Couponing

Yes.  Couponing.  Almost a year ago I decided to stop judging and give it a try.  As a "not working" mom, couponing allows me to contribute to the financial part of the household by saving money (and sometimes making money).  When I started out I had three conditions.  First, it had to actually save us money on things we use (not just get us a bunch of stuff we wouldn't use).  Second, it wouldn't make us eat unhealthy foods (I do not have one box of hamburger helper). :o)  Third, I didn't want the amount of time spent on couponing to be detrimental to quality time with my family.

So I dove in and used http://thekrazycouponlady.com/beginners/ and did their 10 days to become a Krazy Coupon Lady.  I subscribed on google reader to that blog, http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/ and because those are both west coast blogs and I'm on the east cost, http://www.iamthatlady.com/.  There was a learning curve to really figure out how to make the couponing work in my life.  I started out clipping the coupons every week, but decided that was too much for me, so I turned to the nonclip method.  I started out trying to go to many stores every week, but realized that I couldn't keep that up.  The more you do it the more you realize that the deals will be back.  So now I go to one or two stores a week and -the best part (thanks to the stockpile)- sometimes not at all!  Before couponing, if we weren't going to use something soon, I didn't want it in my house.  However, to truly save the big bucks, you build a stock pile (no, not like the organized hoarding ones you see on TV).  I have a one to six month supply of most food items and a year to two year supply of most non-food items.


So to revisit my conditions.  First, not only do I spend an average of 100.00 less a month on groceries than before couponing, but I get SO MUCH MORE for my money.  I only get the stuff that we use.  Sure, I could get lots of other products for free or cheap (which the websites recommend donating), but I just leave those for people who would actually use them (and we still donate from what we would use). The other monetary and health effect is that, when you have food in the house it makes you less likely to go out to eat.  So we save both money and calories by couponing!

Second, along the lines of the first point.  I just do not buy stuff just because it's cheap.  Couponing allows me to buy everything I used to buy.  I just have to think ahead of when we might need it and shop the sales.  If lettuce isn't on this week, it still goes in the cart, but I might get something else for really cheap to make up the difference of the more expensive produce.

Third, I spent a lot more time on couponing in the beginning (probably 10 hours a week), but now most weeks it's 2 hours or less.  Just above what a non-couponing trip to the store might take.

So here is my couponing haul this week. 

Pictured:

• 12 cans of corn
• 12 cans of green beans
• 2 bottles of ketchep
• 2 packages of goldfish crackers
• 4 packages of pasta
• 1 jar of pasta sauce
• 1lb strawberries
• 3lb clementines
• 2 2lt of soda
• 1 bottle of juice
• 3 cans of tomato soup
• 2 loaves of bread
• 3 cans of diced tomatos and chilies
• 2 onions
• 4 sweet potatoes
• 6 pears
• a bunch of bananas
• 10 apples
• 23 jars of baby food
• 3 bottles of facial moisturizer
• 2 packages of cough drops
• 2 bottles of vitamins
• 1 light blub
• 3 packages of pens
• 1 package of m&ms (we save these for going to the movies or for Halloween candy)
• 2 bottles of vitamins
• 2 bottles of hand soap

Not pictured, but included in the shop:

• 30 yogurts
• 2 18 packs of eggs
• 10 lean cuisine dinners 
• 2 2lb packages of ground beef
• 4 1lb packages of ground turkey
• 4 2lb packages of boneless chicken breasts

I usually do one big shop a month and the rest of the month I just do maintenance shops (for the fresh stuff) and shop our stockpile.

So here's the question: how much did I spend? :o)

Here's a hint: I saved 47% percent off of the normal prices.  If I don't count the meat in this trip (which is generally more expensive, and I did not use coupons- just sale prices) I saved 53 %.

And for you smarties wondering where the green stuff is- it's already in the fridge from my shopping trip last week.

I know you avid readers are on the edge of your seat for the answer.
Total spent $147.74.
Total Saved $132.30 and I have $12.24 to spend on a future shop.

Without the meat I spent $105.36 and saved $117.97. 

So there you have it.  As a former doubter and judger of the couponers, I am converted and enjoy doing my part for our household's finances, as well as health.  Plus, it's great when I hear my husband proudly tell other people about my couponing. :o)