So, I've been "seriously" couponing for about 4 months now. I've gone through stages since starting this. When I first started using coupons several years ago I would use coupons when I remembered them, would take a look at the ads and try to remember if I had a coupon for what was on sale. And I had no organization for my coupons, so even if I did have a good coupon for a good sale I probably wouldn't be able to find it.
Then earlier this year, I started getting more serious. I tried a few different methods for keeping my coupons. At first I used a notebook, but then decided it would be better for me to clip all coupons and organize them that way. You can find my organization system here. For me, this works so much better because I know exactly where I can find a coupon for say diapers, pasta or bug spray. That way when I'm in the store and I find a great deal I can grab the coupon I have to match up with it. I also go through the ads on Sunday's (Walgreens and Target) and Wednesday's (Dillons) and will post the deals to my blog and do my sorting at that time too. I make a list of what I want to buy that week and pull out my coupons to make a stack to take to each store.
When I first got serious I would get so excited the deals and think how great they were and I'd want to stock up on every single great deal I saw. It was so hard to believe I could get things so cheap, but it was not the best way to save money and that was why I was couponing in the first place. I've found in the last couple of months it's all started to come together better for me. I've really built the stockpile up and wouldn't need to buy pasta, deodorant, soap, shampoo or toothpaste for MONTHS now. Now, I only buy it if I can get these things either for free or less than 50 cents.
For me, I have a price for most things that I know I want to stock up at. I know some people keep a list of these prices, but for me I'm pretty good with keeping numbers in my head, so I just keep a mental note. I should say though I am not so good with remembering meat prices, so I check with my husband on that. :) And even if it is a really good deal I won't buy the things I have stockpiled unless they are going to be free or nearly free. I still have a hard time throwing away good coupons at the end of each month, but I know we have everything we need and I won't just buy something because I have a good coupon for it.
Just wanted to share some of my thought process with you all. :) If you have something that works great for you when using coupons leave a comment...I love getting new ideas! Have a great day!
Michelle
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