I've been unemployed since Feb. '08, so I can attest to "really tight budget"!!
This is very, very do-able. Watch your local ads, I know that my local stores, and Publix in particular, have items that go BOGO very, very regularly... cereal, pasta, rice, spaghetti sauce in particular. When that happens, get what you can afford, and plunk down those coupons with pride!!! If you have a freezer, make the very most of it. I get hot dogs, bacon and lunch meat on sale all the time, and I put 'em in there. Same with those little cups of yogurt... freeze 'em!
I take advantage of when K-Mart does double coupons as well, as this is the ONLY time we ever see doubles in my area. Use those CVS Extra Care Bucks and the RRs for Walgreens to your best advantage too.
In the past month or so I have built up such a stockpile of personal care items (toothpaste, razors, dental floss, lotion, deodorant and shower gel) that I won't need to purchase any for about a YEAR.
It takes a little bit of homework and a little bit of time, but you can do it too!! As you do it more, it becomes MUCH easier to do!
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