Used to be… I clipped coupons for groceries and spent a lot of time at it.

If I was lucky, I might save 10 or 15 dollars, sometimes even up to 20 or so. But it was a lot of work. And so often it was for products that were already a little too expensive or things that I really didn’t use. I really sat down finally and considered that I really wasn’t saving as much as I thought.

Shopping at places like Aldis and local markets and watching their deals and such, even shopping at the fancy grocery stores, but watching for their loss-leader sales or buying their brand, really did save a good deal more money.

However, I did noticed something that really did make sence…. no… it makes DOLLARS…. (g) And that is what I call, decent coupons.

Decent coupons are things like $40 off a pair of tires, or $10 off a $20 purchase at Fashion Bug or Avenue shops for women… $4.99 haircuts and buy one get one free dinners at restaurants. Now those are some good savings.

And even though it is a bit of a hassle… I sign up for those little plastic shoppers tags for the stores I shop at. Petsmart, Kroger, Teacher’s Store, Officemax.

I can’t tell you how much moola I’ve saved at Office Max, because it is staggering! Now I use it for the business and for the Opry, but still, they have $15 off cards ALL THE TIME…. and if you’re signed up, you get them in the mail all the time. And ah, well, if your daughter signs up, she gets them too. And then the company can sign up too… (gg) You get the picture. USE THOSE DEALS…. they want your business, so give it to them.

Also, you can get a business account for your printing and copying needs at Office Max…. if you have a business, just ask about their Direct Connect purchase program. Oh my gosh… I easily save $50-$100 every time we print the Opry newsletter or program, or even our own company printing for CD covers, etc., it’s amazing.

Take last Saturday…. we saved over $76 using decent coupons and savings tags and also shopping the sales.

Kroger – spent $35 and saved $15 with shopper tag
(And got a ham on sale for $1.29 a pound, special purchase!)

Fashion Bug – Bought a nice top for $21… they took $10 off, paid only $12 something with tax.

Office Max – did a bunch of copying…. saved $24 dollars with Direct Connect Card. Bought an ink cartridge and some paper and CD Cases… $56…. they took off $15 with my decent coupon I got in the mail.

Used a 40% off one item coupon at Michaels…. picture frame, normally $30, got for like $18 something…. saved $12

All at the places I normally shop and all with decent coupons and tag clubs. $76 bucks is nothing to sneeze at. That is some good savings and to be honest, it was easy to do, I just watch the mail for circulars that make sense for my family, and pay attention to the things they mail to me for being club members.

Just something that I’ve been noticing more and more stores offering some really good deals if you are willing to “play the game” a little bit and are not super picky about things…. I really didn’t expect to get a ham, but it was a great deal, and we got 4 meals out of the thing! (And a big old soup bone too!)

Hope that helps some…..