Couponing-oh my gosh!

Of course I have heard of couponing. I have seen pictures posted on Facebook of tons of stuff with the caption  "I got this all for $2.50," and thought, "great for them!"  I have heard my sister Amy talk about using coupons and stacking coupons and she sends me coupons in the mail for stuff she thinks I can use. (And I do appreciate it-so much-but truthfully, with some exceptions,  they have often wound up sitting in the envelope forever.) I know about TV shows that show "extreme couponing"-but I haven't watched them. I have heard my friend Alli talk about how she was getting a hang of the coupon system at Publix and saving a lot of money. I vaguely remember something about her getting some tortilla chips for a penny once and thinking that was a great deal.

And then-my eyes were opened. Tuesday night at our Ladies of Ladonia (LOL) meeting, I saw the light. Melanie Walker (AKA "The Coupon Lady") had been invited to talk to us about coupons. She began by giving all praise and glory to God. She talked about how God had enabled her, through the use of coupons, to provide groceries for two other families who were going through difficult situations-but her own family was in transition between jobs and wouldn't have a paycheck for a month!
She told us how she can spend $50 a week to feed her family of six. SIX! And they are eating healthy stuff-fresh produce, juice, etc-not Ramen noodles and bologna.  We spend over twice that to get Ramen noodles and bologna!! (it feels like it-not really-I really hate ramen noodles. *Shudder*) She gets her cleaning products-everything!
She began to break down exactly how things worked at different stores in the area: Publix, Target, CVS, and Walgreens.  I was so excited! I left there KNOWING that I can do this-not only that I CAN do this but the reason I can is through God's grace! I was so excited, so I called Alli on my way home from the LOL meeting. Alli, who took that awesome picture of the flowers to the right, was out taking more pictures. Dean was home.  He (amazingly!) was not interested in talking about coupons with me. Oh well, my glow was not diminished.  I never shop at any of those stores. BUT I have decided that if I play my cards coupons right, the trip into town will be worth the gas. I need to do some planning first,(and to look through that envelope of coupons Amy sent me again) but soon, Wednesdays will be my shopping days. It used to be my mop the floor day. I guess I will have to pass that chore on to someone else. Darn it!! ;)

Here are some links that Melanie Walker shared with us. You may find them useful also:
Southern Savers

i heart publix
Once Upon a Coupon