I am an ADDICT!

There,...I said it. I have a problem. I am totally and completely addicted to couponing. Yes that's right,..COUPONING. Never thought I'd say it, but I am.

About a month ago my girlfriend was telling me about her "couponing" aventures and I smiled and nodded thinking ("ha, I would never go to that much effort, what a waste!"). Then she called me and told me to get to Albertsons for a Pampers Swaddlers diaper deal that I couldn't miss out on. I decided what the heck,...I'm having twins,...I love Swaddlers,...diapers never go on sale,...I'll give it a try. I went back again and again to stock up on more and more diapers. 8 Albertsons later, I was on a coupon high and I owned 2,500 diapers for under $185. I'm ready for some cute twin bums! :)

Finding places to store everything has been a problem...

Then I started getting hooked on finding "freebies" (manufactured coupons stacked with store coupons to make products free,...or close to free). The first time I went I was sweating bullets. I thought "they can't let me have this stuff for free". Coupons were flying everywhere, Noah was screaming, I was nervous that the checkout person would laugh at me, I was completely and totally embarassed. But by the time I was home with all of my amazing deals, my embarassment was FAR surpassed by the thrill of it all. (Plus the "checker" was totally patient and was amazed at the deals I was getting).

Yes,...this was all free...or very close to...I had to pay sales tax.

So yes, I am addicted. I have even been dreaming about coupons lately. I know,...pathetic. It is a problem. But a problem Brad is loving! ;) He cheers me on and tells me when I go out with my girlfriends to coupon to "run faster", and to "be greedy if needs be necessary!" ;) Oh boy!

Anyways, with the economy the way it is and living on a single income (Brad, thanks for providing for us so that I can stay at home with Noah), I figure ANY way that I can help cut back is awesome. And this is probably near the funnest hobby I've ever picked up on! :)

This morning I went on a coupon run,..this is how it turned out:

6 -boxes True Delight Granola Bars
2 -Healthy Choice Meal Steamers
3 -24 oz. liquid Body Soaps
2- Gilette Shaving creams
1- Gilette Fusion Razor
1 -pkg condoms *heck they were free
2- pkgs Scrubbing Bubbles Wipes
1- Windex Spray
1- Windex Wipes
1- CoverGirl Mascara
1- Pkg 200 cnt. Dixie Napkins
1- Garnier Hairspray
GRAND TOTAL: (After coupons and rebates) $7.67

Okay, so now that I totally look like a freak, here are some links to for all of you interested in learning how to become a freak! :) WARNING, this hobby is highly HIGHLY addictive!

Here is a great start to understanding the basics of couponing:
http://krazycouponlady.blogspot.com/search/label/Couponing%20Basics

This is my most recent find. I'm so excited about this! I recently posted this blog entry:
http://krazycouponlady.blogspot.com/2009/02/give-your-budget-boosta-big-boost.html

There are some really great sites on my sidebar under "Blogs I am Loving" that update great deals daily.

Whew. I had to get that all out,...kinda embarassing but it feels so much better! It's been building up inside me and I needed to share! :) Happy Savings! :)