I love coupons!

Want to learn how to save $money$ quick? First, get pregnant. Second, use coupons!

I have recently been introduced to couponing by a friend. After she gave me a few Pampers coupons for $1.00 off, I was hooked. I used that dollar and went straight to Starbucks because I felt I deserved it after saving a buck! This is a great way to save money, huh? I have to admit it was a lot of work to find the best deals, looking for a certain coupon, comparing prices, figuring out a store's policies, then having to go to Wal-mart (in South Georgia, enough said) to save a few bucks.

Then thanks to the addicting online social networking that goes on now days, my couponing world is now limitless. I kept reading status updates of "saved 60% on my groceries today" or "got $75 off of $100 at Old Navy today". I quickly contacted this friend and she introduced me to www.southernsavers.com

Here is how it works: A group of women will go to several stores weekly, finding what is on sale and a coupon to go with the item that is on sale, and then they post all their great finds with links to get the coupon. And no, the deals are not for places like Wal-mart, or dollar stores. They are for nice, honest grocery stores. Now this site is just for the Southeastern part of the U.S., but surely there are some for your area of the country.

Today alone on my grocery bill I saved $62.89 by matching a coupon with what was on sale, knowing the store's policies (which was all posted on this site...no research on my part), and knowing how to work a coupon to its fullest potential. And it's not just for grocery stores either. These ladies find sales and coupons for retail, online sites, home stores, and one of my favorites...Target. I got some Glade candles, which I never buy normally, for .16 cents thanks to this site. I loaded up and now I have 10 in my linen closet.

Now this last point brings up an issue David has with my new found passion. He claims I come home with stuff I normally would not buy. But in my defense I would never buy it because it was a big waste of money. And if I can get it for only .16 cents it is not a waste of money. It's a great .16 cents to spend because now I know if it is worth buying again. Everyone loves smelly stuff for their house, right? But it is okay if I find a deal on his Doritos and Mountain Dew and come home with a ridiculous amount of them. He actually asked me today "Are there any deals on Pepsi products?" Because he is almost out of the five 12 packs I found him a month ago. Hmmm...

Regardless, couponing has become a game with me. I feel like I am beating these stores at their own game thanks this wonderful website.

Now if I could just get over my coffee habit (decaf right now, of course) I think I could find another extra $62.89 in our bank account.