How to coupon – after experiencing burn out!

Burned out with couponing? Let’s talk about it!

Ok let’s be honest couponing was all a craze for awhile. Once Extreme Couponing came out things just got plain crazy. I will admit I went from couponing as a hobby, love and extra curricular activity – to simply not wanting to even deal with it anymore. I have spent the past two years living off my small stockpile that I moved across country (I donated 3/4th of my stockpile, about $20k in products). I just haven’t wanted to take the time to learn new stores, clip coupons and “find” new deals for my family. Add those “feelings” with the fact I have four kids, I blog 40+ hours a week and coach gymnastics 30 hours a week…and there simply just wasn’t enough time or energy in the world to put into couponing. (I know I have a lot of excuses!)

Unfortunately my husband and I have had to sit down and look at our spending lately – never a fun task. We found that we are spending nearly $700 a month on groceries! What in the world! When I lived in Washington and could double coupons I had a spending limit of $50 a week (and usually only spent $50 a month).

This simply cannot go on! I need to make a change and it has to happen FAST! I am planning on starting up a new “Grocery Budget” series. I will post a meal plan ideas, tips on budget friendly shopping, recipes and more!

LET’S GET BACK TO COUPONING TOGETHER! 

My hope is that we can together find great deals, share tips, and find the motivation to clip once again. If you are brand new to couponing – than this is a fantastic time to join in on the conversation and series and learn so much!

So here is my goal: After much thought I decided that with store policies tightening up, double coupon not available in my area and our now larger family of six…I want to set my budget at $100 a week. This will include groceries, household items, diapers, cleaners – the works!

Tip #1: Set a couple of coupon related blogs as your FAVORITES on your computer browser.

Tip #2: Write up a weekly menu and shopping list, based on current store deals.

Tip #3: Start hunting printable coupons for the items on your shopping list (since if you are like me you may not have any current coupon inserts)

Anybody else with me? What type of information are you most interested in learning about? Budget friendly recipes, money saving tips, couponing tips, how to make a budget and stick to it?