Couponing Really Saves Money? WHAT???

Ya. It does.

We went on a budget to cut down on spending and save money.

In other words, we're living within our means again. Ouch, the booze budget has been cut (let's just say that The Big Friendly and 4 Buck Chuck is back in the house) along with the food budget.

So here's the deal.. there's all these coupon sites out there and I barely understand them. But here's what I do.

I find a sale price item (like Kraft shredded cheese) and a coupon for it and voila! At least cheaper than not on sale! For Target, I print off a Target coupon and then I also hand over a manufacturer coupon (this is called "stacking" and give 2 coupons for 1 item - you can get some great deals at Target this way too!).

I regularly save $40+ from our grocery bill. And now it's super fun. Sort of, but not really.

I clip coupons from the paper and online (target.com., coupons.com, redplum.com) and look at the ads, I match up coupons to the sale price items and that's that. It'll save you at least $20 off your next grocery bill.

I suppose I could save my next grocery receipt and type everything out for you. Well, no, I would take a picture instead. WAY easier.

So I hope this helps explain how some couponers work. I am not an extreme couponer. I do not haul away $500 worth of crap food for free. Instead I find coupons for things like meat, eggs, cheese, produce, canned tomatoes, pasta and a few other items (including organic!). So it may take 35 minutes but that's 35 minutes to save us money. YAY for saving money!!!