My Recent Shopping Trips to Target...

I love Target. I've already admitted that:) And ever since I realized how much I could save there by using store coupons and manufacturer's coupons together (in the coupon world, that's called "stacking"),  I feel like I get to go all the time, without worrying about breaking the budget! So here are the breakdowns (and pictures!) of my last 3 shopping trips...

Total before coupons: $24.78

Final Cost: $10.79

Amount Saved: $13.99 or 56%!

I'm just going to be honest...I didn't really need all of these items right this minute, except the face wash. But while perusing the aisles, I found some great items on price cut that matched up with my coupons, so I went ahead & got them so I wouldn't have to pay full retail price when I did really need them. This idea is what the frugal world calls "stockpiling"...why build a stockpile? Well, that's a whole other post for a whole other day! But in short, your goal should be to match your coupons with your store's sale cycles to maximize savings and always purchase items at the lowest possible price.  But more on that later!

So here's what I bought during today's shopping trip:

• Pedigree dog food- $1 after the $3/1 coupon
• Purex Crystals softener- $0.99 after $1/1 Target coupon & $1/1 manufacturer's coupon
• Twin pack of Suave Professionals Shampoo & Conditioner-$0.61 after $0.75 Target coupon & $1/1 manufacturers coupon
• Herbal Essences Shampoo & Conditioner-$1.99 (or $1 each) after $1/2 Target coupon & B1G1 Free manufacturers coupon
• Carefree Liners, 22ct (on clearance for $0.68)-$0.18 after $0.50/1 manufacturers coupon
• Bic Soleil Bella Razors(3 ct)-$1.99 after $3/1 manufacturers coupon
• 2 Johnson's & Johnson's First Aid To Go Kits (Travel Size)-$0.94 (or $0.47 each) after $1/2 manufacturers coupon
• Clean & Clear Face Wash-$1.99 after $2/1 manufacturers coupon
• 4 pack of Sterilite plastic bins with lids- on clearance for $3.98, or $0.99 each (these are great for organizing your stockpile!!)

And another...

  

Total before coupons: $20.68

Final Cost: $10.43

Amount Saved: $10.25 or 50%

Ok, so this wasn't my best savings trip ever, but it's because the U by Kotex wasn't on sale (that was a need/not a want) and the Air Wick Oil Refills weren't on sale either, but my house really needed wanted them...

But here's the breakdown...

• 2 Visine Eye Drops: Both FREE after (2) $2/1 manufacturers coupons
• Sally Hansen Nail File-$1.79after $1/1 Target coupon and $1/1 manufacturers coupon
• Nature Valley Granola Bars (4ct)- $0.50 after $0.50/1 manufacturers coupon
• U by Kotex (16ct)- $1.84 after $1/1 Target coupon and $1/1 manufacturers coupon
• Glade Carpet- $0.75 after $0.75/1 manufacturers coupon
• Twin Pack of Air Wick Oil Refills-$3.59 (or $1.80/refill) after $1/1 manufacturers coupon
• Twin Pack of Air Wick Warmers-FREE with coupon wyb 1 twin pack of oil refills
• Up & Up Baby Vapor Bath- $1.44 after $0.50/1 Target coupon

And one 'non-coupon' shopping trip... 

Total: $8.55

If you have never looked through the clearance clothing racks at Target (especially the infant/kids racks) you are missing out! I have found a number of cute shirts, pants, dresses, onesies, etc for less than $3 each! It's a wonderful place to find cheap play clothes or pajamas for your children...

• 4 Circo Shirts (2 for my daughter, 2 to add to a gift)-$1.75 each
• Circo Pants-$1.55

 Here are 2 ideas...

• Buy clothes a year ahead if possible; then, when you pull those clothes out next year, you already have the beginnings of a brand new wardrobe for your child for cheap, cheap, cheap!
• Always be thinking about birthdays & holidays for others...I love adding clothing items to birthday, Christmas or baby shower presents for cheap!

Enjoy!