Extreme Couponing?

When shopping for clothing, accessories, jewelry, etc I ALWAYS try to save money. I use sites like Mr. Rebates, Ebates and RetailMeNot to get cash back and find coupon codes. I will not pay full price! See my post here for tips on how to save money when shopping online.

But I was not as careful with other shopping (I mean grocery stores, Target, Walgreens, etc). I always used my Ralphs or Vons card (my two grocery stores) and tried to buy things on sale but that's about it. I started couponing to save money (duh). I also started couponing because I often do the grocery shopping for the family I nanny for AND I started watching Extreme Couponing. I like to have a small stockpile so I don't have to run out and get baby food, cereal or baby wipes every week (like just a couple of extra, not a whole garage full!). Taking a toddler to the store takes so much longer and just isn't something I want to do multiple times a week. I will NEVER buy more than what I can actually use and I've donated a few things that I found free but didn't need. I think many of the people on Extreme Couponing are hoarders and there is NO NEED for 70 bottles of mustard!!!!

I do not have a stockpile that takes up a whole room, I don't spend hundreds of dollars (and get the actual total down to $3) or anything actually extreme. Stores in the Los Angeles area are more expensive than many other places in the US so I KNOW I won't be getting the deals I see on the show/other websites (for example, the Wet Ones wipes below usually retail for over $1 at my Targets but they are under $1 in other parts of the country). BUT I do want to save money!

Here's what I do now:
1. ALWAYS use my Ralphs or Vons card. I also load electronic coupons onto my card (check your grocery store's website to see if they do this)
2. Cut coupons from the Sunday paper, print coupons from Coupons.com, Target.com, and facebook
3. Check websites. My favorites are: Totally Target, Southern Cali Saver, and Chief Family Officer (the last two are both women in Southern California-they do post deals that apply to other areas too)

I went to Target last night and saved $33 ($3 more than I spent)!!! The crazy thing is that when I look at what I bought it doesn't even look like $33 worth of stuff, let alone $63 (the actual total if I'm doing that math correctly)

What I got:
7 packs of pens, 3 scotch tapes= all of these will be donated to a local non-profit (they were free so why not!)
2 packs of Trident gum, 2 packs of M&M pretzels, Sharpies, Wisps (excited to try these/will put them in my car/purse for "emergencies"), Jergens Natural Glow (excited to try this too), 3 packs of travel Wet Ones (I use these ALL THE TIME), St. Ives body wash, Kleenex 4 pack, 2 tubs of Cottonelle flushable wipes (I'll use these with Baby H)
1 watering can, 3 pack of animal water squirters, Plum baby food=all for Baby H
Anchor water bottle, Tums travel roll 3 pack, Command picture hanging strips, Command hooks, travel Tide (this single use pack comes in handy when traveling. unfortunately this one appears to be leaking so I put it in a ziploc), Shout wipes (travel 4 pack)

Do you have any couponing tips? Have you tried Extreme Couponing? Do you think it's crazy or not worth it? Leave a comment with your thoughts, suggestions, and tips!