Ok, I think I am becoming borderline obsessed with couponing. I know that people have been doing this for years but its relatively new to me. I am constantly thinking about how to save the most, comparison shopping and making lists and clipping those coups! I was woken up at 2:15 this morning from a neighbor taking out the trash can after they returned home from a party at a bar (which means the simple act of rolling the can down the driveway was noisy and there was lots of drunken laughter.) Kaelyn also decided to wake up then. I couldn't fall back asleep after so I thought about coupons. (I sound like a freak) Every Sunday feels like Christmas when I get the paper! I have always been a bargain shopper, most of Kaelyns clothes are from friends, consignment, Goodwill or Target clearance. I rarely pay full price for anything as it is but couponing has taken it to a whole new level for me. I figure the more I save, the more I am doing my part in helping provide for my family. Besides, who wouldn't be stoked for getting name brand deodorant for .04 cents! I want to get good enough at finding rock bottom deals so I can stock my home and also one day be good enough so I can make donations to local shelters and food banks. Money doesn't grow on trees for us and we are pretty much a single income household. My part time job doesn't bring home much other than mamas sanity and getting some adult time!
So here's my system so far, (this is still new for me) I have a binder with baseball trading card sleeves that I store my coupons in. I also have a pen pouch that I keep a calculator, pens and other things in that I use when I shop. I organize my coupons by category and I keep a copy of the coupon policy for my grocery store in the pocket, as well as a list of coupons I downloaded onto my rewards card from the Internet. I then look at the ad from the Sunday paper and cross reference with my coupons to make my shopping list. I make my list on a large envelope and highlight what I have coupons for, pull the coupons I know im going to use beforehand and put them inside the envelope that contains my list. I still bring the binder to the store because sometimes theres a better deal than what you had already planned out. Its taking me awhile to get the hang of all the different types of coupons out there but once you get it you can manage the best deals! For example, Kaelyn drinks Almond milk. Fred Meyer carries two brands Almond Breeze and Pure Silk. I get coupons in the paper for both at times so a few weeks ago I got a coupon for the Pure Silk brand but I noticed whenever I buy the Almond Breeze brand a coupon prints out at the register for the Pure silk. (im sure most moms noticed this when they buy diapers) So i went at bought some of the Almond Breeze since it was on sale and got my coupons for the Pure Silk (which i also had my manufacturers coupon for) When I went to the store the next time the Pure Silk was on sale for $2.79 and I had one coupon for $1 off and another for $1.50 so I ended up paying .50 cents a carton and got 3 for $1.50! It would have normally cost $9.00 for 3 half gallons at regular price. I know I still have a lot to learn about the world of coupons and my husband doesn't like to shop with me since im so anal about this new obsession (hey, grocery shopping is relaxing for me and I LOVE doing it alone!)
What works for you? Please send suggestions my way! :)
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oh my gosh...you're that girl!!!! lol!! found your blog link when I had to go on my FB to get an email address...so glad I did! I'm going to be in WA again Jun 1-10 so maybe we can try to see each other this time!
ReplyDeleteHey lady! I went to send you a FB msg and couldn't find you on there....anyways, I will be in Colorado until the 7th of June. Shoot me your number and I can try to get ahold of you when we get back!
ReplyDeleteHey my # is 706.587.4293. hope it works out this time, but I know coming back from vacay can be a little stressful so if it's too much, no problem. Hope yall have a good time in CO
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