I would really like to start couponing but have no idea where to start. I tried last year and found myself so frustrated. At one point it took me 3 hours at several stores and I didn't really save more than just a few dollars. I typically shop at Save A Lot and every time I would go to use a coupon somewhere else I would think to myself "but I know I can get that cheaper at Save A Lot." However, Marcs tends to be a little less expensive than some of the other stores and they carry some of the name brand items that have coupons. Is it worth the time and how do I get started? Any tips would be most appreciated! I have heard of moms who literally can stay at home because they coupon - I would love to do that. Our grocery budget for our family of 4 (not including formula for our 7 week old) is $90 for groceries and toiletries. I would also love to know where to get more coupons for Similac...it's so expensive (one of the many reasons why I so badly wanted nursing to work out but that's a whole different discussion). :0)
Thanks everyone for the great advice! I will look into those options, and have already e-mailed Similac. I am going back to work soon so I'm not sure that I will have a ton of time to put into it but I would love to be able to buy the healthier food for my family without going over budget. We are working the Dave Ramsey financial plan and want to work on paying off student loans this year so anyway I can help with the grocery budget is helpful!
My grocery store has coupons on their site. I just go to kroger.com and they have ecoupons that I can add to my store discount card and from my list of coupons and stuff that's on discount I make my list. I usually save 10-20%.
The best advise I've been given was don't use your coupons when you get them. Save them and usually that item will go on sale before it expires. Also, on a BOGO sale you can use a coupon on each item even if one of the items are free.
There are lots of ways to save at the grocery store. Couponing is only one way. I have done the "extreme couponing" in the past. What I found was that if I had a part time job and spent as much time at the part time job as I did acquiring, cutting and sorting coupons, I could actually save more money at the part time job. I have also found that the store brands are also cheaper in a lot of cases than the name brand minus the coupon.
If the stores in your area double and triple the value of the coupon, then you have an additional advantage. The stores in my area, when I was couponing, had so many restrictions on doubling the coupons that it became tedious and simply not worth the effort.
Good luck to you and yours.
As far as the Similac, my daughter's pedatrician gave them formula from their office. You could ask them about it. They also gave them coupons. Also email to Similac and ask for some coupons. My daughter had twins and breastfeeding didn't work out. So I told them this and she also did and got coupons. Do it more than once. We did it every once in ahwile and they always sent coupons, Have your family do the same and you might get even more coupons. Good luck to you!!
http://www.afullcup.com/forums/index.php
Their forums are really helpfull.
Try hip2save.com and happyhomemakercindy.com. I don't save a lot of money on groceries as a lot of it tends to be processed foods but I save a lot on things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo, etc. I also make my own laundry soap, cleaning supplies, fabric softener, hand soap and the like for pennies and with no harmful chemicals. Send me a message if you want the directions and I would be happy to pass them along! Ask your pediatrician if she/he has coupons for similac. I see them in the Sunday paper sometimes... I agree, it is expensive! The moms who stay at home b/c they coupon are spending A LOT of time couponing. With a seven-week-old at home, you need SLEEP!!!! Good luck!
