Tonight I did something I’ve watched my mother do every Sunday afternoon for many, many years.
I clipped coupons.
That’s right. I went to the grocery store, bought a Sunday edition of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, sorted through the sale papers, and clipped out about forty coupons. Then I placed each coupon into different piles and broke out the coupon organizer my mother bought me for Christmas.
I’m anxious to see whether or not my adoption of coupons will have an affect on my grocery bills. I’m hoping to manage my money better this year and I think using coupons will be a great help. I guess we’ll just have to see how well I get into the habit of clipping my coupons and using them wisely**.

I remember being a kid and feeling semi-embarrassed by my mother’s insanely extensive coupon collection. As an adult, I am in awe of my mother and the way she would authoritatively roll the grocery cart down each aisle. Off the top of her head she could remember each product she had a coupon for and pull it out immediately. Amazing woman, my mother is.
I aspire to be half that amazing one day, but I know I’ve got to take one step at a time. I doubt you’ll disagree that clipping coupons is a good step in the right direction.
Oh and don’t worry. I even clipped out a coupon for Band-aids, just in case I get a paper cut.
**A friend pointed out to me that sometimes coupons can be misleading. If you’re not careful, you may end up buying more of something than you really need or buying a brand that is much more expensive than another brand of equal quality. As with anything, practice makes perfect, so as I’m starting out, I’m going to be intentional about which coupons I use in order to ensure I save money. Indeed, I am on a mission!
Cindy
January 5th, 2009 at 7:42 AM
In my dream last night, you were talking about your mother and how much you felt like an adult. And you were sporting a new red and black coat, too. And thought you looked like you were 32.
MinD
January 5th, 2009 at 2:16 PM
My mom ALWAYS clipped coupons and I’d be super embarrassed when she’d pull one out at dinner or use 15 of them in a grocery line. But now, with the economy sucking and my finances in the toilet, it all makes a bazillion times more sense.
I may not be clipping them just yet with vigor, but if I see one I know I’ll use, you can bet it gets attached to the fridge witha magnet until my next grocery store outting.
E.P.
January 5th, 2009 at 4:17 PM
My mother always snipped coupons, too. I always try to remember (I mean, I WORK at the newspaper — I should have a copy and can cut them out, right?) but fail weekly.
I hope this works out for you and that it makes a dent in your grocery bill! If so, I need to start being more responsible about it!
Katie
January 5th, 2009 at 7:02 PM
My mom was a crazy coupon clipper as well. Sometimes she even sends me coupons in the mail for things she knows I buy on regular basis. Moms are the best.
Indeed they are. It’s funny how I’m only starting to see that now.
Ashley
January 5th, 2009 at 8:47 PM
I was always afraid of coupons until I watched this special on today show with the coupon mom and was amazed how much she saved. Check out her site- it looks scary but it’s not
http://www.couponmom.com/
That site is kinda scary lookin’, but there are some good things on it. I need to get a printer so I can start printing more online coupons out!
MC
January 5th, 2009 at 9:40 PM
I’m also clipping coupons these days but I’ve noticed that not only are they hard to come by, but you do have to buy more in order to get a “discount”. It’s discouraging and annoying but I always look!
JoeyGirl
January 6th, 2009 at 2:50 AM
Your friend gave you good advice. Damn those companies!
The best coupons are for things you will always, always need like toilet paper or munchies!
Stiletto Sports Jen
January 6th, 2009 at 2:19 PM
Did your mom also organize the Sunday flyers? My mom would put them in order Best Buy & Circuit city together, CVS & Walgreens, and then the best for last: Taget, Macys, Filenes (when they were still around) Sears and Kohls. And she would put the grocery coupons and fliers aside and do those later and clip all the coupons. But when she drank her coffee she had to have her fliers organized. And now I’m the same way! And when I moved to FL she used to send me her coupons because they didn’t have good ones here!
That’s so nice of her! No, my mom never organized the fliers. She would rip out the pages that featured things she wanted to buy so she wouldn’t forget. I think I got that from her cause sometimes I find myself ripping pages out and sticking them on the fridge.
Laura
January 6th, 2009 at 6:40 PM
I too clip coupons and use them sometimes. Some deals are better then others, just depends on what you are looking for. Also, there are folks who have it so mastered that they get a ton of FREE stuff. I wish I could do it but I don’t.
Tia
January 7th, 2009 at 2:45 AM
I am a total coupon addict and my teenager was like you in line with me until he saw how much the bill dropped. I hope I am teaching him it is not embarrassing. Your update is correct…smart shopping means buying the best deal and not using a million coupons. I am actually running a week long series on getting started with coupons if you have a chance to, pop over and check it out.
Megami
January 7th, 2009 at 11:05 AM
Coupons rock – I’ve been using more recently but you’re right about watching out for some crappy ones.
The ones I hate are where you can save 50 cents when you buy TWO boxes of whatever. Now unless I was already planning on buying double the stuff, that’s not a very helpful coupon is it?
I know! I hate those ones! I always get so excited when I glance at them because they seem like a good deal, but once you read the fine print, you realize you have to buy more the one. Why can’t they have an option…like $1.00 off of two OR $.50 off of one?
Rebecca
January 7th, 2009 at 2:01 PM
Haha – this is great. I’m starting work for a start-up company in two weeks and they will revolutionize the coupon industry (they launch in April 09). Just wait.
You’ll have to tell me when you launch! Start the revolution girl!
Felisa
January 7th, 2009 at 5:01 PM
That’s awesome. I’ve always wanted to do that but I don’t have the patience for it
Some of them are definitely misleading because why would you want to buy 20 lbs of chicken to save $1? But I wouldn’t mind buying certain things in bulk (like toilet paper, shampoo, etc.).
Ya I hope the experiment works. I only plan on clipping about once a month. I don’t think I have the patience to be religious about it and clip once a week like my mom. We’ll see…
Steph
January 8th, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I can never find good coupons! Goodluck with you plan.
Stormy
January 9th, 2009 at 11:52 AM
About once every month or two, K-Mart doubles coupons up to $1.00. Giant Eagle only doubles up to 99 cents, so hold on to those $1′s for K-Mart. A lot of the $1 ones are for health/beauty things like toothpaste, so it makes it pretty cheap afterward.
You need to tell me when that is. I like saving more!
Rachel
January 9th, 2009 at 1:13 PM
My dad was always the clipper. My excuse is that I never see them.
I should probably check my mail.
tamicks
January 11th, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Using coupons save lots of money. Last week, I ordered a computer from HP. I searched for online HP coupons and I found one where I saved $30 on my order. It doesn’t seem like much, but its still saving you some money! Coupons seemed embarrassing before, but now we need to save as much as we can.
Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry"
January 13th, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Very good! We can definitely learn a lot from our parents. My dad was a big saver. Now my husband is the coupon clipper in our house. I just leave that task all up to him. You are wise to use them with discretion. If you use coupons for things you normally would not buy or need, then you will wind up spending more instead of saving. Also, good luck on using them before they expire.
Ryann Warlick
January 17th, 2009 at 6:42 PM
Coupons have become my new best friend, but your friend is right, you may only plan on getting one item, and end up getting two. This is great for your favorite soup, things you eat a lot of, but not so much on an item you are trying. Anyway, thanks for the comment, and definitely keep checking back!
ruby
January 23rd, 2009 at 4:23 PM
I recently started clipping them too! I’m going to try and do more of it! Good luck to you!