In today’s economy it feels like everyone is struggling in one way or another. I’ve seen friends lose their jobs and not be sure how the next meal will get onto their table. I’ve seen relatives stressing over the high electric bill and wondering how they will budget the costs in. And I’ve seen strangers out their applying for any job they can if it means helping will the mortgage/rent/heat/food costs.  Though it is a challenge to be living right now in a tough economy it doesn’t have to mean that higher food costs and grocery bills should be hurting you.

I was given Stephanie Nelson’s (Owner of Coupon Mom) book for review, the book The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half is a simple to follow guide and tips that help you save money each week for your grocery costs and more. I read the book cover to cover in a matter of a day. I had recently started a few weeks before getting myself all coupon savvy. I read blogs, scoured the newspaper, and looked through grocery store ad’s like it was my end of the world project. So I thought I was just as smart as she [Nelson] is, boy was I wrong! She is one smart and shop savvy woman.

My favorite tip of the whole book is: Plan ahead!!

This is something I never used to do, sure I looked in the stores printed ad and though "Oh, wow, look at these great deals" then went to the store and normally spent about $200 – $250 each shopping trip, I usually do one large shopping trip bi-weekly and a smaller trip on the off weeks. Now with planning ahead and going to multiple stores I’m saving about 50% on each shopping trip. This week I went to three stores Price Chopper (my favorite since starting couponing), Big Y, and Stop and Shop. Between the three I spent $137.78, the total cost before sales and coupons would have been $241.73. That was 103.95 in savings. I really went all out this week and bought a lot of food. Those are only my grocery costs, it does not include the $44.95 of items that I got from CVS for $1.95. Oh yes, under $2!

I’ve seen online many people who budget out $40 a week on food. I am not there yet, but I plan to cut my grocery costs down to about $75 a week.  In this video the almighty “Coupon Mom” gets $161 worth of groceries for $11. I want to be her, and with her book I could get there.

If you are trying to save money and you want to expand your couponing abilities I would definitely recommend Nelson’s book. I’ve learned lots of new tips and tricks on how to use knowledge and planning to save money. I’ve read the book twice through since receiving it and will most likely be reading it again to make sure I’ve utilized each idea. My next step is to create a coupon binder. I think it will be extremely beneficial to me and my family!