Current Match-Ups:
CVS Deals
Walgreens Deals
Jewel-Osco Deals
Dominick’s Deals
We don’t have double coupons in Chicago. For all of the museums and theater that we have available, we are seriously lacking in true couponing opportunities. So when my friend Ann told me that Pathmark was going to be having triple coupons last weekend and that it happened to be on the day that I would be driving from Newark to The Poconos for the Reviewer’s Retreat, we decided that I had to go. Not having ever been to either Newark or The Poconos, Ann found a store on my route and I got directions from Newark to Pathmark and Pathmark to The Poconos. A girl has to have priorities!
After flying in the night before and heading back to the airport to rent a car, I was on my way. I had clipped the coupons on Ann’s Pathmark match-ups and grabbed a few bonus that I thought might come in handy. Remembering that I would have to fly my bounty home, I tried not to go too crazy. And it was tough!
For better or for worse, the store was pretty cleared out by the time I got there. Honestly, it was probably for the better since I spent 20 minutes playing grocery/luggage Tetris before returning my car. The car rental people thought it was hilarious.
Here’s the scoop: Pathmark was tripling coupons up to $1 (for a full value of $3). You were allowed 10 coupons per transaction and only 4 like items per order with your Pathmark card (which I now have). Coupons would be tripled up to the price of the coupons – no overage. This is what I did:
Transaction #1
4 Ronzoni Smart Taste $1.89 each
1 Ronzoni Garden Delight $1.66
1 Sure Deodorant $2.19
1 Colgate Toothpaste $1.99
2 Ivory 3 pk $2.99
1 Thai Kitchen $2.19
Used 2 $1/2 Ronzoni – tripled – $.64
Used 1 $1 Ronzini Garden – tripled – Free!
Used 1 $1 Sure – tripled – Free!
Used $.75 Colgate – tripled – Free!
Used 2 $1 Ivory – tripled – Free!
Used 1 $.50 Thai – tripled $.69
Final Price: $1.67
Transaction #2
4 Ronzoni Healthy Harvest $1.66 each
1 Ivory 3 pk $2.99
1 People Magazine $3.99
Used 2 $1/2 Ronzoni – tripled – $.64
Used 1 $1 Ivory – tripled – Free!
Used 1 $1 People – tripled – $.99
Final Price: $1.84
The bottom line is that for less than the cost of the People Magazine that I probably would have bought myself at the airport anyway, I got $35 in groceries for free. Can I tell you how tempted I am to start driving to other states to participate in doubles and triples? If the price of gas ever goes down, I might seriously think about it!
Alli is a Chicago based wife and mother of two children. She has turned money-saving into a game and enjoys searching out the best deals to help you save money! Alli shares her insight, tips and up-to-the-minute deals for local and national retailers and brands. Her hope is that you will play the game and learn to save money at the same time!