My Target Trip This Week: Saved More Than 42%

Last Night's Trip To Target Saved Me $69.10!

And, Most of That Savings Was Without Coupons

Last night, being a savvy shopper saved me a bit more than my use of coupons did. This blog isn't just about coupons, but about knowing how and when to shop.  Thinking outside the box and changing your perspective just a little bit can really add up the savings.  My Target trip saved me $69.10 in items I really did need/will need and I only spent $98.33!

Here are the highlights:

• Finish Dish Tabs, reg $5, on sale for $2.50. Then, I used a $1.50 Target Q, and a 75c Manuf Q, so I paid 25 cents for a box of 20 Finish Dish Tabs
• Disney Valentine Story Book to put up for next year, Reg $6, I paid 59 cents
• Bag of M&Ms, Reg $3.29, I paid 82 cents
• Tootsie Roll Mini Pops and Valentines, reg $3.29, I paid 33 cents. (Perfect, bc I needed something for the kids to num on while I shopped)
• TGI Fridays Onion Rings, on sale for $2.18 each 12 oz box. I had a $4 off 2 boxes Target Q. I bought two boxes and paid 36 cents total.
• 2 Reusable really pretty/cute heart and stripe table cloths, 49c each instead of $5 ea
• 4X6 heart frame for the Mother In Law for pictures of the kids, was $5, paid 50c
• Fancy heart shaped party plate, 29 cents instead of $3
• Charmin Basic TP, Was $8.99 for the equivalent of 36 rolls, used Target $1 Q, and Manuf 50c Q. Paid $7.50 for the pack. My stock up price is when you pay 25c or less a roll. This came out to 21 cents a roll!
• I bought 9 Boxes of Valentine's Cards for 25 c ea box instead of  $2.50. This alone saved me $20.25.  These included hologram Hello Kitty Cards, Highlight Hidden Pictures cards, Girly Silly Bands included Cards, etc etc.  When you have 3 kids doing Valentine's exchanges, buying now is a must!
• Kelloggs Gummies and Cinnabon Breakfast Bars were buy 3, get 1 free. They were about $2.04 each. So, $6.12 for 4, or $1.53 each.
• Disney Princess and the Frog Full sized Sheet Sets: Reg $30 ea. I paid $7.27 each set.  I bought two sets.  I saw these last week and almost bought them for $14.50 ea set.  I waited a week. AND, lucky me, it paid off!! :)

The key here is catching a clearance event just right and working sales.  I am having a party this week, so the table covers and fancy plate, etc will be perfect for that.  The Valentine M&Ms look like M&Ms when you pour them into a bowl, and usually, party guests don't care if they have hearts or whatever.  Also, when you have more than one kid, taking 5 extra minutes to buy ahead for the next year, get it home, put it in a box or bag marked VALENTINES will save you soo much money! Not sure what your child will be in to? At 25 c a box, buy several of different kinds. Then, sell your extras, or give them to a friend with kids next year. They will thank you!  And, you will still save money.  Also, one of the boxes of Valentines cards I bought came with tattoos.. the perfect, cheap party favor! Just take/cut the tattoos off the Valentines.  Get creative. Several of the boxed sets had pencils, candy, tattoos, bookmarks, silly bands, etc.  At 25 c a box, you can really put together some nice party favor bags. Just discard the actual card.

*I have taken discounted Halloween candy and used it as free giveaways at a yard sale.. Customers love that. I paid like 80c for the big $8 bag of Snickers, etc. and people shopped longer and bought more.. Like I said, think outside the box!

Think about things in new ways and you will increase your quality of living/partying while increasing your savings account at the same time.