Saturday, November 14, 2009

Christmas Shopping Expedition!!!

We went out to ToysRUs & Barnes & Noble yesterday and bought Christmas presents for 6 kids and birthday presents for 2!

We split it into 3 transactions to maximize the gift card promotion on the Hasbro games and to use 2 coupons for $10 gift card with $75 purchase.

Here is what we bought:




Transaction 1:
2 Playskol dinosaurs, 2 4-packs of Playdoh, Grow Your Own Elm Tree, Crystal Growing Kit, Candyland, Chutes & Ladders, Candyland Sweet Celebration, & Planet Earth Glaciers.

Regular Price would have been: $130.29 (including tax)
Sale Price was: $107.83 (including tax)

We received 2 $10 TRU gift cards with the transaction (1 GC for $25 in Hasbro games, other GC from coupon - GC w/ $75 purchase)
We will receive $6 in Hasbro rebates on the games
Earned $3.30 in "RUs" Bucks (TRU Rewards Program)

Total Transaction 1 Savings: $51.96 (40%)

Transaction 2:
iCarly DS case, iCarly DS Game, LIFE (game - PINK version), Don't Spill the Beans, Don't Break the Ice, Cooties, Disney DVD Pictionary, & Pictionary Man.

Regular Price would have been: $163.99 (including tax)
Sale Price was: $117.59 (including tax)

We received 2 $10 TRU gift cards with the transaction (1 GC for $25 in Hasbro games, other GC from coupon - GC w/ $75 purchase)
We will receive $9 in Hasbro rebates on the games
Earned $3.63 in "RUs" Bucks (TRU Rewards Program)

Total Transaction 2 Savings: $79.03 (48%)

Transaction 3:
Bakusphere, 7in1 Bakugan Helios, Master Brawler Bakugan DVD, 4 Tag Reader books, Don't Break the Ice, Don't Spill the Beans, Cooties, 4 Cars (movie) cars, 2 4-packs of Playdoh, Operation, Apples to Apples Jr, & Monopoly (PINK version - in the fancy box).

Regular Price would have been: $268.59 (including tax)
Sale Price was: $201.69 (including tax)

We received 1 $10 TRU gift card with the transaction(for $25 in Hasbro games)
We will receive $8 in Hasbro rebates on the games
Earned $6.23 in "RUs" Bucks (TRU Rewards Program)

Total Transaction 3 Savings: $91.12 (34%)

TOTAL OF TOYSRUS TRANSACTIONS:

Regular Price would have been: $562.07 (including tax)
Sale Price was: $427.11 (including tax)

We received 3 $10 TRU gift cards
We will receive $21 in Hasbro rebates on the games
Earned $14.24 in "RUs" Bucks (TRU Rewards Program)

TOTAL TOYSRUS SAVINGS: $221.19 (39%)

Barnes & Noble

Baby Signs DVD Program $39.99 (fullprice)
2 American Girl Cookbooks $7.98 each (reg price $15.96 each)

Regular Price would have been: $77.63 (including tax)
Sale Price was: $60.40 (including tax)

Total Barnes & Noble Savings: $17.23 (22%)

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Today's Commissary Trip

Ok so it took me a little bit of time to figure out the "regular" price of these items (at a "civilian" grocery store) so the beginning price is approximate.






Civilian Store Regular Price: 146.46
Commissary Price: 84.47
MFG Coupons: -12.25
Surcharge (Commissary charges this but no tax): +4.22
Total OOP: $76.44
Savings: $74.24 (50.7%)

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Beginner Shopping Expedition

I figured I'd start a new blog for my new hobby - saving money! :)

I'm still new to this so I'm not saving the BIG bucks just yet.

Dillon's (equivalent to a Kroger)

Before sale: 62.27 (13 12-packs @ 4.79 each)
After sale: 25.87 (@ 1.99 each)
Tax: +1.89
Total OOP (out of pocket): $27.76
Savings: $36.40 (58.5%)

Walgreen's - TRIP #1

Before sale: 15.47
After sale: 13.99
MFG Coupon: -1.00
Tax: +1.02
Total OOP: $14.01
Savings: $2.48 (16.0%)
Register Rewards Earned: $7.00

Walgreen's - TRIP #2

Before sale: 37.93
After sale: 25.94
MFG Coupons: -7.00
Register Rewards Used: -7.00
Tax: +1.89
Total OOP: $13.83
Savings: $25.99 (68.5%)

HyVee - Grand Opening was today - I really think I'm going to LOVE this store!

Before sale: 50.23 (approximate - they don't put reg price on receipt)
After sale: 23.75
MFG Coupons: -6.00
Tax: +1.85
Total OOP: $19.60
Savings: $32.48(64.7%)

OVERALL Before sale: $165.90
OVERALL Sale Savings: -76.35
OVERALL Coupons: -14.00
Register Rewards Used: -7.00
OVERALL TAX: +6.65
OVERALL OOP: $75.20
OVERALL SAVINGS: $97.35 (58.7%)

NOTE: even without utilizing the coupons or register rewards today, I still would have saved $76.35 (46%) just from buying items that were on sale.