Couponing

I'm so into the new show Extreme couponing on TLC. I think that it is awesome that people can pay $30.00 bucks for $600.00 dollars in grocery's. I hate grocery shopping and the money I spent to eat. I how ever do think that some people are a little extreme like having 4,000 tubs of toothpaste or enough diaper for the first 1 1/2 years of a baby's life with out having any kids. How ever it is great to see how these people use the system to save them big bucks. I have started a little competition of my own against myself but have had some friends jump in as well. To see how much time I would have to spend to save and how much I would save in 1 month with using coupons. So I use coupons for local craft stores to save but not so much on food, personal care, pets and cleaning products so I thought why not give it a try. Well  to my surprise 13 days in I have to say it's going much better then planned with not to much effort on my part. As of 5-13-2011 I have saved a total 60.67.
First I get my coupons from my mom and friends from the Sunday paper. I browse quickly and only keep the coupons for product I will buy and use. I browse some coupon web sites and print coupons from their. I eclip to my Advantage Card I have with Giant Eagle. So I break my efforts up to varies days about 5- 10 minutes tops. Then the day before I go to the grocery store I look at the sales flyer plan my meals 7 days at a time, 5 lunches for me and Kaitlyn, husbands lunches, pet food, beverages and ect. Then I make my grocery list and after completed I pull out my coupons which from memory I already know what coupons I need and then I double check to make sure their is not any other coupons I can use in my coupon binder. Example: I know I have a $2.00 coupon for 2 lipton 12 pack teas which my husband likes to take to work to drink so I already know I need this coupon. I had a $2.00 coupon for 12 pack of mighty dog moist dog food and my dogs like this product so I use it. I also group coupons together with a paper clip if it's something I buy weekly to save time. I spend about 1/2 on my quest to saving a week which I feel is pretty reasonable. I have also received several coupons form dairy queen (buy one get one free) which me and my husband have been fine with using I mean buy a banana split get one free who's going to complain about that we saved our selves 3.69 on just this one fast food coupon. I also use a McD's one for a free Big Mac $3.39 savings. So I keep the fast food coupons in the car and pull them out and use them when we can. I never did this before. I love going to a craft store and saving 40% on one non-sale item so this is like doing the same thing. I'm thrilled with my savings so far this month. I love a deal and saving money. It makes me feel empowered and in control when at the grocery store.