Extreme Couponing 101

I did my first attempt at an extreme couponing trip...I didn't pay ten cents for a cartload of food like on the show, but I still got some sweet deals. I will shamefully admit that I shelled out *cough* a little bit on a binder. You know those Trapper Keepers loaded with the baseball card holder pages that the nerds on the show have? Yeah.......

.......ANYWAYS, you only need to do two things to start couponing:

1. find, clip, and organize coupons in a way that makes sense for you (Ziploc bags, accordion file, binder, whatever), and
2. stack manufacturer's coupons on store sales/coupons for the best savings.

I was too lazy to take a picture of mine and upload it, but I have this binder and accordion file :)

You can read more about couponing online, in books, on blogs, etcetera, to learn the insider tips and tricks, but basically this is it. Just get coupons and combine them with store savings. I got a subscription to the LA Times for $1.25 a week for coupons, and I also get my mom's and MIL's when I go home.


Here's some of what I bought and how I used the coupons:


                

Gerber fruit pouches- 2 for $.75 each-and they're organic! Regular price was $1.59. I stacked a "$1 off 2 pouches" manufacturer's coupon with the "$1.25 each" sale price. (If I had had 2 "$1 off 2 pouches" coupons, it would've made them $.25 each.)

Cocoa Puffs Brownie Crunch cereal- 2 for $.88 each (12.2 oz box). Regular price was $4.79. Vons card took off $2.29, extra store coupon took off $.62, and I had 2 "$1 off 2 boxes" manufacturer's coupons.


Hershey chocolate bars- 4 for $.50 each. $.99 each, buy 2 get 2 free 


9 oz. blue Dawn- $.89, regular price was $1.39. I stacked a $.25 off manufacturer's coupon with a $.25 off store coupon.


19 oz. Dawn with Olay Hand Renewal- $1.99. I stacked a $1 off manufacturer's coupon with $.80 off with Von's card.


King's Hawaiian rolls- $1.50. I stacked a $1 off manufacturer's coupon with $.49 off with Von's card.


I bought produce on sale and had a "$3 off $10 of produce" store coupon, final prices:
2 canteloupe for $1.05 each
1 lb. strawberries for $.68
Bananas for $.48 lb.
10 lb. bag of potatoes for $2.79


I bought a few other items. I had a "$5 off $20 or more purchase" store coupon that took off even more money. My final savings came to 49%. The regular prices of all my goodies equaled $113.39, and I paid $55.15.


Did I inspire anyone to start couponing? I hope so! Just don't expect to save a lot when you first start accumulating coupons. The best store sales seem to line up with coupons about a month after they come out, so you have to be patient. Good luck!