Frustrated Couponer on Aisle 3...

So, I've been really excited about trying to keep up with the McGhees.  Or should I say the McGhee.  Wiletta McGhee.  My coupon idol.  But, a little over a month later, I'm still seeing extremely high grocery bills and minimal savings. 

I'm doing all of the right things, aren't I?  I've attended a couponing class, I've clipped EVERY coupon I've seen, I've watched sales papers and websites, and I've even invested in a cute little coupon binder to help me keep my coupons organized. 

Well, I've decided to give myself a little pep talk because giving up is not something that I want to do.  I will not let this defeat me.  Here is how I plan to get focused and get down to the business of saving money.  Lots of money.

1) Revisit couponing websites and blogs.  Read and take notes.  Look at success stories and try to find the behaviors that successful couponers have in common. Mimic those behaviors.

2) Continue to clip coupons. You have to have coupons in order to save money. 

3)  Ask for help from someone who is a veteran.  I've learned that most couponers don't bite.  I have a circle of about 4 "professional couponers" that I got to with my dumb questions.

4)  Celebrate small victories.  Even small savings are savings.

Nothing worth having comes quickly.  I'm going to continue to work at becoming the couponer you all envy. 

Couponing: Jumping on the Money-Saving Bandwagon

I was the shopper who breathed hard and rolled my eyes when I ended up in line behind the person with a binder full of coupons. Seriously?? How much money could she really be saving?  But then, my cousin Wiletta opened my eyes to the wonderful and life-changing world of couponing. 

For months, I watched her posted pictures of her shopping hauls.  The captions showed where she was saving $10, $20, $30, $40.  The more she shopped, the more her savings grew.  Then, the day came when she started having shopping trips that cost her $0!  To top that, she's even started having shopping trips where she left the store with money in her pockets...given to her from the store!!! 

Wiletta's most current haul....absolutely FREE!!

That's when I knew that I had to get off my high horse and join in the madness!  So, I've attended my first couponing class and am looking forward to attending more.  I've even gone on a shopping "field trip" with my cousin so that I can get a closer look at what it takes to be a coupon queen.  I won't lie,   it's not easy, and it takes a lot of planning.  But, when I look at how much money I can potentially save, I'm willing to give it a try. 

I'll be giving you updates from time to time to let you know how my coupon journey is coming along.  If you have any tips or tricks to help me get started, please share them in the comment section.  I'll do the same.  Taking one step at a time, I am committed to saving more money on my grocery bill in 2014!