So a while back (as in back when I got 8 hours of sleep) I got the harebrained idea to try and start couponing....I had several friends who did and just swore up and down that this was "easy as pie" (which, pies are not always that easy to make-hello key lime-but that's another post for another day) and "honey if I can do it, YOU can do it!" So I took the leap and I tried it. I must say that I was completely overwhelmed and just did not feel that all of the work was really saving me any money....so it ended about as quickly as it started....fast forward say, 16 months......I thought I would give it another shot. SO I went onto Southern Savers and saw that they were offering a class in my area so on a whim I signed up and attended this past Monday night. Leaving there 3 hours later with my head (just slightly)swimming, I did feel like this was something that I could tackle. Jenny, the creator, is absolutely hysterical and her dry sense of humor really lightens up this historically stereotyped lifestyle. Even if I am able to just cut our grocery tab down by 25% I feel like that's a win win situation. So this weekend will be my first attempt at gathering all of the information, and really trying to make this happen. She swears that it takes 30 minutes of prep (gathering the coupons) and 30 minutes in the store- that is all it should take you. I am allowing myself a little more leeway my first few trips but if that's all it needs to take, then that's really not asking too much out of me. She also picks one store that she attends each week. I always had it in my head that I would be running around to all of these different stores but she enforces the rule of sticking to one store per week. Her store of choice? Publix. Next up? Bi-Lo. Of course, those of you not Southernally (yes I made that up) located, might have to choose an alternative store but for us 'necks, these will suffice.
Luckily, when my ever engineered minded husband gets something in his head he goes full throttle, so the next class that rolls around he will be attending. Between the both of us, we have to be able to somewhat grasp the concept right??
So my question I pose to you all: What do you all think about couponing? I know there are varied degrees of this concept and some of you out there may be the type that won't leave the store owing more than 15% of your total bill...and then there are some of you that may be like me, and just do it to reduce a portion of your expenses.....regardless, what are some tips that have helped you stay on the bandwagon?? I do recommend for anyone that is interested in this, to try and attend a class on it. The websites are saturated with crazy coupon lingo (yes, there is such a thing) that seeing someone break it down in person helped me conceptualize how I was actually going to be able to take this and incorporate it into my life....
So there you have it....just another step in my journey to domestication.....
I have been wanting to get into it myself. I hear such great things about it and I know a ton of people who say they save SO MUCH MONEY! I think it sounds greeeeat but I don't know if I'm willing to spend that much time on it. It's pretty time consuming isn't it?? Good luck with it and let me know how it goes!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love clipping coupons for make up/razors/soap etc. Because often they are the really good coupons that you can use even when they are on sale to get a super deal!!
ReplyDeleteThat's too cool. I really need to start planning and sorting out coupons, too!
ReplyDeleteI clip coupons every Sunday and meal plan for the week based on what coupons I have and what is on sale at the Teeter. Teeter always doubles coupons up to $0.99 and sometimes they triple them on special weeks. Also they sometimes do double double which is double coupons up to $1.98. I like spending $35 and saving $35!!! Feels so accomplishing. Good luck - you'll save lots!
ReplyDeleteI will read your whole post later on but quickly (babies in bathtub) I am soo addicted to coupons! I used to be embarrassed at the THOUGHT of holding a coupon in a store (yeah, that type of girl :), anyway, I feel sick to my stomach when I walk in Publix and pay full price for something now. Do you need the PDF file of the Rite Aid coupon which doesn't expire until 12/31? I have it saved it you need me to email it to you.
ReplyDeletexoxo
melissa
I tried it but felt like it was more work that was worth it. I hope you do well. If you find it works, let me know bc I would be interested in taking that class!
ReplyDeleteI clip coupons. We save quite a bit. Once I bought a dress in the Carter's store for my daughter for 87 cents because of coupons.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of a couponing class. Every time I've tried I've gotten frustrated and given up - and since I only buy for myself and most coupons are "2 for" kind of deals I usually pass on it. I just don't have the space to stock pile items. Whenever I buy for a family I think I'll give it another go, my mom loves couponing.
ReplyDeleteI've just started trying to get into the whole "couponing" thing regularly. I've been using them for things like diapers/wipes, etc, but the other day I saved $17 off of a $57 bill at Publix and I was really proud of myself (hey, that's good for this gal!) I'm also trying to consistently plan meals ahead and only make one grocery trip per week (and watch my budget!), but this a work in progress, haha! :) I hear you can really get hooked once you see how much you can save!
ReplyDeleteI've never taken a class, but I do love couponing. I love shopping, but I love it even more when I know I'm getting a great deal! I'm not sure hardcore about it, but just from finding coupons online I saved $7 on my cat's food & litter tonight.
ReplyDeleteI'll admit..I've been a coupon fanatic the past couple of months. Manufacturer coupons, CVS, Target, Harris Teeter Super Double Days..you name..I've couponed it! I think I just love the thrill of the save..even if its 50 cents :) Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I have be in the groove with coupons and shopping sales I did save some major money. It does take committment and time to find your stride. I am still trying to figure it out again after our move.
ReplyDeleteI love using coupons! It really is hard to figure out all the tricks though! One thing I did pick up is to check your rite aid or walgreens to see if they have any buy one get one free on make up or body washes... And then see if you have any coupons to match. I got myself two big things of body wash for $3 when they were originally about $5 a piece. Also check the end racks there for things like deodorant. I found hubs 2 tubs of old spice for $1 each. Can't beat it :-)
ReplyDeleteOk now I'll have to try it out too...hehehe :))) I'm paying off my Masters degree loan...there's no way I'm gonna say no to saving money hehe :))))
ReplyDeleteDee
I've been couponing for over a year now and yes, it has changed my life! I used to keep all these crazy spreadsheets to track my savings and I was saving about 65-70% a month on groceries. It's probably a little less now though because I decided to stop buying things just because they were free or moneymakers. Sometimes, free junk (food) is stll junk food, you know?
ReplyDeleteI almost never buy something that is not at least on sale (if I don't have a coupon), except for things like organic milk (Trey insists) and then I just buy the least expensive option. I prefer to only buy things that are on sale AND I have a coupon. But stockpiles can get a little out of control. I once had over 30 boxes of cereal in our second pantry (we had to create a second one after I started couponing!).
We were definitely saving enough so that we could assume a car payment. It's definitely worth it, but it can be all consuming (time, energy, etc) and you have to not let it get out of control.
Today I shopped at Publix and saved $48 and paid $17. The key is small trips; I almost always go to Publix and also use a $5 off $25 Rite Aid (which BTW, I would LOVE that .pdf that "Melissa" offered above!). :-) Happy couponing, Charlotte!