First Post in My New Blog :)

So, lately, I've been doing what I can to save money. And I thought to myself, why don't I coupon. I mean I've watched multiple videos on you tube explaining the basics of couponing. And it doesn't look hard at all. You just have to take the time out to actually do it.And I defiantly have lots of that!! So as I watched the videos, I took notes on different things that I could use, and some rules to using coupons. And for a couple days I looked up things about couponing. I finally created my coupon binder! :) It looks great, if I do say so myself. I implemented many of the ideas I got from the videos, and various websites I went on. I'll explain how I created my binder, and how I set it up.

The first website I checked out was raininghotcoupons.com. There is a lot of useful, and interesting stuff on that website. It is where I printed off my coupon binder pages. They were really helpful when setting up my binder. It has a main page where it has a break down of each category such as, beverages, cereals, baking, boxed items, etc. It helps you organize all your coupons for easy access. After I printed those out, I put each page in a page protector, I already had these at my home so I didn't have to go out and buy them.

The next thing I did was I went out to Walmart. I went to the Walmart on Amelia Island because I knew that they had school supplies on clearance still. So I went there and bought a 3 ring zip up binder ($3.50), and tab dividers, 2 were 8 dividers each, and 1 had 5 dividers ($1.00 each). I also bought clear plastic zipper holders. They had many colors, and I choose pink. I got 3 of them. ($0.25 each) So I was ready to start making my coupon binder.



I knew that I also needed baseball card holders for my coupons, so I bought some off amazon. I meant to buy the 9 pocket but I accidentally bought 20 6 pocket, but they work great for larger coupons, but next time i'll make sure I get the 9 pocket one. I liked these ones, because they are really durable, and thick. And will not break easily, especially because you will constantly be putting in coupons and taking them out.  They are made by BCW on amazon. And its also great because they are a amazon prime item, and I got free 2 day shipping!



It took me a long time to label everything, and sort through all my coupons and put them in my coupon binder. But it was quite fun I must say, and my day went by so fast! I created a couple more tabs that are not included in raining hot coupons binder pages. I made a best deals tab, In which I put my list for the stores I plan on shopping at. I also started a list of common products I buy at each store, and how much they are without any coupons or sales, so I know what is a good deal and where I can get it at for the least amout of money.

I also created Kid Items, restaurant, Target/Publix, Walgreens/CVS, and other stores coupons. Because those store put out their own coupons aside from the manufactures coupons, in which you can use these combined with the manufactures coupons.

In my clear zipper holders, this is where I put the coupons that I will be using at the store that trip. I have 3, so at one time I can separate coupons for 3 different stores. I made labels with each store name so I know which store I will be using those coupons at, its great because it is organized and labeled. I also have on the ring of the binder, and key chain holder with the mini cards for each store, so when i have my coupon binder I never forget a stores rewards/savings card. I got this idea from a video I watched on you tube. I also keep a notepad with paper, and a pen. This makes it easy to take your binder on the go, and always be ready with your coupons in case you see something on clearance you were expecting, or a sale item you may have missed.


I do have lots of work to do on my binder, I need to get more coupon holders, and possibly more page dividers to make it easier to find coupons for items I need. But it's a work in progress, the binder will always be changing, because you have to constantly update it with new coupons, and take out expired ones. I have been following other Couponers on instagram and it gives you some ideas on what deals you can get really cheap, and what stores to get them at. Its awesome because they have a picture with the items they purchased, and usually they let you know how they bought them and what coupon and store to use them at.

Another thing I have been doing recently is using apps that give you points, or money for specific items you bought at the store. I started with iBotta, and I got $5.75 for one item. I got $5 because it was the first time I purchased something from Walmart  As soon as you get over $5 in your account you can transfer it to your PayPal account, or donate the money. And when it gets to your PayPal account you can have them send you a check or send it to your bank account!! I did this, and it really works.


I also downloaded an app called RIDE, and with this all you do is drive. If you travel a lot of miles, then its great for you. We travel a lot so it will be easy for us to get points. You also get points just for referring someone to Ride, they don't even have to sign up. If they sign up with their Facebook account you get even more points. You can trade your points in for items such as redbox, amazon.com, itunes, starbucks, papa johns, kindle, regal cinema gift card. I cannot wait to redeem my first set of points.



I recently downloaded an app called Endorse. That is pretty much like iBotta, you get cash back for items you buy at any store. I recently bought diapers at walgreens for 5.99. And the app had 50% cash back on any diapers. So i click on it and submitted my reciept, and then I recieved 2.99 cash back!! And you also recieve points. Its like getting free money for buying things at the store. so its like I only paid $3 for the diapers. And you can send these rewards to PayPay as well.



The last app that I've been using is called Viggle. With this app you check in with the TV shows you are watching. You just click tap here to check in, and it will listen to your TV and determine what show you are watching. You will get points for every minute of the TV show you watch (without checking into another show) some shows are longer than others, so you gets more points. And some shows just give you more points. Also sometimes there are special things to check into that will give you extra points such as commercials. This also gives you points that you can later on redeem for rewards. What better way is there than to get free stuff for watching TV? You just have to remember to check in! Alot of people are also talking about this on instagram, its a good way to get clues about extra points you can earn. Also you can play trivia games and such for more points during the shows. I know the X factor has had quite the number of extra points during their shows.

I haven't really had any large "couponing hauls" yet, but I'm hoping to save some big bucks soon! I will be heading over to Harris Teeter soon to get free sour cream. I recently got free dental floss from Walmart and a free tube of Beech Nut Sipable Fruit for my son from WinnDixie.

I did manage to for the first time ever go to CVS and use multiple transactions to get extra care bucks back and use them right away on items that I was buying. On my first transaction I bought colgate toothpaste. It was $3.99 and I had a .50 cents coupon making my total $3.77. Then I received $3.00 in extra care bucks. My next transaction I bought my husband a gift that was originally $9.99 and then I had a $3.00 manufacturer coupon, plus I used my 3.00 extra bucks from my last transaction making my total 4.69. With that purchase I got $2.00 in extra care bucks. On my last transaction I bought 2 boxed of fruity pebbles, they were 2/$5. I used a manufactures coupon for 1.00 plus my extra bucks from 2nd transaction making my total $2.00. So I spend $10.46 on $18.98 worth of stuff! That's almost 50% in savings. :)

On the same day I also went to Walgreen's. I needed a couple of things. This is where I bought the diapers for 5.99, but then got 2.99 in rewards from Endorse. I also needed to pick up some cough drops for my husband and they were already on sale at Walgreen's for 99 cents with a Walgreen's coupon. But on top of that the store had a blinkies coupon for 55 cents off 1 halls! So I got 3 packs of Halls cough drops for 44 cents each. Which was awesome because we really needed them! I also got paper towels for .56 cents with a Walgreen's coupon, 2 Campbell's chicken noddle soups for .79 cents each, and Hot Wheels Cars for .69 cents each. I also bought Chapstick Green apple flavor for 1.59, but I got back 1.00 in iBotta rewards.

I also have been checking out coupon clipping services. I looked into couponsthingsbydede.com, they send you clipped coupons. If your buying a limited amount of coupons shipping is about $1.00. They say, First Class mail (2-9 days) Letters/Parcels (0-13 ounces) But almost always arrives in 2-3 days. This works if you missed a coupon, ,or if you want more of a coupon you already have because it is a good guy or something you really use or need. I found some coupons on there I didn't have! Also you can get 1, 2, 5, 10 or more of each coupon depending on how many you want to buy. They range from .07 cents and up depending on how much you will save in the end. It awesome because a paper is 1.50 or more and you only get one of each coupon in the paper! So for multiple coupons this is ideal. Also they let you know when they will be sending it out.

So far I think I'm doing pretty good for a beginner. It's saving my family money, and it's also fun at the same time. I would love to start a stockpile. Because who can beat free stuff!? And why pay $3 for a toothbrush when you can get one for only .40 cents. My husband and I have different views, though. He says why would you go out and buy all this stuff right now when we don't need it? But I say, we WILL need it eventually. And why would we pay full price for it when we really need it, when I can get it for practically nothing, and it be there ready when we need it. I hope to learn more from reading articles, watching more videos on you tube, and talking to other couponers. I always watch out for "Freebies" and coupons that let you get something for free. Also money makers. Like at Walmart when I got the free floss, I actually made 3 cents, that went towards something else I was buying! I'm exited!! :) :)