Okay, my question about the grocery game is, do you end up with a lot of things you really don't need? Also, how much time does it take you to get your coupons all found and clipped? I love this idea, but am struggling with whether it will be worth the time...I can tell you definitely saving money...but do you end up buying things just because they are a good price?? Things you really wouldn't even buy otherwise?

This is my opinion on it Amy- And I have only been through one week of it so I may not know what I am talking about.

It may be things you would not normally buy, but you begin to incorporate those things into your menu because they are on sell. It is more of a change in the way you shop and eat based on what's for sell. So, you have to be willing to stray from your normal menu in order to take full advantage of the game. You are not buying these items on top of buying all the regular stuff you buy. You are buying them instead of the regular price stuff. You have to make it work for you. Same for non-grocery items.

I'll tell ya what's happened quite a few times. There are certain brands I do not buy because they are too expensive. But I'd like them if I could afford it- so I clip a coupon for it when I find one. Then, lo and behold, that item goes on sale, and combined with my coupon, is CHEAPER than my normal brand. This is true for offbrands and storebrands, too!! So, what I buy has changed in that way.

I have a basic menu that I stick to because I know what my family enjoys. But playing the GG has caused me to branch out a little, because I sometimes cannot resist buying something so cheap. But I don't buy it if I don't intend to use it. I have not ended up regretting any purchases. I have still been able to get all my usual items- and we aren't suddenly eating chow mein noodles all the time. :)

In the early weeks of GG, the less you buy of your normal items at fullprice, the more you are able to buy off the List at a discount price. So, yes, I did try to tailor my shopping so that I could make the most of my budget. That's really not necessary after a few weeks though, when your overall costs starts dropping! I am buying everything I would normally buy, or better.

It is time consuming to find, cut, and organize the coupons. But I see this as time I am employed. I am making my family money by doing it. After a few weeks of seeing how that effort translates at the register, I can't imagine going back to my precoupon days. It's well worth it!

I actually do enjoy it though- but that's my typeA personality coming out!

Hope that answers your question.