I'm going back to clipping coupons!

[katymae]

Y'all have totally inspired me to get back to some serious savings. I believe my first order of business will be to start saving (and using!!) coupons. I used to be very good about this, but then I got lazy and busy and sort of quit. Well I'm officially back in the game!!!

Now, will someone tell me what the deal is with thegrocerygame.com?

Thanks everyone!!

 

[kristielee]

I don't know anything about the grocery game, but I just decided to do the same thing. I used to clip coupons for years and saved oodles of $$$. Then I got lazy and stopped. Well I just started up again and last week saved over $51.00!!!! I was so proud! It helps that we have a large pantry and so I tend to stock up on staples when they're on sale. Also, if you're serious, check out the "couponizer". I was online looking for a tool to help organize my coupons and this is the very best one yet. It is so comprehensive and well designed. Have fun clipping! Kristie

 

[luv2nascar]

I don't know much about the grocerygame except you have to pay for it I believe they match your stores sales up to current coupons. You can do that for free on your own or with a little help from some websites.
I'm way too cheap. I guess it would help others help you if they knew what area you were in. Couponing is regional. In PA I don't ahve the stores alot of you have Krogers, Harris Teeter etc.

 

[bartleby1]

Check out www.couponmom.com for deals in different areas. She has a section devoted to deals in different states and different stores, and it is free!

 

[CajunDixie]

The coupon mom site is a great tool when stocking up. I've learned to keep my coupon holder in my car for unexpected stops at the grocery.

As for the grocery game site; it doesn't apply to the area I live in currently.

 

[MrsPete]

I don't clip coupons, but I'd be willing to bet I spend less on groceries than most people.

I'd suggest that you search out non-grocery store sources: you'll be surprised what you can find in your community, and it's way less than the grocery store, even with coupons. Salvage stores are the best.

 

[disneysnowflake]

I love using coupons.

I have a coupon holder in my purse. Every Sunday if the paper has coupons I'll clip and file them.

I have one of those grocery lists pads with the magnet on the back .

I'll make a list of 4 categories (food, cleaning, health/beauty and pets).

I'll list each of the items with coupon amount and expiration on the list.

It's easier than looking through my coupons all the time. I just look at the ads and then see what coupons I have to go with those items on sale.

When something expires or is used I cross it off the list.

I'll make a new list every month.

Two stores near me have double coupons every day up to 50 cents. Once in a while they'll have triple coupons up to 99 cents. I like those sales.

 

[StephMK]

I love using coupons.
I have one of those grocery lists pads with the magnet on the back .

I'll make a list of 4 categories (food, cleaning, health/beauty and pets).

I'll list each of the items with coupon amount and expiration on the list.

It's easier than looking through my coupons all the time. I just look at the ads and then see what coupons I have to go with those items on sale.

When something expires or is used I cross it off the list.

I'll make a new list every month.

That is an awesome idea! I clip them but hate flipping through trying to match them up. This seems like it would be work to write it down but then it's done & easy to look up each week. I'm going to give it a try. Thanks for sharing that!!

 

[katymae]

Thanks for the great tips everyone!

 

[Imzadi]

The best couponing site I've ever been to is:
MyCoupons.com: Tips of the Trade board
It is a free message board with people posting threads for supermarkets in your area that hopefully have double or triple coupons programs. They are always posting which coupons to use each week to get things free or nearly free each week from the combined savings of using coupons with the store's weekly sales!

There is so much stuff to get nearly free that they've had great threads on how to stockpile & what they've been able to do with those stockpiles like: donating the free food & health & beauty aids (like toothbrushes, soaps & shampoos to charities, or to make holiday gift baskets with the free, name brand goodies.

Here's some old threads I have archived on that:

CouponingTips for Newbies
Couponing Newbie2
Couponing Newbie3
Couponing Newbie4
Couponing newbies5
Do you actually leave the store with a $0 balance?
Getting Coupons from Recycling Bins
Turning your stockpile in to Gifts
The Art of the Rain check
Donating from stockpile
Teaching a coupon class

Stockpile pictures! for those who can't believe it can be done until they see it. Health & Beauty Stockpile Pics are great supplies for Battered Women & homeless shelters. Granted, these stockpiles may have gone overboard, but it shows you what is possible & how much free & nearly free abundance is out there!

BTW, it isn't just foods that are free. Rite Aid Free after Rebate & Staples Easy Rebates have their own programs. I have more free Fuji & Kodak photo paper, printer paper, notebooks & office supplies to last me a lifetime. Right now, I'm waiting for $335 in rebates from HP & Office Depot for my new HP computer that I wouldn't have been able to get without the rebates combined with a sale at Office Depot. From previous experience & experiences from people on various message boards, we know which companies will honor rebates & which ones won't. I love the power of the web!

 

[musicdude]

The reason the grocery game is worth the price is because they know how the grocery sale cycles work, and when to use the coupons. I shopped today from my grocery game list and saved 72%, I spent $61 and saved $158. There is now way that I would have done that on my own just searching through the ads. Plus they list items that are on sale that are not in the weekly flyer. Otherwise I think the couponmom site is good too, and it's free. If there are items you use alot of of try www.couponclippers.com to purchase extra for you to use.

Good Luck!!!

 

[In Luv with Disney]

I don't use ANY coupon sites, I just scan the circulers myself and clip my own coupons. I am doing GREAT!!!! I just have to organize my coupons better...I get multiples of EVERY coupon, so they are in a basket all over my dining room table. I have yet to organize them!!!!!! Needless to say, finding that coupon I'm looking for is a PAIN!!!

 

[CajunDixie]

I noticed a few people mention they have trouble organizing their coupons or they clip them all on Sunday. I now leave my sets complete and place them in a folder. On the spine of each set (you might have to really squint ) you'll find that set's date. When using the coupon mom site she'll give you the date of the set and either say V for Valassis or S for SmartSource

At Kroger yesterday I spent $66.13 and saved $74.36. That included 2 family packs of the sliced whole pork loins. Which was enough for 6 meals including DS16' girlfriend. I think the only thing not on sale or that I didn't have a coupon for was the onions.

 

[katymae]

Y'all are great...thanks so much for the encouragement and great tips!

Here's some pixie dust just for you!!

 

[Imzadi]

The reason the grocery game is worth the price is because they know how the grocery sale cycles work, and when to use the coupons.

You PAY for a coupon service to tell you what the sales are?!? That's what the different threads at MyCoupons are for - for free. There are other people on the message board who go through the circulars for stores in your area & have already done the work for you. For some people, it's a real game. They are good at that type of thing, so they post it for the rest of us.