@Marcy I've heard wonderful stories like this about KMart. Unfortunately, they've been all bought out by WalMart here locally in Hamden, CT--so no KMarts here :-(

@laurie
1. Since we use online money mgmt system, QuickenOnline, we see how much we spend across categories. I search, per category, ie Groceries or Household. Groceries have dropped dramatically, and I add every penny I spend for groceries.

Now, my household expenses haven't changed by $1-2/week b/c yes, now I'm getting namebrand Glade, etc. and cleaners with coupons instead of other generics, so the coupons "wash-out" any savings, but I'm blessed with a cleaner laundry. Name brands do make a difference. Also, I have a cleaner home with less work ;-)

Also, I didn't add the $100s I saved in school supplies, b/c at CVS I spent $22 one week and saved over $92 in coupons and ECBs. I just put how much I spent--so my dollars saved in dramatically less than reported.

Please forgive my misrepresentation & incorrect advice noted to @Katie regarding doubling-up coupons!

@Katie, Nida Tara. Thank you profusely for the the rules & clarification. I know I did not purposefully added extra coupons to get a buck and sneak through a righteous system that I'm capitalizing enough on, as to abuse it. I honestly did not know that a printable coupon & a circular coupon could not be doubled-up on at Stop & Shop when I gave it to the cashier. I'm learning too, so as I started off, I said "'ll try my best, what I know..and welcome" the experts' opinion. Thank you for setting us all straight!

I know at Shop Rite, they have special coupons that they will allow their weeklies with manufacturers; so these coupons I always assure are deducted plus the double-coupon they automatically do.

@Chasidy Please read my replies above. Again, I'm a novice learning and stated it. I'm learning from all of you and graciously appreciate your open advice. I am not promoting practices that knew were bad; now that I know the limitations I am recommending the appropriate usage for myself and all beginner couponers.

@Kim Thanks for your recommendation. I'll send the link to hubby--my tech-guy ;-)

@Katie, Nida is right. No, no, and no. Attempting to use 2 manufacturer coupons on the same item is attempting coupon fraud. Manufacturers don't reimburse businesses for improperly used coupons and that means the business takes a loss which means they don't like couponers and are less likely to be kind to us, or to put out future deals/sales/coupons. In some instances, the cashiers who "push through" a bad coupon are put into corrective action or even fired. Let's show some accountability and integrity here-- know the rules, and play by them-- don't throw the cashiers under the bus for heaven's sake! It's your responsibility to know what you're doing with coupons before you just "try it" as Ponn Sabra suggests. Please correct me if I'm wrong or out of line, Tara.

@Katie- There are some circumstances I can think of where it seems like you're using 2 coupons on the same item but you're really not (these are viable combinations):
1. a "BOGO" coupon with a "$x off 1" b/c the BOGO is for the free item and the $ off is for the other item.
2. a manufacturer coupon (like a catalina) that's for ex. "$5 off your next order" in addition to all your other manufacturer coupons

I'm so glad everything is working out for your family, especially during rough times. Being able to give in charity when you thought you barely had enough yourself is a wonderful blessing!

I just checked out what a Zbinder is...I love the handle. I have something similar, but it's more a binder and folder--without a handle makes it such a pain to truck in and out of the house.

1. We have an emergency savings account.
2. We are on a cash-only system.
3. We talk to each other about purchases/needs before taking action.
4. Instead of barely getting by, we can donate and share with others.

Couponing has helped psychologically, too. Instead of feeling that we are going 'without' or sacrificing, I'm able to get little samples and yummy treats for free.

We went from going without to stay in a $50 a week budget, to splurging and still staying within budget. I used to make choices at the grocery store...what do I leave on the shelf? What do we stretch until next week? Now I am hitting $100+ before coupons and dropping in to the $40s and $30s.

I have a Zbinder and keep on average 500-600 coupons in that book at any given time. Sometimes it's a pain to keep organized, but I make sure to fit it into my day instead of fitting my day around couponing.

DSM does rock--worthy of your nomination. Congrats on your nomination too ;-)

My girls have always loved grocery shopping; so much that they now fight to come. So hubby and I rotate, "who came with me last time?"

My #1 tip is: Involvement. Give them all a job & a "learning" duty.
For example, depending on ages, have one read & compare cereals to pick. Very young? Have one pick out colors, letters, numbers. Count the 10 pastas for $10. etc.

Yes, it takes more time to shop, but it is much fun for everyone--and less painful for your head and body.

I learned very early, that it's better to spend more time having fun and learning; rather than speeding through hoping that your headache and bodyaches of calming the cranky kids will end after the rushed shopping spree. As I'm sure you know that once a kid is cranky at the store...it makes bringing in the groceries, putting them away and then cooking the food even more miserable.

Teach your kids to love the "food process"...it is *not* just enjoying a great home-cooked meal pleasantly placed on the dining table--it all starts at the grocery store!

Hoped I helped a little, as you helped a lot by giving me ideas to expand my tips for another post ;-)

I've nominated you for a blog award---keep up the good work!

Great post, as usual!

I've nominated you for a blog award---keep up the good work!

http://free2befrugal.blogspot.com/2009/10/one-lovely-blog-and-15-more.html

:)

And, it's my pleasure to help motivate others. So, you're welcome ;-)

@ Katie
I'll try my best to answer what I know.
1. Yes
2. It works sometimes: Once it worked at a grocery store because I think the cashier was frustrated because I gave her so many coupons that when a few did not go through for whatever reason, she hand-coded the deductions herself. Another time I tried at a drug store and they said, "you can't use 2 for the same thing". I just try and don't mind either way...but, if it's in your favor, yay ;-)
3. Hmm...I don't know, but it doesn't hurt to try.
4. I know our Shop Rite does, but it's a family-independently-owned one, so I'm not exactly sure.

Hoped I helped some...

@Brenda. That's great news! Fortunately, I have a very cozy farmhouse, so we do not have any room for stockpiling or overstock. It forces me to conserve space, time and money though. For example, I literally use every inch of our freezers, by cutting bulk meats and bagging them into perfectly-fitted lego-type-shaped frozen foods packages.

Hah! Yeah, I will not Pitch for Pennies, but definitely "Detour for Dollars". However, I do save pennies or share in the penny buckets ;-)

@Daphne Thanks. We looked into it last month when someone recommended Mint.com Hubby is our tech-guy and he said it's basically the same. Also, we tried to find a program that will import our Quicken stuff, and I believe Mint.com does not have that capability; but I'm not for sure.

@Stephanie Yay, we're going to stick with Quicken.

Hah! Regarding halal and specialty foods, I have some cool tips to share on that topic that I figured out more during our fasting month of Ramadan (last month). Thanks for giving me the motivation for my next article ;-)

Thanks for answering Katie's questions, have you ever tried like me?

@Bri Clark - That's hysterical! Whatever gets the kids involved and enjoying themselves is key!

Thanks for the tips!

I agree on the halal meat thing, i do eat halal but its also usually organic and clean meat, without crude proteins found in things such as hot dogs.

KATIE:

1) no
2) no
3) no

you can only use two coupons on the SAME item if a store allows it and you are using one MANUFACTURER coupon and one STORE coupon.

btw, harris teeter takes competitors coupons for $x/xx purchases i.e. $5/25

Second, I wanted to mention that I was happy to see you mention shopping for halal meats. Although my family is Christian, we have several Muslim friends, and we keep a halal chicken in the freezer for impromptu get-togethers. Around here, we have a great halal butcher and Middle Eastern import store. No, it's not as cheap as what you'll find at the grocery, but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than buying on the internet! As an added bonus, halal and kosher meats are often organic, too, even if they're not explicitly marketed that way! Anyway, I'm glad to see someone mentioning how to save money on "specialty" groceries, too!