My Main Strategy (so far)

I spend a lot of time on the computer finding out what is on sale and if there is a coupon. Here are some of the things I do that work for me...

My main strategy is nothing revolutionary. Don't wait to buy stuff when you need it, buy it when it is on sale and use a coupon. Then stock up.

I get the Sunday St. Pete Times delivered and save every coupon booklet. I was keeping them in a folder, then I bought a three-ring binder and some sheet protectors. On the side of the booklet it has that Sunday's date. I write it on the top so it's easier to read. I do not cut out the coupons until I am ready to use them.

I also keep the store fliers if they have coupons. Parade magazine will sometimes have coupons, so I flip through that. Sometimes when the Seminole Beacon comes it has coupon booklets so be sure to check that before you recycle it.

I still end up with loose coupons from time to time so I have a small index card size file where I keep those. You can sort them whatever way is easiest for you. I like to group them by type. (ie. paper goods, cleaning supplies, beauty...)

I have a subscription to a magazine called All You which has great coupons as well as some really nice articles.

I subscribe to several blogs that tell me what is on sale and which booklet has a coupon. The blogs also provide me with a link to any printable coupons. Occasionally I find that my local paper or store does not have the same deals or coupons that I am reading about in the blog.

I can go to the store website and click on the link for their weekly ad.

I can go to www.coupontom.com to find the coupon. Coupontom is a search-able database for coupons. Type in the product name and if there is a coupon it will tell you where to find it. This is great for the times I do buy something that is not on sale but I've just got to have it!

Some of the best deals I find are at places like CVS and Walgreens because they allow you to earn money back on your purchases.

Time consuming, but worth it. If the average coupon saves you $1 and it took you one minute to clip it, then in theory you are making $1 a minute, which is $60 an hour. Yes, so far this strategy has already saved us a lot of money, but I feel there is room for improvement. Tomorrow I will tell you about my plans for the future!