New to Couponing

So I just recently started couponing a few months ago.  I tried it before but always ended up buying products that I would not normally buy and for more money than I would usually spend.  And yes, I have to admit that I started after watching reruns of TLC's Extreme Couponing.  Do I think that buying $1,000 of groceries for $5 is feasible...no.  Do I need or would I ever buy 98 bottles of Hot Sauce...uh no.  But would I like to save money buying every day grocery items that I will actually use...stupid question.

So here the story starts.

In order to really take advantage of a good sale, you really need multiple copies of the same coupon.  I have been lucky enough to get mine from friends and family who give me their coupons from the Sunday paper.  Printable Coupons usually allow you to print the coupon twice (even more if you have multiple computers). 

So I just started clipping and organizing and clipping (and reading blogs)....and this was my first extreme deal at Walgreen's:

8 tubes of Colgate Toothpaste: Sale price $1 - .75 off Coupon from Sunday paper insert = .25 each

2 Oral B Advantage Toothbrushes: Sale Price 2/$2 - $2 off 2 Coupon (Sun insert) = FREE

1 box of Walgreens brand Freezer Bags = Sale Price .69 cents

2 boxes Walgreens Brand Tampons = Sale Price $3.29 each Buy One Get One FREE = $3.29

Out of Pocket Expense: $2.95 (I used a $5 Register Reward from a previous purchase)

TIP: No matter what the cost, even if it ends up being free, you must pay the sales tax of the original sales price before coupons.  (Makes sense to me)

I loved this deal and I was officially HOOKED!