Adventures in Wal-Mart

Yes, Walmart is evil. Moving on, it's also relatively cheap and good value, especially for the mall's proximity to Manhattan (12 min from Port Authority via the Lincoln Tunnel). I try to get there every four - six weeks to stock up on necessities and get more value for my coupons because the prices are far cheaper than other options.

I saved $27.09 on coupons alone!

Last night, I sat down with my coupon holder and pulled out those that expired 9/30 or 10/15. It also allowed me to purge all of those that expired 9/15. As I made my shopping list based on my tacked up "finished and need to buy" list as well as my coupons, I put them all in an envelope. I really need a second coupon holder because having them unsorted in the envelope was a little annoying.

As I walked through the aisles I came across some things I didn't need/were too big to buy/wouldn't keep on the trip back/etc. and had fun paying those coupons forward. In some cases I simply left them on the shelf near the product. In others I handed them to shoppers who were looking at those items. Karma up significantly.

I'm also very proud of myself. I didn't reach into my other coupon holder for impulse buys that "I think I have a coupon for." If I didn't need it and/or the coupon is good for another month, it can wait.

Biggest expenditures:

14.94 (2) - two tops, and I did have these on my shopping list, my fall wardrobe is a bit lacking.

11.97 - Lactaid, it's one of those things where I just can't buy generic. The generic don't work as well and don't take care of the problem

7.94 (2) - hair dye, but then I had a $5 off 2 coupon so really it was $5.54 apiece and that's a good price for L'Oreal Feria and much cheaper than having my hair done

5.52 (2) - bodywash. Like my usual bodywash, it's not cheap but I love how it makes my skin look and feel. I wish the days I wasn't a soap snob.

Most of what I bought was grocery stuff - I have lots now so that I can avoid the expensive stores here except for perishables, and I think I can cook around a lot of that. I'm happy with my total. I'm also happy with some non-expenditures, namely shoes that I found out were $29. Nope, I don't pay $29 for shoes at Wal-mart. If I want cheap shoes, it's $15 at Payless or for better ones,  $40 at DSW.

Also raincheck for Act for $2.99 since it's usually almost double and Walgreens was out. Need to submit the $15 in rebates from last month. Overall, been a good month. 

Low-cost weekend

woohoo! Minimal expenditures due to free food at a block party, leftovers that will provide lunch for the week (have events Tues, Weds and drinks with friends on Thurs) and lots of coupons. I need to go through my folder and find out which expire on the 30th so I can plan a Wal-mart run, if needed. Even with the $6 bus fare (RT to Secaucus) the prices there are so much better that it doesn't make sense not to go. It's similar to Gimme Five Bucks Costco trips. I'm somewhat glad that my shopping is limited by cloth carry bags -- schlepping bags back from Port Authority (or the budget busting cab) is not my ideal form of weight training, and I don't have room for a ton of stuff.

I got some wonderful coupons though. Also found a new-to-me rebate blog that I hope to put to good use because as I mentioned, I find rebates to be a pain.