I am hooked!!

**benosayi** · 06-08-2011, 12:04 AM

I haven't couponed in a while. So I throught I would try it this month to see how much I could save. I went to walgreens, cvs and stop and shop. I spent a total of 73.48 before coupons and rewards and ended up getting 1.12. I have to also factor in the 2 papers at 2 dollars each, but still did well. I am interested in stockpiling soap, toothpaste and stuff like that so I did not buy too much food.

**Merrilee** · 06-08-2011, 12:31 AM

I've clipped coupons on & off for years, but just in the last year got more serious about it-because we're hurting more & more financially. It's really bad now, not sure how we're going to make out in the coming months. But now that I"m paying more attention to coupons, freebies, etc, I'm finding that I can't use most of them because I can't spend the money! I did stockpile several items over these past several months because I could see the bad times coming. I have a few years worth of canned catfood (for the cats!) same for kitty litter & a year's dry catfood. Maybe 2 years of toilet paper, a year's paper towel but I stopped stockpiling those because I can't really justify paper towels as a necessity. Many boxes of cheap pasta & canned tomatoes. Garbage bags. I would have felt better to have several years like Extreme Couponing-lol-but it takes money to stockpile & I'm also scared we could lose our house. Then where would I put the stockpile? It is a very good idea to coupon though, and look at how groceries keep going up & the packages keep shrinking. So much is changing.

**Mom23boys** · 06-08-2011, 01:18 PM

When you start to see the savings with clipping coupons, you do get hooked. I set aside one evening to clip and organize my coupons - usually while I am watching tv. I also pull out the store circular so that I can see where I will use what coupon at what store. Being organized sure helps too! Good luck in your couponing adventure!

**benosayi** · 06-08-2011, 06:56 PM

Thanks, I hope your money situation improves, Merrilee. I am saving for DD who will be in New York for 4 months next year. One mistake I made was throwing out the circulars. I need to put them in my coupon binders and the store coupon policy. At walgreens I used a 1.00 off sobe rr to pay for a sobe, I did not get another dollar coupon. She said "She thinks" if you use a coupon to pay for an item you don't get the reward bucks???

**eclectictexan** · 06-09-2011, 02:14 AM

I'm also new to couponing but...it was told to me by a Walgreens employee you Can Not use a Register Reward from the Same company to pay for an item and get a register reward. Gets kinda confusing for an 'ol dag like me.
i.e. the Sobe Reward can be used to pay for a Sobe But you will not get the Reward.
I know as clear as mud.
Good luck
Pam

**BlissMommy** · 06-09-2011, 02:52 AM

I'm trying to get started. I need to get my newspaper subscription and get my binder together.

**NikoSan999** · 06-09-2011, 07:53 AM

You did great and you're off to a good start. I also like the fact it gives you the feel of beating the system legimately.
Keep up the good work

**benosayi** · 06-10-2011, 09:55 PM

yea, I am doing better than I imagined. When I couponed years ago the internet was just starting. Now, there are so many sites doing the work for you. I went to one and found out that if I buy 100 dollars in gift cards I can get 20 dollar cat to spend later. I took 200 out of my gas money and got hess gas cards and made 40.00 to stock my freezer. I will be putting next months 300 dollars in gas on these gift cards too.I also got a coupon for a free small pizza at the neighborhood pizza place. I went to the thrift shop and found baseball card holders, 2 boxes at 1 dollar each. I am using that and an old 3 ring binder for my coupons.

**oheoh's momma** · 06-11-2011, 11:45 AM

Also new to couponing my husband did not mind when $4 dollars became 2. But last night was a big haul and it was difficult for him. I do not drive because of bad nerves and did not want to take MIL. so here is what I got: toothbrush buy 1 get 1 free, 5 women's degree and 5 free ,5 men' s degree 5 free, 2 boxes of free bandaids, 2 secret and a body spray free, 2 nivea body wash get one free, 1 gillette body was get 1 free, 1 old spice body wash get deodrant free, 4 bags of dog treats buy 1 get 1 free so that was 4 free, 1 bag of dog treats 1 dollar off got it for 18 cents, 2 free warmers air wick coupons for refills 2 dollars off, 1 white cloud tp $1 off, 1 bag of cat food and 1 American flag for around a $88. I think I done good. My hubby and daughter think I could have done better. At grocery 4 spic and span for 2.24
I did not buy anything that was not normal for us. oh the coupons had to be over ride because I had too many and they shorted us 7 degrees and because of his cussing and impatience I forgot my reciept they went back over the security footage and told me they shorted me 7 and gave them back. But hubby was pissed cuz he was tired. So he made me feel like I failed and my daughter yelled at me for buying deodrant that expensive. Killed my buz.

**dolfinonmi** · 06-11-2011, 02:49 PM

It sounds like you did great to me. My hubby told me to leve him out of it at first when I started, but now he is just as bad with the couponing. He is looking at sales, checking online sites for coupons and so forth. Also, my son just moved into his first apartment and likes the idea if he runs out of some things he can come home to get them. They will eventually get on board! Keep up the good work!!

**shoiji** · 06-20-2011, 03:16 PM

Coupons and manager's specials are how I shop for many items. I am so used to using coupons with sales that seeing the full price on an item just makes me say, NO I will wait until there is a sale.

Funny how I do not miss not having the item. It is crazy how expensive food is now.

**cottageliving** · 06-20-2011, 10:09 PM

I am new to couponing and need to get serious about it, so appreciate all of the good advice here!

Am I allowed to ask what site you went to for the gift cards that gave the catalinas? That would make a difference in my monthly budget, and my job ends this Friday.

thanks,

**NikoSan999** · 06-21-2011, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by cottageliving

Am I allowed to ask what site you went to for the gift cards that gave the catalinas? That would make a difference in my monthly budget, and my job ends this Friday.

thanks,

I don't have the answer to your question but want to say I'm so sorry for the job loss....been there and done that for 2 years...hugs your way and good luck

**benosayi** · 06-22-2011, 06:18 PM

The cats were from a supermarket, shaws. I ended up spending about 50 dollars for 400 dollars of groceries this month. I had 125 dollars in cats. We have some much food in the house