I'm ok at using coupons, but I really need to get GREAT at using them. I just had my 3rd child , so any way to save money is great! I also have a child with a food allergy, so I have to buy her special stuff too, and that can get expensive. Any ideas on how to get started? I don't get the paper, but I guess I could. Though my mom gets it and doesn't use coupons. I can also shop at the commisary, they have coupons that I can add to other coupons. Help!

Just gather, gather and gather coupons. And, keep them organized! That is my one big tip, keep them organized. I would write more, but most go to bed. I have 4 little ones, my husband is in Iraq and by using coupons I am able to feed my family for very little money. I love coupons! My whole family benefits from them. Sorry, I couldn't be more help.
mandie

I am sorry, I also have a question? When you say you also have military coupons that you can add to others, do you mean using 2 coupons for one idem? One military and one manufactured? I may be very wrong and I hope I am, but from everything I read, I didn't think you were able to do that at the commissary?????? Please let me know.
mandie

I've taken in a coupon lets say for green beans, then when I get to the green beans the commissary would have their military coupon there too. If it's not the same coupon, I've been able to use both. It just depends.

Goofyg my cousin that is sometimes on here has to kids with a food allergy!!!!!!! You guys should probably talk LOL. Welcome!! Where are you from and how did you find us?

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I've been wanting to find you, so I googled! I'm from Moore, Food alergies are NO fun!

Any recomendations for organizing

I use binders, and with all the coupons I have been getting lately, I have 5 different binders. 3 of them are for everything that isn't food. And, the other 2 are for food. They are just divided up in to alphabetical sections, with 4*6 picture refills and baseball card holders. I think most of us on here use that??????? Have to run.
mandie

Hi Goofy, check out this thread:
http://www.consumerqueen.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=82&t=10391&p=32385&hilit=getting+organized#p32385

Also, I probably would start out with one binder for now and file your coupons by category (i.e. pantry, frozen, paper, bath products, hair care, etc.). Then when you start compiling more coupons, you can go to two binders and separate into food and health/beauty/household or whatever works best for you. You can still keep one HUGE binder if you want to but I've found it easier with two.

Also, start buying a paper every week AND get your mom's coupons too if she's not using them. This way you have two of each to take advantage of the FREE and really cheap stuff. Also check out the printable coupons forum...there are alot of good coupons there that you can print. Also, you can access sites like Smart Source through this site and print lots of different coupons.

Keep an eye on the coupon forum and when we post a preview of this week's coupons, check it out. If there are really good coupons or lots of brands you like, then buy two or three papers so you have multiples of those coupons.

Start perusing the sales flyers for stores near you and keep an eye on our forums (CVS, Walgreens, Homeland) for whoppin' good deals and then plan your shopping that way. Round if off with a trip to Crest or Walmart and you'll save tons!!

AND don't be brand loyal (some things I'm brand loyal on like my husband's coffee creamer and yogurt to name a couple, but for the most part I buy whatever I can get for free or next to nothing). Save ALL your coupons. This is how you save BIG!!

Hope this helps you get started!!

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Amanda
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Proverbs 31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Thank you, that does help me get an idea. The fun part is catching the good deals. I'm not loyal to name brand, other than for my DD. Some of the generic isn't good for food allergies.

I agree with others here about organizing in binders now. It is soo much easier and you do not have to worry about the kids spilling them (especially if you use the zipper binders). I also cut coupons at the laundrymat on Sunday to kill time. I have found that looking at the store ads and marking actual prices. If I see 3/$5 I put $1.67 so I know they are $1.67 each. I thne look at the ad again with my coupons so I can see if there is anything I can get for FREE that I may not actually NEED at that time but will need in the future. (That is how I stocked up on shampoo and deodarant) If I can get it FREE and I have room for it then I grab it. This helps most of us be able to then "cherry pick" the sales by buying only what is on sale that week.

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~Karen
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