Coupon Crazy

So, in the last few weeks I've become a little crazy about couponing.  I'm excited about it.  I love to save money.  AND it's going to help our family continue to get even closer to becoming debt free.  Yes, DEBT FREE!  YAY!   We're getting  closer and closer, and our hopes to be debt free weren't dashed by a few setbacks.  It's just part of the plan, part of the game, and we're still working hard on Baby Step 2!  We're anxious and excited! 

In the past few months I contacted some friends about learning about the real deal with couponing.  The woman that came to share her knowledge with us at our MOPS meeting this past month got me (and several other moms) ready and geared up for couponing.  Some of us didn't even realize what it all entailed (including me!).  Although I can't share all of the things I gleaned from the meeting here, I can add to the list of sites that I've learned to utilize!  Here they are


Couponersunited.com
Moneysavingmom.com
Frugallyblonde.blogspot.com
heyitsfree.com
orgjunkie.com
stretchingabuckblog.com

Although I can't devote my evenings and weekends to couponing, I'm going to give this weekend  my very first "real good" shot.  I've always couponed, but this time I'm using "prior knowledge" from those who go before me (aka PocketYourDollars and CreativeCouponing)

And if all this information goodness isn't "good" enough for you...here's a video to get your couponing fire burning! 

Making It All Work

Recently at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meeting myself and several other moms gathered to pray together, chat, support, and learn together.  Our meetings are monthly and this month we had a fabulous speaker who shared the importance of financial peace.  The woman who shared many words of wisdom about finances gleaned her perspectives on several ways to save money on every day living expenditures.

In past blog posts I have shared sites that I have utilized in saving money.  You can find those posts here and here. I have since then found more sites and more strategies to saving money.   Here are some of the strategies I use to get the most on what we've been provided.

1)   I scour and search for steals and deals on gifts, necessities, and the occasional splurge.  Some of the sites that I have added to my money saving scavenger hunt are
PocketYourDollars 
Creative Couponing 

2) I always buy a Saturday paper ( they're cheaper than Sunday) sometimes I buy 2, purely for the coupon inserts.  Both of the above websites alert me as to the number of inserts that will be in the paper for that weekend, as well as the value of the coupons I'll find.  It's always nice when someone else does some of the work for you.

3) In order to keep to my $60-$80/week grocery budget for our family of 5, I plan the week's meals based on the foods that are on sale at Cub Foods and Target.  Both stores offer deals and they also offer coupons either in store, by mail, or on the web.  Many times you can match up a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon to score even bigger savings.  I spend a good amount of time each week devising my plan for meals for the week in order to come out with a best case scenario, which usually keeps the pocketbook a little more full.  I only go to the grocery store with a detailed list, and I rarely deviate.

These are just my top three things I've been doing to save money recently.  It's all become so natural and routine now,that I don't really think before doing it, it's all become habit, and I'm working hard to make it all work.

~Amber

A Penny Saved...is a Penny Saved!

Hubby and I just finished Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University (learn more here) and we have been really proactive previously in the last two years in saving every nickel and dime that we are able to.   When I was a SAHM with the boys before I got started in teaching at our church daycare and preschool, I LOVED looking for the best deals on everything and anything.  I loved doubling coupons, finding great prices on the things we NEEDED, and learning how to get more for less.  I felt like I had conquered the retail monster and learned how to shop with out dropping!

Here are my favorite places to find deals, steals, and the greatest prices around!

Groupon.com
AFullCup.com
RetailMeNot.com
MommySavers.com
BeatMyPrice.com

I'm always on the couponing bandwagon, but since I went back to work full time, I haven't been as gung-ho as I was earlier.  I'm back at it and hoping to score some fabulous finds and of course, I'm always willing to share them with you!

~Amber

Oooo-- my friend Aimee has a great site to share... dealsonradio.com  Check it out, I'm on my way!