Coupon Deals and Steals

Here in the past few months I've really gotten into using coupons. I've used them since Garrett and I got married but just a few here and there. A couple of months ago I went to a gathering at my mom's church to hear a "coupon lady" speak about her expertise on using coupons.  She was really informative! When I left there I was geared up and ready to save save save!!!  I have a bunch of friends at church who are couponers as well and I learned alot of savings from them. The coupon lady informed us that you can stack and double your coupons at a few stores.  Stack meaning you can use more than one coupon on an item but has to be different ones( manufacturer coupon, Internet printed, store or Catalina) double meaning 2 of the same up to a certain cent.  She had some hand-outs of all the stores who take coupons and what they allow. Me a previous Wal-Mart shopper has turned into a Kroger only shopper. I love Kroger because of cheaper prices, better quality meats, and I can stack and double coupons there. Wal-Mart only lets me use one coupon per item. So after hearing the coupon speech we gals piled up and headed to the store and purchased a binder, labels, and baseball card holders.   The Coupon Lady organized her coupons in alphabet order by manufacturer which is a good idea but you can do yours anyway that is easy for you.  I have recently alphabetically done mine but previously did an accordion file with: baby, dogs, food, bath, house and misc. It worked well for me. Here is a picture of my personal binder.

My first trip I sat down and prepped. Picked  through all my coupons, scanned over the Kroger paper, circled what I needed, matched my coupons up and headed out shopping. I saved a total of $40.00!! You're talking about a happy shopper! If I didn't have a coupon then I had a discounted price with my Kroger Card.  I even stacked 2 coupons and got and Air wick Ribbon Candle for free!!! My next few trips were about the same savings. Various trips I was able to get another Air wick Candle FREE, Formula- FREE ($-0.11), Scope for $0.25. dog treats for $0.99 , Deodorant for $0.38, and Cover girl nail polish- FREE and that is just naming a few deals. I've done the Walgreen's savings once. I'm not a big Walgreen's shopper or CVS, but they will let you stack 1 coupon with a store coupon. So, if you find a good deal then its worth the trip I say. Another way to snag coupons it loading on your Kroger card and I've heard of Ecoupon (I've never done this ) Just an easier way to do it I guess!!

 

Another thing I have gotten big into is finding FREEBIES!!! Yes, I search freebie websites and request for free samples or coupons. Since getting into that I have gotten: Folgers, Kleenex, Extra Dessert Gum, Pantene, Head and Shoulders,Vaseline Lotion, etc all for FREE.  Almost every product was sent with coupon of some sort. Alot of products will just give you a printable coupon and you redeem your freebie at the store.  The other day I went to get the mail and this is what I received



I was one excited girl. ha ha I love getting free stuff and not to mention more coupons. I literally try to see what all I can stack just to get something free or little to nothing. I have heard from alot of people that they don't use coupons because they end up buying stuff they don't need or use it and end up wasting the money because they never used the product. I only use coupons on things we use. If we don't eat that product I don't use it. I do cut alot of coupons that we don't use just to share them with my mom or if I know someone else uses that product.  It's nice to have a buddy to coupon with that way you can share/swap coupons with, even go shopping with. That buddy might know of some deals you don't and it's a fun time to hang with each other. If you have any tips or input please feel free to share...you may have info I failed to mention or just didn't know!!  Have a great week!!