Randalls: success!!

So, yesterday I went to Randalls and watched my total bill go from $63 to $38 after coupons. And I bought only stuff we would use -- including some organics and non-toxic window cleaner. How did I do this?? Well it was a combination of store coupons, manufacturer coupons, and shopping what was on sale. And most of all: taking my time and keeping an eye out for deals. 

Without boring you with every purchase, here are some of the highlights:

• I shopped what was on sale: bread, strawberries, A&W root beer (for a party), yogurt, animal crackers ($1 for the big foil bag). Did not have a coupon for these items. 
• I bought store brands for bread, yogurt, butter, jelly.
• I used a $10 off $50 purchase coupon that is in this week's Randalls store flyer. I knew I was going to spend that much, so why not take the $10 they want to give me?? Thanks, Randall. I will. 
• Nature Valley granola bars were on sale for 2 boxes for $6. I had two $1 off coupons. I bought 2 boxes at $2 each.
• Mini Wheats cereal was on sale for 99 cents with another coupon in the flyer. I also had a 70 cents off coupon, which brought my total down to 29 cents for that cereal.
• Simple Harvest oatmeal (yummy!) was on sale for $2.50 a box, down from $3.99. I also had a $1 off coupon, so final price was $1.50. Not bad for 8 breakfasts! 
• Randalls brand non-toxic window cleaner was on sale for $3. But I had a register receipt (that prints out at the end of your transaction) for $2 off with me, bringing it down to $1. 
• I used some other 50-cent coupons for cereal and pretzels, which DOUBLE at Randalls. 
• I used another coupon in the flyer to get a box of butter for 99 cents. 
• I was in the freezer section and noticed a big display of marked-down items, including Van's waffles (so good) and Cascadian Farms organic french fries (great for veggie burger meals at home). They were marked down to $2 each. I double checked the date -- July and September -- and bought 3 of each. 

Now, this is obviously not everything we are going to eat in a week and is heavy on the breakfast and snack items.  Most of it will last for many months in the pantry, and will surely come in handy to feed all the house guests we are expecting this month. 

So this method admittedly takes a little time and effort. I stock up on things when they are on sale and I can get a good deal. It DOES require more than 1 trip to the store, which is totally unacceptable to people like my husband. And I understand that thinking, completely. But I ran to Randalls on my lunch hour at work and it was no big deal. And now I don't need to buy these items for quite a while. 

I'll got to HEB or Newflower at some point this weekend and fill in what we are lacking in produce and things to make dinners for the week.