Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Cutting Coupons

Once upon a time, when my life was simpler, I started coupon shopping. There was a Meijer not too far away that doubled coupons up to a $1 and there were many great deals to be had. Then this Meijer stopped doubling and life got more complicated and I decided it wasn't worth the effort. Then Rachel and Owen were born and it was all I could do to make sure we had bread and milk in the house - who cared how much I paid for it? Now I am feeling like I have more control over my life and I have started to take back my grocery spending. It was getting way out of control because for so long the important thing was convenience, not cost.

It all started when I was blog-hopping one night. I found a blog by a friend from college and she had quite a few blogs on there about saving money. I started reading a few and thought, "Wow, these people are serious about it." I read more and started thinking, "I wonder if I could do this?" I decided to start out slow. I've been trying to pay attention to it for about a month now, maybe more, and have been excited with my success. I am actually spending less time shopping and spending less and feeling more in control over what we have and what I buy. I love it!

I am also getting addicted to samples and drawings. Are all addictions bad? I don't think so. I hope not. Maybe "addiction" is too strong of a word. Anyways, one of the websites I found while blog-hopping is called The Coupon Coup and has lots of great info on deals and coupons and all kinds of thing. She is having a drawing and to enter, you had to post about coupons or deals and then include a link to her blog. Pretty creative, huh? So I thought I'd give it a shot. My favorite "coupon coup" was getting paid (after rebate) to buy 4 bags of Hershey candy. With the coupons and sale price at Walgreens, it was $2 oop (that's coupon lingo for "out of pocket") and then it qualified for a $5 rebate. I was hooked after that. :)

4 comments:

Michelle Swadling said...

I got the same deal on Chocolate as you did! I agree it's the most fun to get chocolate and have them pay you for it. Usually it's for toothpaste, not nearly as exciting.

Jenn said...

Congratulations Angie! You won my fabulous coupon binder :) Thank you SO MUCH for visiting my blog and participating in my giveaway :)

Contact me through my email link on my blog and let me know your shipping address...I'll get the binder shipped off on Tuesday. If I don't hear from you by Monday night I'll draw a new winner on Tuesday morning.

Thanks again and Happy Coupons!!

Angie said...

Woo-hoo! I'm so excited - I actually won!

Wendi@EveryDayMiracles said...

Congratulations on winning the giveaway! That is so cool!
I am wanting to get more into the coupon thing too. Remeber, I was pretty cynical about it when mom's group talked to us about it?:) I think I was just at a time in my life like you explained - feeling like I had no time for it.
I have heard/read alot of good things about CVS as well as Walgreens. I haven't tried either one yet, but hope to soon. I am very intersted in any tips you have.