Grocery Shopping + Coupons = $avings!

With the challenging economic times many have become savvy on ways to save or spend money. Couponing has been a popular approach to saving money. Through strategically applying several techniques with local sales, couponing is a great method to maximize ones groceries while you minimize the cost. Who doesn’t want more money in their pockets?

At Increasing H.O.P.E., we know a thing or two about applying these techniques. We can attest that your whole shopping mindset changes once you start couponing! It’s not strange to hear a #TeamIncrea$e member say, “We got a coupon for that?” before we go shopping for office supplies. Getting the best deal for what you’ve purchased gives you a great sense of accomplishment in knowing you're saving money.

 A couple of days before Thanksgiving, I went to buy some last minute food items and it was a madhouse at the grocery store! There she was a fellow couponer in action.  We were like two kids in a candy store while waiting to find out how much she saved. She saved $205.06 on her groceries and she’s been couponing for about a year and a half…A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!

I had the pleasure of interviewing Cagdas Yust Sorrow who's a seasoned couponer and stay-at-home mom. So get your pen and paper ready to take notes as Cagdas shares some tips on how to get more bang for our buck at the grocery store!

~What led you to couponing?
My husband is an aircraft mechanic. When he lost his job about 3 years ago we panicked and I was thinking, how can I help our income? One night we were browsing through the channels on TV and I saw an extreme couponing show. The lady on the show was saying, "my husband lost his job and I had to do something."   I thought, "That’s it! I can do that too!"

~ Do you coupon for groceries only? If no, what other areas do you coupon for?

I mainly concentrate on groceries and baby supplies, but I don’t purchase anything without searching and getting the absolute cheapest price I can find.

~ Did you coupon for Black Friday? If yes, please share your experience?

I did grocery shop Thanksgiving week with my coupons (when I met you), but I didn’t use a single coupon for Black Friday. I just searched which stores had the best deal for the items we wanted.

~ How do you feel when you're claiming your coupons at the register? Clipping coupons? Coming home with all those savings?

This is my favorite question:) I should say it is frustrating to collect and clip coupons for your needs. I don’t purchase any junk food even if there are good coupons. But when I cut and organize my coupons, I get so excited and happy because I know I am going to save a lot! After the shopping is done, spending time at the register for my coupons is very stressful for me. However, it is satisfying and worth it in the end when I have good results:)! It is hard to explain my feelings after a big success!

~ Where do you get your coupons?

My first teacher I would say was SouthernSavers.com, I check her site on a daily basis. I also check coupons.com, redplum.com, couponnetwork.com and I generally purchase a minimum of 2 Sunday papers each week depending on the coupons. I also participate in rewards programs from different companies such as Stoneyfield, Pampers, Huggies, etc.

~ How much time to you spend on couponing a week?

It depends, but on average between searching, printing and clipping about 10 hours per week.

~ How do you strategize to get the most bang for your buck?

This part is very exciting too because I know if I work hard and carefully, at the end I will save a lot! I first look at Publix's ad. I don’t think you can beat Publix deals! Then I make a list of what we actually use and need from the list of BOGO (buy one get one) deals. Then I look at SouthernSavers.com and other sources for coupons on the items that Publix has on sale. I also check the manufacturers’ websites as well!

~ What's your average monthly savings by couponing?

Just with coupons I probably average $650-$750. I could actually do much better than this but first I am a mother and wife so I have other important responsibilities too, and we try to eat healthy and stay away from the junk food as much as we can.

~ What's the most you have saved because of couponing?

I usually save on a single purchase between $100-$350 but the best I did was $360 on a single purchase and not only did I not pay anything, but I made a $35 profit!

~ What would be your top 3 TIPS for a rookie couponer?

First, be patient when starting out! Second, Make sure to check your receipts each time you purchase anything! And third and most importantly know the store's coupon policies!

~ Is there anything you would like to add that you haven't been asked?

When I first started, I saved so very little. I remember one time I had only 1 coupon for a $1. But, I got better each time. So don’t give up! And do not spend even if it is considerably cheaper with your coupons if it is something you don't need or won't use at all! Because that's not smart saving!  I should also mention that I have a wonderful husband who provides everything for our family and works really hard. I feel very satisfied and happy when I take some weight off of his shoulders! 

Cagdas Yust Sorrow is a stay-at-home Mom of a beautiful 2-year old princess

& 

Wife to an amazing husband.