In the beginning, there was a binder

I am going to start this blog off with acknowledging the fact that a binder is vital to the success of couponing. Why do I know this, you ask?

Five minutes ago, I was sitting on my bed, looking through my wad of coupons grabbed from this weeks and last weeks newspapers, trying to locate that *one* sugar coupon because it was on sale at my local market. I had more coupons spread around me in a brilliant shower of clippings, all pinned together with paperclips, all of them taunting me with their inability to be easily found despite my meticulous 'food' and 'not food' piles.

Some were even out of order.

It took me over a half an hour to just get six items on my list for my very first trip into the land of coupons and once I tried for CVS, I threw down the coupons and let out a mighty cry.

"Fudge this!" I said, with language that did not contain any reference to food. "I need a binder. I will be stopping at Staples in order to not go insane."

To those who doubt the very meticulous tendencies of the long-time Coupon Enthusiasts, doubt no more. I doubted. I was arrogant. I assumed that because I loved lists and piles and paperclips that I could delve into the world without a plan, like Batman on a bender.

Alas, it was not to be so.

Hi, for those of you still reading. Call me Coupie Newbie - I think it has a nice ring to it, don't you? I am twenty-four years old and am living on my own for the first time. I live on the premises of my job, resulting in a pay cut. While this means I don't pay rent or utilities, it also means that with the piling student loans, car payment and insurance, the cost of necessities such as food and cleaning supplies is beyond my reach. I've gone shampoo-free, using baking soda as a shampoo (and actually, I LOVE IT! Don't knock it until you've tried it, I'm never going back!). I suppose this is the classic tale of 'I'm broke, save me money' that many people have when going to coupons.

That's fine with me, I don't mind being one of the crowd.

This blog is meant for motivation, to track the progress of my coupon adventures. I will be posting each Sunday with what delightful coupons I am absolutely giddy over (That Chavrie goat cheese coupon on their facebook?! I squealed!) and then on Tuesday, there will be a post of my shopping trip. Due to my schedule, I can't go shopping on Sunday or Monday, which I know may hinder what I can or cannot buy.

But never fear! I will continue onward!

Expect pictures and prices, me posting what I could have paid, should have paid, and what actually left my wallet. I like saving money almost as much as I like eating and showering with actual soap, and I have a feeling you do too.

Today is the first shopping trip as I have a surprise day off. I will be invading Giant and going to Staples for a binder and some of those... baseball card thingies. A lot of them. I want all of them.

I will be prepared.

I will have a binder.

And I will coupon