~* COUPONING BANDWAGON *~

Yep, I have hopped on the bandwagon! The Couponing Bandwagon!! With the way the economy has become, people are forced to find creative ways to make and save money. I have been a single mom most of my daughters life. We have missed out on things, because eating and having utilities was way more important. In the beginning of the year, I started reading a few different blogs about Couponing. What is Couponing you ask? Couponing is when you cut coupons to save money on your own Groceries or use the coupons to sell on the internet. (Disclaimer: you are not actually selling the coupons, but the time it took to accumulate and post them) The first month that I did couponing, I bought $250 worth of groceries for a little over $100!! I was super excited! The next month I bought $250 worth of groceries for $124!! I look at the store ads and match the coupons with what is on sale that my daughter and I enjoy. Sometimes the ads will have coupons too. Target has online coupons, I match these with the Manufacturer coupons for more savings. People ask me when do I have the time to cut the coupons. It is usually during the evening when we are watching our favorite shows or the DVR that we will sit and cut the coupons too. Yes, I have my daughter helping me, as I feel that it is showing her a good way to save money and she is benefiting from the savings. Where do I get the coupons you ask? Here is what About.com has to say. Personally, I get them from 2 sources: the Internet and Starbucks on Sundays.




At the end of the evening about an hour before they close, I will stop by (I have 3 in my immediate area) and ask them for their papers. They happily give them to me as this is one less step they have to do for closing that evening, which is throw the papers away! Yes, I take all of the papers not just the coupons. Originally, I thought I would just chuck the papers in the recycle bin after I am done clipping the coupons, but I have decided to tie and stack them in my garage. Why? Well, when there is a big enough pile (probably 4 weeks worth), I will take them in to the recycle center for CASH! Just like the Plastic, Glass and Cans we save for money. This money will go towards the Hawaii trip that I am planning on taking my daughter on this summer for her birthday!