Top Secret Coupon Mission

While going to pick up Marinn from school I noticed a recycling dumpster for "paper only".  I peeked in to see the mother load of possible coupons!  The following is the conversation that conspired later that evening.

I text my sister (she was working), "Would you join me on a secret mission after you get off work?"
Her response. "Sure. What's the plan?"
Me, "I found a secret stash of free coupons near Marinn's school."
Her, "Ok."

After she gets off work at 10:30pm she calls and the conversation goes something like this,
Her, "So, are we breaking into somewhere to steal coupons, because that's kind of what it sounds like?"
(I think it's funny she agreed even though it sounded like we would be breaking and entering, now that's a good sister!)
Me, "Oh no, we will just be dumpster diving."
Her in a small pitiful voice, "I don't want to go dumpster diving."
Me, "You don't have to get in, you can just stand out side and I'll pass you the coupons."
Her, "Are we going to get arrested if we get caught?"
Me, "No, Andrew said he doesn't think it's illegal.  But if we do I'm totally going to ask to hold up a coupon in my mug shot."
Her, "Ok, I'll pick you up in a few minutes, I'm on my way."
Me, "Ok, I'll have the flash light and masks ready."

She picks me up and we head to our destination.  We pull up, get out and I go to open the large lid on the top, only to discover that it is locked shut.  Fortunately there is a large square opening on the front, a "shoot" you could call it that if easily big enough for someone to fit through.
Now, anyone that knows me and my sister knows that I have about 80 lbs and 5" on her, so she is significantly smaller than myself.  We decide that the safest bet would be to put her down the shoot so I don't get stuck.  So, down she goes!

I pass her the flash light and she starts digging like a pro!  Now I have to note that this was the cleanest dumpster I've ever seen.  No smell, no cockroaches, no spiders, just paper and magazines.  

 With her awesome work we came out with 12 coupon circulars, and 4 motorcycle magazines.

This was actually a great time, we laughed a lot and it was totally free, not to mention scoring some great coupons. We decided if the cops came I would just shut off the light and leave her in there, then circle the block and pick her up after the cops left... lets just say this made us giggle.  

I'm seriously considering making this a monthly adventure and even hitting some of the other recycle bins in the city.  But next time I'll take a trip down the shoot : )  Who's with me? 

All in a day...

A successful day of grocery shopping... saved over $100 with my coupons!
My most exciting check out was a beginning total of $13.67 and I only paid $2.78! Feeling like a pro : )
Three stores with 3 kids in 3 hours=small miracle.
Then found some great fabric for the girls headboard : )

Then... when the world seemed bright and shiny and perfect.... Taurin puked in the car. So, we got to make a quick trip to the car wash to spray off car seats and floor mats... this was extremely effective.

Coupon Madness!

I have a few friends who do some serious couponing and I've wanted to give it a try so in the last few weeks I've been attempting to save some cash.  It definitely takes some time, comparing and searching but I'm finding my way.
Last night I was trying to improve my skills and read a blog about getting great deals at Walgreens because they give you Register Rewards which is basically an amount you get back for you next purchase that you can spend on anything.  Like free cash to spend in their store.  So purchase those items with coupons you get double the discount.  This morning I pulled out my coupons and my Walgreens add and started searching for the best deals.  When you start adding things up you discover some great stuff...
For example:
I had a $4 off coupon for a razor that my husband uses.
It was on sale for $9.99
With Register Rewards of $4.00
So after my coupon and register rewards I really only paid: $1.99 for a 5 blade power razor.
This makes me happy : )

So when I went today my trip went something like this:

original bill started at:  $93.00
Store discounts and coupons: -$38.00  
Total Paid:  $55.00
THEN! Got $12.00 back in Register Rewards (basically them giving me cash to spend in their store on my next purchase!)
So that really takes my bill down to $43 so I saved 46% on my entire purchase! 


Now since I've started my couponing adventure some people (clerks, other customers etc.) seem to be irritated when I bust out my pile of coupons, but today I experienced something grand.  
I pull out my coupons and the customer behind me says, "Now that is a good woman right there."
The clerks says, "Yeah her bill started out at $93 and she's down to $55!"
The customer, "There you go girl! Way to go!" 
Then I pay and the register starts spitting out my Register Rewards... 
The clerk says, "Now here comes some cash back! Two Dollars! Four Dollars!...." etc... increasing with excitement.  The customer is cheering after every print out.  I couldn't help but smile and laugh and cheer along with them. 
It was great! It made me want to shop at Walgreens every day. 
This was a definite encouragement while Shaw is throwing my purse on the floor, Taurin is asking to get out of the cart, and Marinn is dancing around the cart with our bag of loot.