Question of the Day: Thurs. Feb.2

Good morning....

Todays question is based on my current situation..... I've had a lot of ppl ask me how they can help me and my girls through this time, but its difficult as people cannot afford much, so I ask for coupons. $10 in coupons, is $10 in groceries that I can afford.

so, my question is:

Do you use coupons? How much do you save? How do YOU coupon? (me, I wait for sales then coupon on top)

I do coupon.  I'm no expert but I've learned a lot over the last few years. 

I only get 1 paper per week.  I clip what I can use.  I'm no longer brand specific with most things like toothpaste or shampoos.  I am finicky about my ketchup (Heinz please!) and Mayo and a few things like that.  Some things I will buy when I have the coupon; whether I need it right now or not.  Like the Mayo or DH's deodorant.  Or if it's a great coupon.  I'm sure I should be price comparing the chain grocery stores to Walmart; but I don't.  I just shop at Walmart unless I need something quick or if Walmart doesn't carry what I need.  There have been many times I had a coupon for something but found the store brand to be cheaper too. 

So I guess I get the most benefit from the brand named items that we stick to buying brand names.  Laundry soap is one of them because of DD's sensitive skin. 

My Mom, my BFF and I share some coupons for things we know the other buys.  Mom always gets the Activia coupons from me.  Or for dog bones.  My BFF gets formula and Pediasure coupons from me.  They save me the Luvs diaper ones and sometimes wipes because BFF  uses a different brand of those.  Her son is now off formula so I'm sure she will return the favor if/when my new LO goes to it.  It does help a lot!

I always vow to coupon but then I get lazy, forget the coupons at home, etc.  Everytime I see those news reports about someone who got lots of groceries at practically nothing I say I'm going to use coupons more.  But - as usual - they end up in a kitchen drawer until they expire.     I want to coupon more and will try from now on (sure!!!)

I always look for coupons, then usually forget them

kookycats said:

I always vow to coupon but then I get lazy, forget the coupons at home, etc.  Everytime I see those news reports about someone who got lots of groceries at practically nothing I say I'm going to use coupons more.  But - as usual - they end up in a kitchen drawer until they expire.     I want to coupon more and will try from now on (sure!!!)

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 That's me too. When I do have coupons they usually end up being left on the kitchen table, along with my shopping list, and I don't realize it until I get to the market. There are a few women I work with that save a BUNDLE using coupons and I keep saying I really got to start clipping but it rarely actually happens. 

I use coupons. My problem is that most of the coupons in our newspaper inserts are for crap: drugs, hair color, expensive cosmetics, things like that. Not crap to some people, but certainly to me. I need more coupons for foods (frozen vegetables, canned goods, some condiments, etc.) More in the way of cat food and litter coupons.

I go through the store flyers to see what's on sale. Then I go through my coupon box to try to match the coupons with the items.

Know what really fries my chickens? A $1.00 coupon for Tide, BUT I have to buy two or three containers to get that $1.00 off. I don't know about the rest of the you, but I don't have the money for 2-3 containers of Tide at one time. I simply don't have it. The other week, I had a $1.00 coupon for Reynolds Wrap foil. But it was only good for 50 square feet or more....and I had to buy two packages. At almost $4.00 each. I don't have $8 to spend on foil. I bought the store brand and saved more money anyway than if I would have used the coupon. (I've used it and it works fine, too.)

For some canned vegetables, like kidney beans, for example, I'll use the store brands when they go on sale. Same with things like foil. At this point, I have virtually no brand loyalty anymore.

I use coupons! I flip through the paper and clip what I need. I am signed up online with the company's I use the most to get coupons directly from them. My friend is a huge coupon clipper and he gives me coupons that he knows I will use and vise versa. We went out to dinner the other night and he had a buy one entree get the other half off coupon DH Couldn't believe it! MY big issue with coupons is that the majority of them are for stuff I can't use. 

I TRY to use coupons - but am not considered an extreme coupon user :lol3: I do have a neighbor who is an extreme coupon expert. It is incredible how much she does save - but at the same time - my gosh you have to be so organized to take it to that extent.... She has this HUGE folder that she takes with her to shop. I don't think I would ever go that far with coupons. Just one here or there is about it.