[jessl]

Originally Posted by ms_metis

You guys are all right and Thanks so much. I'm still learning and should be more thankful/greatful.
This year we are planting a veggie garden so this will cut down on some of the produce cost throughout the year.

I need to beef up on the terms here. Not sure what SWM means. I think WM = WalMart.
Bren

I believe SWM is Super walmart. Which means that it has more grocieries than a regular walmart.

[ms_metis]

We have a Sams Club membership and get many items there but I thought the grocery store had better deals when I factored in my coupons.

I normally buy the shelf stable Soy Dream for $2 (32oz). It doesn't have to be refrig and I'm able to stock pile when it's on sale for $1.50 or $1.66. Plus, I don't have to worry about it going bad. He doesn't always go through one in a whole week. I just called to see if Soy Dream would send me coupons (and they are). He wasn't a fan of Silk Soy milk.

I should start reviewing the ads and matching with my coupons but I can't visit many stores. I'm not sure it's economical when I factor in gas cost and time lost.
Bren

[jessl]

I don't think you need to visit a lot of stores to make it work. One for needs and one for great deals should work. Maybe you should make a price book with what Sam's charges for items you use all the time and figure it out per unit price. Then when you see a deal at your couponing store you will know if it is worth it to stock up or not.

[mom22seans]

Not so much advice here as just an empathy letter but...

I know how you feel. When I first started about 4 weeks ago, I thought I was doing such a good job because my "saved amount" was almost always more than my "out of pocket" amount. Then, I tallied up my OOP... ouch!! ... even though I did "save" WAY more than I spent... I still feel guilty for having spent so much! I went WAY over budget!

Of course, now we have a nice stockpile of everything like soaps, body washes, laundry detergent, toothpaste, etc. And, this week, for those things that we're stocked on... "If it ain't free, I ain't picking it up!"

So, I think in the long run, couponing is still going to be a great money saver for us... I just have to learn that I don't HAVE to pick up on EVERY good deal out there... It WILL come around again, eventually (at least I hope so LOL).

And, I think saving on groceries is more difficult than saving on general merchandise... especially if you want to avoid processed, pre-packaged foods! So, over these next couple weeks, I'm trying to redirect my focus on cutting the actual grocery OOP. If I can pick up some free Excedrin or toothpaste while I'm out, great... but I, too, really need to learn how to use the coupons to cut the actual food bill!

[ms_metis]

Thanks all. I told DH about Aldi and Save-a-lot. He didn't know Aldi had produce. We are going to check it out.