Couponing

Here is where you can find a lot of information on how to use coupons to save money on groceries and household items. I do NOT extreme coupon, I do not have the time or space for that. I spend less than an hour a week cutting and printing coupons and then planning my store trips. I only go to one grocery store and one pharmacy, but you can use these tips to shop at as many stores as you would like.

Couponing 101 - Part 1

I am now teaching coupon classes in my area to help those around me save money on their groceries and household supplies. I started couponing several years ago when my husband was in the process of being layed-off from his job. A friend of mine gave me a lot of useful information that got me started and now I want to pass information on to others!

Before you start to coupon there are a few things you need to do ahead of time:

1. Start buying TWO Sunday newspapers each week and take the coupon flyers out. There are 3 flyers that may, or may not, appear in each paper: Red Plum, Smart Source, and P&G.

2. Label each of these flyers with the date of the paper and put in a file.

3. Set up a secondary email address so that when you sign up for special offers your regular inbox does not get flooded with emails.

4. Sign up for customer cards at your favorite grocery stores and at CVS. Be sure to link your new email address to the card.

5. Bookmark and familiarize yourself with Southern Savers. Click on the stores you visit the most and see how the site is set up.

6. Get on Facebook and "Like" my page, Simply Fun and Frugal for helpful tips and ways to save!

Couponing 101 - Part 2

Now that you have set up a secondary email address and have several weeks of coupon inserts from the Sunday paper, it is time to get shopping!

First, go to Southern Savers and find the store where you normally shop. Then click on the store's Weekly Ad.

You will find all of the sale items listed with a place you can check off the items you wish to purchase. As you go down the list, print any coupons that go along with the items you wish to buy. Then print the list and gather any other coupons from the Sunday papers.

Put your items in order by aisle, Publix has an app that will do this for you, and head to the store!

Feel free to put your savings in the comments box so that others can be inspired by your savings!

Check back soon on how to get great deals at CVS.