This past Saturday, I went all coupon crazy and wrote out 2 lists like this:
Kroger was having a Mega Event, and I was going to be ready for it! Amazingly enough, I ended up finding 20 items that were worth buying and that I had coupons for, for an automatic savings of $10 (or $0.50 per item, as I prefer to think about it) and additional savings from combining the sale with relevant coupons.
Here’s the first set of 10 items I rounded up:
- Ragu Pasta Sauce, on sale for $1.77 -$0.50 Mega Event savings
- Ragu Pasta Sauve, on sale for $1.77 -$0.50 Mega Event Savings used $1.00/2 manufacturer's coupon $0.77 each
- Chex Mix, on sale for $1.99 -$0.50 Mega Event savings used $0.50/1 manufacturer's coupon $0.49
- Kleenex, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event Savings used $1.00/3 manufacturer's coupon
- Kleenex, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event Savings used $1.00/3 manufacturer's coupon
- Kleenex, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event Savings used $1.00/3 manufacturer's coupon $0.66 each
- Finish Powerball Dishwasher Tabs, on sale for $3.49 -$0.50 Mega Event Savings used $0.50/1 manufacturer's coupon $1.99
- Bird's Eye Steam Fresh Vegetables, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event savings used $1.00/3 manufacturer's coupon
- Bird's Eye Steam Fresh Vegetables, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event savings used $1.00/3 manufacturer's coupon
- Bird's Eye Steam Fresh Vegetables, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event savings used $1.00/3 manufacturer's coupon $0.66 each
Total for Mega Event 1: $7.98 + tax
The second set of items came together because I really wanted to nab the deal on Hefty Storage Bags for an upcoming camping trip, and when I looked at the list I realized I could feasibly do it without stretching and buying things I didn’t really need!
- Fiber One Chewy Bars, on sale for $2.49 -$0.50 Mega Event savings used $0.50/1 manufacturer's coupon $0.99
- Fiber One Chewy Bars, on sale for $2.49 -$0.50 Mega Event savings used $0.50/1 manufacturer's coupon $0.99
- Chex Mix, on sale for $1.99 -$0.50 Mega Event savings used $0.50/1 manufacturer's coupon $0.49
- Smart Balance Spreadable Butter, on sale for $2.38 -$0.50 Mega Event savings used $1.00/1 store coupon $0.88
- Hefty Storage Bags, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event savings used $1.00/2 manufacturer's coupon
- Hefty Storage Bags, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event savings used $1.00/2 manufacturer's coupon $0.49 each
- Kleenex, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event Savings used $1.00/3 manufacturer's coupon
- Kleenex, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event Savings used $1.00/3 manufacturer's coupon
- Kleenex, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event Savings used $1.00/3 manufacturer's coupon $0.66 each
- Pict Sweet Frozen Veggie, on sale for $1.49 -$0.50 Mega Event savings $0.99
Total for Mega Event 2: $7.30 + tax ***All the $0.50 coupons doubled to $1.00.
I will say, it was tough shopping from multiple lists, and I breathed a sigh of relief when I looked over my receipt and realized it had all worked! Confusingly, I also managed to spend another $30 or so on who knows what, so it wasn’t overall the most frugal trip I’ve ever made, but it was pretty exciting to see the section on my receipt that said:
MANUFACTURER COUPON SAVINGS: $11.54 BONUS COUPON SAVINGS: $4.25 (These are how Kroger tracks doubles for coupons under $1.00) STORE COUPON AND KROGER PLUS SAVINGS: $30.99 TOTAL SAVINGS (40 PCT): $46.78
The Mega Events are confusing because items are put on sale and THEN additional savings are reflected at the register. I heard one couple discussing a healthy brand of cereal that was included in the event saying, “Oh, you only get that special price if you buy 10. Well, we’re not going to buy 10! But it’s still cheaper than it normally is.” And they proceeded to put 2 boxes in their cart. And that’s totally fine! I think it’s great that the sale can benefit all levels of shoppers. And for those crazy people like me who enjoy spending time finding the absolute best deals, they can be very satisfying.
