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.

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!