[Eboonesews]

Originally Posted by rltaylorct

Hi, I'm new to this forum and hope that you can help me out. The grocery store that I go to does double coupons (up to 99 cents). However, most of the time, after checking the prices of other comparable brands (including the store brand), another brand (other than that I have the coupon for) still costs less, so I go with the least expensive item. I usually save about $5.00 each week using coupons, but that doesn't seem like much to me.
We try to stay away from processed foods & boxed snacks, etc. How can I save more? Due to very tight finances, I cannot stockpile at all...I can only purchase exactly what I need for one week at a time. (I do have a store card) Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

If you check out the drugstore forums, they often have items that are free or money makers. If you start there, you can build up a small stockpile of toothpaste, tooth brushes, shampoo, etc. Then you can spend the money you would have spent on those things on starting a food stockpile. If you make your menus from your stockpile, you won't have to pay full price for things. If you limit your thinking to only buying what you need each week, it will be very difficult to get ahead. If you set a dollar amount to spend, you can start to stockpile. If your policy is to not buy something you won't use this week, you are tying your hands. Best of luck. I look at this as a game I can't lose. I can either win or win big.

[Momof4boys1982]

Thanks for the great information.

[anniephelps]

Thanks for all this wonderful info...it helps tremendously!!!!!

[couponmargie41]

It makes so much sense what you said. I really like the idea of using drugstore savings for food savings. Looking forward to putting your wisdom to work.

[TiaG]

Thank you for this thread. I am a newbie and still trying to find a system that works for me. Thank you.

[TiffanyLJ]

the train sounds fun

[TiffanyLJ]

thanks for the tips!!

[TiffanyLJ]

can you use coupons on clearance an most places?

[ctsunshine]

Originally Posted by TiffanyLJ

can you use coupons on clearance an most places?

yes! This can be a great strategy at Target and grocery stores and more!

[mimi32773]

Today was my first trip, with many more to come.... I was able to save over 469. 70 out of 555.07 and paying only 58.37... so happy....

[ctsunshine]

Originally Posted by mimi32773

Today was my first trip, with many more to come.... I was able to save over 469. 70 out of 555.07 and paying only 58.37... so happy....

that's great!

[savvysaver3331]

i am finding that the cashiers have mixed opinions about the extreme couponing but most have said they don't see how what is portrayed on tv is possible. most say they think its false. They all have been super friendly and some have even shared different websites people use.

[savvysaver3331]

please tell me how you did it....i am not one for dumpster diving but when i took my recycling yesterday i was thinking about it. shyed away when more cars pulled in. and its freezing out.

[savvysaver3331]

i think that couponing is very exciting...i can't explain how geeked i am when i get things for cheap or free. however, its taken me a long time to consider doing it because its also very intimidating.

your mindset had to be right or you won't be successful. When I told my roomate i went to riteaid to get pantene she scoffed that we had plenty. i said wait for it, and then explained how i got it for free. she had not complaints when i explained that my new couponing habit got us free stuff that we use all the time.

My mother told me that having a stockpile creates a hoarding mentality. My contention is that I will stockpile anything non perishable....ie. toilet paper, paper towel, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, deoderant....etc. When i have more than I can use....which is unlikely, i will donate it or put it on the table of the breakroom at work with a sign that says free. Someone will take it. As for food, I will get what I need and give the rest to friends or family and if I still have leftover, then I will donate it.

[savvysaver3331]

Now that drugstore circulars are outlining weekly savings, it is much easier to stockpile items. Be aware that stores that have loyalty cards such as riteaid may only allow you to do a deal once per card. Walgreens has register rewards but no loyalty card. So, you have to do multiple transactions.

[kmills630]

thankyou for this post!!

[bincarolina]

Yes, thank you very much, ctsunshine for all your hard work! This info was very helpful to me!

[moates]

What a great post, thanks!

[sadiepuss]

I'm a coupon newbies!! Thanks for this informative guide for us who are new to couponing. Learned alot and plan on saving a lot.

[jsouto]

Where do you get coupons for GF items?

[Eboonesews]

Originally Posted by jsouto

Where do you get coupons for GF items?

Do you mean Gluten Free?

I see you are new. I would like to put in a link to a forum, but I don't know how. You can put "Gluten free" in the printable coupon search field at the top of any page.

Or some pages have another search field just below that. If you put "gluten free" in that field and press "go", you will get a list of coupons. At the top of that list are two tabs. "Coupons" and "forums". If you click the "forums" tab, you can find threads that discuss GF. I found a thread that suggested writing to the GF companies for coupons.

Maybe someone else can explain this better.

[6LazyCatsMama]

I sure do appreciate this info. I'm new and feeling a bit lost!

[chichichobits]

I'm within walking distance of a Rite Aid, Duane Reade, and Target. There is a walgreens but I would have to take a train.

[LinemansWife2003]

Thank you!

[epimo23]

Originally Posted by ctsunshine

You're a casual couponer if you keep the occasional coupon and bring 2-4 with you on a shopping trip, buy what you would normally buy,
and get excited about using a coupon or having found one.

You're a savvy couponer when you...
* realize that you should save every coupon you ever come across because it will come in handy one day in one way or another.
* buy not when you need it, but when it’s free/cheap and buy in quantity.

My personal philosophy is to stay below the radar -- keep trips small, rarely do multiple transactions, be very nice to cashiers.

Thanks to jenlovestoteach for some ideas on this post!

Hey! This is an awesome idea! THANK YOU!