Non-extreme couponing

Now, I’m a big fan of any show on TLC. An addiction of mine is Extreme Couponing. This show follows folks like you and me on grocery trips where they buy $1000 of food for $20. For reals. Disclaimer: I have never saved more than I have spent. That isn’t my goal. Also, my husband is the champion of impulse buys. Our grocery bill would be a lot lower if we nixed the non-essential items.

My dad was in the Air Force for most of my childhood. My mom worked most of the time but still switched jobs every few years when we moved. So they made their money count. I remember couponing with my mom when I was five or six years old. Once I moved out, I began couponing as a way to save money.

I came across my now fave wedding site, Weddingbee, about a year ago. A bride blogger, Miss Magic, was from my neck of the woods, and she posted a great article about couponing. This was around the time Extreme Couponing really took off. I thought, I can totally do this. I started small, clipping coupons from my Sunday paper. I then found www.coupons.com. Enter your zip code, and it gives you free coupons for food and services. Miss Magic led me to Southern Savers, an online, deal-finding site for southern grocery stores. Southern Savers goes through all sorts of grocery stores (including the Commissary!), lists the sale items, and links any available coupons. Thanks for doing all the work for me!

Now, to coupon. What is your goal when using coupons? To get free stuff? To feed yourself and family and save money? Are you on a really strict budget? Here’s how I do it.

1. Plan a menu. This will save you time in the grocery store and money because you don’t buy what you don’t need. We write ours on a dry erase board we bought on clearance.

2. Go through your pantry and fridge. Want pancakes on Saturday? See if you have any Bisquick before buying two boxes of it. I’m really guilty of forgetting to do this.

3. Write your shopping list. I use this snazzy one from Pier 1 Imports. I rarely have to add foods to it. I also write down any brand names that are on sale or any coupons I have (so I don’t forget).

Photo courtesy of www.usefulthings.com

4. Match your coupons to store sale items. If Ragu is on sale, use Ragu coupons to save as much money as possible. Most stores allow you to use a coupon from the manufacturer and the store. If a product is on sale buy one get one free (BOGO), you can generally use a coupon for each item.

General tips:

– Check your store’s coupon policy. This will help you save the most money and not embarrass yourself.
– Sign up for your store’s reward card. These are generally FREE. Keep in mind that you provide your information to them to be used as market research.
– Buy what you need when you need it.
– Don’t buy what you don’t need. If you absolutely cannot pass up such a good deal, consider donating cheap or free food to your local food bank or soup kitchen.
– Don’t coupon just to do it! I am very guilty of this. According to a roommate’s friend, we have enough condiments to survive the Apocalypse. Looking back, I didn’t save too much money buying twenty or so bottles of salad dressing.
– Set a budget! Having a definite amount of money to spend will help you find coupons for the items you need and will discourage you from buying what you don’t need. That being said, I think it’s ridiculous to not buy something just because you don’t have a coupon. If you (or your kid) wants it and you can afford it, you can buy it. Also, with the husband impulse buying.

Online coupons:

– Create a coupon email account. I use a separate email to sign up on a manufacturer’s website to access coupons.
– Go to your favorite brand’s website. Search [brand name] coupons in your favorite search engine. I like Bing.
– Online coupons generally can be printed a certain number of times. Keep this in mind.
– If you use online coupons, do NOT photocopy them! This is against the law, please don’t do it.

If you have the time and motivation, you can track how much items cost at your normal grocery store. That way, you can see how much money you’re actually spending and where you’re saving money. I know one lady on Extreme Couponing uses an iPad. That’s a bit high tech for me.

Coupons are a great and FREE way to save money. Whether you have a set budget or are just trying to save money, consider coupons.