Are coupons really worth the trouble???
This is the question I have been trying to answer lately. Recently, I stumbled across a couponing website called www.hip2save.com. From there I found www.totallytarget.com. Seems these people are REALLY good at using coupons and saving tons of money. I have been lurking on these sites and trying to learn more about whether couponing is really worth it.
A few weeks ago I went out to Target with a fistful of coupons and a list. My total came out to $14.50 before coupons and $4.33 after coupons and from there I was hooked!!!!
Couponing is an interesting beast though. First, I have found that I need to be careful what I use coupons for. Everyone that knows me very well knows that I LOVE a deal. Sometimes in my quest to get a great deal I may actually buy stuff I don't need. Secondly, there are all kinds of "rules" when it comes to couponing. Some stores let you "stack" coupons, others don't. Some stores let you use a coupon if the price of the item is less than the coupon amount, some don't. I am still navigating all the "rules" and haven't really decided if couponing is for me or not. Oh, and I forgot a really really important thing for me. I CANNOT, I repeat, CANNOT try to do the major coupon thing when my kids are with me. When I am trying to find a certain product, make sure the price is right, make sure I am using the right coupon, make sure the cashier actually scans it, etc is WAY too hard when I am also rangling three kidlets....
So here goes. This is what I did with coupons today.....

Target
Bread-Regular Price $1.27. FREE with coupon
Bic Disposable Razors 4 pack-Regular Price $3.99. .Price after coupon .99
Target Total (with tax) $1.32 (They charged me tax on my products BEFORE coupons...is that right?)

Walmart
M&M's-Regular Price .64 each. .64 for two bags with B1G1 coupon
Lysol Hand soap dispenser with soap and 4 aa batteries-Regular Price $9.99. Sale Price $6.00 Price after coupon $3.00
Walmart Total (with tax) $4.04

Raleys
Glucerna Cereal-Regular Price $3.49. Price after coupon .49
Degree Deodorant-Regular Price 2.43. Price after coupon $1.43
Smart Balance Milk-Regular Price $4.99. Sale Price $3.99. Price after Coupon $1.99
Wholly Guacamole-Regular Price $3.99 each. Sale Price $3.50 each. Price after coupon-$1.75 each
Raleys Total (with tax) $7.13

So bottom line-I paid $12.49 for $38.08 worth of groceries!!!!!!

So I definitely saved ALOT of money. What I can't figure out is did I really save money??? I bought a bunch of things I wouldn't have bought otherwise (lysol hand soap, glucerna cereal, smart balance milk) BUT I will use these items for sure.

So, the jury is still out for me. If nothing else, it satisfies my urge to save money in my life and it is a fun little game....