Coffee Couponing

Just to make sure anyone who accidentally reads this blog is bored to death, let me recount my recent forays into couponing.

#1, Dominick's.

3 12 oz. bags Caribou coffee regularly 9.99, on sale for 4.99. I use 3 coupons for $2 off 1 bag. So, coffee only 2.99/bag. I also bought a big container of yogurt and a pack of tofu for a total of $14.40.

#2, Jewel. A Catalina deal.

2 12.-oz. bags Dunkin Donuts coffee, regularly 8.79, on sale for 6.99. Two jars Smuckers jam, 2.95 on sale for 2.00. I used two "$4.00 off ground coffee" coupons that I snagged off some liquor bottles. In IL you don't have to purchase liquor to use the coupons.

Paid 10.38, plus got a $5 Catalina back. Regrets: 1) the Smuckers contains HFCS. 2) Using the $4.00 off coupons makes me feel like I'm cheating. Maybe taking coupons from the Bailey's Irish Cream display is wrong, although other couponers do it. (Of course that's not a justification for unethical behavior.) 3) Decaf Dunkin Doughnuts coffee was sold out, so I bought more regular coffee. What I really need is decaf. 4) DD coffee isn't fair trade or shade grown as far as I know, so it's probably harming the environment and screwing over the people who harvest it. Caribou coffee is a little better. It has a Rainforest Alliance medallion on the packaging.

#3, Jewel. Trying to find some decaf coffee.

3 DD decaf coffee bags, on sale for 6.99. Total 21.44. Paid with $5 Catalina from yesterday plus $16.44 out of pocket. Got a new $5 Catalina back.

I tried to use the $4 off coupons, but the checker wouldn't accept them. Oh well.

So we're well stocked in coffee for a while (although still need more decaf, since I drink a 3/4 decaf concoction). Will this type of active couponing pay off? I'm not sure. I've also bought tofu at Trader Joe's and produce at Stanley's and Tony's, so it's not like I'm spending no money.

It's a little bit fun.