Posts Tagged ‘smart source’
- In: Mommy Time
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3 bottles of Green Works cleaner. ($1.99 each) CHECK!
- 5 tubes of Crest toothpaste. (1$ each) CHECK!
- 7 Colgate toothbrushes. ($1 each) CHECK!
- 36 rolls of Royale toilet paper. ($4.99 per double roll 12 pack) CHECK!
- 50 bottles of ketchup. NEVER!
This is my stash. No I don’t have a separate room for a stockpile (and I don’t think I want one), but so far so good. Inspired by my friend, (who shall remain nameless for privacy’s sake – she only shares her couponing tricks with a lucky few, and otherwise prefers to keep that facet of her personality hidden with her 2 years supply of laundry soap), I have a newfound time waster money saving strategy.
After talking with “said” friend, and watching a couple of episodes of Extreme Couponing, I was hooked! The reason why this works for me? I have an addictive personality, I’ve always loved a good deal, and these days I have A LOT of time on my hands (I’m off work, due to my high risk pregnancy). Who knows if I’ll keep this up once reality sets in: when our baby girl arrives and I am at home with her and my toddler son, but for now, I’m on board. I have become a couponer. I dove in headfirst and haven’t looked back. While I don’t think it’s possible to coupon like our Statesy neighbours to the South, I’ve found I certainly can save a few bucks by scouring flyers and organizing my shopping lists around coupons.
Am I going to go from store to store, just to save a few cents on peas? No! But, will I create my shopping list with the flyer and then use coupons on sale items! Yes!
So far I’m just a rookie. But in the few weeks that this has been a part of my life, I have grown my stockpile of coupons and am becoming more and more invested in this newfound hobby. That’s what it is sort of seems like right now: a hobby. I enjoy it! I get pleasure from the savings and am not ashamed of it. Time will tell how long it lasts. But for now it’s fun. Below are a few of my couponing strategies.
1) Buy a small photo album (they have inexpensive ones at Michael’s) to organize your coupons.
This was my first step. And looking at the empty album, I was wondering where all the coupons were going to come from, but slowly, I discovered websites and hidden places where the coupons lurk. Now my album is more than half full – hip hip! Tip: Carry your album in your purse, just in case you spot a deal while you’re out and about.
2) Coupons By Mail
Create an alternate email address just for couponing, and sign up at the following sites: use the same password for all the sites, to make it easier to remember. These sites will mail you your selected coupons for free.
3) Printable Coupons
- Living Well
- My Savings (click on the Canadian flag at the top of the page for Canada only deals)
- SmartSource
4) Flyer Coupons
5) Blogs – Showing You Where the Deals Are
- Smart Canucks – This site is a bit overwhelming at first. Start by checking the Coupon – Coupon Database tab and the Forum – Forum Home tab. Then when you’ve got more time, just browse the site and it will start to make sense.
- Simply Frugal – Again a bit overwhelming, but check out the Coupon tab as a start.
6) Free Online Flyer Comparison
Flyer on Fire – Find deals from weekly store flyers in Ottawa, ON. Let’s you compare flyers at the hit of a button. Could be used for price-matching from store to store.
A few final words: Don’t let couponing consume your life. Start off small and see where it takes you.
Know of any good sites or coupons? Please let me know! I am always looking for a good deal.
Parenting 2.0 