Not Bad For a Couponing Rookie

So, I've been dabbling in the world of coupons. It's a big world, let me tell you. I never knew of this whole life of printing coupons at home nonstop, dumpster diving for old newspaper coupon inserts, and stacking coupons so much that you get everything practically free. I never knew!! My mom was always a good example of being frugal and clipping coupons when we'd get them in the mail, and I remember her carrying around that ratty old coupon wallet and always miraculously finding coupons in there for several of her groceries. Good job, Mom.

But nowadays, the couponing can get a little out of control! That's what technology does- takes everything to another level of intensity. So anyways, I started visiting some couponing blogs, which are written by good ol moms who have learned how to save a buck or two on things like Pillsbury cookie dough and Uncrustables. I was never too interested, cuz I don't buy those things anyways. But I decided to give it a try, and started taking note of when they post about freebies and super sales and things that looked interesting to me.

This week is Doubles Days at Kmart, which means that after you sign up for one of their little rewards cards, like a Smith's card, any coupon (up to $2.00) that you use on an item is doubled. So I was pretty excited to try my hand at this one, cuz 4 bucks off certain things is pretty cool, and I have a Kmart right around the corner in walking distance. I took note of what coupons to print off various sites, (since we don't get a Sunday paper and probably won't for a few years) and read about what items those expert moms were saying would be free or close to free. So all that stuff up there in that there picture, I got either for free or for less than a dollar. I ended up paying about $3 for all that good stuff. Even the movie Family Stone, which I LOVE by the way, was only a buck after my doubled 2 dollar coupon. YAY. And today I went to Target and got some other almost free stuff, like a light bulb, lip gloss, lotion and body wash with coupons.

Some of you might be laughing, thinking I'm either a nerd and need to get a life, or you're thinking Honey, you ain't seen nothin yet! Either way, I know. :) But it is kind of addicting, and although I would love to learn how to sew or take a spin class or something, I think this is a good little hobby for the time being. I just have to get a little better at it so that I don't have to convince Jake that we really do need Visine and Multi Surface Windex. If any of you have experience and are willing to share any handy tips, please do.