Couponing Again

Reflecting on a post that Thrifty Decor Chick posted this week about money being "T.I.G.H.T.,"  got me to thinking about my own budget these days. It is not that we don't have any money but we are focused on a goal and want to save as much as possible. So we have to be smart with our money. If it isn't necessary we do not buy it. 

I used to be a coupon maniac. By maniac I mean I bought several newspapers on Sundays, subscribed to coupon sites, and swapped ads with neighbors. And I was single! There were so many other ways I enjoyed spending money, that I wanted to save everywhere else possible. Plus, the bargain/sales-a-holic in me just got a thrill when I came out of a store with 3-4 bags of groceries for $10. Saving at the grocery store meant a new pair of shoes or a new decor item for my apartment. 

Then I got married and swoosh - out the window this went. I mean not all the way out the window. Occasionally I would do some minor couponing but nothing like I used too. 

But TDC's post, had me thinking that I could have a lot more and spend less if I went back to couponing. And ironically my husband had just scored a ton of left over ads from this past Sunday's paper and yesterday I went to town - I studied the ads, I clipped coupons, e-clipped (many grocery stores have this now - clip coupons right to your store savings card) signed up for my favorite coupon sites again (see below) and I geared up for a trip to the grocery store. Oh boy! 

1. www.coupons.com

2. www.redplum.com

3. www.retailmenot.com

4. www.pgeveryday.com

5. www.pillsbury.com

Oh and did I go to town - yes indeedy! See my treasures below. I have planned 12 meals with the items below and items from the freezer. It felt so good to be back at it. I was like a kid in the candy store - as I maneuvered through the aisles and watching the scanner go and then watching the total. And even more - I stuck to my list. That is the key to couponing. If it is not on the list and you do not have a coupon for it, it does not go in the cart! Otherwise, you are just defeating the purpose. 

Note: Picture is missing the frozen items, lunch meat, dairy products and juices. Hubby
was super excited and had started putting up the groceries before I snapped a pic. LOL!

My score breaks down like this - the original bill was $96.41. After store and e-clipped coupons the bill was reduced to $89.66. Then I scanned the paper cut coupons, resulting in the final total of $63.23. Woohooo! High fives!!! After evaluating my items, I realized I could have saved another $7-$8 and got a few more items. But really this is not bad for someone getting back into the swing of things.

Are you an extreme couponist? If so, share you favorite sites or tips & tricks. I am eager to learn more and get better. So please share!  If not, tell my what you do when money is tight to keep you from feeling down? 

Home Buying... not for the Faint Hearted

Who knew that buying a house was going to be so complicated. Six bids later, competitive bids at that, and still no house. And we have bidded on two homes twice. Sheesh! I'm leaning on faith to believe we just haven't found the right house. But it still has me wondering - will we ever find the right home?

We started our search a year ago. We did our homework - attended workshops, created our needs list, and decided on a location. Not to mention we have saved and saved for our quest of the American dream. Any extras left over at the end of the month are applied to the "Dream Home" fund as well call it.

According to Zillow's blog article, 4 Real Estate Trends for Summer 2013 - bidding wars are starting to become routine in certain areas, given the small amount of homes for sales. Really?!?!? No wonder we are spinning our wheels and meeting the competition at every turn. Not only is the market slim, but investors are eyeing the properties too. Sheesh! 

Well that doesn't make me feel better. It makes feel as though we have to be more aggressive than ever. When a house comes on, and we're interested, we need to get a jump on seeing it first. And if it is go - the bid has to be delivered within 24 hours of viewing it. We need to scour all available databases and areas for available properties. Basically.... I guess we just need to kick it up a notch.

Are you buying a home? Frustrated with the process? Share you stories with me... I would love to hear them.