To Coupon or not to Coupon

That really is the question.  I can't answer it.  I can give you my experience.
I am not a Coupon Queen, not even a Princess.  I am more like the Court Jester.
I do use coupons.  But I do NOT buy multiple papers, or purchase coupons from a clipping site.  I get one Sunday paper a week and I do print some internet coupons.
The store I frequent limits the amount of items you can get, plus I do not want or need 100 sticks of deodorant.
I plan my meals from the circular, do my best to match a coupon to a sale price and limit the amount of times I go to the store.  I have a baby stockpile that is good for a family of three.

Here are the stats from my latest trip:
Shoprite
277.00 before store card
252.00 after store card
165.00 after coupons(most doubled) and bag refunds (I try to match coupons with rainchecks too)

HOWEVER, no meat was on sale at Shoprite, so I spent 35.00 at another store with a good selection and decent sale prices.  That brings us to 200.00 for a month.  BUT I will have to buy milk once a week for 3 weeks, so add that in.

So, what I can tell you is, use the system that works for you, I use a little bit of different ideas to create my own.  I do some coupons, I travel to go to the store with best prices, I shop once a month, I meal plan from the sales circular, and stock up when on sale.

Here is a picture of my receipt. I love it when it is taller than my fridge

Adding to the pantry/stock pile.

I reviewed my receipt, a few coupons did not double because it would have exceeded the price of the items.  I called the store and I got 4.03 in credit toward my next shopping trip

My Pantry.  Hubby does a great job rotating stock and organizing.

Monthly Grocery Shopping

When I was newly married, I shopped about once a week.  $80.00 for the two of us.
Then I learned to shop every other week.  $100.00 every 2 weeks
Now I shop once a month for 2 adults and one 8 year old.  Approx 200.00 a month
And prices just keep going up. I do have to get milk during that month. 
But for me, this method saves me time and money.

Next Post...TO COUPON OR NOT TO COUPON

What a Spectacle

ZENNI
I have used this site to buy glasses.
2 pairs for me and 1 for my son.
My glasses are usually ridiculously expensive
I paid about $30.00 for 2 pairs.  They are perfect.
Drawback is, you don't really know what you look like with them on.  I look good in one pair and kind of dorky in the other.  But I don't mind.  I feel I got a good deal. I will use Zenni again

http://shine.yahoo.com/fashion/glasses-4-recommended-websites-discount-eyeglasses-143600402.html

FREE Museum

Saturday Sept. 29, 2012

Why not check out a museum you didn't even know existed...hey it is FREE

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/museum-search/?state=Pennsylvania

Leftovers

"What's for dinner Mom?"

Well I try not to say leftovers.  This time I said:
Lunch:   Smoothies, over ripe banana, last spoonful of P-Butter in the jar, a spoonful of cocoa pwd and the last of the milk, ice (to make it cold and bulk up recipe)
Dinner: Cheese and Chicken quesadillas.  1/4 bag of frozen shredded cheese (thawed), leftover chicken breast, last of the tortillas.

One tray had  2 1/2 tortillas on it, the other had a real big one.  Used up all the different tortillas.
We actually had leftovers!

Size Matters

Size matters
It does, especially with groceries
To get the best deal you really do need to break down price per serving or unit.
I want to alert you to a new trend in my area of PA
SUGAR, 5 lb bags are now 4lb bags, and sometimes mixed together
Sugar is expensive, so just keep an eye out for sizes, especially if they are on sale.

FREE haircuts

Just made an appointment for my son to get his hair cut
At JCP in Exton PA
FOR FREE
for the month of Aug
Kids only K to 6th grade