Crazy! I could never be that frugal. That being said, this is inspiring and maybe I should try a bit harder to save more. For me that probably means more trips to the farmer's market and less to Harris Teeter and Target!

She is my idol!! I am totally frugal, I know way too many people who spend way too much money on frivolous things.

This woman is my new hero!

Wow! I should really start to try to save money on my shopping!

Well, there's a bit more to this:
- she spends a lot of time collecting/printing the coupons
- on one shopping she has to visit 5 different stores to take advantage of all the coupons.

She saves money but uses time. I prefer to spend my time at a job that I love to have more money and not need to save that much, but that's a personal choice.

I bet all the cashiers really despise her when she comes in. I really hated those people when I worked as one a long time ago...they usually didn't read the coupon right and would grab the wrong item or the wrong quantity or it was expired.

I wonder how much crap she is buying with all those coupons. Coupons are usually for all the processed, packaged goods in the store.

My grocery bills tend to be high...but I am buying mostly produce, meat, bulk grains, and dairy products. And I go for organic whenever I can.

And I thought I was cheap! I don't think I could be that frugal although my hat's off to her for being able to do so.

My father has always been such a coupon-clipper, but I never remember to...I think I need to try harder!

It's awesome that she's able to do this, but it seems like it would be a job in itself!

Very rarely does a coupon come up for a product I normally buy, or would consider buying. Phooey! Hearing stories like this makes me wish there were more available for items I normally buy!

sundrops - totally agree with you!

i try to buy tons of healthy produce and natural meats and poultry. You cant find coupons for that stuff! I wish i were able to shop like this, but alas it just doesn't work for me unless it's a non-food item.

That is truly amazing. Just shows that I should do some more research before I buy!

Those are great tips! I cut coupons every week and I'm quite the bargain shopper. I've never had any bargains that were close to that amazing, though.

That's pretty impressive, even if it is taking up more time. Seriously 2 cents for $380 worth of stuff? Who WOULDN'T do that? I always try to buy on sale and whatnot, but I should get more on the coupon thing. But like some people said, most of my grocery purchases are fruit and veggies, meats and the like. I usually buy on sale when I can but it's not super often

I feel like a total amateur compared to Thompson! Kudos to her for being so diligent about saving!

That is impressive; I do *some* coupon clipping, but not that much! She must always have an eye on the latest deals - and probably needs to write them all down to remember. I know I wouldn't!

I really think the people in line behind me, and the cashier, would hate me if I split up my checkout in 5 different transactions.

And I mean...if this woman doesn't have a job and has nothing better to do...then of course she has all this time to plan for it!

I'm a huge fan of coupons and deals and I've been able to get a few fabulous buys too... BUT I'm even a bigger fan of 'Time is Money'.

I can see being that scientific about your shopping if running the family finances and the home is your job. I wonder, though about what she's buying if she's making these shopping trips weekly, or even bi-weekly. I find if I shop right once a month, all I'm doing weekly is picking up a few fresh vegetables.

Lilavati: that's exactly what i thought. i don't have the time to scrabble around for a bargain pair of clothes that meet my tastes or requirements, especially in the sales when there are so many people pushing about plus what are the chances of finding your size?

my oh so frugal sister in law constantly makes cutting remarks about how i am 'rich' because i have a job and don't do much bargain hunting (i'm not rich, i just got off my backside and got a job!), very annoying as there are many examples where she is not actually practising frugality but false economy.

I don't have time to think that hard about cutting coupons. Plus the driving around she does probably costs more in gas then how much she saved.

I'm going to have to try the CVS strategy since I shop there almost every week. It seems like it's time consuming but probably worth all the time in the end.

Very impressive. I need to try the CVS tips.

Wow, she is savvy. I love that she makes a point to get items for free, the she wouldn't use herself, & donate them to a local shelter.

I try to clip coupons but always forget them or don't have them when i really need them! I am still surprised how she is able to save so much money...wish i had half her discipline!

Impressive there are so good ideas i might use.

I think the amount of time and gas money she is putting into it is worth it. She has 3 kids and two adults to feed and spending 4 hours a week on this seems like a great investment. But yes, I would worry about inconveniencing everyone in line behind me if I did several transactions. Maybe I just need to get over it?