Success!!

I've been playing the "Coupon" game all summer trying to get my bill below the magical 30% of bill total paid.I...DID...IT!!
Went to Walgreens, which is now my new favorite store for basics and year supply stock-ups.  Here is how I did it today:

Register ring-up:  $51.14
Coupons:  $28.28
Spent:  $22.86
Register Rewards:  $16.00

You can look at this two different ways.  I spent out of pocket TODAY a total of $22.86.  However, I have $16.00 in Register Rewards.  So, my total out of pocket is $6.86.  This means I can go to Walgreens and get my school supplies or anything else....spend $16.01 and pay only one little penny.  But for around $7.00 total cost to me, I got this:

By-the-way....the shampoo is normally around $8.99.  Yep, for one bottle!  I'm not Brand-specific any more.  I figure for under $1, I can try these different brands and not lose too much if I don't like it.
I love this new game...it's quite addicting!!
See you at Walgreens!!

Beginner's Luck

This whole "extreme couponing" craze has me intrigued.  No, I haven't watched the show.  But putting in a little time/effort to save money is never a bad thing.  I'm not so converted to the whole "stashing" 100 of something you will never go thru.  But... stalking up on basics as a minimal cost....well....I'm pretty sure we've been admonished to do this FOREVER!!  So, I decided to try my hand.  I went to a website that I had been watching, looked at their tips and then went to Walgreens.  Here is what I came home with - keep in mind...I'm starting small!!

The trick is learning how to use "Register Rewards" and becoming brand friendly.  I figured there is about $35 worth of product here.
My total after store, manufacture and Register Rewards?
Brace yourself.........

$2.22
That's right.  For about 1 hour of my time....I made around $30.  And if I don't like the BAN deodorant....I can throw it knowing I only spent $. 34 on each one.
NOT BAD...(for a beginner!!)