My kids and I have a "FREE" day every few months where we see how much we can get for FREE or cheap. I also combined it with the Science Museum FREE day to kill time a fun way and for FREE!!

Here is our Wal-Mart trip:

Kraft Dresing $2.50
Salad Dressing $2.50
Diced Ham $2.68
Ham Cubes $2.68
Thk Sl Bacon $2.50
Hny Mpl Bcn $2.50
Frlnd Bacon $2.50
1lb franks (Oscar mayer) $2.50
2pk Bandanna (hubby needed these) $1.88
2pk Bandanna (hubby needed these) $1.88
Whisker 3oz $0.94
EZ Grip Soap $0.97
EZ Grip Soap $0.97
EZ Grip Soap $0.97
RKA lem Lime $0.20
RKA Trop Pch $0.20
RKA Grape $0.20
RKA lem Lime $0.20
RKA lem Lime $0.20
RKA lem Lime $0.20
RKA Lemonade $0.20
RKA Strawbrry $0.20
RKA Blk Chry $0.20
Subtotal $29.77
Subtotal after coupons $8.27
Tax $2.49
Total Paid $10.76

Here is our Homeland trip:

Kotex Maxi
Birdeye Viola
Birdseye Viola $4.38
Cedarlane Orgnic Veggie Lasagne
Amy's Organic Cheese Pizza
Old El Paso Taco Shells
Old El Paso Taco Shells
Dawn Ultra Antibacterial
Ore Ida Steam and Mash
Glade
Glade
Glade
Skinny Cow Ice Cream Sandwiches
Kiwi Shoelaces
Whiskas Tuna
Tums Tropical Fruit
Sunmaid Raisins (Needed to make hubbys trail mix for work)
Whiskas Tuna
Whiskas Tuna
Whiskas Tuna
Old El Paso Taco Seasoning
Always Save Cat Food

Total before coupons $60.83
After coupons I paid $8.99 and $3.79 of that was Tax!!
manufacturer coupons $40.00
Bonus Coupons $6.04
One Card Savings $5.80
Total savings $51.84
I saved 90%

_________________
~Karen
Moderator

Great day Karen!

_________________
Shannon
Edmond, OK
www.couponprincessgoesblogging.blogspot.com

Wow that is truly amazing! Im new to this. Is there any tips you can let me know ? please. Thanks. Dana.

Write companies and ask for coupons! Compliment them etc. It usually gets you FREE coupons.

_________________
~Karen
Moderator

Thanks for sharing, sounds like a great day!

_________________
Shannon
Edmond, OK
www.couponprincessgoesblogging.blogspot.com

[

I hate to sound so dense, but as I am new at this could you give me an example. I don't want to sound to brown-nosey. Plus I want to be efficiently effective. I don't want to take time away from my kids only to get myself 10 cents off a bulk pack of some product we don't even use!! Am a brand new SAHM and not doing so good on weekly grocery budget... I am truly inspired by your mad-skill at coupon shopping, maybe I can do it too. Also loved the tip with the free day @ the museaum. I am always looking for ways to edutain my boys.

Thank you soooo much!

When you have time, shoot an email to a company via their website giving them positive feedback on their products. Be specific. It only takes a few minutes and they will usually send you coupons in return. Do not ask for coupons, simply give feedback. I have not gotten FREE coupons like Karen, but I haven't done it that much either. I usually do get $1/1 coupons which are well worth it in my opinion. If you only sent one email a day, that would give you 7 companies a week that you have a chance of getting coupons from that you wouldn't normally get.

For instance, my husband will only eat Thomas Bagels and he eats one a day. However, I very seldom see coupons for these. I wrote the company telling them the part about my husband and they sent me (2) $1/1 coupons within three days of me emailing them.

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

I go thru my house and see what items we use normally and then write the companies and tell them what I love about their product. If there are new products that I want to try and I do not have coupins for I write them adn tell them I would love to try their product but the cost of trying to unknown is something I am not willing to do unless they have coupons

I write companies from time to time when I remember and I do it while at work. For instance if my bosses are in the conference room and I have nothing to do I write a few companies. If I am on the phone on hold I try and get a few done then also. Once you start writing and you see what is sent your hooked. I write the same companies every few months. Some even tell you when you can contact them back. Once in a while I may even call a company.

I save the really good coupons and free coupons I get and use a bunch at a time with my kids. It teaches them and they gety excited about helping Mommy with the coupons again (free child labor---my oldest cuts them out and middle son sorts food and non food) Plus I try and find other FREE things to do that day. It takes planning and I do it every few months.

On a side note my oldest has organized his own deals and tried to beat me on % saved and lowest out of pocket. I hate to admit being bested by an 11 year old but sometimes he sees deals I do not and he wins. They are learning great skills for the future! He actually turned down a birthday party at incredible pizza since HE said it was too expensive. He just wanted me to take his brother and him out to lunch at McDonalds and then roller skating. That was easy!

_________________
~Karen
Moderator