couponing

Today is Tuesday, which means two things for me:


1. I get a coupon insert in the mail
2. tomorrow is grocery day with double coupons at Farm Fresh! 


I know this might not seem like a big deal to some people, but I get really excited to use my coupons and find great deals on groceries!  I often walk out having paid pennies for a few items, and sometimes I can even get things for FREE!  

My couponing venture really took off in February when a friend invited me to a coupon class she was holding at her home.  The coupon class was taught by a local blogger (click here to go to her site).  She posts daily updates on the best deals in town, from groceries to clothing and even restaurants.  I especially use it for grocery stores and drug stores where she matches up the store sales with coupons.  It helps you save time and money.


I know not everyone gets excited about coupons, and I really understand.  When I was working I definitely didn't want to take the extra time to clip coupons, etc.  But I also bought into the idea that coupons wouldn't be very useful to me since I buy a lot of fresh produce.  While that is still true, I must say couponing is so worth it for a LOT of items!  Here is a short rundown of the products I typically buy for fractions of the original cost:


cleaning supplies
laundry detergent
paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, etc.)
hand soap
pasta
yogurt
baking mixes
frozen veggies
sauces and dressings
toothbrushes and toothpaste


Just to name a few!  The secret (for me) is to go to Farm Fresh on Wednesdays when they double $1.00 off coupons to $2.00.  So here is a typical scenario:


Kraft BBQ sauce is on sale for $1.  I have a coupon for $1 which they will double to $2 (on wed.) and so I can walk out of the store with two BBQ sauces for FREE!!  Oh yeah, tell me that won't put a spring in your step!  


Some other stores where you can maximize your coupons:


Kroger - doubles coupons up to $0.50 daily (totaling up to $1.00 off)


Farm Fresh and Harris Teeter - double coupons up to $0.99 daily


Rite Aid, Target, and Farm Fresh - will "stack" manufacturer's coupons with store coupons (you can pair  a target coupon for huggies diapers with a huggies coupon and maximize savings) 


Those are the stores whose deals I usually take advantage of, but there are more for sure.  


If you think coupons aren't for you, I would say just give it a try.  Saving money is always a good thing.