Discovering the coupon world... A hunt for TREASURE!

There is an entire underworld of couponing out there. You can get lost in it all if you're not careful. Yesterday I found myself wondering from blog to blog, website to website for HOURS. And then it all ended in me not saving money, but wasting time. So, beware - should you decide to join the coupon game, it will take over your life unless you enter with a plan! Here is my plan, now that I have wasted much time trying it the other way... and thanks to Erika for setting me straight! I'm going to start by bookmarking the following websites:

• www.couponmom.com
• www.faithfulprovisions.com - Mom of 4 who has a grocery budget of $40/week... and eats healthy!
• www.restaurant.com - Hoping to save big money for date nights here!

I've also subscribed to the following blogs so that I can get them in my Google Reader:

• A Thrifty Mom
• Coupon Cravings
• The Faithful Provisions feed

For the first few weeks, I will strictly use Coupon Mom and Faithful Provisions, while perusing the google reader feeds to get a better feel for other options.

JT and I are going to purchase a subscription to the Sunday Paper (at a discount here.)

I will purchase an accordion file folder where I will store my various coupons according to the "brand" of coupon (for ex: Proctor & Gamble or Red Plum.) And also by date. I know - it's a lot of organization... yikes!

Apparently the best way to do the coupon thing is to wait to use the coupon till the item goes on sale, or there is a double or triple coupon day. Thus the necessity for the file folder.
So, here begins my adventures in couponing. We'll see how I do - especially considering our lack of grocery store options in our sweet little town. (But we do have Walgreens and Walmart and Brookshires.) Wish me luck - and come along for the ride!