[Rasha]

4 Weeks, Each Week Has a Set of Tasks to Enter Giveaway

Prizes: Each week we are giving away 4 prizes - Each winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card and 1 year AFullCup Supporting Membership!

This week's entry period will end Monday October 17th, 9am EST. Winners will be chosen at random.

Week 2 Task - Share your positive couponing story. It could be how you taught a friend to coupon, a great experience with a polite cashier, donating your excess stockpile, whatever experience you have that has made a good impression of couponing (therefore, not extreme couponing).

Post your entry in this thread. One entry per person.

and

[Hertzler07]

I had a wonderful experience the other day at Rite Aid. I went to Rite Aid to take advantage of their P&G sale on Pantene. After combining my coupons and receiving my wellness rewards. I was able to purchase 5 bottles of shampoo and 5 bottles of conditioner for $13. The cashier I had was the best. She was very organized with my coupons and made sure that everything was ringing up right and that the coupons were taken off correctly. In the past I was not a huge fan of Rite Aid, but after this experience, I am a fan again.

[KaillasB]

Before we started to coupon, we would visit our local foodbank to get our food once a month, to just help us make it though. Once we started to coupon, we found amazing savings and a new way to shop. A little at a time, taking advantage of the sales as they come.

Now, we have become regulars at our food bank, as Donators. We can be seen usually 3 times a month, dropping of a carload of great deals.

Through our experience couponing, I have started to teach classes at the foodbank on how to coupon, and having people who come to the class, who received the items we donated, come to us and say "you mean you got all that from couponing?". (we live in a town of only 1400. It makes a huge impact!

We can show them how much couponing made a difference in our lives, in just such a short time, less than 6 months. We were where they are at, making a decision if we buy tp or laundry detergent this week. We could not afford both. Now through couponing, we have a great stockpile, and we are blessed to be able to share our coupon information with people in our area to help them. Thanks Afullcup.com, you have made a difference in our lives.

[bmagill]

I am new to couponing and, to be honest, I started to provide for my husband, puppy, and myself due to a severe drop in income out of the blue. I have been trying to gain extra coupons by finding recycle bins and letting all of my friends and family know--you know, the "basics". I was finding alot of coupons for things we don't use--things for babies or small children, for example. Two weeks ago, we learned that our godson's mother--a dear friend and single mother--has taken a steep drop in income as well. Her son has a near-insane number of medical bills because he has cerebral palsy and while most of it is covered--some things are not. She had no idea how she was going to pay this past month's installment payment on some of his medical equipment. I picked up some cheap baby-related things I knew she would use (diapers, wipes, etc.) to surprise her and imagine my surprise when she had stacks of SS and RP inserts waiting for me! She had heard of OUR financial struggles (little compared to hers) and raided the recycling bins for me--more concerned for our problems than hers! Not only was I humbled, but I realized that couponing is more than just people "saving money" or developing gigantic stockpiles--it's trying about doing what you can to help others as well. I will never forget that day!

[dwagner84]

I was shopping at Target when they had the Papermate pens for free with the papermate $1 coupon. I didn't need anymore pens and saw a lady with her son grab a pack of the pens. I went over to her and asked her if she wanted a coupon to make it free, and she was so happy. I went down the aisle with a big smile on my face. It feels so great to help someone out that may not have the time or the knowledge of couponing to be able to know about a deal like that.

[Muffin1996]

I am fairly new to couponing and I have always been a little hesitant when the deal seemed to be too good. Since I started really using coupons and checking out this website I have saved a ton of money on items I always purchase and items I have been able tot ry that I might not have tried before. I have been very fortunate and with only a few exceptions and have had an easy time using my coupons but I have to say the best experiences i have ever had has been in Rite Aid. I am in there very frequently now and the cashier seems to know me. Last week I went in with my stack of coupons and UPR and I apologized for the amount I was giving her but she just smiled and said I always give her presents and proceeded to announce how much I owed before coupons and was genuinely happy that I saved so much money after using my coupons. I was thrilled she was organized and so friendly....definetly great service that makes me want to go back.

[sljohnson220]

I had multiple good experiences this past weekend at Rite Aid and Pathmark. Between the two stores I saved 20% that was more than I anticipated. I got catalinas that I didn't even know about. When they printed out on the Catalina machine the cashier told me, and since I had more of the same item I decided to do an additional transaction to get another Catalina. If I didn't know about Catalinas I would have missed out. Also, the cashier decided to buy the same items. So I was happy and hope to have good coupon experiences.

[Deona]

I love giving coupons away if I see someone who has a product in their cart that I have a coupon for. I have never had one person turn down a coupon!
My favorite time I did this was a couple months ago. Pier 1 Imports had an awesome $10 off $10 coupon, essentially making $10 worth of products free. While I was at the store with my mom, I noticed I had 3 extra coupons and it was the last day to use them. I saw a couple browsing the store so I went up to them and gave them 2 of the coupons. They were ecstatic! Then I noticed another lady looking at the doormats which were $13. I handed her the coupon after explaining what it was and she was thrilled that she could buy the doormat for only $3 after coupon!
It was a highlight of my day!

[akerley4]

I too love to give coupons away while I am shopping. Especially the elderly ladies who are always grateful for the coupon or tip.
I also love to give to our missions at church. So far my extra free stuff has gone to the troops overseas as well as to some poor South American countries.
The school supplies came in handy when I had to make many school supplies bags for underprivileged children in Nicaragua. If they don't have supplies they are not allowed to go to school.

[bhickman1]

I work in an area with a large amount of homeless people. There is always one standing at the light at the intersection off the highway. They take shifts and swap days and spots, so it is always someone different. Ever since I started couponing, I make 2 lunches. One for me, and one with extra goodies in it that I give them(with my doors locked and window just open enough to get it out) while I am stopped at the light each day on my way to work. Always at least a fruit, veggie, sandwich, drink, cheese stick, and HBA item. Barely costs me anything, and I give someone hungry a healthy meal each day.

Sent from my iPhone using AFullCup

[JStacklie]

I allow my friends to shop my stockpile to assist their families. While they pay me, it is a greatly reduced price compared to the stores they would normally shop at. This not only helps me to make sure my stockpile stays manageable (therefore, not extreme), but also allows me to help others that don't have the time to coupon. There's nothing like sending a friend home with the back of their SUV loaded with groceries and toiletries for $50 that would cost them over $200 at the store!!

[Losingitagain]

Before I began to seriously coupon, I used to take a few grocery bags of fresh produce from my garden to my local food bank (who is always appreciative of fresh produce). But now that I am able to score so many free products, I not only donte them to the same food bank, but I have expanded to a battered women's shelter (lots of my make-up goes there...they so need things like that to cover up bruising and make the women who flee feel as special as they are!) Like most couponers, I enjoy being a coupon fairy as well as seeing things in someone's shopping cart that I have a coupon for and sharing the coupon with them.

[solitariblu]

My most positive couponing story would have to be how it has improved the relationship between me and my mom. I have always couponed (thanks to my mom teaching me when I was old enough to use scissors), but had to begin doing it more frequently when my husband and I moved back to our home state since things tend to cost more here. My ten day stay in the hospital and the diagnosis of a heart condition didn't really help our finances either. Now that I live closer to her and we have couponing in common we talk almost everyday. We keep each other updated with deals at stores, clip and organize at her house, and we even manage to go couponing together in the stores. Our relationship before this was always kind of strained; I lived out of state and we didn't really have anything in common to talk on the phone about. Couponing has given us both a discussion topic and a hobby; it's given us back a relationship we haven't had for a long time. We love going to the stores and giving people extra coupons for things they are buying; we have a lot of fun together!

[siriradha]

I'm the coupon fairy! Yep, I am the crazy lady who sticks her extra coupons on, in, or under the products at the grocery store. When I'm in line at the checkout, I'm that woman who takes a peek at what's in other people's carts and offers them coupons. I've also been known to offer RAOKs of coupons for Pet/Hair Color/Air Freshener/Razor/ and Eggs--things I don't need or want--here on AFC.

I truly believe that what goes around comes around, and I've learned that good coupon karma is priceless!


May you always be blessed with ample coupons, great deals, and courteous, efficient cashiers!

Carolyn in CO

[mandy5540]

Couponing has made me so generous! I am constantly sharing deals and coupons with friends, family and fellow shoppers . I also leave coupons near products, ship them out to military friends overseas, and offer extra coupons to shoppers that have corresponding items in their carts.

My favorite experience was sharing a Ragu coupon with a teeny tiny older lady at a local grocery store when they were on sale for 1.00 a jar. Her face lit up!

It's not about getting getting tons of free items for yourself to last for years that you may never ever use.. It's about stretching a buck and sharing a little piece of yourself in the process.

[msvidkiller13]

I remember when I got one of my first for free with couponing, it was when I went to save a lot and asked if they took coupons and the cashier was so nice I shared AFC and we talked for about a half hour she shared with me how to fill out the servery from their store and when I went home I filled it out and week later I won a $100. WOW I saw her a few weeks back and I told her about my filling out her survey and and won and she told me she goes on AFC all time We All know that in reality AFC is real couponing not extreme

[aldrichmom]

Each week when I go to Rite Aid I help a few of the cashiers figure out the best sales for the week with the up rewards. If I have extra manufacture coupons I will give them some also. They use to always say you have to teach me that so I figured why not. They smile everytime they see me and express their thanks which in turns makes me feel good. I totally believe in PAY IT FORWARD as much as possible!!

[nancycrom]

Almost every week when I'm out shopping with my coupons somebody asks me how to start couponing. I always share my fav websites and encourage them to do it as little or as much as they have time for. But the best feeling is being able to brings bags of food & drugstore items to a local food pantry. If I wasn't couponing I would never be able to afford all the stuff I donate.

[jeklin]

A local friend of mine has become quite the couponer thanks to my encouragement! It feels good to share my advice and help out other families to save money. Pretty soon she'll be a better couponer than me!

Jill

[JStacklie]

Okay I just had to share: I'm at Target today and I sneezed. About three isles away, a 4 yo little boy pops his head around the corner and says, "bless you." I said thank you and continued my shopping... Then I remembered something... I found him and his mom several isles away and gave her a $5/5.99 Transformer coupon to treat her son to reward him for being such a kind boy! Not extreme... Sharing the love!

[kelli050]

I have had so many good experiences including this web site, couponing in local stores, sharing tips and ideas with friends and family and sharing my scores. This year I had a Kindergartener and a Preschooler, so didn't need a whole lot of school supplies even though I was able to get a lot of great deals. I sent double my kid's list in their backpack and I also dropped off extra supplies with their elementary school and 2 other local church affiliated schooling programs. They were so grateful and it made me happy to be able to give back to my community

[rhondag508]

I just read the "winners chosen at random" part....so I'll enter. You all have much better stories than mine. TFS!

My positives (some serious and some silly) about couponing are:

1. Now that I have built a little stockpile, I can keep my budget (thanks to support on the AFC monthly budgeting thread) at the level it was when my DH and I first got married in 1996, and I have two grade school girls to feed now.

2. I love being able to donate much more product for much less money now. Instead of one small $20 bag when school or church asks us to donate to the food pantry, I can usually donate twice as much for half as much! (I intentionally spend $10 a month for couponing to donate, but I try to be very selective and only get the best deals.)

3. Our church outreach group goes to a homeless church in the City and provides a meal about once a month, and we also take deodorant, body wash, hand sanitizer, etc. I like being able to provide a bit of that very inexpensively...though my Homeland did just raise the price of their Ban deodorant this week. Wait, I'm supposed to be positive .

4. I love having just what I need, when I need it. My mini stockpile has so many things in it that I can usually find something for any situation.

5. I love that I am now ~hoping~ there aren't any good sales on frozen items next week because my freezer (both on the side by side and a small upright in the garage) is too full!

[kat9774]

My daughter got me started on serious, but not extreme, couponing about a year ago. It has saved me so much money that I was able to share with our church food pantry on a regular basis. Almost every week I would have a bag of items that cost less than $2.00. I try to provide items that people can't purchase with their food stamps, such as soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
I recently retired and have volenteered to shop for the food pantry with the cash donations. On one of my recent trips I got $110 of products for $42. But the best ever was $88 for 82 cents. It makes me feel good that I can use some of my time and knowledge to help the less fortunate.

[frances311]

I think I helped a manager at my Walgreens realize couponers were not all bad, we had a bad experience over gum recently. Yesterday she got me an ad and saw the Halls on sale and said she should have bought one yesterday. I had one in my stuff to buy. When I handed her the q she said "where did you get that" I told her where and then I handed one to her to use. I think she realized we can all save and help each other.

[Wendytww]

I started keeping track of our spending in Jan and Feb. Our food, H&B and cleaning was over $1100 a month! I started couponing and was able to lower that to $500 or less a month. This feeds my daycare of 8 and my family of 4 (now 5). I recently took in a foster baby and was able to get formula and food for her for almost free along with reasonable prices on diapers. It was wonderful being ready for her when she came so I could concentrate on providing a safe and loving home without worry about the cost!