Coupon bargains for the food bank!

I've been donating items to our local food bank recently (I had done so through my workplace, though. They sometimes have a drive. I've been wanting to do more, but they are only open for 1 hour on the only evening they're open per week--and on a weekday, yet.) Inspired by extreme couponers, I've decided to try couponing in addition to my regular purchasing.  I'm no extreme couponer yet...but I'm workin' on it!  Not all of the items are for the food bank, just so you know.

***means an extra bonus on top of the sale savings (Oh, be still my beating heart!!!)

Today, I went to 2 stores:

Store #1's bargains (and this store is the most expensive in town, but I can sometimes get better bargains there, as evidenced here):

Diet Pepsi (for me): was $1.79; if I bought 10 items in the advertised group, it was $1.00***

San Giorgio pasta: was 1.59; """"""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

Lipton tea bags: was $3.00; on sale for $1.49;  had .50 coupon, which was doubled, $1.00

Ragu Pasta Sauce: was #2.89; if I bought 10 items in the advertised group, it was $1.00***; had .50 coupon (which was doubled)= FREE

Bag of oranges, 5lb. bag each (don't know original price, but it's a good price)= 2/$5.00

EXTRA SAVINGS FOR ABOVE:

***=after buying these 10 items, I got another $5.00 off my order

Another .47

9.93

Total savings on my order (I bought more items not listed here): 48%

(That's 2 boxes of pasta, 2 jars pasta sauce, and 1, 5lb bag of oranges for the food bank!)

STORE #2 (MY USUAL GROCERY STORE) (I lost my receipt!)

Lipton pasta Sides: 1.00 each; had doubled .50 coupon=FREE

Bush's Baked beans= 1.00 a can

Celestial Seasonings Tea=on sale for $2.49; had $1.00 coupon=$1.49

Furmano's Diced Tomatoes=$1.00; had .50 coupon for one

Sister Schubert's frozen rolls=#3.79; had $1.00 coupon=$2.79 (annoyed, as I found out you can only use 1 coupon/purchase with these: I have 20, expire 2/6!)

DiGiorno pizza (for the Super Bowl!)=2/$9.00; had $2.00 off coupon

I probably got even more off, knowing the store (+ bonus points)

(That's 2 pasta dishes, 2 cans of baked beans, and 2 cans of tomatoes for the food bank!)

That's great! I get angry at those Extreme Couponer shows because some people just hoard the stuff and buy things just to buy them. I love the idea of donating what you don't use, though! I've always wanted to get into couponing but most of the food I buy is local so they don't have many coupons available. I bet I could save a ton on household items though!

That's great that you were able to do that. I just don't have the patience to do it myself. A lot of the foods we eat also don't have coupons very often.

We aren't big eaters, either, and I don't buy a lot big-brand names.  However, we're (ok, it's really the cats) are picky about our brand of cat litter, so those coupons really help. We go through about 80lbs of litter a week, so it adds up.  The same with cat food. (Hmmm....think there could be a connection between so much cat food and needing so much litter? LOL)

I don't have the time nor the interest in becoming an extreme couponer.  If that's your thing, go ahead.  I think most of those people are able to make a hobby out of it; if they enjoy it, why not? I do think some are hoarders--"Jane has 245 boxes of cake mix; enough to last 25 years." What the heck are you gonna do with 25 years-worth of perishable cake mix?!? Maybe they give it to family and friends, or re-sell it. I could see something like paper towels or toothbrushes; in fact, I stockpile those things (and toilet paper). I hate running out of those things. When I find a good sale, I stock up. I often have (apart from paper towels) a 6-month to 1-year supply. Toothbrushes fit neatly into plastic shoeboxes in the linen closet. I do the same with toothpaste. When your'e getting that for 1/2 price, it makes sense--just look at the expiration date when buying. (If any expires, which is rare, I use it to polish my silver jewelry.)

I like the fact that I can help put the food bank by couponing.  DH is a trucker; he sometimes gets damaged freight--the outer shipping box is a bit damaged; the goods inside are fine. They won't accept the freight, and trash it. He asks if he can take it, and they always give it to him. You wouldn't believe the stuff he brings home: we're still using a HUGE supply of clear plastic trash bags--since October 2005! He sometimes gets brand-name diapers; we have no kids, but his friend's daughter does.  Now that I know the food bank desperately needs those, they'll be getting some. Ditto with maxi pads. I just donated 24 packs of those, and 48 bottles of body wash/shampoo--all gotten for free--and would've been thrown in a dumpster--just because the shipping box was dented or torn.

I just hate it when he brings home damaged freight from that adult toy factory he delivers to...I don't want that stuff, and I don't think the food bank does! LOL (He likes to bring it home as a joke to annoy me. We both have a ribald sense of humor, which I severely tone down on TCS!)

That's such a good idea. I always get frustrated at the Extreme Coupon show when they just have this big stock pile in their basements. But doing this to help get more donations for the food bank is such a good idea!! We don't have as many coupons offered out it (as opposed to the states, it seems) but I'll be keeping an eye out now!! 

That is a good idea. I donate to the food bank too. I don't purposely buy stuff for them, but I go through my cupboards and donate any food we aren't going to eat. 

I love to coupon. I don't have a stockpile, but I use as many coupons as possible when shopping. I am unemployed and it really helps save money so that I don't have to work while I am in school. We don't get nearly as many high value coupons in Canada so a lot of the time its only small savings, but it is on something I was already purchasing. I get a lot of free product coupons from "liking" different companies on facebook. They often have giveaways.