Coupons

I'm starting.

I'm not going to get crazy (yet) and play the drugstore game. But I am going to actually start USING my coupons, and utilize the many many many blogs out there that do all of the work for you!

Some of the ones I like so far: (and I've only been looking for like a day)

http://www.chieffamilyofficer.com
http://www.centsablemomma.com
http://www.moneysavingmom.com

I've realized the key to all of this is organization, organization, organization. If you spend the time to get organized, make a list, have your coupons in order, etc., the actual shopping part is easy. The thing with my "bad" story below is that I was not organized and I did not have a good plan.

So rather than trying to start collecting coupons. I'm getting organized first. I purchased a binder and sheet protectors so that I can start organizing coupons when I do start collecting them. Another binder and tabs to start my price book.

I'm going to go through my cupboards, fridge/freezer and make notes of things I've forgot I have. You know, that random spice, or can of tomatoes... or the A&W freezer pops that have been in my freezer for like 2 years (I will probably just throw those out). That way I know what I have and won't over buy.

I really like the idea of the price book (we'll see how much time it really takes), because I feel that there are a lot of things I really don't know what the best deal is. This way I can be sure I'm only buying things at the lowest price I've seen, or better. Or if it's something I really need, well then I guess I'll just know I could have saved more had I been able to wait.

There is so much more to learn, and I am excited to start this new "hobby". I'll leave you with two stories. One good, one bad.

Good Story:

I went to Stater Brothers Saturday night. Sans kids. I took advantage of their mix & match sale going on and got 3 boxes of cereal and 3 boxes of Eggo waffles for about $1.40 a piece. I utilized this awesome blogs and printed off a $1 off coupon for the cereal, and a $1 coupon for the waffles. So not only did I get the awesome Stater Bros deal, I then got another $2 off. (Which is the key to all of this coupon craziness). 


Here's my other story: Just a little bit long... sorry.

So I had a ton of Target coupons I got in the mail over the last couple of weeks, and a few I printed off after reading a bunch of blogs the other day.  I NEVER remember to use coupons, but decided I better start.

Today I decided to go to the wal-mart at the LB town center to get some binders, sheet protectors, and a few things I had coupons for that I needed.

First mistake: I had to take both of my girls with me.

Second mistake: I decided to skip Boston's nap so I could meet up with a friend at Chick-Fil-A first.

I got to Wal-Mart around, I don't even really know, like 10:30 or 11. I get the things I have coupons for (target coupons), my binder and and sheet protectors and decide my 14 month old is about to lose it so I better check out.

I get up to the front and EVERY SINGLE LINE has like 10 people in it. SERIOUSLY? Unfortunately I had all of my stuff in the bottom of my double stroller, or else I probably would have just left.

After waiting in line for like 20 minutes (and telling some lady I was really in front of her)...

I open a bag of mini m&m's for my girls to try and keep them occupied for a minute while I get everything on the conveyor belt and get my coupons out.

Oh, did I mention I forgot about LB's new law with the plastic bags?  Oh here, let me buy a couple of reusable bags. Annoyed, but whatever, I should be using them.

The girl rings up all of my stuff, and I hand her my coupons. Wouldn't you know, the check out lady didn't know how to input competitor coupons. She gets someone to help her, and now we have to go through and void each of the items, ring it back up, and she has to do the math in her head to figure out what the discount would be and manually enter it. Seriously? (I had NO idea it was like that).

While I'm helping the check out girl find all of my items I had coupons for, Houdini, aka Boston, manages to get out of her strap in the stroller, and FALLS OUT OF THE STROLLER!!!!! Luckily she's not bleeding or anything.

But now I have a screaming baby, m&m's are everywhere, and I'm literally dripping sweat. I told the lady to just forget about the rest of the coupons. I paid, and left.

All to save $6 bucks.

I would have saved like $5 more with the rest of my coupons, but I just couldn't do it.  But $6 is $6, right? I'll most likely just use the coupons and get the few other items at Target and return the Wal-Mart ones next time I'm there.

So next time...

A. I'm going at the butt crack of dawn.
B. When my kids are not tired.
C. I will be more organized so I can be quicker gathering up the items, and have a better plan to deal with my kids
D. Or if Braden's home, leave them here!

I'm not giving up. Savings here I come!