Subscribe to Southern Savers and Deal Seeking Mom in your reader. There are lots of things that pop up that are limited supplies -- like I've gotten four random samples in the mail this week but when I sent the link to friends, they were gone.
Stock up on things you use when there is a sale AND you have a coupon. For instance, frozen veggies went on sale for $1 a bag, I had two $0.50 coupons, which made my two bags FREE (each doubled to -$1) -- or today at Publix I got them for $0.19 a bag. I always check the $1 or less deals to see if there is anything we'd use. There are probably 15-20 products that we won't have to buy again for months because I stocked up like this.
If you have a Publix, learn it first. Out of town friends assure me it's the best for stocking up. Southern Savers: Publix does a good run down on all of their policies. We went today and I got what I estimate at $25 of groceries at WM for $9.13 at Publix:
Everything was under $1 -- cheese was the penny item (cut that from paper day of), yogurt was a quarter per 4-pack, and all of it was stuff we use. Subscribe to Baby Club and both of the magazines -- lots of coupons come in these. If it is a Publix STORE coupon, you can combine it with a MANUFACTURER coupon and use 2 coupons on one item. You also don't have to buy 2 items to get buy one get one free -- each is half off if that makes sense. You can also use 2 coupons when they are buy one get one free.If you don't see a coupon anywhere (online or in papers), go to the product's website. I've searched a few of our regular items and found $1 off coupons on their site.
Do the rebates/mail-ins posted on Southern Savers -- I've gotten several coupon books in the mail for $100 and $25 in coupons for random things, along with several rebate checks. I don't buy anything random for these, just stuff off of my normal list then you just send in your receipt with their form.
Grab 2 copies of All You magazine each month -- lots of coupons here.
Grab 2 copies of the Sunday paper or grab extra inserts from family. There are tons of coupons this week -- bigger cities get ALL of these, but our paper typically has most.
Make a binder -- I cut from 8-9 inserts and put them in my binder and Kirkley was still cutting hers. Love this as a new craft time. Click HERE for dividers. The sites say cut ALL, but I can't handle that and cut what I may use. Also when you start printing, don't go crazy -- I printed a zillion at first that I never used.
See if any of your product regulars have rewards programs. Like I CANNOT believe I didn't register my Pamper's points until now. You can get ALL sorts of things with their program. I ordered coupons for 3 free boxes of Cheerios -- we are stocked!
Basically each week, I check the list on Southern Savers, click all of my stuff, print my list from that site, then print or find all of the coordinating coupons and clip them all to my list. Yes, the kids come too -- it's an outing! I have been at 2-3 different stores each week, but I'm hoping now it's only 1-2. And, yes, I cook from the sale too or from what we've stocked.
This can TOTALLY be intimidating, but I promise I think we're saving $50 a week. Even if you just do a few items and save $20 a week, that is $1,000+ a year you're saving! All of the coupon sites have tons of tips that are much better explained than this and there are workshops you can attend, but these are the big things that have helped me. It quickly turned into a game for me to see how much I can get for next to nothing -- watch out -- totally addictive! :)
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4 comments:
HOLLY! This is the BEST post! I am so glad I am not the only one that makes a game out of this...you, however are far more organized than I am. I am going to take your tips though. Haven't made it to Publix since I saw you Tuesday at the preview, but I am headed there this evening after work.
LOVE this post and wanted to add that I once said I couldn't do it- too much work. BUT IT'S WORTH IT!!! Our grocery bill was getting as high as $250 a week, and now I NEVER spend more than ninety, and most of the time it's between 50 and 80. I cook straight from the sales, and it's encouraged me to use variety!! I also am addicted to Walgreens and CVS and the deals you can get through them. This week at Publix my total started at $101 and after all the coupons I walked out paying $68 for a ton of food (and razors bc they were money makers :))
Just gotta say I agree with you, love me some couponing :)
I want to get going with this, but I am so overwhelmed wtih how to organize it...I am going to use your tips and try!:) We've got to save some money over here at the Cooper household! I may be calling...:)
OK, so I'm doing OK with my Southern Savers- but you're doing better. For instance- weren't the veggies on sale for a dollar the Publix brand? How did you get them for 99 cents? I'm doing all the coupon cutting, paper buying, etc., and feel like I may be buying more, and so spending the same amount... I've GOT to cut down on groceries, girl! While I'm commenting, LOVE the 6 month photos! Those thighs are so precious, too!! I can't wait to meet that little man!
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