Throw the PERFECT coupon party

Saving money is ALWAYS more fun when you can brag about it, isn't it? Clipping coupons with friends not only maximizes your time an effort, but also gives your the perfect opportunity to share war stories with friends and neighbors. Just today my girlfriend was telling me she'd picked up $80 worth of healthy/ beauty products and paid only $1.63. It made me burn with envy, but it also made me try to "out do" her.

I've been to many coupon clipping parties, and they always bring out stories like this, which in turn, always drive the rest of us to one up each other, creating a ripple effect that saves everybody lots of money! Try these few simple steps for a great coupon party:

1) Invite every single person you know. But always leave the kids at home! Some of your childless friends won't appreciate the distraction, and besides, clipping coupons is hard enough work with dealing with the little ones every five minutes.

2) Have plenty of beverages & simple finger food on hand. Coffee/ tea/ juice and plenty of finger food works best~ you'll being touching every single coupon you clip with your bare hands, so you want simple, non- messy snacks that aren't greasy and won't spill.

3) Everybody brings papers. Ask each person to bring X number of papers for maximum coupon effectiveness. While one friend may not need her coupons for men's razors or diapers- coupons new parents would use- she could trade them with another friend who was a new parent.

4) Sundays work best! While most papers have fliers or coupon inserts almost every day of the week, Sundays are the gold mine of coupons; here you'll find three major coupon inserts: P&G, Smart Source and Red Plum. You're certain to find a use for almost every coupon in these inserts.

5) Keep it fun.Turn on the radio. Play "coupon poker" using coupons, instead of money/ poker chips for your antes. Include coupons for your friend's favorite products in her next birthday card. Play coupon bingo. Or start a facebook page/ yahoo group for your very own 'coupon club'~ this makes it easier for all of your friends to stay informed. Always help your friends, and in return, they'll help you back!