Target: I love Target. Too bad there's not one in my town. I make the drive and shop there about once a month or so. Target is pretty nifty because they'll let you "stack" store coupons and manufacturer coupons for extra savings. You can find store coupons by visiting their website. Occasionally they'll also send coupons in the mail. Be sure to check out Target's coupon acceptance policy before shopping. Aside from coupons, I love Target's dollar spot. It's a section located near the front of the store. Most items cost $1.00, though some are $2.50 or $5.00.
Here's an example of a Target shopping trip.
June 29, 2011
This trip was from when I first started couponing. The cost of some of these items is a lot more expensive than I would pay now.
Target Total before coupons: $34.32 + tax = $37.58
My Out-of-Pocket: $18.57 + tax = $21.83
Savings: $15.75, 42%
2 bags Doritos @ $2.00 = $4.00
Used -$1.00/2 mfr coupons
Cost: $3.00 or $1.50 each
Olay Complete facial moisturizer $6.89
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Used -$1.00 Target coupon
Cost: $4.89
Nivea Men's body wash $3.04
Used -$2.00 mfr coupon
Used -$1.00 Target coupon
Cost: $0.04
Sally Hansen nail polish $2.49
Used -$1.00 Target coupon
Cost: $1.49
Cover Girl eye shadow $3.14
Used -$1.00 mfr coupon
Used -$1.00 Target coupon
Cost: $1.14
Neutrogena concealer $6.39
Used-$3.00 mfr coupon
Used -$1.00 Target coupon
Cost: $2.39
Suave Professionals hair spray $2.69
Used -$0.75 Target coupon
Cost: $1.94
2 Herbal Essences Shampoo @ $2.84 = $5.68
Used -$1.00/2 mfr coupon
Used -$1.00/2 Target coupon
Cost: $3.68 or $1.84 each
Kmart: Kmart is another store I've couponed at. I don't shop there frequently because their regular prices are WAY too high. You need a Shop Your Way Rewards card to take advantage of certain sale prices and promotions. The cool thing about the Shop Your Way program is that you can redeem the points you earn for cash off your order. Kmart often has store coupon booklets near their weekly sales flyers when you enter the store. Be sure to grab one and look through it. Some Kmarts will allow you to stack those store coupons and regular manufacturer coupons. It just varies by location. I couldn't find an official Kmart coupon policy to link to, so see customer service at your local store for more information.
I don't visit Kmart frequently because they're so expensive, but I will occasionally shop during their double coupon events. It should be noted in their weekly circular when they'll double coupons, but in my experience, sometimes employees don't even know about the promotion. Double coupon days are listed in the monthly coupon booklets. The best thing about the double coupon promotion is that they'll double coupons UP TO 99 CENTS! That means if you have a coupon for -$0.75, the register will deduct -$1.50.
Here's an example of a Kmart shopping trip. If Kmart ALWAYS doubled coupons, I'd sure shop there a lot more often!
August 26, 2011
Kmart Total before coupons: $25.60 + tax = $27.36
My Out-of-Pocket: $12.50 + tax - $14.26
Savings: $13.10, 48%
2 Reynolds Wrap aluminum foil 80’ foot rolls @ $2.99 = $5.98
Used (2) -$0.55 coupons doubled (-$2.20)
Cost: $3.78 or $1.89 each
Cost: $3.78 or $1.89 each
2 packs Chinet paper plates @ $1.50 = $3.00
Used (2) -$0.55 coupons doubled (-$2.20)
Cost: $0.80 or $0.40 each pack
Cost: $0.80 or $0.40 each pack
Friskas Crispies cat treats $1.35
Used -$1.00 coupon
Cost: $0.35
2 boxes Nature Valley Granola Thins @ $2.50 = $5.00
Used (2) -$0.60 coupons (-$2.40)
Cost: $2.60 or $1.30 each box
Cost: $2.60 or $1.30 each box
Betty Crocker cake mix $1.25 and frosting $1.79 = $3.04
Used -$0.75 off cake mix AND frosting coupon doubled (-$1.50)
Cost: $1.54 or $0.77 each
Cost: $1.54 or $0.77 each
Pam Cooking Spray $2.00
Used -$0.30 coupon doubled (-$0.60)
Cost: $1.40
Cost: $1.40
Nature’s Own White Wheat bread $2.49
Used -$0.75 coupon doubled (-$1.50)
Cost: $0.99
Cost: $0.99
Haribo Gummy Bears $1.25
Used -$0.30 coupon doubled (-$0.60)
Cost: $0.65
Cost: $0.65
Crystal Lite sugar-free hard candy $1.49
Used -$0.50 coupon doubled (-$1.00)
Cost: $0.49
Cost: $0.49
Staples: Staples is a great place to find school and office supplies. They have a rewards program, but you don't have to be a member to take advantage of advertised prices. Staples will accept manufacturer coupons and has a price-match guarantee. Staples also occasionally includes store coupons in their weekly circular, such as $5 off a $25 purchase. They feature "Extreme Deals" during the back-to-school season--various items that cost $0.01, $0.05, $0.10. or $0.25. If you're a teacher (like me!), make sure you enroll for Staples Teacher Rewards. That allows you to purchase class sets of their Extreme Deals. Staples also has items to purchase with easy rebates. You simply submit your receipt information online and receive a check in the mail a few weeks later. If you don't have a Staples in your area, Office Max and Office Depot offer similar deals and reward programs.
Here's an example of a Staples shopping trip.
July 6, 2011
I could purchase a class set (up to 25) of "Extreme Deals" items because I'm a teacher. The limit for non-teacher customers is much lower.
Staples Total before Rebates: $12.61 + tax = $13.84
My Out-of-Pocket: $1.13 + tax = $2.36
Savings: $11.48, 83%
25 Bic pens 8-pk @ $0.01 = $0.25 (regularly $1.99 each)
25 bottles of glue @ $0.01 = $0.25 (regularly $0.50 each)
13 packs of erasers @ $0.01 = $0.13 (regularly $1.29 each)
2 Staples multipurpose paper 500-sheet reams @ $5.99 = $11.98
Submitted (2) -$5.74 Easy Rebates
Cost: $0.50 or $0.25 each ream
Without Extreme Deals and rebates, the regular cost of these items would've been $91.00 + tax. If you factor in that amount, I saved about 99%!
Dollar General and Family Dollar: Let me begin by saying that these are two DIFFERENT stores. They are not the same company. However, I'm grouping them together because their pricing and coupon policies are similar. View Dollar General's and Family Dollar's coupon policies before you shop. You can find some super deals at these two stores, especially when shopping the clearance racks. They both accept manufacturer coupons and will allow you to stack manufacturer and store coupons for additional savings. You can find coupon booklets in the stores, or you can visit the Dollar General and Family Dollar websites for printable coupons. Look closely at the printables--some may be manufacturer coupons instead of store coupons.
Here's an example of a Dollar General shopping trip.
July 14, 2011
Dollar General Total before coupons: $25.50 + tax = $27.99
My Out-of-Pocket: $8.25 + tax = $10.74
Savings: $17.25, 61%
2 Herbal Essences shampoos @ $2.50 = $5.00
2 Herbal Essences hairsprays @ $3.00 = $6.00
Used (2) FREE Styler when you buy Herbal Essences product coupons
Cost: FREE
Noxema triple blade razors 6-pk $3.00
Used -$2.00 mfr coupon
Cost: $1.00
Crest baking soda and peroxide toothpaste $2.00
Used -$0.75 mfr coupon
Cost: $1.25 (came with $10 coupons inside box)
2 Old Spice trial deodorants @ $1.00 = $2.00
Used -$1.00/2 mfr coupon
Used -$1.00/2 mfr coupon
Cost: $1.00 or $0.50 each
2 Old Spice body sprays @ $3.75 each = $7.50
Used (2) FREE body spray when you buy one Old Spice product coupons
Cost: FREE
A few stores I shop at will not accept coupons. One example of this is Dollar Tree. However, with everything in the store priced at $1.00 or less, it's still a must-stop location for me. Sometimes you can find name-brand products for much less than regular retail. You can also find cute little knick-knacks, seasonal decorations, party supplies, and storage containers. I even found these cute t-shirts there. Fitting, right?
Don't be afraid to explore new places to shop! You might find bargains where you least expect them.
