I envy women that have the whole couponing thing down. I envy women that take what's on sale for the week, plan out meals based on those items, and then proceed to save more than they paid at the grocery store. I even envy the meals that they are able to make.
I can't do any of this. In my mind, I can see myself becoming this person. But then I try and it doesn't work. My receipts read more like, "Spent $90 at Publix and saved $4," thanks to the one B1G1 free item I just so happened to need. We did save a whopping $14.52 this past week but it was due to no help from coupons - simply buying what was on sale.
A few months ago, a guy came to our door selling the newspaper, said he needed to make a few more sales for his college tuition, blah blah blah. Well I am a sucker for helping others (as is Hogan) and so of course we bought the subscription from him. We don't read the paper but a couple of weeks in, I thought, well I can use the coupons from it! So for the past few weeks, I've been cutting some coupons to use. This doesn't work either. Rarely do I find coupons for items we usually get at the store so I thought well we can buy these items instead. Only problem is then I start buying stuff we don't need or that's more expensive but because I have the coupon, I feel like I should get it. Can anyone relate to me?!?
I also know about the SouthernSavers website. It seems like a pretty easy way to learn and find coupons and deals. I tried to get a coffeemate coupon the other day from it. It linked me to the Coffeemate website where I would have to sign up through their website to get the 50cents off coupon. And that's when I closed the internet page.
Maybe I'm just not dedicated enough. Maybe I just need a lesson in it. Maybe I don't have enough time. Maybe it's not worth it, Lol. It's weird because usually when I really want to do something, I can put my mind to it and do it. Someday I hope to learn and be good at it (as I'm sure it will definitely come in handy when we have a larger family). And when that day comes I will definitely be posting a picture of my receipt where I have saved more than I spent.
In the meantime, if anyone is good at it and has any advice (easy advice) on how to start, I am all ears.
I'm also welcome to comments that tell me it's not worth it. ;)
Laura, when I first started couponing, I was overwhelmed too. But I decided that saving money was extremely important to me to help our family (just Matt and me now) save money and be able to give more to other things etc. What it means for Matt and me is that we want to buy what is on sale. If most of my grocery cart is things that are B1G1 at Publix, I've already saved 50% of my bill right there. I also have been saving coupons from the newspaper, various websites likes coupons.com, smartsource.com, and redplum.com. If you stick with the coupons for a while you will find that if you have couponed for 6 weeks or so you will eventually start having coupons for the items which are one sale which is awesome. We also buy the fresh meats that are on sale at Publix which helps. Anyway, that's my spill. I really will be glad to help you in anyway!
ReplyDeletethanks Leslie! I definitely need to be patient and keep cutting the coupons. I need to get out of the mindset that just because I've cut 5 coupons, my receipt is going to be cut in half, lol. I will keep at it :)
ReplyDeleteLol Laura. i just love you for posting this. tyler makes fun of me all the time for being "the coupon lady". I started cutting them out of the Sunday paper too and now I have co-workers bring me their papers b/c we don't get one. I just seriously started doing this recently and last time i went to the grocery store I saved over $20. Here are a couple things I've learned.
ReplyDelete1) you have to take the time to go through them and organize them so that you know what you actually have
2) keep them in a folder or planner that stays in your car or purse (so you won't forget when you go to the store)
3) i sort mine by date b/c before i know it i'll have coupons that expired months ago if i don't
4) as you learned, ONLY cut the coupons you will use or stuff you really want to try- otherwise you're just spending more $
There are a couple other good sites you can go to for online coupons: couponmom.com & betty crocker are just a couple
Love You, hang in there :)
Morgan - yes, I need organization. I like the date idea. right now they are in my wallet mixed in between my credit cards and receipts :) I will try those other websites too. love you!
ReplyDeleteyeahhh i don't think it's worth it. i mean, fiscally, it is. but i hear it consumes your life. i don't want you to turn crazy.
ReplyDeletenice use of the word fiscally :) good point, I do hear people get obsessed with it.
ReplyDeleteOh Amy, lol you don't have to be obsessed with it but it helps some
ReplyDelete