Couponing isn't even a word, according to my spell check. It has quickly become a hobby, though. In fact, I'm quite addicted to saving money. Word is starting to spread. My mom saves her coupons for me each Sunday, and I even had some coupons show up on my desk at work last week thanks to a fellow coworker!
Here's my version of of the basics on stores and stockpiling:
More value than you think: A few grocery stores double manufacturers coupons up to $0.50 (for me, they are Publix and Kroger). Some double up to $0.99 on a regular basis (Harris Teeter). These stores are where your big savings take place. No more Wal-Mart trips for me! Match a sale with a coupon, and you end up paying literally pennies, for items.
Stockpile. The idea behind couponing is stockpiling... no, it's not hoarding. Okay, it has the potential to become hoarding but Nic keeps me in check. Just find some accountability. Generally, items go on sale every 6-8 weeks. Stock up what you need (not so much that you can feed a family of 8 for two years), but only what you think you'll need until it goes on sale again in 6-8 weeks... If you buy it at the cheapest price (40-50% off or more) then you start saving lots of money. Weekly trips no longer include the same items each week. They now include a few weekly items (milk, bread, etc.) and many more sale items.
Nic and I now spend about $50 a week on groceries for our family of two. When we got married we'd budgeted $80 a week... so we're saving about $120 a month and we have way more food in our kitchen.
More to come on where to get the best coupons and the best resources for couponers.
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