The year in review

I am uploading my stats for last month for you all to see....we can all do this well...planning and multiple coupons and great sales is all it takes...make a goal for your year anniversary...



I started my coupon journey a year ago this month. It was because of necessity, not enjoyment that I began. I was finally getting my social security disability payments, and the money was going to be super tight. As a single mom of a teen aged son, who, like most teenage boys,eats a good bit, and has friends who do also, I was a bit worried. My medicine alone was going to take up most of our money each month, and with rent and utilities, very very little was left over. Then I saw it......an ad on craigslist. A lady was selling food, and HBA items, far far below retail prices. I responded, and went to her home to buy some, she talked to me about couponing when I asked her how she could sell this much, and still have so much left over. She asked my budget, and said yes, that was pretty low for 2, but with coupons, COULD be done with lost of planning and sales. She directed me to the bets website ever..hotcouponworld.com.....I never looked back. I got better each month, self taught, and making lots of mistakes along the way. My son thought it was a bit weird, until I started having chocolate milk and cookies, snacks he liked, his favorite foods, etc on hand anytime he wanted, lol...his friends LOVED it, and asked me to tell their moms. I now have a deep freeze -apartment sized, in my dining room, 2 large pantries, and 2 small pantries to store my goods. In october, my friend Christina, *(who also started couponing in june with me), and I decided to start a coupon club. I put an ad on craigslist, and a few responded. Our first meeting, there were 3, each month, we have grown..mostly by word of mouth in grocery lines, through cashiers, etc. I have an email list of about 20 of you now, it fluctuates, but 20 is about the norm. Our meetings are up/down, as folks get busy in life, but we always have fun. We finally even named our group, we are the SOUND SAVERS!! I now never worry about our food budget. I always have PLENTY of food on hand. My son and his friends are amazed at our variety, and amount. They love to come here and eat, lol. At the beginning of the month, I was in the hospital for 3 days, unable to shop for about 2 weeks, and besides bread and milk, we were totally fine, nothing needed, and plenty to eat. this last month was my best ever, very low OOP(out of pocket) very high retail cost/savings..so I got LOTS of stuff, for very little pay, LOL to break it down...i was so pleased.
But the BEST thing couponing has done for me is this....it has opened my heart...yes, that's right...you see, every month, my son and I "adopt" a family, usually off craigslist, but sometimes by word of mouth, or even folks we know having a rough time...and we supply them with foodstuffs, HBA, tp, pet food if needed, etc...yes, every month, and last month 2 families. This is good for my soul..makes us feel good, teaches us to give back to our community, and shows the good coupoing can do. I have also been able to donate to the local animal shelters, no kill places, and folks on craigslist who need pet supplies. about every 5-6 weeks at the shelters, i can fill a cart( or 2, last month), of animal food, treats, etc for them..they are always incredulous, and so thankful..again, it makes my heart feel so good....i get more out of it than they do.

And then...the next best thing...I have made some good friends, and met some wonderful, interesting, kind, and lovely people. I feel we have formed a "community" a support system for each other. We are willing to go the extra mile and help each other when needed. Yes, we trade coupons, and yes, we laugh and have a good time, and yes, we call each other for tips on deals, etc.. BUT...we are there when someone needs something..we help each other when some one's car breaks down and needs a ride, or needs food due to a rough month, or needs prayers for someone in the hospital, whatever the need, we are THERE for each other......and that says it all.


STORE OOP Coupons retail cost % saved
Kmart $ 21.80 $ - $ 21.80 0%
Walgreen $ 135.04 $ 909.89 $ 1,044.93 87%
Walmart $ 29.88 $ 43.00 $ 72.88 59%
Albertsons $82.67 $145.57 $228.24 64%
Fred Myers $48.44 $147.09 $195.53 75%
Safeway $ 46.14 $ 53.17 $ 99.31 54%
misc $ 44.16 $ 113.50 $ 157.66 72%
Target $ 107.51 $ 958.00 $ 1,065.51 90%
Total may $515.64 $ 2,370.22 $ 2,885.86 82%

and remember-this is 4 shopping carts of pet food, and 2 adopted families supplies included also...you CAN do it too!!