Pricebooks, shopping with c/o's and drugstore rewards

[Sumacaroni]

I'm working on my pricebook and trying to get more mileage out of my coupons and re-double my efforts including using Register Rewards to my advantage.

Does everyone find this takes a lot of time and effort to get going and maintain because of the need to check sales flyers, keep up with coupons, figure out the bottom line when you're also including RR's??

Really looking over the prices in my ever-growing pricebook, I find that Walgreen's and other drug stores (altho we don't have many others nearby) are often the price leaders when you stack coupons and use RR.

So in order to help others and gain some insight from those of you who might already have a good system..... I thought I'd post my recent Walgreen's purchase and perhaps get some feedback from others who have a "system" - how do you go shopping and make sure you're getting a good price??

Head and Shoulders, 14 oz * 2 =28oz 9.98-1.00c/o - 2.00RR = 6.98/2

Twizzlers 16 oz *3 =48oz, 5.00/3 - 1.50c/o = 3.50/3

Ricola, 1 bag = 2.00 - 2.00RR = FREE

Dawn 9 oz, .99 -.50c/o = 0.49

Crest ProHealth, 33 oz plus bonus bottle, 3.99-0.75c/o = 3.24

Colgate Max Fresh 6 oz *2= 12oz for 3.50-.50c/o - 2.00RR = 1.00/2

Bounce 80 ct, 3.99 - 1.25RR=2.74 for 80 sheets

Tide 50 oz, 5.99-2.00c/o - 1.25RR = 2.74

Puffs cube * 3, 2.97 - 0.25 mfr c/o - 0.50 store c/o - 1.25RR = 0.97/3

Mr. Clean Erasers, 2 pk * 4, 8total = 7.76 - 7.49 mfrs c/o's - 1.25R -0.98 (moneymaker)

Total out of pocket = $31.68
Register Rewards = $11.00
Final tally = $20.68 for all of the above

[Contrary Housewife]

Yes, I find it does take a lot of time and effort. Maybe not so much time, really, but concentration. I spent 2 hours today scanning websites for coupons and I could not have done it if I'd had to jump up every 10 minutes to chase kids or run around. It will take me another 40 minutes to scan the ads for the 4 grocery stores near me and make a list of deals, and if I want to chase down coupons for those items, I can add another 30 minutes. In short, a whole afternoon devoted to meal planning, list making and deal finding. Some weeks I just don't have a day to give.

[Momto5RN]

there are quite a few blogs and facebook pages where people do all the work for you - tell you what the best deals and coupon match ups where to print the coupons or what week circular they came out of . big time saver if you are looking for certain things

[brennasmom]

There are some awesome deals to be had. I limit myself to only doing drugstore deals at Rite Aid because it is really close to my house and my location is super coupon friendly...

For some items I only get it if it is free:
* toothpaste
* toothbrushes
* shampoo (free to .50 depending on brand)
* dawn dish soap (free - .25)
* cough drops

[angieB]

Local pharmacies are sometimes the only source of goods in the community. These shops could be easy, but they are expensive. Actually, purchasing at these shops could be twice as expensive.

[NicJean]

My local pharmacy has the best prices on eggs, local milk, and Ben and Jerry's ($2 a pint). If you watch the fliers, you can find great prices on health and beauty products. It's across the street from a large gas station/convienience whose prices are significantly higher ( Ben and Jerry's near $6) than even the grocery (Ben and Jerry's $4) - which is a block away.

Checking prices does take time, but the money it saves is tremendous. I've moved away from a huge, diverse price book, as I've figured out how to make things myself (being even cheaper). For example - yes, I can purchase a bottle of a well-loved teriyaki sauce, on sale, with coupon, for $1.50 - but I can just as easily make a batch using ingredients I will use in other recipes, for less.

I've slimmed down our cleaning supplies, and looked for duble-duty health products, too. The smaller your item-list, the easier your "price-book" will be to remember, or keep track of.

Some items I don't even think about purchasing unless the price is good: I refuse to pay more than $2 for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. When I see a sale, I stock up - about ten or more pounds. Once home, I divide into one pound baggies and freeze (for my size family, this works best.)

[khaski]

Yes, it can be time consuming, especially to start, but I have fund the savings to make it worth the hassle!