First example of $SaViNgS$

So I had to make a Wal-mart run yesterday, and while I was in "town" as we country people call it, I headed over to CVS and Walgreens. I stocked up on a few things that we need now, and a few things we will need later. My husband and I are Mt. Dew addicts, but because of the price, we dont always get to have them. If I see a good deal on them, I stock up!!! :)

So here is the haul!! I got 6- 12 packs of Mt. Dew products, a Fusion proglide razor with 2 blades, thermacare heat patch, full size Pantene shampoo, full size Pantene conditioner, 2 Dawn dish soaps, Crest Pro-Enamel toothpaste, Oral B satin floss, and 3 Kraft Homestyle Mac and cheeses for............are you ready for this.........$17.22!!!!!!!
Now, the naysayers are saying,"I dont use those products," "I dont need any of those," or "that is just a hassle." But I am showing you an example of how I bought the items that we use for much less than usual. The soft drinks alone would have been more than the total bill!!
THE CATCH:
1-You cannot be a brand snob and save money like this all the time. I buy all name brand products like shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc, but it might not be the same brand twice!
2-You have to stock up on things, even when you dont need them at the time. I had a full bottle of dish soap at home, but these bottles were too cheap to pass up!
3- You have to buy at least one Sunday paper EVERY sunday.

There are quite a few sites out there that will help you match manufacturers coupons with sales and store coupons. I personally like the following:
http://www.thegrocerygame.com/

http://couponsense.com/

http://groceryguide.com/

http://www.couponmom.com/

You can look at them and decide which one you like best. Now let's hear some questions.........

Excited about this first post!!!!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read my FIRST post!! I have recently become OBSESSED with saving money, and have many friends asking how I do it. I want EVERYONE to save money and time in every aspect of their life, so here goes...........
A few years ago, my husband lost his good paying job quite abruptly. We went from living the American dream to living a financial nightmare! We lost everything we had in a matter of months. We, like many others at that time, had bought into the idea that if the mortgage companies would loan it, we could afford it!! Boy were we wrong!!!!!!!! So, we had to learn how to feed our family, provide a home, pay our bills and SURVIVE on close to minimum wage. Here is what I learned VERY quickly:
1- I could feed my then family of 3 on $40 a week if I HAD to.
2- DRESS for the SEASON inside your home, and the electricity bill will reflect it!
3- We were BLOWING money that we didn't even realize DAILY!!

I will expand on all of these topics, and more in my upcoming posts!! I am going to provide a weekly list of GREAT DEALS at the grocery stores, and my FRUGAL recipes for feeding your family on a TIGHT budget!!! Please share any deals you might have with us!!!!! Let's have fun teaching each other how to save money and enjoy life!!!!!