I am about finished with coupons!

**cab54** · 08-23-2011, 04:49 PM

Out of frustration with coupon purchases being often more costly than 'other' shopping options (Aldi's, Dollar Tree, nn brands or off-brands, shopping sales)----I had long ago cut back to cutting only coupons for items I truly could use on something I would not compromise on.

Well, even those coupons are usually only for, like, .25 or something. Even at a double coupon stores (which have pretty much disappeared) that is .50 off. Fine. Yet, the store-brand-to-equal product is 1.00 less than the coupon, smells a little different maybe, but does the trick as well as the name brand.

By the time I've organized my coupons for the shopping trip, along with my store ads, found out the store I'm at is either out of the item, or doesn't even freakin' carry it, put it back in my coupon organizer (and it expires before I can use it), I come home soooo frustrated and really don't save as much $$ as I would if I hit Akdi's and dollar store, THEN go to my usual local grocery and by their nn brands or 'off-brands'!!!

Just thinking and ranting and pondering....I'm about done with coupons, I think. Maybe. Possibly.

**frugalfoster** · 08-23-2011, 05:23 PM

I no longer get the inserts from the newspaper...if there is something that I wish I had (I belong to a website that tells me how to match up what coupons with what sales), I buy them from ebay...they come in a day or so. That's plenty of time for me to use them on the sale.

**mh3rdwheel** · 08-23-2011, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by cab54

Out of frustration with coupon purchases being often more costly than 'other' shopping options (Aldi's, Dollar Tree, nn brands or off-brands, shopping sales)----I had long ago cut back to cutting only coupons for items I truly could use on something I would not compromise on.

Well, even those coupons are usually only for, like, .25 or something. Even at a double coupon stores (which have pretty much disappeared) that is .50 off. Fine. Yet, the store-brand-to-equal product is 1.00 less than the coupon, smells a little different maybe, but does the trick as well as the name brand.

By the time I've organized my coupons for the shopping trip, along with my store ads, found out the store I'm at is either out of the item, or doesn't even freakin' carry it, put it back in my coupon organizer (and it expires before I can use it), I come home soooo frustrated and really don't save as much $$ as I would if I hit Akdi's and dollar store, THEN go to my usual local grocery and by their nn brands or 'off-brands'!!!

Just thinking and ranting and pondering....I'm about done with coupons, I think. Maybe. Possibly.

Check out this website, it shows you how to use coupons, and how to save money, it also has her on facebook, twitter, etc. it shows her shopping trips, you cancheck out Krogers and whats on sale and do coupon matchup. it it neat, she has a free ebook called Beginner's uide to Coupons, plus classes, it's free.

Where to Save Money | How to be Frugal | Extreme Couponing How-To and
coupon match-ups 2011 | how to save on groceries | extreme couponing

the second website helps you with coupon matchup with such stores as CVS, rite-aide, and lots of grocery stores.

livingwellspendingless.com and
savingwellspendingless.com for coupon mathup

**bumplett** · 08-23-2011, 06:33 PM

I'm sorry you're frustrated.

I get annoyed at times, such as my recent trip to Kroger - after making my list (and checking it twice) & using the coupons match ups & mega match ups from a specific website that's generally only for the southern region - I get to Kroger & soooo many of the match ups were incorrect!!!

So - this throws my totals off - because you have to buy 10 for a mega - I was so frustrated! BUT it's not the websites fault, or Kroger's fault, or my own fault - it's just an annoyance that happens.....

I attempt to only shop the sales with a coupon matchup - thus, spending $.25 for a bottle of SunnyD while otherwise my kids wouldn't get SunnyD at all. KWIM?

**NikoSan999** · 08-23-2011, 06:51 PM

I love using coupons. I look at it as a legal way of beating the system. It takes alot of time to do it well I know. Sometimes I spend more time on it than other weeks.
Florida has no doubling of coupons so it is what it just is. Sale + coupon = ?.
If I'm working it I can always do 50% savings but if I'm WORKING it I can do 75 to 90%. Depends what's on sale.

**shoiji** · 08-23-2011, 06:53 PM

I use the couponmom website. Every week I look at her website and make a shopping list and cut out whatever coupons I need. I usually do not use many coupons but when I do I always feel as if I am getting a good deal. Coupons I use are for frozen produce, canned goods, toothpaste, etc. Some weeks are better than others. I am always happy when I can get something free. If I can get something for free even if it is not what I will use I will get it. These items I pass along to people that will use it. I am limited with food allergies.

Family Dollar actually takes coupons. I think Sav-a-Lot also takes coupons.

**Telephus44** · 08-23-2011, 07:15 PM

I don't get the Sunday paper. I have several deal sites I look at, and if I can use an internet printable coupon to make something free or cheap, I might do it. But only if it's a really good deal. I figure that tons of people out there are already doing all the research, I just have to decide if it's a deal I want to do.

For me, this happens maybe once a month. And I look at it more as a hobby than as a major budget reducer. I think you make out better with sales and generics than with coupons.

**dcompton** · 08-23-2011, 11:03 PM

I rarely use coupons anymore either. Most are for things I don't buy, and I agree, I can do store brands usually cheaper even with sale + coupon. I do use the ones that Kroger sends out tied to what I actually buy, and occasionally find others, but for the most part the small return I get just isn't worth the time it takes to do it.

**Cricketlegs** · 08-24-2011, 08:32 AM

Originally Posted by Telephus44

I don't get the Sunday paper. I have several deal sites I look at, and if I can use an internet printable coupon to make something free or cheap, I might do it. But only if it's a really good deal. I figure that tons of people out there are already doing all the research, I just have to decide if it's a deal I want to do.

For me, this happens maybe once a month. And I look at it more as a hobby than as a major budget reducer. I think you make out better with sales and generics than with coupons.

Since I usually buy 4 Dallas papers each Sunday I almost always have a coupon to go with the sale at almost every store in town. My binder is HUGE but well organized.

I am with you in that if the generic is just as good and cheaper I go that route.

It's about saving money and NOt just couponing in my book.

My dd gets upset when we have to toss expired coupons and I have to explain to her it's not about the coupon it's about buying what you need and use at the best possible price.

Often that means waiting until the item goes and sale and sticking up.(often a limit of 4 per transaction)

**nuisance26** · 08-24-2011, 08:36 AM

~I totally understand! Every time I come across a coupon I'm sure I can use, I can't find any stores that carry it in the size or count. I get awesome coupons in the mail but the store don't carry the new products until after the coupon has expired. I look at the sites that do the coupon and sale match-ups but apparently 1000 other people do to because I haven't been able to take advantage of those deals in a couple of years. The shelves are always empty. It is very frustrating!
For example, a month ago when I was picking up back-to-school supplies, I noticed that Walmart carried washable Expo dry erase markers. I almost bought some then but decided to wait for a good sale. Well I happened to get coupons from EXPO a couple of weeks ago and a saw a sale at Walgreens that Walmart would match. Guess who didn't have Expo washable dry erase markers anymore? There wasn't even a hole where they should be. Urg!!
I'm starting to think the best strategy for getting bargains is to always have your binder with you for unexpected sales and plan to spend 15-30 more minutes in the stores than usual.
I'm a list person but it seems like I'm always wasting my time planning my trips anymore.~

**sinopa27** · 08-24-2011, 08:49 AM

I understand. Lately, I have been getting coupons that are products unknown to the several stores I can go to. This past Sunday, I went to get a newspaper and no coupons. I saw a link online that said, "sneak peak at this weeks coupons" and there were none.

**Rhayne** · 08-24-2011, 09:23 AM

I can understand that. I seem to go through cycles. THere will be a couple weeks of awesome coupons and then there will be a week thats dead and the coupons aren't good. I typically only bother with coupons if they will make the product 50% off or more. More often than not I find plenty of coupons for what we use. We live in NJ and all our stores double.

**Cricketlegs** · 08-24-2011, 09:58 AM

Don't forget you can get rain checks! I often will head out early Sunday to CVS or Walgreens and find the item already off the shelf. Get a rain check and the next time they have the product on the shelf you can get it at the sale price and use your coupon. Make sure you have a place in your binder for your rain check and paper clip the coupon to it for ease of transaction and to remind you and put them up front in your binder to jog the memory.

**Menifeemom** · 08-24-2011, 10:23 AM

I loved using coupons when I lived in CA and the stores in my area doubled them. Now I'm in CO and they only double coupons 50cents or less in my area. That generally means the coupons won't be cheaper than generic. I have also learned that the coupons in our local paper just aren't any good. My mom sends me much better ones from CA. I recently did the math and discovered that I don't save enough to cover the cost of buying the newspaper, so I'm done with that. If my mom sends me a good coupon or I find one I can print I'll use that. Otherwise I just cook from scratch to generate my savings.

**cab54** · 08-24-2011, 11:37 AM

nuisance26---exactly! I spend soooo much time and then go out expecting to save quite a bit, only to find out-----as you said----the stores in my area don't carry the size, number, 'type' (have you seen how many varieties of 'Finish' dishwasher soap there are? Well it's never the coupon I have!)

So, I'll run all over town, wasting gas, looking to see who does carry it, (and this may be on MANY items I'm looking for), and come up EMPTY. (of the item in question AND of gas in my car!)

I have found that if I just (as I said) hit the dollar tree for paper, H&BA, cleaning products, etc., then hit Aldi's for the usual suspects there, and then WM for their cheapies I love, and then the grocery for meat, etc.......I save BUNDLES over the coupon insanity routine. AND these stores are all within 1/4 mile of each other.

I'd rather save the time and gas, too.