Extreme shopping - Target

I decided to embark on an “Extreme Shopping” lifestyle.  For those who are not familiar with “Extreme Shopping”, it doesn’t mean retail therapy and spending sprees.  Instead, it is a carefully planned out system of using coupons in combination with in-store sales to maximize your savings and greatly reduce your grocery bills.

I enlisted the help of a really great website I came across, Money Saving Mom.
This site allows you to search by a particular store and then it will tell you which coupons from which weekly fliers you can use in combination with the in-store sales to get the best deals.Tonight was my first "outing" and I prepared carefully by printing out my coupons and writing down what I was going to get.  One of the key rules is to focus and not get side tracked with other things you see in the store.  Get in and get out with what is on your list you have coupons for!  This is not easy at a store like Target, which is where I went tonight.

Here is a sample of the deals (as outlined on the site) and a few photos of what I was able to get.

Olay Total Effects Body Wash (8-oz.) — $3.54 (was actually $5.50 at my Target)
Use $4/1 Olay Total Effects Body Wash coupon from the 6/6 P&G insert
Free after coupon (ended up paying $1.50)

Satin Care trial size — $0.97
Use $1/1 Satin Care Shave Gel coupon from the 6/6 P&G insert (not all regions got this coupon)
Free after coupon

Vaseline with Aloe Lotion — $0.97
Use $1/1 Vaseline printable coupon
Free after coupon

Tresemme Hairspray (travel-size) — $1
Use $1/1 Tresemme coupon (Click on the “Like” button on the Tresemme Facebook Page to print your coupon.)
Free after coupon

Pampers Baby Wipes (tubs) – Prices start at $1.99 (My Target offered them for $2.39)
Use $2/1 coupon from the 6/6 P&G insert
As low as free after coupon (I paid .39 cents)

Buy 1 Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer Shower Cleaner at $8.69
Buy 1 Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer Shower Cleaning Refill at $3.64
Use $5/1 Scrubbing Bubbles manufacturer’s coupon
Stack with $3/1 Scrubbing Bubbles Target coupon (click on “household” on the sidebar to quickly find this coupon)
Use Buy One Scrubbing Bubbles Power Sprayer Starter Kit, Get a Refill Free coupon
$0.69 plus tax for both after coupons!

I also had a coupon for an Kraft Extreme Macaroni & cheese cup for FREE

I saved $23.49 and including tax I only spent $4.45!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is the one downfall I see...a lot of coupons to use means you are in line longer.  In my experiences most of the cashiers are not too skilled at deducting your coupons which means often they need to call their supervisor (He had to call her 3 times tonight!).  Good thing it was a Monday night and not too busy.

I felt like the people behind me in line were glaring at me and rolling their eyes.  I am not sure if they were, that is just how I felt.  I had to keep telling myself that it doesn't matter how they feel - I am doing this to save my family money.  I didn't hear anyone in line offer to pay my bill or my mortgage, so they will just have to wait a few extra minutes while I save some money!

So Target was a success.  I am going to try for groceries next....I'll post my results as I continue on the journey.