This is the first time I actually planned my trip to the store around coupons. What I mean by that is, at 3 out of 5 stores, I did not buy anything unless I had a coupon. I didn't use coupons at the bread store, but I got a 10% discount because I went on Saturday. I didn't use coupons on everything at Wal Mart because I just didn't have them for everything I needed.
My pre-planning included *surprise* clipping coupons. I clipped coupons for anything I do use or anything I might use for the right price. In the past, I would clip a coupon for a product, but when I went to make the purchase, the store brand was still cheaper. This was before my coupon education.
Now that the coupons are clipped, they must be stored and organized. From everything I've read, the easiest way to organize them is in a binder. I used to keep mine in an accordian "thingy" but I couldn't see what I had unless I dug them out. The binder is much better.
My pre-planning included *surprise* clipping coupons. I clipped coupons for anything I do use or anything I might use for the right price. In the past, I would clip a coupon for a product, but when I went to make the purchase, the store brand was still cheaper. This was before my coupon education.
Now that the coupons are clipped, they must be stored and organized. From everything I've read, the easiest way to organize them is in a binder. I used to keep mine in an accordian "thingy" but I couldn't see what I had unless I dug them out. The binder is much better.
Then I read over the weekly ads for 3 local drug stores and 3 local grocery stores. I circled the items at each store that I had coupons for. Then I made a spread sheet to list the item, price and coupons I had for each. This way, if two different stores had the same item on sale for different prices, but one store would double my coupon, I could see where I would get the best deal.
Friday night I went to Wal Greens. Let's just say that I'm glad I didn't take the baby with me. I will go into detail later, but l made several laps around that store. Then when my total rang up almost $80, I felt sick. I definitely had not planned to spend $80 at a drug store. But after my coupons I saved a little over $40, so 50% isn't too bad for my first try.
Saturday I went to the bread store and Kroger. Then home. Then back out to Wal Mart and Food Lion. At both Kroger and FL, I felt that sense of panic once my items were rung up before my store card and coupons were applied. I saved about $96 at Kroger and $78 at FL.
At Wal Mart, my total kept climbing, but due to my lack of coupons, it didn't go down much at the end. I knew that was going to happen because I just didn't have coupons for everything I need. It kind of made me mad, or feel guilty. I can't quite put my finger on it. It actually made me want to put some stuff back.
Now I see the appeal of extreme couponing. It's like riding a roller coaster. You get that sick feeling at first and then it's a rush!!
Friday night I went to Wal Greens. Let's just say that I'm glad I didn't take the baby with me. I will go into detail later, but l made several laps around that store. Then when my total rang up almost $80, I felt sick. I definitely had not planned to spend $80 at a drug store. But after my coupons I saved a little over $40, so 50% isn't too bad for my first try.
Saturday I went to the bread store and Kroger. Then home. Then back out to Wal Mart and Food Lion. At both Kroger and FL, I felt that sense of panic once my items were rung up before my store card and coupons were applied. I saved about $96 at Kroger and $78 at FL.
At Wal Mart, my total kept climbing, but due to my lack of coupons, it didn't go down much at the end. I knew that was going to happen because I just didn't have coupons for everything I need. It kind of made me mad, or feel guilty. I can't quite put my finger on it. It actually made me want to put some stuff back.
Now I see the appeal of extreme couponing. It's like riding a roller coaster. You get that sick feeling at first and then it's a rush!!
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