Watch Brooke Buy

I have not posted on couponing in quite some time. One reason is because during November and December, I really did not shop that much. We have a nice stock pile of things now; so, I only go to the store if there is a really good deal. The second reason is because I thought is was getting a little boring to read about. But with the new year in full swing, I thought some readers might want a refresher on how the scenarios work and ECBs and RRs and such.

Before I get into this weeks shopping trips, I want to brag a bit on my success during the last 6 months of 2010. After discovering that our grocery bill could be easily cut by $100 a month, we set our budget for $300 a month over a 6 month time frame. Our goal was to only spend $1800.00 for literally everything we buy. (Food, toiletries, cat food, cosmetics, medicine, etc.) . We only went over one month when I got carried away with the deals. The 5 other months we were below the $300 budget. From July to December we spent a total of $1778.60, and we saved $2,202.30. Leaving us with a 56% savings rate for 2010. WOW!

Note: The only stores I shopped at were CVS, Walgreens, and Winn Dixie.

Now that we have a stock pile, I can't wait to see the 2011 savings at the end of the year. If you are asking, what a stock pile is...go to www.southernsavers.com and watch the videos under the Learn to Coupon link.

Now for this weeks "Brooke Bought"

CVS
Total ticket: $50.82
Paid: $17.92
Saved:$32.90 (65%)
Cash back:$6.00

I bought 4 2 liters Mt. Dew, 2 12 pks Aquafina water, 2 bags Doritos, 2 bags Lays. Used $4 off $20 and $1 ECB from last week. Paid $16.12. Got back $10 ECBs.

Then, I bought 2 Toms of Maine deodorant, 1 bag orange slices, 1 Cascade powder. Used $10 ECBs and $1 Cascade coupon. Paid $1.80. Got back $6.00 ECBs that I will use on my next trip to CVS.

Walgreens
Total ticket: $58.86
Paid: $27.16
Saved: $31.70 (54%)

I bought 1 Cascade powder, 1 Toms of Maine deodorant, 2 John Freida shampoos, 1 John Freida conditioner. Used 2 $2 John Freida coupons and 1 $1 Cascade coupon. Paid $19.59.  Got back $9 RR.

Then, I bought 1 box Wheat Thins, 1 box Ritz crackers, 1 box Shells & Cheese, 2 packages Planters Flavor Full Almonds, 2 Russell Stover hearts, 1 can Lindsey olives, 1 6 double roll Charmin Basic. Used $9 RR, $.25 Charmin coupon, $.99 Lindsay olive coupon from ad, $1.00 Planters coupon from Walgreens coupon book. Paid $7.57.

Winn Dixie
Total ticket: $59.56
Paid: $38.04
Saved: $21.52 (36%)

Let me know about your deals by commenting below. Happy shopping.


Until next time...

XOXOXOXOXO