Because they don’t tell you everything on reality television we are here to reveal the secrets of Extreme Couponing.
The #1 secret to successful couponing is to…
…change the way you think about grocery shopping!
I used to plan out a menu of things I wanted to make and then go to the store and buy groceries and let the store decide how much money I am going to spend. This is no longer the way I shop. Now I buy my pantry staples and favorite groceries when the prices are at their lowest and I stock up. Now I decide how much I am going to pay at the grocery store.
Now when I make my menu plan I plan from the food that I have in my pantry. The food that I paid rock bottom prices for. We try to help you with your shopping by posting grocery store coupon deals. We try to help you with your cooking by posting actual recipes that we are cooking from our stockpiles.
Watch this video where Cathy talks more about the #1 secret of couponing!
Learn more coupon tips…
- Read more tips to answer your couponing questions or get more Extreme Couponing Education tips.
- Get a quick start on Extreme Couponing done right with our coupon class on DVD!
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About Monica
It all began on October 8th, 2008. Cathy and Monica started this coupon blog to help friends and family learn about their new money saving hobby couponing! Since then they have taught thousands of women (and men) 
Hi there! I’m glad I found your site!
I really appreciate this tip. I desperately need some help. Any tips you can provide will be helpful.
1) I’m on a really tight budget as a single parent. I have scrounged by while paying almost$1000 a month in daycare, so have learned to buy only the necessities. Unfortunately rising food costs and less in my paycheck (due to paying out more for healthcare and paying off debts from a recent 6-month job reduction)–I barely even buy meat. When my daughter was an infant, I could shop like I am now, have money for fresh food and diapers and come out saving 30% just by using store deals and nonbrand items. I am lucky to save 10% now due to rising food costs. Suggestions are helpful. I have to keep our grocery bill as close to only $200 a month as much as possible. It’s really hard, especially when you need things for special occasions.
2) I am diabetic and due to #1, I am not eating like I should. Fresh produce and nonprocessed foods is tough to afford. I have learned to at least buy in season and save$$that way. We do eat out twice a week and I have learned to budget that in, rather than buy extra groceries.
3) I am SO limited in space we have pantry items in cloth bags on the floor all over the place. I have limited freezer space (freezer on the bottom). I look forward to paying off these debts and redo my small condo kitchen so I have cabinet space and can look forward to purchasing a small freezer for my basement. So limited in space right now. Would love to purchase meat deals and make things and freeze them. No room.
4) Although my daughter is a good eater and eats a lot of things, she will eat VERY little if it’s mixed up–so casseroles and crockpot foods are basically outright now, which is a bummer. I miss when she was 3 and would eat anything I put in front of her! I have thought about trying two a month and be persistent and get her to just start doing it again. I mean when she was barely 2, she inhaled my homemade tuna noodle casserole! Now she won’t touch it…
5) I tried couponing during layoff and would spend SO much time doing it I didn’t really find it worthwhile. I needed that time on resumes, job hunting, and just generally taking care of things, all while taking a grad class for continuing ed. I found myself saving more money by toggling the three groceries within 3 minutes of each other where I live to save money on their own store ads…all do special coupons (such as $5 offyour next purchase or free produce monthly) depending on what you buy. I do enjoy the coupons on my smartphone too, though. I am loving Target’s grocery and other coupons, plus their 5% off…along w/their smartphone coupons
But I like you idea of ‘creating your own store’–I don’t know how to afford that right now. Maybe start small, with say, a $10 limit, until I can build it up? What do I look for, for deals? Where do I start?
Starting out small is a great idea. It is okay to slowly build your stockpile. You should start by getting out price point guide so you can stop paying too much. You can get it here:http://bit.ly/KX1RdM
Pull your top 20 items from that list and then look for some coupons for those items here: http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/database
Also find some stores that we can help you save at here: http://www.fabulesslyfrugal.com/stores