There are tons of great coupon saving websites out there with lots of great ideas on how to save you money. I will list my favorite sites here so you can check them out. I will also explain how I do my couponing.
First thing you need to do is get coupons. The best place for this is your Sunday paper. Here the Saturday paper usually has a SmartSource coupon insert and Sunday has a SmartSource, RedPlum and sometimes a Protector and Gamble coupon insert. So buy at least one paper....maybe several if there are some really good coupons in them. You can also check with friends and family members for their coupons and recycling centers. I also get coupons from blinkies (found in store aisles), catalinas (they print out at checkout with your receipt), in the mail and sometimes products you buy have coupons in the packaging. You can also print coupons off the internet at sites like coupons.com, coolsavings.com and pillsbury.com. Make sure they store you are going to accepts printed coupons.
Now that you have your coupons what do you do? I organize mine in a plastic expandable folder with several sections. I write the date on the front and file each month in order in each section. That way when I go to a website like couponmom.com to see my weekly deals I can just go back and pull which coupon I need and cut them out at that time. Here is a great article on organizing your coupons www.thethriftymama.com/2008/09/coupon-basics-for-newbies.html .
There are several websites I check to see the best deals for the week. I check http://www.couponmom.com/ for a great list of what coupons to use with sales for the week at stores such as Krogers, CVS, Walmart and Rite Aid. I also check freebies4mom.blogspot.com , http://www.thethriftymama.com/ , http://www.centsiblesavings.com/ . These websites list all sorts of freebies and deals, everything from free samples to great coupons to free movie rental codes. Some websites I use that I download coupons right to my Krogers card are: P&G esaver, Cellfire and Shortcuts. On these websites you have to register and type in your Kroger card number and then you can save coupons right to your Kroger card, no coupon cutting.
Once I get the list of what I am buying at the store (you can print your list out at couponmom.com buy checking the items you want to buy, displaying only them and then printing your list) I take my list, find the correct coupons by date and cut my coupons out. Once I cut my coupons I then put them in an envelope with the stores name on it. Currently most weeks I save between $25 - $60 on my groceries at Krogers. I also have several items I have gotten for free or pennies at CVS, Rite Aid and Walmart. Some of those free items are: Shampoo and Conditioner, Lotion, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, deorderant, toothbrushes, frozen veggies, toilet paper, razors and Johnsons buddies soap. I have also been able to purchase 2 jumbo packs of huggies diapers with a pack of diaper wipes for $8.00 at Rite Aid recently (after coupons, rebates and a free gift card that I got back)
It may take a little planning and a little more time at the store at first, but saving $23, $38 or $58 off you grocery bill is well worth the time. Especially when you can get brand name items for 30-75% off or even free!
