We've all been there. We need food, shampoo, toothpaste, soap and cleaning supplies. We go into the store the first time to buy things on our own with our own money and sticker shock hits hard. We start looking for ways to cut those costs down. We start doing things like buying cheaper brands or generic. That cuts the costs somewhat. We start watching the ads and cutting out the occasional coupon. It made it a little less costly.
Some of us took it a step further and started asking friends and family for coupons. We started a coupon wallet. Then the internet burst on the scene. There were others like us, and doing the whole coupon thing better. So we took it up a notch.
I started buying the out of town papers that I could get. Over night I went from amateur to professional. I saw the connection in the ads between the coupons in the Plain Dealer and the Sunday ads. I started getting things for free. Free. Wow. I started finding groups online that attracted people like me and they shared their knowledge. I started using a coupon binder. I bought Cascade at Giant Eagle for free after coupon and a coupon printed for free Electrasol. I bought the (free) Electrasol and out printed a coupon for free Cascade.
My husband thinks I'm nuts. My friends just know I'm a coupon queen. I like being able to get things for free or very cheap, having everything I need in my house and not have to pay full price. I donate when I can to food pantries or women shelters off my excess.
Now, I'd like to help. I don't always find the deals. Others are quicker, either they get the ads earlier or can match up the deals earlier than I can. I will give them credit for their work.
In the next week I hope to get this blog rolling.