Losing my Coupon Virginity

So as a rookie I wasn't sure exactly how to go about saving like the pros. However, I knew there was a good coupon deal going on right now and I knew I wanted in on it!

So I decided to grab the bull by the horns and just do it! I printed off 18 coupons for Mueller's pasta at www.muellerspasta.com (because I honestly just didn't feel like printing anymore at 10:00 pm). The next day I headed to the commissary completely ready for the shelf to be empty. As I got there the 3 lonely boxes of angel hair sat on the shelf sadly. I scooped them up and thought I am just going to check on the off chance there are more in the back.

I found someone that worked there and asked. She said she may have a few in the back. She came back with an additional 15 boxes! PERFECT! Lesson #1 learned-ALWAYS ask if there is stock in the back if the shelf is out. We added them to my cart. I also added 12 cans of spaghetti sauce (I purchased the cheap stuff at about $0.69/can because I usually doctor it up anyway).

I proudly headed for the checkout. The line was LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG and I only had 30 minutes before I had to be back at work. UH-OH! Lesson #2 learned-ALWAYS leave enough time for shopping! I headed for self checkout and asked the ladies there if it would work or if the coupons would mess it up. They stated every coupon would have to be overriden so I would need to go to a checker. But my order was pretty simple so I could use Express.

The nice checker looked at my coupons and said "WOW, these are in color." Lesson #3 learned-Don't waste color ink if you don't have to-dangit. He counted 18 boxes of pasta and scanned 1 with a qty of 18. He then scanned all of my sauces (I had a variety). Total: $24 and some change.

Let's start the coupons. The guy behind me is watching my total go DOWN when we are used to hearing the beep of the scanner and see the total go UP. Total (including surcharge) $6.38. YEP I saved 77% at the commissary!

I got home and started pulling out all my finds and realized that all of the pasta was not the same. Which isn't a big deal for us eating wise; however, there is a small price difference. Lesson #4 learned-sort the items myself to ensure each item is accounted for. The price for the angel hair pasta was $0.83 and thin spaghetti was $0.75, so I think the difference was about $0.40 total BUT that would have borught my total to $5.98 and my savings to a little bigger percentage.

I am now addicted! I am printing my coupons for today and preparing for the ads tomorrow! I guess I better get to cleaning out my pantry so I can start my stockpile!

Yes Ms. Susan R. I may need a support group for my new addiction; however, I don't mind feeding my family 12 meals (or more) for $6.38! Having this in my pantry may save me from making a trip to McDonalds and spending over $20 because I don't have anything defrosted for dinner! ;)