Let's Get Started!!!! Lesson 1

Yippee! It's Sunday, coupon day.  I hope you all received your Sunday papers and found your Smart Source and Red Plum inserts.  TIP:  Buy more than one paper.  I personally buy 4.  Saturday's paper price is half the cost of Sundays paper, so I usually buy 3 on Saturday and 1 on Sunday.  This weeks' paper did not include a Proctor and Gamble Insert.  Boo!!!!!

Make sure to obtain all the weekly ads from your Grocery store and local Drugstores.  Most of these can be found in your paper, if not may be downloaded on line. You can also get them at the store whenever you pop in during the week.   Look through the items you intend to purchase and circle the with a black sharpie.  Compare the prices between the stores that you shop and determine the best deal.  Then look for your coupons.

Cut ALL coupons from the inserts (unless your prefer to file your coupons by date).  I find that whether I need a coupon that week or not, I usually find deals in the coming weeks in which I can utilize them and also gives me an opportunity to STACK my coupons.  Stacking refers to using more than one coupon on 1 item.  Example:  I may have a $2.00 off coupon from the manufacturer that I clipped on 5/15, have a store coupon from Walgreen's weekly ad for $1.00 , and it's on sale at Publix for $3.99.  I can use both coupons ($3.00) off the sale price.  Example: Purina One Cat food on sale for $3.99 for a 3.15 lb bag (regularly $5.99).  I can now purchase this item for $.99.  Pretty good deal, huh!  Since I buy four papers, I will stock up on this item and buy four bags for $15.96 less $12.00 in coupons, I only pay $3.96 for 4 bags of cat food that would have cost me $23.96 regular price.  That's a $20.00 dollar savings.  Hmmm, maybe I'll go get a manicure with my savings.  After all couponing is hard work, lol, so I deserve it, don't you?

Publix and Walmart accept coupons from other stores.  Others in your area may do the same, so check with your local stores and ask for a copy of their coupon policy to keep with you when you shop, in case the cashier doesn't know the policy.  Also note that Walmart now accepts Catalina Coupons (to be discussed in a future post.  Did this wet your whistle for couponing?   'Til next time -  DREAM BIG