I'm going to give you more than 2 cents worth of advice for using coupons, store cards and BOGOS (buy one get ones). With these hints, you should be able to save money on most grocery trips without being obsessive about it.

Using Manufacturer's Coupons
Search one or more of the on-line coupon web-sites for manufacturer's coupons for the brands that you already buy. Put them in a coupon wallet or strong envelope, sorted into the proper categories. Plan to use them before they expire. This is not always possible, but that's OK, because clipping coupons, sorting them and throwing away expired coupons is the kind of mindless, relaxing task that may be soothing for you.

Personally, I don't like to bother with coupons that are worth much less than $1 or require you to buy 2 of the product. Here are the caveats:

Hint - A 35 cent coupon is OK if your store will Double or Triple the value of the coupon.

Hint - You can buy 2 of an item if you will really use it AND you have a place to put it. I rarely have room in the freezer for 2 gallons of ice cream.

Using Store Loyalty Cards
If you are like me and most folks these days, you have a store loyalty card from at least one grocery chain. These cards get you the weekly store specials without having to clip a coupon from the store circular in the Wednesday or Sunday paper. They also put you on a relatively safe mailing list to send you even better coupons by mail. For example, I've gotten a few coupons for $10 on my next grocery order from one chain.

Hint - Many stores allow the shopper to just key in his home phone number at the checkout, avoiding the necessity of carrying a store card or miniature keychain card.  This is great for the guy that rarely does the shopping or forgets the card when he does.

You Gotta Do This Combo Deal
Here's a secret of mine. Use your manufacturer's coupon for a product at the same time that the product is on a store card special and at the store where coupons are doubled or tripled.  It's even a better deal if this is also the store where you can use that $$-off-on-your-next-order coupon that you have been saving in your wallet.

 

In summary, be careful of the tendency to buy something you don't need just because you have a coupon or it's on sale. While this could push you to try something completely new or to try a competitive brand, you don't want a pantry full of stuff you'll never use.