Coupons and the Games that Ensue

I'm that type of person to dive in head first then realize I'm in a tank full of sharks. 

I've done The Grocery Game -- and quit.

I had the fancy binder chock full of those clear pages used for card collecting, tabs that divided my coupons into appropriate sections, and coupons galore.  I would spend my Sunday afternoons searching, cutting, folding and filing.  And flipping through that glorious binder.

I dumpster dove into our neighborhood recycling bin while my husband watched.  I searched the sales.  I spent time on the Game's website and in the forums.  I planned my trips.  I took my binder shopping with me. 

I got some awesome deals.  It was fun.  But it was exhausting. 

There would be weeks we ate only cereal.  And the bathroom cabinet became full of toothpaste we weren't crazy about.  I still have hair products I scored for free and haven't used. 

I realize, it's probably the way I played the game. And that my family is just plain picky.  I'm sure there are a lot of families that are rolling in free toilet paper and discounted Mac-N-Cheese, but I came to the conclusion that it was not for me.  

Now, fast-forward a few years and here I am getting sucked in to frugal living and money-saving blogs and trying to figure out how to incorporate their frugal ideology into my family's lifestyle without going overboard.

How can one clip coupons a little, and still save money, but not let it take over their lives? 

Trying to find the balance,

Robin