Tracking savings before and after learning from Flash

Amorphous02 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-14-2006, 12:24 PM

I would like to keep track of the money I have saved since I joined this site, especially after Flash posted her spreadsheets and actual reciepts under"$330.00 worth groceries for $27.00".
http://www.grocerycouponguide.com/sa...groceries.html
If you have kept all your records on grocery spendings, do share them with us, some of you have such a focussed approach: I am learning a lot.
Using the retail system to one's advantage looks more like an art. Try as I might, I cannot reduce it to a science.

Heres my tally:
3 adults, one baby, one cat, $479.00 in 30 days.
Pre Flash,

Jan to feb 2006: $479.00
(had a house guest, had two establishments,
moved from one state to another).

Feb to March
$290

March to Apr
$220 (thanks to couponmom.com), savings $17.00

Apr-June
$240 (stockpiled for 1 month) projected savings $24.99 ( thanks to frugalandfree.com+couponmom.com)

Post flash: two adults, one cat, one baby:

June -July
$70+ in expenditure, savings( as on reciepts) $90.00
No more purchases except milk(3 kinds of milk), formula and cleaning products.

Total spendings: $74.32
Savings : $30.98
Checkout coupon values: $28.00
Coupon tags: $1.00
SS blinking machine coupons: $5 ( for the train maybe!!!)
Peelies: $3.50
( Might have to return $24 woth of groceries, its my money and i will return groceries when i have to!

)

#2 (**permalink**) 07-14-2006, 05:17 PM

When and where was the original Flash post?

FrugalTexan75 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-14-2006, 08:20 PM

I think that Amorphous is speaking of the poster Flash who is the moderator of the Grocery/Coupon forum here (I think), as well as the person who puts the content on Jeffrey's grocery advice website.

Amorphous probably has read Flash's SA journal where she (Flash) posts about her coupon findings and grocery deals and other deals, and/or reads the website which she contributes content to regularly.

If you go to the Journals link and click on "All Blogs" Flash's journal is #4. She has her grocery/savings entries marked in particular categories you can click on. I believe she also has the grocery website in her list of links.

Hope this helps.

Amorphous02 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-14-2006, 08:36 PM

Thank you FrugalTexan,
I assumed that most of the forum members would have started using Flash's methods!

#5 (**permalink**) 07-14-2006, 10:21 PM

Thanks, I will have to take some time to go through all of the articles.

MairGrif · #6 (**permalink**) 07-15-2006, 04:43 AM

Great job Amorphous! Hopefully I can start posting savings like that soon. I've been reading Flash's articles and drooling over her savings as well.

flash · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2006, 03:52 PM

Geez, I'm blushing...but if you are learning and being helped by the site and my notes, I'm SUCCESSFULLY happy...doing the happy dance

The article is on the Grocery Coupon site, a sister site to saving advice, the link is

http://www.grocerycouponguide.com/sa...groceries.html

I've blogged about it as well, but Jeffrey did a fabulous job of figuring out how to put all the spread sheets and receipts, photos, etc. up on the site. How he takes what I send and converts it into a web page...amazing.

Amorphous02 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-15-2006, 09:47 PM

Yes Jeffrey is a web whiz,,,I have dabbled in those languages, I should know!:=(

Amorphous02 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-16-2006, 11:58 AM

"Great job Amorphous! Hopefully I can start posting savings like that soon. I've been reading Flash's articles and drooling over her savings as well."
Thank you MairGrif.
Some of us play the GroceryGame. One can also post what that website and tool has saved him/her. My savings-tracker should also be about other techniques. This is adynamic system: every one is constantly evolving. Me especially. If you have saved much due to Flash, like me, please mention how much. You dont need to sit down with all your receipts. You dont have to read-up right away. It all adds up.
Couponmom savings are evident in my "report", pre-Flash.
Share it!. you will be helping many.

Amorphous02 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-17-2006, 07:26 AM

Savings on Glade infusion:
On Sale For $1.99
Coupon for $1.00
Coupon multiplied : $2.00
Final price: cr $0.01

Tabasco
Retail price in Walmart:$0.98
Coupon 0.75(DND).
Final price: $0.23

Amorphous02 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-19-2006, 06:11 PM

Guess What , I went shopping today. Halfway through I realized that my DND coupons should not be used in the local grocery store. They should be either used in SaveaLot or in Walmart. The mark-ups are not high and when they have sales, they are priced lower than at the grocery store i visit!
Also, right after i paid for everything, i found that one of the items was not on sale, but goes on sale every 3 month. I wanted my coupon back , and wanted to return it but DH said he had no time.

Total spendings: $74.32
Savings : $30.98
Checkout coupon values: $28.00
Coupon tags: $1.00
SS blinking machine coupons: $5 ( for the train maybe!!!)
Peelies: $3.50

Amorphous02 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-21-2006, 06:53 PM

today some one with the id "allenj" posted that he bought 32 dollars worth groceries for $2.80.
When you have deals like that, may i request that you post them here, with details?

flash · #13 (**permalink**) 07-24-2006, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amorphous02

today some one with the id "allenj" posted that he bought 32 dollars worth groceries for $2.80.
When you have deals like that, may i request that you post them here, with details?

I've seen the exact same words he posted on several other sites...I think it's a freebie troll myself...wouldn't be the first time someone tried to get on a train and run off with the coupons.

A very good point, A-, love you for it!

Amorphous02 · #14 (**permalink**) 07-24-2006, 04:57 PM

We have worked with tough algorithms, deadlines, horrible colleagues and bosses..
this should be very easy to "fool-proof"..We only need to start thinking in the direction.
May be there is some mom-out there who is more needy. may be there is a senior citizen handling the heat wave...
Why should you (Flash) suffer for something good you took upon yourself to spread?

flash · #15 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amorphous02

We have worked with tough algorithms, deadlines, horrible colleagues and bosses..
this should be very easy to "fool-proof"..We only need to start thinking in the direction.
May be there is some mom-out there who is more needy. may be there is a senior citizen handling the heat wave...
Why should you (Flash) suffer for something good you took upon yourself to spread?

That's what I was wondering myself today...being the retiree out in the heat wave

Amorphous02 · #16 (**permalink**) 07-26-2006, 03:36 PM

I request that we dont add anyone untill
A) they send train members SASE and coupons( their security deposits)
B) they have a minimum number of postes TBD by U ( Flash)..
We wont lose postage or coupons, and they are insured against loss via
1)maybe, certified mail and 2) our reputation here in the Forums!

Amorphous02 · #17 (**permalink**) 08-03-2006, 08:59 AM

I went to the grocery store yesterday after a couple of no-spend days.
My spedings : $36.91
My savings: $26.43
CATALINA: $1.00

I AM improving. May be you cant see it...
I used the coupon for Almond breeze that Dr.F so thoughtfully included in my Welcome packet.
I used FressExpress, I believe I got $0.19 back.
I cannot thank you enough for fresh express. I want a ton of them and their webpage wont load on my caveman era computer....
How do I get access to printable coupons on paper: write the company? I did and I will do so again. a little frustrating.
Dr.F and all you savers with Java-liking spouses ( pun intended): now the web is a great source for printables. EightOclock coffee has a $2.00 coupon online. Visit today.
www.EightOclockCoffee.com
YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST FOLKS!

Amorphous02 · #18 (**permalink**) 08-05-2006, 05:35 PM

Please visit foodnews.org for savings on organic foods.

LISA178 · #19 (**permalink**) 08-15-2006, 07:36 AM

I live on a small fixed income,share an apartment with my sister and am paying off two loans and some debt.

I was searching the web one day and came across "Flash's Blog",this site and got inspired.I was looking for ways to stretch what money I have,that was about 5 months ago.

Since them I now coupon,stockpile and do rebates.

I'm slowly buiding a stockpile, something as kids we never had.No more bare cupboards.

I have a small freezer,though I have trouble protecting stuff from freezer burn. I'll have to start a thread for help with that.

My best savings happen when I can combine a great coupon with the perfect sale,for instance this week at Shaw's Wish-bone dressing was 3/$5.

I bought 5 16oz bottles and 1 spritzer.

6 bottles=$10
6 .60/1 coupons-doubled=$7.20
$10-$7.20=$2.80
$2.80-$3.99 rebate for spritzer= +$1.19
$1.19 + I recieved a save $4 on yor next order catalina=$5.19

So in the end I will make $5.19 on this deal.

I just love it.!!!!!! Thanks Flash

LISA178 · #20 (**permalink**) 08-15-2006, 07:51 AM

Hi A,

I just read the thread and love it,I don't keep track as well as you do. I do know that I am up to saving at least $35-$40 weekly.

I also have the trouble of not being able to print coupons,I guess if I had a printer it would help (LOL). I have called and emailed the company saying so and have pretty much recieved the offer via snail-mail.

Take care !!!!