Yes, I cut coupons!

That is right, I cut coupons. It seems like a lot of work at times, but really it is worth the time. Back in June I had a revelation, well at least it seemed that way to me. In addition to taking care of the house, staying home with our children, and cooking meals, I realized that I could do even more as a stay at home wife.

We took Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace University back in the February 2007. For me, a lot of it was familiar because my Dad had taught use the envelope system when my sister and I were younger. But it's not just about about the envelope system, it's about being financially free. That involves having an emergency fund, paying off debt thru the debt snowball, investing in your retirement, paying off your house, and this is a lifestyle change. You don't do all of these at once, you take baby steps.

Back to my revelation...I was sitting next to Mason's bed one night, waiting for him to drift off to sleep (this was before we put the baby gate in front of his door and right after he moved into his toddler bed), and while I sat I started thinking about our plan to be completely debt free in 4 more years. I was trying to think of ways to shorten the time, if that were possible, and it hit me that I could start using coupons.

We don't get the Sunday paper, so I started looking online to see if I could find any sites that listed coupons. As I have mentioned before, I don't buy something unless we use it, otherwise you end up spending money on items you never use. I found a website and I found items that I buy all the time and printed them off. It wasn't a whole lot of money, but every bit counts. I think I saved about $12 in coupons that month.

We were out of town all of July, so I didn't do any coupon hunting while I was gone, unless you count the coupons I collected from Carters. When I returned home in August, my friend Marissa told me about how one of her friends knew someone that ran a website that lists coupons and ideas on how to save money. I couldn't wait to get that site from her.

I only go to the grocery store for my major grocery shopping twice a month and go back once a week for milk and bread only. I always check the weekly ads whenever I plan on going, so I know where the best deals are. Well, when I found this website Save At Home Mommy, I was thrilled. Not only does she list all of the great deals, she has links to coupon sites and tell us how you can find the best deals. (Turns out, the lady that runs this site is in our new Sunday School class at church...small world)

Like I said, it does take a little time, but once you get the hang of it, it won't take as long and it is so worth it. I made my grocery list Friday and then went to Target and Winco and wrote down all the prices for each item. I then went thru my coupons and sorted them based on store. I also searched thru the weekly ad at Vons. I will give you an example from today. Here are my grocery lists:

Vons (Safeway)

Axe Shower Gel (coupons)

Safeway Hot Dog Buns (coupons)

Jimmy Dean Bacon

Ball Park Franks (coupons)

Green Seedless Grapes

Gala Apples

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Vons Club Card Savings: $12.78
Coupon Savings : $3.80
Total Savings: $16.58

Target

Huggies Diapers (coupons)

Up & Up Diapers

Up & Up Wipes

Aveeno Baby Wash (coupons)

Boost Kids Essentials (coupons)

Desitin (coupons)

Johnson & Johnson Head to Toe (coupons)

Up & Up Allergy Relief (c0upon)

Gerber Baby Bottles (coupon)

Johnson & Johnson Baby Oil (coupons)

Coffeemate Creamer (coupon)

Yogo Bites (coupon)
Betty Crocker Brownie Mix (coupons)

Kudos Variety Pack (coupons)

Hillshire Farms Lunchmeat (coupons

General Mills Cereal Cups (coupons)

Johnson & Johnson Budie Soaps (coupons

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Total before coupons: $83.68

-Coupons: $34.54

Total after coupons: $49.14

I also shopped at Winco today and saved $8 in coupons, so in grand total, I saved $59.12 today. We normally budget $125 every 2 weeks for groceries and $40 every 2 weeks for toiletries. I only spent $90 on groceries and $30 on toiletries. That makes it worth it to me. I came away with a lot of free items, and some that cost me less than $0.50. Also, I usually make a menu ahead of time so I know what I'm cooking for the next two weeks. Before I do that, I go thru my pantry, freezer and fridge to see what I already have, so that I'm using what I have first before I buy anything I don't need.

I took a picture of my purchases from Target. I am so excited that I got all of this stuff for $49.14!