Where do you fall?

There's two (ok, maybe three) categories when it comes to someone who utilizes coupons.  First, there's the average person who, every now and then, purchases a Sunday paper and cuts out only the coupons for products they would typically buy, throwing out the rest.  This same person is also the first to shove those "annoying long coupons" (known as a catalina coupon) they receive during checkout into the bottom of their bag, never to see them again.  That......was me.  Yep, guilty as charged.  I would find catalina coupons crinkled and shoved into every corner of my purse, always expired by that point.  I couldn't believe the money I was "throwing away" by letting them expire.  I remember one I found said "Take $2 off your next purchase".  REALLY?? That was $2 thrown into the garbage.  I would never take two $1 bills out of my pocket and throw them away so why would I throw away free money in the form of a coupon?  Make sure you READ EVERYTHING!! 

The second category would be a "couponer".  Just because you once in awhile use a coupon, doesn't make you a couponer.  This title is reserved for the person who plans out their shopping trips ahead of time based off of the current sales and what coupons they have.  This person also shops at multiple stores in an attempt to get the best deals.  The couponer may be seen flipping through their stack of coupons while in the aisle verifying they still have that coupon for the item they just selected.  This same person usually has a store rewards card (free at most stores) to maximize their savings.  This category is where I fall.  I still go to a store on the spur but for the great deals, I plan out my trip by sorting my coupons and reading the weekly ads.  There's nothing worse than standing in a store thinking you have a coupon for an item, spending 20 minutes looking for it and finally come to realize you don't.  PLAN YOUR TRIP AHEAD OF TIME if you're going to use your coupons.

Lastly (this is the "maybe three" coupon category), if you make it to this level, is the "extreme couponer".  This person does everything the couponer does (sorting, organizing, preparing, etc.) but on an EXTREME level.  These are the couponers you see at the store with a separate coupon binder busting at the seams, multiple shopping carts of products and complete their purchases in multiple transactions.  It's the same people who spend 8-10 hours a day prepping for upcoming shopping trips.  Ain't nobody got time 'fo that in this house.  I'm happy with my "couponer" title.  

What category do you fall into?

Friday Freebie: Use your King Soopers (Kroger) savings card to upload a coupon for a FREE Gatorade Recover Shake.  Click Here to download your coupon today before 11:59 pm PST.  Must be redeemed by September 14th.  You're welcome!

Why I began couponing

In December of 2012, my husband and I packed up our whole lives in a U-haul and moved away from everyone and everything we knew and loved.  My husband had been offered an amazing job opportunity that we just couldn't pass up.  We had decided before the move that I would stay at home with our son, who was scheduled to be born 4 months later.  Needless to say, going from a two income household to just one was tough, and now we had another mouth to feed.  At times, I'd feel guilty that I wasn't helping contribute to our household.  Here's where couponing fits in.  After watching several TLC episodes of "Extreme Couponing", I was very intrigued.  These men and women would walk into a grocery store and walk out with cartloads of products, only paying pennies.  WHOA!!  Never did I think I could do that.  My desire to help out our household really made me want to save anywhere we could, even if that means becoming an "extreme couponer".

Ok, I must admit, I never plan to be THAT extreme.  There's nothing wrong with anyone wanting to be that extreme with saving money; however, I just don't need 500 cans of SPAM (and to be honest, who really does?).  I just want to be able to have a small stockpile of items that my family would actually use and not have to pay a whole lot for it (isn't that EVERYONES wishes??).  In no way would I consider myself "extreme"...more like, beginner couponer.  Let's face it, once you begin you're hooked.  It gets exciting when you start seeing what you've saved and your pantry starts filling up.  It's like a game, a very addicted game, that I've officially been sucked into.

Here's another freebie for you:  Text the word SCHICK to 24444 to receive your free Hydro Schick Razor.  You're welcome!!

It Happened!!

Well, it happened.  I am sitting lying here writing the first post for MY blog.  That's right, Heather Bennett has a blog (what??).  I'm not supposed to have a blog.  In fact, I SWORE I'd never have one.  It's not that I thought I couldn't do it.  I just didn't want a blog, EVER.  My reasoning for this nonsense - everyone I know has a blog.  I didn't want to be a "follower" or do it just because it was the newest fad.  So how did I end up here?  After receiving several requests to start one, I finally caved.  My life is NOT that interesting by any means.  I'm just your average wife, mother, friend & extreme couponer.  Wait, one of those words doesn't belong under the "average" category.  So there it is...the reason for the requests.  After posting several hauls (coupon terminology for shopping trip purchases), I guess people wanted more.  Well, more is what you're getting :) I'm determined to help out anyone I can with getting things cheap or even FREE.  Who doesn't like free?  What else is free?  This blog :) You'll not only learn about my newest hobby (couponing) but you'll also get a firsthand look into my life as a wife & mother.  I hope you're ready!

Let's start out on a good note:  click HERE for a free sample of Huggies wipes.  If you don't need them, donate them.  You're welcome!  (NO LONGER AVAILABLE)