Whidbey's Frugalista

Coupon use, can save you money – but, it is only one option for living within our means.  If coupons are not for you, network with those who are kindred to your frugal philosophies.  Utilizing meal planning, comparison shopping and kitchen efficiency, as outlined below can be of help to all shoppers.

Frugal Grocery Shopping 101:

This is where the frugal strategy and the networking come in. 

Find the time, a little at a time, to try new spending methods.  Choose one or two strategies, see what they save you and go from there.  Get more, for less, when it’s on sale and you avoid multiple (expensive) trips to the store to buy what you need at full price.

Supermarket Smarts – Before You Go Shopping:

*Familiarize yourself with store promotions, price matching policies, coupon guidelines and the customer service department.  What you know maximizes what you’ll get for your money.

*Prepare a list (and review your menu).  If you already have a menu planned for the week, compare it to what you have in your kitchen (this avoids rushed, 4pm trips to the store!).

*If your menu is decided by what’s on sale, gather the circulars and/or study (free) forums on websites such as hotcouponworld.com, BeCentsable.net and afullcup.com.  These forums cut out a whole lot of time you would spend searching for the best deals yourself. Weekly circulars are matched with available coupons, giving you the inside track on how to save the most money this week. These boards and blogs are maintained by shoppers (with more valuable frugal wisdom). Store promotions, available without the use of coupons, are also listed.  If you’re short on time or want a quick introductory to matching coupons with sales, subscriptions can be purchased from TheGroceryGame.com.  The same “stacking” of sales with coupons information will be sent to you, at a minimal fee per store. 

 Coupons – The Where’s and How’s:

Coupons are printed weekly (except for holiday weekends) in coupon inserts, included in weekend papers.  Internet printed coupons can be found throughout the internet.  Manufacturer and independent coupon websites (boodle.com, coupons.com, wow-coupons.com, etc.) offer coupons you can print at home.  When shopping, look for “blinkie machines”, which offer coupons from store shelves.  “Catalinas”, are coupons which print at checkout, triggered by products you have purchased or by store promotions.  To acquire coupons in bulk, use sites such as thecouponclippers.com or couponsandforms.com which offer to send you coupons in exchange for handling and postage fees.  Products sometimes have coupons attached to them and coupons can be acquired by mail when you join retail or manufacturer mailing lists.

Coupons- How Do You Keep Them?

Coupon organization philosophies vary.  The best advice is to research and compare to find the one that works for you. Coupon files come in all sizes and types, from purse size to baby-seat sitting fileboxes.  The best tip is to keep coupons for items you use frequently with you, so that you can save big on that unexpected sale.

Coupon File Note: If you’re opposed to coupon files (or are short on filing time and space) and you want to “list and go”, there is the option of writing your menu and list on an envelope (recycling!), and placing coupons in that envelope. 

Most coupon users organize their coupons in the grouped categories found in stores.  For best frugal efficiency, designate file space for a particular store within your coupon holder.  Other file options include our favorite file tab; “check out”, where I keep coupons for the items my kids and I spot as we wait in line.

Grocery Coupon Expert Blogs Do the “Deal Stacking” For You: In order to utilize grocery coupon blogs which match sales with coupons, you must acquire an inventory of coupon inserts.  A single file drawer or portable (with a lid) file box work well.  Before you file the coupon insert, clip out coupons which match this week’s sales or coupons for items you buy often.  Insert dates are often hard to read (they’re printed on the spine of the insert), so use a dark marker and print the date on the front cover.  File each week’s inserts, by date, into hanging files (which are labeled by date). 

Each week, as you read the grocery coupon blogs, they will tell you the date and brand of coupon insert for a particular coupon.   Go to the filed inserts for that date, clip the coupons and put them into your travel coupon file (again, designated by store is most efficient).

Some of our Favorite Blogs:

MoneySavingMom.com

SurvivingtheStores.com

AFullCup.com

As weeks go by, periodically weed out inserts from your home coupon file which contain all expired coupons.  This will give you space for more current inserts.  (By the way, put the word out to friends that you’re clipping coupons.  Between your network of friends, churches, social groups and coupon groups, you can acquire all kinds of coupons.)  Subscribe to the weekend paper only, if only for the coupon inserts. 

No-Clip Coupons:  An emerging trend is occurring with retail companies.  In larger markets, your grocery store may have the option of loading coupons onto your frequent shopper card via their website.  Kroger, Proctor and Gamble, Upromise and others are companies offering this paperless option to saving money. Where there is more competition between stores, “Double Coupons” and the accepting of competitor coupons may be available. Rebate programs, store coupons and clearance aisles are other options for “stacking” savings (matching sales with coupons). Get to know the coupon options and money-saving opportunities in your area. 

Coupon use does take some time to implement and become a part of your shopping routine.  Be flexible (an important frugal attitude) and look forward to adding up your savings.  Calculating an hourly wage from the (decreasing) time you’ll spend to save money keeps you going (as does a little friendly competition!). It can be fun, it can be done and it’s awesome to know you’ll never pay full price again!

Share your skills, and your good ideas with others. If you can get products for free, using your money saving strategies (and you’re not going to use them), consider gifting them to charities.  Frugal living is about sharing and caring, enough to find ways to be more efficient with our resources and to pass our enthusiasm for living well onto others.

Frugal Quote for Thought: “The more we do, the more we can do”-William Hazlitt

Frugal Reading Review: “Super Baby Food”, by Ruth Yaron

This encyclopedia treasure of a book does not stop at advice for feeding your baby and toddler.  350 Recipes for delicious and nutritious meals are included, as are dozens of family fun ideas for food decorating and crafts.  “Super Baby Food” tells you what to feed, how to pay less for it – and advocates for healthy options at all stages.  Kitchen and food safety, time-saving tips, and a comprehensive index will keep this book on your shelf for years