons so I had to stop at both K-Rogers on my route.  The second K-Roger cashier was very kind and allowed me to use the 4 remaining coupons.

Stop 3:  Huge Bird

6 Healthy Choice Meals
(2.00 - 0.50 coupon)
4 Cottonelle Fresh Wipes
(2.00 - 0.75 coupon)
2 Green Giant Frozen Veg.
(1.00 - 0.50 coupon)



Total 15.44

Grand Total:  38.51
Total Value of all Merchandise: 93.74
Total Percent Saved: 59%


These are all things I eat (and in the case of the Tortilla Stuffers, things I'd like to try anyway) and I have a supply that will get me through the next month, in the case of the food items, and seven months in the case of the hand soaps.  Now here's the kicker: the entire trip only took one hour of leisurely planning over lunch and one hour and fifteen minutes of shopping.  Extreme?  Not really. :)