Notes from a Coupon Queen

It does require some time to get all of this together every week, but it is definitely proving to be well worth the effort. For the same or less amount of money, I have way more food, cleaning and baby supplies than you can imagine!

I first started with Sunday's paper. I cut EVERY coupon out, keep what I want and try to trade what I don't use. I just subscribed to "All You" magazine which is $19.90 for the year...from what I hear each month there are $70-$80 worth of coupon's...and higher dollar amounts.

I swap coupons online with a group of others called "Swap Mama's", you can swap other things there too...books, magazines, baby - kids clothing, arts & crafts....and so on. I have switched grocery stores to one that takes competitors coupons, and also shop CVS & Walgreens. I have found "Frugal Coupon Living" (website) to be extremely helpful....as I said I get an email daily notifying me of some great special on EVERYTHING! and from so many stores.

I also joined a site called "Pssst", you get nice size samples with really high dollar coupons for that product. To participate, you have to go online after you receive your sample and provide a short little post of what you think about the product.

For those of you with babies, join your grocery stores Baby Club....you get great coupons (and samples/gifts) up until your child is 2 years old usually.

Know that Buy one Get one free....you can use 2 coupons. I have about 16 boxes of cereal right now that were either free or $1 or less.....name brand full size boxes! I have 6 bottles of Huggies baby bath that I paid $0.40 each for....Skinmate shaving lotion $0.80 a can....this week $6 in free fruit, OJ 1/2 $1, Gallon of milk $1.....and so much more!

You have to change the way you shop....and buy what is ON SALE with your coupons...whether you need it that week or not! After a few weeks...you will be stocked up and ready for winter hibernation without spending any extra money.

Be warned.....it is VERY addicting! Hope that helps! If anyone would like to start swapping coupons...let me know! I have a nice stack right now.

Also, the coupons that expire I send away to help military families oversea's....they are allowed to use them 6 months after they expire.