My only secret is looking at the coupons on the paper and clipping EVERYTHING for any products we do or might use (including beauty/hygiene). I use Smartshopper.com and coupons.com for online coupons and am subscribed to the companies for any name-brand products I use to get emails about deals. Because I do not buy a huge number of name brand products I do not always find good deals. However, I find I use more coupons for snack purchases like crackers, granola bars, etc. I also sometimes find them for things I like to buy but rarely do. You can always throw away coupons if you don't use them but it is nicer to have them ahead of time. I take them with me to the one grocer other than Sam's that I go to (Wegmans!) and often the products are on sale. Even if they are not, Wegmans doubles coupons under $1. I also sometimes time purchases around coupons, so non-perishables we might use I stock up on. I also try to note the lowest prices when I see them and stock up then. I do not put a great deal of energy into this as we frequently make last-minute trips for milk when we run out, realize we have no bread, or whatever. So, I use coupons when I have them and try to cut them out when I can. Sometimes though even with a coupon the store brand is cheaper. It is not worth it to me to drag my kids into five different stores with the little time I have free after work and on my weekends. Most stores have their flyers online so you can see what deals and sales are coming up before you head to the store and plan your meals. :)
Update:
I should also add that mostly to save on groceries, I use cleaning cloths and cut up t-shirts instead of paper towels most of the time (my husband hates it), I make my own laundry soap, and I clean a lot with white vinegar and baking soda-based homemade cleaners. Just the laundry soap has been a huge savings and I never have to watch for a sale while our laundry piles up.
