Slow & Steady

Finding coupons has been a blessing but also a struggle. Coupons really do help me save on tons of items but getting used to certain criteria in the beginning can be hard. First off I do have a small stockpile but it is mainly toothpaste, soap, & mouthwash. These things are not going to feed my family but at least I have enough for right now that if I need to I can wait until I find them for free again before I purchase them. I think the hardest part of couponing is finding the food you need to stockpile. It probably wouldn't be so bad if we weren't living paycheck to paycheck like so many families are today. I like to try and shop the deals each week but right now it is more like every two weeks when the payday arrives. That is 42 meals that I need to shop for in one trip. It would be awesome if all stores like the ones on Extreme Couponing allowed overages & doubling up to .99 cents. However, as I tell it like is in my blog, you have different coupon policies everywhere and you must get to know them and then map out your own personal strategy. We have 3 grocery stores where I live and then of course a Wal-Mart. Only one doubles up to .60 cents unlimited & only Wal-Mart allows overages. You have seen me shop at Harris Teeter on here but the nearest one is 25 miles away. That is a 50 mile round trip in a V-8 Truck or Car! The household has agreed to only go on Super Double Weeks due to that being the best way to save!

Right now I feel like if food prices were ideal I wouldn't be able to stockpile like I would want to just because we only have a budget of Free to go towards the stockpile items. I know lots of you beginners feel the same way I do but you can't give up. Slow & Steady! I have been at it for about a month now and I wish I could say I have this huge stockpile and I have learned all I need and now I'm an expert! But truly I'm still in the 50-60% off my bill stage! This is amazing that I can do that and as soon as my stockpile gets me to where I can only shop for coupon items then I know I'll be in that 75% savings goal that I want to be at for all shopping trips. So be patient, take this time to really hone in on your skills, & know that you can do this!