Couponing 102

Ok so I have some items to add to my first post in regards to couponing.  Extreme couponing while fun to watch is a joke.  You will more than likely only have one or two experiences like that.  It's going to take about 2-3 months to get into a groove with it all.  The first month I would recommend putting more in your food budget than you normally do.  This will allow you to purchase what do you need for the month plus give you extra to stock up. 

Stocking up is the MAJOR key.  This may sound crazy but I have the laundry detergent we're currently using plus four more containers in our garage.  I think I paid $3 for all of them.  They were BOGO's at Publix plus I had coupons so it was way cheap.  Our freezer is ridiculous the amount of food that it's in there.  I've gotted to the point where I might be able to wait and not go again until mid August for our next trip, except for weekly trips for Milk...

When you figure out your savings don't include things like formula and diapers in your amount spent and saved.  Kroger usually has good deals on diapers but it's one of those things you have to have.  Formula rarely goes on sale so those things you just kind of put to the side. 

I need to reiterate that you CANNOT be a brand snob!  If there are some things that you can't negotiate on then do what's best for you, but there are VERY few things I'm a snob about! 

According to Southern Savers sales and coupons rotate about 6 weeks.  So whatever is on sale one week--if you use it then get enough for 6 weeks until it goes on sale again. 

Ask for rainchecks.  Most stores do them.

Check out the front of your publix store and they have pamplets of coupons.  Those are like gold.  EXCELLENT coupons that will match their bogo items (thus how I spent so little on the detergent above).

Don't get discouraged or overwhelmed.  I am by no means an expert, but once you get in the hang of it it's easy!  I saved about 40% today at Publix and used very few coupons.  For those of you that coupon you may have noticed what I had...they were horrible.  As one commenter put it "I can't live off of razors and tampons!" which is exactly how I felt!  Take a break if you need to, talk to some that do coupon and see how you can improve your strategy.  I know that I just look at the ads one week at a time and as it just so happens, the Publix one this week was awesome and I was able to go shopping for the entire month!

If I left your more confused or you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask !