How do you save with coupons?!

January 4th, 2008 at 03:06 pm

I'll admit it, I don't use coupons. If I could figure out a way to make it worth my time and effort I would. So, far I haven't had much luck. I am hoping someone here will shed some light on the subject for me.

I use to get the Sunday paper delivered to the house so I would have the store ads and coupons. I would then look through the ads and see what was on sale and try to match the coupons. I gave up when I discovered that:

a) my grocery store seems to only put their brand on sale

b) I would wind up with a lot of coupons in no order and never be able to find the one I wanted before it expired

c) looking at all those ads made me buy stuff that I didn't really need just because it was on sale

d) stuff on sale wasn't what I had a coupon for

I ended up cancelling my subscription to the paper.

So, before I even think about doing this again I think I need some help. Do all stores accept coupons? Like Target and Walmart? Rite Aid and CVS? How do people go about getting extra coupons? Can you ask at the store for any extra Sunday paper inserts? And if so, who do you ask? How do I find coupons for things I actually buy and need, not just for dishwashing soap or deodorant?

I read how people save tons on groceries and I marvel at each story wondering if I might ever be able to do that too.

Please, send any tricks, tips and ideas my way!

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

5 Responses to “How do you save with coupons?!”

frugalhousewife Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 03:11 pm

I highly recommend the online subscription to Refund Cents. It is $12/year, and I easily save that much in one week. The site gives a weekly preview of the coupons. It also matches up the coupons with the current sales and tells you about online deals as well. For a beginner or someone without a bunch of extra time (or patience), it is definitely worth the money.
db1974 Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 03:56 pm

I belong to a coupon train (just do a google search) and only take the coupons of products that I use. I am rarely able to match up coupons to sales, so I don't save a ton of money like those books and websites often claim. The most money saving success I've had with coupons is using them at Walgreens. I didn't know previously, but you can use two coupons on a product that is advertised buy one get one free. I just recently happened upon the shampoo aisle and discovered a major clearance of several brands. I had multiple coupons and was able to get over 10 bottles of shampoo and conditioner for around $5 of major brands. Most of the time, I just use the coupons I have at the generally cheapest store, Wal-mart. Wal-mart will also match a competitors ad like CVS, Walgreens, or any other grocery store as long as you have the flyer with you. Every little thing adds up. One month I tabulated how much I'd saved just by using coupons (including dining out coupons...and we eat fast food unfortunately) and it was around $80. That might have been a rare month though, I'd calculate normally around 10% of my grocery bill. It's better than nothing. Good luck!
compulsive debtor Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 04:22 pm

I play the Grocery Game. (Go to grocerygame.com to learn more about it.) I was reluctant to do it at first (it cost $10 every two months), but I have saved a bunch. At first, I was buying a bunch of junk I didn't need, but I've learned to temper it. I also keep all my coupons in a notebook, so they are right in front of me as I shop. Of course, it also is easier because I shop online, so I'm not having to dig for coupons while being hounded by other shoppers.
denisentexas Says:
January 4th, 2008 at 06:09 pm

I don't use a lot of coupons, either, for the same reasons you list, clubneary. Also, we try to keep processed foods down to a dull roar and most of the food coupons I find here are for things we just don't eat. I do use them now and then on HBA and such but that's not often, either. I like http://groceryguide.com/ which is similar to the grocery game but free. It's not quite as thorough as the other site but it helps me a lot.

I learned, finally, that the key is to keep the coupons and watch the sales for a couple of weeks after you get them. At least in our area. That's when the items I have the coupons for go on sale and I make maximum use of the coupons. I still don't save tons like a lot of people. For us, just waiting until things are on sale at a price we like and buying enough to last until the next sale is the best way to go. It might be different in your area, though.
fern Says:
January 5th, 2008 at 07:40 am

I agree with Denise in Texas. I do from time to time clip coupons, and i jam them in the glove compartment box of my car so they're are always there, but they often expire by the time i remember to go thru them.

Closely watching the sales, i've learned that certain food items i buy go on sale on a regular schedule, so i wait for the sale, and then use my coupons to get the biggest bang for the buck.

Perhaps just as effective (if not more) as coupon clipping, is choosing your primary grocery store wisely. Years ago i passed up the much closer Big Y in my town in favor of Stop and Shop, based solely on what i believe are S&S's generally lower prices.

But i can no longer ignore Shop Rite's even better prices, so even tho that store is the furthest away, I'm committing in 2008 to do substantially more of my weekly trips to Shop Rite. I can't justify shopping at both stores each week as any savings in coupons is easily eaten up by the gas.

I'm also a firm believer in signing up to receive each store's email circulars. That way, you can check what's on sale that week at home and plan in advance. I would often miss certain sale items if i just waited til i was in the store as i don't usually go up and down every single aisle.

Clubneary's Personal Finance Blog

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How do you save with coupons?!

5 Responses to “How do you save with coupons?!”

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