The nitty gritty of "couponing"

Ok, so it's really hard to know where to start when people ask the very broad question of "how do you save so much money?" So, I'm going to just start with the basics and build from there.

So, the #1 biggest way I save money on day to day expenses - good ol' coupons. The majority of people think that coupons are just not worth the time. .50 here, .35 there - just doesn't seem like much, does it? Just do away with that thought now. The key is to make those coupons work for you. What exactly does this mean? Well, that will be the first lesson.

The first step seems pretty obvious - if you want to coupon, you're going to have to GET some. Yes, the Sunday paper is the number one source for finding them. For you locals, I suggest the Daily Oklahoman paper (OKC) which is sold at QT. It has even more than the Tulsa paper. I buy anywhere from 4-6 papers, depending on how many good coupons are in there. But, let's take baby steps. Start with one, until you get the hang of it. Another major source is the internet. Printable coupons are some of the best ones you can find, many of them high dollar savings. Some printable coupon sites are www.smartsource.com, www.coupons.com, www.allyou.com, and www.redplum.com. Another one of my favorite sources is All You magazine found at Walmart near the registers. It is chock full of great coupons every month as well as budget friendly recipes and such. To hit the sales, you've got to be consistent in gathering those coupons, and having them ready. And I suggest clipping all of them. You never know when you might come across a freebie!

So, now that you have them, what do you do with them? Get to know the coupon policies at different stores. My #1 place for deals - Homeland. They DOUBLE coupons up to and including $1.00!! This makes for awesome deals!! There are some rules, though, and we will cover those later. Target is another great place. They offer store coupons that you can print from their website, and sometimes in the mail, and you can actually COMBINE these with your manufacturer coupons. Plus look for those red clearance tags (usually on the endcaps) and try to match coupons to those items. Walmart - I will come right out and say it - is my LEAST favorite place to use coupons. They just plain don't like them, and will fight you on them. But, there are occasionally good deals to be found there, and overall their prices on basic items are generally lower than most places. These are just a few examples to get started.

Ok, next step. Those store ads that come on Sundays and Wednesdays - they are NOT junk mail! They are like your treasure map! And if there is a store that you do not get an ad for (I don't get Homeland's in the mail) you can look them up online. Now, you go through these ads, and find items on sale that you have a coupon for. Now, if it's Homeland, don't forget to double that coupon. Here is an example: Last week, Rhode's heat and serve rolls (very yummy, btw) were on sale for 1.88. I had coupons for 1.00 off 1 package. Double that, and not only do I get the product for free, but they actually paid ME .12 per package! (I got 4, by the way!) How awesome is that?? See, you CAN get something for nothing!!

I don't want to overwhelm you, so I will end the first lesson here. But, give it a try, and see how you do! I would love to hear success stories as well! But, I want to end this lesson with my last Homeland shopping trip, to maybe inspire and motivate you all! I will put the item, sale price minus coupon (keep in mind the doubling) and the final price of the product.

1 gallon Hiland milk @ 3.65 - a FREE coupon received from a prior deal = FREE
1 Wholly guacamole @ 2.00 - 1.00 = FREE
2 Birdseye steamfresh broccoli @ 1.00 - .35 = .30 each
4 boxes Lipton cold brew tea bags - 1.50 - .60 = .30 each
4 packages Borden Sensations cheese slices @ 1.99 - 1.00 = 4/FREE
4 packages Rhode's dinner rolls @ 1.88 - 1.00 = 4/FREE plus .12 back on each
2 boxes Del Monte fruit chillers @ 2.00 - 1.00 = 2/FREE
3 bottles Herbal Essences shampoo @ 2.66 - 1.00 = .66 each
4 boxes Kraft Velveeta shells and cheese @ 2.00 - .55 = .90 each
4 packages Chinet napkins @ 1.59 - .75 = .09 each
4 boxes Ritz Pretzel Munchables @ 2.50 - 1.00 = .50 each
3 bags Tostito's tortilla chips @ 2.50 - 1.00 = .50 each
2 cans Campbell's cream of mushroom soup @ 1.00 - 1.00/2 = 2/FREE
2 Ritz Crackerfuls @ 2.00 - 1.00 = 2/FREE
4 packages Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh lunchmeat @ 2.99 - 1.00/2 = 1.99 each
2 Lunchables lunch kits @ 2.49 - 1.00 = .49 each
2 Rhode's sticky buns @ 1.88 - 1.00 = 2/FREE plus .12 back on each
2 half gallons Blue Bell ice cream @ 3.99 - 1.00 = 1.99 each

Total spent for all this stuff (including tax) - $33
Total saved = $131!!!!! (about 83% off)

Not bad!