I know this isn't a kid topic, exactly, but it's one I think is relevant to anyone who needs to save money and has kids, so I'm going to go for it.

I have developed a coupon system that is similar to the Savings Angel program but it is free.  It does take a bit of work but you can save significant amounts of money if you stick with the program.

This receipt shows that I spent $38.99 and saved $23.57.  I consider that a pretty good trip, where the amount spent and the amount saved approach each other. 

Here's my basic strategy:
-only buy things that I will use
-shop from a list
-combine coupons and sales...strategically
-shop multiple stores
-get multiple copies of sale flyers
-print coupons from the internet...strategically
-only clip coupons after I know I will use them

Every week when the Sunday paper comes I collect the coupon inserts and look through them.  If there are a lot of coupons for things our family uses then I will go out and buy one (or two) more newspapers to get the coupons.  I also have some family members that periodically give me their coupons.  It all helps.

The next thing I do is enter the coupons into an excel spreadsheet.  I only type in the coupons that my family will potentially use.  Since we don't have a cat, I never type in info about kitty litter or cat food.

The coupons are sorted into colored file folders and labeled:  Folder #1, Folder #2, etc.

I list the title of the item in the first column, the amount of the coupon in the second column, and the expiration date in the third.

Entering the data is the most time-consuming part of the process.

The next step is to look at the store circulars and see what is on sale.  Read them carefully with your spreadsheet open.  Whenever I see an item that my family does or could use, I search my Excel spreadsheet with the find tool. (Control +F).  Let's say I found Crest toothpaste on sale for $1.99.

When Find and Explore reveals a match, I know which folder the coupon is in from the spreadsheet.  When I pull out the folder I can quickly leaf through the insert and clip the coupon.  If I have more than one copy of that insert, I will be able to clip more than one coupon.  If I find 3- $1 coupons for Crest, I will then be able to buy 3 tubes of Crest at $1 each (I've actually walked out of Meijer with 9 tubes of Crest for free in the past!)

While I'm clipping these coupons I'm also making a detailed shopping list with the name of the item, size, and quantity.  I'm also checking to see that my coupons haven't expired.

As you've probably figured out, it takes a good stock of coupons to have this work best, so give yourself at least a month to build up your stockpile before you expect to start seeing great savings.  Even then, some weeks are better than others.

Other ways to increase your coupon success:
-Shop at more than one store...they often have different specials.  (Target, Meijer, and Family Fare are a good combination)
-Go to Aldi.  They have great basics that are just as good as name brand, sometimes better.
-Go to Horrocks.  They have great produce for a fraction of the other stores.  Call ahead if you want to know a specific price, since they don't have circulars.
-Always shop from your list...planning is the key to saving.  As soon as you impulse buy, the store wins (I play it like a game...)
-Don't buy things your family will never use just because you have a coupon
-Just because you have a coupon and it is on sale still doesn't mean it's a good deal...Could you get it at Aldi or Horrocks for less?

Well, if you read this far, you're probably one brave person.  Give it a try and let me know what you think, and what good deals you score.  Good luck!