I am over at the "A Martha Heart" site today

I am over at the "A Martha Heart" website today... Stop by for a visit if you can. Click HERE to link up.

"Extreme Couponing" Update

Hello Blogville,

Well I figured it was time to check in with you all and let you know how my summer experiment with "couponing" has been going. Ok, you may have noticed that I left out the word "extreme", and I did that for a reason. I now know that I am not cracked up to be an "extreme coupon" person. Actually, I don't think I should use the word "extreme" for anything I choose do in life... My bent is toward obsession, so I should never be extreme :) Ok, I got off on a little rabbit trail there...refocus girl...

Below are things I will take away from my experiment with couponing and I will continue to do these things in my daily life...

- I will clip coupons from the Sunday Paper, but I will try not to keep the coupons I will really never use (IE: contact lens wash-I don't wear glasses :)

-I will look at Sale Circulars, and try to get the best deals on the things my family will use

-I will keep a small stockpile of things that my family uses a lot of (IE: Toiletries) and make sure to purchase those items when they are on sale. Buying in bulk is not a bad thing, and it pays off in the end.

-I will go to more than 1 store in order to get the best deals. I have 1 main store that I get 75% of my items at, but there are 3 other stores that have awesome deals that I will go to when there is a sale on.

-I will make it a habit to not blindly pick up something and buy it without comparison shopping for the best deal and price.

-I will keep visiting the websites that do a lot of the coupon work for me... This pays off big time :)

Well that is all for now... I would love to hear about your coupon experiences too...let me know.

What I Have Already Learned about "Extreme Couponing"

Today I am going to share some tips that I have already learned about the world of "couponing". I don't think what I am doing can be considered "extreme" yet, so I will save the adjective for a later post :)

Tips from a Novice

1.Clip coupons. Get your Sunday paper (or two or three) and start clipping.

2. This kind of goes with tip 1. Save the "sale" adds from the stores you frequent so you are aware of the sales going on during the coming week.

3. Print Coupons from the Internet. There are a zillion sites where you can print coupons, but there really are only a few sites that have valid coupons that you can actually use at a store (In another post I will post some of these coupon sites)

4. Find 1 to 3 reputable, established "coupon" websites or blogs that you can utilize to help you with your couponing. Many of these sites do all the hard work for you (matching sales with coupons). I couldn't coupon if I had to do all the work myself...not enough time :)

5. Find a coupon clipping service. They do all the coupon clipping work and you get all the coupons that you would want. The people that run these services cannot charge you for the coupons, but for their time and handling. I used one so and the fees were not bad at all.

6. Take your last 3 or 4 grocery receipts and write down all the items that you purchase on a regular basis. Write down what you pay for that item (or write the average if the price changes from week to week). This is a crucial step...

I normally shop at Walmart, but was challenged when I went to the "Extreme Coupon Class" to try shopping at the grocery store that sponsored the class. They explained that with coupons and sales there would be times I could get the item cheaper at their Grocery store. They were right, but there are some items that I will get a better deal at Walmart. Having written my list I was able to see what items I could get cheaper at Walmart (especially if I use a coupon at Walmart).

What I realized is that I will probably shop at two stores (My local Grocery Store and Walmart), and that is ok for me. I am going for maximum savings when it comes to my groceries.

7. Don't overlook stores like Walgreens and CVS. They have reward programs that can save you money on certain items. I know Walgreens has their own coupons too.

8. Don't buy what you won't use...even if you have a coupon for it. Resist the temptation and only buy what you will use.

9. Don't be afraid to buy ahead, especially when it comes to toiletries and non perishable items. If there is a phenomenal sale, stock up on those items.

10. Get a friend to join you on your journey with couponing.

(I have learned a few more things, but I will stop with my list of 10 today). Please share any tips you have learned about couponing. Or if you are a novice like myself, feel free to ask a question. I might not know the answer, but I am sure I can find an answer :) Next time, I will give you some websites that have helped me on my journey...

Blessings and Saving... :)