Sep. 3, 2007 - Coupon Question and Answer
Coupon Question and Answer
Hi, Amy,
I know you must be very busy, but I wondered if you were able to maybe summarize the theory of coupons - and the reality of coupons. I've been keeping our food bill down by choosing menus based on what's reasonably-priced, and hitting sales -- especially since I'm in an area with a zillion grocery stores.
If you are already shopping sales and menu planning, you have already hit on one of the keys to couponing. Only use coupons when items are at rock bottom prices! Every week, Giant has many items 10 for $10. It is great how often these items have coupons. This past week, Giant had a deal where if you purchased $20 of certain Kelloggs products, you got a $7 Staples coupon. Well, I was able to use $6 in coupons and turn in a $10 rebate, plus get $7 of free Staples schools supplies. Add that up and I made $3 for buying cereal! And, there were two different Kellogs rebates out right now; so I did the deal twice.
I really don't know how to begin to think about coupons. The last time I looked at coupons, it seemed to require purchasing either things I didn't need, or the item was just more expensive even with the coupon. We recently got a Harris Teeter nearby, and they double coupons .99 and less. Which got me thinking.
Another key to couponing is building a pantry when things are free or super cheap. You might not need it now; but in a few weeks? So, if I can get 20 boxes of cereal for free or super cheap; of course I won’t be using them all this week — but they will stock my pantry. Also, If I can get food items for free, it suddenly becomes something I need even though I wouldn’t normally buy it. That’s because if we eat the free item, I don’t have to spend money on something else to fill empty stomachs. If we absolutely won’t eat it; I can stock the church food cupboard or sell it on ebay. Food items sell great to the UK. Also, I haven’t paid out of pocket for toothpaste, deoderant for months. I rarely pay for body wash or shampoo. I combine coupons with CVS Extra Bucks and sometimes end up getting paid to buy these items. If we have extras, I give them away. I've even been known to send my mother-in-law home with toothpaste and deoderant! Last year at the end of summer I got about 15 continuous spray cans of free sunscreen at Rite Aid; and we used those free cans all summer long this summer. (swimming every single day!) I am almost out just now.
To start building your pantry might take an initial outflow of cash; when things are super cheap but not free... Example, the first week you go, you might be able to get six boxes of cereal for 50 cents each; 6 packages of hotdogs for 25 cents each, 10 large cans of green beans for 50 cents each etc. Enough of that and it starts to add up. However, next week, you won’t need to buy cereal, hotdogs, or green beans and you plan your menus around what is in your pantry that week. So, in a few weeks your grocery trip comes to the point where you are only buying fresh produce, and cheap or free items for your pantry. This holds true for non coupon items like chicken as well. It does cost more up front to start buying 10 pounds of meat when it is a dollar per pound, but in one quarter (3 months) of grocery shopping you can save a ton by buying meat this way.
I only buy what I need for the week, unless I am getting a really great deal. One of the keys is waiting to use the coupon on the lowest price — I try to wait for at least 60% off on items I am buying for my pantry and not for immediate use. After a couple quarters of couponing, you can get a feel for which items are never going to be below 60% off; and which ones will likely drop to 75% off if you wait a couple more weeks. For instance, I never ever buy Ziploc baggies unless I am getting them for less then 50 cents per box or I really, really need them -- because I know I can get them free the next time Harris Teeter triples. The coupons and sales tend to cycle quarterly.
But, you mentioned getting 6 papers! Sounds intriguing -- but then, do the coupons cover the cost of those papers? is the internet a source of coupons -- where to begin that search! Is there a book on this (do you need to write one!!! lol).
I buy six papers per week unless there are no coupons (happens often on holidays) or great coupons (like a coupon for free dishwasher detergent); in which case I buy up to 12 papers. I use Refund Cents to check before Sunday to see what coupons are coming out (she posts a list several days ahead of time.) That way I know how many papers to buy. I never save less in one week then what I have spent on papers. Ever. I never even come close!
Harris Teeter TRIPLES coupons at least once per quarter. This makes many items free or almost free. I almost always get free Ziplocs, free shampoo and body wash, and lots of free food items. They have a limit of 20 coupons per trip; so my husband and I both go with 20 coupons each and save about $100 with 40 coupons. I always take extra because you never know what they will run out of. So in other words, I pull out all my coupons that are under 99 cents for one item; and we go through the store shopping until we each have 20 free or almost free items in our cart. If we have extra time in a weekend, one of us might make an extra trip.
I do buy coupons on the internet occasionally. I recently bought 35 coupons for Organic milk; because I use 4 gallons per week and the coupons were $1 off but only costs 7 cents each. That is worth it! I frequently buy Pepperidge Farm bread coupons online; because I buy their Whole Grain bread, about 3 loaves per week. I always check coupon prices plus shipping on ebay; and compare prices; but very often I use The Coupon Master to buy on-line coupons.
I also trade coupons that I don’t need for coupons that I do need on Refund Cents
My family is saving at least $200 per month with coupons, after the cost of coupons is subtracted. Often more; especially if it is a great month for CVS deals or a Harris Teeter tripling month. I spend about 30 minutes each week clipping and sorting. (It takes longer at first till you find your rhythm.) Sometimes I have the kids help and that can speed things up unless the littles get involved. on the trading boards occasionally. I don’t spend a ton of time though; but if I happen to have some great coupons to trade, I will post to the forums and see what comes of it.
Last night I went to CVS with $60 in Extra Care Bucks (free CVS money). I purchased $120 in retail; used Sunday coupons and Extra Care Bucks and paid $17.69 out of pocket.  I even forgot $7 in CVS coupons!  I got $40 in new Extra Care Bucks to spend next time; and will mail in the reciept today for a $30 rebate!
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