What kind of difference does couponing make with your grocery bill?

[OceanAnnie]

I have watched, Extreme Couponing, and I'm amazed. I don't think for a minute that would work for us. I'd be happy to half our bill. But I'm wondering how it works for everyone else. On that show, I see people with $5.00 off coupons (!?) on items that are close to that price to begin with. When the items go on sale they get it for free and are owed change. I have never seen such a thing! We don't have coupons that are that good. I'm lucky to get 1/2 to 1/3rd off of an item.

So many of our coupons are buy 2 or 3 to get anything off. Even with a sale, it still kind of so-so. Not dazzling like the show. Yes, it's better than no coupons at all. But I see that show and I'm wondering what's going on?

I *know* the show has some rules bent and this and that. But it is quite a difference in reality!

 

[NYCDiane]

The stores they show on Extreme Couponing are most likely tossing ALL their rules out the window just to be featured on the show and get the $$$ TLC pays for that.

As far as my couponing? My store doesn't do "overages", but I do save a lot. The other day, I saved $63 with my coupons, getting many free items (double coupons) and other items for as low as 25 cents. I spent $43 so I did pretty good.

To do my best couponing, I have to:

1. Have all my coupons organized

2. Scan the store circular at home

3. Cross reference what's on sale to what I need to what I have coupons for

4. Stick to the list!!!!!


Also, on Extreme Couponing, take a good look at what the people are buying --- chances are, you're not going to feed your family on vitamin water, butterfingers, hot sauce, mustard, etc.....

 

[OceanAnnie]

The stores they show on Extreme Couponing are most likely tossing ALL their rules out the window just to be featured on the show and get the $$$ TLC pays for that.

As far as my couponing? My store doesn't do "overages", but I do save a lot. The other day, I saved $63 with my coupons, getting many free items (double coupons) and other items for as low as 25 cents. I spent $43 so I did pretty good.

To do my best couponing, I have to:

1. Have all my coupons organized

2. Scan the store circular at home

3. Cross reference what's on sale to what I need to what I have coupons for

4. Stick to the list!!!!!


Also, on Extreme Couponing, take a good look at what the people are buying --- chances are, you're not going to feed your family on vitamin water, butterfingers, hot sauce, mustard, etc.....

Way to go on the savings!

I know what you stated is all true. It's just funny how different life is as opposed to the show.

I have always done some sort of couponing. Now I'm trying a new system for being organized and generally doing exactly what you listed. Hoping for better results.

 

[amylynne01]

Different areas of the country get different coupon values. In MA where I live, we get a lot of $1/2 coupons, but in NC, they get the same coupons but $0.50/1 or something similar. That one can be doubled to get $1 off each item instead of $1 off 2 items. That makes a huge difference. You can use a coupon clipper to get different values of coupons that would be more useful to you. But also remember that the show is called "Extreme Couponing" for a reason - it is incredibly unrealistic and almost impossible to duplicate. If you're saving 50%, then you're doing really good!

 

[OceanAnnie]

Different areas of the country get different coupon values. In MA where I live, we get a lot of $1/2 coupons, but in NC, they get the same coupons but $0.50/1 or something similar. That one can be doubled to get $1 off each item instead of $1 off 2 items. That makes a huge difference. You can use a coupon clipper to get different values of coupons that would be more useful to you. But also remember that the show is called "Extreme Couponing" for a reason - it is incredibly unrealistic and almost impossible to duplicate. If you're saving 50%, then you're doing really good!

That's my motto too.

 

[Infamousmare]

It makes a big difference for us - half our WDW vacation is funded by sales/coupons.

I totally agree with NYCDiane. I carry a binder filled with baseball card pages and store my coupons, by type, in the pockets. Check the circular each week (along with a couple of coupon websites) for sales to combine coupons with. I do have a modest stockpile of non-perishable staples but it's NOTHING like the EC'ers do on that show. (6 boxes of cereal vs. 150, 10 bottles of liquid soap split between 3 bathrooms instead of 50, etc.)

My store recently stopped doubling coupons and giving out rainchecks for any item not featured in the circular, so it's been a bit tougher. :-( I'm kind of angry at that show for giving stores an excuse to crack down on the majority who are honest and don't take advantage.

On the bright side, I have a weekly budget and every penny under budget gets transferred into our savings account. This is the Disney fund and it motivates us to get the best deals possible @ the grocery store!

 

[Bell30012]

I started couponing and quickly found that I was able to stockpile a lot of certain products. I won't be buying toilet paper, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, Chunky soup, pasta, paper towels, steak sauce, ketchup, mustard, Eggos, Toaster Strudel, etc. for a LONG time.

 

[Marionnette]

I have watched, Extreme Couponing, and I'm amazed. I don't think for a minute that would work for us. I'd be happy to half our bill. But I'm wondering how it works for everyone else. On that show, I see people with $5.00 off coupons (!?) on items that are close to that price to begin with. When the items go on sale they get it for free and are owed change. I have never seen such a thing! We don't have coupons that are that good. I'm lucky to get 1/2 to 1/3rd off of an item.

So many of our coupons are buy 2 or 3 to get anything off. Even with a sale, it still kind of so-so. Not dazzling like the show. Yes, it's better than no coupons at all. But I see that show and I'm wondering what's going on?

I *know* the show has some rules bent and this and that. But it is quite a difference in reality!

Not all stores give overage (the face value of a coupon when it exceeds the shelf price) and many do not fully double coupons. Knowing the stores' coupon policies before you do your shopping trip is really key to getting the best deals.

I have two stores that will "fully double" coupons with a face value up to 99 cents. Other stores will double coupons under $1 but only bring the total subtracted to $1. So both a 50 cents off coupon and a 75 cent coupon get you the same discount. Another store will only double the first of any "like" coupons so that when you buy multiple like items, the discount is not very good.

I usually end up with anywhere from 50% - 80% off the retail value of grocery bill. Some weeks are better than others. And some weeks I don't shop at all because my shelves, cabinets and freezers are just too full! Not every week includes meat but I always buy fresh produce and milk.

The end result has been hard to assess since all of the kids are now out of the house and away at college. With just me and my husband at home, it's been easier to use up leftovers. And naturally I prepare less food than when the two boys are home. I also buy less "junk" food since neither my husband nor I really need the added calories.

I also find that I'm dropping a lot of free stuff in the food pantry bins on my way out the door after check out. Last week, it was envelopes of pancake mix and the week before that it was boxes of cereal and canned fruit.

I'll admit that it does take time to find, print, cut and coordinate coupons with my shopping list. I try to use the hints and coupon match ups that some really helpful bloggers post. It cuts down on the amount of time I spend tracking down the sales.

 

[happygirl]

I don't save very much using coupons, most coupons are for name brand stuff which we hardly us.

What I have found saves us the most, is price matching. I save ton doing that

 

[CandleontheWater]

In reality I save about 10-15% with coupons. It isn't great, but I am pretty picky about what brands I buy and what I eat. It is better than nothing though, and if I have a $100 grocery bill, and use coupons, then that is $10-15 I wouldn't have otherwise.

I think that if you are doing better than 10% that you are doing awesome! Better than me at least!

 

[ancestry]

I save about 20%-25% of my bill when I use coupons. However I don't always use coupons. I usually do a "coupon" run which is different than doing a regular grocery store run for me. When I do a coupon trip only, the coupons usually save me about 20-25%. For example yesterday I sent the hubby to BJs for items that we buy there - laundry detergent, dish detergent, cheese, milk, etc. About 90% of the things he bought he used coupons for and with the coupons we saved 23.45% off of our total bill.

 

[TheMorgans]

I also do my "couponing" on a seperate trip from my normal grocery shopping.

My couponing trip is VERY specific and I ONLY buy what is on my list. For example this past week I did:
Crest toothpaste - on sale and doubled coupon - FREE
Oral B toothbrush - on sale and doubled coupon - $0.37
Old Spice Men's bodywash - on sale B1G1 plus $1.00 off - $0.42
Carmex lip balm - on sale and doubled coupon - $0.06

So on my couponing trips I try to save between 80-90%. I am not a super hoarder, but when I have prices like this I try to keep a years supply in my stockpile.

My grocery trips are done by a specific list too based planned meals from sale ads. I price match and use coupons on this trip too but do not save nearly as much. Usually about 30-40% overall.

We also shop at a "discount grocery store" that sells items that the package has been damaged - like the corner of the cereal box is bent. There is nothing wrong with the product and it is not expired, just the packaging is not perfect. I save about 50-75% there.

Currently I spend about $200 per month on all of our grocery and household items for my entire family. (But that is since I have items in my stockpile)

Following these simple steps allow us to travel and enjoy life plus I have so much more fun spending my money at WDW than at Walmart!!!

 

[yenanh00]

I use this blog to find coupon online. So far I stick to my list and save at least 50%. I buy what on sale and stock up. I'm very specific about certain brand and foods I eat.

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/category/target/

 

[MagiKitty]

Couponing really has allowed me to be more disciplined with my grocery shopping. I like to buy items only on sale, and preferrably with a coupon on top of it. I shop at a grocery store that doubles up to $1, so that helps a lot. I build my meals around what's on sale.

I've also gotten more creative when couponing. I'm buying more items at the drug store, since I get 20% off all items with my shoppers card. I do stock up on some items, and I've been able to donate many items to a local shelter, which I feel good about.

I also coupon outside of grocery stores, which has gotten easier to do. More stores have coupons or discount cards, I have coupons for restaurants and entertainment. Its become a habit to look for savings everywhere. I'm not ashamed at all, and its something I take pride in. If I can save money and put it into a savings account, its just more for me!

 

[My3Princez]

Not sure where you are located, but here in the south, I LOVE to use southernsavers.com . She posts the best coupon and sale matchups for the region by store each week and you can check off which items you intend to purchase and print your shopping list complete with where to find the coupons. I also like her system of couponing - don't cut a coupon until you need it. It's simple, you only walk into the stores with your list and the coupons you are going to use for that shopping trip. Even if you don't live in this region, it might be worth watching her how-to videos for coupon organization. Oh - and no membership required - her site is FREE.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I save between 5 and 10 dollars a week using coupons.

I shop at Publix so I also take advantage of the BOGO stuff so that saves me more. too.

I just don't want to put the time into it that I would need to so I could save more.

 

[hanutedmansionmomma]

I save 15-20% per month with coupons. I am also trying to spend less overall on groceries. I figure it's one of the few line items in the budget I can control (can't call the gas or phone company w/ a coupon...)

Our coupon train on this board saves thousands of dollars every month. we track it!

 

[marie1203]

I save about $25 when I buy 2 weeks worth of groceries. Sometimes I stock up in certain items and get them just for cents we don't do this too often because there is only two of us. The most I save in one transaction was 76% and was mostly cleaning supplies.

 

[Mom2apirate&princess]

I only shop at the commissary on the air force base that we live on. They don't price match or double coupons. My only other option is Wal Mart of United. I get a much better deal at the commissary even without coupons. The most I've saved was $75. I tend to grocery shop twice a month and save at least $50 with coupons. I'm lucky because my mom (who lives in Phx) sends me stacks of coupons on a monthly basis that she collects from her clients. Now it's a family affair, dh cuts them, the kids sort them, and I file them. We have quite a stock pile going on now, but only of stuff that we will use.

Some of my best finds was free toothpaste, stove top stuffing for .45 a box, and pantene shampoo that was normally 3.99 a bottle ended up being .62 a bottle, dog treats for .23 a bag (normally 2.32 a bag), and dog food cans for .12 a can. Just this past week with the help of coupons and sale at the store I was able to get a bunch of canned veggies for .25 a can. I had been paying around .79.

It's exciting and I only spend a couple of hours a week working on it. I couldn't do it without my mom sending coupons though. I budget 150 every two weeks but have managed to keep it under 100. It's like a game for me now.

 

[pennypinching4disney]

MeI typically save 25% on my grocery billdue to couponing. My stores double 5_10 coupons up to $1per $25 transaction. The key for me is to closely watch the fliers and match coupons to sales. Today I was able to get Mc Cain potatoes for $.50 (reg price $3.50) Tombstone pizza for $1.50 Soft soap refill for $1.50 and Soft soap bodywash for $.68. BUT for me this is a chllenge and fun. I love watching extreme couponing and gettinbg ideas but it is very unrealistic as well. Like the boy who had coupons for $13off toilet paper?! Co come on! P.s. I am from Wisconsin