One thing I would like to get back into in 2009 is using coupons. For a period of time, I was heavily into couponing, and would sometimes manage to go to stores and get all of my groceries for like $10. (This was when I was single, so this feat is not as impressive as it initially sounds.) I had a little coupon organizing thing, and carried around my coupons arranged in neat little categories, and would check the sale flyers each Wednesday for all the major supermarket chains, trying to synch up sales with my coupons for the really good deals.
My couponing really switched into the next gear when I found out about The Coupon Mom‘s site (used to be called cutouthunger.org, I think). The Coupon Mom organizes all the information about sales and coupons by state and city, so you can cross reference different deals without actually having to go to the store each time. It’s awesome, but it takes a lot of organization, and since Mini has been in the picture, my couponing has fallen by the wayside.
But, I was reading some of the best-of posts from The Simple Dollar the other day, and came across a much easier technique for using coupons. Basically, the idea is this:
- Get coupons from Sunday paper.
- Put (uncut) coupon section aside for four weeks
- After four weeks, get coupons out and cut out everything that you think you might be interested in, even remotely, even if you don’t usually buy it.
- Go to grocery store and match up coupons to sales
Apparently, what happens is that the coupons tend to magically match up to sale items after this four-week period. The reason for this is that companies launch products with coupons, and after about a month, they move into promoting the items with sales. So if you wait that long, you can use both and end up with a real deal. You can read more about this on The Simple Dollar here.
I have never tried this myself, but plan to in the next month. Have you tried it, internet?
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Say, that’s clever. I stopped using coupons at the grocery store a while back because I buy mostly generic stuff (I am lucky in that my local big chain offers generic-brand organic stuff, which is great). That trick might make it more cost effective to buy some name-brand stuff though.
Here in Milwaukee, department stores and restaurants use coupons a lot–more than anyplace else I’ve ever lived. Milwaukeans are cheap in general, and they especially like coupons. When my sister visited from LA over Thanksgiving, we went shopping on Black Friday. She was amused by the fact that everyone in line at the department store (which was mid-level-ish–about on par with The Broadway in LA, which probably doesn’t exist anymore) had coupons. I made fun of this when I first moved here, but now, every coat pocket in my house has a ratty old coupon in it for someplace or another.
I have not tried that – although I do try to use coupons more & more – especially the store coupons. I don’t get the Sunday paper though, so not sure i can try that technique.
Where I live I’ve noticed stores often time sales (sometimes really, really good sales) with the exact time when the coupons first come out (“fresh” in coupon-cutter lingo.) My best technique is to clip for everything I’d remotely buy and sort by category. I flip through it quickly right before I walk in the store to refresh my memory. Then as I walk the aisles, if I see that there’s a great sale on toothpaste, AND I have a coupon, I can pull out the coupon even if toothpaste isn’t on my list that week. Also know when you are brand-loyal and when you are flexible. For instance I need mozzarella cheese. Where I live that means Precious, Stella, or store brand. I have coupons for Precious & Stella plus store coupon for purchase over $X in dairy dept. If I’m not brand loyal I can buy whatever ends up being cheapest that day (usually one of the three will be on sale.) If cheese isn’t on the list but I see that Stella is on sale I’ll stock up anyway if the sale is good enough.
Generally coupons have to be $0.75 or more to be cheaper than store brand/generic. Also I only use coupons at double coupon stores. I shop at Stater Bros a lot and they don’t double coupons but overall come out cheaper. But, on certain items it’s a better deal to wait ’til I’m at Ralphs, which does double coupons.
To make coupons work you have to (a) enjoy it (at least a bit) and (b) have the time to be patient, stock up when sales appear and (c) go to several stores in a month. I wouldn’t say I go to several stores in a week but in a month I do — Costco, Trader Joe’s, Stater Bros (low end grocery), Ralphs (high end grocery), Henry’s & Sprouts (local health food stores; Henry’s is owned by Wild Oats.)
That’s interesting, Juliet. I’m going to keep an eye out for when the sales are timed around here. I think another rule for couponing is that you should use the coupon to buy the smallest size allowed to get the best deal. I’ve see some coupons with exclusions on trial sizes now, though.
I started couponing and matching sales about 8 weeks ago. I have saved all my receipts and have total savings of over $2500 in that time. I shop at a store that doubles up to a dollar and now that I have a little stockpile, I don’t buy anything unless it is free or almost free.
I use my children as my clipping labor source. I tell them I’ll get them a juice (free! I don’t mention) at the store as payment. Suckers.
That is awesome, Mollie! $2500!
How much does your family spend on groceries per month, Mollie? That is substantial.
We are a family of six, and I spend between $25-$100 a week depending on how great the sales are. I actually spend more when the prices are right to stock upon whatever is at its lowest price. At first, it took much more effort than it does now, (hunting down coupons and building a price notebook) and I am not sure if I would have tried it if I had a real job. I mean outside of being responsible for the safety and well being of my webblings.
Are you kidding? That’s a huge job! Wow. I’m totally in awe of you, Mollie. I have one child and am consistently overwhelmed!
Anna:
I love your site, especially the picture of your son on your “about” page.
I’ve recently got into couponing big time with the help of The Grocery Game (thegrocerygame.com). On a typical shopping trip, I’m saving between $40 and $50 in coupons (without doubling) – not bad for a $1.25 investment plus the cost of the newspaper. And I’m getting the food we regularly eat. They focus on the local stores so you’re getting the deals relevant to you.
But that’s just a bonus.
Really, I wanted to check on the bathroom wall. I love the anonymous blog option and wanted to make sure it wasn’t “painted over”. What a great way to vent without repercussions! Don’t be surprised if I use it one day.
Hi Becky:
Welcome! Glad you like the site and feel free to use the bathroom wall whenever you want! Your success with couponing is great. I will have to check out the grocery game myself.