So it's been quite some time since I blogged here. Thoughts on my mind, but too busy to take the time for it, I guess. I don't blog for anyone but myself, anyway. So I only get around to it when I really get everything else in my life balanced or when I have something on my mind I need to work out/think thru.
This week I have some extra time on my hands (Matt is gone on RTA--a 9-day backpacking trip to CO with our sophomore class) and so I'm trying to keep my mind busy in hopes that the time will go by quicker. So, I have (finally) started in on the world of couponing. I have recently learned that it takes approx. 8-12 weeks of collecting and printing coupons to be able to purchase most items at their lowest prices (by using the coupons at the right times) thus being able to create a thorough stockpile of items...so although I am jumping right into it, it will be somewhat of a gradual process with a big learning curve. As I begin this week, I have learned quite a bit already! I would like to blog about my journey towards saving my family money and see where we can go with it. I have a feeling it will start slowly and be a learn-as-I-go kind of deal, but then quickly pick up. There is so much info out there on the web that I have already found to help, and after my first trip to some drugstores, I already feel an addiction coming on. Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves yet.
So I'm currently what they call a coupon virgin. I've always loved using coupons for restaraunts and fast food places, and for % off at retail places. Who doesn't like free food and discounted clothing? But, I have little to NO experience with using coupons at the grocery store. I can not think of a SINGLE time I have used a coupon for groceries before. There have been times when I have skimmed thru the manufacture ads on Sunday and found things that I normally buy--clipped the coupon, but then one of two things happen: 1) I never end up taking it with me to the store, or 2)I do, but only after the Q has already expired! I definitely am very conscious of food prices---most items I buy regularly, I could probably tell you within 10 cents how much I regularly pay for it and which stores sell it the cheapest. I also have experience taking advantage of the Buy one Get one (BOGO) sales at grocery stores and feel like I have to explain to Matt how I am "stocking up" on a great deal. But using coupons on a regular basis? A big huge NO. No experience. Before this weekend began, I couldn't have even told you the difference between manufacturer and store coupons without thinking deeply about it. I had NEVER heard of STACKING coupons or considered that you could be allowed to use coupons on Buy One Get One deals. In fact, I admit that my opinion of people who use coupons is that they must really be desperate to be saving, for example, 50 cents on 3 boxes of cereal. I would think, "REaLLY? Like that's really going to save you money? I never buy those cereals anyway, or not 3 at the same time! You're getting fooled into thinking you should buy that with a little 50 cent savings." Like I said, I have already learned a lot.
So I think I started on Sat. afternoon. I have been tempted to check into it for the past 6 months or so because of recent posts on Facebook from friends of mine who are already in the club. I also have seen an episode or two of the Extreme Couponing and some famous couponing gals on the Today Show/Nate B. show. My first research came from The Krazy Coupon Lady website and today I found Southern Savers thru a link from Fbk. I have read up on the couponing for beginners on both sites, and here's the things that I have learned so far.
1.) Stacking. Most stores allow you to use two coupons for an item at a time--a manufacturer coupon and also a store coupon/sale.
2.) CVS and Walgreens both have cash (credit) back programs where you actually get savings in whole "dollars" that you can use on future purchases. Many, many items can be picked up virtually for free by combining coupons and the credit offered thru these drugstores.
3.) Stockpiling takes quite some time--up to 3 months of consistent saving coupons before you are able to get "Rock-bottom" prices.
4) Getting 4-6 Sunday papers is really the best way to be able to stockpile items when they go on a great sale.
5) You should save ALL coupons, even for items that you would never consider actually purchasing, because many times these items can be gotten for free or earn you credit that can be used on other items. Plus, these items--often personal products--can always be donated to charities. I would love to do this!
6) There are many sites out there that are doing all the work for you--matching up current sale ads with recent coupons. They even tell you the exact date a Q was released, how much your saving could be, and a scenario that would help you get your best bang for the buck.
7)
