Here in Spokane, it is virtually impossible not to be a Coupon Queen.  We live in a town that literally has a way too many grocery stores.  We got Safeway, Fred Meyer, Albertsons, Yokes, Rosauers, Super-1, Rainbow Grocery Outlet, Super Walmart and Win-co. All of them have multiple locations spread out around the city, some right across the street from each other. 

With so many places to shop, and just under 500,000 people in the whole county, a fierce competition has developed between them, every one of them vying for your money and coupons.  Some of them will even accept other stores coupons and price-match!

Right now, Albertsons is putting the hurt on most the competition, and their selves as well.  Last year, they started issuing what is called "Twice the Value" coupons in weekly ad papers.  Locally, we call them "Doubler's", because it allows them to match the value of a Manufacturer's coupon (the kind you get in the Sunday Paper, find in packages or can print from the Internet)  Now, us Coupon Queens have been going nuts getting all kinds of stuff for free or near free.  Case in point:

1 bottle of Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Soap @ $2.69

1 box of Ronzoni Thin speghetti @ $2.39

1 box of Yoplait Yo-Plus Yogurt @$2.99

Tax @ .02

Subtotal for order = $8.09

Minus:

$1.00 off Dawn Hand Renewal Dish Soap Manufacturers coupon from the Sunday Paper

$1.00 Yoplait Yogurt Manufacturers coupon from the Sunday Paper

.75 of Ronzoni Pasta from the Sunday Paper

Subtotal Coupons = $2.75

Subtotal order = $5.34

minus: 3 "doubler's @ $2.75

Subtotal order = $2.59

Then, I pulled out my Preferred Shoppers Card.  I know alot of people don't care for these cards, my husband (who actually works for one of Albertsons Competitors) says they are the devils creation in that they track your purchasing and spending habits and he feels that is a violation of your privacy.  I say, I don't care, cuz here is why:

Once I swiped that card, an additional $2.29 was subtracted from my order.  Bringing my total cash spent down too....yup, 30 cents!

And get this, when my receipt came out, it had a $2.00 "On your next Order" coupon attached to it. I ended up walking out of that store with these items, and $1.70 more then I walked in with!

Just a day in the life of a Coupon Queen :)

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