What's your Coupon Strategy / Method/ Tips?

[LovesTimone]

Hi Coupon Pals,

I was just wondering, what's your strategy or method and any tips that you use to make your coupons help you save more and get the most for your money. This way we can help each other and anyone that is just starting out.

Here are some of mine:

I coupon for my household - DH, me and the dog ( better know as the King of the house)
DD's household, - DD, boyfriend, & 2 grand-kittens
DD's household - DD, boyfriend, new grand-baby on the way, & grand-dogs


I buy 4 Sunday papers, look on line, and share coupons with family and friends.

I use a 3 ring binder, with dividers, with main categorizes, and within some of the categorizes I have them separated out, for example Personal care,the sub-categorizes I have, oral care, Hair products, Bath and personal hygiene. This helps me when I hit those isle.

I don't always use my coupon's right away, specially when I have a stock of an item. Not unless the sale is so good, and I can get it for very, very little or Free. I watch the ad's.

I'm a list maker, and I do go through my coupons a head of time, and I paper clip them together by item, I put them in a zippered pencil holder that is in the front of the binder, and I also keep a copy of coupon policy of the stores I shop in.

I have never cleared a shelf of an item, even if it was going to be free or just pennies. I personally just can't do that, I know how I feel when I go to to get that item and its completely gone.

I do get rain-checks - for items not on the shelf, and I always ask (very politely) for at least 2 deals.

On BOGO coupons or free with purchase - I write the amount next to the item on my list, as at my stores they prefer that they write the amount. This save time for everyone.

I always always "Thank" the cashier upfront. I do not argue with the cashier.
If there is a issue with a transaction, I will very nicely ask to get the front end supervisor for clarification. I again Thank her at the end and tell her I appreciate her being so nice about all my coupons. I do sorta profile cashiers, meaning that I know in my stores which ones will be nice and which ones are not so nice.

I do leave extra coupons on the shelf for others, when I know I'm not going to be back to use or they are ready to expire.

I do carry my binder into the store for special store saving (which I have gotten lots of really good deals this way) - Which the front cover is Mickey, it reminds of why I coupon, and that the saving get me closer to going back sooner.

 

[DawnM]

This is as close to my method as I could find:

http://thattechchick.com/how-to-make-a-coupon-file/

I just put them in a file by date. Then each week I go to SouthernSavers.com, click on my grocery store, click on the items I want, then go to my box and clip ONLY those coupons.

Dawn

 

[satorifound]

I am not nearly as organized as you, but I do have a binder.

We buy 5 papers on Sunday, if they have really good coupons we might get 10. LOL So it is a $10-$20 investment each week, but we easily save more than that.

I do coupon match up sites. They match them up for you already so the work is done and then just keep my eyes open.

I usually put the coupons I am going to use in a ziplock and bring another. I transfer the coupons as I pull the items off the shelves. I do bring my binder in each time just in case there is something marked down to 50% off that I have a coupon on.

 

[miralys]

I use a coupon binder. I purchase two papers (because it's just two people in our household). I use the lists available at southernsavers.com. If I cannot combine a coupon with a store sale, then I won't use the coupon. I won't purchase even with a coupon if it is not at my "stock up" price or if we aren't completely out of an item.

Lately I haven't been couponing for food, mainly for household and personal items. Then I take the money saved to the vegetable market or Aldi's and get my food there.

I focus on two stores for couponing, Publix and CVS. Once in a while I hit up Target or Walgreens but it has to be a really good sale because couponing in those stores (at least in my area) is a real hassle

My goal when shopping anywhere is to get in and out. I make a list and don't stray from it. That is what really helps me save money. Keep your eyes on the prize.

 

[puffkin]

One thing I do is immediately turn my coupon savings into tangible savings.

I budget $100/week for groceries, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc (this is what we averaged for several years before I got into couponing 3 years ago, so a pretty good base figure). If I come in under budget, I buy a Disney giftcard (or other giftcard for something we are saving for) right at the grocery store. That way I am turning my savings into something tangible that benefits my family and makes the hard work so very worthwhile.

 

[Sandy61]

Which coupon match up sites do you use? I use moneysavingmom but sometimes it is not accurate, which is frustrating. May be a regional thing since I am in Iowa and they may be in another state. Or maybe they are not careful about what they write. I have been to one or two other sites but did not like them but can't remember why.

 

[satorifound]

I use coupondivas and then I google match ups to look at other sites...

 

[LovesTimone]

One thing I do is immediately turn my coupon savings into tangible savings.

I budget $100/week for groceries, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc (this is what we averaged for several years before I got into couponing 3 years ago, so a pretty good base figure). If I come in under budget, I buy a Disney giftcard (or other giftcard for something we are saving for) right at the grocery store. That way I am turning my savings into something tangible that benefits my family and makes the hard work so very worthwhile.

What a great idea, I have taken what I a save and set aside, but with a GC you really would feel like WOW, 20 or 30 dollars closer to Disney or whatever the prize was. And you would not be tempted to spend else where.

 

[GatorMama]

I'm no pro... I don't strive to be. I just want to save some money while maintaining healthy eating habits and sticking to my morals (there are some products that I will only buy organic or recycled because I feel strongly about those things).

-a newspaper is delivered every Sunday and I clip all coupons. I keep what I KNOW I will use or what I think I have a good chance of using before expiration for donation to a food bank, military care package or animal shelter.
-I also receive an envelope of leftover coupons from a friend or two each week and I sort the coupons the same way.
-Anything I don't want, I mail on to the next person in my self-founded coupon train. It's a small little train, but we are all friends (or at least friends with one other person) and it gets the job done.
-I have a slightly organized binder (and it's NOTHING compared to everyone else I've ever seen with a binder) It's only a 1" and I just have it separated by aisle. (in the store I shop at most frequently) I have a pretty good memory for what I do and don't have coupons for, so I don't need to see them all. I keep the soonest exp date on the front of each stack so I know it needs to get used or left by the coupon fairy or saved for my monthly mailing to KCL for military families overseas.
-in my binder, I have a zippered pencil pouch for pen, pencil, highlighter, scissors, tip money and all the coupons I know I'll need at check out- secured with a money clip. At the back of the binder, I have pockets for store coupons (for the three stores I most frequent) and a pocket for expired coupons.
-I TRY to match coupons up with sales, but I've only been paying good attention to sale prices for a month or two so I don't always make the best choice, but I'm learning! I picked out that toothpaste deal at Kroger before I saw it posted on any sites!
-I do tour the aisles on Tuesdays for awesome deals at the local store that does super doubles... Getting another pack of free dog treats tonight! And I'm hiding it from DH. He has opened TWO of the last packs I bought to give our own dogs! UGH!

 

[Jessica14]

One thing I do is immediately turn my coupon savings into tangible savings.

I budget $100/week for groceries, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc (this is what we averaged for several years before I got into couponing 3 years ago, so a pretty good base figure). If I come in under budget, I buy a Disney giftcard (or other giftcard for something we are saving for) right at the grocery store. That way I am turning my savings into something tangible that benefits my family and makes the hard work so very worthwhile.

I also love this!

Some of the things I have been doing:
-Joined a coupon train here.
-Combine store sales and a coupon.
-Make sure I check for extra savings days. For example they may offer double coupons up to and including a dollar, but only on one day.
-If they have limit of 10 coupons per order, DH comes and we split the order.
-Get extra flyers from my Mom.
-I am generally not brand loyal.
-Be willing to go different stores. Yesterday I went to Trader Joe's and used no coupons and did just as well. If the stores are close to each other, I will use coupons where ever the best sales are.
-Have a list.
-Limit trips to Costco and again have a list.
-Plan all meals in advance.
-Immediately pass on all coupons for processed food, such as chips and cookies and candy (not to say we never eat those things, but it makes it easier to purchase if you are getting a deal).

By doing all this, I have saved abut $700 in the last 3 months or so. It's not all coupons certainly. We live in one of the most expensive areas in the country (Long Island, NY). My weekly budget is about $150 and I try to include the pets in this (DH, me, DD, DS, 2 dogs, 2 cats.) This is down about $75 dollars a week.

Jessica

 

[ilovejack02]

Which coupon match up sites do you use? I use moneysavingmom but sometimes it is not accurate, which is frustrating. May be a regional thing since I am in Iowa and they may be in another state. Or maybe they are not careful about what they write. I have been to one or two other sites but did not like them but can't remember why.

It is a regional thing. Moneysavingmom is a great site ,but she is another state. You need to find a local coupon site. I have all of my coupon bloggers on my facebook page, easy peasy to see all the deals. I have national and local bloggers.

Coupon Queen and Krazy Koupon Lady are two off the top of my head that I check. All three of above mentioned are as accurate as possible.

Couponing to Disney I also use .. of course lol. I think she might be a member here .

 

[mrsklamc]

The only part I don't see mentioned already is that I check preview websites like taylortownpreview to see how many papers I want to buy...

I love couponing to disney, I also use Bargain Briana.

 

[AuntTonia]

Something I started doing recently is going through my coupons that are going to expire soon and using them on travel size or look through clearance items instead of just letting them go to waste.

For example: I had $1.00 off coupons for Tide (no size restrictions). There was no really good sales on tide that week so instead of just letting them expire I was at Walmart and used on the travel size that's .98 cents. It's only one load but hay it was free. Did same with shampoo, deodorant & toothpaste coupons.

 

[bookmama]

One thing I do is immediately turn my coupon savings into tangible savings.

I budget $100/week for groceries, cleaning supplies, toiletries, etc (this is what we averaged for several years before I got into couponing 3 years ago, so a pretty good base figure). If I come in under budget, I buy a Disney giftcard (or other giftcard for something we are saving for) right at the grocery store. That way I am turning my savings into something tangible that benefits my family and makes the hard work so very worthwhile.

We'll try this one. That may be easier than transferring the money to our ING account.

 

[Mom2boys2]

One thing I do that hasn't been mentioned is that I purchase additional papers at our local Dollar Tree store. I get one paper delivered to me, check the coupons, and if its worth it, I generally go buy an additional 5 papers. Instead of paying $2.25 for it, they are $1 plus tax.

 

[LovesTimone]

One thing I do that hasn't been mentioned is that I purchase additional papers at our local Dollar Tree store. I get one paper delivered to me, check the coupons, and if its worth it, I generally go buy an additional 5 papers. Instead of paying $2.25 for it, they are $1 plus tax.

I go get my Sunday papers at my local Wal-mart they are .88 cent.

 

[AmandaRG]

I'm a pretty decent cook. I shop sales with coupons and stock my fridge/freezer/pantry. I plan meals and buy extra ingredients that I need, but mainly use the items I have unless it is a stock-up sale. I do not clear shelves, either (but am acquainted with several that do/have). It has really cut our budget and we are able to add to our vacation savings acct!