More Couponing

I still have a lot to learn about couponing and saving money, but so far, I think I'm doing pretty good for a newbie!
First I go through the ads in the Sunday paper. Kroger, Target, Meijer, & CVS, is what I focus on. I write down all the things that are on sale, that I think I have coupons for, or that I use frequently. Then I go through my coupons and match things on my list. I also look around at different websites for printable coupons to see if I can get any more coupons for the items on my list.
The goal is to collect as many coupons as possible for the sale items. I do this by, asking my friends and neighbors for the coupons they are not using. I can also get the coupon inserts from the dumpster bin at the newpaper distribution center. (Not fun though).
I have some rules for myself,
1. If it is on sale, and I have a coupon, and I will use it and it will store, ...I buy it!
2. If it is something I need, and it's on sale, but no coupon, I have to make an executive decision.
3. If I need it and I have a coupon, I go to Walmart!
4. If it is processed foods, or sugary foods, or have food die in it and I don't buy it normally, even if it is on sale, and I have a coupon, I don't buy it. (unless it is free or I get paid to buy it)
I've noticed a lot of unhealthy food is on sale and has coupons. It's kind of sad, that too eat healthy, you have to spend so much more money!
I've also noticed that a lot of toiletries, cleaners and medicines are on sale and have coupons. I can buy toiletries and cleaners and store them, but medicines don't last forver, and we don't need everything, so I am picky about loading up on medicines that are on sale w/coupon!
My big score for this week was at Target. They had the Venus Embrace & Gillette Fusion razors on sale for $7.99 ea. If you bought 2, you'd get a $5 Target gift card. So without a coupon, you'd have to spend $16 to get $5 back. So razors keep for a long time, so it was worth it to me to buy the razors, and it just so happend I had 4 -$2 off the Venus, and 4- $4 off the Gillette. So If I buy one of each, the total is $16 -$6 (in coupons), then it's only $10, and I get a $5 gift card!!! I thought that was a pretty good deal. I didn't need razors, but like I said, they keep for a long time, so I could justify buying them. Since I had 4 coupons of each, I went through the line 4 times using my coupons and 4 times getting a $5 gift card, I also got a $5 off a DVD with one of my reciepts! When I had my FREE $20 Target gift cards and my $5 off a DVD, I went back and got a clock/alarm/CD player for Austin (his broke), and the movie Step Up 2 for Waveney for Valentines day. My cost $5.30!!! Yahoo! That was fun! I also got some Jergens lotion on sale and with a coupon, so my total savings was $50.87! Total out of pocket expense $55.15! Not too bad! Tomorrow it's Kroger, & CVS! Wish me luck!