My new goal

So a few days ago, Vienna and I were talking about my couponing and it came out that I am actually spending more per month in my grocery bill than I was before I was couponing. I think that I have been so excited about it and it's so addicting that I may have been going a bit overboard.

So, I've set a new goal for my couponing. Unless I need an item, say within the next couple of weeks or so, I won't buy something on coupons, unless I can save 80%. That's a pretty stiff goal and so far, I'm falling a bit short but it's worth striving for. I have enough cereal, deodorant and shampoo to last a few months.

So, how'd I do? Well let's see how I did at CVS, today:

• 3 cans of tuna at .49 - no coupon. (Ok, that's not near 80% but it's way hard to get tuna below this price - that's my story and I'm sticking to it.)
• 2 NYC blushes - on sale for BOGO free at 2.99 and I had a $1 coupon so I paid $1.99 for both or .99 each which makes it a 67% savings. (still not there, huh? Well, I needed one blush anyway to replace my brown so I'm cool with this one)
• ok, how about the 2 Rimmel eyeliners - 3.99 BOGO free and I had 2 $1 coupons so I paid 1.99 for both or .99 each - that's a 73% savings. (a bit closer!)
• 1 Lady Speed Stick - 3.49 with a $2 extra buck at the register and I had a .75 coupon so I paid .74 for it - that's a 79% savings (I'm counting that!)
• Finally, I got a CVS green bag tag - .99 with a .99 extra buck so it was free! Yay!

So, I'm learning and progressing. But, I'll tell you I passed up a lot of 50 and 60% savings deals - and it was tough!! I think I went through some withdrawals. But, I gotta get used to this new goal and keep trying. I'll let you know how I do.

NOTE: if you haven't gotten one of the CVS green bag tags, this week's your week! They are free with the extra buck coming back at the register and then every 4th time you bring it and either use a reusable bag or your own bag - or no bag- they will give you a $1 extra buck! So, you basically get .25 each time you shop there - now that's a deal! Keep an eye out for free reusable bag deals for earth day, too so you can take full advantage of this deal.

For more CVS deals this week, check out this My Frugal Adventures blog. Tomorrow, I check out Safeway and Nob Hill deals.