It's embarrassing, but around these parts, 4 coupons and saving $3 is Extreme Couponing.
I know.
It certainly isn't for lack of wanting to or trying to. . .I just can't seem to get the pieces to work. I may need help. . .professional help.
Let me confess a few things about my couponing. . .I refuse to buy 4 bottles of mayo to save $1. . .when I only need one. In all likelihood, the other three will go bad before we eat them, and that is not saving. Also, we don't buy a lot of shelf-stable foods. The majority of our weekly dining, comes from the perimeter of the grocery store. I'm not a stockpiler (see confession 1).
Okay, my savings sins are out there for all to see. Now how do I fix them? How do I run my errands, getting things we need from my list, and save money?
Here's my approach: I have a lovely coupon organizer from Martha Stewart. I clip relevant coupons from weekly circulars (occasionally from the web, but I'm having tech trouble with my Mac and the Coupon Printers). As I'm shopping, I peruse my cart for things I bought that I have a coupon for.
Is this wrong? Where am I messing up?
Confession time again. . .I don't have the time or patience to figure out when shaving cream is going to go on sale at Target and hope that matches up with a coupon I have. What am I missing? Why are other people so good at this?
So these are my couponing confessions. I'm trying, but not really succeeding.
Are you a couponer? What's your #1 Tip?
catch you soon -
I find looking at the coupon blogs for match-ups helps me a lot! Especially for the things we can stock up on like shampoo, toothbrushes, etc. When it comes to stocking up on food, I don't stockpile at all. It would go to waste. But I do look for the best deals for what we need for the next one-two weeks.
ReplyDeleteStockpile on the things that will last. I don't mean crazy stockpile but enough to last a few months until sales come around again. (Usually a 12 week cycle). FLIERS - check your fliers before you go to the store. You are more likely to see the deal/use the coupon if you plan ahead. Match your coupons with the deal, write it down, then shop.
ReplyDeleteOh, and $3 savings is still $3.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard. But I find that sometimes it's worthwhile. I look at the coupons for Target before I go and try to get some deals. But weekly shopping? I can't do it either. So.. I try to keep some coupons in my car, but I won't stress about it.
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ReplyDeleteI have couponing friends who say the show is unrealistic--the managers are allowing them to do things that normal people wouldn't get to do in exchange for publicity.
ReplyDeleteAs a fresh food shopper and a non-stockpiler myself, I can not make couponing work either. Plus, I'm not willing to go with whatever brand is on sale with a lot if things. I know what I like and why I like it.
All that to say I'm in the same boat. I don't really get extreme couponing. I don't think it is really saving if you are buying something that won't be used.
LOL glad to know I am not alone Carrie! Thanks!
DeleteHillary
I use websites that compare prices from different stores with sales and coupons. They work wonders!
ReplyDeleteI am starting my price book data collection this week by writing down what I normally buy at Whole Foods. Next week, I'll do Wegmans and then our Acme and Shop Rite just to see where I can do best with the coupons that I am starting to collect.
ReplyDeleteBecky - I LOVE this - I wish I could make myself do this. . .LOL
DeleteHillary
I'm with Steph: Find a coupon blog that fits your needs. I found one for my local market here in Chicago, and she runs the deals for the drugstoes as well as local grocery stores. I have 4 grocery stores for which I check the weekly deals as well as CVS. Generally I end up going to two grocery stores and to CVS a few times a quarter. I don't go for 100% savings, but I am content with 50% or so. Here in the land of no doubles, 100% savings is just unrealistic. Plus, as you mentioned, that's pretty much just shelf stable foods, and we also don't eat too much of that. But with 2 kids, just knowing that Aldi carries the cheapest milk helps out when you go through a few gallons a week.
ReplyDeleteWhen I go to CVS, I generally stock up for a year or so at a time. This week I'll be redeeming rainchecks for Aveeno hand lotion making the bottles $0.98/each and All, making the all $1.99/bottle. And then I think I'm done with CVS for a long while.
It's about picking what you and your family needs and not buying anything more than that. If you don't need 4 jars of mayo, don't get it. But take into considerations your local sales, and get a few more than you normally would, so it'll last you 3-6 months ahead in time.
I agree with the comments that say find a coupon blog that helps you match up and then stock up on items that don't go bad...like shaving cream, toothpaste, etc. I also try to stock up on cereal because I'll put in the freezer & it will last a long time!
ReplyDeleteI also refuse to buy multiple of anything I won't use just to use the coupon, that isn't savings in my book either!