Comments on: We Just Saved 66% on Shampoo and Conditioner http://www.nodebtplan.net/2008/07/26/we-just-saved-66-on-shampoo-and-conditioner/ A personal finance blog teaching you how to live debt free and use credit wisely. Fri, 19 Mar 2010 21:18:38 +0000 hourly 1 By: Russell http://www.nodebtplan.net/2008/07/26/we-just-saved-66-on-shampoo-and-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-2732 Russell Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:38:18 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=343#comment-2732 First, I should have checked my example, it was made up in my head. Five for $10.00, Coupon for $1.50 off of two. That would be $4.00 less $1.50 for $2.50 paid, cost $1.25 each. (I said $0.25 in my earlier comment.) Presuming that these are items that usually cost More Than Five for $10.00 you have saved at least 62%. I did use a spreadsheet to compute my savings this week, so I think it's accurate. It was 35.5% at Publix, and 30.73% at Winn-Dixie. In total I spent $82.75, without the savings I learned from thegrocerygame.com the same items would have been $122.44, for combined 32.4% saved. I bought several items that were not on the list because I wanted them (milk, eggs, soda pop), so that reduced the percentage of my savings. I don't use any coupons, I could do better if I had the newspaper coupons, or if I'd look at the online coupons these sites offer. It's helpful for me because I live alone, so I have less demands on what I "need to" purchase each week. On the other hand, because I don't buy that many groceries, I'm not likely to travel every aisle in the store, and I might not see all these posted specials. With the printed list I review before I go, I use their check-off feature to only select the items I'll want to buy, and print those giving me a compact list to carry to the store. First, I should have checked my example, it was made up in my head. Five for $10.00, Coupon for $1.50 off of two. That would be $4.00 less $1.50 for $2.50 paid, cost $1.25 each. (I said $0.25 in my earlier comment.) Presuming that these are items that usually cost More Than Five for $10.00 you have saved at least 62%.

I did use a spreadsheet to compute my savings this week, so I think it’s accurate. It was 35.5% at Publix, and 30.73% at Winn-Dixie. In total I spent $82.75, without the savings I learned from thegrocerygame.com the same items would have been $122.44, for combined 32.4% saved.

I bought several items that were not on the list because I wanted them (milk, eggs, soda pop), so that reduced the percentage of my savings. I don’t use any coupons, I could do better if I had the newspaper coupons, or if I’d look at the online coupons these sites offer.

It’s helpful for me because I live alone, so I have less demands on what I “need to” purchase each week. On the other hand, because I don’t buy that many groceries, I’m not likely to travel every aisle in the store, and I might not see all these posted specials. With the printed list I review before I go, I use their check-off feature to only select the items I’ll want to buy, and print those giving me a compact list to carry to the store.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.nodebtplan.net/2008/07/26/we-just-saved-66-on-shampoo-and-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-2726 Kevin Thu, 31 Jul 2008 03:42:19 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=343#comment-2726 @Russell: I've heard of CouponMom in the past. I agree with you about the interface, but I haven't tried it out personally. Have you found it to be very helpful? @Russell: I’ve heard of CouponMom in the past. I agree with you about the interface, but I haven’t tried it out personally. Have you found it to be very helpful?

]]> By: Russell http://www.nodebtplan.net/2008/07/26/we-just-saved-66-on-shampoo-and-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-2722 Russell Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:57:28 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=343#comment-2722 I had commented awhile back on www.thegrocerygame.com which is about $10 for 8 weeks ($15 if you have two stores). The site gives you a checklist of advertised specials plus coupons, including what quantity to buy for the best price. (For example if there's a five for $10.00 sale and a coupon in the newspaper $1.50 off of two, it will recommend you use the coupon and buy only two, for a cost of $0.25 each.) I've been using this for Publix and Winn-Dixie, and saved about 30% from my grocery bill. This is a combination of buying the few things I truly need, and stocking up on the other items in the list that I will eat or use later. My sister referred me to this site, and now she tells me of a FREE site called www.couponmom.com that provides a similar list of specials and coupons. It has Publix and Winn-Dixie in Florida, and also national specials for stores like Walgreen's, CVS, Target, Wal-Mart. The web interface isn't as slick looking, but the price is right. -R- I had commented awhile back on http://www.thegrocerygame.com which is about $10 for 8 weeks ($15 if you have two stores). The site gives you a checklist of advertised specials plus coupons, including what quantity to buy for the best price. (For example if there’s a five for $10.00 sale and a coupon in the newspaper $1.50 off of two, it will recommend you use the coupon and buy only two, for a cost of $0.25 each.)

I’ve been using this for Publix and Winn-Dixie, and saved about 30% from my grocery bill. This is a combination of buying the few things I truly need, and stocking up on the other items in the list that I will eat or use later.

My sister referred me to this site, and now she tells me of a FREE site called http://www.couponmom.com that provides a similar list of specials and coupons. It has Publix and Winn-Dixie in Florida, and also national specials for stores like Walgreen’s, CVS, Target, Wal-Mart. The web interface isn’t as slick looking, but the price is right.

-R-

]]> By: Personal Finance Carnivals « http://www.nodebtplan.net/2008/07/26/we-just-saved-66-on-shampoo-and-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-2719 Personal Finance Carnivals « Wed, 30 Jul 2008 17:18:12 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=343#comment-2719 [...] School Chores-No Debt Plan just saved 66% on Shampoo and Conditioner at the drugstore. I particularly liked how this went beyond just the drugstore game to include distance [...] [...] School Chores-No Debt Plan just saved 66% on Shampoo and Conditioner at the drugstore. I particularly liked how this went beyond just the drugstore game to include distance [...]

]]> By: Festival of Frugality #136 - Summer School Edition | Student Scrooge http://www.nodebtplan.net/2008/07/26/we-just-saved-66-on-shampoo-and-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-2713 Festival of Frugality #136 - Summer School Edition | Student Scrooge Wed, 30 Jul 2008 06:55:04 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=343#comment-2713 [...] Debt Plan just saved 66% on Shampoo and Conditioner at the drugstore. I particularly liked how this went beyond just the drugstore game to include distance [...] [...] Debt Plan just saved 66% on Shampoo and Conditioner at the drugstore. I particularly liked how this went beyond just the drugstore game to include distance [...]

]]> By: tiffanie http://www.nodebtplan.net/2008/07/26/we-just-saved-66-on-shampoo-and-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-2693 tiffanie Tue, 29 Jul 2008 08:52:49 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=343#comment-2693 i do Rite Aid and Walgreens every week because they are less than a mile from my apartment and are right next door to each other, haha. I've only been doing this for a month, but I've now got about a year's worth of shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, razors, and deodorant...most of it purchased with both store's rebate programs. In fact, I will be getting a $50 check back from Rite Aid for all of my July rebates and $15 from Walgreens. It's become a game to see how much I can buy for how little $ spent. i do Rite Aid and Walgreens every week because they are less than a mile from my apartment and are right next door to each other, haha. I’ve only been doing this for a month, but I’ve now got about a year’s worth of shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, mouthwash, toothbrushes, razors, and deodorant…most of it purchased with both store’s rebate programs. In fact, I will be getting a $50 check back from Rite Aid for all of my July rebates and $15 from Walgreens. It’s become a game to see how much I can buy for how little $ spent.

]]> By: Kevin http://www.nodebtplan.net/2008/07/26/we-just-saved-66-on-shampoo-and-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-2664 Kevin Sun, 27 Jul 2008 12:50:24 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=343#comment-2664 @Frugal Bachelor: Through couponing you can save a ton of money on food. Haven't figured out the energy on yet unless you want to live in Arizona and install solar for 30 years. Housing? Easy -- live in a smaller house. Last time I checked, $6 saved is still $6 saved. Money that we can put toward another goal. @Scott: Thanks! @Frugal Bachelor: Through couponing you can save a ton of money on food. Haven’t figured out the energy on yet unless you want to live in Arizona and install solar for 30 years. Housing? Easy — live in a smaller house.

Last time I checked, $6 saved is still $6 saved. Money that we can put toward another goal.

@Scott: Thanks!

]]> By: Scott @ The Passive Dad http://www.nodebtplan.net/2008/07/26/we-just-saved-66-on-shampoo-and-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-2660 Scott @ The Passive Dad Sun, 27 Jul 2008 05:19:28 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=343#comment-2660 You've definitely got the frugal concept down and can understand how saving money can get you excited. I personally don't get excited about shampoo, as I buy it in bulk at Costco twice a year and put it in the closet. What's important is you have the frugal bug, and that's awesome! You’ve definitely got the frugal concept down and can understand how saving money can get you excited. I personally don’t get excited about shampoo, as I buy it in bulk at Costco twice a year and put it in the closet. What’s important is you have the frugal bug, and that’s awesome!

]]> By: Frugal Bachelor http://www.nodebtplan.net/2008/07/26/we-just-saved-66-on-shampoo-and-conditioner/comment-page-1/#comment-2657 Frugal Bachelor Sat, 26 Jul 2008 20:33:56 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=343#comment-2657 Shampoo is around 0.01% of my annual budget. Wake me up when you've found a way to save 66% on Housing, Energy, Food, ... i.e. the things that matter. Shampoo is around 0.01% of my annual budget. Wake me up when you’ve found a way to save 66% on Housing, Energy, Food, … i.e. the things that matter.

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