…because I need to be on Extreme Couponing. Sure, I didn’t save 99%, but 53% is pretty dang respectable.
Here’s my haul:
Cost Breakdown:
- 2 Olay Gillette Razors: $8.99 each, $4 coupon for each one, plus $5 target gift card when you buy two. Final cost, not including gift card: $9.98 for both before taxes. This was transaction one.
- 4 bottles of Pantene Shampoo and Conditioner, ranging in price from $3.79-4.84. Had one $3.00/2 coupon and one $1.00/2 coupon, plus a Target mobile coupon for $3.00/2 (could only use one per transaction for the mobile coupon, but you can combine Target coupons and manufacturer coupons). Final cost: $9.41 for four.
- One box of Nice ‘N Easy foam hair color, $7.99 after $1 instant sale discount. Had Target mobile coupon for $2 off and regular coupon for $3.00 off. Final cost: $2.99
I used the $5 gift card from transaction one on transaction two. Final cost with tax for both transactions: $20.18, a savings of over 53%. Actual retail price, with tax: $43.18.
What I could have done differently:
Hindsight is always 20/20. As I left the store, I thought of a few more things I could have done to take another almost $6 off the total cost:
- Had a 5% target debit card and used my Target pharmacy rewards (you get 5% off coupon for every 5 prescriptions filled) coupon for 5% off that I used the day before (can combine Target debit card 5% and pharmacy rewards): probably saved about $2 total.
- Used a canvas bag for $0.05 off.
- Put two of the Pantene bottles in a separate transaction, so I could have gotten $3.00 off again using the mobile coupon (didn’t know you couldn’t use one mobile coupon multiple times in one transaction).
- Bought all ‘basic’ shampoo/conditioner types instead of one bottle of the “Brunette Expressions”, which was about $1 more. But, I wanted to try it.
Overall, I am feeling good about myself. Does this give me warrant to judge non-coupon users and get on my (heavily discounted) soapbox to preach about “free money”? Maybe. Just give me a few years.
Kelsey Jones
Founder/Chief Marketing Consultant at Six Stories
Kelsey Jones helps clients around the world grow their social media, content, and search marketing presence. She enjoys writing and consuming all kinds of content, both in digital and tattered paperback form.
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