How to become a productive couponer! Lesson 1

Lesson 1

Couponing doesn't need to be stressful or overwhelming! When you know what you are looking for patience is the key to success!
The difference between couponing and grocery shopping is:

Grocery shopping is

• Random
• List but not detail specific
• You buy 1 or two items enough to last the week.
• You most likely will buy things on a whim
• You always feel like 5 days after a trip you don't have any food.
• You might be letting food waste or going for easy fixes
• If the zombies come you will be the first to leave home to scavenge for food :)

Couponing is                                                

• Deliberate                                                        
• Specific List with prices and cost                     
• You buy at lowest cost possible and enough to last till the next major sale
• You sometimes buy enough to last a year.....(Yes I haven't had to buy deodorant or razors in two years)
• You don't add anything to your list with our checking the numbers, prices, and final cost 3 times.
• Your husband cuts you off from buying certain items since you no longer have room for them.
• You have enough to make a meal on a whim whether from scratch or box
• When the zombies come you are prepared for the long haul

It is that simple that everyone should coupon! When I see something I want at the store I first search my whole binder if I have a coupon... if I don't most likely I wont get it but if its an item that is $1 or 2 then I go through my budget again and see if it will fit in with my weekly budget or if it can wait till next week.

WE ARE NOT RICH by any means! This is not to gloat it is to motivate you to save money! I'm a Stay at home mom. I do not have an income but I get a weekly spending "allowance" from my wonderful hubby it ranges from 40 to 50 dollars a week. ( but this  mainly for couponing.) The only money we use for groceries is for 

eggs

milk

bread

Yes that is right I am feeding a family of 4 for less than $200 a month!!! ( INCLUDING diapers and formula!!!) 

So now you need to make a list of items you use any given day of the week through out the whole year! Mine looks like this. 

I then search local blogs and price match items I am in need of such as dinner supplies. I find the best deal possible and yes sometimes I go two 3 stores in 1 day (AKA LAST NIGHT) but I get all the items at rock bottom prices. 

I next use a spread sheet to track how many coupons per transaction and go through the costs again. Yes again!

I keep a running number on all my items in my stockpile and I am patient to wait till another sale to re buy that item. So this Sunday go get a couple copies of the paper and get your clipping on!

My stock pile is very small compared to what it was! 

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