My first real attempt at couponing!!

So this evening I went with coupons in hand to Giant Food Store. It was my first real attempt at couponing.

I learned some lessons within 5 minutes of walking in the store.

• Lesson #1: I tried to coupon and regular grocery shop at the same time. Not a good idea. Sent my daughter, Felyshia, out to get another cart so we could separate the coupon deals in one cart and full priced items in another cart. This was easier for me because I wanted to do a separate order and see how much I really saved. Which brings me to:

• Lesson #2: Plan separate trips to the store. One for large coupon shopping and one for full priced items.

So I was off. Felyshia pushing one cart and me pushing the other. I was a mess! I went from one side of the store to the other, and back again, then again, and again.

• Lesson #3: Pre-Sort all of your coupons from one side of the store to the next in order so you don't drive yourself crazy. Which ties into:

• Lesson #4: Get yourself a binder and baseball card sheets and ORGANIZE YOUR COUPONS!! I was a mad woman lol.

When we finally got to the register, I was exhausted! It took me almost two hours for not very many items.

• Lesson #5: Pre-print a copy of the stores you shop at's coupon policy and have it ready on hand to argue with the cashiers. I'm sure I could have won some arguements and got more off if I only had a copy of the store's policy. I was just too tired.

• Lesson #6: Don't buy things you don't need just to use a coupon.

Well that's it for tonights shopping experience. I'll keep you updates :)


{{hugs and savings}}~ Heather