Posted By FarmerJ on February 3, 2009

Well, I think I’m in denial that an entire month has already passed before my eyes ~ but both the calendar and the dates printed on the receipts confirm we are, indeed, in a new month.  January was fairly successful in the couponing arena, ranking second in total Monopoly Money spent [or real dollars saved] since I started keeping track last April.

Last month I included an itemized list of all the items I got for free or less than $.50.  But, to be honest, the task of keeping that itemized list became quite laborious ~ I guess that means I had a successful month, huh?!  So, this month I am just going to provide a few totals in order to share my Monopoly Money Madness with you.

That being said, I will share my single most favorite January shopping excursion.  It was at Wal-Mart.  I used to refer to that place as ‘The Dreaded Wal-Mart,’ but really, it’s not so bad in Grand Island.  Really!  Just another kudo for the great mid-west.  Anyway, I was able to purchase all of this…

• 3 x Tylenol Extra Strength Caplets (24 count box)
• 3 x Motrin Caplets (24 count box)
• 2 x Johnson Buddies Soap (1 bar)
• 2 x Liquid Coffee Creamer (32 oz bottle)
• 1 x Seapak Shrimp Poppers (8 oz box)
• 1 x Bakery-Fresh French Bread (1 lb loaf)
• 1 x Rontonzi Smart Taste Spaghetti (1 lb box)
• 1 x Rayovac 9-Volt Batteries (2-pack)
• 1 x Rayovac D Batteries (2-pack)
• 1 x Rayovac AA Batteries (4-pack)
• 1 x Rayovac AAA Batteries (4-pack)

…are you ready?  The cashier actually handed me $.06 back!  She had to call the manager to override the register as it was indicating a negative balance.  Now, this is nothing new to me ~ it’s called ‘overage.’  I repeatedly offered to purchase a pack of Tic-Tacs or something so that my balance would return to me owing them, but the manager reviewed the transactions on the receipt and then hit the ‘OK’ button on the screen.  Out shot my $.06 into the change dispenser.  Granted, I’ve been ‘paid’ larger amounts to carry items out of a store through rebates and such, but I do believe this is the first time I’ve received actual cold hard cash ~ well, okay…coin.  Nothing I can help Lovie make the mortgage payment with, but pure fun, nonetheless!

Alright, I have two favorite January shopping excursions to share.  The second occurred at Home Depot, of all places!  It doesn’t involve the use of Monopoly Money, but it’s just too good not to tell.  Darling Husbie and I were there ordering vinyl siding to complete our latest OSB Palace Project [that story to follow shortly].  While standing at the register waiting for Husbie to complete the transaction, I noticed a box with a big yellow sticker indicating a sale price of $.01.  Yes, one penny.  I asked the cashier, with much disbelief I might add, if the items in the box were truly only a penny.  She politely confirmed the price indicated was correct.  I, still in great disbelief, blurted out, “Why?!”  I wasn’t trying to argue, I just couldn’t believe it!  The cashier’s response?  “Because they’re just not selling.”

My Darling Husbie knows his girl loves a good bargain, so he knew I’d be adding to the transaction ~ but I think I surprised him a little when I told the cashier I wanted the entire box of items.  Just what items were in the box marked for $.01, you ask?  Rust-oleum American Accents Metallic Leafing Pens!  Can you believe it?!  Ten Metallic Gold and nine Metallic Silver pens for a whopping $.19!  They were originally marked $3.99, so my higher math indicates to me a savings of $75.62 before sales tax.  Oh yeah ~ I was doing the Happy Dance all the way to the truck!  Lovie doesn’t think I’ll be able to use all the pens before they dry up, but for less than the price of a gumball, I couldn’t pass that one up.

Okay, sorry for getting slightly derailed there.  Let’s get back to the Monopoly Money Madness totals.  For the month of January, we ring in with:

• Total Number of Items for Free = 43
• Total Number of Items for $.01 – .50 = 24 (pens not included)
• Total Amount of Rebates = $8.25

January Monopoly Money Savings = $155.99

Year-to-Date Monopoly Money Savings = $155.99

Cha-ching!

Categories: Simply Saving
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