Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Coupon Crazy Momma

Well, I've really done it.  I have finally joined the throngs of happy homemakers who coupon.  I don't know why it has taken me so long to get into it.  I think it just seemed too overwhelming.  Trying to figure out how to juggle the sales with the coupons available in the paper, and then arranging it all for the best prices...WHEW!!  Who knew that saving money was so much work?! 



I'm still trying to decide how to keep all of those coupons organized and orderly.  I keep wondering "How should they be arranged...by date or insert?  By the month you get them in the paper, or by the expiration date?  Or how about by the type of item?"  Yep.  You guessed it.  I am one of those annoying people that is more than just a little bit OCD.  I know.  It's a sickness.  But my Prince Charming calls it a beautiful illness...so I am pretty sure I won't be getting any psychological help anytime soon!  

I'll be honest...I'm still a bit overwhelmed by it all.  But I made the decision that I needed to push through the frustrations (and frequent feelings of inadequacy...probably brought on by those "get $1000 worth of goods for $4.27" homemakers), so I can be a good steward of the means the Lord provides our family.  I know I'll make mistakes.  I probably already have, and I just got started today!  I haven't figured it all out yet, and I know that I'll never be the perfect shopper, but saving some cash does feel pretty good.  :)



So, what's the verdict?  Well, on our first day shopping with coupons, we saved over $200!  It isn't as much as I hope to save in the future, but I'm still on the upward slope of that coupon shopping learning curve.  But I have to say I think that amount is well worth the frustration of wading through all of those inserts, don't you? 

What about you?  Do you use coupons when you shop?  What other frugal ideas do you like to use to bless your family (and others)?