[kmills630]

i have been attempting to coupon for a couple months now. i started the binder method. i buy three papers every sunday and i have a ton of coupons. my problem is that i am not finding all the deals that i see everyone else getting. i look on several websites at the matchups. but i just dont see that many deals. i feel like i will never get the hang of this. and i also feel like i am wasting my money buying all these papers every sunday. i am ready to give up because i feel like such a failure. i really wanted to do this for my family so that we could save money. i feel so overwhelemed with all these coupons that i am not using. my coupons are expiring before i can use them.....uggghhhh! it looks so easy when you see others doing it. but i am just not getting it.

[xboxundone]

I would suggest taking a step back and instead of trying to do it all start trying to save on just a few items each week you know your family eats or uses. Then try to do more. If you dive in and expect to reduce your bill by 30-50% its tough but cutting it by 10% is achievable fairly quickly take small steps. remember some people have been at this for DECADES

[Jadasmom]

It's very frustrating when you first start out. I would suggest starting at one grocery store and one drug store. Learn there policy and get the deals from there. If they are out of stock get a rain check. I would read Where Do You Begin? It offers a lot of information for newbies. When you filled out the info in the Welcome Mat did you ask for a buddy? Buddies are great at helping you learn the ropes. If not, go back to your post in the welcome mat and ask for a buddy. HTH

[tjsmith79]

I would recommend picking up a paper and actually looking at the coupons before buying it to see if they actually have coupons in them that you would use multiples of. Many coupons are regional so even if you read the lists that are posted everywhere of what will be in the inserts, it may not be in your inserts. Getting started is hard. It will get better, just keep with it. Good Luck!!

[DebB831]

I would agree with not buying the papers unless you know for sure you will use at least the amount of coupons in them that will cover the cost of the paper plus some. If you check out the coupons that may be in your inserts ahead of time, you may be able to judge how many papers you will want that week. This last weekend, I only bought two papers based on what coupons were going to be in it. A few weeks ago, I bought six because of three coupons in it, I knew I would use and cover the .75 each paper cost plus some. The Sunday Coupon Previews forum Sunday Coupon Previews - Grocery Coupons & Deal Forums - A Full Cup is where I check out what should be coming out ahead of time.

I have been able to find more coupons online to print over the last year than I use to, so it may be that you only need to buy one paper each week and print more when you know you will be using a certain coupon. Good luck finding what works best for you.

[Dagar]

I know how you feel I am starting all over again and so many things have changed. I am just getting the flyer for one grocery store here that doubles and matching coupons for the sales. I am not trying to CVS cash, RiteAid rebates, commissary deals. I'm just starting slow. I'd recommend get the flyer for one store that doubles ( I view online) look through the coupon database for coupons that match the deals then find a trader that hopefully is near you to quick ship, so you can make your purchases. I did buy multiple papers this week because there was a nice coupon it in, generally I just get one and keep it for referrence, uncut to flip back through later.

Keep posting, just remember start small, soon you will be able to mulit-task multiple deals in your head, order from traders for three stores and figure your CVS cash and RiteAid rebates all in one swoop. :-)

[SLance68]

I posted in another thread you had about couponsense. But here is my suggestion again. Pitch that binder and start smaller. The others are correct only buy the papers once you know what coupons are in them. Coupons are very regional and the area you are in might not have as good of coupons as the ones you are reading about in the match ups. You have to remember this is a tool you can use for the rest of your life so put a little time in and it does become easier. Just realize that things like the show "extreme couponing" are NOT reality no matter what they call themselves. Good luck and if you need help - put a post out and you will find this group does try to help.

[joshmamabear]

great advice from PPs.

To add some more, to prevent you from getting overwhelmed, instead of buying several Sunday papers all @ once, make sure to check what's inside BEFORE you pay for them. If you can use several coupons and your paper is $2 or less, then buy papers equal to the number of members in your HH, not more than that. Let's say there's 4, then buy 4 papers; since many coupons now limit up to 4 (Unilever is stricter @ 2 per shopping trip ) Start with small quantities per item instead of making it your goal to build your stockpile overnight. It doesn't work that way and you'll soon experience a couponing burnout if you do it that way.

Avoid comparing your savings from what you read in blogs/coupon boards like 200% savings or stuff like that. You'll likely get discouraged when you can't the same savings even if you follow their instructions. I've noticed most bloggers either mislead or knowingly deceive readers thinking they can get everything free WHEN they do NOT mention they used RRs/ECBs/UPs to get their total OOP to cents and then get back huge rewards!

Keep in mind also that inspite of the fact that others make it look like it is a walk in the park to do those 50 to 100 back 2 back transactions, IT IS HARD WORK! I don't know how they can say they do 100 transactions in an hour or less just rolling and rolling and they get paid to shop. You can try it yourself and know what I'm talking about on how hard it is to get to the lowest OOP IF you don't plan carefully. MOST IMPORTANT factor aside from having coupons and money, of course is product availability. Even the best couponer with all coupons and scenarios planned cannot work magic when there's empty shelves

Nowadays, couponing has become very challenging; most have layed low for now waiting till it gets better. But here's hoping new opportunities to save come in the future.

[swillis88]

Do you know anyone in your area that coupons? Some people do better planning trips in groups. You spot the deals with more eyes, and the other(s) may know of coupons/deals that you don't.

[Belinda22]

It takes a few months to get the hang of things. Don't worry it will happen. This week I stocked up on crackers, ice cream, glad holders, and lunchables. Otherwise I bought just what we needed matching what q's I had on hand. But, I wont need crackers for 6 months or ice cream for the summer nor do I need more glad holders.

I don't see a thing wrong with you buying 3 newspapers each week. It was the way I started, plus any printable I thought I'd need plus trades. I accumulated as many q's as I could find to get ready for those sales and it happened. A little at a time and before long my house became full. Thank goodness another thread has helped me repurpose body washes to hand soap. The body wash feels yucky but works great as a liquid soap.

I use about 4 different websites to locate good deals plus numerous threads. It gets easier.

[Mteel33]

Great advice here! I would just start out slow. One store, maybe two and get comfortable. I started with albertson's because it's right up the street from me. Then I started checking out Rite Aid, Target and Vons...it just takes some time. Don't give up, just remember if your saving 10% that's more than you have been saving I've been couponing for about a year now and it's totally worth it...I do take a break from time to time, but I'm addicted now good luck!

Sent from my iPhone using AFullCup

[Vegas1]

It helps to know your location and what stores are in your area. I live in a remote area and try to let people know exactly what store and location I found the deal at. In my store they double to .50 q's, but you go to the same store different location 30 miles down and they only double to .40 q's. So it wouldn't be such a great deal as mine. Also do you live in a No Beer Purchased Required (NBPR) state? All of these things can be answered if you fill in the location in your profile status. Even if you only put the state. I get a lot of help from everyone on here, but it really helps knowing the local deals, as a lot of them are unadvertised. Good luck and don't give up. Just start slowly. It will come to you easier when you become familiar with prices at your stores. After a while you will be able to just look at a coupon and know if it is going to be a freebie.

[funnybunny99833]

Don't be discouraged, it can take awhile! I do support the ceasing of buying papers. Either dumpster-dive at recycling bins or go to Libraries and ask for their Sunday papers (then take out the inserts) as a way to get coupons for free.

Then, focus on one or two stores. There are a lot of websites that focus on just one store, like Target or Walmart or RiteAid. Pick what you shop at most and go for it (or the one that is nearest to you).

Also, I started with a binder as well and it took me FOREVER to clip out coupons, most of which I never used. I recommend filing the full inserts in a file folder, check your favorite coupon blogs for deals and matchups, clip the coupons you will need from the inserts and keep them in a small folder, I use one that is the size of a small purse. That way I don't lug around a big binder and I only have coupons I know I will use. This method has cut out a TON of my time!

The more you do it, the more you get the hang of it. I have been pretty frustrated at times, but look at it like a game where the rules are still being learned.

[twentyfirstcenturygypsy]

What everyone else said, but I would recommend keeping up your newspapers. There is nothing worse than finding a great deal on something you need, and discovering that you didn't get papers the week the coupon came out.

You might call your newspaper to see if they offer a couponers subscription at a lower rate. I can get multiples of a $2 newspaper delivered on Sundays for $1.25 each. OR if you have a Dollar Tree that carries your paper, you can get them for $1.

Also, not every week is a good week to coupon. Some weeks are insanely busy stock up weeks, and some weeks all you save is gas money.

The first rule of couponing that I learned was to be friendly to the cashiers. They can be your best resource for help.

Don't give up. It gets easier.

[couponkim101]

What stores do you have around you?

[LenetteQ]

You have gotta start off slow and it is a lot more fun with a buddy.

I have been doing it for years now and I still get overwhelmed with trying to keep up with them and not let the good ones expire

It is so sad when a good BOGO Free goes to waste just because I can't afford to buy the first item. With a buddy, you can redeem and go 50/50

I lost my favorite coupon wallet over a year ago and I was devastated but when I had to clean out may car to get it ready to be sold, I found it in the glove box Yayyy

I know they are all expired by now but I liked this wallet the best

Suggestion: Get one of the cheap nylon wallets and make your own labels for the sections so they are more taylored to your needs

Don't give up, just slow down
I promise the savings will definitely worth your time and energy

One more thing, treat yourself to a freebie only shopping spree when you can. See how much stuff you can get without spending a dime!