Couponers. . .

[scrapmommaof3]

I need help. I just started couponing and I was wondering. . .
What are your favorite sites for coupons?
Do you have any coupon secrets to share?
Thanks for the help.

[Megan Turnidge]

The Krazy Coupon Lady is a popular site: http://thekrazycouponlady.com/
I also like Pinching Your Pennies because they list the deals specific to my state (and my Safeway multiplies coupons and KCL's doesn't). They have subforums for other states but I'm not sure if they update all the states' lists... I know they keep AZ's lists current. http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/f...isplay.php?f=5

[scrapmommaof3]

I knew about KCL. Thanks for the other site. I am in Colorado and it looks like they have lots of info for CO. Thanks again.

[Julie Billingsley]

I pretty much stay with http://www.frugallivingnw.com/ but they are rather specific to my area. Lot of good info and super nice people. I took a coupon class from them and just in the last 6 weeks it has saved me so much money. I'm still learning, but the biggest tips I learned were to:
-buy 4 newspapers each week (I thought that was nuts, but it's really been worth it)
-clip every coupon, not just the ones you think you'll use. I've given more to the church food pantry this month than ever before. And it cost me next to nothing.
-shop at several stores to maximize savings. I now shop Albertsons, Safeway, Rite Aid, and Walgreens every week. The money saved more than made up for my hassle.
-don't be picky about brand. When I got Crest toothpaste for free, I didn't complain it wasn't my usual.

[Darcy Baldwin]

I really like SouthernSavers.com, her matchups are generally for the S/SW, though. But I like her information, too.

Hit up manufacturer websites for Q's, too! Anything you like, there's probably a coupon out there for it!

Here's a Target specific one:
Totally Target

..and a Walmart specific one:

[Tracie Stroud]

The Grocery Game is good if you want to have a lot of the legwork done for you. She's totally revamped her site and made it much more comprehensive and easier to find deals.

[scrapmommaof3]

thank you ladies. i am in a small town in sw colorado. our local paper doesn't do coupons, so I am going to have to subscribe to the denver post. I'm not sure if I can get the salt lake paper here (even though salt lake is closer than denver). We have two other grocery stores besides Wal-Mart. I do have internet, so I will be finding alot there. anyways, I know I won't be able to shop like those people on the Extreme Couponing show, but I hope to save some money and fill up my food storage.
thanks for the help!

[neenee]

I have been couponing for 5 1/2 years. I started during a time when we owned our own business and were extremely low on income. I needed to save money any way I could. My DH had actually seen a special on The Food Network about The Grocery Game and told me about it so that I could look into it. I have been a member there ever since and use it every single week to buy my groceries. I love it and I have saved thousands and thousands of dollars!

I used to buy 3 papers when we were a family of 5 at home. I now only buy 1 though because there are only 3 of us and I just don't need as large of a stock pile as I once did.

The stores in my area don't do double and triple coupons which really stinks! I used to live near an Albertson's and Randall's and they did do double/triple and boy did I snag some awesome deals back then! Several times I had bills that would have been $150 or more that were only $10 to $20. These days the deals I get aren't that extreme but I do still save about 50% off the retail price as an average.

Organization is key. I have a binder (his name is Austin - funny story about where that name came from) that is broken down into like 40+ categories and I clip my coupons each Monday and organize them into their appropriate categories. I have pictures of Austin if you would like to see him and some detailed images of his contents. I am also happy to share with you the printed list of my categories.

I can also take some snap shots of my stock pile areas. My pantry holds most of the "will be consuming soonish" items and then my laundry room has floor to wall shelves that are about 10 to 12' long that hold everything else. I am VERY proud of my stock pile. When I come home from the store I sort the bags according to where they go; either upstairs to the stockpile, in the pantry for soon use, in the fridge or in the freezer. Once the cold stuff is put away, I am like a little girl in a candy shop waiting to get my hands on the stockpile goodies and take them upstairs to organize them! That is my favorite part cuz I LOVE seeing my stash shelves fill up. As a stay at home Mommy I get a ton of reward from knowing I do this for my family to help save us money. Since I can't work and help with our income, I work at decreasing our grocery budget to save us money. It makes me feel as though I am providing for my family.

Julie I think also mentioned about not being picky about the brands you use. This is very true. You will find that the less picky you are about having to have product brand specific, the more great deals you will find. We use any toothbrush (as long as it's soft), any toothpaste, any paper towels and most toilet paper brands (there are a few we tried that were like rough and thin so we took those out of the "ok" list). Oh and laundry soap, I buy any and everything for laundry soap and even for fabric softener. I currently have 8 bottles/boxes of laundry soap and 6 bottles of fabric softener on hand. So, I have about 3 to 4 months worth of laundry soaps on hand. I don't think I have bought laundry soap full price in 5 years. Sometimes my stock pile is REALLY full and then there will be a dry spell on sales so we have to use up some of the stash but, it eventually picks back up again and we will wind up with 20 or so boxes of toothpaste, soap, razors, etc. The sales really go in cycles.

There are also coupon clipping services that you can order coupons from. They clip them and you buy the quantity you want. I will have to get the names of a few that I have used and post for you.

The Grocery Game also has a very fun, friendly and informative forum where you can chat about couponing. I learned about setting up my binder from there.

If you have any other specific questions I can try to help you. I am a VERY FIRM believer in couponing because I KNOW it works. You just have to take the time to work the system. But, it will and does pay off!

[scrapmommaof3]

thanks for all the help ladies.
Neenee, I would love to see your binder. It sounds like you were one of the "extreme couponers". I would love to learn more. I am going to spend today printing and hopefully get some coupons out of the Sunday paper. I will start shopping next week.

[Darcy Baldwin]

I use a binder, too, but definitely am not an extreme couponer But we also don't buy a lot of the products that come in the coupon section (prepared foods, frozen meals, a lot of the cleaning supplies, etc.).

But a binder helps me stay organized and I can 'see' everything right away. I got tired going through all those coupons in my little accordian folder all the time. and then all of it falling on the floor when I goofed lol.

A simple photo album would work for you if you wanted something to be able to flip through. But my binder cost about $28 by the time I found a zippered one on sale and purchased the inserts and index tabs. Now I can just flip each page and see exactly what I have coupons for in whatever section I am in. That way, I can take advantage of any unadvertised specials.

[crecia27]

Originally Posted by neenee

If you have any other specific questions I can try to help you. I am a VERY FIRM believer in couponing because I KNOW it works. You just have to take the time to work the system. But, it will and does pay off!

NeeNee are you still in SA? I'm needing to reduce our crazy grocery budget but get over discouraged when I read some of the blogs that have multiple grocery stores and can double coupons and great deals. Do you do most of your shopping at the grocery only store or do you also do Walmart / Target?

[scrapmommaof3]

I have been printing and cutting out coupons all morning from the internet. Is it going to be worth all the ink and paper. I hope so.

[Darcy Baldwin]

make sure you're doing it in B&W! I generally don't print them for less than .50 unless they can triple at our grocery store (ours triples up to .39/doubles up to .50).

Also check your grocery store to see if they do ecoupons. These will override any paper coupon you might have, so you don't want to use them for things if you have a paper coupon (and they are not stackable for most grocery store chains).

[scrapmommaof3]

I am ordering some more ink right now. I do have ecoupons at my store. my store doubles but not triples. thanks for the advice.

[hollyxann]

I'm watching this thread!

I really think I need to start couponing just to save any money we can especially since we just had Kennedy.

[scrapmommaof3]

I just signed up for the grocery game free trial. I think it is really going to get me going, atleast at first. I will be in salt lake this weekend, so I will pick up a couple of copies of the sunday paper.

[scrapmommaof3]

Originally Posted by crecia27

NeeNee are you still in SA? I'm needing to reduce our crazy grocery budget but get over discouraged when I read some of the blogs that have multiple grocery stores and can double coupons and great deals. Do you do most of your shopping at the grocery only store or do you also do Walmart / Target?

I have read several places that the more expensive stores actually give you better deals than walmart or target with coupons because of coupon doubling and weekly specials.

[crecia27]

Originally Posted by scrapmommaof3

I have read several places that the more expensive stores actually give you better deals than walmart or target with coupons because of coupon doubling and weekly specials.

We only have 3 options here, and I don't prefer Walmart or Target, that just leaves the one grocery store (and I'm not even in a small town, there are a million people here!!) But since there is only one store, they don't have to offer double or triple coupon deals to get you in. Of course we do have Walgreens and CVS for non grocery items.

[Tracie Stroud]

http://www.afullcup.com/

Another good site. A friend of mine owns and runs it and they post tons of deals, for groceries and just general 'stuff' lol. They also break down the grocery stores by regions if you want to check local sales.

[hollyxann]

I was just watching Extreme Couponing and the woman got $393.21 of groceries for $9.10!!!

I am so couponing!

[Jengerbread88]

www.hip2save.com and www.pennypinchinmom.com are my personal favorites. I have a personal facebook couponing page called Spring Hill Coupon Queen. It posts a lot of area specific deals for me, but has some national freebies and matchups, too.


As for tips, don't overwhelm yourself right off the bat, don't feel like you have to have a MASSIVE stockpile in order to be saving tons of money, and most of all, enjoy it. For me, it's like a game, or a challenge. Couponing is a rush for me- total, pure, unadulterated thrill. When it becomes a chore, it's no longer fun, and you'll just give up.

[Darcy Baldwin]

And remember...part of those shows are staged. And they work hard trying to get the right coupons in bulk to be able to produce those kinds of numbers just for the show. The website I frequent is owned by Nathan (the cereal dude from the first show and last week's show). He said that a lot of times, things are staged (pre-ordered so that it makes it look like they're just picking it up off the shelf), etc.

That's not saying they aren't extreme and do well, but the extreme is not the norm. I'm happy that I've been hitting the 50% off mark consistently with things. Those darn whole foods keep messing me up! LOL

[hollyxann]

Oh believe me I don't plan on ever trying to be extreme. I just want to save some money.

[kscwgirl]

And one of the girls on there last week i think.. or the week before.. is in trouble for coupon fraud.

[scrap2day]

While many times it does help not to be brand loyal, if for some reason you need/want to be brand loyal then you just purchase more of that kind when there are coupons/sales and store them.

Also, if you shop at the drug stores be sure to check out the food sections for using their rewards dollars. I purchase nuts, tuna, pink salmon, etc. You'd be surprised what they might have there that you would use.

[Buggie185]

I have a hard time sticking to couponing. I get on a kick and then it kind of fades away. I only end up saving about $5 and the go celebrate by spending that on starbucks lol. Anyway you ladies are inspiring me to get back on the coupon wagon. I will check out these sites that were posted. Thanks for the topic!

[nikkiARNGwife]

I want to get into this so badly..but our ONLY option within 30 miles for groceries is Wal-mart since we live in a rural area. I know I can coupon there but I wish we lived near a grocery store that would double and have store specials :/

Still..I'm going to do what I can b/c our grocery bill has gone up to nearly 150 per week! But that's me not really pinching much of anything lol.

[Darcy Baldwin]

Nikki - you can, even with Walmart. It may not be "extreme" but the extreme is pretty rare.

Even if you get 30% off a regular grocery trip with coupons, that's much better than nothing!!

You can follow a site like southersavers.com to get walmart weekly matchups that tell you what Q's are out there and match up to sales. You may not have those in the beginning, but you'll get there soon.

Also, take advantage of printing high value coupons online. Like - now, Starkist puts out a .50 Q every Friday on their facebook page during Lent. I print off 2 (you can do 2 per computer). Walmart has had them on sale for .78 during Lent. This has been netting us .28 tuna pouches each week for Russ' lunches or snacks.

I typically only print if it's .50 and I can double or if it's .75-$1.00. I don't do the smaller Q's as the price of printing negates the savings. But Jenny @ SouthernSavers is great about putting up really great coupon deals that are happening that can be printed off.

[SirScrapalot]

Darcy, where did you get your binder? I remember when you got it, I just can't for the life of me remember where you got it from.

I just recently started getting into this idea of couponing. I've been dabbling in it for a little bit, but after Christmas, I really got into checking stuff out before I went to the store. I'm thinking a binder would be great like you said for having it with you when you are at the store.

[Darcy Baldwin]

This is the one I got, Aaron - and mostly free with Swagbucks and Amazon Mom (gives you free shipping for 3 months if you're not already a member. If you keep up with one baby item ordered per month, you keep the free shipping, but I didn't make the purchase to keep it). I'll take some pics in a bit to post. I also found some really cheap baseball card inserts on Amazon, too...100 for about $12 on a hot deal, I think. I got the dividers @ Walmart for about $3 a set (it took 3 sets and I'd like to have a few more dividers so will probably do another set).

The binder goes with us every time we might end up at a store, just in case. It's been a big blessing for me to be able to grab stuff on clearance and with a Q, it's near free. I grabbed a ton of Purex on clearance @ Kroger on a closeout, and I happened to have the Q's for it and it came out to about .25/bottle.

[SirScrapalot]

Awesome! Thanks Darcy...I am thinking I may look into something like that.

[suze]

Originally Posted by hollyxann

I was just watching Extreme Couponing and the woman got $393.21 of groceries for $9.10!!!

I am so couponing!

lol i seen that too. i would love to do an extreme trip and give stuff away. i wanna coupon but not stockpile. it soundneedys awesome to give it away to banks/needy. im sure they are staged like all else, but i believe they hit 80-90 percent sometimes

[Darcy Baldwin]

I blogged it:

http://aslansavz.wordpress.com/2011/...coupon-binder/

but here's a quick picture of one of the sections.

[Angie4b1g]

I don't clip mine until I use them. When the list comes out for the week (I use couponmom.com), I go in and clip the ones I'm going to need. Until then I just keep them in a filing cabinet drawer, sorted by date.

I probably miss out on some deals by not always having them with me, and not knowing what I have, but this it's pretty low maintenance at least.

[kim21673]

We go in spurts....the ones we consistently use are the baby coupons....we use the formula checks and manufacturer coupons every week for formula and usually save 8-10 a can!!! We watch for deals too where if you buy a couple you get a GC. We also use Pampers diapers and wipes and the baby food ones too!! TRU has a deal this weekend on diapers so we are going to go and stock up again on the next size...we haven't bought diapers or wipes since the beginning on the year and before that it was before Derek was born!!!!! Every little bit helps!

We do not have any stores in our area that double or triple coupons unfortunately....I know we could save tons more. We are hoping to get to "that" place soon where we can actually start stockpiling....until recently we only bought what we needed for the week.

[scrap2day]

In case anyone is interested, I've blogged about how I get coupons for free fruit juice and using the free juice to make homemade pops.

[scrapmommaof3]

thanks so much for everyone's comments. I have been couponing for a couple of weeks now and I am getting better at it. I used a whole cartridge of ink in a week, so I realized I have to be more selective in what I print. Also my Safeway is real selective on the printed coupons and give me a hard time about them.
I have 2 grocery stores and Walmart in my town. The grocery stores double up to a dollar. My biggest learning curve has been the digital coupons, and I'm not a fan. It seems like if you have one digital coupon it messes up your other coupons for the same item, even if you buy 10 more with paper coupons. I am going to take them all off my card because they can't be stacked at my store and it makes it too hard.
Overall, I have been saving about 55% on my trips and am starting my stockpile. I would love to have a big stockpile, because my church incourages food storage and this is a great way to cheaply prepare for an emergency.
thanks for all your help and comments.

[maggie965]

Hi there everyone,

Just had to jump in on this. I'm a couponer as well although I've fallen off the wagon But I have a similar binder and it really helps save. It's easy to get burned out so just take it slow. I agree with Darcy that 50% savings is really good and normal. Also don't try to hit every store. Pick two or three and stick with those for the most part. If you find some REALLy good deals then hit up the others.

The sites I like are www.couponmom.com and www.livingrichwithcoupons.com (NJ area).

Margaret

Originally Posted by Darcy Baldwin

I blogged it:

http://aslansavz.wordpress.com/2011/...coupon-binder/

but here's a quick picture of one of the sections.

[scrapmommaof3]

my binder looks like Darcy's, but I also got clear zipper bags (like for pencils) for each section for the internet coupons that are too big to fit in the little slots.

[sprauncey1]

So do you all have a way of tracking your savings? Did you start out keeping track of costs of things at different stores etc. Since you are not buying the same things each week and are stockpile how do you keep track of what you need. I guess my biggest hang-up is organization and for my family we cannot bend on a lot of products with brands due to allergies. So I'm trying to learn and tailor to what works for my family. But I am very interested in how you keep track. Other than the binde which is great.

[scrapmommaof3]

I have a notebook that I right down what I bought and for how much and staple the receipt to the page after each trip. I have seen people keep track of it on the computer (Excel). As far as keeping a master list, I don't. I think after a few weeks, you get an idea of what's a good deal and what can wait until later. The first couple of trips I thought something was a good deal and then a week later I found a better deal on the same item. I think it is just trial and error. I have found you can get alot of gluten-free and organic items with coupons. You can also just get your drug store needs with coupons and then use that savings to buy food. There are lots of ways to do it.

[Aimeemomof2+]

I like:
http://dealseekingmom.com/
She is local for me, so that helps me out. I have been lurking at A Full Cup forum for a while, gathering their deals before shopping for a while now too.
I have been doing CVS extracare bucks for about 2 years now, I was really just doing that one on my own. CVS has some awesome deals.

[neenee]

Sorry I haven't been around to answer the questions that were asked of me. My lappie was out of commission for a few days and I just got it back. I will be back tomorrow and answer the ?'s and post pics of my binder and such! XO

[Buggie185]

I'm really appreciating all these tips. My husband actually asked me a few days ago why I can't spend more time couponing on the computer instead of scrapping.

[scrapmommaof3]

I would love to see your book neenee. mine is growing day by day.

[SEJSmiles]

Hi Ladies and Gentleman Buggie185 told me about this thread, so I figured I'd pop in.

I am definitely a couponer. I am not what I'd call extreme, but I will say I rarely pay full price for anything.

When I first started couponing, I got overwhlemed by the amount of stores/deals/coupons/etc on various couponing blogs. Once I got good at getting my own deals, I started sharing them with friends and family...then that got hard because I'd always forget to tell someone about a deal. So I started my own blog.... http://imsimplysarah.blogspot.com/

It's where I post what I think are really HOT deals that are hard to pass up. I don't post EVERYTHING on sale for any store....only what I deem to be a REALLY good deal. I also will do maybe one post a week where I list out what I considered to be HOT and high-value printable coupons. Feel free to check it out if you want... Hopefully it will help someone.

[Buggie185]

I can definitely vouch for Sarah's blog- she as saved me money. She is an amazing couponer! I think couponing is a talent lol, and since I struggle in that area I read her blog

[sprauncey1]

Originally Posted by scrapmommaof3

I have found you can get alot of gluten-free and organic items with coupons. You can also just get your drug store needs with coupons and then use that savings to buy food. There are lots of ways to do it.

Thanks for responding.
DS is highly allergic to peanuts/tree nuts and so I have to read all labels. Even toiletries (we were using Cetaphil lotion (LOVE IT) until I read the label and found there was almond oil in it - ooops!!). So even drug store stuff is a pain! Laundry soap, dryer sheets etc anything that touches or goes into him has to be scrutinized.

Oh and he is slightly allergic (never had reaction yet but bloodwork showed) to soy, so I try to stay away from it as much as possible but not be extreme about it.

So unfortunately most things are not labeled easily for him (no nuts no soy), I wish! But I am trying to keep track of other options other than our usual products that are safe for future coupons.

I think I'm going to have to keep track somehow of prices in my phone or a folder or something. With all the label scrutinizing I think my brain is at its information max!! So I was hoping someone had like an app or something they used with their fancy phone!

I do have to say although it may seem a luxury I will not give up my fancy phone!! I use it for grocery lists (no going to the store and forgetting the list on the table) and being able to check allergy information online when we are out is fabulous.

Oh and did you all know that Michaels will now take coupons off your smartphone!!! No more printing them online!!!

[Darcy Baldwin]

Do you guys have a Whole Foods? I know they do in-store coupons, and there are lots of organic/whole food companies putting out coupons all the time. 7th Generation is big right now, really pushing because of Earthy Day, I'm sure.

With Whole Foods - you can stack a Whole Foods coupon with the manufacturer's coupon and make it more reasonable in price!

[scrap2day]

Originally Posted by sprauncey1

Thanks for responding.
DS is highly allergic to peanuts/tree nuts and so I have to read all labels. Even toiletries (we were using Cetaphil lotion (LOVE IT) until I read the label and found there was almond oil in it - ooops!!). So even drug store stuff is a pain! Laundry soap, dryer sheets etc anything that touches or goes into him has to be scrutinized.

Oh and he is slightly allergic (never had reaction yet but bloodwork showed) to soy, so I try to stay away from it as much as possible but not be extreme about it.

So unfortunately most things are not labeled easily for him (no nuts no soy), I wish! But I am trying to keep track of other options other than our usual products that are safe for future coupons.

I think I'm going to have to keep track somehow of prices in my phone or a folder or something. With all the label scrutinizing I think my brain is at its information max!! So I was hoping someone had like an app or something they used with their fancy phone!

I do have to say although it may seem a luxury I will not give up my fancy phone!! I use it for grocery lists (no going to the store and forgetting the list on the table) and being able to check allergy information online when we are out is fabulous.

Oh and did you all know that Michaels will now take coupons off your smartphone!!! No more printing them online!!!

Don't know if you can use this but we use the Arm & Hammer Sensitive Skin laundry detergent for HE washers. It is the only one that is working for us right now. They do have coupons for it and the CVS or Walgreens will usually run a pretty good sale. That is when I stock up. My other issue is that it is a bit difficult for me to find around here. Not all stores carry it. Thus another reason for my stockpile. But if that one works for your family when you put a coupon with a sale I get it for about 50% off or more.