Sunday Savings

I am quite impressed with the fact that I am actually posting this edition's Sunday Savings on an actual Sunday! And, this week, I'll give you all TWO tips, instead of one, to make up for last week. I know, I know... it's your lucky day! Ha!

Ok, so onto this week's tip -

Tip #1 of the Week:

Get organized!

I would like to share with you, what I have done to stay organized. My method has worked great for me, but it may not be for you. If you need more ideas or suggestions, Frugal Coupon Living has done an excellent job of describing several methods of organizing your coupons. Click here for the post.

But, before we dive in... here's the second tip this week -

Tip #2 of the Week:

Save your receipts.

Remember when I mentioned I had saved almost $900 in groceries since October? Well, I wouldn't have been able to know that if I hadn't saved my receipts. It is astonishing to see the amount of money you save, and if you don't know that - then, what's the point? In my house, it's also nice to receive some praise for a job well done! Who wouldn't want that? You can determine your own way to track your savings - the old fashioned way (pictured below), a spreadsheet, your blog, or whatever works. As you can see from the picture below, I usually just save the bottom half - which shows the total amount spent and saved.

My receipts since October 2009. They are all held in my coupon binder, in a pocket.

The method I have chosen to organize my coupons is with a binder. The one I purchased below is found at Wal-mart. It has a zip pocket on the front, one inside, and several accordion type dividers. It also has the typical 3-ring binder. I would suggest finding something similar, if you choose this route.

Your next step will be to place dividers and baseball card sheets into the 3-ring binder. You'll want as many dividers as categories for your coupons. Some may want to use a divider for each aisle or section in the grocery store. Some may choose dividers for him, her, or the kids. I have one for my dog! Here are my dividers' categories:

1) Deli/Bakery

2) Produce

3) Meats

4) Dairy/Refrigerated

5) Frozen

6) Canned/Bottled

7) Packaged Goods

8) Baby

9) Paper Goods

10) Toiletries

11) Cleaning Supplies

12) Medicines/Vitamins

13) Pet

One other thing that I have done, is organize each name brand in one card slot. For example, in my Packaged Goods divider, I have all of my Kellogg cereal coupons (which, usually average less than 5) in one card slot. Now, as you start couponing, you will notice that some brands offer quite a bit more coupons, than others. For example, Pillsbury, Tide, Pantene, and really, most toiletries far exceed other brands. You may have to use more than one card slot for these coupons. Be creative. It is all about trial and error in the beginning. Doing this, will also help you keep current with your coupons; and you'll easily ditch the expired ones.

The last thing that I would like to share is my Weekly Deals Ziploc bag. This is the place where I store coupons that expire within a week or so. I try to remember to shop the sales at these stores during the week. The clear bag helps me to see the coupons, and remind me. I usually have this placed around my planner. Some coupons that I have placed in here are Michael's, Babies R Us, and Cost Plus World Market. Most of these coupons are found in each store's weekly ads.

You will most likely spend at least 2 hours getting organized the first time. And, you may spend that much time during the first few weeks of clipping or sorting. But, it does get easier. And, before you know it - you'll be an old pro! I typically spend an hour each week organizing and clipping my coupons. I also plan my meals (which is essential when couponing), so that tends to take a little more time. Whatever you do, do not get discouraged and give up. You typically do not see a lot of savings until you have been couponing for 3 months!

Ok, to recap -

Step 1: Seek out support or help to get started.

Step 2: Subscribe to your local paper.

Step 3: Get organized.

Step 4: Save your receipts.

Next week, we'll sort through coupon language and lingo, and what it all means!

Sunday Savings

Happy Monday y'all!

Well, I was in the process of working on this post last night - when Bob hijacked my laptop to do our taxes. I can't complain though. They are done, and we are getting a nice refund! Whew!

So, onto this week's tip -

Tip of the Week:

Subscribe to your local paper.

The best resource by far for obtaining your coupons is the Sunday newspaper. If you're like most people these days, you probably receive a majority of your news online or TV. The newspaper is becoming obsolete. However, the Sunday paper is essential in your journey to saving money. Because of this, you will most likely be able to receive a special rate or discount when ordering your paper. Check to see if you can only subscribe to receive the Sunday edition. In some cases, you may be able to. We receive The Birmingham News twice a week, on Wednesdays and Sundays. And, our rate is $26 for 26 weeks. We are saving 50% off the news stand price for just the Sunday paper alone!

Now, you may try to just buy the paper each Sunday. I tried that too. It.Did.Not.Work. Don't bother. You'll forget, and before you know it - your coupon stockpile will diminish over time. Plus, you'll be spending more money. Aren't we trying to save?

Also, there are plenty of other printable resources to receive coupons. There are always coupons in the magazines I subscribe to - Southern Living and Parents Magazine, for example. Be on the lookout!

Lastly, the Sunday newspaper will have fliers for most stores in your area. There are certain items that we NEED to buy, like Bobby's formula. And, coupons for his formula are hard to come by sometimes. But, chances are, there is always a sale to be found somewhere. For example, this week, CVS has his formula on sale for $21.99. If you are looking for a particular item - make sure to check the fliers of stores you may not usually shop.

Ok, to recap -

Step 1: Seek out support or help to get started.

Step 2: Subscribe to your local paper.

Next week, we'll talk about getting your coupons organized!

Sunday Savings

I have been clipping coupons, and trying to be thrifty for a few years now. I have definitely taken this "sport" more seriously at times, than others. If you have been reading my blog for awhile, then you might remember me talking about the website, The Grocery Game.

I am no longer using that site, but am now using Southern Savers. The concept is basically the same as The Grocery Game. Each week, you can access your store's sales for the week. For example, I shop at Publix. I can access Publix's weekly ad online - and, on top of that, the site will list where you can find coupons for most items on sale. The Grocery Game did the same thing, except you had to pay a fee (boo!), and they did not supply links to sites where you could print the coupons. So, obviously, Southern Savers is a much better option!

I have been very serious with my saving since October of 2009. I can honestly say, there has probably only been 2 or 3 trips to the store, where I shopped blindly; without a list, and without my coupons. Aside from that, I always plan accordingly for the week. As a stay-at-home mom, I feel it is important for me to help out in any way possible. And, I would like to help you!

So, I am going to attempt to bring you a tip on saving money each Sunday. I am by no means an expert, but I feel like I have learned some tricks of the trade that may be helpful to others. And, I am also always looking for ideas and tips. So, please, if you are frugal - leave me a comment!

As of 10/2009, I have saved at Publix:

$876.09

Tip of the Week:

Seek out support or help to get started.

Whether you have a thrifty friend or family member, or even the internet... get help! The art of saving is just that, an art. People often will become discouraged, if they don't see immediate results. Talk to people, consult websites, and prepare for the challenge of saving.

Here are some sites to get you started:

Southern Savers

Fiddledeedee!

CouponMom.com

Coupons.com

Redplum.com

Good luck!

And, if you have any tips or comments you'd like me to share in a future post, please let me know!

Grocery Game & Weekend Update

I am still obsessed with the site GroceryGame.com. This receipt was from my trip 2 weeks ago. Last week, I saved $66, and some change. If you're interested in saving money, go to the site, and use my email address as a referral - jen_ross@earthlink.net. It's fun, I promise!

Don't be jealous, but I am having a spa day today! Well, I'm only getting a massage, but it's at the Ross Bridge Resort Spa.... oooh la la. Between my birthday, and Christmas, I have two gift certificates to use. I'm using one for a pre-natal massage this trimester, and the other for the third trimester. I can't wait!

Bob and I had a great weekend. Lorraine, Victoria, Ashley, and Alexis came over from Atlanta to help me register. Lorraine and I spent about 3 hours in Babies R Us registering. It was fun! I am getting some things as hand-me-downs from both Lorraine and Caryn, so I got lucky there. I am very thankful for Lorraine's help....I learned a lot with her there.

We went to our neighbor's house last night for the Super Bowl. The boys were all watching the game, and us girls just sat around the kitchen and talked - which is the perfect scenario for me. Two of my friends and neighbors are due in March, so of course, baby talk took over a majority of the conversation. Overall, we had a fun weekend.

Now, if it would only stop raining...

Do you game?

GroceryGame.com is my new obsession!

I am always up for a bargain, and with a baby on the way, saving money is the way to go! This is how it works at GroceryGame.com:

You sign up for a weekly list of savings and sales from your specified store. For example, I have signed up to receive my list for the closest Publix to my house. The site will each week, show an updated list of all the sales in the store. Here's the catch though, you have to still clip coupons. Basically, the site will tell you when to use your coupons you clip, along with the advertised sales in the store. I clip coupons anyhow, so this is not a big deal for me. So, with the advertised sales and coupons, you spend next to nothing, and get a lot! The coupons will always come from your local Sunday paper. The site is smart enough to know which sales will be happening in what stores, and what coupons will appear in each Sunday newspaper. Amazing, right?

Look how much I saved my first week! $49.66!!! And, over time, I will only spend less, and save more.

Please see the website for more details. You can try the site for 4 weeks for $1.00. After that, it is $10.00 for every 8 weeks, per store.

If you sign up, use my email address as a referral - jen_ross@earthlink.net.