As the hunter/gatherer for our household, I typically spend about 5-10 minutes per week clipping coupons out of the circulars before settling in with the Sunday paper. We probably average about $3-$5 in weekly savings, and that translates to about 5-7% of the weekly shopping bill.

However, since all of our bulk supplies come from Costco and with no kids in the house - I'm increasingly finding fewer coupons for items we want or need

I am starting to use them, as a singleton I didn't find many coupons that would make sense for me. And now that I am married some are making more sense because my husband and I can use the product before it going bad (in terms of food) and we have more space to store stuff (cleaning products) than I did before. The majority of our cleaning products come from BJ's and you get multi packs but BJ's accepts manufactures coupons as well as ones that they send out on their own. I imagine as our family grows I will be able to use more coupons and plan on doing so. I am very judicious with my coupons though I will not use them for things I don't need, and if it is a new product and I have to buy multiples I will not use it, because I don't know if I will like the product so why would I want more than one of it?

I cut coupons when I'm not feeling too overwhelmed with life, or I've got some really good ones (i.e., for things I actually buy). Sometimes Kroger sends out these customized coupons based on what you purchase, and even kick in a "save $15 off of $75" - which I love. You can even tell a story based on what kinds of coupons people cut...read this http://www.thatcoolbroad.com/2008/06/03/couponsor-my-life-story/

xoxo tcb

I clip coupons and usually save about $3-5 per shopping trip, depending on how many things I need to get, but my advice is to be sure to check that your coupon actually saves you more money than buying the store brand. Often the store brand is made by the same company that makes the "popular" brand (soups, cereals, and cleaning supplies are good examples) and are much cheaper because they don't have to pay for advertising. Their prices will often beat the major brands, even with a coupon. And don't buy something you don't need just because it seems like a "good deal."

I forgot to mention in my last post that http://www.couponmom.com is a great resource for coupons. You can print them from the web site and can also put in your preferences for what you often buy and they will send you e-mails with coupons for those items.

I do not like to use processed foods. I prefer to have a lot of fresh vegatables in my lunches and dinners. Few coupons are useful for me. Once in a while there is a coupon for toothpaste or a pasta sauce I like.

I learned long ago, during my early years as a mother to cut coupons. I generally can save $2-10 a week with my coupons. And not just at the grocery store, but the drug store, too. I shop @ BJ's, whom takes coupons, and save pretty good. And keep in mind that if you don't use the coupon & it expires, you can mail them to over seas military bases. They can use them in the commissarys even if they are expired. http://www.grocerysavingtips.com/expiredgrocerycoupons.htm
A great way to support military families in other countries.

I am a firm believer that in the present economy it makes good sense to save as much money as you can. I clip coupons from the Sunday paper and have many cards at places like CVS and food markets. Overall I believe that I have saved well over $3,000 in buying one item and getting one free or saving $.75 on items that i use everyday.
The key to savings is to only buy what you need instead of just buying what is on sale.
Coupon clipping makes for great savings!

I'm an avid coupon and circular shopper. My husband and I try to save $30-$50 per trip via bonus buys (store discount offers) and coupons (always doubled up to $1 and sometimes tripled). I find that if you plan out your meals for the week based on what's on sale and coupons, you will do fabulously with savings.

Like another respondent, I too buy a lot of produce but there are sometimes coupons for bagged lettuce or a store discount with a certain $ amount spent in the produce section.

I think in this time period, we all are starting to be more sensitive to saving as much as possible more.

I, too, purchase few processed foods, and that's what most coupons are for. I buy whatever fruits, vegetables, and meats are on sale that week and figure something out with it instead.