The Coupon World

I guess you could say I was sucked into the coupon world a year ago when, after two years of living in NC, I learned that there are grocery stores that double coupon value. And those stores are near me! Up North it never seemed to pay to clip a couple of coupons for $.35 off of a $3.00 product. Another way things are just different down here. Being a diligent Southern Belle Wannabe, I quickly dived in and with the help of thegrocerygame.com and some southern friends I began my journey into the coupon world.

A year later my small, four bedroom house is full of my coupon deals. I used to go out and buy what I needed after I realized I was out of ____ (fill in the blank), and would often have to pay full price for it. Now I check the cupboards before I head out to the store to see if my stash is getting low. If it's not...I'll only pick it up if it's free, or better yet, if they pay me. The free toothpaste at the beginning when I realized that you can get product free when you buy it on sale and use a coupon was so exciting that I quickly overdid. I'm not allowed to bring more toothpaste into the house until we have less than 15.

Here's a sample of my coupon adventure from yesterday: A quick stop at Harris Teeter during their Super Double Coupon sale (double coupon value up to $1.98). I spent $3.26 and got 2 Dawn dish detergents, 4 shaving creams, 4 packages of Playtex gloves, 9-4pk packages of yogurt, 2 Buitoni pastas, and 1 Damp Rid Closet (it is the South); then on to Walgreens where I spent $.64 to get 10 candy bars and 4 bubble mailers. My final coupon stop was Old Navy where I used a 15% off entire purchase coupon on their 5o% off of clearance sale.

Some friends from Up North have recently delved into the coupon world and are finding good deals. But I think there are more deals to be had here in the South. Which is what any good Southern Belle Wannabe would say...