Target Experience #1 17April2009

I decided to give Target couponing a try. I've always found Target's prices to be pretty high compared to other places, but I found some coupons that I couldn't pass up.


What I got:
V8 V-Fusion ($2.99)
Axe Shower Gel - trial version ($0.97)
2 Easy Mac Cups ($0.92 each)
2 Teddy Grahams ($2.00 each)
2 Schick Quattro razors ($7.84 each)
2 bags Hershey's Bliss ($3.49 each)
2 Market Pantry fruit snacks ($1.52 each)
2 Gerber Graduates finger foods ($2.19 each)
2 Dry Idea deodorants ($2.00 each)


Coupons I had:
$3.00 off one Gerber Graduates Food Item
(2) $1.00 off one bag Hershey's Bliss chocolates
(2) $1.00 one bag Hershey's Bliss chocolates - Target store coupon
$1.00 off one box Teddy Grahams
$1.00 off two boxes Teddy Grahams - Target store coupon
(2) $1.00 off Market Pantry Fruit Snacks - Target store coupon
$2.00 off V8 VFusion Drink
$1.00 off two bowls Kraft Easy Mac - Target store coupon
(2) $2.00 off Dry Idea Roll-on Deodorant
$1.00 Axe shower gel
(2) $4.00 off Schick Quattro razor
(2) $2.00 off Schick Quattro razor - Target store coupon


Prices after coupons:
V8 V-Fusion ($0.99)
Axe Shower Gel - trial version (FREE)
2 Easy Mac Cups ($0.84)
2 Teddy Grahams ($2.00)
2 Schick Quattro razors ($3.68)
2 bags Hershey's Bliss ($2.98)
2 Market Pantry fruit snacks ($1.04)
2 Gerber Graduates finger foods ($1.38)
2 Dry Idea deodorants (FREE)


Before coupons, my total was $45.97 (I sneaked a look at the screen before the guy rang my coupons up!). After the coupons were processed, my total was $16.31 after taxes. I saved $29.66, which makes my savings percentage 64%. That's not bad, in my opinion, considering Target prices, and factoring in that it was my first attempt at Target couponing.


For those of you who are beginners to couponing and are following my blog, I was able to maximize savings by combining both target store coupons (printed off the internet) and manufacturer coupons (both printed off the internet and cut out of the newspaper). Although the general rule of thumb is to have the same number of items as coupons, this rule is broken when combining manufacturer coupons with store coupons.


I am very excited about the Schick Quattro razors because they both ended up only being $1.84 each. I desperately needed new cartridges for my current razor, but I've dropped it so much that the little graspy things that hold on the blades have nearly broken off. So, you can't beat a razor that comes with 3 extra blades for $1.84!


I'm also excited that the Dry Idea deodorant was "free" after coupons, as well as the Axe shower gel. Although Dry Idea is not a brand I've ever used, I'm willing to try anything for "free". Justin doesn't typically use Axe shower gel, but he'll try anything "free" as well.