Little Tuna Living: A Lesson in Living like a Tuna

Yesterday I went to walgreens.

And I got free stuff.

If you bought 2 irish spring deodorants for 3 dollars apiece, you got 4 dollars in walgreens dollars back.

I had previously printed off two 1.00 of one coupons from here

So I paid 4 dollars. Got 4 dollars back.

So was it FREE? No. I paid 4 dollars.

The point is, I was planning on purchasing other good deals at walgreens this week anyway. I was already planning to spend over 4 dollars.

So why not get the two deodorants and then use the 4 dollars I got back to buy what I was already buying anyway?

THAT is how to play the drugstore game.

Was it FREE? No I paid 4.00. But I was already going to give them that 4 dollars anyway. So yes. It was 4.00 for deodorant PLUS two boxes of cereal that I bought with the 4 dollars I got back.

And the game show music starts.

Also. Right guard. Great brand. Why? Because they have buy one get one free (bogo) coupons in the Sunday papers at least once every two months. And at least once every two months these go on sale BOGO at one of the drugstores (walgreens, rite aid, CVS)

Did you know that if a store has an item for bogo, and you have a coupon for bogo.....you get BOTH of them for free?

See the two right guard items? Both free. BOGO deal plus BOGO coupon = two items for FREE

You'd think they wouldn't let you do that. Trust me, the first time I tried I was sweating bullets because I felt like I was somehow cheating the system or something. But it works. Like a charm. Every time.

And it's not just deo that works. Dog treats, paper plates, Edy's triple fudge brownie ice cream, etc!

So here is my total walgreens purchase yesterday. (roughly) Total was 35.00, I spent 15.00, saved 20.00.

I spent about 20 minutes on Money Saving Mom and her affiliate sites putting together the deals, and printing coupons for the cereal, truvia, and fiber one coupons from here

The purex coupon was in the paper

And the kleenex coupon was in the walgreens ad at the store.

*NOTE* you can use a walgreens in ad coupon AND a manufacturing coupon for the same item

Spent 20 minutes. Saved 20 dollars. A dollar a minute? Oh that's worth my time.

And often the pay off is even greater. Especially if it's a full day of grocery shopping.

Now the question is. . . . why? Why spend the time? Energy? And what are you going to do with three mens deodorants? (when Greg already has three in reserve in the cabinet?)

Well there are several answers that I wont spill out all at once. I am planning a couponing series and plan to go into more depth then.

But the best overall answer is, I am called to be a good steward of my families money and I find the best pay back is by spending the time to coupon. If you don't coupon are you a bad steward of what the Lord has blessed you with? Absolutely not. Don't miss read me here please.

This is MY families way of getting the most out of our money. We're newly weds. With a huge forward thinking plan of saving up for our future. It's daunting, discouraging, overwhelming, and most of all do-able. The Lord has provided and will continue to provide and we are dedicated to spending his blessing wisely and with consideration.

This is my personal outlet. And the Lord continues to bless me in it. We have a budget. I pray about that budget often. I pray the Lord helps me stay within that budget. And he does. I work hard, I do my "homework" and come up with the best deals on things my family needs and things I can stockpile. Then I go shopping. And I save. And it feels SO good!

The best feeling after a hard day of couponing is the cashier's face. Everything from "how did you do that?" "where did you get these coupons?" "wow, you did your homework!"

At a place like Giant Eagle that doubles coupons up to .99, it's not uncommon for me to walk away saving well over 50% off my grocery bill. But when it comes to places like Aldi or Save-a-lot (where you really do save money) the savings aren't so obvious. But with a little "homework" and price comparing per oz on things like peanut butter, or raisins. You know that you're getting better deals there than anywhere else.

Lastly. I buy things even when I don't need them. Or will ever use them!

Last week at walgreens I got two bottles of pediacare (originally 8.99 a piece) for free. Both of them. But I don't have an infant? So why should I bother spending the time printing and clipping coupons when I'm not going to use the items?

Charity.

There is a rescue mission, a women's center, and homeless shelter, ETC near every one of you.

And they take donations. People that don't have the resources we do, can really benefit from these donations.

Total, the above items cost me less than a few dollars. I don't have the exact amount. But these are all items we already have too much of. But I know someone else would love free toothpaste. So I'll be donating these at our church when the mission comes to collect. It's a beautiful thing. Using your resources to help others in need. AND do it with your time and effort rather than just writing a check.

Was I getting too preachy?

Sorry. I'm just so excited about saving money! And I want to share that excitement! WaaHaa.

And now. A few winter pictures. These were just last week after the foot of snow the week before. (yes. in march)