Taylor Takes On Couponing!

As I mentioned in my last post, I have decided to try my hand at couponing.  You may be wondering how a fashion/decor junkie ends up dedicating her time and efforts to couponing and my answer for that is pretty simple, we shall call it "post wedding internet free time".  From the moment I had a ring on my finger, I dedicated majority of my free time to all things wedding.  Wedding magazines, wedding websites and blogs, heck, I even watched wedding related shows that I didn't really even like!  Then it happens...the wedding, (yay!) and then the honeymoon, (yippee!) and then home, and then....well that is when you realize just how much of your time you dedicated to your wedding and now that it is said and done, you start looking for ways to fill up all this extra time and energy!  Now, take what I just said, and add to it the fact that I quit my job about a month before my wedding, and...ding, ding, ding...Taylor has booty loads worth of free time that even I can not completely fill with just fashion and decor!  (I am one of those people who could never, ever, get bored so long as I have a computer with high-speed internet, so I am not complaining AT ALL, just to be clear.)  If you have not seen or heard of TLC's "Extreme Couponing" show...well, I guess you maybe have a job, or a life, or some other good excuse, but each episode features couponers as they prep for, and execute a trip to the grocery store with the hopes of getting as much as they can for as little money as possible.  We are talking people that get hundreds, sometimes thousands, of dollars worth of brand name groceries all for $50 or less!  Curious, I decided to dedicate some web surfing time to learning more about this new craze and now, as cliche as it sounds, I think I may be hooked!

 I was overwhelmed at first by the wealth of information that I found, but the more I read, the more I was convinced that it was just goofy for me to not give couponing a try.  The show is dubbed "extreme" because it is just that...extreme!  Do not let it discourage you if you have watched and would love to save money, but not at the cost of 40 hours a week in planning and clipping.  I know this is getting long (again) so I will try to wrap it up quickly!  In my previous post, I listed everything I was able to get for $60, and it was too easy for you to not try at least once!  Even if you are not interested cheap body wash and toothpaste, chances are, you are interested in shoes, or makeup, or a new   (fill in the blank with something you are interested in), and chances are you do use body wash and toothpaste. (I sure hope you do anyways!)  Now think of all the money that you spend on body wash, toothpaste, and groceries in general in a year...got a rough estimate in your head?  Next divide that amount in half and think about what all you could buy or do with that money had you not spent it at the grocery store!  I bet it's enough to buy a pair of shoes or two, or maybe a new piece of furniture, or help pay for a vacation!  The best part is you can leave out the "extreme" part and still coupon!  On my first, and very inexperienced time out, I was able to save WELL over 50% on everything from body wash to lunch meat.   My favorite part was watching my "total amount due" drop as the cashier swiped each coupon and knowing that those fallen dollars would be going to something much more exciting than lunch meat!  I feel as if I have developed a magical power that allows me to convert deodorant and paper towels into a pretty new kitchen table and a few cute sundresses!  So, have I convinced you to look into this whole couponing thing?  If so, here are a few tips to help get you started! 

*Research!-  This can be the overwhelming part because there are so many great blogs out there telling you where to start, where to get your coupons, and then even telling you when and where to use your coupons!  "Coupon Matchups" are easily found on about a million blogs and they matchup the coupons with current store sales and specials to help you get the best deals using your coupons!   Surviving the Stores and Couponing 101 are two of the sites that helped me to get started.  It is also good to find a local coupon blogger as they will be able to shed light on stores coupon policies and deals going on in your area. 

*Clip, clip, clip (or print, print, print)-  Next it's time to get your hands on some coupons!  Of course your Sunday paper is a great place to start, but also know that there are a ton of online coupons you can print off and even some that you can load straight to your store bonus or plus card or texted to you!  Here are a few of the more popular ones to get you started:
Coupons.com
Red Plum
Smart Source

*Take your time and plan ahead-  Use the information you find during your research to plan your shopping trip and get organized.  The more prepared and organized you are, the better, and for your first time out, I recommend making sure you leave yourself plenty of time to spend in the store.  If you can, try not to shop at the most crowded store, during the most busy time of day.  I am lucky that one of my regular stores is very quiet and empty almost all of the time and this gave me the opportunity to park in the middle of an aisle for an extended period of time while I made sure I had the right products and coupons without being in someones way.  (It also allowed me to talk aloud to myself the entire time as well.) 

Whew, I guess I type like I talk...too much!  Wrapping it up now for real this time!  Just remember, don't buy something that you won't use or don't need UNLESS it's free and is something you can donate!  If you don't want it or need it, and a charitable cause of some sort doesn't want it either, then don't get it!  Getting stuff just to get it seems like the start of a bad habit that could land you on "Hoarders" one day so let's avoid that, but with that being said, I am looking forward to donating some of my couponing stash to local shelters, churches, etc. and did want to bring up that option for you to consider as your couponing stockpile begins to grow!  If are ready to give this a try, grab a Sunday paper tomorrow and get going!  If you already coupon and have any great sources or advice, please share!  I'm all ears!  If I feel like anyone is actually reading and interested, I have tons of other great sites that I didn't mention tonight as well as advice and tips for getting started that I would be more than happy to share, but I'll save those until I know this topic hasn't run you off!  In the mean time I will get back to my inspiration boards and I think I should probably discuss some of these awesome online magazines that keep popping up that I am loving!!!  Until next time, (which will hopefully be tomorrow) Goodnight!