Day One of Serious Couponing

Okay, I implemented part of the plan today.
First, I went to Walgreen's and returned the bath salts. Got my money back, no problems! Then I bought 4 boxes of cereal, had $1/2 coupons times two, and the $5 RR from last visit. I ended up having to buy a pack of gum because I needed five items and only had four. So for two boxes of Frosted Flakes, two boxes of Raisin Bran, and a pack of gum, I paid $2.81. Score!
Then on to Walmart. I thought Walmart would be a good place to go on Thursday. It wasn't that busy, but unfortunately there also weren't very many cashiers. I had a little trouble sticking to the list, but I have a list for each store plus one that we keep on the side of the fridge and write down items that we need as we run out (this list will likely go away). So I deviated some from the Walmart list and bought things that were on the grocery list, like frozen apple juice, and deodorant for my husband. I had about 11 items I didn't have a coupon for (frozen juice, ice cream bars, dental floss, chow mein noodles, cough drops, macaroni and cheese, copy paper, laxative, and yes, my weakness: a Cadbury bar. So I guess this is one thing I'll learn to stop doing and learn to just shop from the list for that store. However, I spent just over $71 and saved $29 because of coupons.
That was a lot of coupons. Most of them were $1 but a lot were less.
Tomorrow I go to Costco with hubby and get dog food, refried beans, catsup, Pledge, kitty litter, and jerky. Then we'll fill up my car.
Saturday I'll go to Winco with the huge list (which covers most of the grocery list as well). At some point, I'll go to Fred Meyer also, if I can. If I have to skip a store, Freddy's is the one I'm skipping. And lastly, on Sunday I go to Albertsons with DOUBLE coupons! Yay!
I do not intend to do this all the time. I've been doing the majority of our grocery shopping once a month, with little visits in between. I will probably switch to weekly visits to one grocery store, maybe two depending on the sales. I get milk and produce delivered once a week, so I can hold out on visiting the store for a bit.
I must say, though, I have made GREAT progress on the stockpile already. I have nearly all the cereal we'll need. I have almost a full year's worth of deodorant for hubby. I have three months' worth of toothpaste.
I just need to keep going.
Onward!