Don't use coupons much...

[coffeechick]

Hi there,

I'm baffled a bit about coupons. Not using them, which I've done for as long as I can remember (my mom taught me how to use scissors by having me clip coupons for her!), but in finding that most of what I buy doesn't have coupons.

I don't really buy prepared foods, I don't have kids or a dog (my cat is on prescription food...sigh), and it's just me I shop for (no husband). And that pretty much eliminates most of the coupons I find. I wish I could use coupons more, but I still shop the sales and buy store brands, fresh produce, etc.

Anyone else have this issue? Any solutions?

[pbobber]

What about toothpaste, shampoo, toliet tissue, etc. A lot of coupons are available online so you would not need to purchase papers.

[ladytoysdream]

Hi
We don't use many coupons in this house either. Quite a bit of what we buy comes from Aldi's. I do try to keep the coupons that I do have handy, so if I am going to a different store, I can take them with me. Kind of hard to use them if they are home in the cupboard.
I just wish they had longer expiration dates on them. I go to use one, and it has expired.......very frustrating.

[homesteadmamma]

I don't use a lot of coupons either. However I do use them for toilet paper, laundry detergent and some food items. It's quite hard to get coupons in Canada that are useful for our family.

[Contrary Housewife]

Same here. I buy a lot of "whole foods", meat, fresh vegetables, rice, etc rather than prepared food. So coupons don't usually do much for me, but every now and then I do find some I can use. I figure that's just the way my life is going to be.

[fixer]

We have switched to store brands. I find most of the time they are still cheaper than the national brand with a coupon(even doubled). We still use a few, namely toothpaste,batteries,and TP.

[coffeechick]

You're right- I can use coupons for things like toothpaste, TP, feminine products, etc. It's not super often that I need this because it's just me, but I now need to remember to start planning ahead for when I might need them!

My goal is to start looking for coupons from this Sunday's paper (I can usually snag the circulars at work on Monday) for those things.

Thanks- I felt like a bit of a frugal failure because I didn't use coupons much. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one. And my mom reassured me that she doesn't use coupons like she did, either- in part because my brother and I are out of the house, and in part because of what she buys.

[IntlMom]

it is true, that some ppl use them lots, some not very often at all.....it;s all about what works for you, your family, your situation........ just do what works best for you.

[Mavourneen]

I use coupons a lot. A lot a lot. I carry a large 3 ring binder to the grocery store with me - and I save about $60-75 per week.

I buy the coupons I need online. I get what I need in the quantities I need, and none that I don't.

I use a lot of personal care coupons, paper product coupons - it isn't just junk food.

[UUMomof3]

Nope, I can't say that I do. As others have said, I buy a lot of store brand items. I buy a lot of fresh/whole foods. I did use them a whole lot before MDD and her food allergies changed the whole way we shop, cook, eat. I'm sure I could use them for TP, toothpaste, etc. but honestly the few dollars a year I'd save wouldn't be worth the hassle of finding them.

I don't regard myself as a frugal failure because I don't do coupons though. I just find it more worthwhile to put my time into scratch cooking, baking, and other frugal activities.

[i.m.cheap]

Originally Posted by Mavourneen

I use coupons a lot. A lot a lot. I carry a large 3 ring binder to the grocery store with me - and I save about $60-75 per week.

I buy the coupons I need online. I get what I need in the quantities I need, and none that I don't.

I use a lot of personal care coupons, paper product coupons - it isn't just junk food.

Me too! I get coupons for lots of "non-junk food" things, like bagged salad, peanut butter, cooking oil, oatmeal, raisins, cheese, yogurt, and of course, paper, cleaning, health and beauty supplies. I haven't had to pay MONEY for toothpaste, toothbrushes, or razors for YEARS. I love coupons! I save at least $2,000 a year with coupons.

[Sassyclass]

I live and breathe coupons. I've been using them since I first moved away from home when I was 18 years old. I rarely buy generic because I can get brand name items cheaper using coupons at Giant Eagle. They double up to .99 so a lot of times I walk away paying just pennies for a lot of my food. Combine that with rebates I just can't justify not using them.

Cat

[Mavourneen]

Shoppers food Warehouse has Triple coupons this week!

*happy dance*

I saved a bundle!

[sunnysky24]

I love couons but my store doubles the $1 ones so it makes it convenient for me to use them. We do not eat prepared food very much either but I use them to buy things that we use and health and beauty items, cleaning, toothpaste etc. With $2 off it makes things just pennies or free. I drive 1 hours to shop everyother week. I car pool with my mother and we make itr a girls day or night out. We shop and just get to hag out. I like it and it is worth it to me. Plus the customer service there is the best I have ever experienced so it is worth it. FYI nearest store is 30 minutes for me so why not drive that exra 30 miles to save $500+

[themartins903]

We use coupons faithfully. It's paper money!