willing to give couponing another try

**gmarie** · 01-11-2011, 09:31 AM

ok ok so I'm sick of paying full price for toothpaste and deodorant! Despite my best efforts to simply cut down on personal care and cleaning products, it is not good enough. And my hair is stringy from dollar store shampoo!

I made a list of the products we typically buy, and searched the couponmom coupon database - and did find several - but most of them are found in the inserts.

I had canceled my Sunday newspaper subscription a while back because I was not using the coupons before they expired and I felt it was a waste of money.

How essential is the Sunday paper? do you think I have a chance of saving money with alternative coupon sources?

I am wary of investing a lot of time and money into couponing since I have failed in the past, and feel it increased my spending.

Any advice? Thanks!

I read be Becentsable last night, and have read the coupon mom ebook in the past.

**Trishagirl** · 01-11-2011, 09:42 AM

I'd say it's very essential to get a Sunday paper for the coupons! I get about 80% of mine there and then 20% online. I buy colgate toothpaste it's usually on sale at Krogers and I usually have a $1 coupon or 75 cents off really helps. Deodorant I just got at the $ store on sale for $1.5o just look for sales and buy there. Check CVS & walgreens flyers also and Kmart too!

**Tess B** · 01-11-2011, 01:09 PM

gmarie...i'm a total coupon novice and at least for me i've found it's a bit more complex than it sounds!!! i feel like i'm taking it in phases....i'm mostly in the "have some coupons in purse and carry them around with me" phase....there needs to be more thought and planning on my part for sure. i think you have a great idea to focus on a subset of couponing - personal care and cleaning products - so you get a chance to hone those skills before taking on the entire store! wishing you luck!!!

**rskmom** · 01-11-2011, 01:25 PM

I get the majority of my coups from the Sunday paper.

Start with CVS or WG for deodorant and tpaste - I generally get it free or close to free there.

**RaineyDaye** · 01-11-2011, 01:29 PM

How essential is the Sunday paper? do you think I have a chance of saving money with alternative coupon sources?

I find I save money buying only the coupons I use rather than getting the Sunday newspaper. Some of the coupon websites require a minimum order of $3.00, which is a lot of coupons, but I found at least one that doesn't require a minimum purchase. Also, you can buy in multiples of 20 or 10 coupons on Ebay. I don't find many coupons for things I buy, but if there is a good coupon, I buy several of the same item (ideally combined with a good sale). If you are going to use many coupons that are in the newspapers, it may be worth buying the paper. Also, there are many internet coupons for the same ones that come in the coupon inserts.

**khaski** · 01-11-2011, 02:03 PM

I use the Sunday paper, generally find it's worth price, but I usually sneak a peak at 'Sunday Coupon Preview' (google it) to assess if it's worth it that week or not- lists all coupons coming out, please remember it varies slightly area to area. I also sometimes use a coupon clipping service- look up 'coupon clippers' BUT there is a $4 minimum, so it's not worth it unless I'm buying a bunch!

The trick to couponing is planning and organizing- you need a binder or coupon organizer (I do NOT use a binder, some do, too much for me). You need to match up your coupons to that week's sales at the drugstore or grocer's to maximize savings, and it helps to keep a binder to see what the 'sale cycles' are are products you use often so you can 'stockpile' and buy a bunch on sale with coupons to get the lowest possible price. It takes practice, like anything else, but every little bit you do is $ saved that stays in your pocket instead of the stores! I'm no 'expert' couponer, I consider myself 'mid level', and it's been well worth it.

I just picked up a 'coupon Mom' book from the library today- her latest, can't remember the title exactly, but you may wish to check out your local library to pick up a book or two on the best way to go about couponing. It's SO worth it...I spend 1-2 hours a week clipping, looking online, matching up to circulars/making a list, and last year I save over $1k...and we're not some of those folks with 3000 rolls of tp or 1000 bottles of body wash- we have a nice stash, but not obscene...check out the 'Coupon challenge' under 'challenges' in these forums....joining's a great motivation to track your savings, which keeps you motivated!

**G'MaDebbie** · 01-11-2011, 02:17 PM

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**gmarie** · 01-11-2011, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by RaineyDaye

I find I save money buying only the coupons I use rather than getting the Sunday newspaper. Some of the coupon websites require a minimum order of $3.00, which is a lot of coupons, but I found at least one that doesn't require a minimum purchase. Also, you can buy in multiples of 20 or 10 coupons on Ebay. I don't find many coupons for things I buy, but if there is a good coupon, I buy several of the same item (ideally combined with a good sale). If you are going to use many coupons that are in the newspapers, it may be worth buying the paper. Also, there are many internet coupons for the same ones that come in the coupon inserts.

thank you!!
Can you recommend websites to buy coupons?
Has anyone tried coupon trading?

It just seems that if 98% of the coupons in the sunday paper are useless to me, there has got to be a better way to get coupons that I will use!

I did find a coupon for arm & hammer litter by going to their website! I've been trying others with no luck -but have been signing up for their info/ newsletters, etc in the hopes that I will get coupons!

I was getting my Sunday newspaper for only $1/ week which is next to nothing - but the $4.33 charges and expired coupons were starting to pile up!

Also, I have found that shopping monthly saves me a lot of time and money. If I were couponing, wouldn't I have to shop weekly to take advantage of the best deals?

**Ramona** · 01-11-2011, 04:19 PM

I can make a suggestion about shampoo. I currently use a children's shampoo from WalMart: Suave Kids 2 in 1 Smoothers Shampoo in Cowabunga Coconut. It does have conditioner in it so if you need a shampoo without conditioner, other Suave shampoos will fill the bill. I only have to shampoo once with it. I love it and I save on conditioner.

**khaski** · 01-12-2011, 08:10 AM

Actually gmarie, manufacturer's websites are a GREAT place to find free printable coupons! Don't forget to watch for 'tear pads' and blinkies with coupons in the stores themselves...even if I'm not buying the item that day, I'll take a few for future use if it's a product we use.

**pcole8109** · 01-12-2011, 10:33 PM

I'm new to couponing too and would like to go through a coupon service to stock up on some things. How do you know ahead of time what will be on sale the following week so you can order the coupons for it? This is the part of the planning process I can't seem to figure out. Thanks.

**Tess B** · 01-13-2011, 01:02 PM

rookie couponing mistake this morning...gawd i was SO close to doing this right! have coupon for Ziploc baggies, we NEED ziploc baggies (use them for both fridge and freezer) so i grab a box of each and my other items and head to the cashier....actually remember to GIVE her my coupon,thinking ha go me, i've got this DOWN. but everytime she tries to swipe the coupon it's a no go...she reads the fine print, $1.00 off for 2 boxes any kind, yup i got two boxes any kind, swipes it again, no go...starts to call her manager over and then realizes...

the coupon is for ZIPLOC brand and i have Hefty brand ZIPLOCS. such a dork. i would have switched but we find the Hefty ones to be of better quality etc. at least there was a 15 cent off sticker ON the box...

so evidently you have to be able to READ to make a go of this couponing thing. sigh.

**Redmocha** · 01-21-2011, 01:59 AM

Hey.
Don't give up.
I'm not a master yet. But I think I will be.
Read "How to Shop for Free" and the book by the Coupon Mom - can't think of name. I'm really liking the 1st one. It's a little more humorous; lighter read. Got both from my local library.

I've learned a lot in just a week of reading. My husband told me I had to cut our grocery bill in half in order to stay home with the kids-- so I'm on a mission. But I've made some big changes just since Jan. 1. Starting to shop at Aldi for better prices on things like pasta, rice, froz foods. Today bought fresh chicken. Hope we like it, cause it was a good price.

So far, I've learned you have to treat couponing like a hobby. One thing that was helpful in the How to shop for free book... it said to try to stockpile only a few things first. So for you, it seems you've already narrowed it down to at least two. So focus on those two items and combine the coupons you find with stores that will give you cash back or store coupon rewards (CVS is good for that; just got $2 on next purchase coupon today; and Walgreen's --earned $9 back---technically they aren't giving me anything; it's already mine but its kind of like it's in reserve. THis is something I never thought of until reading it explained in that book this week. Before this week, I used to throw away those coupons that print on the bottom of my receipt or those that come out of the register after my receipt).

Hope it works out for you.