COUPONING MY FAMILY OUT OF WIC

If you’re an extreme couponer, then you probably have a few extras of everything your family needs. You may even have an obscene amount of something you found for free or ridiculously cheap. I do! My latest find was Tide 50 oz. bottles for less than $4 at CVS. For the first time ever I have about a year’s supply of laundry detergent on hand. Sometimes I just open my laundry room cabinet and admire my stockpile. Don’t laugh.

If you’re into planning ahead or cooking from scratch, then you probably know that feeling of being prepared. It feels good to have plenty of supplies on hand. When bad weather hits, it’s no problem. We can hunker down for a while and never think twice about it.

But, I’ll admit, things have not always been this way in my house. In fact, less than a year ago we were on WIC. That was not a fun period in my grocery shopping life. Not only was I embarrassed to ask for the help, I felt that others around me at the stores were judging me when I was getting that help.

Enter couponing.

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xoxo,
Rachel

*RARE* $4 MEDERMA COUPON!

 

Click here to print a *RARE* $4/1 Mederma For Stretch Marks coupon! Don't forget, you can click the back button and print a second set of coupons!  :)

XOXO,
Rachel

EXTREME COUPONING IN TARGET!

I went to Target this week with my shopping list, my stack of sorted and stapled coupons, and my coupon binder. I was minding my own business, deep in thought configuring a savings scenario plan, when two young ladies approached me and asked if I was one of those “Extreme Couponers” like the ones on TLC’s show.


I hesitantly and quietly said yes.

I wasn’t sure what they were about to say, and I was hoping for a nonconfrontational conversation. It has been my experience most people admire couponers, but there are a few out there who we just can’t ever seem to win over.

I was hoping these two ladies fell into the former category. They were very excited to hear my answer and began firing away at me with questions about my binder, where to find coupons and where my TV crew was.

I explained that I’m not (nor do I ever hope to be) on a TV show. I simply apply the principles from that show to my shopping methods.

We stood there in the middle of the main isle between the children’s section and the frozen foods and chatted for a bit. As it turned out, they were both very new to couponing, but curious and anxious to learn.


I gave them a few tips and pointers, and we parted company cheerfully going about our business. I proceeded to the toothpaste isle looking for my coupon stacking opportunity and realized I had two Target coupons for toothpaste and two manufacturer coupons.

The next thing I know, I’m leaping down the aisle calling them back to me.

What’s the quickest way to say, “Would you like for me to show you how to stack and become an Extreme Couponer right now?”

How about “Hey, have you ladies got $1 to spend?”

Not my best work, I know, but it got their attention and they came with me to the toothpaste aisle. I explained to them the purpose of the Target store coupon with the $1.50 off one tube offer, and the benefit of stacking a manufacturer’s coupon on top of it for an additional $1 off the same tube of toothpaste.

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xoxo,
Rachel

*HOT!* FISHER PRICE TOY COUPONS $5-$10 OFF!

 

Print these valuable Fisher Price Coupons and stack w/ Target's Toy Book coupons, use at Walmart for a very small savings, or at Toys 'R Us where you can get a $10 GC w/ a $75 purchase!

 

• TARGET
  Fisher-Price® Thomas and Friends™ Cranky and Flynn Save the Day = $44.99
  Fisher-Price® Magical Fairy Dora™ = $24.99
  Fisher-Price® Little People™ Zoo Talkers Animal Sounds Zoo = $29.99
  
  WALMART
  Fisher-Price® Topzy Tumblers™ Twirlin' Tumblin' Fun Park = $29.88
  Fisher-Price® Laugh & Learn™ Dance & Play Puppy = $29.88
  Fisher-Price® Big Action™ Construction Site with Remote Control = $39.88
  Fisher-Price® Magical Fairy Dora™ = $24.97
  Fisher-Price® Little People™ Zoo Talkers Animal Sounds Zoo = $29.88

   

  

   

   

  XOXO!

  Rachel

  
  

  

HOW TO DO "EXTREME COUPONING" WHEN YOU CAN'T DOUBLE COUPONS

     I've been needing to address this issue for a while. I live in a town where none of the grocery stores double or triple coupons. We do have a Target and they stack (manufacturer + store coupon). So, I've had to adapt the couponing process to fit my area's stores' policies. I've made a Couponing 101 tab (above) so you can see how I make couponing work for me.

     I'm not the standard Extreme Couponer. What I know though, is that this method pays off. I save myself time and money every time I shop and I'm keeping more in my pocket book each time. My last shopping trip, I saved around 60% off my total bill. It's a process though, and I'm constantly tweeking my methods, so please feel free to comment if you have anything you'd like to suggest!

HPC IS SENDING OUT COUPON LOVE TO THE U.S. MARINES!

     I finally was able to locate and sign up to adopt a U.S. Marine base overseas! Woot! So now I have an official address to mail my (2 months or less) expired coupons to. If you would like to participate by sending coupons you don't need to me for the U.S. Marines, please email me at: hotpinknchocolate@ymail.com and we'll get you a PO Box to mail them to stateside. I'll be mailing one or two times a month depending on the quantity I have.

     I'm so excited to start this new program and I am so eager to join with you to help our men and women in uniform save some money! Yeehaw!



XOXO (Lots of love from Texas, Marines!),
Rachel