| ITEM | SALE PRICE | COUPON | TOTAL | NOTES |
| Pepsi 2lt | $0.69 | $.69 x 4 | $2.76 total | |
| Capri Sun | $1.79 | 1.79 x 2 | $3.58 for 2 | |
| Corn | $1.98 | $1.98 | for 12 ears | |
| Lucerne Shredded Cheese | $2.00 | $2.00 | spend $4.00 | |
| Safeway Drumsticks or Thighs | 1.99lb | $9.95 | ||
| Barilla Pasta | $0.99 | 0.99 x 2 | $1.98 for 2 | |
| Wishbone Salad Dressing | 1.19 w/sf coup | 1.25 off 2 | $1.13 | for 2 |
| Welch's Grape Squeeze | 1.69 w/ SF coup | .55 cents off 1 | $1.14 | limit 6 |
| Totinos Pizza Rolls | $1.00 | .35 cents off 1 | .65 cents x 4 | $2.60 for 4 |
| Totinos Party Pizza | $1.00 | .50 cents off 3 | $2.50 | for 3 |
| Sunny D | $1.00 | $1.00 | ||
| Safeway Fries | 1.99 w/SF coup | $1.99 | limit 4 | |
| Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs | .99 w/SF coup | 1.00 off 1 | $0.00 | limit 5 |
| Heinz Ketchup | 1.69 w/SF coup | .25 cents off 1 | $1.44 | limit 2 |
| Jack Daniels' Bbq sauce | $0.99 | .55 cents off 1 | 0.44 x 2 | .88 cents for 2 |
| Safeway Buns/Rolls | .99 w/SF coup | .99 x2 | $1.98 for 2 | |
| Vlasic Pickels | BOGO | $2.99 | for 2 | |
| formula | $5.00 | $5.00 | ||
And here's a look at a Walgreens one - and how I note Register Rewards
| ITEM | SALE PRICE | COUPON | TOTAL | NOTES |
| Hawaiian Tropic | BOGO | 1.00 off 1 | ||
| Arm & Hammer Detergent | BOGO | 1.00 off 2 | ||
| Poptarts | $1.99 | 1.00 off 3 | $4.97 | for 3 |
| Kelloggs Raisin Bran | $1.99 | 1.00 off 2 | $2.98 | for 2 boxes |
| Orbit Gum | .69 w/ Wal Coup | 1.00 off 2 | $0.38 | for 2 packs - limit 4 |
| Folgers | $2.79 | 1.00 off 2 | $4.58 | for 2 |
| Campbells Chunky Soup | 1.50 w/wal coup | $1.50 | limit 4 | |
| Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh | $2.50 | 1.00 off 2 | $4.00 | for 2 |
| Oxi Clean Laundry Products | $2.99 | 3.00 off 2 | $2.98 | for 2 items |
| Palmolive | 0.89 w/wal coup | $0.89 | ||
| Walgreens Freezer Bags | .99 w/wal coup | $0.99 | ||
| Off Repelent | 3.99 w/wal coup | .75 cents off | $3.24 | |
| Fashion Tote Bags | $2.99 | $2.99 | ||
| Arm & Hammer Toothpaste | BOGO | 1.00 off 1 | ||
| Kids Aquafresh Toothpaste | .99 w/wal coup | $0.99 | ||
| Illy Coffee Drinsk | $2.00 | $2.00 | get $2 Reg Rewards |
So each week I go to the online ad for all my stores. Lets say today I am looking at Safeway. You can use the actual circular...whichever works best for you. I open my Master coupon excel list. This list is categorized just like my coupon binder. I update it regularly, so it accurately tells me what coupons I have.
Next I open last week's Safeway Excel list and delete everything but my headers. I start fresh each week. No need to have 100 old Safeway lists on your desktop.
So I have 3 things going right now. My Safeway Excel sheet, my Master Excel sheet and my online Safeway ad. So I begin to browse what is on sale. If I find an item on sale I use or would like to try, I go to my Master list and see if I have a coupon for it. If I do not, I do a Google search to make sure there are no printable coupons available. If there are no coupons to go along with the sale price, I would typically not get the item or add it to my list. However, if the sale price alone is an incredible deal...I add it.
I put the item name in column 1 of my Safeway Excel list. Column 2 is the sale price. Column 3 lists any coupon I have for that item. Then I use a calculator to total what my price paid will be with sale price, coupons, etc.
Notes are really important as well. If a sale item is limited, say I can only buy 3...I note that. If I plan on buying multiple of that item, I note that as well. As you get the hang of this system, you will realize what is important to notate.
This system is not for everyone. Some people prefer to hand write their lists. Others head to the store with their coupons and browse around for deals. Some people write lists on envelopes and place the coupons they need inside. Couponing is about what works for you...I cannot stress that enough. You are not just budgeting your money here, you are budgeting your time. So you have to find a system you can master. One you enjoy using. A system that saves you money and time.
My system works for me. When I go into a store, I have my coupon binder and my Excel list. I also take extra time to browse the aisles and the discount bins. Many stores have unadvertised sales, and you can get amazing deals.
Also, always pick up a store ad when you go inside. I use it as a reference. Sometimes sale items are not marked.
Lastly, be prepared to alter your shopping list and maybe even your budget....a little. Stores do run out of items, especially sale items. Don't ever be afraid to ask for a rain check on a sold out sale item. Most stores offer rainchecks. And if you find an incredible unadvertised deal, grab it if you have the money to do so.
Bottom line...shop smart. I always plan ahead, and plan for the unexpected. Find your own system and strategy, or use mine (it does work).
We will get even deeper into couponing in part 3 ;)
