Extreme?

Yes, my friends...I may be one step away from becoming an obsessive extreme couponer!!


OH MY GOD!!!


The money you can save.  I don't know about you, but I love me some free scratch!


So, I caught the show Extreme Couponing on TLC and I'm hooked.  My hubby is even on board.  I mean we watched one chick rack up $2,000 in groceries and then after all her coupons she spent $90 bucks!!  WTF?


I know what you're thinking, because I was thinking the same thing to:  Who the fuck needs 72 bottles of mustard (for real, she bought 72 bottles of mustard)?  All that stuff is processed, crap food.  I don' t need anything or use anything that has a coupon.  I don't have the time.  Oh my lord, I don't have the patience, yadda, yadda, yadda.


I took my new interest further and started to search the Internet on extreme couponing.  I found a few sites that I really liked like Super Coupon Lady, Coupon Keri, and Krazy Coupon Lady.  These sites do not go to the extreme like the people on TLC do.  Their goal is save anywhere between 60-85% off their grocery bill when they go.  It's doable.  Their sites are filled with examples, tons of up-to-date-info, tutorials, and videos showing you how to coupon.


So, first of all I had to rethink my strategy.  Usually, I make a menu each week and I rarely get much on sale.  Now, I realize you buy things to "stockpile" when they are on sale, so that you never have to buy regularly used items full price again.  It really does make sense.  Toilet paper, tooth brushes, toothpaste, deodorant, health & beauty items, vitamins, dog food, etc. are always on sale.  I use all of these things daily, and I'm sure you do too, wouldn't you like to save money while doing it?  I do, and now I'm addicted.


The size of your stockpile is really up to you.  I've seen some that take up multiple rooms in homes.  That is not for me.  Usually stores run about a 6 week cycle on their sales items, so the things on sale this week, will go on sale again in about 6 weeks, so you would want to stock up for about 6 weeks at the super sale prices to avoid you spending full dollar for these items.  I understand this may not be everyone, but as a working mom who is looking to make big changes in the next few years which may include not working at all, learning to maximize my dollar is essential.


So the basic equation to super couponing is this:  Store Item on sale - a store coupon for this item - a manufacturer coupon for this item  = smoking deal.  This is also called "stacking".  Most stores will allow you to use one store coupon and one manufacturer coupon for each item.  This is where you strike gold if you can get it right.  It's an art form, and I'm still learning.


So here are a few examples of how I'm learning to save:

• My family are meat-eaters, but I like to be picky about what kind of meat I do buy.  So, last week my local health food store had their locally grown, daily ground, family packs of ground beef on sale for $1.99.  Normally it is $3.99 a pound, so I stocked up and bought 10 pounds worth.  I got home and broke it down to 1 pound packages and put them in the freezers.  Now, in the grand scheme of things $1.99 isn't super cheap, but it is for what I'm buying and what I normally pay.  So, for me, this is a great deal.  This week my store has their locally grown chicken on sale for 50% off, so I will be stocking up.  Now my freezer is getting full, and I have choices about what to make for dinner for a few weeks.  This is where shopping sales and couponing saves you some moolah.
• I bought 4 Sunday papers to get the coupons. Most papers have deals where you can get the Sunday paper only and for cheap, so that is what I do.  I want to maximize the deals and that requires multiple coupons for the same item.  
• For example:  At Walgreen's they had my deodorant on sale for a $1.99 (normally $3.99), then in the latest ad, they had  a Walgreen's coupon to bring it down to $1.49, and then I had a manufacturer coupon taking another $0.75 off.  So my $3.99 dollar deodorant cost me $0.74.  I had 4 sets of these coupons, so I got my 4 deodorants for less then what it would cost for one at full price!  Shut the front door!!  See!!!  Now, those 4 deodorants will surely last me until they go on sale again.  
• I also bought vitamins at Walgreen's that were normally $16.99 a piece.  Right now, they are BOGO (buy one get one free).  In the past, I would have been happy with just this deal.  BUT...I had a Walgreen's coupon for $2.00 off and then I had a manufacturer coupon for $2.00 as well.  So I got my vitamins for $12.99!  I got a 2 month supply that normally would cost $34 for $12.99!  Now, I have another set of these coupons that I plan to get again soon before the BOGO sale ends and then I'll have a 4 month supply for cheap!  And, it will last me until they run a good sale again.
• Iams coupons for $3.00 off each.  Since, I'm buying two bags of dog food, I can use 2 coupons.  Essentially, I saved $11 ($6 off plus the $5 gift card) just because I used a coupon.  I have 3 more sets of these coupons allowing me stock up and not have to pay full price for my dog food for awhile.  Score!

I love a good deal!  Let me know if you coupon, or if you have been thinking about it!  Also, if you have good tips, leave them in the comments!

Happy Saving!

♥ ♥ ♥
Olivia