It's not worth kicking myself over, but I did it again. I recycled bottles, took the little coupon from the machine that represented some form of money, equivalent to 5 cents per bottle or can, at the register. But of course, though it stood prominently in the front of my purse pocket, I forgot to use it. Now I am stuck with this coupon which I cannot forsee using for awhile, as I rarely shop at Shaw's. Moral of this story: use your coupons, namely ones from the recycling machines or rewards coupons which made an item you just purchased "free," promptly, or accidentally lose it.
To avoid doing this with those rewards coupons, which sometimes at Walgreens can be valued over $10, I divide my shopping into two, sometimes, three sections. I ask the cashier to ring up the free deal first and I pay that transaction. I then use that free rewards coupon towards the next items the cashier rings up. This way, I do not end up forgetting about the coupon and remembering to use it only after the expiration date.
My shopping system is as follows:
1. Look through all store sales flyers at home.
2. Write down all sales items with prices on a recycled envelope, each envelope represents a different store.
3. Look through my coupon stack and pull out the applicable coupons.
4. Insert those coupons in the envelope.
5. Shop, attaching the appropriate coupon to the clip each time I mark off the item from my list.
These clips, laundry line clips, generally red or bright green so that they stand out, are essential to efficiency, but today I forgot mine at home. Had I remembered, I would have attached the recycled bottles coupon to the clip. In addition to this piece of equipment, I sometimes also bring a plastic tip for my index finger so that I will be more efficient opening up those plastic bags (if I am not recycling) when self-bagging.
Though I was not able to utilize that aforementioned coupon today, I did enjoy a good deal a Shaw's: Buy 3 Kellogg's cereals at 2/$6, and get a coupon for a free gallon of milk up to $4.50. The cereal is normally $3.99 a box, which I would only buy on sale or with a coupon. I chose Kellogg's Special K red berries, which is made with whole grain, gives 3g of dietary fiber, 70 mg Potassium, 2 g protein, and a host of vitamins. Although a little high in sugar, I use it as a night-time dessert when I am not in the mood for frozen yogurt (good-bye Ben & Jerry's!).
In order to get the free milk, I followed my system. I divided up my order and had the cashier ring up the cereal boxes first. After paying for it, I received the free milk coupon, which I used when she rang up the milk separately. For a new or rare coupon user, it may feel a little embarrassing at first. In the beginning, I used to complete the transaction, stroll back through the store and shop a little more, as if I forgot to purchase something. I might have used the free coupon at a different lane, with a different cashier. Or, I used to explain to the same cashier that I would probably lose the free coupon if I did not use it right away, and they would nod with empathy. But time is money, and I have no time to waste re-shopping. I found that most cashiers generally do not care either way, and if anything we are chatting about the weather or the total cuteness of my toddler. Of course, my best chat with a cashier was two weeks ago, when after she stuffed my groceries into 4 bags, quizzically looked at the screen, and said, "Your total is 55 cents?" Now that was a conversation starter.
Feel free to share your own shopping tips on this blog. I'd love to post them for our readers.
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