Couponing... My New Hobby

In an effort to be extra frugal this year... and due to my intrigue and love for GAMES... I've taken up couponing.

Oh it's really a full time effort. I began by reading blogs about it and emailing some friends and trying to learn how to do it. I then came up with my own game plan (realistically I cannot shop at 3-4 grocery/pharmacy stores a week) and my goals... to save $10-15 on groceries.

I then began periodically buying the Sunday paper, stealing my mother-in-law's paper (with her permission of course), reading blogs constantly, and printing online coupons.

I have developed a system of filing them. A system for figuring out my grocery list each week. A system for walking through the grocery store with my coupons and finding the best deals.

And then a system of calling my husband when leaving the store to brag about how much I have saved. I leave out the part about how much I've spent.

Now truth is... I know some people do couponing WAY better than me. I know I could save even MORE. BUT- I am happy, I have met my goals, and although it truly is a new hobby, it has not fully taken over my life. I don't think I could realistically spend MORE time on this effort. So... here are some results I'd like to share...

Albertson's Grocery Store... I saved a total of $84.32 - based on a combo of sales and coupons.

I only buy things I would normally buy. And so to save money, I'm buying them when they are on sale and I have a coupon. So sometimes we may go a week without our "normal" snack, or I may try an "off brand" of it. But that is how I'm doing it. And then when things are on sale, I stockpile 2-3 of them and know that we will eat it.

Now on to Target...

I like to purchase a LOT of bathroom supplies at once. With teaching, it's just not realistic to go to Target often for shampoo. Plus I find that every time I go, I purchase other things that are NOT on my list. So, if I can limit my shampoo trips to 3-4 times a year, then I save by just not going to the store.

And then there are the coupons...
Here is my latest....

I saved $131.82!!

isn't that incredible??

And it was totally on shampoo, conditioner, soap, etc. Things I WILL use!! Wow!!

I am EXCITED!

Makes Ya Feel Good

"Would I play with Mrs. Sawyer? Yes I will play with Mrs. Sawyer."

Does life get any better than that?