I wanna be a coupon diva! (Full Version)

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AlwaysLisa -> I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 12:30:39 PM)

Anyone here use coupons?   After watching this video, I am so on board, but have no clue as how to proceed.  I don't want to hoard stuff, but I really like the idea of spending 6 or 7 dollars, for 230.00 worth of groceries!  We don't buy snacks or junk, and I don't see much in the way of savings for flour, coffee, sugar...but paper goods and cleaning supplies, oh yeah!   Toilet paper is ridiculous, for it's intended use.  Not to mention soaps, for bodies and machines.

http://tlc.discovery.com/videos/extreme-couponing-debt-free-coupon-diva.html



DomMeinCT -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 12:43:40 PM)

I use them for everything I can, and stock up on things I know are needed for the household (without hoarding).  When you stock up on basics (toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, ketchup, etc.), you buy when you have both coupons AND items are on sale, then aren't foreced to  pay too much when you're forced to buy when you need a basic item.

They're available in the paper and online now.  Once you get in the habit of using them (keeping them organized and available when you shop, as well as using lists to remember what to buy), it's easy and doesn't consume too much time.  Friends tell me "Oh, I don't have time to do that!" but I save thousands each year and can't imagine wasting the $ if I didn't.



porcelaine -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 1:06:18 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: AlwaysLisa

Anyone here use coupons?  


It really depends on the product and the energy investment. I have found that coupons inspire additional spending that isn't always required. I've become more interested in making my own things that are of better quality and far less expensive in the long run. Mind you I have the time to explore Martha Stewart living. If that wasn't the case it's probable I'd purchase these things instead. [;)]

Namaste,

~porcelaine



AlwaysLisa -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 2:40:18 PM)

Thank you!

I am motivated :)   We have a very tiny local paper, but I did find a place where I can pick up the Seattle Times, so Im excited to see what they have inside.  If this proves to be worthwhile, we can have the paper delivered via mail.

Mostly, it's for paper goods, dry items,toiletries and pharm. products.   I started baking our own bread when a decent loaf went over 4.00 and we don't do snack stuff.  I'm hoping to find deals on meat, dairy items occassionally too.  It's the learning how to "stack" coupons, who takes what, some stores allow double, some don't, each has developed their own rigid coupon policy since so many are using them!  

The more saved on the food budget, the more I can stash away in the "Lisa wants a new kitchen counter top" account :)

And porcelaine, that is what they count on, people impulse buying!    The toughest part, will be sticking to the list.

Lisa



ShaharThorne -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 2:59:41 PM)

I am,not a big coupon queen, but I have a couple of tips.

1)  Walmart refuses to deal with the coupons printed at home.  They do take the coupons from the Sunday paper.

2)  See if one of the stores around has double and triple coupons.  When they have the items on sale, that is when you use the coupons then.

3)  Save the sale paper on hand.  We get items from the sale paper and hit Walmart then.  They have to honor the other stores sales.

Of course, there are more tips out there.  Just google and you will find other tips.



Phoenixpower -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 3:50:50 PM)

I would be big on it if they would have it over here which is very limited...so apart from the points from my store card there isnt anything going on for me over here.

But in my current situation I learned to use the 99p store more often where I sometimes get 6 cans of cat food for 1.98 (3 for 99p) instead of spending 2.50 and more for them.

Just I few days ago I couldnt find my hairbrush and instead of spending 4 pound and more on it in a "normal" store I got it there for 99p. Same with toilet paper, batteries (I have rechargable ones but cant find my charger right now), etc.

So I will certainly use such stores more now until I leave the UK to keep my costs further down [:)]

Today I made an error when I bought milk somewhere else for 1.25, as there I would have gotten it as well for 99p.....so I keep learning [:)]

So I would certainly be a coupon diva if that would be that common here [:)]



purepleasure -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 4:00:56 PM)

I only clip coupons on the items my family uses, to keep "splurge" spending to a minimum. However, if it's an item that we use, like Tide laundry detergent, and the coupon is $1.00 off 2, I'll buy the second just to use the coupon, because we use that item anyways.



porcelaine -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 4:04:17 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: AlwaysLisa

I am motivated :)   We have a very tiny local paper, but I did find a place where I can pick up the Seattle Times, so Im excited to see what they have inside.  If this proves to be worthwhile, we can have the paper delivered via mail.


The only coupons I use with any regularity are found in the Costco mailer. I'm not a huge fan of buying bulk and I carry a calculator with me when I shop. I accept a higher cost in food expense because I sincerely believe you are what you eat. My meat is purchased from a butcher and fish from a reputable facility that serves the restaurant industry. I buy cheese from a store with a proper monger. And bread from a bakery if I don't make it myself. I don't mind the extra legwork because I find it enjoyable for the most part.

My bargain hunting is geared towards other things. Slickdeals is your friend. I get loads of steals through that venue. [;)]

Namaste,

~porcelaine



impishlilhellcat -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 4:20:26 PM)

I use them. It excites me when I can for example get 100 dollars in groceries for 50 or 25. I've never been good enough to get down to six or 7 dollars. What I do is buy the Sunday paper. I cut all the coupons and file them away in a little carrying file folder. I eat relatively healthy so I don't always use all the coupons for the processed food and such. What I do then is check the local ads and go through my coupons. So for example some of my best deals are.... Meijers one of our local stores had gain fabric softener on sale for $3.99 in the newspaper that week there was a $3.00 off coupon. I grabbed a friends coupons (they didn't use them ) so I got two containers of liquid fabric softener for $2.00 in addition the store had register rewards for $3.00 off my next shopping trip so essentially I made a dollar on the deal. The stores don't usually have sales on coupon items until a few weeks after they come out.

Check out this site....

http://www.mycouponteacher.com



peachgirl -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 4:30:09 PM)

I think that meat and dairy (except yogurt) are mostly store coupons. When I had the time:

Target for cleaning supplies, laundry, cereal (save big bucks on that with a coupon too), bread, sometimes frozen items.

Trader Joe's (not sure if you have them) Dairy, esp butter and frozen vegetables. If not, then Target, except for milk.

Local grocery stores for produce and meat on sale, esp the mom and pop grocery nearby. If you drink a lot of milk, then nothing beats the two gallon specials at grocery stores.

Costco for chicken breasts (my mom picks them up, I don't have a membership)

Good luck!



littlewonder -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 5:58:17 PM)

seems like a lot of work to do...sounds nice to be able to save all that money but when I hear of people who coupon like that I wonder where they get all this time to do it. I mean when do they find time to clip coupons all the time, organize them, figure out the savings, etc...when you have kids, cleaning, job, hobbies, relationship?





porcelaine -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 6:03:24 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: littlewonder

seems like a lot of work to do...sounds nice to be able to save all that money but when I hear of people who coupon like that I wonder where they get all this time to do it. I mean when do they find time to clip coupons all the time, organize them, figure out the savings, etc...when you have kids, cleaning, job, hobbies, relationship?


Everyone doesn't have the responsibilities or constraints mentioned. Heck I only have two to concern myself with. It's easy to do a lot when you have time on your hands.

Namaste,

~porcelaine



NocturnalStalker -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 6:14:07 PM)

Sounds like you need a man in your life. ;)



porcelaine -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 6:39:11 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: NocturnalStalker

Sounds like you need a man in your life. ;)


That might reduce my free time significantly. [:D]



peachgirl -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 7:05:59 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: littlewonder

seems like a lot of work to do...sounds nice to be able to save all that money but when I hear of people who coupon like that I wonder where they get all this time to do it. I mean when do they find time to clip coupons all the time, organize them, figure out the savings, etc...when you have kids, cleaning, job, hobbies, relationship?



I think in a way it does become a hobby for people...when I used to clip coupons I found it was time consuming and I was always irritated by the fact that the coupon I needed was never for the size/flavor/scent of what I wanted to buy.



porcelaine -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 7:21:44 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: peachgirl

I think in a way it does become a hobby for people...when I used to clip coupons I found it was time consuming and I was always irritated by the fact that the coupon I needed was never for the size/flavor/scent of what I wanted to buy.


That's precisely why I don't do it. The cost benefit is too low to justify the time allotment. I'd rather allocate my energy towards something with a bigger bottom line.

Namaste,

~porcelaine



LillyBoPeep -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 8:15:05 PM)

i love trader joe's - that store has revolutionized my life.
okay, it's not that drastic, but i really love that store. great asparagus.

i like coupons but i don't go out of my way for them. if i see a good one on something i know i'll use, or something i've really wanted to try, then i'll get it.
i don't get a paper, but occasionally get a little grocery mailer that sometimes has great coupons.
you really can save a lot with them. it's actually really fun, but clipping them all is time consuming, and keep them organized is more time still...



littlewonder -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 8:21:35 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: porcelaine

quote:

ORIGINAL: littlewonder

seems like a lot of work to do...sounds nice to be able to save all that money but when I hear of people who coupon like that I wonder where they get all this time to do it. I mean when do they find time to clip coupons all the time, organize them, figure out the savings, etc...when you have kids, cleaning, job, hobbies, relationship?


Everyone doesn't have the responsibilities or constraints mentioned. Heck I only have two to concern myself with. It's easy to do a lot when you have time on your hands.

Namaste,

~porcelaine



Sure but you see the shows on tv where they have a houseful of kids to take care of, chores, some have jobs too and I keep wondering where they find the time. I mean when my daughter was young I was lucky to find time to do much of anything after working, taking care of her, cleaning, dealing with other life stuff and then trying to get a few hours of sleep.

I can see having the time if it's your hobby and you're single or you and your partner don't do much together.

If I see a coupon that will save me money on something I regularly buy then I'll use it but I don't hunt them down and save them or anything like that. I think there are better, more fun things to do with my spare time.



porcelaine -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 9:08:22 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: littlewonder

Sure but you see the shows on tv where they have a houseful of kids to take care of, chores, some have jobs too and I keep wondering where they find the time. I mean when my daughter was young I was lucky to find time to do much of anything after working, taking care of her, cleaning, dealing with other life stuff and then trying to get a few hours of sleep.


I can't speak for the television shows. But I only had one child and I ran the household very efficiently, worked a demanding job, managed to have a social life, volunteer, and enroll her in competitive sports. It's a matter of priorities. I was not clipping coupons and my cleaning fetish underwent an overhaul. And I only required three to four hours of sleep to function at a high level.

It was a different time and place and being superwoman was a necessity. But that's no longer the case and my daughter is all grown up. Life is carefree and the excessive busyness has abated. The pace is slower and I enjoy my moments of domesticity and the simplicities that I've always wanted to indulge but wisely put aside until the demands were no longer of consequence. And that time is now. [;)]

Namaste,

~porcelaine



AlwaysLisa -> RE: I wanna be a coupon diva! (3/24/2011 9:21:29 PM)

See..thats what happen when you get old and move to a city the size of a wart, no kids, just you two, and the idea of spending less at the store is very appealing.  I have other things I can do with the money :)    It's an hour drive to any decent size store, one way, no traffic, just windy country roads, so the less we make that drive, the better.     Clipping a few coupons while watching tv, isn't a strain on my time.   They also have folks who for just a few pennies, clip whatever you need, just put in your order, how many, and in the mail come neatly clipped coupons ready for use.  

With the stacking of coupons, (more then one per item), skies the limit.   As I read up on this, I am amazed.  My granite counter top is not so far out of reach :)

It's a little mind bending actually, how much money is spent on food, with little to show for it.   It's not like shopping for diamonds, the more you spend the bigger the rock, the higher the value...it will remain for an eternity and possibly climb in worth.   Where does food go?  Same place as the toilet paper, which is also too pricey! 



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