Cha-Ching Coupon Queen

For those who don't live near by (or have occasion to talk to my father-in-law) there is something about me you might not know: I have become a couponer. We're not talking about some casual clipping. Every week when I get the Sunday paper it is nothing but coupon carnage all over the kitchen table. (too much alliteration?) This is a new hobby/obsession/part-time job (part time job is probably the most acurate description) I have started in the past few months and it pays off in spades because I regularly save at least 50% on my groceries every week (and sometimes up to 75%.)

Well, last week one of our local grocery stores had a triple coupon event. These are the big money savers (and sometimes money makers!). However, it was not the most successful triples event I've ever had. I made four trips (b/c you can only use 20 coupons per transaction) and ended up saving 66%. I did buy some things that were not on sale/did not have a coupon because they were on my regular grocery list. Although, I do have to brag on one of my personal best deals during triples was getting 5 loaves of organic bread that normally cost almost $4 for $0.25 each! I also got French's mustard for $0.09/bottle and free bottles of Frank's Red hot and some other free and more-than-free items. I actually have two full bags which I plan on donating to a food pantry.

Here is an indication of how hard core I've gotten about couponing. I keep them organized by category in a three ring binder with baseball card pages!

The Charlotte Observer actually had a feature on two "coupon divas" who taught me most of what I know. They both got over $300 in groceries for less than $5 during the last triples event.

Article here:http://www.charlotte.com/439/story/562425.html