Okay - what comes next??

[masonb]

I have organized my coupons, started clipping coupons from the various sources. NOW what? Do I start researching my stores flyer??? I know I need to stock up on things too. Do you keep a coupon database????

thanks for all your advice. I have been reading alot and am so excited about this. It is just a bit overwhelming for me as I am a newbie!!

thanks

[cookin4less]

HCW has a coupon db just click on the link at the top of the page in the orange bar. Read up on your store forums in the Swingin Deals section of the forums. Match your q's with the sales ads (you will find this done in the sales threads in your store forums...makes it easier than doing it yourself) and have fun.

Just take it one day at a time, one sale at a time, and one store at a time. If you try to catch every deal out there at every store you will get overwhelmed. Take it slow and build up to it. Everybody has to start somewhere. Just have fun saving lots of money.

[cpnmaniac44]

I have organized my coupons, started clipping coupons from the various sources. NOW what? Do I start researching my stores flyer??? I know I need to stock up on things too. Do you keep a coupon database????

thanks for all your advice. I have been reading alot and am so excited about this. It is just a bit overwhelming for me as I am a newbie!!

thanks

read your grocery store ads every week. you can access them on Wednesday (if you have Harris Teeter, Lowes Foods, Food Lion, Bi-Lo or Bloom). Maybe other days for your stores. Our sales run Wednesday thru Tuesday.
As you look at the ads every week you slowly remember which items are often on sale. Ex: Some store in my area has Breyers Ice Cream B1G1 free almost every week, so WHY do I need to rush out and buy a freezer full. I do not, unless my coupon is about to expire.
Many items are on sale often.
Some are almost never on sale.
Ex: Hungry Man Dinners, Freschetta pizzas, etc. so you got to take advantage of those sales when you got coupons for them.

USE rainchecks to your advantage. If your coupon does not expire any time soon, no need to buy now. Go to your store Tuesday (or whatever day your sales are over), hope they are out and get a raincheck. Then you can buy the items when you have room on your shelf or freezer.

[tmsmalley]

Now you're ready to shop. Most stores have their sales coming into the weekend so you're probably ready to shop today or tomorrow. Take your coupons and match them to the advertised specials at your store and check the thread for your store as well. And/Or, just take your coupons to the store, go up and down each aisle and match as you go to great deals (that way you get unadvertised specials too). Be sure to get the things you really need first, then fill in as you can for stockpiling.

Tess