Couponing

I am a huge couponer. Now anyway. I used to not be. I really didn't think you would save too much money by adding a few coupons here and there. This... Is. Not. True. As long as you shop smart. Use coupons and sales to maximize your savings. And it's simple. (I am not a pro just yet, I do save a ton of money but I still spend more than other couponers)

A few key points to remember:

*Watch for SALES (AKA good deals, not everything that goes on Sale is a good deal)

*Use Coupons and STACK them (get the paper EVERY week, heck get a few. The more coupons you have the more you will save... also get something to hold you coupons in. A binder, a folder, a accordian file folder. Something. After a few months of coupons, you can make a killing at the grocery store.) When "stacking" you need to use store coupons and manufactured coupons. Target, Walgreens.. etc. They allow you to use 1 store coupon and 1 manufactured coupon. Doubling your savings.

*Use Stores Ad Newspapers. When you go shopping look at what is on sale. The front page is usually the hot items. Build your shopping around these items. If chicken is going for an amazing deal.. find ways to make chicken all week long. (NOT everyday, but a few days a week. You can make fajitas, casserole, sandwiches, topping for a salad, the possibilities are endless) I got this great idea from Miserly Moms. Read Miserly Moms! It has amazing information.

*Don't be afraid to shop at different stores. This is something huge. The book I reviewed a few weeks ago (Miserly Moms) also stresses this. Find good deals and shop them. Convenience stores are just that, convenient. But not cheaper. {Unless you shop smart} Remember some stores will do double coupons/triple coupon deals, or blowout sales. So you will use those at that specific store and finish the rest of your shopping elsewhere.

*You don't have to buy the cheapest product. I promise. Not that this is bad, I buy store brand all the time but I have found a few items that I won't buy because they taste yucky to me. So I wait until they are on a good deal and stock up.

*Build a Stock Pile and Food Storage. Not only is this great for not running out of items, but it's also smart to have storage for emergencies.

Don't forget about the drugstores Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS. These stores can be expensive and overpriced, but if you know how to use coupons and deals, you can make a killing at these stores. There is No Rite Aid or CVS around here, (can't wait until I get to go home!!) So my favorite store is Walgreens. I buy most of my toiletries here. I can leave spending less that $10 sometimes $5 and have an entire stock supply. To this day, I own 5 full size bottles of Old Spice Body Washes, 3 Gillette Body Washes, 5 deodorants, 3 Shampoo and 3 Conditioner, Shave Cream, 2 Shick Razors... Which I spent $20 total. I think we're good until Christmas on Mens body wash and deodorant.!

Example #1 (Purchased at Walgreens)

Transaction #1

Buy 1 Old Spice Body Wash @ $4.49

Use B1G1 Free Coupon from last weeks SS (smartsource)

Buy 1 Twix Bar @ $.89 (my kids love Twix)

Use $3 off Walgreens RR from last shopping trip

Total: $2.38

Get $4.50 RR (register rewards) from the Old Spice

Transaction #2

2 Deli Creations (husband takes them to lunch sometimes) @ $1.99 each w/in-ad coupon

Use 2 $1 Deli Creations coupons

1 Twix @ $.89

1 OFF! Bug Spray (summertime, you'll need this!) $3.99 with May in-ad coupon

Use $.75 OFF! Bug Spray Coupon

Use $4.50 RR from above

Total: $1.61

Grand Total: $3.99

Example #2 (Purchased at Walgreens)

Transaction #1

Irish Spring Body Wash $2.99

Coupon $.50 off Irish Spring

2 Sure Deodorant for $3.00 w/in ad coupon

2 $1.50 off Sure Deodorant

M&M $.49 (filler)

Get $2 Register Reward {RR} for Irish Spring

Total: $3.00

Transaction #2

2 Pert Plus @ $1.99 ea

2 $1.50 Off Pert Plus (this is just for my stock up supply)

Dawn $.99 w/in ad coupon

$.25 off Dawn

Dove $.99 w/in ad coupon

Lindsay Olives $.99 w/ in ad coupon (my kids love olives.. so I figured we'd try them out)

2 Twix $.49 (filler)

1 M&M $.49 (filler)

Use $2 RR from Trans #1

Total: $3.17

Grand Total: $6.17

As you can see I only spent about $10 for all those items. Now I am also still learning myself. I know a few people who have more stocked up coupons that would have probably spend only $5. But I still think saving $40 was a pretty good deal.

It becomes a game. And I love it. Not only am I finally having a good time grocery shopping, (as long as I don't have all my kids!! then it's still stressful), but I am saving a lot of money. Pocketing all the savings. Putting it in our vacation fund maybe, or new couches.. anything.

When I began grocery shopping for my family of 4 (pregnant at the time) I was spending anywhere from $110 to $140 a week! Now this number includes everything. Groceries, supplies, baby items. Everything. But still. That's $500 a month. This number isn't bad, I actually thought I was doing pretty good. Until I began couponing and shopping deals. I now spend $60 a week on groceries and about $20 on everything else. $80 a week. That's at least $20 a week if not $50! Imagine what you could do with $100 a month extra. By Christmas you could have $1200 in your vacation fund.

Here a few books to help save you money.

Miserly Moms by Jonni McCoy. (miserlymoms.com)

Pick Another Checkout Lane Honey by Joanie Demer & Heather Wheeler (thekrazycouponlady.com)