The last shopping trip of the year: $200 for under a buck, plus monthly & yearly spending

Today we took our last shopping trip of 2010.

We received word today that a neighbor of ours had a sudden death in the family.  The spouse and children of the deceased are struggling not just with the emotional trauma, but also with being able to afford everyday necessities like food and toiletries.  I had some shopping I wanted to get done before the end of the year anyway, so I changed up my plan some to look specifically for items this particular family may find a little bit helpful during such a difficult time.

Not pictured: five 2 liters Diet Pepsi, bag of sweet potatoes

First, a quick stop at Giant Eagle - shelf price $41.06
12 Dawn dish detergent $2.50ea, $30
1 can chipotle peppers $2.19
3.4lbs sweet potatoes $2.69
Subtotal $34.88, less twelve $.50 off Dawn (doubled to $1)
Total $22.88, received back three $5 OYNOs ($5 for each 4 Dawn)
Out of pocket $7.88

Then, on to Rite Aid - shelf price $159.74
8 cans Progresso soup $1.50ea, $12
4 Gillette deodorants $4 ea, $16
2 computer mouses (mice?), $2.99ea, $5.98
6 assorted Aussie & Herbal Essence hair care $2.50ea, $15
2 bags brown rice $1.69ea, $3.38
1 bag white rice $1.49
2 Sundown vitamins $3.49ea, BOGO free
5 assorted bottles Excedrin $6.99ea, $35.94
2 Pilot EZ Touch pens $2.29ea, $4.58
5 2 liter Diet Pepsi $1.25ea, $5
Subtotal $102.86
Less $5 off $25, less two $1 off 4 Progresso, less one Buy 2 Get 1 Free Gillette, less three $2 off Gillette, less three BOGO Aussie/HE, less three $1 off Aussie/HE, less two $1 off Sundown, less four free Excedrin ($5.99 max value), less one $3.50 off Excedrin
Total $45.90, received back $53 +UPs ($1 ea for Progresso, $3 for each pair of Gillette, $5 ea for computer mouses, $1 ea for rice, $2 for Sundown, $4 for Pilot pens, $20 for Resolution Rewards)

$7.10 profit!!

I really winged it on this trip to RA.  I had a stack of coupons that expire tomorrow and I just brought the whole lot with me to see if I could find any of the items on clearance.  I also had no idea how stock would be on many items - I struck out with the Old Spice, but hit paydirt on the Progresso.  Win some, lose some!  We just strolled the aisles looking for good deals and in the end it worked out great - even greater because I didn't realize I had "spent" $100 towards the Resolution Rewards to get that $20 +UP.  It was a fun trip and, in the end, my receipt was 85" long - just over 7' of savings and profit! 

Today's totals

Shelf price $200.80
Total $68.78
Rewards earned $68
Out of pocket $.78!!

Let's see how I did for the month of December
Merchandise value - $1,325.43
Total cost after sales & coupons - $466.67
Rewards earned - $397.78
Rebates earned - $26

Out of pocket - $42.89, for a savings of $1,282.74, or 97%!!! 

How about for the "year" (October-December since I just started tracking in October)
Merchandise value - $4,640.75
Total cost after sales & coupons - $1,570.92
Rewards earned - $1,044.92
Rebates earned - $106.45
Out of pocket - $419.55 for a savings of $4,221.20, or 91%!!!

Whoa!!  I must say, that's pretty impressive considering I've only been playing the "drugstore game" for less than three months now and I was really bad at it to start.  That's like...a part-time job's worth of savings there!



On a more serious note, tonight I'm going to put together a few bags of necessities for my neighbor's family including some of the items we got today.  I've talked before about donating items to those in need, and that I do my best to keep my donations in my community.  I think this is probably about the best way I can contribute to both of my goals.