Couponing for Two Basics

Here's an overview of how I coupon for two, aka practical couponing:

1. Read the weekly ads
   
2. Read couponing blogs*
   
3. Consult Peter about what types of meals he'd like and if he is low on anything that's on sale (e.g. Gillette razors)
   
4. Select two to four grocery and drug stores to visit per week
   
5. Organize coupons in the evenings for the next few days
6. Separate coupons out for use during lunch breaks (Fred Meyer, Walgreens, Safeway, Albertsons, Top Foods, Target are all close to my office)
7. Make after work trips occasionally for great deals and/or produce (Harbor Greens, Tacoma Boys, QFC)
8. Find other good deals online, like weekend getaways or daily deals
9. Buy everything else (steak, Coors Light, peppers, mushrooms, feta) at Costco
   

This might sound like a lot of work, but you can adjust it to your lifestyle and schedule. There are some weeks I only go to one store and find average deals, but I also have lean ground turkey and prawns (that I got on BOGO-buy one get one) in my freezer. The next week I go to three or four stores. And, I can stock up on 3 for $1 green peppers and cucumbers (like Fred Meyer this week) and $0.50 Vitamin Water (Albertson's ending 5/17) without any coupons!

*I find my sweet deals by following a few coupon bloggers who do "match-ups" for stores. This means they find items that are on sale and match them up with available coupons, both store and manufacturers, printable and from newspapers. For an example of match-ups for this week at Fred Meyer, check out The Coupon Project. Another example for Safeway match-ups is another blog I like, Coupon Connections.