Extreme Couponing

Disclaimer: I am not an extreme couponer.

Phew.

I'm glad I made that clear before I continued.

I spent my morning clipping coupons.  Store coupons, manufacturer coupons and internet coupons.  I got my stash ready and made my way to the store.  I knew going into the store that when I would be rung up that my total would not be zero.  I was okay with that, but I was trying something new today...stacking coupons.

Stacking coupons - that's when you combine store coupons and manufacturer coupons to get even better deals.  I've always been afraid to do this.  Fear that it wouldn't ring up.  Fear that I'd hold up 10 people in line and get dirty looks.  Fear that the clerk wouldn't know how to ring up coupons.  Fear that I'd be told I was an idiot and couldn't stack coupons.  Not today.  I walked in with coupons organized and list in hand.

As I was being rung up, I saw my total going up and up and I felt dread in my belly...what had I done?  Did I really need two bags of chocolate chips (I actually did, it was a condition of one of my coupons) and before I knew it, everything was accounted for.  I shakily handed over my coupons and saw the clerk go to work.  It wasn't bad at all.  It was actually exciting!  All but 2 of my manufacturer coupons even doubled! DOUBLED!  Madness I tell you.

I felt like buying another newspaper and doing it all over again!

I saved $70 off of my total.

I was one of those people who shook my head at that extreme couponing show, but I totally get it.  Can't wait for next week's ads to do it all over again!