STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Heatherlynn,

First, thanks for looking at my blog!  I am still so new to this but I have been wanting forever to do a blog about deals.  I am really enjoying the whole blogging thing. 

As for using coupons...I have been saving BOATLOADS of money by strategically using coupons.  There are weeks when I save over $100 dollars just by using coupons.  I also am getting countless items per week for free just by pairing coupons with sales.   Here are some tips:

-The first step is to start compiling a lot of coupons.  It is great to find items for free after coupons but it is even better to be able to get five or six free items at a time (with the use of five or six coupons at a time) for free.  The easiest way to get coupons is through the Sunday paper.  I usually buy 5 papers per week.  It will take several weeks of compiling coupons to get the most bang for your buck as after several weeks you will have a variety of different coupons to use.

-The second step is to organize your coupons by week and by type of insert.  Each Sunday, there are usually three main inserts in the Sunday paper.  One is called "Smart Source", one is called "Red Plum" and one is the P&G insert.  I take a file folder and put all inserts for the week in the folder and label it by the week.  I keep all the coupons intact (I don't cut any out immediately) and wait to find the sale match ups.

-The third step is to match the weekly sales with the coupons.  There are several websites that will tell you exactly what is on sale for the week and what coupons you can use to get the optimum savings.  I try to list many of the free after coupon deals I find on my blog or you can subscribe to www.thegrocerygame.com (for a small fee) and it will help you find the best "matchups".    For example, this week Target has Dry Idea deoderant on sale for $2.00 and there are $2.00 coupons out there- you combine the sale with the coupon and you end up with a free item.  If you have 5 or 6 coupons you get 5 or 6 free items!


-The final step is  to cut out the coupons you are going to use and to organize them so you have them handy at the store.  I use plastic baseball card holders and a plastic binder, this way they are easy to see and get to.   

There are a few other ways you can get coupons.  You can get them from friends or family members who may not want them, you can get coupons online (coupons.com or through the manufacturer's own sites), you can get them from magzines (All You magazine always has lots of coupons) but the best way really is to get them from the Sunday paper in my opinion.

I look at "couponing" as a fun hobby that has an extra bonus of saving me money.  It is a way I can shop without all the guilt!  Hope this helps!