At the beginning of February, I decided that I needed to figure out this whole new couponing "world". I know many of you may do it, and be totally familiar with it, but not me. I had tried a couple times before to get it down, but to be honest, there is alot of "stuff" out there, and it can get really confusing. This is an example of a saving written out on a blog:
Wheat Thins Artisan Cheese Crackers 8oz $2.00
Use BOGO coupon from SS 03/15/09 (expires 5/31/09)
AND STACK
Use $1/1 coupon from SS 03/15/09 (expires 5/31/09)
Final Price: $0.50 each
If you know what this means, you know more than I did when I started.
So, I sat down and read blogs, (there are TONS with so much information on them), I read the stores circulars, and I started clipping coupons. It's amazing how many coupons are out there, and just how many things I was buying at full price, when it just wasn't necessary.
The first time I went to the store, I saved $7. Not great, but hey, that's $7 in my pocket. From there, things have all gone uphill. At Kroger a couple weeks ago, I did pretty well, and it's helping to keep me motivated to do this. Also, seeing our food storage slowly increase has been a big plus too.
So, at Kroger, my initial price for groceries, before the Kroger card, and coupons, was $111. Not too bad, but our goal is $100 a week for groceries. After the card and coupons, I walked out having spent $55. I was so excited! Since then, I've saved even more too.
Kevin looks forward to my call every week, cause I've gotta have someone to gloat to about how much we saved, and of all people, I know he'll truly appreciate it!
The grocery's I was able to get for $55.
My coupon binder, I'm not the most organized person by any stretch of the imagination, but this is one area where I will always know what I have and where to find it.
My receipt. Look at those savings, woo hoo!The goal now, is to really work on stockpiling, so that we can build up a great food storage. We're getting there slowly, but surely. I'm also amazed at how many things I buy now that I never would buy before cause they were too expensive, It's great to have some new variety in our diets.
14 comments:
April, that is GREAT! I have gotten into couponing a little as well. Winco usually still has the best prices even without a coupon because they have no many non-name brands. BUT I have been reading the ads and getting deals at other stores such as Safeway and Savemart when things are better priced than Winco. I think the best thing is to know what a good deal actually is! Since then our food storage has increased! Not great, but better! :)
Where do you get your coupons?
Wow, that sounds complicated. How much time do you spend doing the actual couponing? *Sigh* This sounds like something I should be doing...
I am so excited to get this started.. my binder already looks frik'n awesome.. and I am ready to save.
I love that I can shop and save at the same time.
Sorry.. you don't know me! I am one of Sunnies friends and your title caught my attention... I can not seem to do the coupon thing, but I really want to. Could you list some of the sites you use? Also, do you get coupons from newpapers or do you print them? Thanks!!
wow, we shop the ads but that's awesome. You have a whole coupon binder and everything. I'd say that's pretty organized.
I would love to learn how to do that but don't know where to start. Way to go! That kind of savings is worth telling about.
Okay, your making me want to start couponing. :) I have tried it before (not as organized as you though, with the binder) and I just felt like it was so time consuming and most of the coupons weren't for the things that we usually buy. But then I look at what you bought and how mush you saved and I'm thinking maybe I was doing something wrong??? I'll have to get some tips from you and maybe try again... I know Greg would be thrilled. :)
Was that for my benefit? But I do need more information...k, what I'd realy like, is for you to come here and do it for me. :) That's what I really want.
I'm back....Can you translate this:
Wheat Thins Artisan Cheese Crackers 8oz $2.00
Use BOGO coupon from SS 03/15/09 (expires 5/31/09)
AND STACK
Use $1/1 coupon from SS 03/15/09 (expires 5/31/09)
Final Price: $0.50 each
We're all curious as to the code.
haha,
here's the translation:
the wheat thin crackers, 8oz size are on sale for $2.
Use the buy one get one free coupon(BOGO) in the march 15th, 2009smart saver (SS, a coupon booklet in the sunday paper). This coupon expires on 5/31/09.
because you're buying two, but only paying for one, you can stack the coupon, which means you can use two.
so you use the $1 off of 1 item coupon from the 3/15/09 smart saver.
after both of these coupons, the final price for the crackers, 2 boxes, is $0.50 each.
Wow April, I am impressed. I would like to know more about your coupon binder. Did you make it yourself or did you buy it from somewhere?
I have to say that Krogers is really the best place to use coupons just because they'll double your $.5o coupons. My good friend actually saved about the same at Krogers. So exciting, congradulations.
Hi April,This Rachel Ellis. I am updating my address book to send out my baby announcements and I wanted to get your current address. My email address is rachelmellis@yahoo.com. Email me your mailing address.
Thanks!
Wow I love this idea....Thank you, Thank you!
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