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Post by dtucker on Apr 19, 2014 7:48:19 GMT -7
I have been learning how to coupon lately and it has saved me lots of money. I have never seen any of the couponing shows but did go to a local coupon class at my library. I have been wanting to learn how but kept putting it off because I am not really a shopper I usually run in for what I need and do not really look around at what is not on my list. I have bought only generic brands for years (except for a few items)until now. Alot of times I can come home with the name brand being cheaper than the generic. Once I learned the coupon policies and how to stack coupons an how to work loyalty cards into it I have literally drove home with my trunk full for under $10. This might sound crazy and I know that most men will not do this but have your wives/girlfriends check into it once they learn how it works and how cheap they can get stuff they will love it and NOT break the budget. I have more razors, shampoo, deodorant etc than ever before. Usually pharmacies are the place to start with this and I used to only go in one when there was a prescription to pick up (usually only every other year or so)or there was something that I needed that I could not get at Dollar General or Walmart (Walmart was always the last resort). And most chain pharmacies have some food items---not alot but they all have Spam.  I would occasionally use coupons (ones for .50 here or there that really didn't help much) and my husband hated going to the store with me when I did because he is impatient and ready to go but once I learned the system he stands in amazement. The first time I came home and had my trunk full for $8 he was shocked and even looking at the receipt sat down and dd all the math again. I know you guys are going UUUGGGHHH this is the lady I always get stuck behind in line but let me say that I am a considerate shopper and if I see someone with only a few items I let them go ahead of me because I know mine will take longer. Has anyone ever tried this or know anyone who does? |
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Post by Ceorlmann on Apr 19, 2014 8:58:09 GMT -7
Yup I try saving where I can, but not every coupon deal is a good one so I will take extra time to make sure the coupon price is worth it. I did ok yesterday at a local store. Took 25% off of the original total after coupons and the loyalty goodies.
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Post by cajunlady87 on Apr 19, 2014 9:19:48 GMT -7
I've used coupons occasionally like I'm sure everyone has but never got into it like I've seen some people on t.v. do. It appears their whole life centers on couponing, definitely not for me.
Good for you for getting all those great buys for pennies.
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Post by dtucker on Apr 19, 2014 13:42:30 GMT -7
Yup I try saving where I can, but not every coupon deal is a good one so I will take extra time to make sure the coupon price is worth it. I did ok yesterday at a local store. Took 25% off of the original total after coupons and the loyalty goodies. No not everything with a coupon is a good deal and I do not get it if I can not get it cheap by stacking coupons or if the item is already on sale and I only buy items that will have points/bucks with it and I can roll those over onto the next purchase and I do not have to use actual money (other than a few dollars at the most) |
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Post by dtucker on Apr 19, 2014 13:47:55 GMT -7
I've used coupons occasionally like I'm sure everyone has but never got into it like I've seen some people on t.v. do. It appears their whole life centers on couponing, definitely not for me. Good for you for getting all those great buys for pennies. I have never seen any of the shows but I am going to try to watch a couple just in case I have missed something (I'm not really a tv person though) It can be time consuming if you let it but the key is to stay organized the first day or two were a little crazy until I got used to it. I set a timer and only allow myself to spend so much time on that--but I do that with everything now. Since we are working for ourselves it is easy to loose track of time. |
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Post by angelhelp on Apr 19, 2014 14:10:20 GMT -7
By stacking, do you mean using more than one coupon to buy something? Here in CT, every single coupon I've ever seen (and ditto for Airborne... and he's the one who cuts and sorts and uses the coupons) had the disclaimer of using only one at a time. It used to be that you'd have a coupon for a brand name product that could be used in conjunction with a store coupon for the same thing, but that ceased at least 20 years ago. Coupon doubling or tripling ceased around the same time. Stores here used to routinely triple $.25 coupons and sometimes double through $.99. That's when we began seeing $1.00 coupons. Most coupons are for products we don't use. Stores raise prices beforehand, so using the coupon often becomes meaningless. Airborne is able to maintain a spreadsheet in his head of what we use and the price it "ought" to be, so he's aware when a sale price is actually a good deal. An example of a good deal would be chicken drumsticks for $.99/lb. For those who think that's ridiculously high, consider that we're not allowed to raise chickens (it's against zoning regulations), I haven't figured out how to do so in our wet-every-time-it-rains basement, and chicken wings typically start at $1.49/lb. Don't get me started on pork & beef.
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Post by dtucker on Apr 19, 2014 14:32:51 GMT -7
By stacking, do you mean using more than one coupon to buy something? Here in CT, every single coupon I've ever seen (and ditto for Airborne... and he's the one who cuts and sorts and uses the coupons) had the disclaimer of using only one at a time. It used to be that you'd have a coupon for a brand name product that could be used in conjunction with a store coupon for the same thing, but that ceased at least 20 years ago. Coupon doubling or tripling ceased around the same time. Stores here used to routinely triple $.25 coupons and sometimes double through $.99. That's when we began seeing $1.00 coupons. Most coupons are for products we don't use. Stores raise prices beforehand, so using the coupon often becomes meaningless. Airborne is able to maintain a spreadsheet in his head of what we use and the price it "ought" to be, so he's aware when a sale price is actually a good deal. An example of a good deal would be chicken drumsticks for $.99/lb. For those who think that's ridiculously high, consider that we're not allowed to raise chickens (it's against zoning regulations), I haven't figured out how to do so in our wet-every-time-it-rains basement, and chicken wings typically start at $1.49/lb. Don't get me started on pork & beef. Yes stacking is using one store coupon and one manufacturers coupon. We can still do that in GA unless it says otherwise. Alot of places do not double or triple here anymore either. The only one I know of is Freds and they only double on Saturdays. For example the Walgreens here had Spam on sale for 2/$5. then they had a store coupon for $1 off of 2. And I had my Manuf. Coupon for $1. off 2 so that made them $1.50 each that was pretty good because Spam normally goes for 2.69 and the generics go for about 1.80. I did not get any points on those to roll over but normally I do not buy anything that doesn't have points on it to use at a later date. Sometimes stores do raise prices before a sale, I have been watching and nearly everything goes in 6 week cycles. So I stock up when I know it will be the cheapest. I wish we could get chicken wings .99/lb here that is a great deal. When I do see them going to that here I grab all I can. Today I left Dollar Tree with 3 bottles of Palmolive, 2 mascaras, 2 eyeshadows, 6 packs of dial and zest soap, 2 colgate toothpaste 6 air fresheners and only spent 4.50 |
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Post by dtucker on Apr 19, 2014 15:30:01 GMT -7
I forgot to add that any expired coupons I can send to the Military and they can use for up to 6 months past the expiration date. |
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Post by cowgirlup on Apr 19, 2014 16:53:53 GMT -7
I have never been able to figure out how that whole thing works. The best I have figured out is that the week of or shortly after a coupon comes out in the paper then item is usually on sale at the store so you get more of a discount. The grocery stores here have sale items but no extra coupons. Haven't seen a double or triple coupon offer since I left Ohio. I have been able to get some items free or nearly free but not too many.
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Post by angelhelp on Apr 19, 2014 17:21:10 GMT -7
Something I forgot to mention that has changed is overall expiration dates. They used to be 2-3 months out, often longer. Now you're lucky to find coupons that are good for 1 month. Typically they'll only last 2-3 weeks.
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Post by USCGME2 on Apr 19, 2014 19:46:57 GMT -7
DW has been venturing into this lately. Her best deal so far was an 80% savings day. Bout $30 worth of stuff for $6. Its been a bot of learning curve but, hopefully she will get into those killer mother loadson the cheap. It can be a great way to stock paper towels, toilet paper, and bath products. Schnucks, CVS and WalGreens seem to be the most fertile. Walmart can get stingy on honoring cupons.
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Post by huntinguy on Apr 19, 2014 20:18:14 GMT -7
We've done it. Put up quite a stockpile too. She followed a website and hit certain stores on a certain day. Not uncommon for her to buy over $200 worth of stuff for $40-$50.
Toiletries, food, paper goods.
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Post by orly152 on Apr 20, 2014 15:34:42 GMT -7
So, all this talk about coupons....how about sharing websites(Links) where to get these coupons
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Post by hunter63 on Apr 20, 2014 16:56:15 GMT -7
Coupons have been a way of life at our house for a long time.
Kinda backed off on bulk stuff as there is just two of us....and stuff goes bad before it's used.
Tossed out food cost too much.
Thanks for bring it up, many people don't take the time, and it cost them.
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Post by cowgirlup on Apr 20, 2014 16:58:11 GMT -7
So, all this talk about coupons....how about sharing websites(Links) where to get these coupons I tried that. Most want you to download some program or tool bar. The one site that didn't never had the coupons they listed when I went on the actual site. |
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