Clip a coupon save a buck...or $20!

I'm trying to start my blogging off on the right foot.  Well, ever since I can remember I have been what some people like to call cheap when it comes to money (I prefer thrifty).  I love saving money and finding a good deal and now that our family is a one income family it is even more valuable to us although it has always been a huge money saver.  So, I would like to pass on some of my tips for saving money using the almighty coupon ;)

Note:  I am not one of those people you would find on Coupon Queens.  I don't buy 80 bottles of mustard, I only buy items I will use and I don't buy 18 carts of grocery's for $2.67.  On average, I save about $10 a week on grocery's...but that's $520 a year!  On a good week I will save between $20 and $30 (This is maybe once every 2 months or so, but it adds up).

Getting the most from a Coupon (Grocery Stores)

• Get the Sunday Paper:  I buy 2 papers every Sunday, the Stillwater Newspress and the Tulsa World (I prefer the Tulsa World to the Daily Oklahoman).  I have found that sometimes they have different coupons too, but they are mostly the same (Stillwater's sometimes has more) I only focus on two things in those papers, Coupons and Ads...but you can read it too...and then use the paper for cleaning those dirty mirrors or for fires in the winter.
• Clip Coupons:  Go through the coupons and clip the ones you use or would possibly use.  I'm sure you've all heard the saying "it's only a deal if you need it", well, that's true, but sometimes a coupon may inspire you to try a new recipe for your family or you may be willing to use a different shampoo or razor if you can get another brand cheaper.  If I know I won't buy it I don't clip it. Also, you can find some places online with clipable coupons but beware of scams (many stores won't take these, but our wal-mart does).  I use this sight to print coupons, they aren't exclusive to Food Pyramid...in fact, our food pyramid doesn't take them, lame:  http://www.foodpyramidonline.com/coupons.php 
• Organize Coupons:  This may seem silly, but it's very important.  If you have your coupons in order you will save time in your shopping trip preparation and you are more likely to use them.  I have a cheap little coupon book with a notepad from hobby lobby, plus hobby lobby has 40% off coupons so you can get it for $2.99, get it here: http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/small-organizer-with-paper-geo-flowers-567537/?F_All=Y   *Also, make sure to go through your coupons and dispose of expired ones at least once a month, I shoot for bi-weekly.
• Prepare for your shopping trip:  Again, organization is not overrated, it will save you time and money.  So,

1. Make a List - Have a list of what you need from the store.  I have two lists on my fridge, a list of things I plan to make for dinner that week and a grocery list.  I write down things we are out of throughout the week and I use my dinner list to make sure I write down all of the ingredients I need to avoid a mid-week "Oh no, I forgot..." run.
   
2. Pull Coupons - Pull out any coupons you have for those items on your list.
3. Organize Ads - Ok, I am from Oklahoma where Wal-Mart rules the world.  They are cheaper overall (I will talk more about this later) and very convenient...and they match competitor's Ads!  So, when I get the ads in Sunday's paper I take a look and find what they have on sale and get Wal-Mart to price match.  To organize, I write down the item, what ad it is from (target, Food Pyramid, Walgreens, etc.), the price and the page number.  This makes it easy at Wal-Mart to see if they have a better price or not and keeps you from fumbling through all of your ads for that deal.

• Competitor's Ads:  When looking through ads, look for things you use and specifically things you also know you have coupons for.  Things that don't go bad it's good to stock up on if you know you will use it and it's a good buy, but don't go crazy.  I bought 5 big things of toilet paper at walgreens once and as Cayton and I walked out arms full of TP he told me I had gone a little overboard...and I agree, finding a place to store it all was tricky and I don't want to be storing it under my daughter's crib.  However, the Razors I use went on sale for $3.99, I had a coupon for $3 off so bought four packs.  If I had bought them at wal-mart price, no coupon, I would have paid $18, instead, I paid $3.96.  
• Double Coupon Magic!  One of the things your TLC coupon ladies do to save lots of money is going to grocery stores that double or even triple coupons up to and including $1.00...most stores aren't this generous, another reason this show is a little ridiculous.  However, I have found two stores in Stillwater that Double coupons up to and including $0.50.  So, when stuff goes on sale and you have a coupon for $0.50 or less, it can be better to go there.  This is how I get some of my super deals and get some items free (especially things like ketchup, mustard, etc.)  If you have a store that does this, consider it.  The down side, sometimes these things sell out and it's a wasted trip...another reason Wal-mart price matching is so great too!
• Other Random Tips:
• Generic isn't always cheaper - Generic is a great way to save money, especially if it's something you can't tell the difference in, however, sometimes generic is more expensive if you have a coupon so make sure to compare!
• Bulk isn't always a money saver - If you have a coupon for 0.50 off any bottle of mustard and a 12 oz is $.79 and a 24 oz. is $1.50, if you have two coupons, you can get 2 12oz bottles for $.58 or 1 24 oz bottle for $1 so make sure to do the math.
• iphone app - I have a "Shopping List" app that makes things so easy!  A friend (Thank you Melissa Tuck!) recommended it to me.  It's by hensoft and they have a free one, but I prefer the $2.99 version.  You can create your own categories and add notes (like if you have a coupon or a competitor's add).  I used the free one for a while but I am so glad I got the paid one.
• Other Store and Restaurant Savings - I live in a college town that has coupon books.  I adore these little things and at the beginning of every semester start hoarding them.  They have discounts on local area restaurants that save my husband and I a ton of money each year.  When we eat out we often look for a place with a coupon and it's a special occasion when we eat at a non coupon restaurant :)

Ok, that's all I can think of but feel free to add your tips and suggestions.  This may sound complicated and it will take you a while longer at first but once you get the hang of it, it's smooth sailing!  (for the most part)