Couponing---more trouble than it's worth?

[Chloesmom]

Well I used to hate using coupons.. hated them! So I was trying to set a budget and realized that for basically me and my daughter, our PT nanny and my BF ( who doesnt live here but seems to be here alot) I was spending $150 a week in groceries. That was wayyyy too much so i started looking into coupons. Now I own my own business and am a single mom so i dont have alot of extra time but I got into the swing pretty quick and now my average grocery bill for my house is $45 a week and we get more stuff now. My average savings is 70% off my bill. I get alot of meats, veggies, fruits, etc. on sale and there are actually coupons to be had. For instance I get Kroger ones all of the time that are like $3 off a $10 produce purchase or buy peanut butter and get bananas for free. I stock up on things I use when they are on sale. Now I also buy for my grandma and a local church's womans shelter so I use ALOT of coupons for them. I go to the grocery 3 times a week because of this and I would say my total for all three trips averages $80 but I easliy get over $300 worth of stuff. Now I take the $70 extra from before and put half in DDs college fund and the othr half goes in our christmas account. Oh.. and using coupons does work for people who dont eat much processed foods. We eat very little since DD is diabetic but we can find alot of coupons we can still use.

 

[solferino]

I used to do coupons, but it is not worth it for me anymore.
Today, I received 1 coupon section in my Sunday paper. If the rest of you get better coupons - you're lucky!! Stores around here don't even take the computer print yourself ones anymore because too many people abused it. So for me to take the time to read the following garbage EVERY week - It just isn't worth the effort.

Here is this weeks:

Page 1 - $100.00 off any purchase of $1500 or more for some carpet cleaning place. I only have 2 rugs in my house - the largest is like 8x8. Not worth 1500 of cleaning.

Page 2 - Papa Ginos coupons - we rarely use these

Page 3 - $1.00 off Hood Creamer. We don't use cream - we use milk.

Page 4 - 2 - $1.00 coupons off of Margherita products. I only buy pepperoni around Christmas & the Superbowl for my party trays. So I won't be using these coupons

Page 5 - advertisment for Discover Card

Page 6 coupons for Tyson antizers (we never eat these) & save $1.00 on any one Tyson Family Pack Bag & save $1.00 on any 2 fronzen Boxed Breaded items. We will use the Family Pack bag for DD's chicken nuggets.

Page 7 - $1.00 off Curel moisturizer (we don't use this brand) & $1.00 off one box Quacker sweet & salty crunch bars (we don't eat these)

Page 8 - save $1.00 on one package of MidNite (sleep aid - we don't use sleepaids!).
Save $1.00 on 2 sofpac 12 roll or larger or 2 Marcal 12 roll 1,000 ct or larger. I guess this is toilet paper. The brand we use is cheaper without any coupons! Also, we don't need 24 rolls per week & where would we store these huge packages???
Save $1.00 on 2 6 roll Maxi Towel or larger or 2 Marcal 8 roll Towel or larger. We don't use these brands. This is where I will stick with my Viva paper towels. 1 or 2 rolls per week is plenty for our family. Also, Even if I was will to use this brand, where would we store 12 rolls of papertowels??

page 9 - ad for windows - we have plenty & don't need any replacements at this time.

page 10 - ad for Wonder Warm slacks. I don't know anyone who would wear these....

page 11 - ad for checks unlimited. I don't need any checks - I just got mine from Walmart.

page 12 - ad for something from Danbury Mint

page 13 - ad for something else from the Danbury Mint

page 14 - add for cigars & ad for address labels

page 15 - ad for a zip up security ID case

page 16 - ad for clearpoint direct.com bras & ad for limoges jewelry (selling a ring)

page 17 - ad for oreck vacuums

page 18 - ad for Blair

page 19 - ad for health knit booties

page 20 = ad for sheer cover makeup kits

page 21 - ad for clearpoint direct.com socks & an ad for the Danbury mint

page 22 - ad for a portable heater

page 23 - ad for nutrisystem

page 24 - ad for direct TV



I will gladly pay the extra $1.00 on the Tyson family package of chicken to NOT have to read these "coupon sections" every week for nothing.

Usually I get coupons like save $0.10 off 3 cans of supersized Lysol or save $0.55 off 6 boxes of any General Mills cereal. The savings they offer for what I need to buy from them is not worth it!!

we got the same coupon fliers. I clipped the one for the TP but probably won't even use it.

 

[mjantz]

I don't coupon as much as I use to but I probably save $5/week or so. I use to clip almost everything but now I only clip what I know I will use. I usually only clip 10 or so coupons per week. Usually its for things I'm not picky about (spaghetti sauce) or things I know we use (Cheerios).
I do use restaurant coupons & those IMO are very worth it. We can save $6-$10 for every Buy1Get1 coupon we use.
I'd like to start doing the CVS thing but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[PaulaSue]

I used to coupon a lot (multi- same coupons), then I went on a diet. Healthy foods are so much more expensive and hardly many coupons for such food items.

Thankfully right now I am living off a good stockpile (I DON'T need razors, haircare, soap, dishwashersoap or toothcare for at least a year) and I'm waiting for the Good/Healthy deals...

 

[KJF]

I'm in your area & I find the best deals w/ coupons at ACME. It used to be Clemen's, but since they're gone now it's ACME. I actually prefer Genuardi's, but just do not get very good deals there. I've recently gotten much more into using coupons & buy extra copies of the Inquirer if there's a lot of ones I'll use.

Example at ACME - I haven't paid for band-aids forever. Usually on sale for $1, w/ double coupons, free. Same for pizza rolls. Watch their section of $1 items each week - w/ coupons, usually a good deal. Last week was instant betty crocker mashed potatoes for $1, $.40 coupon doubled meant $.20/box. Great for a quick side during the week. I now cut out tons of coupons just to see if the items will go on sale & I'll get a good deal.

I also get good deals at Target for other stuff. When you have their coupon, you can combine it w/ a manufacturer's coupon. I also am really flexible in the products I use. For ex, shampoo. I've paid practically nothing for the stash I have - some have been free, others, like the 5 bottles at Target for $2.08 (clearance) minus $2 coupons, were $.08 each. It is time consuming to do it, but can be worth it. I take my coupon holder to all stores w/ me now!

 

[AngieWin]

I do most of my couponing at CVS and Target. At CVS, I havent spent more than $10 in actual money out of my pocket in probably 6 months. It is all couponing, ecbs, cvs coupons, and gift cards. At Target my average bill is under $10. On Sunday, I figure out my shopping lists for the week from both stores. I havent paid for soap/shampoo/toothpaste/feminine products in over a year.

For those who do alot of organic, check out the Target website. They frequently have coupons for their organic goods and produce!

 

[ZPT1022]

When people say coupons are for things they don't use, I always wonder what they do in place of toothpaste, deoderant and wash powder.

We don't use many conventional products. My deodorant, toothpaste, etc.... all come from a health foods store, or maybe Whole Foods if I don't have time to go to the special store.

Ditto.

I used to be a diehard stockpiler and couponer, but I have cut back drastically. Sure, using coupons can save money yet it could cost in the long run, but I would rather invest in my health. I choose not to use coupons because I try to stay away from processed items, I try to eat certified organic items, and we eat mostly ethnic and natural foods.



I use Tom's toothpaste, deodorant made without aluminum, and detergent without dyes.

I also use natural cleansers or at least less toxic one's. I use vinegar and alcohol more than I use bleach. I also make my own solutions with baking soda for cleaning bathrooms, over cleaner, and also my own Febreeze type solution. I also make my own toiletries, like skin cleansers and some makeup. I have a book collection on making natural products which are better health and financial-wise. They are safer, cheaper alternatives than store bought.

If you want to learn more about couponing, be sure to visit mycoupons.com and couponmom.com.

I'd love to hear what book that was if you don't mind sharing. Also, I use vinegar and baking soda for a lot of my cleaning needs, but I'd love to hear what you use the alcohol for. You can PM me if you prefer to not drag this thread off topic. Thanks

 

[ZPT1022]

I do most of my couponing at CVS and Target. At CVS, I havent spent more than $10 in actual money out of my pocket in probably 6 months. It is all couponing, ecbs, cvs coupons, and gift cards. At Target my average bill is under $10. On Sunday, I figure out my shopping lists for the week from both stores. I havent paid for soap/shampoo/toothpaste/feminine products in over a year.

For those who do alot of organic, check out the Target website. They frequently have coupons for their organic goods and produce!

DO you know if that is regular Target or just Super Target? Regular Target does have a few things that my kids like for snacks, like Fruitabu. Yum!

 

[LanaJae]

Learn the CVS thing! It's not as hard as it looks. I just save the Sunday paper coupon sections now and put the younger kids to work matching coupons with ads, it's a good math project. Then I check out the online coupons at places like coupons.com and smartsource.com.

There are very few grocery things that I bother with on coupons, for the same reasons others stated, but I'm getting enough free (and often coming out ahead) at CVS to spend what I want at the grocery store. I actually like to shop for groceries every 2 days, sometimes more often, because we eat nearly all fresh food (meat, dairy, vegetables and fruits).

I never ever buy clothes (excluding shoes) unless I'm getting at least 80% off - I can find take 70% off clearance at some stores too. I get most of my family's clothes at Gap (clearance section) and I use the register tape surveys to get another 10% off. I buy all clothes off-season, which works out to right in season most of the time.

Haircuts - coupons save big $$ a year at places like Fantastic Sams or Great Clips.

Prescriptions - coupons for new or transferred usually allows you to break even or come out ahead if you have insurance too.

Don't get to go out to eat much, but wouldn't go near a place that I didn't have a coupon for. I was getting freshly made guacamole (and chips that we didn't eat) free all summer from Chipotle from all the coupons I picked up off the ground at one baseball game.

Sporting and other events - often you can go free or get a deal and free food with coupons.

Treats - coupons on birthdays for places like Coldstone. Toys-R-Us gave a free toy, no purchase necessary, this weekend.

I went to WDW with a fist full of coupons and used them.

Join every card program at every store and they send you great coupons in regular mail. I like the key-ring cards - I keep at set in each car (without keys attached).

I get random Kohl's $10 off $10 (and only buy $10) and Payless shoes $10 off $10 and can find a pair of shoes for that for the kids in their clearance section. Victoria's Secret wants to give me a free pair of cotton underwear every 2 months and I've never purchased anything else in that store or owned one of their credit cards.

Oddly enough, I don't shop as much as it sounds (I can even be in and out of the grocery store in 5 minutes) - I go in and get my free or 75% off stuff and I leave, I don't know what is retail, I never see that stuff. I only shop the outer perimeter at Target (clearance).

I'm not a total cheapskate - my son loves Nintendo and deals are hard to work on that - but it all really does help and it's fun most of the time as long as you limit yourself - it's awful tempting to load up on free and 90% off things at CVS, but that's where donation comes in - it'll be great fun to donate a huge box of cutesy school supplies for the Spring Carnival for prizes. A box full of toothpaste and deodorant (that CVS gave you $1 each to take home) given to a shelter is very much appreciated.

 

[powellrj]

when we first got married I was a coupon queen. I had the box that I always took with me, I would trade coupons and got all the magazines just for the coupons. I was so good at it the local paper interviewed me for a story about couponing. Then the coupons changed. Back when I use to do it they never expired and they were all high value with no minimum purchase amount.

It started with expiration dates, then they started having savings on the purchase of two then they stopped doing $1.00 off coupons and went to .50, then stores started double coupons at .50 and many retailers went to .55 coupons.

Then we changed the way we eat and the things we eat aren't the things they coupon. I got groceries yesterday and there wasn't anything we bought that they ever offer coupons on. You just don't see coupons on organic items and the other items I buy. I bought lots of things like lentils, beans, split peas, flax seeds and oat bran. You just don't see coupons for things like that.

As for health and beauty items and cleaning items, no more than we use from the regular stores, its just not worth the effort.

I am surprised how well I do at Alidis. I got several different types of organic cereals and lots of frozen fruits for much cheaper than the grocery store. The normal cereal I buy is $3.99 at Kroger, and Aldi had it for $1.39! I got whole pineapples for $1.89 and Kiwi 6 for $1.20 and Avocado for .69.

 

[GJM]

I feel like I don't coupon as much since we moved. I use to get such GREAT deals when living in NJ. I would never pay over $1.99 for laundry detergent and would get some items for free and I had good coupons in the paper. Plus the store would do triple coupons at times.

Since I moved, the coupons aren't as good, the prices are higher on food. I have to go to alot more different stores to find deals. I wish there was a Super Target, the regular Target actually has cheaper prices.

 

[grumpy28]

I love couponing! Of course I know it helps that our grocery stores have tripled coupons twice in the past 2 months (one even takes printable coupons!). If I had to shop at a grocery store that didn't double/triple coupons(q's all the way up to .99!!), it would definately not be as good a deal. Obviously one can do Very well at Target and CVS with coupons too! I think its a pretty easy way to save a lot of money. Its turned into a game- how low can we go!

 

[PatsMom]

I use a lot of coupons. I learned from my mother and my daughter has learned from me. I do my menus around what is on sale. Since produce and meat coupons are rare, the sales on those are what I follow. I do go to at least two grocery stores a week. And CVS and Walgreens and sometimes Rite Aid. It helps that I come from a family of couponers so we trade our coupons. So sometimes I end up with a bunch of good ones. Recently Good Life Organic cat food had $3 coupons. I had 8 of them. The food was on sale for $3.49. Needless to say I have enough cat food for quite a while. And thanks to CVS ECB's combined with coupons, I sometimes get to where I run out of room for toiletries! Money saved goes into the Disney fund.

 

[kfeuer]

I think it's pretty clear there's no one size fits all response to the OP's question. Unquestionably alot has to do with where you live and what you eat.

Living in a metro area I get some really good coupons, plus Kroger & Publix double up to .50 so there are deals to be had. Publix has a Greenwise magazine that sometimes has coupons on organic products. I get lots of free stuff at CVS and Walgreens with the help of coupons.

I hate the time I have to spend clipping coupons, but I save too much not to do it.

 

[spima3]

<snip> Learn the CVS thing! It's not as hard as it looks. I just save the Sunday paper coupon sections now and put the younger kids to work matching coupons with ads, it's a good math project. Then I check out the online coupons at places like coupons.com and smartsource.com.

Yes, the CVS thing looks like it would propably work out for me. How do you get started? Does it require a store card? I've checked the local ads, but don't see any instructions. Anyone give a brief overview? thx,


lori

 

[mickeyfan2]

I'd love to hear what book that was if you don't mind sharing. Also, I use vinegar and baking soda for a lot of my cleaning needs, but I'd love to hear what you use the alcohol for. You can PM me if you prefer to not drag this thread off topic. Thanks

I would be interested too.



For those who asked, DH and I use the Crystal salt deodorants.

 

[sarahlovesmickey]

I LOVE COUPONING!!! We save SOOO much money with coupons. But, it varies week to week...some weeks are better than others. I try to match up sales with coupons, but some weeks, life is hectic (I work full time and have 3 kids ages 5 and under) and I don't have the time. But, I coupon when I can. We don't eat a ton of processed foods, but we do eat some. But there are coupons for crackers and cheeses out there, which we ALWAYS use. Sometimes there are bread coupons, which we ALWAYS use. I guess coupons vary from one area to another. For us, couponing is VERY MUCH worth the time invested.

 

[GJM]

Does anyone have a good site to order coupons from. Like a service -

Thanks

 

[LUV DA MOUSE]

I live in Chicago and I am not aware of any stores around the city and burbs that do double coupons....is this mainly done in the south?

 

[LanaJae]

Yes, the CVS thing looks like it would propably work out for me. How do you get started? Does it require a store card? I've checked the local ads, but don't see any instructions. Anyone give a brief overview? thx,


lori

I just jumped in head first from reading the weekly posts here. I had a card, but never used it (we used to only go there for the Minute Clinic/flu shots/strep tests, etc. - the co-pay is $10 less than our clinic and you can get in right away).

First study the ad in Sunday's paper and look for the sales with ECBs. Then look to see if there are any mfg. coupons in the Sunday paper. That's an easy way to start - just pick what you need/want.

Then go to the store and when you check out, tell them you need an Extra Care Card, they'll give you one right there at the register - some stores have them laying all over and you can just grab one. Also pick up a "monthly" ad - there are non-advertised ECB specials in it. This month it's free toothpaste/mouthwash and Beano-to-Go after ECBs, plus you can find coupons for them and make $1 each (limit 2 on the toothpaste/mouthwash and 5 on the Beano).

Then, you keep the ECBs you earned and spend them like cash the next week.

I only do $20 orders now because there is a coupon online for $4 off $20 purchase - you give that to them first, then you give them mfg. coupons, then ECBs. After you get started, you can usually stay around $1 out-of-pocket for a $20 purchase.

CVS printable coupons: http://cvscoupons.pbwiki.com/?l=S

Once you're used to this, you can go searching for other coupons online. Also, after you shop there, you'll start getting CVS coupons on the bottom of your receipt - you can use one of those and a mfg. coupon on the same item.

CVS clearances fast - things go 25% off to 50% off to 75% off to 90% off in a matter of weeks - you can watch that stuff every week and watch for coupons. This is on things like summer items, seasonal, school supplies, snack packs, etc. - sometimes even bonus-size items that they carry year round anyway.

You also earn 2% in ECBs quarterly for all your spending - this summer they had an email coupon for tripling it to 6%.

I could write forever, but it's easier in baby steps - then you'll be able to follow the threads each week and it's fun - everyone is nice - no strong opinions to absorb lol