First Flight

I made my first trip to Target to get a few things I need and a few things that I had coupons for. I definitely needed face wash since my samples from the cosmetics department at work ran out. Other than that, I really didn't need anything but I had some really good coupons.
Here is the recap:
Aveeno face wash - normally $6.49, marked down to $5.84. I had a coupon for $1.00 off - total spending = $4.84
Nivea Express Hydration lotion - $5.99. I had a manufacturer coupon for $1.00 off and a Target coupon for $1.00 off - total spending = $3.99
Nivea Radiant Glow Lotion/Sunless tanner - $6.99. I had a manufacturer coupon for $1.00 off plus a Target coupon for $1.00 off - total spending = $4.99
Lady Mitchum deodorant - $2.69. I had a coupon for $0.75 off - total spending = $1.94
Men's Gillette deodorant - $4.24 with $2.00 off coupon - total spending = $2.24

Combo Coupon:
Revlon Eye Lash Curler - $4.49 plus $1.00 off manufacturer coupon
Revlon Lipstick - $4.99
My coupon saved me $3.00 when I bought a cosmetic AND a tool so my total spending for these 2 items came to = $5.48

Total spending for these 7 items = $23.48

Woohoo!!! I felt so accomplished on this trip. I was able to stock up on lotion and deodorant for myself (and C), I got a new face wash that is good quality that I like (so far), a new (but not needed) eye lash curler and a new lipstick that I like. My average price per item came out to $3.35. Had I gone to Sephora for the same items I would have spent an average for $6.71 per item (calculated by the least expensive item from each category). TWICE AS MUCH PER ITEM!!!!!!
This means a lot for me. It means I am on track to stay under my budget of $300. Actually now the budget balance is down to $276.52. However, I will still need a food foundation, razors, hair color, shampoo and conditioner. Unless I get some amazing coupons I am not sure how I will pull those off just yet, but I am confident that I will be able to pull it off without compromising quality or my bottom line.
I think there are certain products I will have to be creative with. I have a few tricks up my sleeve that don't involve coupons or Target :) but we will see how those go.

We just got some good news that we may be able to move into our own place soon so my budget is more important than ever. It started out as a fun experiment but now has a real life application. Let's call it motivation.

So far I have had good luck combining Target coupons with manufacturer coupons since Target stacks them.
I personally don't have the patience to comb through ads and compare them with coupons. Sorry, Extreme Couponers.

Til next time, Beauties :)