With as much as there is to buy what it comes to preparing we are always looking for a way to save a few bucks here and there. One option is to save money with prepping using coupons. Although it does take some time upfront clipping coupons and getting everything together, the benefits can be huge depending on how much time and energy you put into it.

Getting started using coupons does not have to be an overwhelming task. It is just like everything else we do, baby steps! Start by planning out your shopping trip, and coordinating that with the local sale flyers from your local stores. And don’t just think about the grocery store ads, also remember places like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid.

Or if you don’t have these specific drug stores in your area, look within your local drug store. Most of these places not only have weekly flyers, but many of them also have coupons as well as store loyalty cards. This is where you can really save a lot of money on personal care items such as toiletries, cleaning supplies, and odds and ends.

You don’t have to rely on just finding the coupons within your Sunday paper, and store flyers, look to the pros online, like…

* http://thekrazycouponlady.com/ (Also has an iTunes App)

* www.coupons.com/coupons/

* http://www.redplum.com/  (you can print coupons without having a subscription to the paper.)

Print out the coupons you like, and then get them organized in some way so they are easy for you to find when you get to the grocery store. You can choose to use a coupon binder, or small accordion type file, or whatever works best for you.

You can get creative too, by enlisting the help of others. For example, if you have friends or neighbors that get the paper, ask them if you can have their coupons, the worst they are going to do is say no, right? I bet a lot of them don’t even use the coupons, so why not see if you could have them.

Start small, and then when you have some success, build on it. Start keeping track of the grocery store sale cycles.

Topics we Discussed in the Podcast

This week we had Traci on who has been couponing for 30 years and believe it or not started clipping coupons as a teenager. Here are some of the things we talked about in the show this week…

SPP115 Saving Money Prepping With Coupons

* Getting started using coupons.

* Some ways to get extra coupons.

* How much time does the planning and coupon clipping stage take.

* What are the best websites and apps for couponing? (Listed Above)

* I have seen a couple of extreme couponing shows, is this realistic?

* What would be a good way for someone to get started, who doesn’t have any experience with coupons?

* Any useful tips that have helped you to get you to where you are with you amazing skills?

* How much time does it take to do this? Walk us through an average week for you.

* Suggestions on keeping your coupons Organized.

* Other than news papers are there websites that you can go to? And what are some other ways to find coupons or just good deals.

* What are some of your couponing techniques and/or processes?

Monthly Shopping Deals

I found this incredible list at LivingRichlyOnABudget and for a more detailed l...