Coupons

Expert use of “couponing” is truly an art. The good news is that with a little determination, anyone can hone in on this skill. And please remember that it does not happen overnight… Rome was not built in a day! Whatever level of couponing you choose to master is entirely up to you and your family’s needs. Personally, I love to play all games (board games, TV game shows, drinking games, errr anyway…), and I love to save money. Combine that with the fact that you have to eat food to survive, and it becomes too clear that this is a talent worthy of your time. It takes me approximately 2 hours per week to peruse my grocery store’s weekly circular ads, locate the appropriate coupons, plan the menu, make the lists, and do my shopping. Since these two hours save me $25-$50 per week on our grocery bill (for a family of two), keep me on a healthy meal schedule, as well as avoid the hurried frustration when asked the nightly question “what’s for dinner?” I feel this is time well spent!

This may also be the time to point out that we do not eat crap. I strive for 5 fruits/vegetable servings per day, as well as lots of fiber, protein, etc. Most evenings our dinner plates contain a meat, a starch, and 1-2 vegetables. This may seem like a ton of food, but portion control is everything. It also leaves me with plenty of leftovers to reheat for a hot lunch the next day at work, thus avoiding the estimated $5 per day of going out for lunch.

My favorite grocery stores are Publix and Kroger, as these retailers offer double coupons up to 50 cents (which would double to $1). Yes, Wal-Mart may offer low everyday prices; however, they also offer me rude employees, dirty stores, and a general feeling of disgust. Additionally, they do not double any coupon. Ever… Why? Because they’re a greedy corporate giant. Again, personal preference. Wal-Mart may work well for you (God help you…)

I digress. I’ve found that coupling major shopping on Sundays with a quick trip during my lunch break on Wednesdays works best for me. Consequently, Publix updates their weekly sales on Wednesdays while Kroger updates on Sundays. This gives me two days to peruse Kroger’s sales information, clip my coupons, check http://www.couponmom.com/ for anything I may have missed, and make my list. On Wednesday mornings, I check Publix’s weekly BOGO’s (buy one, get one free items) to make sure a better deal is not available before I make that trip. Then I have from Wed until Sun to get my Publix coupons, etc gathered for my big Sunday morning trip. Rinse and repeat for the following week after receiving my Sunday newspaper.

The key to effective couponing is finding that harmonious balance between being flexible and stubborn and mixing in a bit of creativity. Dry pasta on BOGO this week? Diced tomatoes too? Oh and you have a 20 cent coupon for that particular brand, which will double during checkout? Pick them up! They’re dry storage goods with a long shelf life… So a month from now when asparagus is on super sale, pick up a bundle. Saute the three ingredients together in some olive oil and sprinkle with parmesan for a healthy side item, a light lunch, or even add in some leftover shredded chicken you had frozen for a quick dinner.

On the flipside, good job on knowing that you didn’t have to buy those diced tomatoes the week the coupon came out. You hung onto it for three weeks, waited for the sale, and doubled your savings. I NEVER purchase an item just because I have a coupon. If you do this, you’re not saving money… you are simply succumbing to exactly what that manufacturer hoped you would do. I am too stubborn to purchase a tub of frosting just because I have a 50 cent coupon that will double. I did not “need” to make a cake for any reason that week, nor is cake in a major food group (although some may disagree here!). However, when I saw a particular flavor of this manufacturer’s frosting on clearance for $1.13, I opted to use my 50 cent coupon that doubled and happily took home some 13 cent cake frosting. It tasted beautifully with my 40 cent cake mix I’d acquired two months prior!

Again, the extreme to which you practice this art completely depends on your level of commitment and what works best for your schedule. It may be all you can do to quickly flip through that week’s coupons and go get what you need anyway... that is fine. But you are really missing an opportunity here. I’ve found that if you want anything bad enough, you will make time. If you already cook the majority of your meals at home, then clipping coupons may not be a huge transition for you. If you currently eat out or order in 5 nights a week, then this will be quite the adjustment. Get excited about it. You’re going to save money AND be healthier… Are you kidding me? Some say I’ve gone over the edge with this, but I’m sure there’s folks out there even more dedicated than I am. Somewhere. Surely. Right?!?

Hopefully this little blurb provides some insight to the how’s and why’s of couponing. Sure, you’re busy. But the benefits of allowing yourself a little bit of time each week to slow down and prepare for the week(s) ahead provide numerous benefits to your nutritional health, your wallet, and your sanity!