2010 year end re-cap

Sorry I haven't had the "usual" posts up yet. I'm nearing the end of this pregnancy & it's really starting to take a toll on me....I promise I'll try to be more on top of it this coming week, assuming of course, baby doesn't come early!

Every year, I track my "savings" to see how well (or not) I did using coupons. Here are my "stats" for calendar year 2010:

Before coupons total = $9,838.42
After coupons total = $5,690.99
Total coupons savings = $3,968.79
Total # coupons redeemed = 1653
Total # items purchased = 2948
Average % savings = 46%

I earned a total of $505.37 in rebates.

I also saved 85c by using re-usable bags. This is something that I want to increase during 2011. Not only is it good for the environment, but it puts money back in my pocket!

I earned $428.70 in giftcards. This includes those won as a prize, a reward or received as a gift.

Coupon savings tracker

Have you ever wondered just how much you really save when you use coupons? Personally, I have a spreadsheet that I use to calculate all my savings, but there is a FREE program out there called Grocery Alerts and is just about as simple as you can get. It works through Facebook, so you have to have an account, but all you do is enter in the amount you saved from your receipt, the store name, and the purchase date. Check it out!

JC Penney savings newsletter

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Levi's savings newsletter

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Coupon Savings

Inquiring minds want to know.....What's the most you have ever saved with coupons?

Recent Rite Aid finds

3/19/10

2 Russell Stover coconut nests = 78c
2 Purex 3-in-1 detergent sheets = $17.98
1 NYC lip color = $1.99
1 Dawn dish detergent = 79c
1 Gain laundry detergent = $4.99
3 Cure heat back patches = $2.98
2 Right Guard deoderants = $4.49
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total $33.99

Coupons used
$5/$20 Video Values
BOGO Purex sheets
$1.25 Gain
50c Dawn
$2 Purex Video Values
$1 NYC color
(2) $2 Right Guard Video values
(2) $2 Right Guard deoderant

Rebates earned
$1 NYC color

Total OOP = $7.52

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3/20/10

1 Benadryl allergy = $5.49
1 Visine = $4.99
2 Renu travel packs = $1.98
2 Right Guard deoderants = $4.69
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total $17.15


Coupons used
$3/$15 Rite Aid IP
$3Visine Rite Aid in ad coupon
(2) $1 Renu IP
(2) $1.50 Right Guard IP
$2 Benadryl Rite Aid IP

Total OOP = 76c

Rebates earned
Visine & Benadryl count towards Johnson & Johnson SCR

Year to Date savings

Like last year, I began keeping track of the # of coupons I used in each shopping trip, as well as the total amount spent and total amount saved using coupons. Check out last year's numbers here.


In 2009, I spent a total of $8525.96 and saved $7712.22 using coupons. I purchased 4475 items and redeemed 2573 coupons throughout the year.

In addition to my coupon savings, I also tracked rebates I earned $1809.75, and giftcards I redeemed $956.07.


For 2010, I plan on also tracking the amount saved when using re-useable bags, granted this amount won't be high, but every little bit helps, not to mention it's GREAT for the environment. I am also going to change the way I track my giftcards, because I know for a fact that I've redeemed more than what I posted, just didn't track where (fast food purchases mostly). So, instead of tracking how much I redeem, I will track them as I receive them.

YTD Savings

Around March or so, I decided to create a spreadsheet to help me keep track of my coupon & rebate savings. According to my calculations, I have saved a total of $2,991.09 by using coupons, and earned $1,030.32 in rebates, for a total of $4,021.41!

For 2009, I've decided to keep track of how much I spend at each of my store trips, so I can get a better idea of just how much I am saving (or spending).

So, for those who don't use coupons or do rebates, let this be an eye opener for you that you really can save money with them! Of course, I'm still learning, there are folks out there who spend very little, if anything out of pocket for their groceries. One day, hopefully, I will be just like that.

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone!