Me and my coupons.

I have had lots of people ask me about my couponing and how I'm doing. I've also had a lot of questions about how others can do it too. So although there is WAY too much info for me to share over the web I can give a small taste and try to answer most questions I have received. If you would still like more information just call or email me!
Ok about 2 months ago I took a coupon class that was offered free here in town. I don't think they offer the class anymore. I learned a few things and was intrigued. So I went out and signed up for the newspaper and began what turned out to be my new obsession. I get on average 2-4 papers a week. I cut out all the coupons. And I do mean ALL the coupons. I have a three ring binder that has baseball card holders in it and veriest other sizes of page protectors. I place my coupons in these sheets divided by sections (baby, canned goods, frozen, etc.). I then get my weekly ads (also usually found in the paper though some of our grocery stores mail them out on Tuesday). I sit down and go over the add with a piece of paper and a pen.
Example:
CVS
Dove Body wash $3.99- $3 off coupon = $0.99
Buy $15 get $5 Extra bucks
Homeland
Bluebell Ice cream pint $1-$1 coupon = FREE
Cheerios 2/$4 = 1/$2- $0.75 off 1 (doubles) & $0.55 off 1 (doubles) = 1/$0.50 & 1/$0.90

Ok so I go through all the ads like that looking at the sale and what coupons I have. I used to never shop at homeland and always at crest or walmart! Now I Shop at homeland or willaims 90% of the time because they double coupons. It makes a huge difference! If I go into Homeland and my receipt says that I saved 50% I consider it a bad week. I typically save between 50%-90%. I have had a few 98% trips, but that's NOT typical and usually only happens when I run in for a few things I know are free that week.
Look for special sales and watch out for what days things are on sale. Some store will try to fool you by only having the REALLY good deal on Monday or something. It helps to join a coupon group. I started one with my friends and family here. We get together and clip coupons and trade and talk about different sales. That way things that I missed in the flier they point out to me. We also tend to call each other when we find a really good deal or coupon somewhere so they others can join in. It also helps that they all know I have dogs and they don't so I get the dog coupons, and my sister in law has a cat so she gets the cat coupons etc. We look out for coupons we know the others need or want. I don't think I'll ever be able to ignore a laughing cow coupon again because I know my sister wants it.
If you can't make or join a coupon group there are lots of coupon forums out there. Feel free to join one. A few tips though: look for a group that fopcuses on your area. It makes it easier if you aren't forever running out to a store only to find the deal you heard about only exisit in wisconsin (true story). Also be aware of any group that talks a lot about "cheating the system" like coping coupons or making their own. This is really bad for business. I always try to make sure that the manufacturer and the store get their money in the end! I don't want to cheat anyone along the way.
You can get great coupons online, but a lot of stores won't take them. I recommend getting to know your favorite stores coupon policies and the manager. I have started getting money off each time I use my reusable bags (even though I'd use them anyway) at my two favorite grocery stores because I asked the managers if they had considered it and they said they already had it in the computer. I just had to know about the discount and ask for it.
Learn how to use register reward programs. These are programs where they print off a coupon at the end of your trip that says "take $___ off your next purchase" I know that CVS, Walgreens, and Homeland all have programs of this nature. Today alone I walked into CVS and bought about $50 worth of stuff and paid about $5 for it all because of extrabucks. I even walked out of the store with $19 in extrabucks left over for next week. Basically I bought item a that cost $4 and used a $3 off coupon. So I paid $1. I bought 4 of item a in my first transaction. Since I bought $15 worth of item a (calculated before coupons) I received $5 extracare bucks. I spent only $4 for $5 in extra care bucks. I then spent those $5 on a $6 transaction that gave me back $8 extra care bucks. This just went on till I was done.
If you plan it out you can save more, but just cutting the coupons and taking them to the store will save you bundles. The key is to cut them all out even if you don't think you'll use them and save them till they expire because what is on sale this week is different form next week. Always try to couple store sales with coupons and you'll be saving bundles in no time!