Couponing Effectively

Yay! It's time for the coupon lesson! I love, love, love saving money! If you have ever watched Extreme Couponing on TLC, you watch as extreme couponers not only save a ton of cash, but get a rush of endorphins from the accomplishment of saving so much money. It really does happen that way.
Now, I'm not one who spends 20 hours or more on couponing every week and I don't clear shelves or build stockpiles - not one as big as what is on the show anyway - and you will never catch me grocery shopping for 8 to 10 hours at a time, BUT I do take a couple of hours during the week to gather the coupons I will need, plan my list and match everything up to the sales ads.
I have heard people say "I never get coupons that I would use" or I think it's a waste of time" and I've also heard "It's embarrassing to coupon" ......Really? It's embarrassing to save money? Not this girl!
Coupons are everywhere. You can find them in your local newspaper, on the back of your grocery store receipts, you can print them off online and if you sign up for your local grocery stores reward program they will not only give you the store discount, they will track what you buy and send you coupons in the mail.
I have downloaded the coupon.com toolbar on one of my computers. It lists every available coupon out there and updates daily. They organize the coupons for you. For example; Under the grocery section, there are subcategories, dairy, meat, cereal, coffee, baking, etc. They also list clothing coupons for many, many clothing stores, shoe stores, even Lowes and Home Depot.
If you have a smart phone, you can load the coupons onto your phone and scan them at the register. If you shop online, there are coupon codes listed that you can use at checkout to get as much as 75% off.
Let's start with groceries: I plan our meals a week in advance. I list every ingredient that I will need to buy according to my recipes. Then I get out this weeks sales ads. Again, if you do not get your newspaper, most stores list their sales ads online or you can sign up to have them emailed to you every week along with special sales for reward card holders.
I match the things on my list with what is on sale and then I hunt down a coupon for it. Many times, I have gotten the items that I need for free. It sounds like a lot of work but it isn't. If you do not want to download a coupon toolbar, run a google search for the coupon you are looking for.
You are allowed to print off 3 coupons for the same item per coupon site. NOTE: Call your store and ask what their coupon policy is first. Our Kroger will double coupons up to fifty cents, making the savings 1.00. BUT if you load Kroger coupons onto your reward card online, they do not double. 
Kroger will track what you buy and send you excellent coupons in the mail for both name brand and Kroger brand items. They also send amazing coupons like the one I got this week - $18.00 off a $180.00 purchase. That combined with my other coupons saved me $120.00 this week! Your favorite store may do the same thing!
If you have 'The Dollar Tree' in your area, they are now taking manufacturer coupons. Jump on that! Everything there is a dollar to begin with so you can get many items for free!
Walmart takes coupons, so does The Dollar General Store, Walgreens, Food Lion.....just call the stores where you want to shop and ask what the coupon policy is.
NOTE: In some states, mine included, you have to pay the tax on your coupons. Don't panic. Paying 65 cents to save $120.00 really isn't a big deal. Just know if your state requires tax on coupons before you head to the store.
When it comes to clothing, household items like furniture, yard items, pet items....it's all the same process. Find what you want, decide what store you want to buy it from and hunt down a coupon or a coupon code if you are buying online or want to scan your smart phone at the register.
Speaking of smart phones; you can scan the bar code of an item while you are in the store and it will automatically pull up the available coupons for that item.
If you are shopping online and can not find a coupon code, go to the manufacturer website. Oftentimes they will have a coupon for you.
Same with fruit, vegetables, meats and dairy products. These are notoriously hard to find, unless, that is, you email the manufacturer. Let them know how much you enjoy their product and tell them you are having difficulty finding a coupon for a particular item. They will send you coupons as a way of saying 'Thank you and please tell your friends about us'.
Another helpful hint; if you are planning on freezing some of your meat, buy it at the end of a sales period. You will find it on sale with a sticker that says 'Managers Special'. If that meat is not sold in the next few days, it will go bad so you can get it at a deep discount. Don't worry. If you are planning to freeze it right away for a future meal it will not spoil. The store just can not leave it in the refrigerator case for three or four more days. They would rather sell it at a discount before it spoils than throw it away.
Mix up your shopping. I but a lot of dry goods at The Dollar Tree. Everything is a dollar and I can use coupons. If I can get something cheaper at Aldis than Kroger, I'll drive to Aldis.
They key is planning. I spend 70% less if I plan a shopping trip and stick to that plan rather than wing it and make impulse buys that kill my budget.
1.Create your list
2.Call your store and ask what the coupon policy is and if you need to pay tax on your coupons
3. Pull your coupons
4. Plan your trip to save gas if you are going to more than one store. (I make a circle that ends at the beginning and leads me home)

Yes, it takes a little effort and planning on your part but it is well worth it. In the past 4 months I have saved well over $1,000.00. I have three teenagers. In this house, food is like air to them. I can't keep a full cupboard!
Good luck with your couponing! If you have any questions or if I can clarify something for you let me know. If you have any tips of your own, share! Now go save some money!