Koo-pawn Ka-ween

So, I decided to take up couponing. Yeah, I know, it's for old ladies with blue hair, but if you pay attention in the supermarket (yes, I used the word 'supermarket'), there aren't many people who take advantage of the deals that are out there. People usually get what they want and leave.

On several past occasions I've made an attempt to coupon. Usually this involves me getting extra excited about saving money, running out to buy a nice coupon filer, clipping for about two weeks, walking around a store frustrated, flipping through coupons that aren't anything near what I want. Needless to say, the quest was dropped before the coupons could expire good.

This time though, my interest was peaked by the now defunct Target Glitch of 2010...

Buy 5 Glade Candles (using coupons, of course!)
Total = $7.50 after discount
Plus, you get a free $5 Target Giftcard, so in essence, you're getting 5 candles for $2.50 if you subtract the gift card

Now, I've seen the self-proclaimed "coupon queen videos" here amd there online, but I figured these people must not have a life to attend to and must spend every walking moment couponing.

Boy was I wrong.

I decided to give the coupon thing another try. After spending 2 days pouring over coupon sites, store policies and Sunday advertisements, I left for the store equipped with tons of coupons, a calculator, a notebook with the coupons cataloged, and a list for each (yes, each) store I was going to visit that evening.

Two hours later, I returned home with $198 in groceries having spent $91 (my cap for the week was $100), two large tubes of toothpaste, three deoderants, a floss, a bottle of nail polish, and a Listerine White. The non-food items were FREE. Yah.

I actually got four boxes of cereal for $2. Good cereal...Cookie Crisp, etc.

I'm still learning the ropes, but I am thoroughly satisfied with my efforts so far. If you need any tips, comment. I'd be happy to help.