Couponing for the Time Challenged

The comment I hear most often when I'm at the grocery store and have saved a ton of money is - I wish I could coupon, but I don't have the time.

I save at least $100 a week on consumable products using coupons and shopping sale, and only spend a few extra hours a week.  Unless someone is bringing home $50 an hour from their job, I feel like they can't afford not to coupon.

If people have watched Extreme Couponing, I understand how they might think they don't have the time.  That show isn't reality.   The couponers I know don't spend 40 hours a week chasing deals. Or at least they shouldn't, if they want to keep their and their family's sanity.

Couponers have jobs, kids, and busy family lives.  They know it's well worth the time they spend to save their family money.  They don't chase every deal, but pick and choose what works for them.  It's not an all or nothing activity. 

My suggestions on how to get started:

1. Change your thought process.  You can make couponing work for you, even if you have a busy life.
2. Follow a few blogs and let them do the work of finding the deals and matching sales with coupons. 
3. Buy a Sunday newspaper for the coupon insert.  One per family member is a good place to start.
4. Don't think you'll save big the first week you use coupons.  It takes awhile to acquire the coupons and learn the ropes.
5. Ask questions.  The couponing community is the most helpful group of people I've ever been associated with.

Most weeks, I  spend at most a few extra hours a week organizing, planning and coupon shopping.  Some weeks, I don't shop at all. 

Experienced couponers - how much time to you spend couponing?

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