Couponing Update

I definitely feel I have a much better handle on this couponing business.  Just to brag for fun, here are some of the awesome deals I've gotten since starting my coupon adventure.

• Soft Soap Hand Soap - FREE! 
• I literally walked into Kmart. Picked up 10 (between Stacy and I) hand soaps. Went to a check out stand. They scanned the soap, they scanned my coupons. The cashier said, here's your receipt, have a great day!
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch - $0.48 per box (HBO's are pictured instead)
• 2 Liter Bottles (7up & A&W Root Beer) - $0.38 per bottle
• Diet Coke 12 packs - $1.76 per pack (Pepsi Max is pictured instead)
• Mossimo Capris - $1.98
• Pantene Volumizing Shampoo (32 oz bottles) - $0.13 each
• Some stores require you to pay sales tax regardless of the coupon, so that is what the $0.13 was.
• NyQuil/DayQuil - $2.47 a bottle/box 
• Revlon Tweezers (my favorite) - FREE!
• I actually made $0.13 if you want to get technical

So everything pictured cost me: $7.20.

I've been keeping a price book and writing down ALL of my purchases. My goal is to match or beat the cheapest price in my book until I know what is considered a "rock bottom" price for everything I buy.  Then try and only buy it when it's at that rock bottom price.

Side note: You would think I would keep this on my computer since I love excel so much. But for some reason writing it out is better for me. I guess just because I can take it with me if need be.

So far I have been averaging right around 50% on all of my purchases :)

I have been trying really hard not to buy something just because it's a good deal. I only buy things I actually use, and will use fairly soon. The only time I'll go out of my way is for the free stuff. Which really is free! Really!

Here is a list of my favorite sites as of now:

www.oc.grocerysmarts.com - Also available as an android app.
www.moneysavingmom.com
www.couponmom.com
http://thefrugalgirls.com/

And here is my system:

Organization:

First, I receive 3 OC Register Sunday papers. I paid $36 dollars for all three for a year. ($0.20 per paper).

I have a 3 inch 3 ring binder to store all of my coupons in. I have a tab for each store with a sheet protector where I can store coupons specific to that store and/or receipts, savings cards, etc.

Behind that I have a couple of extra sheets for miscellaneous coupons, and restaurant coupons.

Last I store all of my Sunday paper inserts by date. I simply take a marker and write the date on the front of each one, and put them in chronological order.  That way I can find the insert I need super easily, and I don't have a million clipped coupons falling everywhere. (If you didn't know. All of the websites I listed tell you what is on sale, and what insert has the coupon you need. So awesome.)

Prep work before shopping:

I go to OC Grocery Smarts first and look at all of the things that have 4 - 5 red stars.  This means that they are at the lowest, or close to lowest, price ever.

I make my menu for the week based on what is on sale. I write down (or you can print your list from the site) what I need, and which coupon's go with the sale that I'll need to clip from my Sunday paper inserts.  Side note: I don't have room to stock pile, so I shop multiple stores so I can always get the best deal on the things I need.  If you have more room to stock up, then you can probably just shop at one store, and wait for the same things to go on sale again.

Then I fill in the blanks on my grocery list of the things I still need, but that weren't on sale. Usually things like milk, eggs, etc.

Next I go to moneysavingmom.com and use her coupon database and search for all of the things I need that I don't already have a coupon for. A lot of the time I'll find a few more coupons to use that I can print out.

AND/OR I go to couponmom.com and search for each item to see if it is on sale at another store I might not have looked at on OC Grocery Smarts.

Last, I clip the coupons I need from my Sunday inserts, and cut the ones I printed from my OC Grocery Smarts and other websites. I organize them in a pocket size accordion file by store.

Then I head out with my list and coupons to save, save, save!

Most of my time is spent making my list. I spend MUCH less time actually in the store than I use to. Which is nice, especially because I usually have both girls.

I have been straight up addicted to couponing. My mom actual said, "So I've been replaced with coupons?" because I haven't been calling her nearly as often as I use to. Sorry mommy, I still love you :)

So yes. I am one of those people now.  And I like it.