I took a job last summer 

and found that I had less and less time to devote to couponing.

On the advice of a friend I started shopping at Aldi and of course they do not accept coupons. I still go to Kroger for pet food and some dairy products (we don't care for Aldi's cheese) and we go to Dollar General for detergents and some paper products. There is an IGA a couple of miles away and we also shop there since their prices are comparable to the other major chain grocery stores. I like the fact that at IGA you aren't required to have a keytag to enjoy their savings and I like supporting local economy.

I left my job after Easter of this year and started substitute teaching. I have more time for couponing now, but we save so much money with our present system that I don't use as many coupons as before. I recommend Aldi to anyone wishing to slash their grocery budget. We don't spend an hour or more shopping for groceries anymore. I don't feel as though I've entered a time warp when I go into Aldi. You know the feeling...you go into a large store and it's as if you've entered a parallel universe where time is on a different continuum as you go up and down the aisles.

I've tried to do the whole CVS and Walgreens deals but I have to admit that it makes me so nervous trying to be sure I have the exact coupon and product and then do the deals in the correct order that it's worth it to me to shop at Dollar General where prices are low all the time. I know Wal-Mart says they are the lowest, but I beg to differ. Sometimes they are more expensive, and I don't care for the long lines at Wally World. I still remember how so many stores closed their doors after Wal-Mart came to town, especially craft and sewing stores. I now have to drive almost 30 minutes to the nearest fabric store. I go to Wal-Mart as a last resort. Pardon my rant.

Couponing After a Seminar

I was blessed to be able to attend a couponing seminar. My friends have helped me so much, but I wanted to add what I already know, so I paid my $10 and off I went. I learned more than I even expected! So now I use a box with envelopes for my coupons and go through every month or so to weed out the expired ones. This has helped a lot while shopping in the store. I take in less things (coupon box, re-usable bags, my list and the store mailer) and I find I'm saving even more, esp. if there is a big sale and I've had the time to order extra coupons.

I also keep a calculator, a pen, small scissors and an extra envelope (for days that I've forgotten my list that I make on the back of envelopes). I put a rubber band around the box and make sure I've got my info clearly visible inside.

I like this system for now b/c I can have as many topics as I like. I have canned foods subdivided into soups, for example. I have pet items divided between cats and dogs. I have personal items divided into toiletries, soap and shaving, fem, hair, make-up. It makes for more envelopes but this box can hold a LOT, and it makes it faster when going through the grocery store aisles. I was tired of the binder since I was having to go through it so often to make room for new coupons. I may go back to that eventually but the box works real well for me right now.

Couponing...again

I'm still doing couponing and I've taken it a step further - I now sort them by exp. date so it's easier to keep them up-to-date. I'm a shopper at a store that doubles coupons and sends out store coupons. Today I was able to "stack" 2 coupons for dog treats that my dogs love but usu. cost at least $3. I paid less than a dollar for the same treats today!

I was told about a new website by a friend: www.southernsavers.com. I love this website b/c I can find the deals for the store I shop at, make out a grocery list and have it matched to available coupons, and print it out! I've recommended this site to several friends and acquaintances.

I found a lot of ground turkey on a manager's special for $1.49/lb. I bought several packs and put them in our freezer. Some will be used for chili or tacos. My guys don't really care for turkey although my daughter likes it and will never tell. But with all the spices no one picks up on the fact that we are eating turkey instead of beef. I, personally, am a vegetarian but I still cook and serve meat for my family.

I've included pics of my coupon binder and some materials I keep in it. I keep a calculator with a cover, scissors, pens and a sorting mat in the front. My favorite thing to cut coupons out with is a Pampered Chef i-slice.

Couponing and Shopping Sales

I'm trying to be green, while also acknowledging my "inner frugal person". I've learned from a friend how to "stack" deals and coupons, and to shop the sales in order to build up a supply of food. After you build up your supply, then you need to shop only to keep your supplies up. I used to worry about possible power outtages at the stores due to weather or a truck driver strike (hey, I was getting a little paranoid with all the high prices and talk of shortages!) but now we'd be fine if I didn't make it to the store for 3 or 4 weeks, and even then we'd probably only need eggs and bread! I bought everything on sales and some things I also had coupons for, which made it doubly sweet! If you wait until the coupon is about to expire, sometimes you will find the item on sale. I will buy store brands if they are cheaper than the name-brand item with a coupon. Today I found buns for $.99 and stocked up. My freezer is looking great! Look out for the 10 for $10 sales, though. A few times I was tempted by something that looked great, but then I realized that I wouldn't normally pay $1 for a can of beans, so I pass those up.

I converted a closet into a pantry for food. (You have to make room for the food you buy because it really starts to add up!) The toiletries are kept in a half-bath that has shelves for storage. I love to do Christmas Child boxes each November for Franklin Graham's ministry and this year we'll only need to buy toys, washcloths and towels as I have plenty of toiletries to include already.

For coupons, I use a zippered binder with plastic pocket pages for baseball cards. My coupons are in alphabetical order by the type, not necessarily the name brand, of the product. My name and phone number are in there in several places. I included a calculator and small pair of scissors. It can take a few weeks to build up your coupon supply. Don't be ashamed to ask family and friends for their cast-off coupons. Throw your store and product loyalty out the window (except for where allergies are concerned!). I learned a lot from moneysavingmom.com, and Couponmom.com (you have to fill out a lot of e-mail forms and go through a lot of offers on that site, but she has some great ideas and wonderful e-books). I also used The Grocery Game at thegrocerygame.com. I've learned a lot about shopping frugally for my family, which I pray that I'll shop wisely and well.

What do you do to keep costs down for yourself and/or your family?