Going extreme update

Let me just start by saying that starting this whole couponing process is 1. a lot of friggin work and 2. scarily addictive.

I have been told it gets easier after you get it started and learn how to get faster, and that makes sense.  It's reasonable to expect a learning curve.  Plus I am starting from scratch.  So, I had nothing.  No supplies, no coupons, no knowledge, no nothing.  This week won't be like that.  Plus, I have already learned a few tricks to make the process easier.  And so I can see how it isn't going to be quite so time-consuming.  I hope.  Honestly, I don't care if it is because I have already seen the benefit of it.

This weekend was my first big foray into putting all my work into action and seeing how it is truly going to benefit my family.

I stuck to three stores. And while I did not get $500 worth of groceries for $30, I did save 48% across the stores combined.

For $147, I came away with : all of the things Jimmy and I were assigned for Thanksgiving (the turkey, desserts, potatoes and sweet potato casserole); 6 steaks, 9 pork chops, 6 chicken breasts, all the veggies and sides we needed to make it through two weeks, name brand diapers, dog food, drinks for Silas' class party (35 kids), 4 twelve-packs of soda., lunch stuff for Jimmy and me for the next two weeks, 24 k-cups, 64 ozs. of coffee creamer, deodorant, and baby food to last for two weeks for the bottomless pit (aka Gavin).  I saved a total of $135 on what I normally would have spent buying those things.  

Now, I promise you I am not turning this into a blog about couponing.  Swear.  I just know that several of the people who read this are in the exact same situation as I am.  You are working your butts off to take care of your family and making every penny stretch.  You are not putting near as much into savings as you want.  You sacrifice things you'd like to do for your family because your kids need shoes and clothes and five hundred other things that absolutely cannot be foregone, and you all still have to eat every week.  I don't know about you, but $135 extra dollars makes a difference in my house, especially since we're, like, five minutes away from having another mouth to feed and another butt to diaper.

So, yes, it is work.  I'm not going to lie and say it is the easiest thing I have ever done.  But to save $135 my very first week tells me that it is very much worth it.

Once again, if you want to do this for your family, I highly suggest starting here:

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/