I am a homemaker with two always hungry children, a very hard working always hungry husband and two spoiled kitties.  We could not afford all the stuff we use and eat if it were not for coupons and sales!  Here are my tips for saving money with coupons.

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Always carrry your coupons with you, in your purse or in your car.

Every Sunday get the newspaper and look at the flyers and keep them until the next Sunday.

Know when your local grocery stores sales week starts and ends and go on line or get the flyer in the mail and hang onto it until the next sale week starts.

Go shopping after Sunday if you can and go to every store where you are going to use your coupons to also save on gas usage : )  Go to the stores where you are not buying refrigerated items first or put a cooler in your car with ice or ice packs to put cold items in.  Many stores put items on sale that have coupons for that week in the Sunday paper.  This will also ensure that the store is not cleaned out (which usually happens on the weekends) and will help you avoid the stressful crowded conditions of weekend shopping.

Find out what the coupon usage policies are at all the stores you go to on a regular basis. 

BJ's lets you use manufacturer's coupons.  They also let you use multiple coupons on multi-packs.   *Please note that I was told this by a store employee but I have not tried it yet.*  When I try it and am successful I will revise this guide.  

Example-You can use 3 $1.00 off coupons for a 3 pack of Vas*line moisturizer!

BJ's also sends out a coupon booklet each month as well as a store magazine that also has coupons.  AND they always have printable coupons on their website if you are a member.

Wal Mart has no limit on the quantity of coupons you can use.  This means stocking up in one trip and saving money on gas also!

Some stores double or triple coupons which can save you lots of money when you use .75 cent coupons on sale items.

Some stores allow you to use a coupon for each item even when they are buy one get one free.

Get FREE stuff with buy one get one free coupons for items on sale for buy one get one free!!

Get FREE stuff with coupons that are for FREE products!!

I just got my hands on some coupons that are for one free roll of toilet paper!!  I found a grocery store that sells it and I or my husband take 5 coupons (that is the stores limit per different coupon) when we are in that area and pick some up : )

Example-Recently I got about a years worth of shampoo and conditioner for free because they were buy one get one free and I had buy one get one free coupons.  I saved myself about $150.00!!

Example- I just bought 4 bags of chocolates that retail for $4.39 a bag.  I had 4$1.50 off coupons for each bag and they were buy one get one free.  My total was $2.78!  I saved $14.78!  My husband who is a chocoholic was very happy : )

Some stores limit how many coupons you can use for each different coupon you have.

Example-I went to the grocery store yesterday where they allow you to use 5 coupons for each different one you have.  I bought 5 wet cat food pouches with buy one get one free coupons, 5 cat treats pouches with free coupons, 5 wet cat food cups with free coupons and one cat food pouch with a free coupon.  My total was $3.10 and I saved $18.32!  My two kitties are totally spoiled : )

If the store limits quantities on items and coupons and you have a spouse/partner/boyfriend/girlfriend or a friend you shop with and you can spend the money to stock up, each grab a cart and give them the same coupons you are going to use and go through separate check outs and double your savings in one trip!

Find other coupon enthusiasts to trade coupons with. If you have extras, give them away to people in the grocery store.  I have been known to hunt down people in the store who have cat litter or cat food (or some other item I have tons of coupons for and will never be able to use them all before they expire) in their carts and give them my extra coupons so they they don't go to waste!  I hate to throw away coupons because it is like throwing away money!

Always get a rain check if the item you have coupons for is on sale and they are out or they don't have enough for you to use all your coupons.  Keep the rain check with the corresponding coupons so you use them before the coupons expire.  Don't throw out the rain check if it is still good beyond the coupon expiration date because you might be able to get more coupons for the same item later on and still use the rain check.

Organize your coupons by month and then type so you can keep track of the current months coupons and use them before they expire.

Rebates are another great way to save money.  You don't get the savings right away but for the small amount of effort it takes to fill out a little slip and pop an envelope in the mail you can often get things for free or get other items for a $1.00 or for free by buying things you have to buy anyway.

Hope this helps you save money!