Couponing 101

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8 KJV)

Hello, sisters! Today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite couponing strategies. I'm not talking about anything extreme, that's not really up my alley. Couponing is a good skill to master now, especially for us girls who are entering the "courtship age."

There are a few things that I always clip coupons for:

• disposable razors
• shampoo
• body wash
• feminine hygiene products
• cleaning products (bleach, dish soap, etc.)
• toothpaste
• toothbrushes 

The reason I am always on the lookout for these products is that people will always need them. Also, if I happen to have a surplus of products, I am able to donate them to my town's local help center. I live in a mid-sized rural community with a strong farm based income. We have a lot of poverty around here so I try to donate items whenever possible (no matter what type of community you live in, I would encourage you to do the same).

Now, I'll be sharing with you a few of my favorite couponing resources.

(coupons.com)

Print coupons up to two times per computer. In order to print the coupons, you need to download the software, but I have never experienced any problems/viruses with the software.

(couponmom.com)

This website pretty much does the thinking behind couponing for you. Coupon Mom provides you with the best stores to spend your coupons at, so you can pay as little as possible for the things you need.

(moneysavingmom.com)

Money Saving Mom is a blog and a coupon data base (+ she is open about her faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ)! Each week she also posts the best deals of the week for various stores.

So, now that you have all of these new found resources at your fingertips, are you itching to get started? Me too. But what to do with all of the coupons?! You have several options:

• envelopes: ideal for people with small families or who are new to couponing
• accordian file: "intermediate" couponers or people who just like to stock up on the basics
• ringed biner: the extremist or someone who does volunteer work/donations or with a large family

I hope this post has been helpful to at least one person. Let me know some of your couponing strategies in the comments (I always reply)!

Claire