Extreme couponers out there?

[karenbaco]

Looking to learn how to extreme coupon. Tired of paying hefty grocery bills. Help!

 

[Marionnette]

Looking to learn how to extreme coupon. Tired of paying hefty grocery bills. Help!

I suggest looking for a couponing blog that focuses on matching weekly deals with available coupons for stores in your area. Not only will it make it easier for you to grab the good deals, most of them have great articles on how to organize your coupons. So much of your success with depend on the kind of deals available in your area and your willingness to devote some time to making it work.

FWIW, I would concentrate on one store to begin with and then add others (like CVS and Target) as you get more comfortable with the process.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Agree with Marionette, look for a website that matches the store you usually shop at. I have Kroger, so I use Kroger Krazy. The trick is to not feel like you have to use a coupon as soon as you get it. Often the coupons that come out will match up with sales for that week, but you'll soon learn what your lowest price point is and when to hold onto a coupon and use it later.

Also, do NOT be tricked into thinking that what you see on the show Extreme Couponing is reality. It is not. I have been couponing fairly successfully over the last year, and I can count on one hand the number of times I've gotten an item for free. That being said, I pay very little for toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, cleaning supplies, and toilet paper.

 

[Nayan]

Make sure to check your store's policy on coupons as well as the advice above. My local stores changed their policies after the show started, so couponing for me isn't even worth it anymore.

 

[DisneyHardin]

I also use Kroger Krazy and Totally Target to help me find the deals.

 

[threecrazykids]

Also keep in mind, the majority of the extreme couponing shows are in locations where stores not only double, but triple coupons and you have to go on that specific day for the whole thing to work. And they aren't doing what normal people would consider a grocery store run for the week. They are purchasing items by the 100's that you may or may not EVER use.

You don't see these people going into stores buying meat, veggies, milk, eggs, etc. They are buying 100 bottles of mustard, or 75 Maruchan Bowls, or even 60 tubes of toothpaste. That isn't going to get you through a week of meals.

I'd rather see a show where people make their grocery list off the sales ads and then utilize coupons they've saved over the last month or so to show how they apply those and make their grocery bill lower. And if I had my choice I'd prefer they do it at large chain stores where everyone has access to them...such as Target/Walmart. Typically the places they are shopping aren't stores everyone is familiar with.

I live in a state that has no double/triple couponing so it never seemed to apply to my scenario...but if you do, that's great!

 

[Marionnette]

I'd rather see a show where people make their grocery list off the sales ads and then utilize coupons they've saved over the last month or so to show how they apply those and make their grocery bill lower. And if I had my choice I'd prefer they do it at large chain stores where everyone has access to them...such as Target/Walmart. Typically the places they are shopping aren't stores everyone is familiar with.

That wouldn't make for good television. TLC goes for the over-the-top shock factor.

I rely on my catalina coupons to purchase my produce and meat. Catalinas are the coupons that print out at the register when you make certain purchases. For instance, a local grocery store is offering a $10 off WYS $25 OYNO catalina if you purchase $100 worth of select GCs. Another has a $2 OYNO WYB 10 yogurts. And there's another catalina offer out there for $1 OYNO WYB 1 Ziploc product. They add up to some free meat or produce for the following week. Catalinas have very few restrictions - usually no tobacco or alcohol - so you can spend them for anything you want.

 

[DisneyMandC]

Also keep in mind, the majority of the extreme couponing shows are in locations where stores not only double, but triple coupons and you have to go on that specific day for the whole thing to work. And they aren't doing what normal people would consider a grocery store run for the week. They are purchasing items by the 100's that you may or may not EVER use.

You don't see these people going into stores buying meat, veggies, milk, eggs, etc. They are buying 100 bottles of mustard, or 75 Maruchan Bowls, or even 60 tubes of toothpaste. That isn't going to get you through a week of meals.

I'd rather see a show where people make their grocery list off the sales ads and then utilize coupons they've saved over the last month or so to show how they apply those and make their grocery bill lower. And if I had my choice I'd prefer they do it at large chain stores where everyone has access to them...such as Target/Walmart. Typically the places they are shopping aren't stores everyone is familiar with.

I live in a state that has no double/triple couponing so it never seemed to apply to my scenario...but if you do, that's great!

Agree with all of this, though I will say I notice that a lot of the extreme couponers on that show do shop at a Kroger family store. However, whenever they appear it is ALWAYS during their mega sale, meaning they'll buy so many of an item on that sale and get $1 or 50 cents off each item. I do love shopping the mega sales as that is where I'll get my best deal. Still, the best I've EVER done was during a mega sale and it was 49% off. Usually I average 30-35% on each shopping trip.

 

[verleniahall]

check out the website - weusecoupons.com - it is run by one of the guys who did one of the ORIGINAL shows - he is super friendly and so is everyone else on the site they will help you get going

 

[DisneyHardin]

I save about 30%-50% using combination of sales and coupons at Kroger. I get coupons from Kroger for produce and meat also. They are things like $3 off $15 from the meat department. Those really help, especially if you can pair them with managers special meat deals.

I don't have tons of multiples of coupons like the people on those shows do, but if there is a great coupon for something we really use a lot, I will buy a set of 20 from a clipping service. For example, our cats are really picky and only like Meow Mix canned cat food. So, a while back there was a coupon for $1 off 6, so I bought 20 more of the coupon and stocked up on cat food.

 

[Sadie22]

There are other strategies to use to avoid hefty grocery bills. I do some double couponing at local stores which double a limited number of coupons up to $1. Mostly I shop the sales and the loss leader items and keep my pantry and large freezers stocked with items purchased at the lowest prices. These may or may not have been half-price with a double coupon deal. Stocking up at sale prices and cooking in bulk for the freezer help me eat healthy meals while not breaking the budget.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I was a really serious couponer for a while, but then I switched to shopping mostly at Aldi and I actually save more money than I did with couponing. One thing you have to take into consideration with couponing, is the upfront cost. My local Sunday paper is $3.50, just to get the coupons, so you have to deduct that from any weekly savings and if you are part of a coupon train, or buy coupons you also need to take that cost into consideration. I'll still do printable coupons, and coupons from Bjs and target, but really Aldi has been my savings secret weapon. I was reluctant to try it out, but I'm a total convert, they have the cheapest organic milk (and it doesn't go bad early like Walmart's!) and produce, and their food is really top notch. Aldi and Trader Joes have the same parent company, and I swear its the same food just in two different packages!

 

[bearzabout]

I like the website clippinwithcarie. She does the legwork and lets you know the best deals at CVS, Walgreens, etc. She often provides links for online coupons so you can only print what you know you will use.

Coupons used to be much better in the past. Many of the stores around me stopped doubling all coupons. I don't think they are worth the trouble now. It got to the point where I noticed that I was treated like crap for using them. Many cashiers did not input them properly and I had to correct them when not all were scanned. This made shopping too stressful.

I was able to build up a good stockpile of super cheap HBA items and won't have to buy tooth brushes, razors, shaving cream, lotion, soap, paper towels, TP, etc for a very long time.

Don't forget about digital coupons that you download for free from stores like Krogers, Meijers, etc. I love Aldis too.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I am most certainly a heavy couponer. My friends and family save their coupons for me, our area offers free local newspapers that contain coupons. Also, I'm fortunate that a local farmer has a newspaper drop off site & he lets me grab the coupons from there. That being said, you can save a lot of money & build a nice stockpile fairly easily using coupons but make no mistake, it takes some work. What part of the country do you live in? Do your stores double coupons? I live in the North East and have several stores that double coupons - makes it much easier to score great deals. I agree with the other posters that you should check out sites that help you match up coupons & sales in your area...makes things much easier. You can do it! One thing, it helps if you're not brand loyal - otherwise it will be difficult to stock up on certain items.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

BTW, I would suggest you join the site AFullCup and also check out Forthemamas.

 

[mrsabbott]

We get coupons in the mail once a week through the sale ads. The bad thing about coupons is that they are usually for things we don't need/use. However, I have saved money on hygiene items (soap, shampoo, etc..), pet food, and cleaners. If I see a coupon for something I know I use, I get it. A penny saved is a penny earned, right? But no place here doubles coupons at all. And I haven't spent time printing coupons off the computer. I looked into it before, but didn't see anything I really needed right away.

I do our food shopping at Aldi's now. If you have one, I highly recommend it! There isn't much there that I don't like. Not a big fan of their greek yogurt (I prefer Chobani) and their almond milk is just so-so. But their cheese, milk, eggs, peanut butter, snack foods, condiments, frozen foods, etc.. it is all delicious! I spent under $80 at Aldi's yesterday for food to last our family of 6 for nearly 2 weeks! I had a cart full! If I had bought the same stuff at Walmart, and that is buying generic when possible, I would have spent over $100! I shop at Walmart for our pet food, hygiene items, and cleaners. I also participate in a food co-op every other week and get a good deal on fresh fruits and veggies. Once in awhile, I will go on post to the Commissary and pick up a few things. Their case lot sales can be a good deal if you have the extra money to stock up on things!

 

[azdisneylover]

There is a site I watch for good bargain/coupons match ups: hot coupon world dot com. I like this site because it is a national site.

Back to lurking.

 

[LovesTimone]

I was a extreme couponer. Until the show came out and ruined it for all of the serious couponers. I started couponing when I was a single mom out of matter of necessity, to make my dollar go farther. I couponed seriously up to about 2 years ago after couponing for almost 25 years. Most coupons now are not really all that good, and difficult to use. I still use coupons just not like I did before. That show on TV is not a accurate accounting of how coupons are used in most stores, Its very misleading. Also coupons are not good for as long as they used to be, Back several years ago, most coupons life dates were around 3 to 6 months sometimes 12 months, now mostly 30 days.

Before you start, you need to get some way to sort and keep your coupons, I did a 3 ring binders with clear pocketed insert, I used baseball card ones, and labeled dividers to access quickly. You have to stay organized and committed to coupon . Lots of info out there on getting the most out of your coupons. Digital coupons, Store coupons, Manufactures coupons. Also you need to mark or highlight coupon expiration dates, for easy clean out of expired coupons. You need to find out how your store policies work on coupons. Then your ready to shop.

 

[DawnM]

I was a extreme couponer. Until the show came out and ruined it for all of the serious couponers. I started couponing when I was a single mom out of matter of necessity, to make my dollar go farther. I couponed seriously up to about 2 years ago after couponing for almost 25 years. Most coupons now are not really all that good, and difficult to use. I still use coupons just not like I did before. That show on TV is not a accurate accounting of how coupons are used in most stores, Its very misleading. Also coupons are not good for as long as they used to be, Back several years ago, most coupons life dates were around 3 to 6 months sometimes 12 months, now mostly 30 days.

Before you start, you need to get some way to sort and keep your coupons, I did a 3 ring binders with clear pocketed insert, I used baseball card ones, and labeled dividers to access quickly. You have to stay organized and committed to coupon . Lots of info out there on getting the most out of your coupons. Digital coupons, Store coupons, Manufactures coupons. Also you need to mark or highlight coupon expiration dates, for easy clean out of expired coupons. You need to find out how your store policies work on coupons. Then your ready to shop.

This has been our experience as well. I got extreme only a few months before DH said to cut it out. We had stockpiles of toothpaste and mustard to last a lifetime! HA!

I then went to only two inserts and got only enough to really stock up a little bit. But it wasn't stuff we usually ate or used and some went to waste.

We now just budget and don't coupon at all.

 

[DawnM]

OP,

I don't know what you consider a hefty grocery bill, but budget101 has some great ideas for saving without couponing. She also has an ebook on Amazon called, "How to feed your family of 4 on $250 per month" or something similar. It helped me a lot.