7 tips to do before going shopping

When I first started using coupons I was in a position that I had to cut money somewhere.  I had already cut back on going out to eat, I had trained myself to say no to unnecessary purchases, and I was still feeling stuck and at times going down hill without brakes in more debt!!!  To my surprise, the small amount of time that I spent researching coupon deals and stocking up.  I ended up saving hundreds of dollars in my FIRST month – rather than just a few bucks that I previously assumed!  I was sold on using coupons and was on fire for a good deal!  I searched high and low for any deal at any store within 20 miles, but like anything the newness wore out and it just became the way of life.  Now days I don’t get every deal, but I do go shopping every week for a hottest deals that week!

Proverbs 6:6-8 -Go to the ant, sluggard; consider her ways and be wise; who having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provides her food in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest.

7 Steps to do before you go shopping

When I first started using coupons I was in a position that I had to cut money somewhere.  I had already cut back on going out to eat, I had trained myself to say no to unnecessary purchases, and I was still feeling stuck and at times going down hill without brakes in more debt!!!  To my surprise, the small amount of time that I spent researching coupon deals and stocking up.  I ended up saving hundreds of dollars in my FIRST month – rather than just a few bucks that I previously assumed!  I was sold on using coupons and was on fire for a good deal!  I searched high and low for any deal at any store within 20 miles, but like anything the newness wore out and it just became the way of life.  Now days I don’t get every deal, but I do go shopping every week for a hottest deals that week!

Proverbs 6:6-8 -Go to the ant, sluggard; consider her ways and be wise; who having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provides her food in the summer and gathers her food in the harvest.

1.  Make a list of what fresh staple items you “need” (milk, bread, eggs, etc.) Not to be confused with wants

2.  Take inventory I am constantly updating my inventory list, through the years of couponing I have thrown away out dated products, simply because I have over purchased and not used the items I had in my pantry.

3.  Look through the weekly circulars Every Wednesday morning I look through the ads to see what’s on sale for the week.  If, you live in Colorado look at the Safeway Deals, Albertsons Deals, and King Soopers Deals every Wednesday to find the best deals!

4.  Visit Coupons.com In my opinion Coupons.com is by far the best online service to print grocery and drug store coupons, but don’t limit yourself to just coupons.com, because SmartSource, Red Plum, and Coupon Network have some coupons too, just not as many to choose from.  Tip you can print every coupon twice by clicking the back button once and refresh one time.

5. Download eCoupons to your loyalty cards Get in the habit of taking the extra 10 minutes to visit SavingStar, Cellfire, Short Cuts, Soft Coin (King Soopers) and Upromise and download all the eCoupons that fit your needs.

6. Make a weekly menu to match the weekly sales Not only will this save you money, but it will also save you time.  Every Wednesday I make a menu plan for the week (Monday-Friday) for a couple reasons.  One being that when I go shopping I only purchase items on sale for that week that fits my menu.  Another reason I make a menu is save time cooking and clean pots and pans, let me explain.  Let’s say on Monday we are having tacos and on Tuesday we are having spaghetti.  I cook all the hamburger I will need to make BOTH meals on Monday.  I set a side Tuesday’s meat and place it in the refrigerator, so come Tuesday all I have to do is add the meat to my sauce and cook noodles! Yay!!!

7.  Take Cash! This is the best piece of advice anyone ever gave to me about shopping.  You will limit the amount of impulse buying or extra treats for the kids and you will save money!!