Extreme Couponing

Okay....so, I have started watching this new show "Extreme Couponing" that's on TLC and i'm seriously addicted!  I'm eager to become an Extreme "Couponer" and join the Extreme Couponing world.  LOL!

My husband doesn't get it and says that it's basically the same show over and over and you learn nothing new...but; regardless, i'm glued to the TV.  I TIVO all the shows and watch them at night but I'm in awe that these women (and men) have learned such useful tricks to getting groceries for nearly nothing.  I keep waiting to learn all their secrets and tricks so I can do it too.  My 12-year old is also obsessed with the show...he's the saver of the family, so you can imagine why.  He's already started clipping coupons and looking through store mailers.  I keep thinking there's a secret they're not telling us, there has to be some trick to using coupons and getting products for nothing, but is there?  A couple of them said they spend 30-40 hours a week clipping coupons.  I can't see myself ever doing that and I definitely don't have the time but I've decided to get organized about it and devote a couple hours a week to looking for deals, clipping coupons, organizing my lists and calling my grocery stores.  I plan on keeping track of everything I learn and sharing it with whoever wants to also save money on groceries.  With the economy the way it is, most of us can't afford to be spending hundreds or thousands of dollars on groceries anyway so why not.

In thinking about the time (and where i'm going to find it), I realize i have a lot on my plate right now.  I'm still determined to do this and my goal is to figure out the science of it so it doesn't take as long as the people on this show. 

So far this is what i've learned - I'll be updating this post every time I learn something new!

Tips for saving money with coupons:

Find out store policies.  I actually called the three most visited stores and found out that two of them don't double your coupons or even add any money to them!  The best store by me is "Ralphs" which is owned by Safeway (or vice versa).  They double coupons up to $1.00.  So, if your coupon is 40 cents, it will be 80 cents, 50 cents will be a dollar, 60 cents...still a dollar.  If you have a dollar coupon, it's a dollar. 

Coordinate manufacturer coupons with store sales by checking sales flyers.

Collect multiple coupons or hundreds!  My plan is to start saving coupons I get in the mail and keeping some from my parents house. I'm also going to subscribe to a coupon clipping service.

Look online for coupons.

Call manufacturers and check their websites for more coupons.

Be organized with your coupons

Make a list of what you need for the week and any big quantity sale items you can stock up on for future.

As of 6/4/11- haven't had time to clip coupons :(

There's no room for Ungrateful in this house!

My son, Evan, is blatantly ungrateful.  I don't know how to fix this but he does nothing but complain, non-stop.  It really wears on you after a while.  We are never having what he wants for dinner.  He always wants his own separate meal.  Even if we are having what he wants for dinner, he will complain about something else.  He never gets enough video game time.  He wants more video games, better clothes, more shoes, to be able to go more places, and the list goes on and on.

I'm sure a lot of people have children that have a "glass half full" mentality but this is way above and beyond that.  I read about a mom who took her daughter to a third world country for a few months and that is sounding like a great idea right about now.  I guess I'll have to settle for donating our time at a homeless shelter.  I need him to understand how blessed he is and can't think of any other way...
I'm open to any suggestions you may have!

Elijah's First Laker game!

So, we decided last minute to take Elijah to the Laker game with us.  I was nervous about it because I know how serious my husband takes the games and I was worried he wouldn't sit in his seat for more than a few minutes at a time.  He did really well.  I have to admit, there was some bribery (red vines and skittles were involved) but we had a really great night.

The only thing that would've made the night better is if our favorite team had won!