Do you use coupons?

I have long used them. I keep in envelopes to organize them. All food in one, cleaners in another, personal hygeniene, etc.

I don't always remember to grab them, but what I try to do is scan ads for things I will buy and then look to see if I have a coupon before I go. Then I take a few extras for things I know I will get.

I also sometimes use to try products I'm curious about.

It can be time consuming to clip and remember, but there are times I've saved a ton of money. I just do it Sunday mornings, while relaxing outside on our patio before the kids wake up.

For a while, I had the kids do it, but they clipped every single ones.

I will say, if you don't sort them right away, and leave them on your counter, they create clutter - at least at our house. The kids will look through them and spread them out, then suddenly they are on the floor. :(

I'm also trying to keep restaurant coupons in the car. It's not working out too well, but I'll get better.

Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.

I love using coupons. I can save about $40 sometimes just from using coupons. The key is only cutting ones you will actually use or something you are curious to try. It can be time consuming but beyond just Sunday coupons there are also websites you can go to and print more coupons. Don't just cut coupons that you are going to use for your nearest shopping trip, cut all the ones that you will use and that way you will have them for when you need that product. The easiest way for me to remember to use them is to make a shopping list of everything I need to get from the store. Go through my coupons and see what coupons I have that matches what I am buying from the store. I then paperclip them to my shopping list, it saves you from going through them at the checkout line. To make it even easier I put stars next to the item on my list that has a coupon with it, that way I make sure to get the right brand and quantity. Happy clipping!

Mommy of 2 girls, Rhiannon and Layla

I used to be real good about clipping coupons, keeping them organized, and getting rid of the expired ones in a timely manner-- then I had a kid. Now as a previous poster said, they wind up in a pile on the counter. I make sure I have the ones that I will probably use in my purse. Luckily, I still have a decent memory (not as good as it was pre-baby), and if I see something in an ad, I can usually remember that I cut out a coupon for it. Then it is just a matter of finding it (can be a challenge).

Sometimes you can save quite a bit-worth the effort. However, I have found that dollar store and store brand products are often cheaper even when you have a coupon for the brand name.

PS. I will have to look at that website. Sounds very helpful.

I use coupons as well, but I was always frustrated when I clipped them out and left them behind. I now have a plastic clasp envelope that I keep in the car, so they are always with me. At least now, if I am shopping, the worst thing that will happen is that I have to walk out to the car to get the coupon not make the decision whether or not to buy the item because I left it at home.

JuneSlager is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com, raising three children (ages 15, 14, & 11) in Northeast Phoenix.

$4,000 is what I save annually with coupons and sales. Once I figured out that would buy our family vacation, it is definately worth the hassle! I sort by areas: dairy, meat, frozen, cereal, sauces, canned food, cleaners, bathroom hygene, etc. Be sure to get the Wed. newspaper and save the food ads for each grocery store. Pick on and shop there for the week. It's too much to run around. Also, Walmart will price match everyone's ad. Safeway, Bashas, Fry's double coupons everyday. It adds up!

soccermom of a 12 yr old boy and 15 yr old young lady