Want to Start Couponing?

Have you gotten into the Extreme Couponing phenomenon.  Perhaps now is the time to do so, especially with the new show Extreme Couponing on TLC Wednesday at 9 pm.  Now you can find tons of other websites out there with Extreme Couponing information.  I think it's great.  Even if you don't want to become an Extreme Couponer it's to your advantage to become a sometime couponer.  What have you got to lose, nothing.  All you'll do is save, save, save.  Another great website all about couponing is The Krazy Coupon Lady  She has great information on couponing.  Or learn realistic couponing and not Extreme Couponing at Couponing 101  And here's a Beginner's Guide to Couponing from About.com  You can also read some great articles about Extreme Couponing at BlogHer.

Now that I've given you some great informative how-to couponing websites to start with, let me list some great coupon websites.

Smartsource
Redplum
Coupons.com
Coupon Cravings
CoolSavings.com
Coupon Database

Basic Couponing for Those Who Need Things Simple

One small thing I do in my life to help with my budget and I find quite fun, is couponing. So today, I am going to show you the tools I use to coupon. And trust me, these tools are very easy to follow. I find the most basic and simplest way to coupon, and what is easiest and works best for me.  Maybe it's not that couponing is not for you, but rather you just need something easy and basic like me. 
I use simple tools, such as:

• Scissors
• Tote Bag ( a cutsie pink one - $1.00 at Dollar Tree)
• Folder (also a cutsie pink one w/polka dots)
• Small Wallet Size Organizer book (pink)

All purchased at Walmart for under $10.  My system is to simply only collect what coupons I think I will use and place them in the large folder. I then go through my folder about once a week and collect/cut out any coupons I'm fairly certain I will use at the grocery store in any of the upcoming months visits. Once I've cut my coupons out. I file them in my small organizer which I have labeled by departments, (IE... bread, dairy, drinks, frozen foods, grocery, health/beauty, household, snacks, etc.) I leave a spot open in the front of my organizer to place my coupons I will be using that day of my grocery visit.  What is in that front folder slot is what I pulled that I am using that day by category, then in order by isle at the grocery store I'm going to that day.  

I also leave a space at the very back, so as I obtain the items off my coupon list, I then check the item off my grocery list and move that coupon to the back of my organizer. Incidentally, my grocery list items that have a coupon, I simply place a little c and circle it...then write it beside my item.  Once I am at the checkout, I have all my coupons in the very back, ready to pull and hand to the cashier.

I go through my organizer about once a month, around the first of every month to clean out any outdated coupons that I ended up not using. I then take those coupons and donate them to Military Families Overseas Overseas Coupon Program or you can simply mail them to Crafters With Love c/o Bev Wallace, 645 East 16th Avenue, Lancaster, OH 43130 and they will do it for you. For more information about Crafters With Love, please visit their website. 

And last, but not least my cutsie pink tote bag.  I simply use it to keep all my supplies (coupons, coupon organizer, my pre-coupon folder & scissors) in. I hope this makes couponing as easy for you as it has for me.  Happy Couponing!

Frugal Matters: Three Easy Steps to Frugality

Want to be frugal?  Need some basics?  I am your average everyday frugal gal with three easy steps towards becoming frugal. 

1. Use Coupons such as Red Plum and Smart Source.  You can also find great savings coupons inside the very informative and affordable All You magazine on the stands at Walmart and offered online as well.  Again, I'm your average frugal gal and I save about $10 - $25 a month on groceries.
2. Use Rebates and get a portion of your money back or perhaps all of it.  With most rebates all that is needed is to send in the UPC symbol/code from the package along with your information and receipt and you receive a rebate check in about 4 to 6 weeks.  I'm currently waiting on an $11 rebate check.
3. Get the Free Stuff/Samples by filling out those household quesionnaires that come to you in the mail.  Yes, you really do receive lots of free stuff such as makeup, feminine items, lotions, bath wash, etc, but also more great savings with even more coupons they send you.  Or check out such sites at these Free Stuff and Yes All 4 Free 

So give it a try!  You have nothing to lose, only ton's of savings and free stuff to gain!  Happy shopping to you and good luck to you in what is just the beginning of a new frugal lifestyle full of savings.