My first Entry

Hi there! My first entry. I've been debating about starting up a savings blog since I restarted couponing a month ago. I have a blog that I post free knit & crochet patterns to, and I have an LJ that I try to update with personal stuff once or twice a week (note to self: update LJ). But I thought a savings blog would be fun, too. I live in Southern MA & I'm lucky enough to be within 30 minutes of MULTIPLE stores: Price Chopper, Shaws, Big Y, Walmart, a Super Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Dollar Tree, Family Dollar, Kmart (that doesn't double qs), & BJs. Those are just the ones that are known for saving money. That being said... I don't know why, but it's always been difficult saving the "big" bucks in this area. My mom was an extreme, full time couponing in the 70's & 80's, did a ton of refunds, and was never really able to save more than 60% on her really good days. (though I think she did pretty fabulously refunding - I think she brought in around $1500/year). I did a lot of coupons in the late 90's while dating & engaged to my husband, Jon, and during the early years of our marriage. I've always done the coupon thing; just not always as extreme. I've always only bought on sale, and right there it's a huge help.

My husband goes for a walk 2 or 3 times a week (he works 2 jobs so he doesn't always have time) & picks up cans & bottles for recycling. It gives him exercise, and he loves being challenged to find as many as possible, and believe it or not, those cans help too! He usually picks up about $10/month. no, it's not a lot, but that's free money lying in the street and trust me, at the end of the year we are happy saving that extra $120!

Anyways, I most often shop at Price Chopper, Shaw's & CVS. Price Chopper has the better overall sales, but Shaws has the better overall deals, if that makes sense. Both of them do the gas credits, too, which is fabulous because Jon's truck only gets about 11 or 12 mpg, and that's on a good day.