Rhea's on saving $

Many people have wondered and asked me time and time again how I save the amount of money I do on bills, groceries, and day to day life, so I decided to devote some time to helping others out because once I too was helped by a random stranger in Publix.  One afternoon I was waiting behind a lady buying around 50 bags of cheese, 20 lbs of bacon, and 20 dozen eggs.  She paid $0, and that day in the check-out line she explained to me everything she did and how it was possible, within weeks I was doing the same thing.  I wish I remembered her name so I could thank her as she was my inspiration and thanks to her my family saves thousands every year.

One of my most famous quotes to my family is:

 "Just because you have money does not mean you spend it" - Holly

I mean really, why would you throw money away?  A grocery item is eaten, used to clean, or drank...so it does not stay around for very long...why toss away money if you don't have to on something that is perishable?  This is one of the only things I agree with Honey Boo Boo on.    

"A dollar makes me holla!!" - Honey Boo Boo

Saving money is an art that everyone has a skill for, you just have to be willing to try.  "If at first you don't succeed, try try again", is the motto I live by.  I will not pretend that I am perfect and each time I go to the grocery store I leave with 90% savings, but yes I will agree that 9/10 times I leave with at least 67-90% savings.  My biggest saving was I had a total of over $320 and I paid less than $7.  It included things like Jimmy Dean Croissants, JD Breakfast Sausages, Cheese, Ham, pasta, tomato sauce, etc.  Since then I have had high's such as: 110 jars of baby food for $3, enough formula to feed an infant (solely on formula) for 4 months, Fruities by Beechnut for FREE,

 (partial stock-pile)

Chips Ahoy Cookies for $0.20 a bag, TIDE pods for $1 or less, and finally ground beef, chicken, and ham for FREE.  While I have received many more items for free these are some of our family favorites!  So how do we do it?  Well, it is definitely a family affair now...one of my favorite memories is at Publix in Sugar Hill, GA when I took Alex on his first coupon trips and he said, "What are we getting today?", probably thinking I had only a few coupons...my response included things such as:

52 cans of Green Giant Vegetables ($0.10/can)
18 Frozen Pizzas ($1.33 each)
30 bags of Steamfresh Vegetables (-$.30) **I later returned and got 45 more

He did not give me any reaction until he went to the register and saw the total under $20 and we had well over $350 in groceries in our cart ready to go home...his face got really serious and he looked at me and said..."did that just happen?", at that point I knew I had won him over forever to the coupon world.  He is my best assistant now, always defends me at the stores when people behind us get frustrated and he is definitely the best stockpile setter upper, yes that is now a word! :)

So how do you do it?

1. Commit to what you have in your pantry and the sales for a month.
2. Watch coupon sites and know when sales are.
3. Pick a store to focus on to begin with, I use Publix.
4. Start learning store prices, or get the APP that will tell you competitors prices.
5. Do not EVER pay for a coupon class or anything else

1. Commit to what you have in your pantry and the sales for a month.
There is no reason you cannot find food to eat that is on sale and combine with things that you have in your pantry for a month....this is the hardest step of couponing and usually the failure point for most newcomers.  Yep, you might want Tacos tonight but if the ingredients are not in your pantry and or on sale...guess who is not having Tacos?  In a months time I have no doubt that when you want Tacos you will have the ingredients!  In the beginning of this there were nights we had Pasta Sides because the sales were not starting until the following day, or maybe we would have hamburger helper.  We did it though and got through it and so can you!

2. Watch coupon sites and know when sales are.
 I use SouthernSavers website and only the Publix tab, but there are many others.  They have an amazing database of coupons that allows you to search things like: Similac, Betty Crocker, etc . and it gives you printable coupons if there are any.  Watch your store ads and make sure you go in the store and pick up any coupon books they have (more on this later).

3. Pick a store and become an expert at that one store.
This is pretty obvious, you cannot become a pro at many things at once, so focus yourself on ONE store and become really great at it and then branch out.  Publix is an easy store to start with, if you choose to start with it here are some things you need to know:
    -There is always a green circular with PUBLIX store coupons***
     -Yellow Advantage circular with PUBLIX store coupons***
    -Usually tear offs and or other circulars again wtih PUBLIX store coupons***
    -Stocking Spree - get on that email list ASAP
    -Always pick up the newspaper ad when you go in, there are cutout STORE coupons there also
    -They double up to $0.50 in most states, even if the coupon says no doubling
    -PUBLIX baby club - this is great deal if you have kids, a must have no excuses you can do it online.
    -Pets?  They have a PET club too!!
    -Penny Coupon, this is in the newspaper and is for an item that costs a penny...lots of stores do not make you give them the newspaper ad, you can just mention the item to them and tell them you do not have a coupon..if you smile a bit, they let you get it anyway!  
    -Publix allows you to use 1 store coupon + 1 manufacturer coupon, more on this later

4. Learn store prices
You are going to want to do this so you can compare an item to a competitor store before using a coupon somewhere that might have been more effective elsewhere.
  
5. Do not pay for a coupon class or even a newspaper
You absolutely positively do NOT need a coupon class...what a waste of $10!!!  Now your -$10 on your first trip!  Guess who does not have a newspaper subscription??  ME.  I do this w/out any newspaper subscription and so can YOU!  You can "dumpster dive", and no I don't mean a dumpster..I mean a recycle bin  - some elementary schools have them on site.  Some neighborhoods have recycling cans they set out by the road for pick-up.  You can also get coupons from family and friends who don't want them.  Finally, use Southernsavers.com online coupon database!!!  If you do dive, let me know I have been wanting to and never done it....I personally will not dive even if you do, but elegantly stand on a step stool and use some tongs to pull the ads out. 

(recent haul)

Finally....

Remember this is supposed to be fun!!  I thoroughly enjoy doing it and it is a hobby of mine.  Try not to compare yourself to anyone its highly unlikely you will have as much fun doing it!  Find friends who do it also and share your deals amongst yourself, it really helps you out on the research!! One thing I did when I first started was I took every penny I saved and put it in an account, that account has bought me a freezer, Yurman, and a whole bunch more.  It's a great motivating technique to get started!  Below are some frequently asked questions by friends, hope you enjoyed! 

FAQ'S

Q. How do you use store coupons?
A. Store coupons can be combined with manufacturers giving you two coupons off of one item.  Store coupons can be found in many places: on-line, in-store ads, newspapers.


Q. What if I have only one store coupon and two manufacturers and I wanted to buy two items?
A. A store coupon at Publix is a #code that they type in...so if you have only 1 coupon for the store and need 2, ask the cashier to type the same code in two times.


Q. How do you get all that formula so cheap?!
A. Every formula company has a on-line club you can join and they send you manufacturer CHECKS, yes checks.  These are awesome and can be used on ANY item exceeding the check amount.  Example:


1 bottle formula $6.49


I used: $3 off Winn-Dixie competitor coupon
           $3 off any Similac Manufacturer Coupon
           $5 manufacturer check from Similac *
*this is not treated as a coupon so it can be combined with both above!


Profit of: $4.51 that I used towards something else that day.


Q. What are competitors coupons?
A. Every store allows customers a competitor coupon, mine uses Winn-Dixie and Piggly Wiggly as they are the closest stores.  Any Winn-Dixie or Piggly Wiggly STORE coupon I have is valid in Publix and they will treat it as though its a Publix store coupon.  Therefore I can use a Winn-Dixie and a manufacturer on ONE item.