68%

I just saved record cash at the Grocery store. I can't believe how much money I am saving. I was so sceptical of this when we first started but now I am a believer. We have more food storage then ever and are eating better then we were when I was spending $700.00 a month on groceries. It is not cheap to raise four children and I just thought I was doing the best I could. I was wrong. I am now feeding my family on $250.00 a month (and that includes household items such as diapers, laundry soap, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc.).
However, the best part is that I am loving grocery shopping. I actually get super excited to go to the store. What used to be a chore is now my favorite part of the week. It is the best natural high around.

A Few Great Couponing Tips

1. Everything in the Grocery store goes on sale during a four month period. The trick is to stop menu shopping and start SALE/COUPON shopping. When something is on sale buy a minimum of months worth. Thus, it will take you four months to hit your rock bottom prices.

2. Don't look through your coupons, just file and forget. Only look at "the list" on Grocery Smarts. This way you won't be tempted to use your coupons before you can get a rock bottom price.

3. Create 20 recipes that work for you family, print them out and keep them handy. Stock up on the items it takes to make these recipes. When it is time to cook dinner you will have plenty of choices. Your family will be eating better than ever on less cash.

4. Stock Up on cleaning supplies, laundry, dish soap and toiletries. Most last for a one year. These items go on sale for incredible prices, but they have the potential to eat up a grocery budget if they are purchased for full price.

5. Buy multiple copies of the Sunday Paper. The standard rule is: One paper per person in your family. The cost is about $1.50 per paper. Amy and I are able to offer $10 gift cards for each subscription. Do the math. It's worth it.

Our New Favorite Thing!

Lara and I are now teaching FREE couponing classes for GrocerySmarts.com (a FREE service that matches your coupons to local sales). We are able to provide great hostess gifts as well as an amazing deal on the Sunday paper which is the best place to find high value coupons. It is a short and entertaining class so leave a comment if you would like to schedule a class for you and your mom's network.

p.s. Grocery Smarts is currently only available in UT and Nevada but I have had a couple of friends outside the state that recommend grocery game (unfortunately they do charge a small monthly fee).

58%

This week I spent $328.24 and saved $416.14, that's a 58% savings. I purchased 138 items (mostly stock up items) including: Tide HE detergent for eight months, Cascade for 12 months, Pampers wipes for six months, Pampers diapers for two months, Prilosec for six months, Oral B toothbrushes for 12 months, 15 boxes of Betty Crocker fruit snacks, Dasani water 24 packs (12 packs for $30), 7 boxes of Mr Clean Erasers, 12 boxes of Kleenex tissue, 24 cups of Yoplait yogurt (you can freeze these if you want to buy a lot when they are on sale but your family won't go through all of them before they expire), Secret deodorant for 24 months (went a little crazy here and will probably give some away depending on how long they last), Gillette razors for 24 months, 10 boxes of FiberOne cereal bars, and other items including orange juice, dental floss, and eye drops.

I have been couponing for three months and am now doing most of my weekly shopping out of my pantry.