Insp. by debate board - tips on coupon savings

[Tiggeroo]

I would love to be a super coupon saver. I easily spend $130. a week on groceries for a family of five, but we are always out of stuff. I clip the basics from the paper, but I usually end up buying a cheaper store brand. So, you ladies (or men) who go to the store and get $300. of groceries for $25. tell me you how you do it. By the way, non of my area stores double over a dollar.

 

[grinningghost]

I still clip coupons for stuff I would buy anyway, but I'm getting really ticked off at these companies that now want you to buy 2 or 3 of something in order to use the coupon. We're a family of 3, we don't need that much stuff. Our stores double up to .99 too, which can be good if an item is on sale and you have a coupon for it too. I usually manage to save about 8-10 dollars per week in manufacturer's coupons.

 

[caitycaity]

i'm looking for tips too -- our stores also do not double over $.99.

 

[Cindy B]

Ok, (rolling up sleeves here) you called?

I am the coupon QUEEN!

You are in a tricky situation where you do not have a store that doubles. ARe you sure? There are sites on the web, do a google search on Double coupon stores in your area, and you may get one. Beleive it or not, there are websites that list just double coupon stores in every state.

You may be suprised that there would be one or two near you. You may have to drive a little bit.

If there are no double or true double stores near you (true double, makes a 75 cent coupon worth $1.50, instead of just up to 99 cents) you have to do other things, other means.


Other things, other means are taking advantage of buy one get one free, with coupons only. Shop only from a list. DO NOT DEVIATE FROM THE LIST IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM.. this is wehre most people have problems.

Cut out all soda, snack items, and if you use it, cigarettes/alcohol. Those things are better for your wallet and health if you don't use them.

Don't buy prepackaged food, or ready to make food. You will be healthier if you don't eat all the preservatives, and it will be less expensive. Yes, this is a time investment, but think of all the things you can do with your savings.

ALWAYS check unit price, and use it as your guide. Something that cost $3.49 MAY look like a deal (like frozen chicken) but if you look at the unit price at over $7.00 a pound that is highway robbery..

Also Find out what your usual unit price is for your items, and go from there. Say a usual average price of cereal is $1.79 a box. If a store offers buy one get one free cereal same box for $4.29 a box... thats not a deal... thats just strategic marketing on the stores part.. you really aren't getting it for FREE...you are paying an overinflated price.

Study all the grocery circulars that are delivered in your home. You may have to go to a different store.


If this helps, I save over a $1000 a year on coupons alone, I don't count Bonuscard savings. THis $1000 is about 3/4 of our budget for atrip to WDW!

 

[Cindy B]

Tigeroo--

I noticed you are in NJ... lets see here.. these are stores that I am aware of that does TRUE DOUBLES...


Genaurdi's
Giant
Super G

Non true doubles

Acme
Clemens


I usually shop at Giant. I have no experience with Stop n Shop, Pathmark (although I've heard others shop there)., Shoprite, and Superfresh.

Check also to see if there is an Aldi's near you. There is one in Cherry HIll... Aldi's is an amazing store for eveyrthing, and you will get so much for your money.

 

[6_Time_Momma]

Coordinate sales with coupons. For example a store by me has Juicy Juice on sale for $2 a bottle. I have coupons for .50 off one. If your store doubles you get them for $1 bottle (they usually run about $3.50). Fortunately my store triples up to .50 so I got them for .50 a bottle.

Purchase the smallest size you can with your coupons. Usually you can get a lot of things free this way.

Look into rebates, too. You can often get free things this way. You have to pay first, but can get it back. Often times you can actually get paid for a refund. If you combine a sale, coupon, and refund, you often make money on the deal.

If you go to http://www.valupage.com
you can purchase certain items and recieve a coupon off groceries on your next trip.

Your biggest expenses will be meats and fruits/veges. If you go to a store on Monday mornings, you can often find meat marked down. Freeze it and you will be fine!!!

Often times, you will also get a "catalina" which is a coupon that the computer prints out when you buy certain things. You can use a manufacturers coupon in addition to these. Also, store coupons can be used in conjunction with manufacterers coupons.

If you are able to combine all these.....sales, coupons, valupage, rebates, and catalina coupons, you will be able to save anywhere from 50% to 110% easily!!

 

[luv2nascar]

I am fairly new to this only been super couponing for two months now
I average 50% savings per week
where the big savings come from are B1G1 free stores will let you use two coupons for this
example this week giant has captain crunch ceral B1G1 free $3.15 per box there were coupons in sunday's paper for choco donut captain crunch ceral which is included in the sale $1.00/1
so I got two boxes for ceral for $1.15 total

couple of weeks ago when weis had triple coupons I bought 12 packs of cottonelle fresh fold wipes which we use alot of. They are $1.79 - $.50 coupon tripled = $.29 ea. I got 12 packs for the price of two

when there are triple coupons at what ever store I get multiples (you usually are only allowed 6 per visit) with $15.00 purchase this is before coupon discount
I go in and use 6 triples & pick up some other sale items or milk get the $15.00. put that stuff in the van and go back in and use more triples.

I go to the store 3-4 times a week and barely spend any money per visit. We have all name brand stuff no more store brands.
We have so much stuff I have to buy more shelving for the basement to store it. The best part is I cut our grocery budget from $125 - $150 wk to $60-$80 for more stuff.

The real trick is to have lots of coupons (multiples for each item) so when its on sale you can stock up. I got blinkies at Giant the other week for $1.00/1 of reynolds plastic wrap. This week reynolds plastic wrap is on sale $1.99 - $1.00 coupon = $.99 per roll. I got three rolls will last me months.

Find a store with triples - all our store here double coupons up to a $1.00. ie. $.50 coupon doubles another $.50 off
a $.75 coupon doubles another $.25 off

keep working at it you'll get the hang of it - keep clipping away

 

[Cindy B]

luv2nascar--

My Giant will not let us do multiple coupons if they are B1G1... I used to, but they adjusted the software so you can only get one coupon on it.. but I "use" it as such, so I use my highest multiple.. and then on triple week, I triple it.

 

[luv2nascar]

Isn't funny how rules are different from store to store with the same chain
Personally I go to a really young person to check out either guy or girl - they usually are not the coupon police checking all the expiration dates and if you have to have 2 items to use the coupon etc. Not that I do that stuff on purpose but sometimes you don't notice and I feel kind of odd when they won't let you use a coupon and they return it to you.