Couponers check in!

apies · Guru

Couponers check in!

apies · Guru

apies wrote:

how's it going?
um, total addict here. i'm out of control. i'm printing coupons often, from home and at school so i can get doubles. i stopped by the grocery store yesterday just to pick up the ad on the first day it was available - 3 days before the sale goes into effect. but i'm seriously loving how it feels to know that i'm saving my family so much money.
are you sticking with it?
yup. see above. i haven't been to a grocery store without using coupons since i started. granted it's only been 2 weeks, but i plan all of my trips around coupons. i even got 2 gallons of milk (plus 4 boxes pasta) for .98 the other day by using cats i've earned.
where are your savings so far? (are you keeping track?)
definitely tracking. this is like a new challenge for me. we were spending in the $850 per month range on groceries before. my goal is to cut that in half by spending less than $100 per week now. hopefully once i have a good stash going, i can cut it even more. so far i've spent $218 & saved $672. i've never had a blog before, but i'm thinking of starting one just b/c i'm loving this so much. i know there are a million blogs out there on couponing - this would be more for me.
are you keeping to your list and trying to collect coupons for everything you need before you go?
i do. i always check my list against my binder and then google coupons for anything i don't have already. i need some "basics" for our house this weekend - blue cheese, parm, milk - and i'll buy them without coupons, but that's been pretty rare for me.
how's your stash building?
it's insanity here. i'm going to start watching CL for some cheap shelves that i can put in the basement. my kitchen space is growing sparse and i have already moved stuff out of the cabinets and taken over another cabinet in the laundry room. i told my sister i'd take pics, so if you're interested, you can see them here. to give you an idea, here's a quick list of what i know i've bought in the last 2 weeks for $218: 15 bags chex mix (em's favorite), 20 jars of ragu, 15 boxes pasta (free), 15 4-packs of AA batteries (free), 8 pouches cookie mix, 6 boxes brownies, 4 cans frosting, 10 boxes instant mashed potatoes, 4 boxes stuffing, 10 boxes cheerios, 8 containers shake n pour pancakes, 15 cans tomatoes, 16 boxes pepp farms crackers, 5 packages disposable plates, 2 24-packs toilet paper, 12 rolls paper towels, 10 boxes tissues, 5 bottles syrup, 4 packs of crisco sticks, 10 bags frozen steamer vegetables, 8 cartons breyer's ice cream, 6 bottles coffeemate and 6 bottles salad dressing. oh yeah, and my free tgiving turkey. :)
what is frustrating you? what are you enjoying?
not getting my cats when i know i should have. that has happened twice. last week, i didn't get $15 when i earned it. tonight i didn't get a $4 and another $1. that's $20 i feel like i've been screwed out of. i love the powertrip of knowing that i'm saving so much money.
have you set a monthly spending goal or are you winging it?
right now my goal is to be under $400 per month. i'll make that. i'll keep cranking that back as i get better.
anything i missed?
can't wait to hear how everyone else is doing!!!

eta: i forgot what i'm most excited about! i was able to make a pretty significant contribution to the food basket drive today b/c of coupons, etc. not included in the list above (but included in the spending totals) i spent $13 and bought: 5 boxes stuffing, 4 packages potatoes, 8 cans turkey gravy, 2 roasting pans, 4 boxes cake mix and 4 cans frosting. they asked for these specific things today b/c they were short for the baskets and i'm so glad i was able to contribute.

-- Edited by apies on Friday 20th of November 2009 04:03:02 PM

Juni · Guru

Honestly, I've just decided not to get too into it. I don't have the time and I would rather not use a bunch of time planning when I could be spending it with my family. (Not saying you are doing this but for me that's where it was heading.)

The thing is - I am already budgeting and sticking to around $350 a month for groceries anyway, so I feel like I am donig okay even without couponing. But I think it is super great that you ladies are able to do it and save so much.

apies · Guru

Juni wrote:

Honestly, I've just decided not to get too into it. I don't have the time and I would rather not use a bunch of time planning when I could be spending it with my family. (Not saying you are doing this but for me that's where it was heading.)

The thing is - I am already budgeting and sticking to around $350 a month for groceries anyway, so I feel like I am donig okay even without couponing. But I think it is super great that you ladies are able to do it and save so much.

um, wow, juni. lmao

it's awesome you're doing so awesome with your budget already.

sappy · Guru

apies wrote:

how's it going?
are you sticking with it?
where are your savings so far? (are you keeping track?)
are you keeping to your list and trying to collect coupons for everything you need before you go?
how's your stash building?
what is frustrating you? what are you enjoying?
have you set a monthly spending goal or are you winging it?
anything i missed?

it's going ok but i'll be honest about something....

i'm going back and forth about what i want my family eating and i can't seem to get the couponing thing down without buying a lot of processed stuff (hamburger helper, cake mix, knorr rice sides, for example).

so if someone has tips on that i'd love to hear how to coupon without all that stuff.

the one thing i am trying to do to cut down on expenses is to just eat what we have instead of making a lot of trips to the store because it's easier.

Juni · Guru

apies wrote:

Juni wrote:

Honestly, I've just decided not to get too into it. I don't have the time and I would rather not use a bunch of time planning when I could be spending it with my family. (Not saying you are doing this but for me that's where it was heading.)

The thing is - I am already budgeting and sticking to around $350 a month for groceries anyway, so I feel like I am donig okay even without couponing. But I think it is super great that you ladies are able to do it and save so much.

um, wow, juni. lmao
it's awesome you're doing so awesome with your budget already.

I didn't used to but we had to sit down and budget a ton. I came on here a while back specifically to help me be able to budget for groceries. A few things for me though - I can eat lunch for free at my school and I do that often.

My boys eat lunch at my mom and dad's and they buy all that food. (I tried to bring food and pack their lunches and my dad told me not to. He enjoys going to the grocery store and getting stuff for them.) Also, I am guessing that food prices are just generally lower here than where you are. Plus, we don't drink any coffee, alcohol or soda anymore so our bill is lower than most people in that regard. :D

apies · Guru

sappy wrote:

apies wrote:

how's it going?
are you sticking with it?
where are your savings so far? (are you keeping track?)
are you keeping to your list and trying to collect coupons for everything you need before you go?
how's your stash building?
what is frustrating you? what are you enjoying?
have you set a monthly spending goal or are you winging it?
anything i missed?

it's going ok but i'll be honest about something....

i'm going back and forth about what i want my family eating and i can't seem to get the couponing thing down without buying a lot of processed stuff (hamburger helper, cake mix, knorr rice sides, for example).

so if someone has tips on that i'd love to hear how to coupon without all that stuff.

the one thing i am trying to do to cut down on expenses is to just eat what we have instead of making a lot of trips to the store because it's easier.

i hear you on that.

we do eat instant mashed potatoes (hush jenn) and stove top stuffing. i also really like the uncle ben's rice that is seasoned (i buy chicken or broccoli and cheese).

knorr rice, hamb helper, etc, we do not eat.

almost all of our daily vegetables are frozen - i do NOT do canned veggies (other than tomatoes - and yes, i know they're technically fruit, lmao). i have gotten a TON of free veggies this way.

i buy the kids crackers and cookies. i guess not everyone eats those, but they are staples here. so is chex mix b/c it's em's fave. the other night, i whipped up a batch of peanut butter cookies from a pouch and it took about 12 minutes start to finish. i paid about 10c for the pouch and we had cookies for dessert for 3 nights. for 10c. sure, i would rather make them from scratch, but in my world, that's just not happening right now. i'm too busy.

so i guess we probably eat more processed food than other people, but i'm ok with it b/c of our busy lifestyle. we're not terrible - no chips (except special occasions), no processed cheese, no boxed MEALS, etc. but they do get chicken nuggets (which are breaded white meat, i bake on the pizza stone) and cost me 99c for 2 meals.

i just find what i can and supplement with the fresh stuff.

Sara · Guru

I am not real far into it yet. I have got my binder and everything organized.

But I had just done my big grocery trip right as we started doing this.

Not to mention my stores are basically Walmart and Aldi's so there is no die hard try to get this rolling into that and get Cats.

I do need to google for some coupons for more items we use and now that I have my binder it will be easy to see what I need to be searching for.

Juni · Guru

I definitely am glad to see the binder and pics because that will help me keep whatever coupons I do end up using organized. That has always been my biggest problem in the past.

Corey · Guru

april,

are you building shelves?

i just use these:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=8282890

3s_a_crowd · Guru

Im just getting started and liking it. I dont have stores that do cats easily available so I think thats part of my problem. I need to use overage coupons to get my groceries free and for me that means ordering a product to my commissary which I can and will do.

We spend about 400 a month and Id like to see that go down to approx 275-300 if possible.

Sara · Guru

the other big downer i just found out on afc.

my shnuck's does not double coupons!!!

i never shop there anyway because they are priced a lot higher than walmart and aldi's but i would've thrown it into my rotation.

seriously...stores around here really need to step it up! sigh

Robin · Guru

apies wrote:

how's it going?It's going fairly well. I've only had one trip where my savings was more than my spending but I'm saving $30ish each time I go to the store.
are you sticking with it?Yes, my big goal is to become the Crazy Coupon Lady around here. I may wear one of Mark's capes the next time I go to the store.
where are your savings so far? (are you keeping track?) Idk. I've been keeping my receipts in a bundle in my coupon book but I'd have to go through them to tell you the answer. Maybe later.
are you keeping to your list and trying to collect coupons for everything you need before you go?Yes.
how's your stash building? I have way too many coupons. And even more for the swap. More coupons than I could ever use.
what is frustrating you? I HAATE when I make a special trip to the store for something that should give me a cat, and then I don't get one. Drive me crazy. What are you enjoying? Telling my friends about all the money I'm saving. And donating food to the food pantry at my church.
have you set a monthly spending goal or are you winging it? No goal.
anything i missed?

Juanita · Guru

apies wrote:

sappy wrote:

apies wrote:

how's it going?
are you sticking with it?
where are your savings so far? (are you keeping track?)
are you keeping to your list and trying to collect coupons for everything you need before you go?
how's your stash building?
what is frustrating you? what are you enjoying?
have you set a monthly spending goal or are you winging it?
anything i missed?

it's going ok but i'll be honest about something....

i'm going back and forth about what i want my family eating and i can't seem to get the couponing thing down without buying a lot of processed stuff (hamburger helper, cake mix, knorr rice sides, for example).

so if someone has tips on that i'd love to hear how to coupon without all that stuff.

the one thing i am trying to do to cut down on expenses is to just eat what we have instead of making a lot of trips to the store because it's easier.

i hear you on that.
we do eat instant mashed potatoes (hush jenn) and stove top stuffing. i also really like the uncle ben's rice that is seasoned (i buy chicken or broccoli and cheese).
knorr rice, hamb helper, etc, we do not eat.
almost all of our daily vegetables are frozen - i do NOT do canned veggies (other than tomatoes - and yes, i know they're technically fruit, lmao). i have gotten a TON of free veggies this way.
i buy the kids crackers and cookies. i guess not everyone eats those, but they are staples here. so is chex mix b/c it's em's fave. the other night, i whipped up a batch of peanut butter cookies from a pouch and it took about 12 minutes start to finish. i paid about 10c for the pouch and we had cookies for dessert for 3 nights. for 10c. sure, i would rather make them from scratch, but in my world, that's just not happening right now. i'm too busy.
so i guess we probably eat more processed food than other people, but i'm ok with it b/c of our busy lifestyle. we're not terrible - no chips (except special occasions), no processed cheese, no boxed MEALS, etc. but they do get chicken nuggets (which are breaded white meat, i bake on the pizza stone) and cost me 99c for 2 meals.
i just find what i can and supplement with the fresh stuff.

OH, the HORROR!!!!!!

wink

-- Edited by Juanita on Friday 20th of November 2009 09:12:57 PM

Juanita · Guru

Robin wrote:

apies wrote:

how's it going?It's going fairly well. I've only had one trip where my savings was more than my spending but I'm saving $30ish each time I go to the store.
are you sticking with it?Yes, my big goal is to become the Crazy Coupon Lady around here. I may wear one of Mark's capes the next time I go to the store.
where are your savings so far? (are you keeping track?) Idk. I've been keeping my receipts in a bundle in my coupon book but I'd have to go through them to tell you the answer. Maybe later.
are you keeping to your list and trying to collect coupons for everything you need before you go?Yes.
how's your stash building? I have way too many coupons. And even more for the swap. More coupons than I could ever use.
what is frustrating you? I HAATE when I make a special trip to the store for something that should give me a cat, and then I don't get one. Drive me crazy. What are you enjoying? Telling my friends about all the money I'm saving. And donating food to the food pantry at my church.
have you set a monthly spending goal or are you winging it? No goal.
anything i missed?

ditto pretty much to this entire thing, except my stash isn't that huge yet and I won't be wearing Mark's cape to the store

Corey · Guru

how's it going? still going strong after a year or so. i will say, to those of you getting discouraged by the time it takes---that is really only the first month or so...once you have your binder and everything starts clicking it is really only a matter of maybe an hour/week--clipping the weeks inserts=15 minutes and 10 minutes to file. maybe another 15 minutes ordering q's online (i rarely print them), and then maybe 10 minutes a day checking slickdeals/afc. that being said, i pretty much stick to my grocery store--juggling the drugstores was too much for me b/c i have to bring the kids w/me.
are you sticking with it?yup
where are your savings so far? (are you keeping track?)i should keep track, but i don't anymore...i know it is several thousand for the year.
are you keeping to your list and trying to collect coupons for everything you need before you go? i keep to my list, but will pay full price if i have to for a special ingrediant if i need it for a recipe. groceries cost me so little these days that i don't mind splurging on seafood or something if we are in the mood for it.
how's your stash building? great. also, the majority is not processed food. i have ocean spray juice, v8 splash, tons and tons of soup, paper towels, tp, wacky mac, pasta, sauce, cereal, salad dressing, marinades, oils, tons of yogurt, tons of finish dishwashing stuff, cleaning products, frozen veggies, peanut butter, jelly/jam, coffee...i think couponers get a bad rap that they only eat cheeze whiz and poptarts sometimes;)
what is frustrating you?i hate clipping/filing--but it needs to be done what are you enjoying? i get a rush from leaving the store with bags and bags of free/cheap stuff. i think i enjoy it b/c it isn't just about the need to save $ for me...it is honestly a hobby for me.
have you set a monthly spending goal or are you winging it? i don't like to spend anymore than around $60/week (was over $150 when i didn't coupon) but if i need to spend more i will b/c some weeks i spend far less---it all works out.
anything i missed?

apies · Guru

Corey wrote:

how's it going? still going strong after a year or so. i will say, to those of you getting discouraged by the time it takes---that is really only the first month or so...once you have your binder and everything starts clicking it is really only a matter of maybe an hour/week--clipping the weeks inserts=15 minutes and 10 minutes to file. maybe another 15 minutes ordering q's online (i rarely print them), and then maybe 10 minutes a day checking slickdeals/afc. that being said, i pretty much stick to my grocery store--juggling the drugstores was too much for me b/c i have to bring the kids w/me.
are you sticking with it?yup
where are your savings so far? (are you keeping track?)i should keep track, but i don't anymore...i know it is several thousand for the year.
are you keeping to your list and trying to collect coupons for everything you need before you go? i keep to my list, but will pay full price if i have to for a special ingrediant if i need it for a recipe. groceries cost me so little these days that i don't mind splurging on seafood or something if we are in the mood for it.
how's your stash building? great. also, the majority is not processed food. i have ocean spray juice, v8 splash, tons and tons of soup, paper towels, tp, wacky mac, pasta, sauce, cereal, salad dressing, marinades, oils, tons of yogurt, tons of finish dishwashing stuff, cleaning products, frozen veggies, peanut butter, jelly/jam, coffee...i think couponers get a bad rap that they only eat cheeze whiz and poptarts sometimes;)
what is frustrating you?i hate clipping/filing--but it needs to be done what are you enjoying? i get a rush from leaving the store with bags and bags of free/cheap stuff. i think i enjoy it b/c it isn't just about the need to save $ for me...it is honestly a hobby for me.
have you set a monthly spending goal or are you winging it? i don't like to spend anymore than around $60/week (was over $150 when i didn't coupon) but if i need to spend more i will b/c some weeks i spend far less---it all works out.
anything i missed?

corey, i'm quoting this b/c you mentioned the finish. i have a ton of those coupons. can you tell me what the price was when you bought it? and was it at your grocery store? i'm trying to decide if i hold out for a sale or buy at bj's like i always do.

Corey · Guru

april,

i try to buy tons of finish when they go on sale B1G1. in a b1g1 sale, you are typically allowed to use coupons on both the b1 and the g1. i think last time i stocked up, they were priced $4.99 and b1g1 at the same time. i had .75/1 q's so $4.99- 2 .75/1 q's doubled = $1.99 for 2 boxes.

apies · Guru

Corey wrote:

april,

i try to buy tons of finish when they go on sale B1G1. in a b1g1 sale, you are typically allowed to use coupons on both the b1 and the g1. i think last time i stocked up, they were priced $4.99 and b1g1 at the same time. i had .75/1 q's so $4.99- 2 .75/1 q's doubled = $1.99 for 2 boxes.

ok, awesome tip. my fave grocery store only doubles up to 50c, but another local store goes to .99. i will watch their ads.

TYSM!

CoffeeQueen · Guru

I want to so badly get into this, but so far I cannot get it to work for me.

We use very little canned or processed stuff. I mostly do meat, fresh veggie and then if I do rice or potato it is always fresh produce for the most part. I do use frozen veggies though, so if anyone sees coupons on these, please let me know.

So, I am trying to do good on cereal, crackers and things of this nature. I am on the look out for soup, but we only do the Healthy Choice, low sodium stuff when I buy it.

When I look through coupons I maybe find 5 I can use and I have been using them. I am trying to combine buying certain things when they are on sale and I have a coupon.

So as much as I want to, I do not think I will ever be like Corey and April.