Couponing?

Here's my Meager attempt at June an July updates... what month is it now, again? The end of August...?! What the.... where did it come from?  So, this pregnancy feels like my longest, but this has definitely been my shortest summer!

But, here is what my newest hobby has been, since it seems I develop a new one every summer that I've been married... big ones.

So, I know I sound nerdy, not nerdier than 2 summers ago when I grew to like canning!... but, my friend Kacey has helped me profoundly to coupon shop, which actually isn't nerdy, it's ridiculously smart.

Now, I can not do as much as her, she is determined, and I thought I was, so we get along awesome!  But, I can follow a little of what she has done, and now I have a routine of my own...

and we are saving 150-200 dollars a month! and on top of keeping our fridge and pantry full of things we would've never afforded before, we have 3 huge storage shelves of everyday food storage and two shelves of toiletry and cleaning supplies.... and that's on top of the savings, not additional spending!

Last night, we went to the store together cuz we had to be out of our house, and between Coby and I we filled my cart and half of his with groceries, and our total bill came to 151.27 and we paid 35.00 bucks out of pocket!  That is actually not even my great savings trip!

Last week:

I filled my cart, my total was 179.00 and after coupons I spent 36 bucks! 

and the week before: 

my total was 135.00 and I spent 17.00 and walked away with 14 (yes, 14) gallons of milk future coupons (called Catalina's), so 14 free milks, to buy when I needed!

and in between my grocery shopping, I hit up the stores that I am near when I am out, (of course after researching Kaceys site and printing coupons) and 4 weeks ago, my total came to 109.00 and I spent .04 cents and got a 25.00 dollar rebate to use next time... so major overage, and I filled our toiletry supplies for the next two years!

So, anyway, it took me a long time to do it, but, now that I am, I spend an hour a week on coupon cutting and planning and an hour shopping at one store, that's the routine that works for me.... and I was the one that would say, "oh that's great, but I am not taking 3 kids coupon shopping, and I just can't dedicate that time..." so seriously, she spent 3 months convincing me...and now if I had more time (and sometimes I find it, I will hit up the other stores for free stuff!)  It's such a fun challenge, and what I love about it most is it feeds my frugal mania appetite!  

Thank you to Kacey... she is the hard worker and brains and extremist behind it all and she has a website, check out her news spot on it, it's awesome!

kaceyscouponcorner.blogspot.com 

I'm always tempted to take a picture of what I got that day for so little money and put it on here... it's so fun!  But, our camera is out of commission and now I'm searching for the big deal on our next one!