Grocery Shopping in Tough Times

For the last couple of weeks I have been using coupons while grocery shopping.  I have to admit that it has been quite an interesting and eye-opening experience.  The rule of thumb for me is to only buy things that are readily usable in my food storage OR that it is free.  Yes, I have found that there are a few things that I have been able to pick up FREE! 

Here is what I have been doing.  First I check out the weekly sales ad's to see what is on sale.  And then I go   through the coupons to see what I can use.  The local grocery store here doubles coupons up to $1.00 which can have a huge impact on savings.  I make a list and try to stick to it.  So far I have been doing really well.  I just have to remind myself that I am only shopping for food storage and for immediate use around here.  I stay away from things we don't actually eat. Store what you eat and eat what you store is a motto around here.   I didn't buy anything that wasn't on sale and I had coupons for almost everything I picked up. So here it is...

1 Box Keebler cookies - Free with sale and coupon
1 Bag Pepridge Farm Cookies - Free with sale, double coupon and instant savings coupon
2 Jars Peter Pan Peanut Butter
2 Boxes Oatmeal
1 Box Life Cereal
1 Box Captain Crunch ( Hey, don't laugh, I love Cap'tn Crunch!)
1 Bottle Aunt Jemimah Syrup
1 Jar (med size) Pace Picante Sauce
2 Cans Hormel Chili- No Beans
1 Pkg Hormel Assorted Pork Chops (5.68 lbs)
Total Amount Paid after all sales and coupons 
$20.74     That's a savings of 62%! 

I'm totally amazed at how much money I saved.  I think I may end up being a couponing freak!!  It didn't take much time at all to deal with the coupons and make the list either.  I will sure be doing this again and I bet I end up being pretty good at it too.  Everyone knows how much I love being cheap....err... frugal. :)
I am still hoping to have Shelly, from the Ohio Prepper's Network, to do a guest post about how it all works.  That girl is a Grocery Shopping Guru.
I have just started trying this over the last couple of weeks and already I can see that it is a great way to make your dollars stretch.  Which means more $ for more preps! 
                                    ~~Hey... I'm Just Sayin...~~