We've
probably all seen TLC's show, "Extreme Couponing," where serious savers
plan out their sales and shopping strategies for the week, spend 40+
hours that week researching & clipping coupons, ultimately spending
hours in the grocery store to usually save 90+% on their bill...that's
me, but on a seriously saner level.
(Image by Coupon Website Reviews on their website {http://couponwebsitereviews.com/extreme-couponing-101-review.html}.)
My interest in coupons & couponing started a few years ago when I started living on my own. Part of it was because I worked part time & was back in school part time, so I was trying to save money, but I was also excited by the idea of getting good products for really great deals.
It started out as just getting some good deals on personal care items, like deodorant, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, & toothpaste that I was able to store on a shelf in my bathroom closet.
Shortly thereafter, the scope of my coupon-purchased items broadened to include dish soap, Bath & Body Works hand soaps, Lysol antibacterial wipes, paper towels, kleenex, etc.
Over the years I've used various methods of collecting my coupons. In most areas, SmartSource & Red Plum coupon inserts come in the mail with local store sales ads every Tuesday. These inserts include coupons for a wide variety of edible & inedible grocery items. As the hyperlinks show, both of these insert companies have their own websites where you are able to print coupons from home. Two of my favorite online printable coupon websites are Coupons.com & Coupon Suzy.
(Image by Coupon Suzy from their website {www.couponsuzy.com}.)
A lot of serious couponers match up multiple stores' weekly sales ads with the coupons that are currently in circulation, using their research findings and coupons at a variety of different stores. I really don't have the time or interest in couponing all over town. The majority of my coupon purchases happen at Giant Eagle, because I have one close to my house & also because they double the value of manufacturers' coupons up to $1.
The method to my madness is basically just cutting out coupons in the weekly inserts and printing online coupons. If I know a particular item or items are going to be going on sale and I have coupons for those items, I will try my best to schedule a couponing trip during that time to maximize my savings. Additionally, if the store is out of a particular item that is on sale that week that I have coupons for, I will get a rain check from my store's customer service desk. This allows me to buy that item at a later date when it's back in stock at that previous sale price.
(Second Stockpile Shelf, June 2014)
In addition to the adrenaline rush and enjoyment I get from turning a $223 grocery bill into an $88 one, I'm also very happy to help others in need with items from my stockpile. Lots of organizations in your city or town accept donations of food & non-food items alike. I enjoy donating items to and through my church, in addition to the local women's shelter and rescue mission.
So, if you're like me and love a good deal, love not having to run to the store when you're out of something, & are on a budget, couponing might be a good idea for you!
Clip a couple this week & see how it goes!
Thank You & Enjoy!
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