There are about a million websites and blogs now that seem to be dedicated to couponing. I am nowhere near an expert, and I have no intentions of turning this into a blog about coupons, BUT I have had tons of people ask me how I do it. So I'll tell you how I started and of course, how I've tweaked it. If you've read any of my recipes you know I'm not very good at following directions! LOL! It all started when I was reading one of my favorite blogs every, www.caseyandlaurel.com. Laurel made a grocery budget goal for herself and used her blog to track it. The savings amazed me! So I read her post on how to start couponing . Then I went to the website she recommends, Southern Savers. I read her posts on how to get started, and about Publix's coupon policy.
So that's where I got my advice from, now I'll tell you my routine every week. First of all, I mostly only shop at one store: Publix. This is simply because I like it, and I think they make it the easiest to save money. I'll go to Kroger if they have a certain item for a really good price, but only if it's a really good deal. This is simply a personal preference. To me, unless you have more time than money, I would recommend only shopping at one store. Also as expensive as gas is right now, you may loose money that way while trying to chase down deals at 6 different stores. Another reason I like Publix is that they will accept one store coupon and one manufacturers coupon per item.
I only get a Sunday paper when I remember to, which is not very often. Normally my routine starts on Tuesday. I go to Southern Savers and check the Publix weekly ad. Then I go through and check all the things that I need, are good prices, and/or will end up being free. After I check them I click the make list button at the bottom and select "include coupon match ups." I then go through and print off any coupons that are printable. If an item is a really good deal, I'll print multiples so I can stock up. If I have the coupons from a Sunday paper I'll check them for the mailer coupons.
At Publix, you can use one store coupon and one manufacturers coupon per item. Publix also accepts competitors coupons, so sometimes Southern Savers will link you to a Target coupon, etc. So I try really hard to take advantage of that. I make it a semi-firm rule to only buy things if they are on sale, and I have at least one coupon, preferably two. You can also use total purchase coupons as well. So if you've got one of those coupon books with Star Market $5 off of $50 or something similar, you can use those too! Also, Publix doubles coupons up to 50 cents. Publix also frequently has good deals on buy one get one free items. You don't have to get two to get the deal, which can be good if you really don't need two!
OK well if you've made it to the end I'm surprised, I'm feeling pretty rambly (that's a made up word) at this point. So here's an easy example of how this goes for me normally:
Lets say Grocery ItemX is BOGO free, at 3.99..that would make one of ItemX 1.99. Now on Southern Savers it will have a list of current coupons out there underneath. I look for a store coupon, see a link to a printable Target coupon and follow it. Print it out for .75 off. Then I see and manufacturers coupon that came in a Sunday paper I have and go find it, OR maybe Southern Savers has a link to a manufacturers coupon from coupons.com or something. I print that one off for .50 off. Publix doubles it to 1.00, and I got Item X for 1.99-1.00-.75 for a grand total of .25!!
Couple of things you might want to know about printing coupons..Most websites make you install a coupon printer program. Its no big deal, and you'll only have to do it once per site. Also, sometimes you'll have to register with brand websites like Campbell's, or whatever. It can be a pain, but to me that 3 minutes is worth the money.
Overall, I probably spend very little time on it for the money I saved. Last week alone I saved over $100 and my savings was 50%. There are a bunch of people out there who do a lot better and get hundreds of dollars of stuff for like $4. I'm not that into it. I still have a job, and a life, and a picky eater for a husband and I'm not patient enough to figure all that out.But what I have figured out is working pretty well for me. Hope it helps you too!
PS I did get a Sunday paper today and plan on filing the coupons by date in a 13 pocket accordion file like Southern Savers recommends. When she references a mailer coupon she always puts the date beside it, so that way I don't cut any coupons I don't use and I don't have to go through purging expired ones all the time, I'll just throw the oldest one away every week.
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