To Clip or Not to Clip

That is the question.

With the new TLC show you get to see various ways others store and arrange their coupons. From the envelope stuffed with coupons to the notebooks. You have to wonder which is the best way. As with anything it is all personal preference and a massive amount of trial and error.

I have tried the envelope method. This was years ago when my husband and I were first married. I could never find the coupon I knew was in there, and always ended up missing a deal. I quickly got frustrated and ended up quitting couponing.

When I took my couponing class, our instructor showed us her coupon book and I decided if I was going to really make a go at this couponing thing, that was what I was going to do. I love my coupon book, and have threatened bodily harm before. Messing with that book is like messing with a woman's purse, you just don't do it.

Now my dilemma is do I clip all the coupons I get each Sunday or is there a better way? Watching TLC I have seen several couponers who store their circulars by the week and only clip the coupons for the deals they are going after that week.

This method is looking really good to me as I have upped the number of papers I am buying each week to 5 ( 3 Charlotte and 2 Asheville). The thought of sitting and trimming all those coupons is a daunting task. But so far, only clipping and sorting 1 set of circulars seems to be working well. I will keep you posted on how it is going.

Sadly I have fallen off the wagon.

Yes it is true, but I am trying to change things and get back on track. I have fallen off of the couponing wagon.

I can give all the excuses, since vacation I have chased my family around and just not had time to do or think of anything else. I have not felt like sorting and filing my coupons. Basically, blah blah blah blah!

As a testament to my previous stocking, even with taking items to leave at the beach, we have not run out of anything (except ground turkey meat--no coupons for that). Granted I am getting low on shampoo, and tooth paste, and a few other items, but we have yet to run out of anything. And to my credit (**pat me on the back) I have been stocking up on vegetables that I have frozen for the winter.

Here is to my renewed energy to get back on the couponing wagon. This past Thursday during Project Runway, I have sorted and filed my coupons. I will be back on track for today's coupons (and there are a bunch of them!)

Wish me luck!

Admitting my problem

Most folks have one something that they do that makes them really happy. Mine used to be buying purses. Handbags of any shape or size, it really didn't matter, as long as it was a new purse. My husband lovingly refers to me as the Emelda Marcos of handbags. My particular favorites were Betty Boop purses.

I realized today that my happy focus has shifted.

I stopped by the gas station, with my $10 to put gas in the car. Then I began to think, "Hey, if I put $6 in the tank that will get me enough to make it and leave me $4 that I can go to CVS with....and I have my 4ECBs with me, so I have $8 to spend."

My happy focus has shifted to couponing and spending my RR or ECBs. I have found that I have to go by CVS or Walgreens at least once a week. Sometimes I have to go more than once. I just have to.

Now, is this really a problem? I mean I am saving money, and I am getting products that we do use and need. Is it so bad that I feel that I have to go?

I have seen posts from other couponers who are have totally stocked their homes with products that they have gotten through couponing. I remember this one lady who lets her family members come and go 'shopping' through her pantry. I have read about others who donate items they have that they just have too much of. I am not quite to that point, but that is my goal.

For the record (and my husband's benefit--because I know he is going to read this) I have not bought a new purse since last March while we were on spring break in Florida.

Be sure to check my next blog -- Stockpiling 101

My trip to Walgreens

OK, so I have to brag a little.

My husbands job only pays once a month and on the last day of the month. December is the only exception, and then they pay on or around the 15th. So this means we go 6 weeks between paychecks. Planning in January is very important to us. With that being said, to say funds are tight right now is an understatement. All of my stocking in November and December is paying off for us right now.

Last week I had to get one of my meds filled, so I used a transfer coupon to get a $25 gift card from Walgreens. So I have been planning this trip for a few days (with the ad sneak peaks on HCW). There are some really great deals this week at Walgreens.

First trip ( yep this one was done in 3 stages)
8 jars of Ragu for $1.99 ea
1 Double box of Kelloggs cereal $5.99
2 boxes of Jiffy Pancake mix (in case it does snow) $.89 ea
2 6pk of Ramen Noodles $1.39 ea
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I used coupons for
$1 off 3 jars of Ragu
$1 off the cereal
_____________________________
Subtotal $25.98
-Coupons$ 2.00
Total $23.98 put on gift card
OOP .00
**Bonus $10.oo Register Rewards bucks for buying 8 jars of Ragu

Trip #2
5 12pk of Pepsi products 5/$15
________________________
Subtotal $16.01
-Coupons $ 2.00 ($1 off 2 12pk Pepsi products from Walgreens grand opening)
-RR $ 10.00
_______________
Total $4.01
Paid $1.02 from the gift card
OOP $2.99
**Bonus $5.00 RR for spending $15 on Pepsi products

Trip #3
Pet 1gal Milk $3.59 (hey they are calling for snow after all....lol)
Dt. Pepsi 20oz$1.49
__________________
Subtotal $5.25
-RR $5.00
___________________
Total $ .25
OOP $ .25

Grand Total OOP $3.24

Just for fun I added everything up, if I had bought everything here using just the store sales and no coupons it would have been $45.53 with tax.

Every time I get discouraged and start thinking that this couponing just isn't worth the time or effort, I get to do something like this and it renews my drive!!