Grocery Savings with Coupons

So, it's been a few months since I posted about my use of coupons at the grocery store. I am a huge fan of coupons! I am a subscriber to the Sunday edition of the LA Times at a discount rate, since Sunday is the day the coupons are included. Each week I save the ads, clip out my coupons, and store them in envelopes based on where I plan to use them and what they are for. I basically shop at two places - Target and Ralphs, but sometimes there is a trip to Vons or Wal-Mart. I think I have a pretty good idea of which place gives me a better deal on certain items - it would be easier if our Target was a SuperTarget and had a full grocery store, but those don't exist in all areas of California, so I have to split my shopping.

Today I went to Ralphs, and if I hadn't been a Rewards member or used coupons, my total would have been $72.59. After my savings, I paid $35.27 - a savings of over 50%! And combined with a few things I have at home, I figure I can last for a week or so with what I bought.

I know some people out there are able to say "I spent $20 a week on food", but I think I've made significant progress over what I used to spend. I used to think that $60-70 a week was good, and that was when I was eating out more and the $60 didn't cover all of my meals. Now I am down to $40 or so and covering just about every meal. It's exciting!

If you want to subscribe to a newspaper, click here. The Sunday editions are usually the best, but other days may include coupons as well.

Mr. Rebates

I found a new online shopping site today - Mr. Rebates. It is a site where you can get cash back from a variety of online retailers. They also have links to coupons and other discounts you can use when shopping on the websites. Check it out!

Printable Retail Coupons

This is a great list of coupons! There is no login required, and coupons are available for BestBuy, Sears, Circut City, Radio Shack, and Barnes & Noble. There are also several for guest passes at fitness centers.

For grocery coupons, try this link: Grocery Coupons

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Humor on Frugality

So a new discovery - Punny Money. It's a humorous blog that uses cartoons, pretty pictures, bulleted lists, and too many exclamation points!!

I do have one objection - he doesn't believe in coupons! Of course, I do agree with most of his points - the only way to benefit from coupons is if they are for items you need or use, as opposed to buying something new just because you have a coupon for it.

12 Ways To Be Financially Boring

Great post listing 12 Ways To Be Financially Boring. I just got back from the library about 10 minutes ago (#12), and of course I clip my coupons and double them at Ralphs! (#11)

Single Guy Money: I admit it...I'm a clipper!

This post made me laugh - I just got back from the grocery store about an hour ago after saving $8.07 with coupons (I spent $7.07 at the store - a savings of 53%!) and telling the cashier that using the coupons was close to being the highlight of my day today!

Single Guy Money: I admit it...I'm a clipper!

Day 12 - Coupons

Today's idea is a bit different than the others so far, since it isn't necessarily a way to make money, but instead a way to save money. I have recently discovered the excitement of Double Coupons at Ralphs, and today I had my best day yet - I spent $37.33 on groceries, but between my Ralphs Club Card and Double Coupons, I saved $37.62 - more than %50 off of my bill!!

It started a few months ago when I subscribed to the Sunday edition of the Los Angeles Times, and realized that the paper included coupons. I have always used the club card at Ralphs (my local grocery store), but I hadn't used many coupons before. The paper cost $15 for 12-15 weeks (I don't remember exactly how long I subscribed!) and they gave me a $10 gas card for signing up. With the coupons being 'doubled' at Ralphs, I figure I am saving an average of $10 a week with the coupons, so $120-150 over the time of my subscription. I think that pretty much pays for the paper, and as of yesterday, has helped cut my grocery bill in half!

There are a few online grocery coupon sites, but I have had the most success from the Sunday paper. If I had a family (baby food, diapers, etc) there are lots of opportunities to save online, so that is something to keep in mind.