Coupon savings update 5/6/10

I've been quite neglectful about being accountable with my coupon savings.  Even though I forget to tell you alllllll about it, I'm thinking of you guys as I stroll through the store with my crazy shopping list & coupons because I know I will eventually have to fess up to my actions here on the blog.  So far, in 2010, I've managed to save.....

$3,564.29

I've saved over $3,500 already this year!  THAT IS CRAZY!  I average 74% per trip, and have saved 72% so far this year.  Thanks so much for all of the accountability and support!  I love that so many of you jumped on the wagon with me.  Some of you have saved even more than me (go, us)!  Do you know what else I love? I've managed to do this & still buy a lot of the same things I bought before I couponed.  Everyone told me it couldn't be done, but I've done it.  Along the way, or should I say weigh, I've.....

• managed my weight. 
• found new things (products & foods) that I didn't know existed.  
• kept my kids interesting in grocery shopping because they love getting a different after school snack each week.  
• wow'd my husband with receipts that are literally as long as my body. Some longer. I've even wow'd cashiers ringing up my groceries. 
• realized free national brand stuff is cheaper than not free store brand stuff.  Many folks think coupons are for "poor people".  I think they're for folks who are totally smart with what money they have. 
• learned to not be so "brand loyal". 
• learned to give.  Having $9 instead of $10 is a good thing.  In my case, it would be 9 bottles of body wash instead of 10. lol  It never hurts to spread the love. 

I want to wear a shirt to wear while I coupon shop that reads, "I'm getting stuff for free!", but the store managers would probably think I'm shoplifting. lmao  If you want to learn more about how I get all of the great bargains with coupons, read more about it here (or click the coupon madness link at the top of this page).    :)

PS to my local Cincinnati / Dayton area readers...

If you're having a difficult time finding a place to donate food on a regular basis, I spoke with the woman who runs the local women's abuse shelter, and she is THRILLED to take my donations.  She said they especially need toiletries & paper products (TP, paper towels, paper plates, etc.).  I have everything from bar soap to baby wipes in the trunk of my car that I'll drop off tomorrow.  Since it's a secured location, I'll take the items to their administrative offices in downtown Lebanon.  Not to the location itself.  She mentioned that women and their children actually live at the facility, so they could always use food donations as well.  I told her all about what I'm doing with these coupons, and she would like me to come teach the women at the shelter how to save with coupons.  I would have looooved someone to teach me about this sooner.  Anyway, if any of you local weight watchin' / couponin' readers are interesting in donating to the shelter, I'm glad to pass the info your way.  Just let me know.