We have been doing the "Dave Ramsey" plan for getting out of debt and living on a budget. It's our first month in, but it has been great so far. I have seen clearly so many areas where we spend money without even thinking about it. I have found great peace in telling my money where to go, instead of wondering where it went!
Before we even began this process, I started couponing. Now I'm addicted!
How do I organize my coupons? I thought you would never ask!
I have one three ring binder full of clear sheet protectors. Every Sunday when the paper comes, I pull out the inserts (Red Plum, Smart Source, etc.). I put the date on the outside of each insert, then stick them all in one sheet protector.
I do go through and cut out coupons I know we will use, but I don't throw out the rest because I never know when there will be a deal on something that I just can't pass up! This saves time for me, because I'm not cutting out every coupon.
I have a second binder with sheet protectors labeled A-Z. This is where I keep my coupons alphabetically by brand name.
On Thursday I go to my favorite blog and find out what is on sale and buy-one-get-one (BOGO) at Publix that week. The blogs are great because they tell me exactly where to go to find the coupons I need (for example, RP 2/14 will tell me to look in my Red Plum insert from 2/14). I go and find the coupons, cut them out and I'm ready to go!
Today was a great shopping day! I spent $19.91 at Walmart on things like bread, frozen waffles, chicken nuggets, and water (things I know they have better prices on than Publix).
Then I went to Publix and spent $36.72 and saved $52.06! I think this was my best week ever.
By stocking up on the things that are on sale (today was spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, bread crumbs, and cereal) I only need to get a few items and produce each week in addition to the sale items.
In honor of my finds, I made baked pasta tonight...DD helped!
Then she took some pictures too...
