I am addicted to couponing! I have been doing it for a while now and have really cut down on our grocery spending. We have $350/month budgeted for groceries (which includes toiletries, diapers, cleaning supplies, food storage etc.) and used to go over budget by at least $50/month. Well, now that I have discovered the value (and fun) of couponing we have stayed well below $350 most of the time, and we have WAY more food storage than we ever did before! I save an average of 65-70% each grocery trip. The anticipation of what my final cost will be, and the joy of watching the numbers drop on the register are worth the time I spend organizing my shopping trip and slipping/printing coupons. I shop at Smiths most of the time because they run great deals, and it's very close to my house.
Check out my latest buy:
12 boxes of GM cereal ($1 or less per box) usually around $48 boxes betty crocker fruit snacks ($.75 each) usually over $3
1 Hidden Valley dressing ($.50) usually around $4
1 Huggies diapers ($5.99) usually $9.99
2 Zone protein bars ($.50) usually over $2
2 gallons ice cream ($3.97...not on sale, but totally necessary!)
2 gallons ice cream ($3.97...not on sale, but totally necessary!)
I spent a grand total of $31.88! This would have come to $88.11 without Fresh Values and manufacturer coupons. This is a savings of 65%, I got 71% the other day on oatmeal and sausage. I'd have to say this was a pretty good shopping trip! Lots of cereal and lots of fruit snacks for the kids, and ice cream for me! :)
