Saw something inspiring at grocery store today...

[GPC0321]

Had to run into the grocery store to get a few items that Wal-Mart didn't have and got behind a lady in line who had two carts overflowing with stuff and the cashier was just finishing up scanning a huge pile of coupons. The lady asked the cashier "How much was it when I started?" and the cashier told her $400 and something dollars. The final total after all the coupons was about $120!!

That was some impressive couponing!

Do you guys do coupons? I've never gotten into it much, but use them occasionally. Might start!

 

[HopperFan]

Used to do it hard core when I was younger and much poorer and when it was somewhat easier to do. I lived ouside NYC, shopped a larger grocery fairly close and sometimes went to next town in a very affluent neighborhood that had an A&P with nice fresh stuff and some good coupons. Most folks there did not coupon. One day a man maybe in his 50's, obviously well off, asked me "Does it really make a big difference to do all that cutting out?" I replied "It pays my phone and cable bill each month." He seemed surprised and impressed.

Used to when it was easier and our options more limited but now lots of choices to save:
- The stores and companies are making it harder now.
- Coupons expire much quicker than before, and I get fewer in my paper.
- Kroger, at least by us, no longer double coupons.
- I find many Kroger brand items are just as good so I'm not buying as many name brands.
- Kroger mails me lots of decent coupons I do use, especially ones like this week which was $18 off $180
- I shop sale items mostly. I can work my menu around that.
- I shop bulk at Costo.
- I like prices on produce at Aldi and Sprouts.

 

[100AcreWood]

I agree. I used to coupon when I stayed home with the kids. I scored some amazing deals on diapers and did the CVS deals when they were good. Now the stores are making it more difficult. There are too many rules and it's harder to save like I used to. I still use coupons sometimes but I mostly buy what's on sale and stock up until the next sales cycle. That's an easy way for anyone who hates coupons to save.

 

[Hikergirl]

ooops wrong thread

 

[LoveBWVVBR]

Years ago I used to, back when I lived near a store that doubled coupons. Now that we have an Aldi I don't see the point in couponing since it's so cheap to shop there. Also, coupons were mostly for household stuff and not actually food that we eat...I started buying that stuff from Dollar Tree and haven't looked back. Much faster and cheaper than couponing.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I love my coupons. The most we saved was 80 dollars. I shop about every 3 months for 2. That ieavy shop. I go for milk and bread and veggies about once a week"

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I use coupons every now and then. Actually most of mine come from Pillsbury(.com) when I do use them. We don't really have stores that have those doubling benefit you would see a lot on Extreme Couponing show so it's doubtful I would ever be able to get it down that low.

Instead I usually purchase my stuff at Costco, Aldi and Walmart. And when I'm shopping for clothing I'm b-lining it for the clearance area before I ever go to the other part of the store.

I grew up with my mom shopping most of the time at Hy-Vee and I did that a lot in college when it was just down the street. Now Hy-Vee isn't as close to my house so I don't go in very much. However, their policy is if an item rings up for more than the sign posted or listed in an Ad you get it for free. That has happened but only a handful of times.

 

[Bree]

I do most of my couponing at BJ's and Target. You can stack store coupons with manufacturer's coupons at both stores. Sometimes there is even a Target Cartwheel deal to get more money off.

 

[firefly_ris]

I do some couponing, in combination with the grocery store's current sales cycle. You get a feel for what goes on sale at what time of the month after a while. Yesterday our grocery bill was $215 and it went down to $120 after the sales and coupons went in. My husband is much better at it than I am, so I try to save the "big" grocery trips for a Sunday morning when he's with me, and do smaller stuff that I have to get frequently (milk, fresh fruit, fresh veggies basically) alone so I don't worry if I'm not saving quite as well. Here in WNY our two main stores are Tops and Wegmans, and certain things are cheaper at both stores, so I sort of just get a feel for when to visit each one. I also have an upright freezer in the basement so we tend to do a lot of stockpiling when there are really good deals. Several years ago Tops used to accept expired coupons which was an incredible help, but they've recently stopped doing that.

Unrelated but I also use coupons for non-food, mostly anything I can find on RetailMeNot, then use them when doing Christmas shopping.