Saving sense

This page is just a place to tell you how I've saved my family money since i started using coupons and refunds in my shopping. Some people may think that coupons are a waste of time, to much to keep track of, or that they don't make a difference. Well, let me tell you, they most certainly do! I started a vigilant effort just over a year ago when my husband and I decided to buy our first house to save us as much money as I could so we could put our resources into savings for our downpayment. I was surprised at how well it all has worked. I have kept up my work on saving and refunding and continue to be surprised at how much money we keep or get back, or the things you can get for free, for only shipping charges, or other things like that.

I'll give you sites to check out for coupons, freebies and things like that, and also tell you of my savings so far. I've kept up with my grocery store savings in a book so I could see how much of a difference it made, and I'm glad I did!

Since June 1998 I have saved a total of $545.36 just in store coupons. This does not include the ones I use at places like Wal-Mart, or the rebates I have received (which for the record, just a few weeks ago received a $150.00 rebate). Now for our family, that's over two months of "free" groceries! Have you started to see where I'm coming from?

The best way to do this is to get your weekly flyers for your local grocery stores and find out what's on special. Then see if you have coupons for what you are wanting. (you get double bonuses this way!) but if what you want isn't on special, weigh your options and ask yourself if you really need that item that week, cause it never fails that it'd be on special the next week! If you have a store that doubles coupons that's great, just watch and make sure their prices aren't twice as high. Join programs such as Food Lions MVP customer, and Krogers discount program, every little bit helps.

You can get coupons the best in your Sunday paper, but be sure they put them in on holiday weekends (our local doesn't) and it's a bummer to spend that $2.00 for a paper you won't use. :) If you normally get the paper, all the better! You can also get stuff by calling those 800 numbers you find on items in your house...the Betty Crocker number, the box of Tide, what ever else you see. Call them up and mention how much you like the product, or something and they will very likely be more than pleased to send you coupons! And don't stop at the kitchen or laundry room, check out the baby wipes and diapers too!

For those who have a hard time being organized, the best thing I can offer is to get a coupon organizer to store your goodies. You can get one of these about anywhere, Wal-Mart, catalogs, whatever. It makes keeping up with what is what a lot easier!

And also don't forget to check the web! There are a lot of sites that are offering internet coupons to take to your local stores and things online that you can use. So many merchants want to practically pay you for choosing them!

Finally, don't forget your computer! Did you check to see if they were offering any kind of rebate on any component you bought? You'd be surprised how much you can get back from them.

So take advantage of your merchants goodness and see how much you can make a difference in your household budget. Keep a log of your savings so that you'll know you're making a difference, and so you can show anyone who tries to take your thunder away. :)

Happy Saving!!

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