[witeout1]

I have been living here and have jumped in with both feet.
But now I am lost and confused? Can anyone help?

I went and got 2 Sunday papers, made a notebook.
My hubby has been getting coupons everywhere he goes.
I got an All For You mag full of coupons.

I have every add sitting here for 2 days and I am SOOOOOO overwhelmed LOL.

Plus, some of the deals you all talk about, are not in my local adds?
I looked for 2 hot deals you all are discussing and your add does not seem to correspond to my add?

When I am flipping from adds to coupons and then back again, I cant remember who had what to go with what?
I tried to use another site that shows my stores and the needed coupons but the deals did not seem that great or I did not have any coupons past this weeks date.

I can't do CVS, or Walgreens, my brain just cant wrap around their systems?

Also we have gotten so many paycuts and the last one was HUGE 2 weeks ago that I really have to watch my spending.

Do I basically need to hang in there and this will eventually all fall into place?

I did for sure get a few deals here and there but nothing like you all do.

I just feel like I am drowning in coupons and adds and I am living at this site and another one LOL......

It will all start to flow and make sense soon right?

[OttoFamily]

Yes, hang in there and it will get better.
Take a store and figure out that store. I started with Target. I learned how to take advantage of using a manufactures coupons and stacking it with a Target coupon! After that, then you can try doing a price match from a different stores ad. Bring in the ad to Target and they'll match the price AND you can then still use coupons on top of that.

I found it easiest to do one store, learn their system, and then learn another store!

Once you get it going and start bringing home receits that have an oop of $18 for $100 worth of groceries - you'll be so hooked!!!!

[jmtfirewife]

I felt the same way at first, the site and all the info gave me overload. Ask questions. Eventually you won't have to be on here all the time ot figure out the weekly ads you will know just what to look for.
Also don't give up on CVS and Wags, is there another Coupon user near you that could personally show you the ropes. It is so much easier to understand if you go along with someone the first time. CVS is a motherload of free items when you learn the system. I take my friends along and just demonstrate it for them. Then they are hooked.
If you have a kroger it is great if it doubles or triples coupons like mine does.
And just remember you will never find people more willing to help you learn how to coupon then of here. It's our own little family.

[aidan&logansmommy]

I agree with OttoFamily. When you are just getting started, it is very easy to get overwhelmed! There is a lot of information to take in. I would definitely pick one store that you have locally and that you typically shop at, and spend some time in that store forum. Once you get a good sense of what the deals are like, the specific store policies, and such, you will be more confident and can move on to learning another store!

Hang in there! The money you will save is well worth the time it takes!

[brook6]

focus on the store where you get most of your 'normal' groceries

read the ad and the forum for that store and try to match Qs with sales for best savings
stock up when you can

maybe don't worry about chasing deals at first...save on the basics you NEED

ask questions...there are SO MANY helpful people here on AFC!

you also need to stay on top of Q organization...do it when you are watching TV or something; when the deal comes, you need to be able to find the Q and go get it

[mommyof1beauty]

When I started in June, I was not new to couponing, just to AFC. But......I got super frazzled. I had coupons EVERYWHERE in my house, ugh, could not get organized (and still trying!!) Though I started with Target first, mastered that, then worked to Wags and CVS. I will admit - I still cant get the hang of rolling RR's at Wags like some folks, I just need more time to learn! It will come, just hang in there, take it one day at a time, and soon you'll be hooked...just like me! I spend ALL my free time on here, I'm addicted!

[shopinmom3]

Seems like you've gotten great advice here. You can do it!

[kallagreen]

Yeah your not the only one to get overwhelmed! Hang in there it does get better and then you will be sharing it with everyone you know and then they will be telling you that its overwhelming and you will laugh at first and say yes it is but hang in there! (i think that was the longest run on sentence ever!
HANG IN THERE!!!

[VivLyn]

I'm there with you! Overwhelmed and confused!! I want everything to work out the first time...KWIM?

[jbarber8]

It takes some time to get the very low out of pockets. You'll need to practice and collect a lot more coupons. I think i was here about 6 months before I posted my first great trip to CVS.

Before AFC I never wanted to give my personal info online, which meant I was missing out on all the printable coupons. It's a lot of time in the beginning, but now I get soemthing fun in my mailbox or Outlook Inbox almost every day. The online coupons are usually higher value than the ones in the paper too (important in FL the land of No Doubles); I suppose because the Mfr doesn't pay any printing costs when they put it on their website for us to print.

Also, send lots of emails and letters to the Mfrs. That is how I get my best 'free' coupons.

All of this takes time. IN the beginning I spent 8-10 hours per week. After a month or two, it didn't take nearly so much time. I spend about 2 hours a week printing, cutting, and organizing. I probably spend double that just chatting!

HTH

[fndufus]

when I started I just read the forums.....very helpful! I jumped in with walgreens (I think is the hardest) Loving the cvs. Really needed the groceries more than bodywash. I does become easier..Hang in there, and always ask questions. I have not had a bad experience on this site ever. gotta love AFC!!!!

[jeanettebr]

everyones giving great advice.....you really do just need to hang in there....start a whole lot slower with just one store at a time then move on and try another. read the forum for that store and you'll get it
we all were overwhelmed at first and within a month you'll be an old timer! promise! don't give up and like mentioned above if you have someone in your area maybe they could help you out
ask questions on here too! We don't mind answering them....because at one point WE were the ones asking!

[kallagreen]

I also wanted to say that You can also find great stuff at Aldis too! I never wanted to shop there because my Mom always shopped there when I was a kid but you can find great price on stuff! Milk is 1.49, eggs are normally cheaper .99. Tuna is .59, bread is .79-1.19 (depending on what kind) buns (hot dog and hamburger) are .79. You can get frozen chicken really cheap. I don't buy everything there but some stuff is ALOT cheaper and tastes the same!