Adventures in couponing – Albies, Walmart + office depot?
Posted by Michelle on January 23rd, 2011 . Filed under: Couponing .Before I get in to today’s Coupon Adventure, I’d like to get a load off my chest. I’ve been hearing and reading some things here and there that people are saying about couponing/couponers and people “like” me and it sort of ticks me off. I feel like I have to defend myself. But then again, I don’t feel like I have anything to defend?
So let me just say a few things.
When I say I don’t need something it means I don’t need it right now, like today, like that I am down to my last square of toilet paper. However – I will need it, and I will use it. And things like toilet paper, soaps, medicines, etc. – they have a pretty long shelf life. There are also things like for example cookies. Does anyone really need cookies? No. But I get them when they are free or on the super cheap because they are a nice little treat or a reward for the kiddos (or sometimes me when I feel like some good old-fashioned emotional eating ;)).
Some things I do not use and will not ever use. It could be something that I am brand-loyal to so another brand will not get used in this household, it could be a flavor that we don’t like or whatever, and we will not use the item. If I can get it free – I am going to get it. If I can get 25 of them for free – I am going to get it. Because there is always someone in need. My mother is 60 years old and going to college – she called this afternoon and asked if we were going to be in her neighborhood and could we bring her some toilet paper. That’s sad – but it makes my point. And if y’all were here last week, you know I gots toilet paper! Some of these items are good for gifts. Some of them are perfect to donate. I don’t understand why people have such a problem with getting a bunch of stuff for free and donating to church, the local food bank, the women’s shelter, etc. As we were driving to my mom’s we drove past this building where families were lining up….this was like 5:45. My son asked me what was going on there. I told him that it was a shelter that opens at 6 o’clock and those people are lined up in the cold because they have no place to go. Families. Like with little kids who don’t have their own room much less their own bed…or the assurance of where their next meal is going to come from. People are in need, folks. And if I can take 100 rolls of toilet paper and a case of potato chips to the shelter, I’m gonna. The joy, and even the responsibility, of giving, far outweighs the risk of me single-handedly putting Walmart out of business.
Alright, rant over.
My Albertsons had double coupons again. I’ll tell you what, I squeal with delight when I see those “twice the value” coupons in the paper. Bayer was $2.49 (never seems to be on sale), I had $1-off coupons that I doubled and got these for 49-cents. The Colgate kids toothpaste was $1! – I had 50-cent off coupons that I doubled making them free. The floss was $1.89 – I had $1-off coupons making them free as well.
The worcestershire sauce was on sale for $2.19, I had $1-off coupons so I got these for 19-cents each. The teriyaki sauce was $1.99, I had $1-off coupons making these free too. And the red wine vinegars were regularly $6.99 (really?), on sale for $2.99 and they had little hangtag coupons on them for $1-off, so I got these for 99-cents each.
Arrowhead water was $2.19, doubled $1 and got these for 19-cents each. And the Emerald cashews were another $6 item on sale for $2, doubled $1 and got these for free as well.
Mmm Mmm Good were on sale for 39-cents each. I had coupons for $1-off 3, doubled that and all this was free.
Easy weekend lunches for the kidlets.
Nancy asked how I double coupons at Walmart. The Boise market has Albertsons, Fred Meyer and Walmart. All of them competing for my grocery dollars. I would guess that Walmart saw some of their sales decline once Albies started their double coupon program and said heck, if we can’t beat ’em, let’s join ’em! So this is the sign up at my Walmart. They will pretty much take any coupon – other store or manufacturer. And they will take coupons and double them when Albies is doubling – but you have to bring in the actual Albertsons doublers.
This was all free at Walmart. More of the Sensodyne, 97-cents, doubled 75-cents and it was free. I had to laugh because the gal said it would only be 22-cents if she didn’t double it. I said something like “but can’t you double it?” – hi, why would I pay anything if I can get it for free? 22-cents, is 22-cents! The Halls were 97-cents and I doubled 50-cent off coupons getting them free. The Tide packet was trial size for 97-cents and I had $1 off any Tide. Love it when they say that.
More free stuff.
What about you – any scores this week? I loved hearing about your deals last week. I am all for saving a buck. A dollar saved is a dollar more to go towards paying off credit cards, another dollar to give to the church, a dollar in your pocket when your kid hears the ice cream truck coming. Saving money is a good thing 🙂
So check this out. Office Depot had a little online thing before Christmas. 30 daily winners. Well I entered at like 8am. It went live at midnight on the east coast. So I knew I would get nothing. But it said I won. Actually – it said EVERYONE won – LOL So we all knew it was a no-go.
But then this came in the mail – $30.
And then I found this.
And so we went and got all this. The Sharpies were BOGO and will be Valentine gifts for the kids’ school teachers. And those are Christmas scissors by Fiskars for $1.19 each – great little Christmas gifts! And my daughter needed a new mouse for her laptop…in purple. All this just for entering a lil’ online contest.
Thanks, Office Depot!
January 23rd, 2011 at 5:24 am
AMAZZZZZING!!! My local grocery store (Publix) doubles (but only up to 50¢)… and I WISH my Walmart took competitor coupons, holy wow, would that be awesome!!
I had a GREAT Publix shop this week, you can see what I scored here:
http://queenofqs.blogspot.com/2011/01/publix-couponing-1192011-great-trip.html
January 23rd, 2011 at 6:40 am
#1 your kiddo is soooo cute!!
#2 – I always show Nick your coupon posts and he laughs but says – hey if you can store and have use for it – why not? I must applaud you at the fact that you are one of the most giving people I know…you are also showing your kids how to be and when your son wanted to donate his yardsale earnings last year – it brought a tear to my eye as there are not many kids who have parents who can instill that if you can help you should help. I try with my kids to make them understand the things that they have should not be taken for granted and you are to help when you can. I think you are doing a fab job at everything you do and shouldn’t change it becuase someone else didn’t get their Activia that day and was backed up and miserable. GO YOU!
January 23rd, 2011 at 7:56 am
I’m not sure why on EARTH you would need to DEFEND saving money!?! Especially in THIS economy!! I am not a couponer…but you are definately inspiring me to take the plunge!! I mean really: FREE CASHEWS?!?
January 23rd, 2011 at 9:25 am
gotta love free things PLUS the donating to the needy! why would anyone not like that?! Too bad I don’t have an albertson’s in my town 🙁
i got the deal at walgreens for the dayquil/nyquil (with my coupons) all week! then bought some other things that were on sale and payed close to nothing with my RR!
January 23rd, 2011 at 12:33 pm
You rock! And I know that you will be blessed for thinking and taking care of others. To the haters out there, try doing something nice for someone who needs it and I am sure it will make you smile. Direct your thoughts else where and leave this wonderful woman alone. I promise if you help someone out your world will be changed at least a little bit. Take your crap elsewhere cause I don’t have a coupon for it!
January 23rd, 2011 at 12:36 pm
I am a coupon shopper too. I had a very poor experience with a Walgreen’s clerk; it was so bad that I wrote to corporate and only shop at our other Walgreen’s in town. If they offer the deals, include hints on where to get the coupons, then don’t complain when your customers use the deals. I haven’t had any personal friends say anything but it’s such a great way to stock up and also to donate. I do wonder how you accumulate all of your coupons. I subscribe to our Sunday paper and get coupons online but I never get as many coupons as you are using. Any tips?
January 23rd, 2011 at 1:51 pm
YOU GO GIRL! (apparently I forgot how to use a computer a second ago – whoops!) Anyway…your savings and your generosity are awesome. You get to do something that you enjoy and others reap the rewards. Love that you won something since you’re always giving stuff away. Yay for you! Your Vanna White is adorable displaying your big money prize.
January 23rd, 2011 at 3:14 pm
Don’t spend time worrying about *those people*… that’s what they do. You just keep up the good work!! Awesome (and cute kid too!) 🙂
January 23rd, 2011 at 4:06 pm
BAH – don’t listen to the haters. There will always be haters out there that criticize others for things they can’t do themselves. Or just because they’re miserable. Girl, if they are OFFERING IT, why not take advantage of it? You don’t have to defend yourself. I know how giving you are. Just tell the haters to go get a life and do it elsewhere. Me, I love seeing your coupon adventures – mainly because I can’t come anywhere close to it, lol. And I know that many people do not take advantage, much less try to find these coupons, so the stores on a whole are okay – else they wouldn’t be doing it. Sorry, getting off my soap box now. You go girl! oh, and your little model is a cutie – she’s into bandz, eh?
January 23rd, 2011 at 4:40 pm
Hi Michelle
I like in the UK, and we don’t seem to have coupons to the extent that you guys do, however I have to be honest, I’ve never thought to pick up things I don’t specifically need when I do get the odd extra coupon. I seriously don’t know why, as this is a brilliant idea and I totally support what you’re doing! Other people are jealous because they aren’t prepared to take the time to do this, and that’s there loss. I’ll be putting my name down for anything and everything now, and donating it to my local homeless shelter.
Thanks for the fun posts, I love reading them even though I can’t use your tips! I get excited for you.
Hugs
Laura
xxx
January 23rd, 2011 at 10:47 pm
Amazing! I hope double coupons will come back in my area. You are an inspiration and I will keep looking for the great coupon deals! Love your posts.
January 24th, 2011 at 7:42 pm
Girl….you go ahead and vent but don’t you dare even consider not doing these coupon posts! They are seriously my favorite posts ever! Haters are jealous. No one likes a hater. ’nuff said. I still chuckle from way back when I first saw your truck o’ Dr Pepper post. That made my day. lol.
January 25th, 2011 at 10:55 am
You just totally rock, Michelle! Your cards are always awesome, but your spirit and mind are, too. You are such a giving person. You give of yourself to all of us followers, and you give of your treasure to those in need (and sometimes in contests/give-aways, too!). I don’t know why “people” would say things about you. Even if you didn’t “need” things and bought them, and they sat on the shelf for a while… you never know when you might “need” them. And who are they to judge? Whatever. You keep rockin’ like you rock it. I’m just grateful for all the sharing. Thanks!
February 1st, 2011 at 10:28 am
Kay I know this is an old post, but you know how on top of things I am right now. I say good for you to get your deals. And you are always sharing and giving. So screw what other people {haters} think. You are fabulous!
February 7th, 2011 at 4:47 am
[…] were on sale BOGO at Office Depot last month when I went with the free $30 that they sent me. So each teacher is getting a set of Sharpies in these limited edition […]