"Extreme Couponing" or Ho"arders- Grocery Edition"

[leight]

I'm in the 10% too, and proudly so, as we took a 30% paycut and I had to save somewhere. A local group began teaching classes how to coupon in our area. I attended and learned alot. I started buying 4 sunday papers- they even arranged for a discount with the newspaper for it to cost $0.50 per sunday paper. I now get two of one paper(at 50 cents ea) and two of another at 30 cents each.) I also have 3 computers in my home and can print up to 6 coupons (2 from each computer is usually the limit). DH added two shelving units to the garage for my stockpile. (total $40 - but we also cleaned out stored items from bins and donated thousands of items to the woman's shelter and good will- so I think that our garage organization was well worth the effort and expense)

Dh does shake his head when I come home with a dozen boxes of pasta- generally I pay around 10-20 cents a box. But we use at least 2 boxes a week between sunday pasta and I make extra for leftovers to take at work- and I give a colleague two-three meals a week so he can save for an engagement ring for his gf. I have 8 jars of Ragu which will last me at least 4-5 months-if I don't donate most of it. We had a food drive last week and I brought 4 grocery bags of items from my stockpile and I regularly donate to my local foodbank. What I save on paper products, cleaning & laundry supplies, and personal products helps me be able to afford meat and fresh fruit and vegetables-I just stock up on meat when it goes on sale and individually freeze for convenience. We're eating more fruits and veggies because I don't have to cut corners on other areas to afford it.

I use my local couponing groups blog to follow the matchups at different stores. I can use Albertson's $5 off $50 coupon at publix and match manufacturer coupons to publix coupons and BOGOs. I usually buy enough to last the common 6 wk cycle. I will buy items with overage but if it is not something I normally buy I donate it. I've cut my shopping from about $750 a month to $400-$450. I will never do the $600 for $6 shopping trip because my family is just too fussy. With coupons I will try some new things because they are cheap but I will only buy one until I know the kids/dh like it. My kids haven't really seen a change in what they have - maybe just a little more variety and know that sometimes they have to wait for a sale to get a particular treat item. Its working for us and while I have to shop at several stores, in several trips I fit it into my schedule either before or after work or on my way to doctor's appts, etc. I do average about 3-4 hrs a week between all my shopping trips, coupon collecting, printing and matchups. I don't have a binder as I put each weeks coupons in a folder in a plastic storage bin and I clip as coupons match the sales. As coupons expire I send them to a church group that donates them to the military to use overseas-they can use them for 6 months past expiry at the commissary. Its a new lifestyle for me, but its working and yes it is an obsession but not an extreme one for me. No insurance policy on stockpiles, 60 jars of anything- but enough that I can feed my family well, and never have to worry again how I can send items to school during food drives for my kids to donate.

 

[Sandy61]

I use www.fatwallet.com for free samples. Look under Forums then Free Stuff. I ignore the stuff I have no use for. I have gone to www.slickdeals.com also but not recently. I go to it every day. The best freebies are from Walmart because they always come. The best freebie I got about 2 years ago was from Country Bob sauce ...they sent me 10 coupons for free bottles (like A1 steak sauce) Right now you can get a coupon for 1 free bottle.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Chicken spiked in msg is organic? I dont think the tomatoes ae organic either. At least that brand at our grocery isn't.

 

[JENOS]

Why are you stating that coupons do not work 90% of the time as if it is a fact and not merely your opinion? Do you have some sort of statistical analysis by an independent study that supports your theory? Or should we all accept it as fact just because you believe it to be so?

Yes I do, my own study finds that out of every ten coupons I come across only one is worth it. BTW people, when did I ever said couponing was bad thing. If it works for you, then more power to you.
I guess IMO on my first post and the word “opinion” in the rest of my responses should have had a link to define the word since people don’t know the definition.

 

[TeaForTulips]

I watched three episodes I recorded and was excited to see this thread as I thought the shows were disappointing as well, but after reading this thread I am tempted to keep my opinions to myself...here goes anyway.

I also was hoping for some insider tips if you will... I guess the majority of it all depends upon where you live and how much time you have. Between work and school I don't choose to spend my time researching sales for hours and being in the grocery store for hours. I do enjoy grocery shopping and bargains though.

I thought the huge stockpiles of food that will expire before they could ever eat it was horrible. There are so many food banks in this country or shelters, etc for people who could really use that stuff who would kill for their donations. Even things like the toothbrushes, etc. I was glad there were a couple mentions of donations, but not from some of the worst ones they showed! I understand having a small stock of things you will indeed use. I guess if I had the place to put it I would too if I got it for free or close to nothing... but I don't.

For those of you who have the time, patience, and abillity- more power to you. I wish I did. If any of you live in the Orlando area and would like to teach me how please let me know.

 

[threecrazykids]

I use www.fatwallet.com for free samples. Look under Forums then Free Stuff. I ignore the stuff I have no use for. I have gone to www.slickdeals.com also but not recently. I go to it every day. The best freebies are from Walmart because they always come. The best freebie I got about 2 years ago was from Country Bob sauce ...they sent me 10 coupons for free bottles (like A1 steak sauce) Right now you can get a coupon for 1 free bottle.

Thank you!! I'm gonna check out some of these and see if I can find some goodies!

 

[java]

Chicken spiked in msg is organic? I dont think the tomatoes ae organic either. At least that brand at our grocery isn't.

Read my whole post the first LINK is for the ORGANICS. The 2 coupons posted were an example of Fruit and a Meat coupon.

I am not trying to talk anyone into couponing if it's not for them- just trying to say that assuming they are not out there is incorrect. Also in my binder I have spice coupons, free milk that I got as a grocery check out coupon- for buying my Kashi cereal (that I had a free coupon for)
Also take into account the toilet paper, ziploc or garbage bags that you use- olive oil just to name a few.

And email companies of products you do use and love and you may get a free coupon in the mail from them.

 

[Mom21]

and I give a colleague two-three meals a week so he can save for an engagement ring for his gf.

I think that is so sweet of you.

 

[bdcp]

Can you provide a link to the "research"???

Actually it was on a news special a couple of years ago. People who don't use coupons are more likely to buy store brands and sale items that end up saving them money. Can you show me where people only buy what they need using coupons? I see people buying Ragu which isn't that cheap and is full of sugar. I make my own spaghetti sauce using crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic and basil and it's much, much cheaper that way than buying pre-made sauce. Plus it tastes like real italian sauce. Just one example, but they are out there. The vast majority of people who coupon do NOT save much money and usually buy things they wouldn't and in the long run probably spend more since they are buying specific name brands.

I have a question, can anyone figure out why manufacturers even make coupons? It's because it increases their sales and their profits. Don't think they are money losers for them, because it's about volume sales.

I think people also forget the time value of money. The hours spent on clipping and organizing, the purchasing of newspapers, the printing of the coupons, the gas used to go buy particular papers that aren't delivered, etc. all add up. I already have a job, I don't need another one.

I do get a kick out of the whole mustard thing. First, mustard isn't food, it's a condiment, second, my DH makes a sandwich every day for work and uses mustard and if we use two bottles a year, it'd be news to me.

 

[threecrazykids]

Organics here
http://www.coupons.com/Couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=15046&nid=10&zid=uw18
These are just 2 of the ones in my binder now I don't know why they are mirror imaged but they were both found in the sunday paper

Thank you for the link!

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!

 

[maxiesmom]

Thank you for the link!

Now THAT'S what I'm talkin' about!

And that only proves that sometimes in your neck of the woods you get coupons such as those. I have never seen a coupon on either of those items here in Western Michigan. We don't even have purdue turkeys. Probably because we have local turkey farms.

This thread has turned crazy. If you coupon, more power to you. It doesn't make you better or more successful than people who don't coupon. I mean, I really don't care if someone cuts coupons or not. I do, but not to an extreme where I spend hours cutting and buying extra papers or buying coupons on line to save money. And I can tell you that while you may find a coupon here or there for turkeys and tomatoes, they are the exception, and not the rule. Most coupons are for processed crap. And toothpaste.

 

[maggiew]

Some coupon use research:

From Simmons Market Research Bureau and Coupons, Inc. 2008
Reasons for using coupons:
88.1% to save money on brands I usually buy
47.1% to stock up on brands I usually buy
46.8% to try new products
40.5% to try brand usually too expensive for me
28.5% to buy more of product than I would usually buy

From the same study:
148 million Americans use coupons (~301 million people in US in 2007 - year of study; 111,000 households in 2007)


From Nielsen's study on Manufacturing Coupon sourcing 2009:
*68% of U.S. households used a coupon in the first six months of 2009 (Nielsen).
• Consumers who use fewer coupons spend more per shopping trip (Nielsen).
• Affluent households tend to be heavier coupon users (Nielsen).
• Large households tend to use more coupons (Nielsen).
• White households are more likely to be heavier coupon users (Nielsen).
• Hispanic coupon users are less likely to be heavy coupon users (Nielsen).


Maggie

 

[MissBritt]

Wow, what a long thread... I just finished reading it all. Just a few thoughts of mine-

I disagree that all coupons are for junk although it's obvious most are. I also disagree that there is no point in using coupons at all if you shop at the right store... even $5-10 a week makes a difference in the course of a year or years.

I think the show was quite intriguing, and it served its purpose- ratings. I was amazed at the hoarding tendencies of nearly all of the people taped. The guy who donated the cereal should consider donating most of his soap, deodorant and toothbrushes, too. That said, I wouldn't get rid of the 100s of rolls of toilet paper that were virtually free... it never expires and you'll always need it (especially during pregnancy, which I now know means 4 times the usage...lol).

I personally buy 2 papers a week and stock up at a rate of 4-6 like items per trip if they are on sale and I have coupons (I spend an hour a week and shop at Publix, WinnDixie, CVS and Walgreens after visiting Southersavers.com). Any more and we have waste... even if it's free, it's wasteful. I have to toss 6 cans/jars this week of expired items and it hurts- I got them almost free, and they are items we eat, but we just never got to them in time somehow. So now those items will be more closely watched before they are repurchased.

Publix stores in FL will accept a manufacturer's coupon, store coupon and at most stores, a competitors coupon on any item. They will not double the value of single coupons ever. Stores consider competitors on a local level... CVS, WD, Target etc depending on what is in the same shopping area. Store brands or Walmart are not always cheaper than a sale item with a coupon. When I match ads with coupons, I save 25-40% each trip, averaging 30% a month.

Additionally, many stores in this area offer coupons for $X off $XX in produce or meats or $Y off $YY total store purchase. So coupons for these items do exist, you will just never see them in a national sales flyer.

 

[threecrazykids]

And that only proves that sometimes in your neck of the woods you get coupons such as those. I have never seen a coupon on either of those items here in Western Michigan. We don't even have purdue turkeys. Probably because we have local turkey farms.

This thread has turned crazy. If you coupon, more power to you. It doesn't make you better or more successful than people who don't coupon. I mean, I really don't care if someone cuts coupons or not. I do, but not to an extreme where I spend hours cutting and buying extra papers or buying coupons on line to save money. And I can tell you that while you may find a coupon here or there for turkeys and tomatoes, they are the exception, and not the rule. Most coupons are for processed crap. And toothpaste.

Oh we don't have those coupons in my area either! I'm just woohooing that someone could actually SHOW ME THEIR COUPON and also post a link where everyone has access to the coupons, not just talk about what they've seen online.

We NEVER (in my area) have those kinds of coupons...so you're not alone. But good for that poster!

However...I've gone back to this same arguement before and I'll say it again...I have no idea what the posters "retail price" is for those items therefore, even WITH that $ 1.00 off coupon she may be paying more in their area than I would pay for it even without it being on sale. KWIM?

Soooo many factors into what can really constitute "savings".

 

[3boymthr]

Actually it was on a news special a couple of years ago. People who don't use coupons are more likely to buy store brands and sale items that end up saving them money. Can you show me where people only buy what they need using coupons? I see people buying Ragu which isn't that cheap and is full of sugar. I make my own spaghetti sauce using crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic and basil and it's much, much cheaper that way than buying pre-made sauce. Plus it tastes like real italian sauce. Just one example, but they are out there. The vast majority of people who coupon do NOT save much money and usually buy things they wouldn't and in the long run probably spend more since they are buying specific name brands.

I have a question, can anyone figure out why manufacturers even make coupons? It's because it increases their sales and their profits. Don't think they are money losers for them, because it's about volume sales.

I think people also forget the time value of money. The hours spent on clipping and organizing, the purchasing of newspapers, the printing of the coupons, the gas used to go buy particular papers that aren't delivered, etc. all add up. I already have a job, I don't need another one.

I do get a kick out of the whole mustard thing. First, mustard isn't food, it's a condiment, second, my DH makes a sandwich every day for work and uses mustard and if we use two bottles a year, it'd be news to me.

I make my own cookies and snacks and you know what really and truly home made is NOT cheaper unless you are growing all the ingredients from scratch. For price comparison: buying the cheap store brand can of tomatoes and cheap store brand of tomato paste here costs $3.20 not factoring in the few cents for dried basil or garlic. Fresh and organic are going to cost you about $1 more. Adding meat to the sauce will cost you about $2-4 more. If you are not using water to plump up your sauce then for the same volume in ounces I just bought a jar of Ragu which cost me $1.67 on sale with a coupon. And yeah, it's loaded with chemicals, but it's what my DH likes cause it's what he grew up on. If I try making it on my own he calls it crap. Oh, and my aunt - a real off the boat Italian - she adds sugar to her sauce.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I was just telling DH that. The lady with the seven kids that has groceries all over the house I could never life like that I hate clutter. Even if it was free I wouldn't take things I won't use. Like PP said about the mustard it was way too much. I think we use maybe 2 bottles of mustard a year!

We are not HUGE mustard eaters, but we definitely use more than 2 bottles a year. Now I do not see myself buying 63 bottles. But I would probably pick up about a dozen and I would give my mom, sister, neighbor, BFF one. And if it was summertime, I'd offer extra condiments to someone I knew who was planning a cookout or like when our church has an activity (cookout or activity where they are feeding kids/teens hot dogs/burgers) where they would use an item such as this. The church loves it because they pretty much have to throw away anything that is opened but goes unused at the end of the event. But I do agree 63 is a bit excessive...

I thought it was great that the guy got all that cereal for free and donated it to a local food bank. I don't understand why a family of 3 would need 40 jars of pasta sauce and 40 boxes of pasta.. DH says I'm just as bad as I have an entire cabinet dedicated to free ramen noodles. . .

I agree about the guy donating his is awesome!!!

My mom buys pasta, macaroni and cheese, tuna, tuna helper, and soup by the case. She is from a large family and they tend to come over. Feeding 20 for dinner with little notice isn't uncommon here.

She is getting better at only buying what she can use before it expires.

Feeding a group of 20 does require quite a bit of food esp if you have a lot of teens and men...

OMG, my DH and I just said the exact same thing!!! it's absurd! they have like 600 toothbrushes and 500 deoderant. ( we get a toothbrush free each time we go to the dentist....that seems to work okay for us!)

honestly, what are these people going to do w/ 75 jars of Maalox ??? I can see stocking up on items YOU USE. I admit, I do it. No where to the extreme that these people do though. But CVS is one of my favorite places for bargains.

I will say though, it's going to ruin couponing for the average person....stores are going to wind up making it impossible to use them.

I like 'soft' toothbrushes and our dentist gives out the 'medium' kind. I also like the smaller head as I have a smaller mouth. I also like to be able to change my Tbrush after being sick (which they recommend). And if we do have an overnight guest, it's nice to have an extra if they need it. And again I give my mom/dad extras to help save them some $ since they're not going to get them free themselves. And sometimes if I know of a family going thru a crisis, I have been known to make a 'basket' of toiletries. Our church does crisis care kits to send to areas that have experienced a natural disaster. Again, 500 is a bit extreme, but if I can get them free or for pennies, I'd pick up as many as maybe a couple dozen.

When we lived in NJ I use to have a pretty good stock pile on items, no where near this show. I love Shop Rite!

Living here in SC - the coupons aren't as good, and the sales and coupon policy's aren't the same. Now I really don't have any stock pile.

Honestly these people can't go thru all the food they have. I would hope they donate items instead of throwing out. I would have have food in my bedroom closet!

bolding is mine...
ME TOO!!! matching up coupons with their sales is a great way to save. I do more than 1/2 of my shopping at Shop Rite. They 'bought' 5 locally owned/operated grocery stores in our county and the sales are MUCH better now!!

Conversely, I live in an apartment in a city without a community garden. A city golf course that was such a necessity even the city doesn't use it for fund-raising events :rolleyes3: - but no community gardens

General comment, though: they're not as common, but there are coupons for dairy products and frozen fruits & vegetables - most of which are healthy and nutritious.

 

[JENOS]

i'm shaking

 

[Altoqueenkelly]

I guess I dont really find the need for the coupons. We have switched to generic brand EVERYTHING. I shop at Kroger which not only has the BEST generic brands (some items are the same or BETTER than name brands) it also has AMAZING prices, produce and sales (usually less than walmart!). Plus they offer the gas discount, every $100 you spend (compounds monthy) gets you .10 off per gallon at the pump!

I am always shocked at how I can fill my cart for $100 - $150 bucks!!

 

[GinnyEmma]

TOTALLY I just said the same thing today....they are hoarders but with better organization skills


BTW, count me in the 10% too....awful lot of people around for 10%

It depends what you think is the total population. A thread about psycho couponers isn't exactly a random sampling.

 

[LoriABil]

For my little family of 3, coupons help pay our way to WDW. We save on average $20/week on stuff we would buy. Sometimes we try new things because of coupons. The money goes into our vacation savings and we pretend we are paying full price for groceries. $1000 per year goes a long way for us to get to WDW!

We save the most on health and beauty, then pantry fodder. We only have 2 grocery stores in this area, so I don't have to worry about hunting for the best deals. But one does often have coupons for meats and veggies. Neither does doubling or matches prices.

Junk food is relative, but we don't eat many processed foods. I don't make my pasta, we get it in a box. I will make my own tomato sauce with cans of tomatoes. If it is in budget, and on a busy night, I have been known to open a jar of Ragu for "homemade" pizza. Let's be serious - the only part homemade is the crust. I freeze shredded cheese but no more than 2 in the freezer at a time. We buy cereal, but no more than 2 in the house at a time.

I have bought 9 Venus razors in one week. I have bought 12 Dove soap in one transaction! I have gotten 6 men's deodorants free, and made my husband go so we could get 6 more!

I coupon. I am not an animal, nor am I a hoarder

We are buying for 2 houses in the summer, and i share with family. Also, we donate a lot to our church, to the Nursing school for when they do international missions and to students(especially foreign students) far from home. We always do gift baskets for students saying " Please donate or share what you will not use."

I'm just trying to say that there are methods to some people's madness. Then again, some people just love them some mustard.

And while we're on mustard, when I had first started using coupons, I brought home 5 bottles of mustard. I think DH wanted to kill me...or divorce me, whether they were a penny each or not! But one went in the fridge, 1 in the pantry, 1 to his parents, and 2 to our vacation trailer. We only eat it when we have burgers and franks, and that is usually in the summer when on vacation. But the mustard Hoarders made him appreciate me a little more, I think!