Tuesday, May 27, 2008

Tightwad Tuesdays



I posted before about saving $27 using coupons for my big grocery shopping trip (2 weeks of meals and sundry items.) I thought this time I'd share a bit about my "system" and how I "do" coupons.


I actually don't do anything extraordinary with regards to coupons. I won't follow any "system" or method of money-savings that require large amounts of time or effort on my part. If it is easy and part of my plans anyway, I'm there lol. That's why I have yet to jump on the CVS or Wal-Greens "bandwagons" so to speak. I don't have the time or energy to spend going to two or three different stores and going through two or more transactions to get a bunch of shampoo and toothpaste for free. I pay 99 cents for it at Wal-Mart and I'm done. I'm not knocking those who do do this...I admire their efforts to save money and their shopping savvy.


So what do I do? I buy one Sunday paper and clip any coupons in it for products I need (and read the paper lol.) I check the Orlando Sentinel paper online and follow their link to grocery coupons and "clip" any I need there. I go to Betty Crocker and Pillsbury websites and get any coupons I need there. And that's about it. I shop almost exclusively at Wal-Mart because it is less than a mile down the road. I used to get the Wednesday ads, go through them and price match, but it isn't worth it anymore (except when milk is on sale.) Just with these simple steps I have been able to reduce our grocery bill by 10% (that's saving $20 on a $200 trip.) I only buy what's on my list and that's it. It's hard to resist some of the deals and specials, but if I wasn't going to buy it anyway, it's not a savings.

I used to have the problem of forgetting to bring coupons, or not using them before they expired. Now I have one day a week where I set aside time to organize my coupons. It really doesn't take long at all. I go through my coupon holder, section by section, and review what I have, take out what has expired, and add any new ones. This is the only time my coupon holder comes out of my purse! I bring it with me all the time so I never forget to use a coupon.


So there you go...the lazy mom's way to save on groceries lol. And it's a good excuse to be on the computer (I know you want to play your game, honey, but Mommy is busy saving money lol.) To see more great ideas for holding on to your hard earned money, check out Tightwad Tuesdays, hosted by Mary a.k.a. Canadagirl.


5 comments:

  1. Great ideas, I didn't know you could clip coupons online at the Sentinel. I'll have to check that out!
    Toni

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  2. I don't know what it is but here in Canada cupons are not as big. They are here but they seem to be on the expensive brands that I don't tend to buy. I like our grocery flyers and they tell me of sales. In store sales seem to be the way up here. Buy two for one or the "card members" price. You don't have to buy a membership but you do need to fill out a form.

    Thanks for all your great tips.

    In Him<><
    -Mary

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  3. Great Tips!!!! I do love getting cupons on line.

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  4. I am like Mary -- rarely using coupons because I don't buy the brand names. The local stores who offer "double" coupons often drastically raise their prices, so you don't know when you walk in the store if you are really going to get a good deal or not. With gasoline as expensive as it is right now, I have found it's best to just stick with the generic and give up spending a lot of time on the coupon thing.

    After all, shouldn't a woman's sanity count for something? :-)

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  5. That seems like an easier way to do coupons. I've never gotten coupons online before. I'm even lazier though. I just buy all the off brands. Actually, we have a store here called Save-a-lot. They sell only one off brand of each food item. And it's always cheaper than the Wal-Mart brand. Since there is only one brand available, I don't have to waste time searching for the cheapest or best deal.

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