Coupon Savvy – An Easy Tutorial

I mentioned when I showed you my mail center that I have coupon folders.  I was planning to write a nice little “how to use coupons to really save money” post.  As I started writing, I realized that when it comes right down to it the very best advice I can really give you is one simple thing.  It’s actually a website.  My friend told me about it last June and it has pretty much changed my life.  Yeah, it’s that major!  Good friends share great tips.  So, go ahead and start singing to me – thank you for being a friend (Golden Girls style) because I’m about to give you the best coupon, money saving advice ever – 2 words – SOUTHERN SAVERS!

Seriously, even if you don’t live in the Southeast, you should check out this site!   It’s not just for us southern savers 🙂  It will teach you “how to coupon” in plain English so you don’t have to have a degree in couponing to understand.  When I started couponing in June of last year, I didn’t even know what a Catalina was!  Look at me know!

I do these things every week.  I spend 1 hour of my time.  I clip coupons, print coupons, and download coupons.  I check out Southern Savers weekly sales ad (I’m a Kroger shopper).  I print out my grocery store shopping list from that site.  Then I pull out the coupons I need from one of my coupon folders pictured above.  I then put my list and coupons in my hot pink coupon divider (Target’s $1 section) that fits nicely and inconspicuously in my handbag, and I go shopping!  It’s that easy!

Sorry for these bad Iphone pics.  Speaking of Iphones, Kroger actually has an app for downloading coupons to your Kroger card from your phone.  Yes, it’s awesome!  Oh, and you can register on Target’s website for mobile coupons too!

Since I started my coupon adventures, I have scored deals like Crest toothpaste for $.17/tube; yes that’s right SEVENTEEN CENTS a tube!  I bought Windex last August for $.25/bottle; I bought 6 bottles at that price and haven’t had to buy it again yet (I keep a bottle of Windex in every bathroom and also in the kitchen).  I never pay more than $1.50 for a box of name brand cereal (the big box most of the time).  I still buy organic milk and eggs, and I buy mostly organic produce and meats.  There are coupons out there for organic food too!

So here’s the tutorial part:
1.  Go to Southern Savers website.  That’s it – go there and learn – and thank me later for sending you there!

Easiest tutorial ever – right?!

Please, whatever you do, do not let couponing turn you into a hoarder.  The sales cycle is a real thing, so that great price will be back again.  You do not need to have 100 tubes of toothpaste even if it is just seventeen cents a tube. Do not ever buy that much unless you are the Duggars 🙂 or are donating to a church or charity.  I think couponing is the new black 🙂  Or maybe just saving money is or being thrifty or being financially responsible?  I don’t know just give couponing (which means “to use coupons”) a try.  Seriously, try it for a month or two; and I promise you won’t regret it!  Saving money on things you need to buy means you have more money for the things you want to buy.  For the Diy’er this money savings means more money for projects – YAY!

Great tutorial right?!  I think the best thing I learned from the Southern Savers website was how to start “CVSing“!  Oh yeah- CVS is a money saving mecca – for realz!  You heard it here first!  Ok, well maybe you learned it from the southern saver (who calls it a goldmine).  I heart CVS, and you will too!

 Now it’s your turn to get coupon savvy.  Unless, you already are, and then you need to share your coupon smarts!  If you’ve got any great coupon tips I’d love to know about them!