Small Town Shopping - My Pamida Trip Today

Since we started using coupons, I must admit, we have never really tried very hard at shopping in the small town near us using coupons. We figured since we were using coupons to save money, we HAD to travel the 45 minutes (one way) to save every penny we could. (We never have figured the cost of gas per trip.)

When we do make that trip, it's a very l-o-n-g day! We usually go to Walgreens, Walmart and Target. Sometimes a few other places. We're so wore out when we get home and we still have to carry everything in the house and put it away.

So, I have a new "challenge" for myself. I'm going to try to do more shopping locally. Pamida will price match other store ads. So using ads and coupons it might not be too bad. I'm going to try it a while and see how it goes.

This afternoon, I went on an "adventure" to Pamida, "armed" with my coupon box and the Target, Walgreens and Piggly Wiggly ads in hand. I have only been there a couple of times with my coupons and already ... "are you the coupon lady?" ... lol!

Here's how it went ...

No Price Matches ...
SIX bottles of Purex = $7.98 after coupons
($1.33 a bottle!)
SIX boxes 2 for 1 Alpo = $5.10 after coupons
($0.42 a can)
EIGHT cans Cream of Celery Soup = $5.92 after coupons
($0.74 a can)
TWO Aussie Hair Care Items = $4.00 after coupons
($2.00 each)
ONE package Nestle Chocolate Chips = $1.75 after coupon
ONE can Chef Boyardee = $1.00 (No coupon)

Price Match Using Piggly Wiggly Ad ...
NINE 4-pks Snack Pack Pudding = $6.42 after coupons
($0.71 each 4-pk.)
TWO packages C&H Brown Sugar = $3.11 after coupon
($1.55 each)

Price Match Using Walgreens Ad ...
THREE packages 300 ct. Q-Tips = $5.07 after coupons
($1.69 each pk)
TWO bottles Excedrin = $2.50 after coupons (Used free coupon)
Boo Hoo ... didn't have my $1 coupon with me!
ONE Glade Candle Holder = $1.00 after coupon ($2 coupon inside)
ONE bottle Softsoap Hand Soap = $0.49 after coupon

Price Match Using Target Ad ...
ONE Swiffer Sweeper Starter Kit = $8.99
ONE Swiffer Wet Clothes Refill = FREE after coupon
ONE Mr. Clean Eraser Bath Scrubber = $ 2.24 after coupon

Total before tax = $55.57
Total Savings = $61.74 (oops...Fixed total)

WOO HOO! Saved 52%!

Coupon savings = $34.70
Price Match Savings = $20.77
Pamida Sale Savings = $6.27

So, how do you think I did?

Also, made a quick (un-planned) run into the Pig.
Used 3 coupons, Pig ad coupons and Pig card.
Spent $29.07 and saved $6.47.

1 - Sirloin Pork Roast = 2 meals for us
(Sale + $.55 coupon)
1 - pkg Pork Chops (4 chops) = 2 meals for us
(Sale + $.55 coupon)
2 - pkg's Farmland Sausage Links
(Sale + $1.00 coupon)
Nearly 4 lbs Burger = several meals for us
(Pig Ad Coupon)

1 - Half Gallon Chocolate Milk (Hubby L-O-V-E-S!)
(Pig Ad Coupon)
3 - Gallons Milk
(Pig Ad Coupon + Redeemed Milk Card)

1 - 12 pk. Mountain Dew (Hubby's "Coffee")
1 - pkg. Sandwich Bags

So, all total, I still saved 44% shopping in a small town! Not too bad!

{ Coupons.com } - { Redplum } - { SmartSource } - { Target }