Free Food!

Okay, so tonight, I went to my relief society activity. There's a lady in my ward that came and taught us about couponing (if that's what you want to call it). It was so freakin' amazing. I learned so much from it. She taught us all these ways to collect coupons and how to use them and everything. Wow. I didn't realize there were so many people out there that are coupon crazy and collect them and use them so much. This lady is a mother of 4 and she's a stay-at-home mom and her husband is a working man with like 2 or 3 jobs I think. She taught us about all of these websites where you can learn the best deals going on and they really keep you up to date on where the best sales are in different stores. She was saying that once she really got into couponing, she went to the store and made a $500 purchase seriously for like $50 I think. Is that even possible? She brought a receipt with her today as proof of her savings. This morning she went shopping and spent $50 and her total savings were about $115. So, I don't know how successful I'll be at this, but I think I might give it a little try and see how I work out because as far as I know, we're not the richest little family in the world and we could use as much savings as we can get! I barely go shopping as it is, but heck, if I can go shopping and save that much, then it's worth it! And I'll build up some food storage.

Just a few things I learned tonight:
1. Where to find coupons: Sunday papers, www.coupons.com, www.couponsinc.com, www.valpak.com, www.coolsavings.com/coupons, family and friends
2. Coupon websites to find sales: www.pinchingyourpennies.com, www.stockpilesrus.com, www.taylortownpreview.com
3. Organizing your coupons: store them in a box, binder, or flexible file. Many make their own binders using a zippered binder filled with photo pages or sports card pages.
4. Avoid using a coupon just because it exists. If there is a coupon for an item that is not a great deal and is not needed, do not use it. Expired coupons can be sent to military bases overseas where they are valid six months past the expiration date.
5. Read the coupons carefully. Most state "one coupon per purchase." Each item bought is a purchase.
6. If there is a sale on meats and they're out, go to the meat counter and ask if they have any more and if they don't, often they'll give you a better price on a better meat.
7. If you shop the farmers' market, go right before it closes because often they'll give you a better deal on the food because they don't want to take it home with them. They want to get rid of it.

Tips of the Trade
*When an item is Buy One Get One Free, often two coupons can be used
*If the coupon says "off any size", it's often more profitable to use it on the smallest size
*If the store is out of an advertised sale item, get a raincheck. Use it later with coupons.
*Keep a list of needed items
*Plan your meals around items in your food storage
*Avoid trips to convenience and corner stores
*Don't shop when hungry. This will reduce impulse buys
*Remember one store does not have the lowest prices on everything
*Check expiration dates on food items, especially when stockpiling.
*Watch for price discrepancies at checkout. Make sure all coupons are deducted.
*Try different brands. Eliminating brand loyalty increases savings.
*Have fun and be proud of the savings!