Harford Coupon Mom

     Every time I go grocery shopping, other shoppers stop me. They want to look at and ask me about my bright red coupon binder. Inside are my coupons sorted by brand name. The next question I always get is, "How long do you spend sorting and cutting coupons?".

     Unbeleivably I only spend an hour a week cutting coupons, making my shopping list and menu for the week. Just by having a list and using coupons I have saved my family a lot of money. I also spend less time in the store because I go in, get what I need and get out.

     When I was ready to take the next step and combine my coupons with store sales, my savings took off. Using other web sites that combine sales and coupons I have added another hour to my weekly organizing time.It is so worth the time because I save 20% to 80% off every shopping trip. 

    For months I've been wishing that Harford County had a coupon mom. Someone who would list the newspaper coupons along with the current sale items in the stores.I would save so much time!

       Two weeks ago, fate intervened. A young mother was in tears because she didn't have enough money to cover her groceries. She saw me looking at her and approached me. I could have reached into my pocket and handed her the $20 she needed and walked away feeling proud of myself.

There but for the grace of God go I.

     I wanted to do more, so I opened up my coupon binder and the store circular. Instead of rolling her eyes as my family tends to do, she got really excited.

    We ended up putting back half of the items in her cart, and filling it up with food. She walked out of the store with more food and didn't need my $20. It was a great feeling to see her walk out of the store with her head up feeling proud.

    Ever since then, I've been thinking about this. Sometimes you have to be the person that you are looking for.

Update: 1/24/10

I probobly spend more than the hour to two a week cutting, sorting, making shopping lists than I did a year ago. I also save a lot more becase I send in rebats, read more blogs about couponing, meet with other coupon minded people to share. Sometimes is gets too much. Last fall, I stopped. By December the food costs were killing our budget. Plus it irks me when I look at the bank statement and see that grocery added up to more than $900 for 1 month. This year, I'm going to take breaks. I love couponing but is like a part time job. I'm going to treat it like one. I'm working to keep some of my money.

A year ago I was saving between 30% and 52% spending 1 to 2 1/2 hours a week off my grocery bills. This year I added about an hour to that time and I save 48% to 60% and sometimes more. We eat very well and I cook up healthy well balanced meals.

I'm also keeping track this year and using rebates. I'm looking forward to how well this part time job pays off. I don't know of any other that pays as well.