Coupons and Sales

I've said it before and I'll say it again, using coupons and sales together is the key to couponing in Canada. If you have watched the show on TLC called Extreme Couponer, then you know that those episodes show US citizens saving 100% almost every time. In Canada our couponing rules and regulations are different, but it is possible to save 50% to 80% off your weekly grocery bill. Waiting for sales to use your coupons doubles the bang for your buck. Collecting coupons and having them stocked so that when the sale is on you can take advantage of the best deals. Price matching is what I normally do. It saves me time and the gas money that it costs to drive all over town. But I wanted to show you that you can still save at least 50% if you are store loyal or uncomfortable price matching. That was my plan for today. I hit 2 stores that both have a rewards program that I belong to. I figured at least I could get a little more bang for my buck.

I headed out to Sobeys to take advantage of the 275 Sobeys points when you spend $25.00. I had a  BOGO (buy one get one free) to use and this is the perfect opportunity. You pay for the 1 item but you get awarded points for the 2 items you picked up. My shopping trip included these:

1 x Hamburger Helper ($3.00 coupon on the box for ground beef)= $1.99
2 x Stag Chili 2/$5.00 - $1.00 coupons = $4.00
2 x VH Steamers Reg. $4.27 on sale for $2.99 used a BOGO coupon so 2 for=$2.99
2 x K-Cups Reg. $10.49 on sale $9.49 - $2.00 coupons (500 bonus points) = $16.98
Medium Ground Beef Reg. $12.82 -50% off sticker = $6.41 - $3.00 coupon from Hamburger Helper = $3.41 for 1.342 kg of medium ground beef 73.40% off. $1.15lb for Meduim Ground
Tomatoes =$2.67
Grand Total $32.04 Regular Price $50.31 a Savings of $18.27 and earned $5.00 in Sobeys Point for future groceries and another $3.00 coupon for ground beef. So a savings of  $26.27 or 52.22%

Metro had some great sales that I could match up with Air Miles points. When I got there they also had some great deal on regular things I needed to purchase. These things had 50% off stickers and I was able to pair with a coupon. This is what the Metro shop looked like:

6 x Shirrif Pie Filling Reg. $2.00 on for 3/$5.00 with 5 AM = $10.00 and 10 Air Miles
Black Diamond Cheese Reg. $4.79 on for $3.79 - $0.75 coupon = $3.04
4 x Vileda scrubbers on for $1.49 used 2 save $3.00 WUB2 = FREE
Franks Hot Sauce $5.98 - $1.00 = $4.98
6 x Campbell's Broth Reg. $3.00 on for $1.99 and used $1.00 off WUB2 = $8.94
2 x Strawberries Sale 2/$4.00
2 x Taco Seasoning Reg. $1.89 on for 2/$3.00 = $3.00
Iceberg Lettuce $1.99
2 x Carnation Hot Chocolate Reg. $3.99 Sale $2.99 = $5.98
2 x Venus Embrace Razors Reg. $15.99 on 50% off and $2.00 coupon making each $6.00 = $12.00
Grand Total: $ 53.91 Regular Price $98.67 Savings of $44.76 and earned 13 Air Miles and 2 FPC for Stouffer's Bistro Sliders  a $7.98 savings. So a savings of $52.74 or 53.45%

Out of Pocket Today $85.95
Regular Price: $148.98
Savings of $63.03 cash and got the following as bonuses $3.00 ground beef coupon, $5.00 gift card for Sobeys, 13 Air Miles and 2 FPC for a future savings of $7.98 works out to a
Savings of 53.03%

Stay tuned for next week! My plan is to price match only FRESH foods. Bathing suit weather is just around the corner.