Ten Rules of Couponing

Now that I am officially crazy about my coupons I have made myself some rules. Hopefully I will stick to them, and they will help me to not make my same mistakes again.

Rule 1: If you think its a good deal, but its not free and you don't need it now, DON'T buy it.

Rule 2: Never pay more than just tax for toothpaste, toothbrushes, or floss

Rule 3: Never pay over 50 cents for soap or body wash

Rule 4: Never pay over a dollar for a bag of chips or box of cereal

Rule 5: PAY ATTENTION when they are scanning your coupons

Rule 6: Save ALL your coupons until they expire

Rule 7: Get three of every coupon

Rule 8: Remember there are more than just grocery coupons out there

Rule 9: Check expiration dates when getting lots of free items

Rule 10: Always ENJOY, using coupons should be fun, not stressful!

I hope these rules will help me stay focused while planning trips and while at the store. Sometimes when you see a sale item and have a coupon you automatically buy it, this is what I did when I bought pasta and sauce last week. Well.... I should've obeyed rule #1, I didn't need it right then and it wasn't free, but this week it will be. And will I be getting some free pasta? Yes I will, it lasts until 2013 and well, it's free. King Soopers is having a stock up sale and Ronzoni pasta will be on sale for 49cents when you buy ten participating items, and on their website you can print coupons for a dollar off two boxes. There are three separate coupons for three different Ronzoni varieties, each of them on sale for 49 cents. So, if you're still with me, if you go by there coupon rule limit of three of each pasta coupon you will get 18 boxes of pasta for free. Yes this is a crazy amount, but will you eat that much pasta by 2013? I will. My husband will probably think I'm crazy when I come up the stairs with so much pasta.....but it will all be FREE!! Just remember to add 2 more participating items, I will be getting LUVS diapers, which will be 4.99, and I will have a dollar off coupon for each one.{but there are tons of things to choose from} Next weeks Monday shopping trip is going to be an amazing one, my friend and I are already excited for it. I will have to post a picture of all the stuff we get for our goal of 50 dollars or less! I am already planning a little library trip to print my extra coupons. And who knows what coupon deals we'll get in the Sunday paper this week..... wow, I am way too excited about this. But hey, if it gives me a hobby, lets me soothe my shopaholic soul, and saves us money, it can't be that bad. Being a Mom can be stressful, and although my son will be with me for my Monday shopping trip, it is still ME time, because I am sure he rather be at a park then at the store, even with the awesome new TV carts! Good luck to all you coupon lovers out there, this would be a great week to try it out! My little man gives me all the joy in the world, but my Monday shopping trips give me a little shoppers satisfaction that every girl needs.

Kelly Callahan