Something I did before I ever started couponing was to learn the sale cycles at stores that I shop at, mainly Publix. If you pay close attention to sales, you will see that most things go on sale in a 6 week cycle.
For example: Goldfish at Publix are normally priced around $2.75 a bag. Occasionally, they will go on sale 2 for $3, but if you wait long enough Goldfish go on sale 10 for $10 (which at Publix means you can buy however many you want for $1 each bag). I also try to use coupons for each bag too. Many times Goldfish will have a “peelie” on them for .35 cents off making it .65 cents a bag. You can also find printable coupons for them as well.
If you buy them on sale this way you are getting each bag for $1.75 to $2.10 cheaper than you would normally pay. Since Goldfish usually don’t expire for a few months you can stock up when they are on sale and not have to buy them again till they go on sale again.
Goldfish is just one of many examples of things you can get for way less than you are probably currently paying. It took me awhile to get the hang of waiting until things hit rock bottom. In my first real couponing trip to Target I got all excited about buying my deodorant "on sale" and with a coupon only to find out that it went on more sale the next week. I now know that there are certain prices I should never pay more than for certain items (ie: .50 cent - $1 for name brand toothpaste).
Many hardcore extreme couponers create and then carry around “rock bottom price” books with the lowest sale prices available on their favorite items at each store that they grocery shop at. I don’t go that far but I do try to watch and learn what rock bottom price is for things so I wait to use my coupons until then.
Up Next: Where To Get Coupons
