Saving on groceries......coupons!

If you're offended by coupon use...don't read this blog post.

As odd as that sounds, I've heard many people say that they wouldn't ever use coupons because they don't eat THAT kind of food. My thoughts on this... if it's something your family will use and there is a coupon or deal on it...why not?  I do understand that many coupons are for processed foods but not all of them are and many people eat processed foods from time to time.  I got 4 boxes of Mike and Ikes a couple of weeks ago for FREE at Rite Aid with a store promotion, for example.  I don't eat much candy but for free I figured I might as well.  I sent a couple with my hubby to share at a retreat he went to and then we have a couple more for another time in our stockpile. 
Today I also got a 2 lb. block of Tilamook cheese for $3.99 at Fred Meyer using a store coupon.

Even at WinCo this would cost $5-6 depending on the week.

Couponing does not have to be like the TLC show Extreme Couponing.  You can do as much or as little as you want or have time for. I have my coupon binder and a few stores I go to regularly and it does add up in big ways.  I don't really use coupons that much on food.  I use them MUCH more often for toiletry items. Whatever you're able to fit in will make a difference. There are several things that I am able to get for inexpensive and I appreciate being able to "stock up" on these things and have them handy.


 
Last week Safeway was having a sale on cereal.  The sale price was $2.50 a box. If you bought four boxes you saved an additional $4.  This brought the price per box down to $1.50.  THEN I had two coupons for $1/2 boxes of this particular cereal that I printed online. You can double this (up to 50 cents) at my Safeway, so that dropped off an additional $3...which left the total to be $3 for 4 boxes of cereal (or 75 cents each).  I did this deal twice and ended up getting 8 boxes of cereal for $6.  I try to choose pretty plain cereals for Mateo...and he loves cheerios.  The Golden Grahams are more for me but I will probably share :)


If you're interested in learning more about the coupon game...here are two of my favorite sites for finding out about deals (they do all the homework for you...you just have to get the actual coupons and go to the store!) The big goal is to combine coupons with the lowest sale prices to get the best deal.
Krazy Coupon Lady
Frugal Living NW

If you think it takes too long to bother clipping coupons that's understandable.  I know some who do not cut out coupons but instead organize the inserts.  I find that trickier personally. The amount I save on this and other ventures enables me to stay home, so for me it is well worth it.  Safeway is very close to my house and I pass it nearly every day..so it's not out of my way to go to when they have a great sale. For my regular grocery shopping I always go to Winco, though, because their prices are much lower.  I don't go to ten stores a week like some couponers might but I go to at least two...and if I happen to be going to another store, then I will check the coupon deals before I head out just in case there is a deal on something we might need!

Here is an article posted on Krazy Coupon Lady of a mom who "couponed her way to being a Stay-at-home-mom".  It's just one thing but all of the little things certainly add up!