Tips and Tricks for Todays HomeMaker

It,s Monday, time to get a new week planned out and get to work..I keep saying I am going to get work, but somehow I do not quite accomplish the task..anyway one of the task I always do for a new week is go thru circulars from Sunday Paper, and look for bargains.  I consider myself a Coupon Diva..

I started couponing last year, when I watched a clip from the Coupon Mom website. At first I thought this is ridiculous how could I possible save as much money as this lady.  After watching several videos on you tube on how to start,  my coupon journey began.  Yes  I said journey,because it takes time to learn this skill, perfect your craft, and learn what works for you.

I am convinced that if I did not live in a one horse town, with only 2 stores, I could save a fortune, but you have to work with what you have.

I drive almost, 25 miles to the nearest  Krogers, because this is the best place in this area to redeem your coupons.  Everyone thinks that Wal-Mart is the place to for bargains, (so did I)  but not so…now I am not saying that there aren’t things you can purchase cheaper at Wal-Marts.  There is..but if you

truly want to be a Coupon Diva, forget Wal-Mart.. I have put myself on a grocery budget, and I always find if I go to Wal-Mart I spend more than I intend to..to many things to choose from to many impulse items at the front..I always pray,   Lord lead me from temptation..So the good lord responded to my prayer and said”  you  need groceries, not pretty shiny things…(this is what he told me,  I swear) so he led me away from Wal-mart and all their pretty shiny things.

If you are going to be serious about couponing , you must have an organized system, there is a video on you tube that explains how to do this..and trust me this is the best..It’s easy, and you always have everything neat and organized..once a month I go thru my notebook and look for outdated coupons, and remove them…I have about 15 different categories in mine, but you can put as many as you like.  My book is set up to follow the aisle at Krogers because that is where I shop most often..(CVS, and FoodLion are excellent coupon places also).

One of the things I found that works for me the best is I have a certain amount of money I allow for coupons within my budget..unless I run upon a killer sale  which sometimes I do   then I will make an exception.One of the key things I had to realize was that when using coupons, to make the system work, you have to purchase items in quantity when they are on sale, and build a stockpile, now this takes at least 3 months, after that you should see a real difference in your grocery bill.  There was a few months this was the best things that ever came my way, because of  unforseen money circumstance  (like a car repair bill) I was not expecting  I took my most of the money budgeted for grocery and paid the bill, with no doing without because I had enough things stocked from couponing. Items you use everyday, (toothpaste, paper towels,toilet paper, deodorant shampoo  , especially razors, should be bought and put away.)  Like this week Krogers has the new Schick Hydro Razor for 6.99 I have 3 coupons for 5.00 each meaning I will get 3 razors for less than the cost of one.  You may say but I don’t need 3 razors,   well I have found after 25 years of marriage, my husband will always ask for a new razor after I have already been shopping, and to go out and purchase one when it is not on sale, now that is ridiculous …This is a top quality razor cheaper than disposables..I never buy replacement blades because razors is something regularly featured in coupon inserts.

My system may not work for you, you will have to devise your own system that best suits your needs… but give couponing a try…it is easy, does not take that much time once the initial coupon book is set up, and saves you tons of money.  The best I have done is about 90.00 at one store…(like I said if there were more stores available I could do better)  but 90.00 for one week of grocery shopping is a big difference!!!

I will elaborate more on couponing, this is just one of many post on it, so please check back…. and if you have any questions just leave me a comment..

If you want to see what is on sale for the stores in your area, and the coupons available to use with the sale for bigger savings , join the Coupon Mom group. it is an excellent site, I use it often.  Remember you must have a plan when you go to shop..you cannot just go to store and try to find coupons that you have dropped down in your purse…WONT WORK...  It only takes about 10 min out of your week, and you could possibly save 50 to 100 dollars..Now how many jobs have you worked that you made that much money in about 10 or 15 min????  It is your money  u decide…

If you are one of my facebook friends and you would like a coupon organizer let me know, I have an extra one, I would gladly give to someone. Just leave me a note..

Everyone have a great day, and save lots of money!!!!   Linda