Until I switched to a cash budget in January, I didn’t have a coin problem. When you swipe a card all the time, you don’t have to worry about change. When we switched to using cash, I noticed a big increase in our coins. My purse and change purse were getting heavy. My dryer had coins on top, and hubby’s dresser did too.
So when Collective Bias asked me to try out a Coinstar machine at BI-LO, I was happy to try it out! Follow #NoFeeCoinstar and #CBias on Twitter for more details!
I had only used Coinstar one other time, and that was a LONG time ago. I knew there were fees involved somehow, so I steered clear. What I discovered using Coinstar this time is that if you choose a gift card, there are no fees! So, you can get a grocery gift card from all your spare change, and you won’t be charged for the service. (Another way to save on groceries and add to your budget, how great is that?)
My “spare change” turned into $13.28 on a BI-LO gift card. Hubby’s turned into $20.12.
Hubby and I shopped last night with our BI-LO cards. I had a great produce and laundry soap trip with over 50% savings! (Hubby spent his on man stuff that wasn’t on sale, but that was ok, because it felt ok to let him splurge with our change.)
I have been shopping at BI-LO more and more, because of their great sales and prices. My BI-LO trip:
I spent $15.xx and $13.28 of that was on my BI-LO card from my spare change and Coinstar. I saved over $18 and paid no fees! Want to see our whole trip? You can check out my Google+ story!
If you want to learn more about Coinstar, you can check them out on Facebook or Twitter. BI-LO is on Facebook and Twitter too!
I have been paid (at Coinstar’s request) to try and blog about Coinstar’s products/services as part of a Collective Bias shopper insights study. All opinions are my own.
I did not take a picture for you of my first Super Doubles trip, because it was a catastrophe. Things rang up wrong. Items didn’t scan, and I ended up only saving about 50%.
On top of that, my receipt was messed up and I figured out that I underpaid by $3.00 (returning coupon item issues). So, I stopped by that Lowes Foods on my way home from work and the service desk let me pay them that $3 back. I felt better and not guilty. I figure if I would argue for an error in the store’s favor, I had better pay up an error in my favor.
Tonight’s trip:
I have to say it was no less adventurous. They were out of the number 1 thing I wanted, which were the eOffers Romaine hearts!
I picked up the cat litter because we are totally out and I am brand loyal. However, my store had a $10 off $50 purchase coupon for their grand opening. So I figured if I found $40 in deals, I would snag a cat litter for free.
I am out of practice with my counting. If they had the Romaine hearts, I would have been close and could have grabbed an item at the checkout to get my OOP over $50.
After coupons, my total was $42.xx. I started to put my$10/$50 purchase coupon away, when my cashier notices and says, “It might work.” My total was WAY over $50 before coupons, but I think that the coupon was supposed to be after coupons and discounts.
Before I can blink, he takes it and scans it, and of course, it does work. Lowes Foods is just intent on giving me extra discounts this week.
OOP: $32.xx
Saved: $59.xx
You can check out this week’s matchups here. Who can beat those crazy trips?
I really, really am trying to buy healthier foods. You can ignore the chips for me and oreos for hubby right? 
I spent right at $40 and saved $46. I am definitely stocked up on nuts for a couple of months! (Chips too.)
Did you find any great deals at Harris Teeter this week?
I disclose : There may be affiliate links in this post.
