Money Savings

Years ago when I was a newlywed, I clipped coupons and used them. Not like some people (click on her Past Deals tabs - it's AMAZING!), but I did use them. We always eat out with coupons (well, on the rare occasions that we actually eat out, lol). Recently, I've been reading blogs about money savings using coupons, store rewards (cash back receipts), double/triple couponing and other strategies.

I've never gotten into it as a way to save mega bucks because I shop at Aldi's, the bread store, food co-ops and of course, the other favorites (Farmer's markets, Farmers, gleaning, craigslist, freecycle etc.) I tend to buy the store brands when they're on sale, and store brands usually don't have coupons.

Well, this past weekend, I was surfing around and came across a few blogs that boasted of buying $100 of grocerries for a mere $10. Right, I said, like everybody can do that. But, as I continued to read, I found out that a lot of people are really scooping up some good deals out there.

Just to see if I could do it too, I flipped thru the coupon section from Sunday's paper. I clipped a $.75 off Colgate coupon and headed to Walgreen's. They have these deals where if you buy certain products, you'll get the same amount of money back to use on your next purchase (store credit receipts) and of course, they have stuff on sale. So, I bought a shaving cream for my husband and the colgate. I used the coupon. Here's how it worked:

• I bought shaving cream which was marked down to $2.99 ~ got a $3 store credit
• Colgate was on sale for $.99 ~ had a $.75 off coupon ~ paid just $.24 for it

So I spent out of pocket $3.48 (includes tax) but I have a $3 coupon to use on the next trip.

I've put the word out that I'd love to have other people's coupon papers if they're not using them. It'll be interesting to see what all I can purchase for a reduced amount. I've set a goal of spending less than $200 a month for our family of 7. Between the sale shopping and the garden, I'm sure I can do it!

As a side note, at Aldi's, the green beans which were $.29 a can are now $.49 a can! Brown sugar which was $.79 in December is now $1.19. So, even at the low cost stores, prices are rising at a very fast pace!

Also, if you are into coupons and weren't aware, K-Mart is doubling coupons up to $2 in my area and even more in other areas. Our local circular didn't show this!!! I went online and still didn't believe it so I called the store and she said, yes, they are doing it too. When I got there, I snagged a coupon booklet at the front door (under the circular rack) and it has some good stuff in it.

When I used to travel for my job, I always hit the CVS as they have stellar deals. I'm not prepared to drive 2 hours just to get a good deal but if you have one near you, check it out!

Here's a few sites I found that got me started in my path to savings this one, this one , this one and this one.

If you are into couponing, how do you stay organized?! I knew what I wanted to buy so I didn't take all the coupons with me, but at Walgreen's they have unannounced in-store sales that I could've taken advantage of had I had the coupons with me.

I did see a few people who have taken this to an extreme and seem to be hoarding a ton of stuff. I still can't imagine getting things I won't use (like the lady who has cases of cat food, but no cat!) I guess you can donate it? Or swap with someone for stuff you do use?