It's all about the details: I caught the Couponing Bug...but not too extreme!!

I have started a new madness monster...

September 2011 I started couponing!! I have always used coupons here and there over the years but never knew that I could have one more title "a couponer" as it turns out it's more like a part time job. There is a whole madness to it!! I am no expert but let's just say since Sept 2011 'til now I have saved our family quite a bit of money on things that we use on a daily basis and have been able to start a mini stock pile for those things you just don't want to run out of.
I know LOTS of people have now seen the show Extreme Couponing on TLC but I am NO where close to being able to do it to that extreme...which is really impossible to do!

What I have learned about couponing in such a short time...

The main thing is to KNOW YOUR PRICES at the stores you shop
you will have to shop the on going deals (which means you may have to go to several stores in a week instead of shopping everything at one store in the same trip)
KNOW each stores coupon policy and check it regularly they do tend to change from time to time.
clip only the coupons you would use
don't be brand specific (try different brands you never know you might like it although...certain things may not qualify for this.
use coupon blogs that have already done the homework for you to find the local and latest deals.
keep up with the online coupon sites such as www.coupons.com {the early bird gets the worm on the new coupons}
Organize your coupons (3 ring binder method works for me)
Expired coupons can be sent overseas to military families, they don't have access to coupons like we do in the states and they are able to use them at the commissary for up to 6 months after they expire. So be kind and recycle your expired and unused coupons
DO NOT feel like you have to use every coupon before it expires you will spend lots more money if you do that...and the key here is to save money. You will not be able to get EVERY deal!!!
Only need to have a stock pile for a good month at a time because the same coupons usually come back around in the next 4-6 weeks. No need to do a crazy stock up for 6 months like who really can use 100 bottles of body wash at ONE time!!!
START SMALL...don't try to do a major transaction at first no need to stress yourself out!!
Get at least 3 Sunday papers so you will maximize your savings...ask neighbors or relatives if they use coupons from their papers you can always ask them for the coupon inserts the more coupons you can get without having to pay for them the better.

Now to share some of my first deals that got me hooked right away!!!

Target Transaction

Scrubbing Bubbles

reg. price $3.99 each

bought 2 = $7.98

used B1G1 manuf. coupon -$3.99

combined with store coupon for $1.00 off

so that brought my total down to $2.99

used my target debit (extra 5% off) -.15

Total paid $3.23 (plus tax)

YEAH!!!

CVS Transaction

#1 soft soap foam pump 2/$6
used 2 $1/1 coupons
Total $4.00
got $4.00 CVS Extra Care Bucks
-----------------------------------
#2 Jack Links Jerky 2/$7.00
bought 3 @$3.50 each =$10.50
Carmex $3.29 (with a $2.99 mail in rebate offer) used .50 coupon
Redeemed my $4.00 CVS bucks from Transaction #1
Total $6.56 after mail in rebate