If you aren't a coupon queen like I am and you ever considered starting to try to be, today is the day to get a paper. There were lots and lots of great coupons today. When you're starting out it's worth it to buy 2-4 papers to stock up on the coupons and deals. On days like today I usually buy an extra paper or two because it's worth the $1.50 to save $30-$50 a paper. Coupons come out in Sunday papers, Grocery ads come out in Tuesday or Wednesday papers depending on where you live. You really probably should subscribe to your paper to get the coupons. It'll save you in the long run because a subscription usually costs less than buying one every week, or two if you'r buying a midweek one also.
I used to use a little envelope for my coupons but the problem with it is that you couldn't see everything in there. You had to hunt for the coupon you needed. After seeing a lady with a three ring binder I googled around until I found a lady with a good explanation of it. She used baseball card holders for her coupons. These can be found at Target in the toy section for $10. This will be more than you'll probably ever need but it works great. Then I used some post it sticky notes to divide my binder into sections.
My binder has a zipper because if your binder ever falls into the floor you'll be glad you had that zipper. It could be a big mess.
Once you get started you have to learn to stock up on items. You'll figure out the pattern. Pop will be on sale around holiday weekends like the 4th of July, or Labor Day weekend. Snacky items go on sale around big game weekends or back to school time. You can stock up on back to school deals the beginning of July. I have a bucket I keep and the kids school shop out of that.
Generally if I don't save at least 50% on my grocery bill I didn't do the best I could. Friday at Albertsons I saved 60% of my total bill once you deducted Tim's beer.
Now it does take some time and work but it's so worth it. Here's a couple of sites you can go to the beginning of the month and print off coupons on your home printer.
A lot of times you can google a particular item you need a coupon for. Example, Tuesday I needed to buy some pull ups for Natalie and had no coupon for them. Now I know they put out a lot of coupons they just hadn't lately, so I googled pull ups coupon and signed up on their list and got a $2 off coupon for something I was going to buy either way. Good deal!
Albertsons has been having double coupons lately, usually 3-6 a week because they release them Wednesday and again on Sunday. This is an extra $1 off a piece for each one they'll double up to. A great deal.
Okay so does anyone have questions? I'm happy to help you get started saving also. Let me know! Get out there and save some money!
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