My goal when preparing for a shopping trip is to save 50% or more. The most I have ever saved is 90% on just a couple of items not a huge list of stuff. First I look at the store flyer (usually Safeway because that is the closest store to us) to get an idea of what is on sale, then I get on my phone and pull up the Safeway Just For You app and load all the coupons I would use. Next is going through my coupon box to see if I have any coupons to use for the sale items. Last is making an actual shopping list, I know it seems backwards but it works for me. I have a master list of stuff I need.
I may only shop once in a month for the basics like milk, butter, bread and produce. The rest of the month I use what I have in the cupboards, freezer and refrigerator. I may not need to shop at all in a month if I have enough milk and butter in the freezer. Bought on sale of course. Bread I can always make myself using the bread machine or from scratch. In the spring and summer I garden so produce is almost free. I cook most our meals and don't by a bunch of stuff to sit on a shelf somewhere. I'm blessed to share my talents and "stock pile" (it's not really I am just using that term) with family and friends and that makes me happy. :)
The picture below are all expired coupons I pulled out of my coupon box. Kind of makes me sad but I didn't have the money to purchase some of these items. Not all is lost, I want to send my expired coupons to those in the military that can still use them in the commissary on base. They get send to a military base then people can use the ones they want. Cool!! and I'm happy to help! :)