How to get started on the whole couponing/frugal thing!
This was my email response to a couponing "newbie" on how to get started-- this is definitely a rehash of a lot of things that I've already discussed both here on the blog and in my shopping classes, so nothing revolutionary-- but I hope some of you find it useful!
Here it is:
Find out which days newspapers have coupon inserts in your area-- it usually is Sunday in most, but certainly not ALL areas. And find a great price on a newspaper subscription, ask for any "new subscriber" specials that they may have available.
Next, start tracking the prices of the things that you buy regularly- imagine that EVERYTHING in your house (groceries, toiletries, household goods) disappeared and write down the regular and sale prices of those items- I suggest using a phone book (a small portable one) for this-- it's already alphabetized so it makes it easy. Just add the prices as you're shopping-- no need to do it all at once, but you neeed to be able to recognize a good vs a great price-- when something is a GREAT price, that's when you'll stock up!
Start clipping and sorting coupons-- there are a MILLION ways to get organized: binders, coupon envelopes, etc-- find a way that works for YOU and go from there-- you might start one way and then switch to another way. I started with paper envelopes-- but I now use 3
expandable poly envelopes (with 13 slots)-- one for groceries, one for drug store items, and one for stores/restaurants.
Start buying items and stock up when their prices are at their lowest to build up your pantry---- and plan your menu based upon what protein (meat/poultry/fish/seafood) and produce (fruits/veggies) are on sale and/or seasonal. You can even stock up on protein and freeze it (I
only freeze shrimp, but you can really freeze ANY protein)-- at first, as you're building your pantry, you might actually spend MORE for a few weeks-- that's fine as long as you're spending LESS per item.
What grocery and drug stores are you shopping at? Find coupon matchups to make your life easier (and cheaper!)-- many of those matchups can be found on this site!
Once your pantry and toiletries are stocked-- all you need to buy each week is fresh produce and protein-- and continue to replenish items as they go on sale-- you are NOT going to buy things as you run out-- let me repeat: you're going to plan your shopping based on what's on sale NOT what you're out of (whenever possible, of course!)-- the goal is NOT to run out of anything as you'll be stocking up on items that you use whenever they're at their lowest point.
Now that I've been doing this for a while, I average $75/week for EVERYTHING-- groceries, toiletries and household goods--- and that's for a family of five!
Viva la frugal!
This was my email response to a couponing "newbie" on how to get started-- this is definitely a rehash of a lot of things that I've already discussed both here on the blog and in my shopping classes, so nothing revolutionary-- but I hope some of you find it useful!
Here it is:
Find out which days newspapers have coupon inserts in your area-- it usually is Sunday in most, but certainly not ALL areas. And find a great price on a newspaper subscription, ask for any "new subscriber" specials that they may have available.
Next, start tracking the prices of the things that you buy regularly- imagine that EVERYTHING in your house (groceries, toiletries, household goods) disappeared and write down the regular and sale prices of those items- I suggest using a phone book (a small portable one) for this-- it's already alphabetized so it makes it easy. Just add the prices as you're shopping-- no need to do it all at once, but you neeed to be able to recognize a good vs a great price-- when something is a GREAT price, that's when you'll stock up!
Start clipping and sorting coupons-- there are a MILLION ways to get organized: binders, coupon envelopes, etc-- find a way that works for YOU and go from there-- you might start one way and then switch to another way. I started with paper envelopes-- but I now use 3
expandable poly envelopes (with 13 slots)-- one for groceries, one for drug store items, and one for stores/restaurants.
Start buying items and stock up when their prices are at their lowest to build up your pantry---- and plan your menu based upon what protein (meat/poultry/fish/seafood) and produce (fruits/veggies) are on sale and/or seasonal. You can even stock up on protein and freeze it (I
only freeze shrimp, but you can really freeze ANY protein)-- at first, as you're building your pantry, you might actually spend MORE for a few weeks-- that's fine as long as you're spending LESS per item.
What grocery and drug stores are you shopping at? Find coupon matchups to make your life easier (and cheaper!)-- many of those matchups can be found on this site!
Once your pantry and toiletries are stocked-- all you need to buy each week is fresh produce and protein-- and continue to replenish items as they go on sale-- you are NOT going to buy things as you run out-- let me repeat: you're going to plan your shopping based on what's on sale NOT what you're out of (whenever possible, of course!)-- the goal is NOT to run out of anything as you'll be stocking up on items that you use whenever they're at their lowest point.
Now that I've been doing this for a while, I average $75/week for EVERYTHING-- groceries, toiletries and household goods--- and that's for a family of five!
Viva la frugal!
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