Tips and Tricks for Using Coupons and Finding Savings

DO NOT BRING THE KIDS! If you must, you must. But if there is anyway to avoid it, please do. My son is, and always has been, notorious for throwing items in the cart when I'm not looking. He is also very good at convincing me if we don't buy nacho ingredients we will surely die. Don't even get me started about my fate when I neglect the sundae isle! Leave them home!

Eat before you go grocery shopping. When you're shopping hungry....do I really need to go on. I'm certain everyone at some point has come home with bags and bags of snacks and ingredients for things you can make NOW. And don't think that the store offering hot to-go items is unintentional. Being hungry and smelling food increase impulse shopping! Did you know that a general trick in selling your house is to make cookies before potential buyers arrive so they feel more at home and comfortable (true story). The store uses the same premise. If you smell food you become more comfortable and will fill every cart you can find subconsciously thinking about how you will become Martha Stewart and you will need an overflowing pantry of food you would not normally eat.

Make a list, make a list, make a list.....then stick to it! This is the absolute quickest way to overspend and end up with nothing but snacks (been there, done that).

There are many many places to find useable internet coupons, click here to see which I use.

Avoid shopping at the peak times such as right after work (5-7 PM) and weekends. Shopping during slow times will allow for you to look for the best deals and getting the best prices without becoming the object of basket-rage. This will also relieve the pressure of hearing everyone grunt and sigh when you pull out those coupons. You absolutely should use your couponing expertise, but why make it harder on yourself?

(Please read past this first line - I know - EEEWWWWW!) Make some extra money filling out surveys that pay! I use several that are actually interesting and short. I have gotten paid by all of them. Click here to see my very limited list. This money automatically goes into the grocery fund. I treat myself to something at the store that I wouldn't normally buy....Krispy Kremes come to mind. Nothing wrong with a little treat for yourself, especially after all the hard work you do to save money. A $10 indulgence once in awhile is not going to make or break or anyone!

Whatever system you use for couponing, find a place to call your own and stay organized. If you get behind and messy, it can take hours to reorganize. If you don't already have a system you're happy with, check out the Coupon Crate. This started out with a bright idea I had while picking my coupons off the floor when my soft-sided holder spilled in CVS - did I mention ALL over the floor?

If you are only running in for a couple items, forget the cart. I was always so guilty of this one. For some reason, empty carts beg to be filled. But usually this causes your filled wallet to empty.

Always make sure to compare prices on items you need every week. Sometimes you can't wait to stockpile on the super cheap. My family would revolt if I only bought bread and eggs when they were on sale or had a coupon. To keep the wolves at bay, you just have to figure out how to save money on regular weekly items. Click here to learn how I handle these items!