Coupons

One goal of mine this summer was to use coupons and lower that grocery budget.  I can't tell you how fun it was to go in a store with Chad the other day and pull out a coupon.  Of course, he has seen me cutting coupons and organizing and coming home with strange amounts of soap, laundry detergent, etc.  He hasn't gotten involved but I knew he had noticed.  Yesterday, he needed to make a small purchase of medicine for his dog.  It was going to cost $4.84.  I quietly pulled out a coupon and watched him as he looked at the total on the cash register screen.  When it dropped to $0.84, he was quite surprised.  "How did you do that?, he asked.  Of course, his next question was, "So do you have coupons for sporting goods at Walmart?"  Um, no. =)

• The first thing I did was to begin keeping a price list of all the groceries I bought.  I recorded what I bought, what brand, what size, where I bought it, and how much I paid for it.  This gave me a guideline so that when I saw something that was a sale, I could tell if I had ever gotten it for less.  If I can see that I have bought it for less in the past, then I don't buy it until the price drops again.  

• I began clipping coupons.  The best coupons come in the Sunday paper.  Usually there is a Smart Source booklet, and a Redplum booklet, as well as a P&G booklet (sometimes).  Sometimes, there are a lot of coupons and sometimes there are a few.  Personally, I do not do business on Sunday - no buying or selling.  Therefore, I had a challenge before me to find the Sunday paper....on Monday.  I prayed about it and have had success every week.  My coupon stash has grown and I've been able to get good deals!

• Obviously, the best deals come if you can buy something on sale plus use a coupon or coupons.  When I find a super-duper buy, I stock up on that item while the price is low.  Currently, I have a mini-store when it comes to things like shampoo, soap, deodorant, etc.  I got it all at super prices and spent much less than I've ever spent on it before.  We will have no need to buy those items for a long time....unless I can get them for free. =)  We have also stocked up on meat and have a nice amount in the freezer.  

It has been a lot of fun to learn how to do this.  There are definitely people who are experts at the drugstore game and do a better job than me.  However, I am satisfied with the progress I've made and feel really great that we are saving money that can be used in other (read: more fun/useful) places.  Chad, however, is still looking for coupons to Bass Pro! =)  Crazy guy.