Why the Sunday Paper is Great...

... or, "Become a Coupon-clipping Fanatic."

I have clipped more coupons in the last couple of months than I have in my entire life. I clipped them, organized them by expiration date, stuck them in an envelope, which I then put in my glove compartment (so I have them with me whenever I decide to take a little detour to Target or Walgreens).

I've found that there is an art to clipping coupons. A lot of times, there will be coupons for random things, like the new Swiffer SweeperVac (really?). Watch out for these coupons, because they'll have you spending money that you would otherwise have never spent.

The one thing that I do feel like coupons are good for are beauty products. Most of the coupons I've encountered for cosmetics and the like have been indiscriminate; you just have to read the smaller print. These coupons will have a picture of a particular product it's advertising and say something like, "Save $2 on Revlon ColorStay Foundation." But usually, right underneath it, in smaller print, it'll say, "Or any Revlon color cosmetic product." They're trying to get you to buy the ColorStay Foundation, but also give you the option of not.

Also available with the Sunday papers are the weekly drugstore circulars. These are also great because each week is a new deal. Don't just haphazardly go to Rite Aid to buy a fresh tube of mascara (which should be replaced every 3 months if you want to lower your risks of getting pink eye). Pay attention to these store ads because some store somewhere will have a "buy one get one free" deal. Get your mascara, and then grab that lipstick that you wanted to get but weren't quite sure if it was worth your money.

One thing I have to note, though, is that cosmetics are usually more expensive at drugstores than they are at places like Target or Walmart. If it's more cost effective for you to buy something with a coupon at Target than it is to get something on sale at CVS, then go to Target with your coupon. Hunting for deals is one thing, but saving money is another.