Not extreme!

I will start off by saying that I am by no means an "extreme couponer." I clip coupons for things I actually use or would buy and seek out store sales. I look for the best deals especially if I have a coupon for what I'm looking for. I do not mind buying store brand (except on diapers/wipes/formula and other baby essentials) if I'm getting a better deal. The only reason I do not do generic for those baby things is because my son is very delicate when it comes to skin and stomach.

I'm still learning, so a lot of what I do is trial and error. So far what has worked has been:

-picking a specific day just for clipping

-only clipping things I use/would buy, NOT everything on there because of the coupon

-sticking to one online coupon and one paper source (I use coupons.com and the smart source booklet from the paper).

-store sites like Target.com and Walmart.com also have store coupons that help. 

-organization (will eventually work my way towards a coupon organizer)  I keep my grocery coupons separate from my non grocery and if I have multiples of one I keep those together.

-I DO NOT shop the first week of the month! There's very rarely any sales if there are everything is gone anyway. I do shopping twice a month (second and last week of the month). If going to the grocery store in between is a must, I scope out the weekly flyer for deals because if there is a sale on something I need...I don't want to miss it. 

-make a list and stick to it. If you don't you'll blow your budget.

-shop alone and by alone I mean no significant other or kids. They will distract you and make you lose concentration. You will need to be able to take your sweet time (at least I do).

-use your store cards (ei. Stop & Shop...you earn 10 cents of each gallon for every $100 you spend in the store) 

I'm a busy mom of two young boys who works part-time and will soon be a full-time student. I can't spend endless hours a week researching every possible deal because I just don't have the time. I also don't feel the need to have a stock pile. I just need to be able to get my family by on the budget we have set which is why I don't consider myself extreme. There are some things to keep in mind when couponing. 

The following should be considered: 

-a store's coupon policy

-printing from sites like coupons.com can be done multiple times. However, there is a limit...use your printing wisely. Also the more a coupon is printed the sooner it expires.

-read the fine print on sale signs, flyers and coupons themselves. Retailers will always try to get you. If you remain informed they cannot play you. 

That's all I have. Like I said it's what has worked for me. I'm still learning, so I don't have the perks of getting 683638 items for only tax or getting money back from the store, but the past months my family has gotten by efficiently! :)

Until next time! Xoxo