Coupons...

So, I found a new hobby. Well, sort of. I am not sure that it is officially a hobby yet, but... maybe in a couple of months we'll see if I am sticking with it. I have turned into one of those crazy coupon shoppers. Yep, that is right. I figured that since a was a buyer in my previous life (literally... that was my career for almost 8 years) I might as well put my talents to good use.

Okay, so I lied. My responsibilities as a buyer were nothing like grocery shopping or couponing, but I'd like to think I am a smart "buyer" and can save money. (However, I know Tyler would argue otherwise; He likes to remind me that just because I bought something on sale doesn't mean I saved money. He just doesn't get it, does he?)

Anyway, last night I ended up at Albertson's with a wad of coupon and my shopping list. Tyler came with me, bless his heart. And although I think he was slightly embarrassed to be holding up the line while the cashier rang up all my coupons, being the ever so value-of-money-conscious accountant that he is, he was a good sport about my new money saving idea.

The good news? That shopping trip went so well that I called Katy and went back with her later again that night. Yes, the cashier acted totally annoyed that I was there again with yet another stack of coupons, but I didn't really care. Katy was hilarious... before we went in to the store she was so worried about being that crazy coupon lady that holds up the line. And, of course, that is exactly what happened. She said, "I started sweating bullets as the line behind me kept getting longer." We were laughing so hard as the bag boy loaded multiple boxes of granola bars, cereal and spaghetti sauces into the bags-- after all, if it's on sale for $1 each, and you have a coupon for $.50 off, that makes it $.50, and who wouldn't stock up on a deal like that? LOL!!! To make us even crazier, we stood in line for about 30 minutes after we checked out just to get rain checks on the items they were out of! Yes, I know what you are all thinking, and I totally agree. I am nuts. I admit it.

I bet you are dying to know what I got, right?

9 ALL laundry detergents $13
10 BBQ sauces $10
10 packages of butter $10
6 Lipton rice/pasta $3
3 Lawrey's marinades $1.50
10 Life Cereal (not pictured) $10
60 bottles water (not pictured) $10
And a few more miscellaneous deals...

Total: $70
My receipt said I saved $120, but we all know that isn't 100% accurate since they jack up the prices only to mark them down again. But, I saved money, and I have a year supply of laundry detergent! HA HA!


Let me just add that I have a new respect for those "expert" couponers out there. It isn't easy! It takes a lot of planning and going to multiple grocery stores (I'm not that into it, yet!). I swear I stood in the laundry detergent isle, staring at the ALL price tags that said 5/$15 wondering how everyone was getting it for just over $1 per bottle. Tyler was laughing at me. But, I eventually figured it out. And, did you know that there are entire web sites dedicated to couponing? This is some serious stuff! Who knew?