When I began to coupon I did not take the time out and prepare. Yes I made a list but I was that person that made a grocery list and then left it home.  I had a stack of coupons to use but never took the time to read and plan out how I would use them.  Which then resulted in me in the store only getting the handful of things I remembered and a shopping cart full of other things I really didn’t need or already had at home. not to mention that stack of coupons I intended to use were expired, for more than 1 item or just cut all wrong.  So I would end up with 3 mustards and 4 ketchup but nothing to put on.  Not to mention the thousand and one trips to the supermarket in a week, it was like my second home.  I finally decided to make a change.

Preparation is KEY.  Take a few minutes out of your week, yes a few minutes a week and devise a plan.  Saving time and money is the goal here.

1. Take inventory of the things you have and make your list of things you need.  Planning out your weekly meals is one way to maximize on you goal and reduce waste.
2. Do your research.  Looking through your weekly circulars will let you know where to get the best price on the items you need.  There are also websites that do the research for you and even break it down the best deals by store.
3. Clipping coupons for products you know and love.  I have learned over the years to clip the coupons for products my family and I purchase regularly, I no longer have babies in my home so Pampers and formula coupons are not ones we will use, so I skip over those.  On the other hand if there is a coupon for a new product or a great deal on one we have become open to try new brand or products.
4. Organize your coupons.  There are different ways to do this.  You can do it by category or alphabetical, by date.  Which ever way works best for you, in doing this finding the coupon you need will be easier.
5. To maximize you savings and get the most out of you coupons it is best to use you them when the item is on sale.  For example: If a box of cereal is $3.49 and you have coupon for $1 off 1 box then you’ll pay $2.49.   Good price but if it’s on sale that week   for $2 and you use you dollar off one coupon then you pay $1.  Even better savings. This leads me to my last tip…
6. Stock up…   When a deal come around where your favorite cereal, salad dressing, shampoo, soap, etc. stocking up is a good idea.  Now I don’t mean empty the shelf every time a great deal comes about, but grab a few extra to last you a few months or until the sale comes around again.