When it comes to Extreme Couponing, you have to keep in mind there is a system to the entire process.  Now, you could just grab some coupons and run to the store, or you could take some time to prepare, in order to make sure you are getting the best deals.  That’s where I step in.
Taking time to prepare before using coupons is something that would probably make most people laugh.  Yet, without this crucial step, using coupons to save tons of money is nearly impossible.  There are five basic steps to preparing for your shopping trip: obtaining your coupons, clipping your coupons, organizing your coupons, matching your coupons with your local store sale ads, creating your detailed shopping list and then taking this preparation to the store.
There are numerous ways to obtain your coupons.  The most common form is through the Sunday paper, but you can also use internet coupons and even company coupons which you can get from emailing the company about an item to let them know you like their product and they will normally reward your feedback with some coupons.  Also free websites like Coupons.com offer printable coupons for items just like the ones you find in the newspaper. 
Once you get all the coupons you need the next step is the tedious process of clipping coupons.  This is my least favorite part, and probably the longest part of the process.  I prefer scissors or a photo trimmer that you can purchase in many stores’ scrapbooking section.  Once your coupons are clipped then you move on to the next step: organizing them.  If you purchase several papers each week then it’s best to put duplicate coupons together then put all your coupons in order by date.  For example, if you get five papers and each paper has a coupon for $2.00 off diapers then you need to put all five of those coupons together, and then order all the coupons you’ve clipped by expiration date.  The next step in organizing your coupon is either using the binder method or using a small coupon expandable folder.  I prefer the binder method and I use baseball card inserts to store my coupons in a neat and orderly fashion.  I have my binder organized by Food/Condiment Items, Health/Beauty Supplies, Household Supplies, and whatever else I need, depending on the coupons I have.  Now, once your coupons are organized you can now move on to the next step, matching.  In your newspaper, or on store websites, you can view their sale items and you will simply match the items on sale with any coupons you have for that particular item. 
Many people make the mistake of going in a store without a plan.  They don’t create a list of items they need and that sends them on a bumpy path of buying whatever they they want, instead of what they need.  A “detailed” list would include the following things: the item you’re going to purchase, the full price of the item, the sale price, the coupon that you have for the item, and then the  total price so that you can set your budget for your shopping trip.  However, you can start out small by simply writing up a list of things you need and the value of the coupon you have for it.  Just having a list of the things you are going to buy (and not straying from that list) is a HUGE accomplishment for most people. 
Once these steps are done, then you simply take this to the  store and apply this technique.  Keep in mind that you will make mistakes for your first few trips to the store, and I do not expect you to spend $800 retail but only pay $25; yet, simply starting out with taking your $100 bill down to $30 is a great achievement for beginners. 
My challenge to you this week is to purchase a few Sunday papers, then apply the techniques I’ve discussed thus far.    NOTE:  The best paper to get your coupons from is the Southern Standard (the McMinnville paper, which you can purchase in Smithville.)  The Tennessean costs $2.50 and the Southern Standard only costs .75 cents and you get the exact same coupons plus or minus eight or ten coupons.  Saving on coupons, it doesn’t get much better than that!  Don’t forget to check out my page on Facebook (just search for “Saving Dollars & Making Sense”) and “like” it so you can get updates on extra things I don’t discuss in my column as well, as all the columns I’ve written so far, in case you need to catch up.  Good luck!