It has been a week since I've committed myself to couponing....
I started really thinking about the benefit of frugal living after watching a few episodes of the popular tv show on TLC called Extreme Couponing. I was completely enthralled with how much these people were able to save on their groceries. It started me thinking that I could do that, too, but quickly learned that I was going to have to do it on a much smaller scale.
While watching, I noticed that most of these folks lived in larger metro areas, had a plethora of stores to choose from and had access to many more benefits from their local stores. Whereas in the area that I live, there are 2 grocery stores and 1 pharmacy that are within 10 miles of my home. NOT the best places to get all the deals. (Did I get discouraged? YES! Did that stop me? NO!) On the upside, I am lucky enough to have a few more places to choose from about an hour away. With gas prices at almost $4 bucks/gal it can be expensive to get there to take advantage of their weekly sales and member rewards but I have committed myself to spending the initial "buy in" to start this. Gotta spend money to save money sometimes and I feel the investment will come back to me 10 fold within the next few months.
So I first thought to myself... "If I really want to do this I need to make my intentions known, and publicly announce it to my world." I felt it was like putting the energy out to the universe and giving me someone to be accountable to. Of course Facebook status was easiest and most convenient, so there I posted....
"Really gonna try and do this extreme couponing thing.. If anyone has any extra coupons or access to some, let me know."
I got replies to that status right away! 14 of 'em in all! Some from friends who are savvy shoppers and offered support, help, their "frugal friendship" and posted links as well. Some from other friends who, like me, wanted to start saving and begin their journey along side me.
"Whew! That was easy! Now what??" Well, I started by going to the links offered (some of which are posted to the right) and then was graciously added to a small Facebook group called The Coupon Mafia Moms where I scoured over all the helpful posts, docs and links offered. These ladies really knew their stuff! I was so happy and excited to "belong" somewhere! I think I spent the rest of that day learning about coupon lingo, where to go for printables and signing up for all the coupon websites I could. Of course I announced my first printable to the Facebook world... "Wewt im all hooked up! printer is good to go and i have printed my First coupon" I entered my name into giveaways, "liked" product Facebook pages and had done just about everything suggested to me to become eligible for discounts, freebies and coupon mail-outs. I printed what seemed like a hundred coupons to start off my stash and I just can't wait to see how much my mailman brings to me since putting in for the free samples. Again, I shared my experience with my Facebook friends... "Spent some time signing up on websites for the brands i use. Didnt think that it would be this FUN!"
I watched videos on coupon binders and so of course I HAD to get me something to start out with so I went and picked up a few things to be able to sort all the coupons I had printed out. I got a cool binder and some vinyl envelopes (on clearance of course), came home and spent 2 hours sorting and re-sorting the printables I had. I used the vinyl envies to separate the coupons according to the stores I would use my coupons at. I didn't think this would be so much FUN!
Throughout the week, I gathered up all the coupons I could, studied online flyers for the stores I had access too, added my name to the online sites for those stores, linked my members rewards cards to those accounts and waited ever so impatiently for Sunday to roll around.
Sunday, you ask? That's like a coupon maven's holiday and it happens EVERY WEEK! Coupons GALORE! I bought 3 papers and diligently clipped and cut every coupon. I was awestruck by how many companies want you to save money to buy their product.
I was now 5 days into this new adventure and I was still STOKED! I looked at all the major coupon sites that have what are called "Store Match-Ups" and these are the coolest things EVER! They really take the work out of couponing by listing the weekly flyer sales and matching them with store and manufacturer coupons and member reward programs so you can maximize your savings. I decided that I had to try it. I was so proud and got such a feeling of accomplishment when I walked out of the store with over $25 bucks worth of product for only $11 bucks and a $5 dollar member perk toward my next purchase.
Sunday evening rolled around and I was able to visit with a friend who also wants to start couponing. We clipped and printed and discussed and dished and had a blast till 3 am! "YEAH! Someone to share my excitement!"
Monday, my girlfriend and her husband went home and I was left to my solitary couponing. I again hit up the printable sites and continued allowing my Epson to spit out coupons until I hit a snag. Immediately, I went to Facebook and posted my lament.... "O M G im OUT of Ink for REAL this time, damn thing wont even attempt to print anymore. IM FREAKIN OUT! ima miss out on SO many DEALS" I had 7 people console me. Now what do I do? I done clipped all my printables and Sunday paper inserts, signed up for everything I am eligible for and visually molested every coupon site. Then again, it was already bed time, so off to dreamland I went.
Its now Tuesday, June 28th and I am out of ink. What do I do now? Hmmm. I've never blogged before... Let's give THAT a go.
So, here I am World. I shall Chronicle for you - The Diary of a Frugal Virgin.
