Okay, there is a smart way to coupon.
First...is it a coupon for something you would ALREADY buy? If yes, clip it. If it's a coupon for something you would NOT have bought otherwise, don't bother. It's costing you more money, then.
Also, I do not go around to a bunch of different stores on different days to get my "best savings." I go grocery shopping on the 7th of every month, and I go so Aldi's (our cheap store) and WalMart (also cheap.) I use whatever coupons I have at WalMart. THen, on Wednesday (nice if it also falls on the 7th, but if not, whatever) I go to Hy-Vee to get my youngest's GF food for the month, because it's 20% off that day and yes, that saves me a ton to wait until Wednesday.
It sounds like you need to make a list more than you necessarily need to coupon. I hate stockpiling, and I've never done it, because I really think it's hard to stay in a budget that way (and I can't afford to do it that way regardless.) Plus, I just really don't want extra stuff in my house. If there's a great sale I might buy ONE extra, but that sale will come again. In fact, Jack Daniels #7 barbeque sauce has been on sale for 4 for a dollar (GREAT DEAL) but I still on bought two, because how long will it take me to use those two bottles? A while.
Anyhow, making a list can help you stick to a budget, because you won't buy a lot of things you don't need.
Oh, another couponing tip...if you are okay buying generic for a certain product, don't bother with the brand name coupon because the generic will probably STILL be cheaper.
I do use coupons...but like I said, only on stuff I'm going to buy. I like P&G Saver coupon books that come out in the newspaper, because they have "buy one get one free" coupons on things like Herbal Essence and Dove, 2-3 dollars off Luvs, etc, 2 dollar off Olay body wash, 2 dollars off Gain, etc...all the stuff I already buy, so yes, a coupon is worth it. I do all my non-food shopping at Target, because I've found them to be cheaper and have more variety with this stuff than WalMart, plus I hate WalMarts paper towels. :)