OT: Any coupons experts out there?

[kydisneyfans]

It is rather easy to do with some work involved.
CVS is great for medicine stock up, Shampoos, toiletries, etc.

Look for loss leaders weekly and stock up. Everything goes on sale in a cycle. Don't be afraid to stop at 2 stores if close to each other while shopping. Check milk prices-if not on sale at the grocery, chances are you will pass a gas station with a low milk price as a draw. Produce and meats are bought on sale only. Try to shop at a store with a gas discount program, Giant Eagle seems to have the best, even though none are in KY.

Do not fall into the Wal Mart trap. Nothing is on sale, granted the everyday prices are a little lower, but sale prices at the competition are much better, plus in many cases coupons are doubled and tripled. They also do not match BOGO offers. You can find fresher meat and produce elsewhere.

 

[mrsbballref]

Another Grocery Gamer here! You should
really try out the trial for 4 weeks for only
$1. I just finished my first week and here is my
total:

Shelf Price $155.32
Spent $63.01
Saved $92.31 or 59.4%

And, this was only my first week. They have
a great message board there as well with tons
of great tips and they are very friendly.
Check it out at www.grocerygame.com

 

[dsmith72]

I use coupons when I can but it seems that generic usually ends up even cheaper than the name brand w/coupon. Do you guys find this or am I doing this wrong?

 

[My2Cinderellas]

I use coupons when I can but it seems that generic usually ends up even cheaper than the name brand w/coupon. Do you guys find this or am I doing this wrong?

the tricks for this are waiting until the name brand goes on sale, and having stores where they will double/triple coupons. This is an unheard of concept where I live. So yes, I do buy more store brand stuff and can't come close to some of the deals mentioned. I looked into the grocery game, but they do not support my zipcode, or anywhere in my state (Iowa). I muddle through on my own and have a good idea of what I usually pay for stuff, so when I see a deal, then I grab it.

 

[PaulaSue]

It can be done with a lot of time and work planning your shopping trips.

Only buy the loss leaders and stocking up.

My best tip was getting as many sets of the same coupon as you can to stock up on sale items.

Know what each store policy is on coupons.

When I shop I generally pay about 60% of the orig bill with coupons and sale stuff. I could get better but it takes a lot of time and some weeks I just don't have time to go to other stores with my 3 helpers.

 

[LisaNJ25]

My problem is finding coupons, it seems my Sunday paper gets less and less. And they are usually for new products or junk food.

WHere do you all get coupons besides the Sunday paper?
h

When i take the time and do it.. i save 50-90% of my bill.

I order coupons from http://www.thecouponclippers.com or ebay.

To get the sales for ther week I use

www.cutouthunger.org

 

[travelbug]

I use coupons when I can but it seems that generic usually ends up even cheaper than the name brand w/coupon. Do you guys find this or am I doing this wrong?

Good question! I do buy store brand if I really need something and there's no sale price/coupon combo to be had. Apart from that situation, I really do way better with name brands because they put out the coupons that I can double and combine with a sale.

There are certain items that I have literally not paid a cent for in years --- deodorant, toothpaste, ketchup, mustard, relish, pickles, BBQ sauce come to mind as examples. I couldn't do that with store brand!

 

[themooch]

Wow...I just love all the stuff I learn from the DIS Boards! Thanks so much for all of this valuable information! I just joined the Grocery Store Game.

BTW...did anyone ever try Price Line when they did the groceries several years back? That was sooo cool. You could bid on what you would pay for food. I loved it but they LOST a ton of money and soon quit doing it.

Anna

 

[DMRick]

I find this often. Also, I find that the food type of item there is a coupon for, isn't something I would buy, such as cookies, expensive cleaning products, etc, so I end up spending money on something I wouldn't usually buy. If the item, because of doubling ends up almost free, it does give me a good item to donate to the food pantry, and for the most part, I am spending a much smaller amount, but on something I really wouldn't buy anyway. So even if something is usually $5 and I have a $2 coupon that is doubled..if it's not something I would normally get, or even want, I've spent a dollar that could go elsewhere.
Now I only use coupons on items that end up free, or somethign that would normally be on my shopping list.

I use coupons when I can but it seems that generic usually ends up even cheaper than the name brand w/coupon. Do you guys find this or am I doing this wrong?