Kelleigh, I couponed!

[Pamela Donnis]

Just becoming a little obsessed with this lately.

I know Kelleigh uses coupons. Anyone else?

Here's my latest transaction:
http://www.pameladonnis.com/blog/?p=187
http://www.pameladonnis.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/nov-16-shopping1-1024x657.jpg

[sinead]

I want to get involved with all of this, but I'm not sure how to start. I need help getting it all organized because I usually end up forgetting to bring the coupons or misplacing the coupons and finding them after they've expired. HELP!

[michellebatton]

I want to get involved with all of this, but I'm not sure how to start. I need help getting it all organized because I usually end up forgetting to bring the coupons or misplacing the coupons and finding them after they've expired. HELP!

LOL - that's me too! I will cut them and then totally forget about them! Although I am proud to say this last week I planned menus AND remembered the coupons and saved over thirty dollars on my grocery bill combining coupons and in store sales.

AND I also snagged THREE hardbound taste of home cookbooks for just $16 - they were almost $90 regular. They're having a $5 sale on some and I found a coupon for $1 shipping (saved me another $7!)

Have to thank Kelleigh for that too - since I got curious about couponing because of her posts lol

:loveshower:

But, yes, I need help - because those were totally flukes!

[sinead]

I did shop the store flyer today and saved $40 at Publix, which is a pretty good thing. I've got olive oil, dried pasta, and pasta sauce for a couple of months, but hey--they won't go bad. :) (Well, the olive oil could, but we are pretty consistent with it, so I'm not worried about that.)

[Jubeefish]

I used to be really huge into couponing and could save a bundle. I still use my price book to keep track of what the best price is for our staples and I still use the buy in bulk mentality. I just got away from the coupon part because I don't have the time. Maybe after the holidays I'll give the whole coupon thing another try.

If you can get yourself organized and get the hang of it all, it's a great life skill. I know that my girls understand how it works now and it helps a lot when we shop with the "mom, can we have this?". They will say - oh, we don't have a coupon or mom, is this a good price?

[SunshineTK]

Pam - I saw your blog post - YAY!!!

Kelleigh got me started couponing about 2 months ago and I originally didn't think I could do it. But I'm totally hooked and it's absolutely amazing. We used to spend about $120-$150 a week (including dog and cat food, diapers, paper products, groceries, etc.) and I never had any food in the house! Now my budget is $75 per week and my freezer is jammed, my pantry is jammed, and my bathroom cabinets (where I have all my shampoo, makeup, toothpaste, etc.) are jammed. I have enough shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, and toothpaste to last 2 years (oh, and enough mascara to last 20 years - Kelleigh will appreciate that one :giggle:). I hope to eventually get us to under $50 a week. Right now about 1/3 of my budget is still going for fresh produce and meats, so that means I have to cut my spending on everything else in half. I can do it!

My mentality about shopping has completely changed - I buy in bulk (like I have 30 Uncle Ben's rice sides in my pantry right now) what is on sale coupled with a coupon. Publix is great for this with their BOGO sales (use a coupon on both items, including the one you're getting free). I am also a big fan of Target and Walgreens shopping - who knew you could get so much for free at Walgreens?
I'm having so much fun!! :loveshower:

[Charla]

I need to do this too! Kelleigh gave me the bug to try it, but I just haven't gotten anywhere with it yet. We get everything at one store, because Josh takes us out once a week and I don't have a car during the day, but I'd really like to do better.

That's quite the stash, Pam! Love the kids sitting in the picture too :giggle:

[danijane]

I have done this too over the last couple months and I am really saving but I don't have to time to blog about it, where do you find the time Kelleigh??

I need a business manager, lol :)

[MariKoegelenberg]

Okay seriously??? :giggle: We do bulk shopping at Costco twice a month and then during the week we spend about $50 on fresh veggies etc. is it really worthwhile? Taking into account the time spent hunting and gathering (:rotfl:) for the coupons?

[judet]

I'm too lazy, I'm afraid. And not organised enough. I struggle to get to the supermarket each week with my bags, never mind anything else!

And I think I'd need a bigger kitchen. I do buy rice in the biggest contained known to man, if that counts :smile:

Seriously, I'm not sure if its much of a thing here. I'll admit to not reading local newspapers much, but I don't ever recall ever coming across many coupons. We get 'reward points' from supermarkets which you can redeem later for money off shopping or meals or all sorts of stuff.

[sinead]

Tracy, as a Publix shopper, I need more details. Can you elaborate? (Or is it all on your blog?)

[gonewiththewind]

My husband and I are STARTING to do this . . . when you see how much you can save, it's hard to resist! Thanks for more inspiration! I think once we get our stash built up, it'll work better. It's still hard to buy things in bulk when they are on sale when you really need something else instead . . . so we're working through that.

[Pamela Donnis]

Yes, it took me a couple of months to REALLY be able to do this since I still needed the basics each week. It is thrilling when you see how much you can save though!

[g8rbeckie]

hmmm...we don't do coupons for groceries (I fall into the "not organized enough" and definitely not committed enought to make it work camp!).

However - DH and I are committed to getting the BEST DEAL on every "big" purchase we make. By big, I mean anything non-grocery...

First - we ALWAYS buy on-line. We check prices at Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target, etc. And you can get signed up to get flyers to your e-mail electronically for all of the stores you regularly shop. In general, Amazon prices are usually the best. And if you MUST purchase something name-brand for any reason? Always go to google (or other search engine of your preference!) and search for "coupon code". You can ALWAYS find coupons for free shipping, $10 off, etc.

As an example? The last time I bought a laptop I googled "Inspiron coupon code" and found a deal for $250 off a system of $700 or more. And Dell was running a free shipping promo at the same time and had another promo running on a monitor, too. Gap, Banana Republic, Sears, Gymboree, etc - all these places put coupon codes up on-line! The big ones (like Dell does) are sometimes limited use (they will expire after 4000 uses in most cases), but if you check often, you'll learn what the best deals are for each retailer.

Plus - you get the fun of packages showing up at your door several times a week, LOL!

[SunshineTK]

Tracy, as a Publix shopper, I need more details. Can you elaborate? (Or is it all on your blog?)

Sinead - I :heart: Publix!!!! Here's a link to one of my blog posts where I talk about one of my Publix trips:

http://tracykosofsky.blogspot.com/2009/10/layouts.html

[sinead]

Thanks, Tracy! I :heart: Publix, too, and had resigned myself to not saving as much as we used to. :)

[Pamela Donnis]

I don't have a Publix by me, but this blog post may be helpful:
http://familystampingfood.blogspot.com/2009/11/publix-deals-under-1-1119-1125-fulton.html

[ccouch]

So, do you gals have any tips on getting started? Or a link that would help?

[Pamela Donnis]

I love www.moneysavingmom.com (http://www.moneysavingmom.com). She guides you through.
www.couponmom.com is a good one too.

[ccouch]

awesome, pam :) thanks!
Since I posted earlier, I've been reading on www.couponing101.com. She's got some good advice on getting started. I'll definitely check out the sites you recommended :)

[sinead]

I'm going to have to do some reading this weekend. :)