The proof is in the spreadsheet! Savings analysis

[Haleine]

*** Post #22 has sample template and instructions for using***

I started tracking coupon savings, SPC VIP savings and gift card savings as of October 11th of this year.

I didn't track price matching savings but if I seriously added those additional savings to my spreadsheet, the total would probably make me cry knowing I could have been reaping the benefits of Smart Canuck's combined knowledge many moons ago instead of shopping without a clue (unaware that I was spending way more money than I needed to).

For personal consumption, stocking up on sale items (non-perishable) and purchases for gifting, I have saved:

In coupons - a whopping $2,268.15
In SPC discounts - another $602.73
and with exchanging points for gift cards I have received an additional $355 (SDM and Wal Mart and Zellers and even A&P Thunder Bucks).

To put that in context...$3,225.88 total.....out of pocket $2,847.84.

These totals include non-coupon purchases for Christmas (e.g. X-box 360 game, blu-ray videos, etc...) and many purchases where I was wise about watching for sales (e.g. 40% off) and also having receipt adjustments where the price dropped within the month on purchases.

Final analysis for me: I saved

53% of the money I would have otherwise been out of pocket overall simply by being more aware, using coupons, price-matching, waiting to purchase until items went on sale, adjusting receipts for price-drops and cashing in on point programs including SPC card.

While I made more purchases than I normally would (e.g. each month I would buy 1 laundry soap, 3-4 toilet paper, cleaning supplies as needed, etc... I have stocked up on many purchases so the true savings will be realized when I spend less on monthly shopping when I shop my own pantry now!)

I am going to increase my spreadsheet for the New Year to include the original price so that I can calculate the true benefit reaped from this new awareness I have. I have also contemplated putting just the coupon $ I would have otherwise spent (I know I would have because I shopped without awareness of sales, discounts, etc...just simply bought what I needed when I needed it) and use the cash at the end of the year for a luxury item.

I would be keenly interested if any other Smart Canucks' are as anal as I might seem in tracking the cost benefit of time spent using this forum, please share if so. (Again, combined strategies to minimize costs and increase savings, even if just time savings are the SC way!)

A very big thank you to everyone for sharing their savings tips, flyer notifications, price-matching strategies, hot buys, etc...

All the best to everyone for the holiday season!

[Aliciax]

GREAT JOB! SC is truely a great resource. I'm really greatful that there are such wonderful SCers that post deals for others to enjoy/save.

[Connie106]

great job. I started keeping track of coupon savings in Aug of this year and have over $800 put away in a separate "coupon account". It adds up pretty quickly.

[Colsgirl]

WOW that is such an inspiration - I bet when you added it up, it felt really good. Top job!

[leftie]

WOW - great savings

[mpbabes]

wow...that is great. I haven't been tracking so closely but I know I'm not quite at such high savings yet.

[scrapbookingoasis]

wow great job. I had started a spreadsheet but got too busy to keep it up. Incentive to start again in the new year

[harbie]

I too have made more purchases than I would otherwise do BUT they were great deals and I am on my way to stocking up my pantry too! I have only been doing this for about a month and already saved $371 Hubby is soooooooo happy with me.

The only problem is that it is so addicting that I am constantly on the look out for deals no matter where I am

[miztia]

I started keeping track. For the first half of december, including christmas gifts, cleaning supplies, dog food ect, I spent 160.56. Without using coupons and clearance sales, I would have spent 807.73. If I just spent without looking for the sales and clearance, the cost of this product would have been 1082.74. Cant wait to see how the rest of the month will turn out!!

[ukonjacki]

I have been keeping track since Dec.1 and I have made purchases totaling $1506 and saved $708= total out of pocket $798. before this site I would have spent the extra $708 and not have paid any attention!
My husband about fell out of his chair! lol

[myguppy]

wow. fantastic job!
I need to figure out how to set up a spreadsheet... I want to keep track of my savings in 2009!

[nv_jenn]

I use a spreadsheet too but havent input any informatiom from nov or dec ... lol too behind but starting Jan I have a new method. Part reason I am behind is because I am trying to find the most convenient method with the best display of how everything is distributed

[seapotato]

WOW i should keep track too! it's amazing how much you can save just with using coupons!

[Scissorhands]

I, too, had been shopping without ever laying an eye on the weekly flyers. I went to one store (Loblaws -- not the least expensive !) and did all my grocery shopping there. In August of this year, I was starting to notice how expensive my grocery bill had become. It's in September that I got really frustrated and decided to take matters into my own hands... That's when I discovered coupons and SC... (thanks to my sister). I cannot believe how much I'm saving. Since we charge everything to our MasterCard (to get Air Miles / and yes we pay it off every month ), I know that in the past we have been averaging $800 a month on groceries (no, that is not a typo!). In the spring, I'll tally up all the credit card bills to see how much we saved (doing it now would not give me an accurate picture of the situation since I am still in 'stocking up' mode being a relatively new "wise shopper'...). I do know I am saving at least 50% of what I was spending before!

Thanks everyone !

[MissDayle]

Would anyone be able to post their spreadsheet to this thread... ? I would love to use it as a template... kinda making in my New Years Resolution to keep track!

Thanks
Dayle