OK - so who is watching Extreme Couponing?

[MusiqChic99]

I don't have the time to devote...or don't want to make room to devote that much time in my day to couponing. I do watch for sales at local grocery stores though. The 2 in my area have things like 10/$10.(some have limits on them) I don't buy everything on that list but some I do. Usually though I might buy 3 or 5 but that's about it. 10 would be too much...unless it's an item I use everyday or weekly. And I do look what's on sale and plan meals based on what I know I will use.

I wonder if any of these people would let me shop that their house...for a bargain w/coupons of course.

 

[Free4Life11]

I hope everyone remembers this is EXTREME couponing. Shelf clearing is WRONG, but she bought 72 mustards was because she is being filmed by TLC and getting paid for it so she had better do something EXTREME. I doubt they do this normally, in fact I have read that they pre-ordered some items but the producers made them stock the shelves and clear them for a more dramatic effect.

Also if you think you can’t get healthy products and use coupons, think again. True, the deals aren't as prevalent as all the processed Pop Tarts and crap, but they exist. I’m by no means an extreme couponer, but I have a knack for getting a good deal. Some of my recent deals:

Birds Eye Steamfresh, on sale for $1.20 per bag (just veggies which had no added salt, preservatives, or cheese) bought 6 bags then used (3) $1.00 off 2 Publix coupons and (2) $1.00 off 3 manufacturer coupons making it $.37 per bag – 85% savings

Voskos Greek Yogurt (all natural, rBST, rBGH, and GMO free) on sale for $1.00 each, used $.75 off coupon (found in Sunday paper, found online, and found at coupon blinkie machine) making it $.25 per container – 83% savings

Whole wheat spaghetti 2 for $1.67 (BOGO sale), used a $1.00 off manufacturer coupon making it $.34 per box – 80% savings

I think that is was the PP is talking about. It's so unhealthy and too many kids are being fed these foods because it's cheap, which are going to lead to costly health problems down the road. It makes me mad at food manufacturers who are just trying to make a buck, rather that providing nutritious food.

And on the flip side, it make me mad that the manufacturers of the high-quality organic foods don't issue more coupons to make their products more affordable and accessible.

A few companies do...Kashi, Muir Glen, but I just can't seem to find coupons for the vast majority of products in Whole Foods. Otherwise I would shop there all the time.

 

[Belle0101]

One thing the show didn't address was the cost of the coupons. I know that people buy coupons from clipping services and auctions. Some shoppers buy extra newspapers. All of that factors into the bottom line, IMO. Plus here we have 7% sales tax and it's figured on the pre-coupon price.

As an example, the antacid at $5.69 minus a $5.00 coupon would be for me $1.09. For the shopper, she stated it was 69 cents for her. Now if I wanted 50 I'd have to buy extra coupons. More money when I'm already at $54.50.

Seriously though, if you need that much antacid, call a doctor and find out what's going on. Ulcer maybe? If you don't need 50+ bottles of antacid then why buy them? Is it just a need to have? A shopping rush?

A little side note - read the verbage on the coupons. I emailed some of the companys for clarification and the gist of the wording, confirmed via emails, if the coupon has been bought, sold, transferred, auction, traded, etc, it's void. The manufacturers didn't intend for the coupons to be used in the manner these shoppers are using them.

 

[Imzadi]

I should watch an episode just to try and understand how this works. I don't at all understand how you can end up spending $100 on $1000 worth of groceries. I can't wrap my head around the math.

I mean seriously, who actually uses 100 boxes of pasta noodles in a year?

I would be a perfect example of couponing done right. I do go through a box or two of pasta each week. But, I only eat Barilla PLUS pasta, as it is made with extra protein, fiber and Omega 3s and is low carb. It is a healthy substitute for a high carb pasta. People who read the "high protein threads" know I am fanatical about pushing -- err, informing people about it. Mainly so Barilla keeps making it for ME.

Since I go through a box a week. When it's on sale, it's 50¢ off. So I'll buy 12 boxes to tide me over to the next sale. That's saving $6 right there. Why in the world would I buy only one box on sale, then pay full price for something I am going to be getting again next week and the week after? If I had coupons for each box, I could potentially save another 25¢ on each box. If I was in a store that doubled that 25¢ to 50¢, then I'd be saving $1.00 off of each box off of something I already eat or use.

To get free items, if an item is on sale for $1.00 and you have a 50¢ coupon for it, and the store doubles the values of coupons, then that coupon is now worth $1.00. So the item is free. Always combine sales with a coupon when possible, for maximum savings.

As other people stated, many coupons are for unhealthy food products. But, there are also many health and beauty aid products (shampoos) and cleaners that there are coupons for. People need to stop being brand loyal if they are going to be using coupons. Crest works just as well as Aquafresh toothpaste. Ajax works just as well as Comet. (Just not used in your mouth. )

NO ONE SHOULD BE PAYING FULL PRICE FOR TOILET PAPER. They should always be buying it on sale combined with coupons. And if you can stockpile 50 free packages of toilet paper, more power to you! Are you really not going to be able to use up 50 packages of free toilet paper?

If you do not need 50 packages of toilet paper, donate them to the schools, to homeless shelters. There is wasteful couponing and responsibly sharing of the free abundance when available.


Someone asked what happens to the stores, the manufacturers actually reimburse retailers a certain amount for each coupon. Manufacturers give coupons away so that you will try & keep buying their products. They factor in the "loss" from couponers into their equation before they print a determined number up. It is also estimated that for every coupon that is redeemed, 30 are tossed away. So don't feel bad for using too many coupons.

For retailers, usually, most people do not go in to just buy coupon items. They need fresh fruit, milk, perishables, too. The retailers would rather you buy those products at their store than elsewhere. If a sale brings you into their store over the competition, then it's a win for them. It becomes a win-win-win for the manufacturers, retailers and shoppers involved.


Coupons aren't only at supermarkets:
There's Rite Aid Free after Rebate. I get so many free shampoos, toothbrushes & toothpaste each month. I have five toothpaste tubes stockpiled. Walgreens has an Internet rebate program too. CVS pharmacy also has a program. The DIS Budget Board has more info on that.

Also Staples Easy Rebates has their own program. I have free Fuji & Kodak photo paper, printer paper, notebooks & office supplies to last me quite a while. (Non-perishables.)

A couple years ago, I got $335 in rebates from Hewlett Packard & Office Depot combined for my new HP laptop 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, like Fatwallet.com, we know which companies will honor rebates & which ones won't. I love the power of the web!

The portable air conditioner I bought one summer, I bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It was selling for $399. I used a 20% off coupon, found in the Sunday sales inserts, and that knocked off $99, so it was $300. The great thing about Bed, Bath and Beyond is they have an unlimited return policy! No return by date. Be reasonable with that policy, but it's not like if the AC breaks down on the 31st day, you're out of luck by one day with a 30 day return policy - especially on a $300 item.

Also Bed, Bath and Beyond's coupons really have no expiration date. Even though there is one listed, their real policy is they don't enforce it. They always ring them up.

Another time, I took my mom & DSis to BB&B. I was able to use 20% off coupons for each of us, making separate purchases. We must have saved about $40 on that trip.

I LOVE Couponing!!!

One thing the show didn't address was the cost of the coupons. I know that people buy coupons from clipping services and auctions. Some shoppers buy extra newspapers. All of that factors into the bottom line, IMO. Plus here we have 7% sales tax and it's figured on the pre-coupon price.

There are many ways to get multiples of free coupons than buying them. Most supermarkets and newsstands throw out the surplus, unsold Sunday papers on Sunday nights or on Mondays. They only need to return the front page to be reimbursed by the newspaper company. They usually leave a big pile of the tossed out surplus in the garbage or the recycle bins. So the newspapers are clean. Some people can make a deal with their supermarket or newsstand to please save them instead of tossing them. Or give them a couple dollars for their trouble.

A newsstand tosses out their papers near me, and I can pick up 12 inserts every Monday, if I remember. (That's more than enough for me, unless I am buying Barilla Plus pasta. )

Other ways to get coupons is: many people leave their Sunday papers in Starbucks every Sunday morning after reading them. There is a Starbucks every several blocks in most areas. One can drive to 3 Starbucks and simply pick up several inserts within 20 minutes. Starbucks usually tosses all the extra newspapers. They don't care if someone takes them.

Many people go to work in offices where people bring in the Sunday paper to read, and then toss them into the clean recycle bins.

Some neighbors get the papers, and simply do not coupon. They can't be bothered. But, they will save the coupon inserts each week if one has a good relationship and can simply ask them to save them. When there is a good sale on a product they do use, and you can get the product free, GIVE them a couple items in exchange for taking the time to save you the coupon inserts. That is a win for everyone.

Many local libraries have a box for people to share their unused coupons. People can donate their dog food coupons and take out the cat food ones.

There are couponing forums. Some people trade coupons for a small fee for the services of saving and mailing coupons. Tidy Cat coupons are usually $1 off. It is the only litter my cat will use. If I can pay $1 to have 8 coupons sent to me, I am ahead by $7 (or $14 in a store that doubles coupons.)

 

[VeganCupcake]

And on the flip side, it make me mad that the manufacturers of the high-quality organic foods don't issue more coupons to make their products more affordable and accessible.

A few companies do...Kashi, Muir Glen, but I just can't seem to find coupons for the vast majority of products in Whole Foods. Otherwise I would shop there all the time.

I agree it is super frustrating and it stinks! But as someone who worked in the health food industry for 10 years I can tell you the reason why its harder for a LOT of the companies that are carried at Whole Foods to give ridiculously awesome discounts is because a LOT of the companies are family owned , small businesses. A majority of the companies also support other smaller family business(farms) to get the produce they use in their ready made foods. Quite a few of our trainings and meetings with companies that made organic foods would be with one of the actual owners of the company or the owners daughter, grandson, etc. It's a lot easier for big corporations to give out big discounts. Does that make sense, kinda sorta?

 

[Free4Life11]

I agree it is super frustrating and it stinks! But as someone who worked in the health food industry for 10 years I can tell you the reason why its harder for a LOT of the companies that are carried at Whole Foods to give ridiculously awesome discounts is because a LOT of the companies are family owned , small businesses. A majority of the companies also support other smaller family business(farms) to get the produce they use in their ready made foods. Quite a few of our trainings and meetings with companies that made organic foods would be with one of the actual owners of the company or the owners daughter, grandson, etc. It's a lot easier for big corporations to give out big discounts. Does that make sense, kinda sorta?

Yes that does make sense. Thanks for the info!

 

[LuvSulley]

I just cut several weeks of coupons tonight and we never have fresh chicken or fresh vegie or fruit coupons. Coupons for frozen chicken prepared products from Perdue, Weaver or Tyson sometimes. Or ham slices. Deli and regular milk also rare. Instead, soy milk coupons.

I don't coupon like I used to 25 yrs ago. We had good coupons back then. Not anymore.
I used to belong to a monthly newsletter that came in the mail. Refunding Makes Cents. More than once articles about how people took advantage of the system and ruined it for others. Companies started cutting back, prosecuting the cheaters, and writing more rules on the coupons and rebates.

Maybe its a regional thing? This is the second time this year I got Foster Farm chicken. Its for the fresh, skinless, and boneless kind. Last year they kept having coupons for any milk with the "Real California Milk" stamp but haven't seen them in a long time. I miss those!!

 

[Buckalew11]

I would be a perfect example of couponing done right. I do go through a box or two of pasta each week. But, I only eat Barilla PLUS pasta, as it is made with extra protein, fiber and Omega 3s and is low carb. It is a healthy substitute for a high carb pasta. People who read the "high protein threads" know I am fanatical about pushing -- err, informing people about it. Mainly so Barilla keeps making it for ME.

Since I go through a box a week. When it's on sale, it's 50¢ off. So I'll buy 12 boxes to tide me over to the next sale. That's saving $6 right there. Why in the world would I buy only one box on sale, then pay full price for something I am going to be getting again next week and the week after? If I had coupons for each box, I could potentially save another 25¢ on each box. If I was in a store that doubled that 25¢ to 50¢, then I'd be saving $1.00 off of each box off of something I already eat or use.

To get free items, if an item is on sale for $1.00 and you have a 50¢ coupon for it, and the store doubles the values of coupons, then that coupon is now worth $1.00. So the item is free. Always combine sales with a coupon when possible, for maximum savings.

As other people stated, many coupons are for unhealthy food products. But, there are also many health and beauty aid products (shampoos) and cleaners that there are coupons for. People need to stop being brand loyal if they are going to be using coupons. Crest works just as well as Aquafresh toothpaste. Ajax works just as well as Comet. (Just not used in your mouth. )

NO ONE SHOULD BE PAYING FULL PRICE FOR TOILET PAPER. They should always be buying it on sale combined with coupons. And if you can stockpile 50 free packages of toilet paper, more power to you! Are you really not going to be able to use up 50 packages of free toilet paper?

If you do not need 50 packages of toilet paper, donate them to the schools, to homeless shelters. There is wasteful couponing and responsibly sharing of the free abundance when available.


Someone asked what happens to the stores, the manufacturers actually reimburse retailers a certain amount for each coupon. Manufacturers give coupons away so that you will try & keep buying their products. They factor in the "loss" from couponers into their equation before they print a determined number up. It is also estimated that for every coupon that is redeemed, 30 are tossed away. So don't feel bad for using too many coupons.

For retailers, usually, most people do not go in to just buy coupon items. They need fresh fruit, milk, perishables, too. The retailers would rather you buy those products at their store than elsewhere. If a sale brings you into their store over the competition, then it's a win for them. It becomes a win-win-win for the manufacturers, retailers and shoppers involved.


Coupons aren't only at supermarkets:
There's Rite Aid Free after Rebate. I get so many free shampoos, toothbrushes & toothpaste each month. I have five toothpaste tubes stockpiled. Walgreens has just started having an Internet rebate program too. CVS pharmacy also has a program. The DIS Budget Board has more info on that.

Also Staples Easy Rebates has their own program. I have free Fuji & Kodak photo paper, printer paper, notebooks & office supplies to last me quite a while. (Non-perishables.)

A couple years ago, I got $335 in rebates from Hewlett Packard & Office Depot combined for my new HP laptop 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, like Fatwallet.com, we know which companies will honor rebates & which ones won't. I love the power of the web!

The portable air conditioner I bought one summer, I bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond. It was selling for $399. (It's not on their website, only in the stores.) I used a 20% off coupon, found in the Sunday sales inserts, and that knocked off $99, so it was $300. The great thing about Bed, Bath and Beyond is they have an unlimited return policy! No return by date. Be reasonable with that policy, but it's not like if the AC breaks down on the 31st day, you're out of luck by one day with a 30 day return policy - especially on a $300 item.

Also Bed, Bath and Beyond's coupons really have no expiration date. Even though there is one listed, their real policy is they don't enforce it. They always ring them up.

Another time, I took my mom & DSis to BB&B. I was able to use 20% off coupons for each of us, making separate purchases. We must have saved about $40 on that trip.

I LOVE Couponing!!!





There are many ways to get multiples of free coupons than buying them. Most supermarkets and newsstands throw out the surplus, unsold Sunday papers on Sunday nights or on Mondays. They only need to return the front page to be reimbursed by the newspaper company. They usually leave a big pile of the tossed out surplus in the garbage or the recycle bins. So the newspapers are clean. Some people can make a deal with their supermarket or newsstand to please save them instead of tossing them. Or give them a couple dollars for their trouble.

A newsstand tosses out their papers near me, and I can pick up 12 inserts every Monday, if I remember. (That's more than enough for me, unless I am buying Barilla Plus pasta. )

Other ways to get coupons is: many people leave their Sunday papers in Starbucks every Sunday morning after reading them. There is a Starbucks every several blocks in most areas. One can drive to 3 Starbucks and simply pick up several inserts within 20 minutes. Starbucks usually tosses all the extra newspapers. They don't care if someone takes them.

Many people go to work in offices where people bring in the Sunday paper to read, and then toss them into the clean recycle bins.

Some neighbors get the papers, and simply do not coupon. They can't be bothered. But, they will save the coupon inserts each week if one has a good relationship and can simply ask them to save them. When there is a good sale on a product they do use, and you can get the product free, GIVE them a couple items in exchange for taking the time to save you the coupon inserts. That is a win for everyone.

Many local libraries have a box for people to share their unused coupons. People can donate their dog food coupons and take out the cat food ones.

There are couponing forums. Some people trade coupons for a small fee for the services of saving and mailing coupons. Tidy Cat coupons are usually $1 off. It is the only litter my cat will use. If I can pay $1 to have 8 coupons sent to me, I am ahead by $7 (or $14 in a store that doubles coupons.)

Totally agree with you!

No, I do not buy 50 bottles of mustard. But I coupon and I shop those sales. Cream cheese goes on sale every few months. I only buy it then. I'll never pay over 99cents for cream cheese and if I have a coupon, it'll be less than .99. Last time, I had a $5 off 5 Kraft products so I got 5 blocks for free. Since my cheesecake takes 3 blocks, it is not like they won;t get used.

My mom and DMIL don't use coupons so they give me theirs. I have a client who brings me hers.

I take what I do not use to a friend who has a coupon blog. I know she uses the diaper ones & is glad to get the coupons for more.

I only "stockpile" tampons, laundry detergent,cleaning supplies toilet paper, paper towels, etc. Things I know I'll use. I will not be buying those dishwashing tabs until next year at this time (or later!)

I rarely buy anything like that w/o a coupon & a sale.

Our Kroger used to let you use an ecoupon AND a paper coupon. But they've changed that policy (last month). I hear they are making changes in Texas now and those changes will spread.

Also, many coupons now say a limit on them. Not sure if they'd let you do separate orders which I would NEVER do. But that rule should keep some of the extreme couponing from getting out of hand.

My Kroger sends me coupons for fresh things. Often it'll be 1.00 or 2.00 of produce purchase of 5.00 or more.
Meat goes on sale, I buy it then and use my Food Saver to seal it and freeze it.
Our Kroger has a gas program and you earn points for discounts on gas. I always get, at the least, 30 cents off gasoline.
If I'm heading to WDW, I buy Disney gift cards and earn gas points from them and use the GC at Disney. GC purchases always double points. Sometimes they 4x it! That'll easily give me 1.00 off my gasoline.

Maybe its a regional thing? This is the second time this year I got Foster Farm chicken. Its for the fresh, skinless, and boneless kind. Last year they kept having coupons for any milk with the "Real California Milk" stamp but haven't seen them in a long time. I miss those!!

I get them for meat also. Sometimes milk but those are rare. I'm betting you'll probably be seeing some milk coupons in the near furture.



I don't think I'm extreme with my couponing but it is a challenge, born out of necessity when DH was at a lower paying job--I had to earn to really stretch my dollars and it was fun to me to plan and challenge, buying what we'd eat and use. We cook almost 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. I watch 10 dollar dinners on FN and learn a lot from her on that show.

 

[LuvSulley]

I don't think I'm extreme with my couponing but it is a challenge, born out of necessity when DH was at a lower paying job--I had to earn to really stretch my dollars and it was fun to me to plan and challenge, buying what we'd eat and use. We cook almost 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. I watch 10 dollar dinners on FN and learn a lot from her on that show.

I'm not a extreme couponer but I do love any amount I get to save. I started out of necessity too. We bought 6 packs of 24 rolls double Charmin toilet paper and 2 big packs of paper towels for like $80 last week after coupons/weekly sale. We got back a $10 coupon off your next shopping trip and I'm planning to use the $10 coupon to buy Cuties, bananas, grapes, and ground beef tomorrow. The $10 should cover most of it because all I'm buying is on sale after I use my Safeway card.

 

[disykat]

. I mean seriously, who actually uses 100 boxes of pasta noodles in a year?

While I'm not defending buying 100 boxes of pasta at a time, this surprises me. I'd guess a lot of people do. I made spaghetti tonight and we used a box of pasta. It was one meal with enough left over for lunch for a few of us. I don't use two boxes every week, but it's not unusual for us to have some sort of pasta twice in a week. I cook for large groups occasionally and usually make pasta for that as well so that would use a lot of boxes. When I'm no longer feeding a bunch of teenagers, I may use less, but 100 boxes a year seems normal to me.

 

[Buckalew11]

Quote from Imzadi: " But, I only eat Barilla PLUS pasta, as it is made with extra protein, fiber and Omega 3s and is low carb. It is a healthy substitute for a high carb pasta. People who read the "high protein threads" know I am fanatical about pushing -- err, informing people about it. Mainly so Barilla keeps making it for ME. "



Meant to say this last night! That's my pick of pasta also. It is what I almost always buy and like to use it with a meatless recipe of one with less meat used to get a bit extra good stuff! It is great pasta!!

 

[tlbwriter]

Sorry to go off topic, but how is the Barilla Plus pasta? I've been using Ronzoni Smart Taste, but it's not whole grain, it's just got some added fiber and nutrients. Will my picky eater like Barilla Plus?

 

[PatsMom]

I coupon but not at the level of the people on TV. I just am not organized enough to buy my coupons a week ahead of time from a service! But I frequently end up with 10 or so duplicates. i have my Sunday paper, my mother gets two diffferent papers, my sister in laws save for me, a couple of people at work save for me, etc. The relatives get re-paid with "care packages" from my closet!

I very rarely pay full price for anything. I haven't actually paid for toothpaste in years. When my shelves begin to fill up, I weed out the older stuff and donate it to a local food pantry. They are always looking for things you can't buy with food stamps for their clients. If I had 90 coupons and could get 90 things of mustard free, I would do it. I would keep two or three, give a few away to family and friends, and donate the rest. I give money to the food pantries anyhow so it makes me feel good to be able to donate more just by putting in a little extra time.

I had some good milk coupons this week. I also in my envelope right now have Springer Farms fresh chicken coupons, pork loin coupons (this is pre-marinated so it might not count as healthy for some), cherry tomato coupons, Stonyfield Farm yogurt coupons. So they do exist. Lots of coupons for Birdseye Steamfresh veggies have floated around.

One other thing to keep in mind when you see a cart with no veggies - a lot of people on a tight budget may garden. I must confess that I don't. But I grew up in a house with a big vegetable garden. Fall was time to can tomato, freeze green beans, peas, etc. Cucumbers became pickles, green tomato became relish. The pig was slaughtered and frozen. The beef loin was split with a neighbor and frozen. And if Dad had a good hunting season, that would be rounded out with some venison in the freezer. If the budget demanded it, I would be living that way now.

 

[Imzadi]

Maybe its a regional thing? This is the second time this year I got Foster Farm chicken. Its for the fresh, skinless, and boneless kind. Last year they kept having coupons for any milk with the "Real California Milk" stamp but haven't seen them in a long time. I miss those!!

My Kroger sends me coupons for fresh things. Often it'll be 1.00 or 2.00 of produce purchase of 5.00 or more.
Meat goes on sale, I buy it then and use my Food Saver to seal it and freeze it.

Yes, this might be a regional thing. There were fresh food coupons when I was in CA, but nothing like that in NY.

I miss, what are called "wine tags" which were coupons for fresh meat, seafood, and fresh veggies, placed on wine or alcohol bottles. Sometimes the retailer would simply place the pads by the bottles instead of hanging them on the bottles, as they knew people took them off the bottles. No one was ever required to buy any alcohol in order to redeem the wine tag coupons. That just the way those coupons were distributed.

Sorry to go off topic, but how is the Barilla Plus pasta? I've been using Ronzoni Smart Taste, but it's not whole grain, it's just got some added fiber and nutrients. Will my picky eater like Barilla Plus?

Yes, your my picky eater will LOVE Barilla Plus. It tastes just like regular pasta. If you did a blind taste test, they wouldn't know the difference. As Buckalew said, I also make it meatless at times, for cold sesame noodles, plain buttered noodles, or toss in less meats, as there is enough protein in it already. It can be used for a side or the main dish when you factor in the protein, low carb factor.


(Warning: Here comes my shameless, self-serving ad coming, so people will buy Barilla PLUS so they will keep making it so I can keep having it! )


Barilla Plus Pasta, yellow box, not blue, is the ONLY pasta I eat now as it is made specially to be high protein and low in carbs. Barilla Plus is made with chick peas, egg whites & other high protein, oat fiber & Omega 3 ingredients. Yet it tastes like regular pasta. It is a better choice for anyone who would still like to eat pasta, but not all the carbs. And it does NOT taste like boiled cardboard the way "whole wheat" pastas do. You do have to cook it a bit longer than regular pasta.

You can check the chart for the ratio of protein, fiber & Omega 3's vs. other foods:
Barilla Plus pasta. OR: http://www.barillaus.com/PLUS_information.aspx

It is more expensive than regular pasta, but in exchange for buying/adding less of other protein foods, it's probably still less expensive - and more heart healthy & filling.

As it is a great protein replacement, you can actually use less meats in a dish. You can add cooked chicken to the Rotini (corkscrew) pasta & salad greens to make a chicken pasta salad.

If you make a simple tomato spaghetti sauce, you can still know you are getting a lot of protein, without making a more expensive meat sauce. Or you can make a pasta primavera (pasta & veggies) drizzled with olive oil, garlic, S&P, and still get a good amount of protein.

 

[PUZZLDY5]

How I get "free" products or very close to free is this. One of our local grocery stores has buy one get one free items and they double up to 50 cents. I use 2 coupons. one for each product that double to 1.00(most of the time)
Example: Ragu pasta sauce. $2.09 BOGOF
1 $.50 that doubles to $1.00
1 $.50 that doubles to $1.00

SO $2.09
-$2.00 coupon savings
= $0.09 for 2 jars of Ragu.


Now do you see why it's worth it.

 

[mrodgers]

How I get "free" products or very close to free is this. One of our local grocery stores has buy one get one free items and they double up to 50 cents. I use 2 coupons. one for each product that double to 1.00(most of the time)
Example: Ragu pasta sauce. $2.09 BOGOF
1 $.50 that doubles to $1.00
1 $.50 that doubles to $1.00

SO $2.09
-$2.00 coupon savings
= $0.09 for 2 jars of Ragu.


Now do you see why it's worth it.

Absolutely not. Free Ragu is definitely not as good as paying for any other brand. Even Prego is a step up from Ragu

 

[Imzadi]

How I get "free" products or very close to free is this. One of our local grocery stores has buy one get one free items and they double up to 50 cents. I use 2 coupons. one for each product that double to 1.00(most of the time)
Example: Ragu pasta sauce. $2.09 BOGOF
1 $.50 that doubles to $1.00
1 $.50 that doubles to $1.00

SO $2.09
-$2.00 coupon savings
= $0.09 for 2 jars of Ragu.


Now do you see why it's worth it.

Haven't done it in a while, but this works great at Rite Aid & Walgreens for the sales on BOGO shampoos, toothpastes, deodorants, makeup, cleaners, etc.

It depends on how it rings up at the register. Sometimes, the item rings up totally free and a second coupon can't be used. Other times, both items are discounted 50% off, and both coupons can be applied. It also depends on the cashier. Some will decide not to take the second coupon, even though the store policy is that they are supposed to. People have to decide if they want to get the store manager involved to override and properly apply the second coupon.

Another little known fact: Many coupons are also good for trial size products. If the coupon says, "ANY size," and does not have the description, "Excludes trial size," then the coupons can be applied to trial size items. Walmart has a great selection of them. If you are flying on a plane for vacation, you need trial size bottles of stuff.

Absolutely not. Free Ragu is definitely not as good as paying for any other brand. Even Prego is a step up from Ragu

There are coupons for Prego, too.

 

[nuttylawprofessor]

The line that kept getting to us:
"I've saved $40,000!"

No, you spent $4,000 on crap you didn't need.

We use coupons. I try to keep our "you saved" line over 50%. But I'm not going to grab piles of stuff just because "it's free!"

 

[LuvSulley]

Yes, your my picky eater will LOVE Barilla Plus. It tastes just like regular pasta. If you did a blind taste test, they wouldn't know the difference. As Buckalew said, I also make it meatless at times, for cold sesame noodles, plain buttered noodles, or toss in less meats, as there is enough protein in it already. It can be used for a side or the main dish when you factor in the protein, low carb factor.


(Warning: Here comes my shameless, self-serving ad coming, so people will buy Barilla PLUS so they will keep making it so I can keep having it! )


Barilla Plus Pasta, yellow box, not blue, is the ONLY pasta I eat now as it is made specially to be high protein and low in carbs. Barilla Plus is made with chick peas, egg whites & other high protein, oat fiber & Omega 3 ingredients. Yet it tastes like regular pasta. It is a better choice for anyone who would still like to eat pasta, but not all the carbs. And it does NOT taste like boiled cardboard the way "whole wheat" pastas do. You do have to cook it a bit longer than regular pasta.

You can check the chart for the ratio of protein, fiber & Omega 3's vs. other foods:
Barilla Plus pasta. OR: http://www.barillaus.com/PLUS_information.aspx

It is more expensive than regular pasta, but in exchange for buying/adding less of other protein foods, it's probably still less expensive - and more heart healthy & filling.

As it is a great protein replacement, you can actually use less meats in a dish. You can add cooked chicken to the Rotini (corkscrew) pasta & salad greens to make a chicken pasta salad.

If you make a simple tomato spaghetti sauce, you can still know you are getting a lot of protein, without making a more expensive meat sauce. Or you can make a pasta primavera (pasta & veggies) drizzled with olive oil, garlic, S&P, and still get a good amount of protein.

Now I have to try it! I got free whole grain pasta from Rite Aid but haven't tried it yet. I'm worried they will taste like the yucky pasta they have at the Disney Soda Fountain (can't remember if its whole grain or wheat there). I love pasta so I'm going to have it try the Plus now!! Thanks!!

 

[Belle0101]

The line that kept getting to us:
"I've saved $40,000!"

No, you spent $4,000 on crap you didn't need.

We use coupons. I try to keep our "you saved" line over 50%. But I'm not going to grab piles of stuff just because "it's free!"

I thought the same thing. IMO, if you were going to buy it anyhow and saved via a sale and/or a coupon, then yes. But if you bought it because you had a coupon and/or there was a sale you didn't exactly save. Does that make sense? I know what I'm trying to say but it's not coming out right as a post.

I could say that I saved 10K+ on our vacations this year. We were going to go 1 week to south Dakota, 1 week to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and lastly, 1 week to WDW.

Unfortunately DS11 and I had some very unexpected medical bills. DH & I made the hard and dissapointing decision to cancel all our vacations and pay off the medical bills. (It sometimes stinks to be an adult.)

But, could I say I saved 10K on our vacations? No because we aren't going. What I would have saved using points, discount sites for tickets and lodging I could have counted though because we were going anyhow.

Saying she saved 40K in one year makes for good TV though.