Learning How To Coupon More Efficiently - Still Making Progress

Over the past two weeks, I've done my weekly errand running on  Saturdays so that my husband was home with the kids and I could shop on my own. This helps tremendously, especially on my stress levels.

However, shopping on Saturday has it's drawbacks. Everybody and their dog is at Wal-Mart. To some extent, I'm serious. It's crowded and people who watch the TLC show and are trying to learn to coupon see me getting 20 bottles of Taco Bell Hot Sauce and approach me as I search through my organized pile of envelopes and coupons. It can be a real bother, but it's humorous too. Guys, this is not that hard to learn. It just takes time and a lot of organization.

This past week, one of my Budget Homemaking groups got on the discussion of couponing and coupon binders.
I know there are women out there who cut all those coupons out and put them in little card holder plastic protectors and carry everything in large heavy binders. I'm too much of a minimalist to do all that work. So, I thought I'd share what I've learned and what I do with the group. Here's what I posted.

One thing I've learned to get the best deals is to Network with Facebook groups
and blogs online that do the coupon to store price matching for you.
Sites like Hot Coupon World and A Full Cup help some with this but I'm going to
list what I use.

When storing and organizing coupons, they match by insert dates,
RP- Red Plum, SS Smart Source, P & G Proctor & Gamble and, and All You is All
You Magazine.

So when you see $1 off Campbells Soup RP 5/1, 
you know to go get the May 1 RedPlum Coupon insert from the Sunday paper.

So for me I don't cut coupons till I'm planning my grocery trip between Wed and
Sat of each week. I keep the inserts in tact and organized by Date.

I am currently buying 10 inserts a week at $1.35-$1.40 an insert and the coupons
are paying for themselves. This last week, I used Xtrra detergent coupons at CVS
with my ECB ( Extra Credit bucks) and got 16 bottles for $9, 
I paid $6 for my total of about 17 packages of Carefree pantyliners, 4 Aquafresh Kids training
toothpaste and 2 bags of Chex Mix at Target. 
I bought Newborn diapers at Toys R Us for $14 a box and, 
I saved over $20 on my weekly groceries at Wal-Mart, 
I paid $60total which includes: bottled water, milk, potato chips, pasta sauce, taco sauce,
pizza, deodorant, free hair styling products, Glade house spray, etc. etc.

Also at Wal-Green bought (3) 12 packs of Ginger Ale and Orange Soda I use on
picnic days during violin & piano lessons for $2 each after Register Rewards.

I buy my inserts either locally in a convenient store Sunday " Double Paper" 2
papers, 2 sets of coupons $2.75 or on the site
http://www.madcoupons.net/ 10 sets of coupons for $14 a week delivered in the
mail on Mondays, paid for on a monthly basis by Paypal account.

Here are the blogs I follow each week to get the sales and coupon matches.
http://www.simplycvsshopping.com/
http://www.southernsavers.com/
http://www.groceryshopforfree.com/ ( Click on Store Deals)
http://katycouponers.blogspot.com/
http://thekrazycouponlady.com/

Overall, I'm learning. I'm now getting free things at Dollar General, CVS, Wal-Greens, Target & Wal-Mart.
my grocery bills are now $100 or less a week and I'm nearing my goal of eventually only paying $500 a month for groceries & gas, and this week..... THIS WEEK, I don't have to go grocery shopping at all!!!!! We have everything we need and then some!

I'm helping my daughters paint this weekend.
So, is it worth it. You bet.
Feel free to comment or ask questions.