Question #2: How Much Gas Do You Waste Getting These Deals?

Today I was asked, "Doesn't the extra money you have to spend on gas exceed the amount you saved by using the coupons?"  The answer is: definitely not.  Last month I spent $185 and stockpiled $1,329 worth of free and cheap items - and I definitely did not spend $1,144 of gas to do so.

I am very fortunate to live in an area with several Kroger, Meijer, Target, CVS, Walgreens and Walmart stores within a 5-10 minute drive.  I bring my children to various activities throughout the week and I try to stop in at these stores as I happen to pass them in my travels.  Occasionally I will make a special trip for a super terrific deal, but not usually.

Here's an example: Yesterday I went to pick up my daughter from a sleepover.  I left a few minutes early and stopped at Walgreens on my way there and Kroger on my way back.  I scored nearly $30 of free items, while not using one extra drop of gas.  The only thing the couponing trip cost me was my time - we'll address that issue tomorrow!

My Cheap Deal of the Day:  4 boxes of Raisin Bran Crunch for .75 cents each at Walgreens. (Hubby's favorite cereal and they don't expire for over a year.)