[cheryl_c4]

Thank you for this post, I've learned a lot

[Grasshoppa]

I have a binder with baseball card inserts. In the front, I have an insert for each of the stores that I frequent (well, actually the ones I don't frequent as well). When I come across q's that I know I am going to use at that store, I put it in that store's insert and it is there when I stop by that store. If I am planning the trip, I go through the matchups and plan half my trip that way. I of course take my binder in with me because there are ALWAYS deals that I stumble on that I didn't know about ahead of time. Being organized is the key to what I call crazy couponing. I love it. It is so much fun to save so much money. I am so proud of my stockpile and it doesn't get seen by others.......LOL.

Julie

[mandmtrammell]

I can't seem to find any information on coupon doubling, etc. on their website. Do you know where I can find this info?

[birdiemomof2]

wow u broke everything down thank you. saved a lot of hassle going thru the posts and asking questions when most if not all are right here thank you so much!

[ctsunshine]

Originally Posted by mandmtrammell

I can't seem to find any information on coupon doubling, etc. on their website. Do you know where I can find this info?

Did you look at the albertson's forum here on AFC? If it's not clear there, I would make a new post in that forum and ask!

[TNGAL65]

Thanks for all the great info! Ready to start saving!

[jjlalacj]

Awesome info!!! Thanks a bunch, I'm learning a whole lot!

[labamanana]

Thanks for the info!

[funnygirl1002]

Lots of great information and i found it very helpful! THANKS!

[mrsbrown3]

I a young stay at home mom of 3 babies under the age of three. My husband is the only source of income in the house and we can afford 190 dollars worth of groceries a month which isn't very much when you have growing babies that are ALWAYS hungry. How does someone spend 25 dollars on a 1000 grocery bill?

[arcurri]

I love the info on this site. Just makes me want to just jump in and start doing something. Only I dont know where to start exactly. I have been clipping qs for a while now. I do shop CVS, Target, & Walgreens. For groceries that varies, Cashwise, Coburns, Walmart, Target and Cub. I m just not sure when I see a good deal. But I think if I am willing to pay a certain price for something then that is my deal. Right? Like if I want to buy Gain, the store has it on sale for 5.99, I have a $1 off Q. bringing it to 4.99. Your input is greatly appreciated.

[Imthejenn]

Originally Posted by arcurri

I love the info on this site. Just makes me want to just jump in and start doing something. Only I dont know where to start exactly. I have been clipping qs for a while now. I do shop CVS, Target, & Walgreens. For groceries that varies, Cashwise, Coburns, Walmart, Target and Cub. I m just not sure when I see a good deal. But I think if I am willing to pay a certain price for something then that is my deal. Right? Like if I want to buy Gain, the store has it on sale for 5.99, I have a $1 off Q. bringing it to 4.99. Your input is greatly appreciated.

I agree...the good deal is what you are willing to pay. If you spend the $4.99 and then see a better deal somewhere else - ce la vie. However, if it is nonperishable, you can still "cash in" on that good deal.

[craftygirl08]

I think I'm going to try Walgreens on my next shopping trip. Thanks

[Knightmare]

this is what i needed!
thank you AFC!

[CouponClippingRN]

Great post, thanks

[Jeannine_in_VA]

This should be required reading before someone can post a comment or new thread.

[Lerae_1986]

I got my notebook out and took so many notes! I am so serious about couponing!!! it's my whole world right now, I was depressed cause im not working b/c of medical reasons and I was depressed, cause I can't help out financially, kinda felt like I had no reason to get up!!! now I am so happy, I got something to do to help my family financially and I can make so many friends, Thanks for all this info it was truly helpful!! I LOVE AFC!!!!!!!!

[ctsunshine]

Originally Posted by Jeannine_in_VA

This should be required reading before someone can post a comment or new thread.

Originally Posted by Lerae_1986

I got my notebook out and took so many notes! I am so serious about couponing!!! it's my whole world right now, I was depressed cause im not working b/c of medical reasons and I was depressed, cause I can't help out financially, kinda felt like I had no reason to get up!!! now I am so happy, I got something to do to help my family financially and I can make so many friends, Thanks for all this info it was truly helpful!! I LOVE AFC!!!!!!!!

It made my day to read these 2 posts. Jeannine, it makes me laugh to think of this as a "forced read". Lerae, glad this could be inspiring. You will save so much money. Pick a store or 2 and learn them well, I think that's a key to start.

[ctsunshine]

Originally Posted by mrsbrown3

I a young stay at home mom of 3 babies under the age of three. My husband is the only source of income in the house and we can afford 190 dollars worth of groceries a month which isn't very much when you have growing babies that are ALWAYS hungry. How does someone spend 25 dollars on a 1000 grocery bill?

I'm sorry, I thought I already replied to this. I personally don't think it's a reasonable goal to spend $25 on a $1,000 grocery bill. It can be done with tremendous effort but you'd spend money on those coupons and might not have much in the end that you'd really use for your family.

I'd concentrate on building a stockpile of good food products that are the basis of recipes for those little ones. Rule of thumb, it takes 2 months or so of collecting coupons (keeping those inserts) to make a really good dent on your grocery bill. You may pay a little more to start as you're building your stockpile, but over time you'll pay much less.

An example of feeding your family from your stockpile, combining this week's sale with what's already on your shelves. This week I had a $0.75 off 3 Goya Bean coupon. On sale 3 for $2. My store doubles the $0.75 coupon, so I got 3 cans of beans for $0.50 (retail would be $3 for 3 cans). Combine that with canned tomatoes that I got last month for free and ground turkey in the freezer that was buy 1 get 2 free, and McCormick spices that were nearly free earlier this year, I'll be able to make chili for two meals for my family for less than $4.

Over time you'll be able to build up cheap or free non-perishables such as pasta sauce, pasta, canned foods (beans and tomatoes in the example above, other vegetables, baked beans, tomato paste), cereal, oatmeal, condiments, coffee, tea, and baby food. Freezer foods like frozen vegetables, waffles, meats, and fries. And non-food items like paper products, cleaners, baby, and health and beauty. It will take work but is totally doable on $190 a month.

[scaredycat8]

thanks for your realistic reply. I'm saving my couponing savings as best I can to buy a chest freezer so I can take better advantage of the sales like you do. B1G2 ground turkey sounds like an awesome deal!

[mams6901]

I'm a single mom and recently lost my job and now regretably have to go foodstamps i only get $200 a month and im having problems making that stech for a whole and every time i try to get coupons on the computer i have to do all these other thing first then i dont even get coupons i can use. Also i live in a small town and we dont get coupon in our paper. so if you some advice to help me out it would be greatly helpful.

[Saylor]

Great info. Still feeling a little overwhelmed.

[KouponKristie]

Thanks for the info!!

[stampus1]

what do you mean by no fillers at CVS? I am still learning the lingo..thanks..april

[Coupon9825]

Thank you for taking the time to write all this down for the newbies! I started watching Extreme Couponing a few months ago and was inspired (and strongly encouraged by BF) to start couponing. I really enjoy it and find it thrilling. Although I barely started doing this like 2 months ago, already I'm amazed at the difference in my spending.

Thanks again and I look forward to learning tons from you ladies (and maybe some gents?) in the coming months.