Coupon Craziness

I have been a sporadic coupon user. If I came across a coupon for a product I used, I would clip it and use it, but for the most part, I didn’t actively seek out coupons or try and match them to the sales. This year I am going to really try and make the most of coupons and sales. My boyfriend and I aren’t name brand whores and normally go with generic—that in itself saves a lot of money. But why go generic when we can use a coupon and double or even triple our savings on a name brand item?

I know the basics of couponing or maybe even a little more than the basics. Use a coupon; get a certain amount off an item. If the item is on-sale even better, even better if the coupon is doubled! From all my research it looks like it’s best to use a coupon on an item that is on sale. Many hard-core couponers let the sales dictate what they buy for the week.

This week I am experimenting and am only going to buy sale items. That may prove a bit difficult if I need something that doesn’t happen to be on sale. I have already started my list and have one free item. Floss is on sale for $1 at Target, I have $1 off coupon. Therefore, my floss is free! Already starting off on the right foot!

Another idea behind getting the best deal is not to stick to one store. I usually have 2-3 stores I go to, but more for convenience purposes than the deals. This week I am shopping for the deals.

There are a gazillion websites out there about couponing or where you can find the best deals. It is like a kid in the candy store! I have about 6 websites that I really like and I have bookmarked them. I let them do the work for me! They will give you the sale item, the coupons, and the final price! Voila! No calculators and long division for me.

I have a good friend who shops very cheaply for her large family of 5 using coupons and following the deals. She purchases the Sunday newspaper with the ads and prints coupons from the Internet. I don’t get the paper and I am not sure if it’s really worth it, if the coupons I get online are the same as the newspaper. So for now I will stick to printing my coupons off the internet. I’ll update my coupon craze later in the week!

Gratefulness Project- I am grateful for sleep. I tend to not get enough of it during the week! On the weekend I relish going to bed and being able to sleep in. And anytime I can get a nap in is even better