Back to Basics: Finding time

When people learn that some of my friends & I are supercouponers, combined with what they see on tv, a common question I get is–“Where do you find the time?”

First, remember that “that tv show” has the word EXTREME in the title. It’s meant to be extreme and shocking. And despite being an admitted couponer for about two decades, I have yet to meet anyone that has ever spent 40 or 80 hours a week clipping coupons. This is an activity that takes a bit of learning, just like any activity, which is why I recommend you start small. Learn all the policies and promos at one or two stores and that’s it. Once you learn those, branch out and add more stores where you see decent deals. If you do try to do what they are doing on TV, all at once, it will be time consuming and overwhelming.

Here is what my week usually looks like as far as couponing:

Sunday evening or Monday evening-after boys have gone to bed, I clip my coupons. Since I usually have multiple inserts, I “gang cut” them, which means I sort them out page by page, making stacks of like-pages. Then I cut all at once. I usually only do stacks of six–if I have more than six sets of any one insert, I just file it away, unless it’s a coupon that I definitely know I will use all of them. Otherwise six of any one coupon is plenty. All together, this may take me about an hour, maybe more if there were four separate inserts or something that weekend. But if it’s the usual one Smartsource, one Red Plum, then only 30-60 minutes tops. (and btw, the term ‘gang cut’ makes me chuckle, but I didn’t make it up–I’ve actually seen it in fine print in some store ads)

If I am doing a CVS or Walgreens trip that week, I pick a day when my older son is in school so I only have to take my younger son. I highly recommend going childless if possible, lol. Set aside one day or your little block of time each week, if you’re going to do this. A few weeks ago, I ran into a couponing mom at Walgreens. She had both her boys with her and she said she always goes on Sunday mornings. She takes the boys and this is her hubby’s one day to sleep in. Another friend I have teaches a class two evenings a week, and after class she goes, because hubby is at home with her kids. Whatever works for you, but make it a part of a routine and you won’t feel as overwhelmed. If you have teens and tweens, especially daughters, consider getting them involved and letting them do their own deals for hair & makeup stuff.

Other than that, I just do my regular shopping trip and I pick my grocery store based on who is offering the best deals overall. Each morning while having my coffee, I check hotcouponworld to see if there’s anything I’m missing, and that’s it. This doesn’t have to be overwhelming and take over your life.