Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Racking up the Savings...

Practically since Hubby & I started dating, we've discussed the fact that I don't really have a hobby. Sure, I love to read and I love to shop and I love to do all sort of other things, most of which end up costing money that I don't really feel like I should be spending. Well, as of a week ago I think I found a hobby that won't cost more than about $3 a week but will actually make us a whole lot more money than that!

Yep, I'm venturing into the world of couponing. Now, I'm fairly sure that I won't become one of those crazy (but incredibly smart) ladies who are able to get $150 in groceries for like $0.25--but since I really do enjoy shopping I figured this would be a good way to make a game of it. With some help from a high school friend & Money Saving Mom I started researching what was possible and I think I'm totally going to get the hang of this. To start, my friend recommended buying our local paper and one other paper that is available for purchase locally which is from a larger metro area. Those 2 papers cost me about $3 total.

Armed with my coupons from the Sunday papers along with those from some on-line sites I started formulating my plan. I met up with my friend Megan and she gave me some pointers on what to buy and on how to check out. She was amazing & only spent $14 but saved $83.91. On my first coupon-toting trip to Walgreens (or WAGS as those in the coupon game call it) I spent about $38 but saved $46!!! Wow!

MoneySavingMom.com


I'm new to this so I forgot to take a picture of my loot, but here's what I walked away with for $38...2 Shick men's razors with an extra refill in each (so 4 razors total), 1 5 lb bag of Gold Medal Flour, 2 boxes Fiber One cereal bars, 1 package Ponds makeup remover wipes, 2 EOS lipgloss, 2 Dove Bath Wash for Women, 2 Dove Bath Wash for Men, 1 Old Spice Deodorant, & 1 Bausch & Lomb Contact Solution.

Seriously, if I had paid full price for that my total out of pocket expense would have been at least double! Everything I purchased are items we currently use; maybe not the exact brand but I didn't buy anything that won't be put to use almost immediately. In addition, everything I bought except for the deodorant and contact solution was either free or extremely discounted after all my coupons and Register Rewards.

I'm by no means an expert, but I'm learning and I can't wait to see the results. Of course I have a bit of an incentive. Hubby says that I get to keep the difference between our new grocery/household expense and our previous monthly average for those same items! Hopefully I'll be able to fund my other favorite hobby...shopping for clothes & shoes!

7 comments:

Sweet Saving Mom said...

Welcome to the world of couponing! Beware because it has become a very addictive hobby for me...but at least we are saving right?

Lauren said...

Oh I wish I could learn how to coupon... I often wonder how much money I am throwing away by not using coupons. Sounds like a very productive hobby!!

Ria @ Life as a Wife! said...

Good for you!! I love it :) I wish I had more time for that!! Glad you have found a "hobby". That is soooo exciting!

Amanda said...

oh i have always wanted to learn how to coupon. there are several ladies at my church who are pros at it. i'm excited to hear how you like it. i'm afraid it would be hard to learn and how much time it involves. sounds like you had a great first shopping trip! :)

Bethany said...

Ok, you're going to have to "teach" me, oh Yoda, because I think my husband would go nuts with this!! He already clips coupons from our Sunday paper, but that's all we do...

Joanna said...

I think is great you're doing that! I'm okay but need to get better! Savings are the BEST! stumbled upon your blog SO cute!

Anonymous said...

I need to learn to do this. I think I'll buy two Sunday papers today and give it a try!