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Discussion Boards => Off-Topic => Topic started by: sempermade on May 18, 2011, 06:38:57 pm

Title: Couponing
Post by: sempermade on May 18, 2011, 06:38:57 pm
How did you start, have any tips for a new mother trying to start couponing?
Where do you get your coupons, what is your greatest shopping trip?
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: NikkiPickle on May 18, 2011, 11:55:00 pm
1st off...congratz on becoming a mommy! To start off using coupons, go ahead and buy yourself a photo book or some kind of 3 ring binder..this is going to come in handy for storing and organizing all your coupons! and you can organize them by aisle if you know your shopping store well..or by frozen, meat, pastas, and such on. As always you have coupons in your local newspapers..but Check online!!! there are TONZ of websites for mommies that offer great discounts on anything for babies to toddlers, Just print from your computer and Ta Da! Good Luck Saving!
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: debrabassler on May 19, 2011, 02:38:56 am
I USE COUPONS ALL THE TIME,I GET THEM FROM THE SUNDAY PAPERS.THEY REALLY DO HELP YOU SAVE, I WAIT TIL THE ITEMS ARE ON SALE AND WHEN THEY HAVE DOUBLE  COUPONS
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: tigerlilly01 on May 19, 2011, 03:21:26 am
I use coupons when I find one for something I am going to buy anyway.  I sign up on sights like Kraft, etc and they will occasionally send you coupons too.  I can't really believe these people on TV that say they get $300 worth of groceries and only pay $6 for them.  I'd like to shop at that store.  The stores here will let you use only 1 coupon per product and the won't double the coupons so not much chance I'm going to save a lot.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: tjung10 on May 19, 2011, 03:42:13 am
We use coupons, not alot of them but some! We watch the ads, might shop at a few different stores to get deals. We also plan out our menu for the week!
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: mawhite63 on May 19, 2011, 03:44:59 am
As another newbie, I'd say if you're going to go with the coupon binder, to buy a bigger binder than you think you'll need.  When I first started, I just got a cheapie 2" binder from the dollar store.

Big mistake.

Not only did I soon fill it up, the spine broke. A good quality binder is a must.

Check the office supply section of your local Walgreens -- they often have the baseball card inserts really cheap there, cheaper than you'd buy them at an office supply store.

As far as where I get the coupons, I subscribe to All You magazine so I can get the coupons there, plus I pick up the Sunday newspaper which has the SmartSource coupons. I can't get Redplum coupons where I live so I buy them off eBay... I usually can find someone selling sets of 5 RedPlum inserts for very cheap.  Finally I use the coupons off Swagbucks and Inbox Dollars, and follow all the huge couponing experts who tweet about super coupons.

Have fun!!
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: ejholt on May 19, 2011, 05:26:22 am
I just started using coupons and it is so exciting.  I buy 10 Sunday papers when they have a lot of coupons in them   I order some baseball card holders and have them about one half filled already.  I have always like to save money but never thought about using coupons.  I have just started to watch Extreme couponing on TV.  Wow they save a lot of money and get hundred's of dollars for little of nothing.  I don't think I would stock pill like they do.  If I did I would help out my family and give them most of it. Or anyone that was in need.  God wants to help those that are in need.  May God bless each of you and hope you have a good day. 
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: lvstephanie on May 19, 2011, 06:38:14 am
I'm also thinking of truly starting to coupon-shop... In the past I mostly would use coupons if I noticed one for a product that I was wanting to buy in the first place. but I never really strategized how best to use them. But after watching Extreme Couponing, I'm rethinking what I had done in the past. I saw in a different thread that someone had signed up on CouponMom site. I followed suit, and am impressed by this. It's a little complicated at first, but I think if I stuck with it, I'll be able to really work the system and save a bunch of money. Good luck!
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: workmama on May 19, 2011, 07:36:47 am
I don't know how to get started! There are dozens of places you can find coupons online and off. I usually buy the Sunday and Wednesday newspapers in my area because they have flyers and inserts of that week's sales. I then always, ALWAYS plan my meals a week in advance. Try and search for coupons that match with what I will be making for dinner. I always budget too. No more than $50 per week on groceries. This forces you to budget and search for every deals that you can find to make your money s t r e t c h!!  :P
I also have a 3 ring binder and use baseball inserts to put all my coupons in there.
I really find it hard to believe about the Extreme Couponing Show. I have tried to do exactly what they do on there, I use double coupons and odd matches and even will go to like 5 stores in a day to do all my grocery shopping just to get the lowest prices. It is pretty stressful sometimes, when it's all up to me, the mom to handle the groceries and shopping lists, meal planning, taking care of the baby.....the chores go on and on!   :crybaby2:
Here are some great websites I used for savings:
Coupon Divas (with Kitty) she's awesome!
Coupon Sherpa
Facebook ( like a page, sometimes you get a free sample or coupons)
Various brand name websites, like Kraft, Betty Crocker, Kelloggs, Oscar Mayer, etc,
Coupon Mom
Inbox Dollars
Freebies for Mom
and I search and search and search online for more deals, too many to remember and list.

Hope this helps!
 Peace &  FusionCash Loves You Everyone!
~workmama~  :wave:
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: linabunnie on May 19, 2011, 07:40:51 am
I just started using coupons and it is so exciting.  I buy 10 Sunday papers when they have a lot of coupons in them   I order some baseball card holders and have them about one half filled already.  I have always like to save money but never thought about using coupons.  I have just started to watch Extreme couponing on TV.  Wow they save a lot of money and get hundred's of dollars for little of nothing.  I don't think I would stock pill like they do.  If I did I would help out my family and give them most of it. Or anyone that was in need.  God wants to help those that are in need.  May God bless each of you and hope you have a good day. 

If u live in a complex with a good amout of neighbors, I recommend their dumped coupons in the recycle bin. I live in  an apartment complex & we have a garbage can where everyone dumps their junk mail & Ive noticed others collecting their coupons. Good luck!  :wave:
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: gaylasue on May 19, 2011, 07:46:06 am
I have couponed for many years.  I find it an adventure to see how cheap you can get things.  Sunday's newspapers usually have coupons ~ if there are several good ones that covers the cost of the newspaper, I'll buy another paper or two for the coupons.  Also, there are several sites that gives you coupons either electronically or print out.  Go to websites of products you like and buy.  There is usually some on those sites.  Many of the magazine sites will have links to products and coupons.   We also share coupons at church.  Ones that I won't use, someone else may be able to use them.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: sommap on May 19, 2011, 08:19:50 am
It seems like I have been couponing forever.   When the family was at home, I also did refunding and made a fair amount of money at that.  I get my two area Sunday newspapers and clip the coupons from then.  The rest I get online.  I try to match up the store coupons with manufacturing coupons to get extra money off.  We don't have double or triple couponing where I live or I would really save a bundle.  I have been keeping a chart of my expenditures and how much I have saved.  I am averaging well over 40%.  I do have a small stockpile, which amounts to about five grocery bags full.  The extreme couponers are going to spoil it for the rest of us average couponers.  There is no reason to stock 40 years worth of toilet paper, etc.  One person even had stockpiles in her kids bedroom.  I imagine, in the future, stores will soon have a limit on how many items of each kind you can buy with coupons. 
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: chii2 on May 19, 2011, 07:03:00 pm
I've been interested in couponing since watching 'Extreme Couponing' going to help my parents save up more money XD
Thnx to everyone with their advice
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: GramPolly3 on May 19, 2011, 08:01:16 pm
I like to coupon too. I have found some grocery stores in my area that will not take internet generated coupons. Has anyone else had this problem??
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: loulizlee on May 19, 2011, 09:05:03 pm
Yes, couponing does save money.  Some of the online couponing websites are very good.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: shepherdchik on May 20, 2011, 06:38:15 am
One easy way to save is make sure you have the store's club card, that gets you sale prices. Always check the Saturday and Sunday papers, that's where there are usually coupons. You can print some online as well, there are a lot of sites, just do a search for them.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: anubabs on May 20, 2011, 06:54:37 am
Yes, couponing does save money.  Some of the online couponing websites are very good.

what site do you use because all the ones i've seen they say i have to download something to my computer in other to print the coupons.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: Elizabethar on May 20, 2011, 09:23:03 am
I always use coupons, they do save alot of money, It just takes time .
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: ElzieFalcor on May 20, 2011, 09:35:52 am
Hi workmama I'm Laura how do you manage to spend only $50 a week on groceries? How big of a family do you have? I have three children and its hard to only spend $50 dollars a week. Could you give me some advice please. Thank you
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: sommap on May 20, 2011, 10:00:14 am
coupons.com is one of the biggest distributors of coupons.  You do have to load the coupon something to print them, but I have found it harmless. 
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: derrick12480 on May 20, 2011, 10:46:45 am
You should check out that new show on tv about people who do couponing to the extreme. online coupons are good as well as the sunday ads.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: SurveyMack10 on July 20, 2011, 12:09:34 am
As another newbie, I'd say if you're going to go with the coupon binder, to buy a bigger binder than you think you'll need.  When I first started, I just got a cheapie 2" binder from the dollar store.

Big mistake.

Not only did I soon fill it up, the spine broke. A good quality binder is a must.

Check the office supply section of your local Walgreens -- they often have the baseball card inserts really cheap there, cheaper than you'd buy them at an office supply store.

As far as where I get the coupons, I subscribe to All You magazine so I can get the coupons there, plus I pick up the Sunday newspaper which has the SmartSource coupons. I can't get Redplum coupons where I live so I buy them off eBay... I usually can find someone selling sets of 5 RedPlum inserts for very cheap.  Finally I use the coupons off Swagbucks and Inbox Dollars, and follow all the huge couponing experts who tweet about super coupons.

Have fun!!

II agree, All You has some great coupons!
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: elysee24 on July 20, 2011, 03:45:12 pm
Yes, couponing does save money.  Some of the online couponing websites are very good.

what site do you use because all the ones i've seen they say i have to download something to my computer in other to print the coupons.
I think you do need to download something to print coupon, I had to do that~~
But I guess it's all good since I have been saving quite a lot ever since I start doing so.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: sdenimandlace1 on July 20, 2011, 07:55:42 pm
Most of the store here will not accept coupons printed on the computor.  They have had 2 many people ripe them off.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: waterbottle on July 21, 2011, 08:56:33 am
I like coupons too. thanks for putting this infro on here i have to get me some baseball card holders and a good binder i like to get the stuff cheap and sometimes free and my area their do not have a store that double at less i having found one. but good luck everybody on your couponing.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: Alphasee on July 21, 2011, 09:07:08 am
Here's a tip, or piece of advice.

A lot of the couponing sites are super scammy cause they charge you a monthly fee, AND They get the referral bonus when you use coupons.com
If you are a member of one of these sites, make sure you sign up for a different community that PAYS you for using coupons.com such as inbox*ollars.com or send*arnings.com (removed the full URL as to not advertise :-O ).

Either way, yeah, couponing does save a lot of money, but there's also a limit to how far you go. 50 tubes of toothpaste is just in general human failure and should not be attempted.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: smy0850 on July 21, 2011, 09:18:04 am
I have been more into couponing since the Extreme Couponing show aired. Right now I have a good size binder with the baseball card inserts in them. I usually don't buy more than 2 papers, it just gets too much for me. I'm thinking about changing the way I organize the coupons. It does get time consuming to put all the coupons weekly into the inserts although its easy for me to see all of them at the same time. I've tried taking the binder with me to the store afraid I'd miss a good deal and that got really cumbersome going back and forth between searching through the binder and comparing prices on the shelf. Where I live there is no such thing as double or triple coupons.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: mrjack798 on July 21, 2011, 09:23:14 am
Using coupons probably saved my hundreds of dollars since I started. I usually find them in a newspaper or just search for them online.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: SurveyMack10 on July 22, 2011, 02:36:54 am
I don't see anything wrong with stocking up on things that you use and do not expire.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: jski107 on July 22, 2011, 04:41:45 am
Stick to the daily tasks and don't get frustrated with the surveys.  Daily Cash emails, Paid to Click, and Cash Videos (as well as the Forum Bonus) are good ways to start.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: patrick122068 on July 22, 2011, 06:30:05 am
I wish that i could shop and save as much money as those people on that show called extreme couponing! I don't see how they do it! :dontknow:
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: smy0850 on July 22, 2011, 09:37:52 am
Some people treat it as a part time job spending 15-20 hours planning & clipping and on the show I see some of them make a trip to the store, map out the place, check out the prices, go home and plan. But how much gas money is being spent to make the two trips?
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: lucky382001 on July 22, 2011, 10:35:33 am
Sometimes local restaurants will save the newspapers for you if you ask them and you can get a lot of coupons cheaper that way. Be sure to pick them up when you say you will.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: JaiStarr on July 22, 2011, 11:55:22 am
I've always admired the power of coupons...still having a difficult time getting organized though. Wish there were more coupons for the stuff I usually buy
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: bjohnson16 on July 22, 2011, 12:05:47 pm
You can really save money on couponing if you do it the correct way.  For starters only us coupons for items you are going to purchase anyway.  I know that some weeks I do better with coupons then I do at other times.  But you have to make sure that it is items you want.  I use a 3 ring binder with baseball card holders.  I get the coupons from off line and also from the paper on sunday.  I live in a Association, we have a coupon collection spot and you can take some and all you have to do is put some back when you are done.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: smy0850 on July 22, 2011, 12:16:57 pm
For you all that are really into coupons, how do you carry your coupons to the store? Do you carry the whole binder and a list? Do you only bring what you know you're going to use? Do you have one of those organizers that clip on the cart? A shoebox? LOL
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: footemama on July 22, 2011, 12:36:03 pm
I'm trying to get back into couponing as well. :) I have started following both the Krazy Koupon Lady and The Coupon Hubby....basically they are posting the best deals and it's an easy way for me to see at a glance what is going to serve me for the week. I want to spend more time on it but there are only so many hours in a day these days and so it gets pushed back. :( I do make sure to clip the coupons from the Sunday paper and go online to Swagbucks to print coupons off of there. I have recently discovered that Target has started a coupon zone on their website where you can print out store coupons. I'll be shopping at Target a lot more now since hopefully I will be able to match store and manufacturer's coupons. Unfortunately no stores in town double coupons on a regular basis so I have get the FANTASTIC deals that others can but everything I save is money in my pocket so I'm okay with not saving $200 per grocery trip.

GOOD LUCK!
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: raqueldianna on July 22, 2011, 01:33:53 pm
clip every coupon that you find, you never know when you may need it (:
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: SurveyMack10 on July 24, 2011, 06:16:25 pm
I wish that i could shop and save as much money as those people on that show called extreme couponing! I don't see how they do it! :dontknow:

It takes a lot of time and effort I think but it looks like they really enjoy it.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: SurveyMack10 on July 24, 2011, 06:17:19 pm
Some people treat it as a part time job spending 15-20 hours planning & clipping and on the show I see some of them make a trip to the store, map out the place, check out the prices, go home and plan. But how much gas money is being spent to make the two trips?

They save hundreds of dollars, I doubt they spend that much on gas.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: smy0850 on July 25, 2011, 12:31:52 pm
I just think about the gas spent for the trips, some of the families on the extreme couponing show keep a deep freezer in their house to store extra frozen items which means a higher electricity bill.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: heartofphila on July 25, 2011, 12:42:05 pm
You can get tuns of coupons online....
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: SurveyMack10 on August 10, 2011, 12:15:58 pm
I just think about the gas spent for the trips, some of the families on the extreme couponing show keep a deep freezer in their house to store extra frozen items which means a higher electricity bill.

wouldnt you spend gas going to the grocery store with or without coupons
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: Cuppycake on August 10, 2011, 01:05:26 pm
I have a coupon blog actually. You can goolge me Cuppycake's Coupon Corner
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: mzbrowneyez22 on August 10, 2011, 05:36:49 pm
i get them from magazines, newspaper, and the "junk mail" that comes to ur mailbox. or just print em off online
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: agx0409 on August 10, 2011, 06:35:05 pm
A lot of people here in Georgia, buy the Sunday AJC.  This weekly newspaper usually has a lot of coupon inserts.  I have even seen people buy like 6 of them!  You can also go to several websites online, but you do have to be careful with coupons online because a lot may be fraudulent.  I work in a grocery store, so I have seen a lot of this happen. 
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: sdenimandlace1 on August 10, 2011, 08:16:49 pm
Lots of great information, about saving money, and finding coupons on here.  thank you.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: LAkathi on January 08, 2012, 12:24:45 pm
 I don't use coupons to much. Unlike the stores on extreme couponing, the stores here where I live will only allow one coupon per item per person, and only one item per person. Even if I was to use 20 coupons for 20 bottles of salad dressing, I and my family could not possible use them all before they expired,and besides,who really needs,more than one or two of most items at one time?
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: bjohnson16 on January 09, 2012, 05:16:45 am
Couponing is a great way to save money there are many ways that you can go about it but something that has worked for me in the past has been looking online to see how others do it so I can find a system that works for me. Also I find that you can find coupons everywhere.  I live in a condo complex and we have a general area were you can leave any coupons you dont want and you can take any coupons that you do want.   
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: dbsaus1 on January 09, 2012, 06:05:38 am
I have been couponing since I got married 32 years ago but I have learned alot of information from the previous posts. I am fortunate to live in an area that has stores that do accept internet coupons and double coupons. We are limited to the amount of grocery stores (2).

Thanks for all the info. Hopefully it will help us all save a little more. :notworthy:


Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: bessie1111 on January 09, 2012, 06:17:01 am
I have recently started.  Lots to learn.  It's time consuming but very helpful for my family of 7.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: liquidizler on January 09, 2012, 06:22:35 am
Something to look into.  If I find an internet site that isn't full of adware I will most likely start using coupons.  First thing to do though if you aren't into couponing is sign up for those saver cards at your local supermarket.  I only grocery shop once every two weeks due to my diet, but even without using coupons or looking for things on sale I still save at least 10 dollars each time and it took me five minutes to sign up for the card.  It's worth looking into imo.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: amstewart on January 09, 2012, 06:23:18 am
I use as many coupons as I can.  There aren't any stores in my area that "double" coupon amounts, bummer!  I am amazed at how the people on shows can get stuff for freee, never been able to do that!  It's still worth clipping the Sunday paper coupons to save some.
Title: Re: Couponing
Post by: Cuppycake on January 09, 2012, 07:42:55 am
I actually have a coupon blog. You can google Cuppycake's Coupon Corner ! ;)