$109.80 in coupons used so far in January!!

[disneydreamer1970]

I am so proud of myself!! My New Year's resolution was to use more coupons and I feel that I have been pretty successful so far. I created a spreadsheet to list my savings in coupons so that I could track it and hit the $100 mark today!! With a little time and planning, the savings really add up. And the best part....I have used coupons on stuff that I normally purchase anyway!

I can't wait to see what my total is at year end!!

Trish

 

[aprilvaca04]

Good for you! I aim to do this too but am off to a slow start. Maybe I need to chart any progress I make to get encouraged. Keep us posted!

 

[MrsPete]

The real question is, "What have you spent?". I suggest you keep records of that too. I personally find that question more illuminating.

 

[hinodis]

What is your source for getting your coupons? What an awesome savings. You should be very proud!!

 

[wbh1964]

Share your tips with us! When I have used coupons, I spend way more than normal becuase I buy things that are a good deal with a coupon but I don't usually buy those items...so I buy those plus the ones I normally buy which defeats the purpose of trying to save money I also buy mostly WalMart store brands...but would love to know any tips for saving at the grocery store!

 

[fofinia]

awesome! I should keep a spreadsheet too. That is a great idea!

 

[Piecey]

The real question is, "What have you spent?". I suggest you keep records of that too. I personally find that question more illuminating.

I keep track of both in a private blog along with what I buy (easier than keeping track of my freezer in the basement, I can just look through my posts to see what I have)...

Coupon savings= $265.19

Total spent= $174.82 (tax included, which I also keep track of)
This includes formula for my baby, diapers, meat, pasta sauce, lunches for my DH, cookies, cleaning supplies, toiletries and ALL purchases I make at the store whether I had a coupon for the item or not.

 

[hpfan100]

WOW great job!!!

The spreadsheet is a good idea. I'm just getting started with couponing and this is so nice to hear success stories. I saved 20 bucks today just in one trip

 

[dhdozier]

I wish I had time to make a spreadsheet too but with working another part time job in addition to teaching all day - I am scrounging time to slip in coupon organization. Last night I used coupons at Kroger and saved almost $50. I agree with a pp that you have to be careful though - are you buying what you need or just because you have a coupon? But on the flip side, I have found brands that I ended up liking and now buy because I had a coupon and gave the product a chance - which I am sure is the whole reason the companies put them out.

 

[disneydreamer1970]

I love the idea of also keeping track of what I spend. I have not counted what I have saved with the B1G1 deals at our local grocery store. There have been times when the coupons account for more than 50% of what I would have spent!! We also have a grocery store nearby that doubles coupons up to .99. I will wait for an item to go on sale and will then have the coupon doubled. The regular prices on things at that store tend to be a bit more expensive than others.

Who doesn't love $.14 for a bottle of Motrin (coupon was $6 of of 2) and .08 for a box of pasta (coupon was for $1.00 of 1)!!

Happy Saving, everyone!!

Trish

 

[Virgderon]

DisneyDreamer, great job!

When I started, I was a little obsessed. I ended up cutting way too many coupons for stuff I wasn't using, and that made it a chore to maintain. Now I only cut the coupon for the stuff I use, and new stuff that looks really good.

I found out that it was not so much the couponing that was saving me money, but being more aware of the food sales at Target and Publix, buying fresh fruit and veggies at the flea market where they are cheaper, and really cashing in on BOGOS.

This month I saved $132, but probably more of that was from sale items and BOGOS than from coupons.

You might want to keep a running list of the things you always use, like A1 sauce, or a certain brand of toopthpaste, and when you see a good coupon or a really good sale, buy it whether you need it or not, as long as it is not perishable.

That way you will build up that stockpile that all the couponers work toward.

 

[lucigo]

Interested in this subject myself as I just recently gave coupons a try. I printed out a bunch off of Target's website and went and spent $20 and "saved" $30, but really....I think I bought things that I could have lived without.

I'm currently looking for an app, not sure if it exists, that will tell me the cheapest place to buy our everyday staples. If not, my plan is to start writing down the prices of these things at each store and start comparing. I have a son who eats basically the same 10 foods forever, and there is no reason I shouldn't stock up on those things when they are a "good" deal, and I SHOULD know what that is by now!

 

[disney4us2002]

I'm also interested in where people are finding coupons. I do print some from the mypoints site but not nearly as many as I could use. My grocery bill has gone crazy expensive. I never get out of the store under $200 a week anymore.

 

[disneydreamer1970]

My favorite website to help with coupons right now is the krazycouponslady site. It is great! She lists deals when they are found and explains how best to use those coupons...especially Target that has their own coupons as well.

 

[hpfan100]

the first site I looked at was couponing 101. I get coupons from the local paper and I joined a coupon train. Also look for them at the store when you shop. For example Safeway has a coupon booklet in the store that contains mostly manufacture coupons that can be used anywhere.

 

[IMALOVNDISNEY]

Right here on the Dis is a good place to start. Read the CVS threads. Fluff is awesome in posting the sales flyer every week and then everyone lets you know what they're getting and how they are doing it. That thread alone will save you money.

Afullcup.com They also give you a breakdown. I find them the best for Target sales.
Target website to get printables. Use this along with a full cup and again you'll save a ton. A few weeks ago I got Chunky soup for .27 cents a can.

I don't do alot of printables Only Target and CVS around here take them. And sometimes Walmart depending on the cashier.
Ask everyone you know for their coupon inserts. Around here the Saturday and Sunday paper have coupons. So, I get them plus 3 other people give me theirs each week. I have even bought coupons on Ebay. Totally worth paying $1.00 for $20 worth of coupons and then to get the item free or close to is always great.

My January savings is over $300.