Cut cut cut...but forget to use...

[cherishedtiger]

So does anyone else have this problem? Or is it just me?? I cut and cut and fill my purse with all these great coupons... but after the hassle at the store and frustration of overcrowded isles and long check out lanes by the time its my turn its rush rush rush and I get home look in my purse and poof theres all the coupons I should have used... Any tips or ideas??? Or what do you do to make sure you make the most of your coupon clipping??
Thanks!
Cherish

[TigerGirl1226]

I try to plan ahead, but it doesn't always work. I will paper clip the ones that match my shopping list to the actual list. That way, it they are so in my face, I can't forget them!

[Libby]

I used to clip tons of coupons but never used them. Coupons are usually for items you don't normally buy/use (convenience items/processed foods or pre-portioned servings you can easily make at home). Most times, its a marketing ploy.

I'd suggest only clipping coupons you know you will use 100% and tuck them with or inside your grocery money if you're paying cash OR put them in your wallet and put a hot pink sticky note on the inside of your wallet so when you open it to pull out your debit/cash/credit card to pay for the groceries, you'll be reminded to fish out the coupons.

You could even go one step further - hilight in a bright colour at the bottom of your grocery list a quick note to use your coupons, this way while you're in the long line up at the cash and checking your list to make sure you've got everything, you'll be reminded to pull them out before you get to the cash.

[cherishedtiger]

Thanks!! I was making notes on my shopping list, the one thing I dont look at while at the register, this however makes me more aware of "hey you wake up ya got cupons!!"
Thanks!! I love other peoples ideas!!!

[Grainlady]

I keep everything in my PRICE BOOK where I keep ALL my coupons, grocery list and food money, as well as the prices for the most commonly purchased foods.

On my grocery list I write a large red "C" (for coupon) beside anything I have a coupon for and have them at the front of my Price Book, which is next to the money. That keeps them in the same area so I'm less likely to miss using them.

[jas]

I try to plan ahead, but it doesn't always work. I will paper clip the ones that match my shopping list to the actual list. That way, it they are so in my face, I can't forget them!

This is what I do also. The only ones that might end up in my purse are the ones (very few) that when I got to the store I changed my mind on buying the item or the store was out. They are usually still paperclipped to the grocery list. I use couponmom.com and print out the checked things I want. I stick pretty close to my list because the store otherwise is quite expensive without the bogo and coupons combined. As I put the item in the cart I take it out the pile and use the back part of the paperclip on the back of the paper and put them there, at the register I just pull all of them from the back of the list. The ones I didn't use are left on the front and those are the ones that are found later in my purse.

That site is free there are some other good ones that have some cost to them.

Oh yeah, I only cut the coupons that I will use. Each Sunday I get three papers and pull out the coupon inserts and just date them and slip them all in a gallon size zip bag and when I get the new list updates on Thursdays I just pulll the dated bags, cut and put back till the next time.

[scooby8themall]

I sort mine out at home and take the ones I will use for that day then I put them with my money and when I get to the store before I start shopping I pull them out and go from there.

[Contrary Housewife]

I only clip ones for products I already buy. There's precious few of those. Sometimes there are some in the store flyer for produce that I use, so I don't have tons to track.

When I make my list I note next to each item if there is a coupon.

When I put the item in my cart I pull the coupon from my coupon wallet and place it in the kiddie seat part of the cart with my purse and gloves. I use a jar of mustard or a can of tomato if I need to keep them from falling out.

Then at the register the pile (ha! seldom more than 2) is right in front of me and I place each coupon on top of the item (because if it is on the conveyor it can get missed and go down inside it).

[monkeywrangler71]

I pull them out at the same time that I pull the item off the shelf. I put the coupon for the item in front of the card/cash I'm using to pay for it. That way when I get to the checkout, I have to go through the coupon to get to the money.

[NewLeaf]

I pull out the coupon for ea. item as I get it off the shelf. I have a small zippered pouch/container thingy that came w/my pocket book - I put the Q's in that until time to pay.

There are alot of coupons for preprossessed and prepackaged foods, but I find alot for good healthy products too. Dairy, meat, friut and veggies. Also I use coupons for all of my household products and beauty items.

[MommaStumpf]

Two things may make coupon use easier the first is to not put the coupons in your purse use some sort of filing system I have a large size index card box this makes it harder to misplace coupons the second is to shop when the store is less crowded (it might take some adjusting of schedules but it is more than worth it) This also gives you time to take advantage of sales you might miss when trying to rush through the store (I have recently gotten three bottles of hand soap for free because I had the time to look through the stores free magizine) (I also have to disagree with the thought that coupons are a marketing ploy or that they are for items I rarely buy. Coupons are how survive and are able to feed our family and help others while staying within our means)

[khaski]

I use a coupon organizer and find the time to sit down weekly to match up my coupons to my store sale fliers. I do clip a lot of coupons I'm not sure I'll use- sometimes I can get items for free at CVs or Rite Aid or even MAKE a little $ if there's a 'free' rebate and I have a coupon- the items I won't use myself i can gather this way I donate. On the rare ocassion we don't get our weekly grocery circular in the mail, I'm in TROUBLE- I hate the grocery store, and with 2 little ones in tow, there's no time to hunt for coupons in my organizer or debate if I have one or not- it's grab and go. Trying to stay organized and focused can be a lot more work than you'd expect sometimes, but it's worth it in the long run- don't give up!

[miss_thrifty]

yes i have forgotten about some. and gave the redst of the ones I knew I wasnt going to use to my client/house clean for.