Couponing 101

Okay, So who hasn't watched extreme couponing on TLC on Wednesday nights and not gotten a little excited about the idea of using coupons? Or for me we could maybe say a little obsessed?!

I've always used coupons when I had them and tried to buy things on sale, but after seeing just how much money you can save, It almost makes me sick to pay full price for something or even buy something that I don't have a coupon for. I surely have not mastered saving 99% on a $1,900.00 grocery bill but any money saved definitely adds up.

Also, don't get me wrong, to build a stockpile of things that we use in our household, especially since we will be a family of five soon is one thing, but unless most of it is going to be given away or donated then we do not need 70 bottles of mustard or 1,000 tubes of toothpaste. Let's just be honest, although I do love to spend money, I like to get more bang for my buck. My husband is putting me on a budget anyways so by me spending less money on household things and groceries for our family then I have more to spend on other things.

Before I made a coupon binder, I did some research on some of the best techniques of getting the quickest, and easiest use out of it. I thought that just in case anyone else was looking to make one, I would show you what I have come up with and it might be helpful with some ideas for yours or you might have some ideas to make mine more useful.

First, I let Jaycelyn help me pick out a binder. I decided to go with a zipper binder because of the storage room and with kids, this one is a lot harder for them to get into to.

On the inside there are a couple of folder pockets that I keep sale papers, envelopes, and a list that I can make of all items I am purchasing, how many coupons, and my final total + tax.

Then I always keep a pen & pencil, scissors, and a calculator.

The first section in my binder is divided by individual stores that I shop at. Behind each store I keep savings cards, coupons, or rain checks for that particular store. I use baseball card protectors to keep everything in.

Behind the stores, I have a section for Free, which means that something is absolutely free. (Like, a $10 off coupon to JC Penney for anything $10 or more) and Merchant (which I have mainly retail or restaurant coupons).

The next section is where I keep all of my manufactured coupons and they are divided into three categories and several sub-categories.

The first category is FOOD, sub-categories are:

Baby- this one is for food only

Baking

Bread

Breakfast

Canned/Boxed

Condiments

Dairy

Drinks

Frozen

Meat

Snacks

Staples- sugar, flour,oil

Spices

Second is PERSONAL, sub-categories are:

Baby- this one is for diapers, wipes, or anything else baby related

Deodorant

Face

Feminine

Hair

Lotion

Makeup

Oral

Soap

Shaving

Third is HOUSEHOLD, sub-categories are:

Air Fresheners

Cleaner

Kitchen

Laundry

Medicine

Misc

Paper/Plastic

Pets

Vitamins

I also keep a "Buy Price" shopping list in the front that you can print from www.southernsavers.com that lists the lowest price that you can pay for most items.