Let's Coupon

Let’s Coupon: Couponing With My Tablet & 5 Month Check In! #TabletCrew

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I’m no stranger to using coupons. In fact, I LOVE them with a passion. However, since purchasing my first home in October (go me!), I’ve decided that I NEED to save. And by save I need to cut my grocery, household bills – hopefully – in half. I’ve researched for days to find money saving tips from successful shoppers and bloggers around the web. Now, I know this is going to take practice and a lot of trial and error on my part since this is the first time I’m going to attempt to only buy what I have coupons for and stock up on items when they are super cheap and/or free. In any case, I’ve decided to blog my progress to keep myself on track and to hopefully help and encourage others who also want to join in on the Great Couponing Adventure!

 

 

 

 

 

How’s It Going????


 

 

It’s been roughly 5 months since I began my couponing journey. 5 long months of me trying to figure this whole thing out and making sure I always stayed on top of things to get the best deals. As my journey progressed, I had a few setbacks, and had a little trouble with the idea of navigating my way around different stores. I will be the first to admit I am a creature of habit and a person that does not like to change up their routine.  However, if there is one thing I have learned while couponing,  it’s that you have to be able to adapt and change on a whim.

 

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Spending Updates:

Groceries – Bills Have Gone From ~$120.00-$140.00 per trip to ~$60.00- $80.00 per trip

Small shopping excursions for essentials and bargain sale items run me around $20.00 with an average savings of $25.00.

 

Household Items: I save an average of $30 per trip

 

Eating Habits:

We eat only what I have purchased via coupons and we only eat out twice a week.  I now pack all my lunches for work so that I am not spending extra unnecessary money and if I have been good I do give myself a treat of purchasing a sandwich from Jimmy Johns on Fridays!

 

 

 

Sometimes things go on sale you don’t expect; sometimes a store you loathe to shop in has a better deal, and sometimes you don’t want to get up early on a Sunday morning to beat everyone else to the gas station to get your trusty old newspaper. In any case, you have to be willing to get out there and find the sales, grab the papers before they are sold out (and papers in Kernersville sell out quick!), and you have to at least make an effort with couponing  if you want to be successful.  For a while, I did not want to go to different stores. Heck, I still don’t. I love Target and if I could everything at Target I wouldn’t  go anywhere else. Thankfully, I am able to price match most everything at Target and only have to go to the grocery store or Walmart for meats and veggies.

 

 

 

 

Are The Apps Worth It??


 

In a previous post I talked about my Favorite Apps For Couponing and how I found them helpful. I am still using every app and I have to say, Flipp and Cartwheel are by far my favorites! Flipp  saves me so much time. I can look at every sale paper and decide if I want to go to a store. Even when I’m already shopping I will pull the app out and look at a sale paper from a competing store to see if they have a better deal and to make sure I haven’t missed anything.  It’s so worth the download you guys!

 

 

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Recently I fell in love with a new app that lets me see EVERY coupon/sale/deal at EVERY store. Favado is amazing!  You can also see how the coupons match what is on sale and even print coupons right to your email! Favado is another MUST HAVE for any tech-savy couponista!

 

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Tablets, Notebooks, and Binders Oh My!


 

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And I don’t go anywhere without my tablet, notebook, coupon binder, small binder, and of course pens!  Not only has my tablet made couponing easier, it’s so much better than staring at a small screen on my iPhone. My grocery lists are stored in Evernote which makes it easier to change them as I go. And I do, change my mind a lot, probably more than any sane person should. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s that kids are picky, I’m picky, and my little family is ever changing. But, couponing has been a not only a money saver but a life saver. It is a lifestyle change and if you are willing to make the commitment I can guarantee you it’s worth it!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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