Coupon usage in 2010.

**Rhayne** · 12-23-2009, 04:45 PM

I've decided that I'm going to keep track of every coupon I use in 2010. At our house we don't use coupons every day but when we do use a coupon or two we make sure to match it to sales so we get a big discount. I tried to think of how much we saved this year with coupons but of course that was a silly thing to try. So now for each coupon I use I will keep track of the dollar amount, the store it was used at and the product it was used on. This will include coupons from newspapers, magazines, register reward type coupons from drugstores, online printed and ones from the mail. I'm very interested to see how much money we'll save. Anyone else ever keep track of coupon savings?

**dcompton** · 12-23-2009, 05:29 PM

I have decided that next year, to rein in the spending I've done this year, I will track all my purchases. I'm hoping that, if nothing else, as the list gets longer, it will shame me into sobriety. On that I have a field to note if the item was on sale, had a discount, and if I used a coupon. I had not planned on noting the amount, since I don't use many either. But it would easy to put that info in a spreadsheet.

We track how much we pay down on debt and save at FV -- I sometimes wonder how much we collectively save with coupons.

**hotprincesscm** · 12-23-2009, 05:36 PM

I want to keep track of my coupons this year! That will be fun, to see how much money was saved, and keeping track of the rest of the info, I'm not so sure of, we'll see!!!

**bumplett** · 12-23-2009, 06:16 PM

just curious, but are you thinking of keeping track of the coupons face value, or the total amount (if it were doubled or tripled)??

I'm in too by the way - sounds like fun!

**Rhayne** · 12-23-2009, 06:28 PM

Originally Posted by bumplett

just curious, but are you thinking of keeping track of the coupons face value, or the total amount (if it were doubled or tripled)??

I'm in too by the way - sounds like fun!

I'll be keeping track of the coupon's face value (I have never in my life doubled or tripled a coupon, but if it happens I will track that too), the store it was bought in and the product (and size) that was bought.

Edit : I may also keep track of the regular price of the item to see how prices change during the year. If prices go up or down on an item and to see how much I actually saved on that particular item.

Example:
Coupon - $.40 - Argo Corn Starch 16 oz.
Walmart - Regular price - $1.27
Total price - $.87

**NikoSan999** · 12-23-2009, 08:14 PM

Are you planning on making this a challenge or just under this thread?

**dcompton** · 12-23-2009, 09:11 PM

Happily some of our stores double/triple, so I always consider that the amount. After all, it came off the price.

Edited to add: I stuck it under 2010 challenges in my signature, just to have a place to put it. I'll update it from to time to time, but as I said, I really don't use many coupons, and with my freezer and pantry stuffed, there will be little shopping (I hope) for a couple of months.

It's too early to count, but I used a coupon today. I got MS Office Professional, the load it one time only academic variety, for $20! So finally I have Excel and Access at home.

**Debbie-cat** · 12-23-2009, 09:22 PM

We have a 2009 coupon challenge going right now. I am sure it will continue into 2010. I kept track this year and you can see in my siggy where I am at. It is amazing how much it added up to. I will definitely be keeping track next year as well. It is great to be able to show DH how much we have saved and just how much it is worth using coupons!

**NikoSan999** · 12-23-2009, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by dcompton

It's too early to count, but I used a coupon today. I got MS Office Professional, the load it one time only academic variety, for $20! So finally I have Excel and Access at home.

Where did you find this for $20? Wow!!! I would think you could back it up tho to reload should you need to couldn't you? Thanks

**Rhayne** · 12-24-2009, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by Debbie-cat

We have a 2009 coupon challenge going right now. I am sure it will continue into 2010. I kept track this year and you can see in my siggy where I am at. It is amazing how much it added up to. I will definitely be keeping track next year as well. It is great to be able to show DH how much we have saved and just how much it is worth using coupons!

I always forget to look at those darn challenges. Didn't mean to make a post about something that was already started. Thanks.

**Sassyclass** · 12-24-2009, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Debbie-cat

We have a 2009 coupon challenge going right now. I am sure it will continue into 2010. I kept track this year and you can see in my siggy where I am at. It is amazing how much it added up to. I will definitely be keeping track next year as well. It is great to be able to show DH how much we have saved and just how much it is worth using coupons!

I couldn't have said it better Debbie. I'll be keeping track again also. Come on over to the challenges and join us.

Cat

**dcompton** · 12-24-2009, 04:53 PM

NikoSan, it was at our medical school bookstore. They sell them to students and employees usually for $35, something I never even imagined. These are only CDs, not the fancy boxed sets. The store had put out a coupon for this month, that I just heard about --$20 for 2007 Professional. They still had a few of the 2003 versions, the one I really wanted, so they let me use the coupon for that, nice people that they are. I was lucky there. Everyone seems to still want that version, and last time they tried to reorder it, there were no more to be had. I was a Happy Camper.

I loathe Word, so when I got this computer I did not buy MS Office, and it wouldn't have had Access anyway. I got a really cheap WordPerfect office suite on Ebay. But I don't like it's spreadsheet or database, and I've just been using MS Works for those. They are inadequate for what I really need, but I would just never spend the money to get the MS programs. I still can't believe I got it so cheaply. Even if it only loads once, that's enough, unless the hard drive crashes, then I'll have more problems than just that to worry about.

**piney** · 12-26-2009, 05:40 PM

In 2009 i kept up with what i saved using coupons for a few months but never posted it.But dont use very many coupons.

**NewLeaf** · 12-26-2009, 09:03 PM

I have tried to keep track and usually fizzle out. But I will try again because I would love to see the savings add up. I do know that I have done much much better than ever w/my grocery budget and we have more food then we have ever had before (my stockpile).