Thursday, September 17, 2009

I'm hooked....

...on couponing. Yep, it is now a verb. Mainly because it is an action. I have to seek out the web sites, print the coupons, clip them, organize them, write my shopping list according to them, get myself to the right store on the right day, hunt for the B1G1 deals, make sure my coupons match, gawk at my savings when I check out, leave the store on a coupon high, rush home to show my family the savings, and plan my meals according to what was on sale.

It has been a really LONG time since I was able to feed my family on less than $100 a week, but it can be done (as long as I do my work). For us, right now, it is the best way to trim the budget. And we are saving every penny we can (I am sure you can figure out why). I spent a lot of time on this site trying to figure it out. HERE

Just wanted to pass it on if any of you are looking for a way to save some money (and get a new hobby). My cart was full on my shopping trip on Sunday and here is a little break down of what was spent. Not trying to brag here, just wanted to pass on some ideas of how to save.

Total bill: $151.15 - $83.60 (coupons and advertised deals) = $ 67.55 spent

12 comments:

Sandee said...

Great job!

ok, it sounds worth the effort. I hope I have enought of an organize-gene to try to pull it off. I am going to go check out the website you listed.

Kara said...

Wow! I'm impressed. Hi Cris! Haven't wrote in awhile. Do you mainly use coupons on what you already buy, or are they new items? I have an envelope of coupons,but I always forget to bring them with me to the store. You have motivated me.

Sandee said...

hi...again....in trying to find some how-do-I-start-this-from-scratch-and-not-be-overwhelmed advice, I found this sweet mom of two...thought you might like some of her tips: http://daveandrachel.blogspot.com/2007/02/coupon-lady-strikes-again.html

Elle J said...

this is so fantastic! thanks for the tips and the link.

crispy said...

Glad you are back Kara, there are lots of sites to help you get going on couponing. Some people think it is worth the small fee that the "grocery game" site charges. She tells you exactly what to do. Of course, I am trying to do this with out paying someone else the fee.

The southern saver site is really good for the south (it has our grocery stores). But the main idea is, when my store (Publix) has the B1G1, I use a manufacture coupon for the item (or 2 if I can), and sometimes I can stack that with a Publix coupon or another competitor store coupon. That is where the big savings comes into play.

The best idea is to find the store in your area that will accept compt. coupons and hopefully a store that will double the coupons. My store will double up to 50 cents (which would make it $1 off).

I will admit, it took me some time to figure this out. And I am not even close to figuring it all out. But I am trying to be a good steward of our food budget. I admit, I haven't always done a great job at that.

Chuck Peters said...

I'm excited about this too! The savings is GREAT... but I kind of like having new & different things to eat too. Thanks for taking this on, Hon! =)

Jen said...

Ooh, ooh! I want to try! That is one of my main goals now that my kids are in school - to start shopping with coupons and save big money. (well, that and getting healthy!)

Good job!

:) Jen

carrie said...

Great job! Ha - I call this my hobby, too! :) And we have tried lots of new things this way, too. I am trying to not get caught up in buying too many snacky things just because they are on sale and I have a coupon. But isn't it great when you go and check out and think, "OK, this really is worth all the effort!"

Anonymous said...

Keisuzi turned me on to this just a couple of weeks ago, and I'm still just getting used to it. Hotcouponworld.com is the website I use to find internet coupons and see the coupon matchups. Glad you have a Publix where you are. Haven't their sales been phenomenal lately??

Tim and Susan said...

I will have to check out the websites and see what I can do.

The problem is we usually buy generic brand on everything...too bad there isn't coupons for generic brand. Ha Ha

junglemama said...

That is so awesome! Wish I could figure it out!

Gabi said...

I have also just recently become "obsessed" with couponing. It's amazing how much less we spend now....