[Semicolon]

During HT triple Q's, I, like a few of us here, average something like $100 total, $30-$40 AC. Clearly there is room for improvement. I was wondering if some of the "perfecters" of Triple Coupon Days could give us some pointers. How do you prepare in advance of triples? How do you prepare the day you find out Triples have come?

Thank you for any insight. I figured if we knew your tips well in advance of the next triples, maybe some of us can get in your frame of mind and do better.

[LindaCheema]

I love triples. I have lots of non perishables in my cupboard now, but I also never end up getting to the $2 oop kinda deals.

I think the reason SOME, not all, end up with close to 0.0 oop is because they end up buying 10 baking cups, 4 dressings, and 6 tea boxes kinda shops. Well I have plenty of that and dont necessarily need it because its nearly free. Im not doing 6 shops to get a pantry full of baking cups dressing and tea. I love triples and make a few trips, but only for what I realy need and will use. I hate clutter and buying just to buy is wasteful and overconsumptive too in my opinion. I know lots will disagree on that !

I also have to buy Produce which is really expensive and meat, but only on a good sale when other stores can't beat that weeks price and I dont have any wine tags to go along with it! Also, planning overages --which DOES happen on sale items, is a great way to pick up some other items you need to make up the difference, while keeping oop low. Of course, you don't have to get those filler items, the overage just makes your oop lower- but you can't negative of course!

Toothpaste, tea, brownie mix etc, similar items, are ALWAYS on the short list of CHEAP or FREE stuff. The fact is, I dont need 20 more of ANY of these....so I end up getting some of the more expensive things that I need that pair up well with a tripled coupon if I can't wait for a better deal and need it urgently.

Just a few thoughts!
L

[therbel]

don't shop there, but I love your title!!!!

[Jennrn]

I think what people do is as soon as they learn of HT triples and can match up what's on sale, they try to get as many different high value coupons such as 75 cents/1 product through eBay, coupon clipping services, and trades. You can get some stuff cheap or free, but it may not be what you need. I would just focus on getting what you need at the best price.

[angnstang]

I too was one that had a big OOp, but now that I am on my Wal Mart high from yesterday I am encouraged to try triples again with a different way of looking at things..LOL

[Semicolon]

Originally Posted by Jennrn

they try to get as many different high value coupons such as 75 cents/1 product through eBay, coupon clipping services, and trades.

I wondered how big of a part of buying extra q's from services played in scheme of things. What's a little depressing is I think I've been living in La-La land, thinking you can get by with super deals with just 1 set of coupons.

Originally Posted by therbel

don't shop there, but I love your title!!!!

Thanks! LOL

Originally Posted by LindaCheema

Toothpaste, tea, brownie mix etc, similar items, are ALWAYS on the short list of CHEAP or FREE stuff. The fact is, I dont need 20 more of ANY of these....so I end up getting some of the more expensive things that I need that pair up well with a tripled coupon if I can't wait for a better deal and need it urgently.

Just a few thoughts!
L

Thanks! Even though lots of the items may be somewhat not practical, I would still like to have that 1 spectacular run. If anything, I would certainly donate what we couldn't use.... it would beat the split peas and whatnot that I usually give.

[Jennrn]

[quote=Semicolon;690281]I wondered how big of a part of buying extra q's from services played in scheme of things. What's a little depressing is I think I've been living in La-La land, thinking you can get by with super deals with just 1 set of coupons.

FYI, Harris Teeter only allows I think 3 or 4 of the same coupon on the same order to triple.

[skylark08]

My thing is I don't buy anything with out a coupon during triples. I only buy items that will be free or really cheap. I always make a list even though I know they will not have all the items in stock it is just something to give me an idea. I also try to use the overage to cover some of my tax so my OOP will be low. I know this past time my total was $278.25 and my OOP was $9.78 but that included bread ($2.39)that I didn't want to do in a separate transaction. HTH!

[jibbers]

I only get 'un-needed' items if there is overage on them. This past triples I loaded up on Windex, Scrubbing Bubbles & Shout - I made overage on these and will then sell them at a yard sale for additional profit. By loading up I mean 20 of each item over the three days of Triples - not clearing shelves or anything.

I use the overage to get things I need - on the triples back in May canned drinks were on sale so I used overage to get 5 cases of soft drinks. I also use overages to get produce, meat, etc.

As soon as I have the list of sales during Triples I go on Ebay and order coupons and also order from the clipping services.

[CARRIEMB2]

Thanks for tagging, too!!!

[LyndaSLP]

Triple Coupon here!

During triple coupons, I tend to only buy what is free/uber-cheap. I do NOT do my regular grocery shopping during triple coupons -- meaning I do not buy a gallon of milk or a pound of hamburger meat. If HT is going to pay me (aka: overage) to take an item, I am going to buy it. Esp if the overage is 0.25 or higher.

This past triples was the first time I actually bought a gallon of milk during one of my trips -- the total of that trip was under $1.50. Yes, I had that much overage that everything in my cart PLUS the gallon of milk (price = 3.99) cost me under $1.50.

And, yes, it seems I will buy the same things over and over and over during a triple coupon event. I don't find it wasteful. What I can not use I either donate to the food pantry OR give to my friends.

So, this past triple coupon event, I ended up with 60 boxes of cereal. I kept about 10 boxes. I gave 5 to a friend. The other 45 boxes went to the local food pantry. HT paid me either 0.25 or 0.75 per box.

I might have more thoughts... but time to eat dessert!

[coupn_gal]

I also know that prices in your area pay a big part of the scenario. There was no such deal on cereal in my ht this past triples. If you look back over the thread of "deals" most of us listed our items with prices and q's used. I always try to do this to help others out. Like many of the ladies here I often buy to get overages to help lower my total and then donate the stuff I don't need to friends and family and or local pantry.

I have found that once you get the hang of the deals to be had on regular triples basis it helps. Like I know to hold onto all my .50 cent hot sauce q's around the time I think the triples will start. I know that I can get the hot sauce for 99 cents and earn 51cent overage towards my total.

Something else that I have learned is that if I even "smell" triples in the air I am on ebay checking out coupons. Once someone has an inside line to what is going to be on sale I go to ebay and buy. I have yet to not have a deal work out once I bought. I have had plenty of deals not work out with ebay because I talked myself out of buying.

Keep glued to this forum, you will get a sense when the next triples might happen.

[stefanieR]

I never get spectacular deals because no matter what time I shop, all the really great deals (like the Shout that was B1G1F plus the 2 $0.75 coupons I had and the Luigi's lemon ice) was ALL GONE every day I went to HT. Yes, I'm still bitter about that, mainly because I really needed the Shout and waited and watched for it to go on sale, and when it finally did, it was gone gone gone.

[Sally]

I also have noticed that HT triples more often than some of the other stores here in our State of NC, so usually within 2 to 3 months of the last triple that they have had I start looking on the coupon buying boards and trading boards, watching for a coupon that I know will be good in the triple with long expiration date. Most of the time it pays off, sometimes not.

[ahernandez]

Ok experts when do you think the next triples will be?...I am hoping Sept 11th, 12th and 13th cause my mom will be in town and can help. But I am thinking that is way too soon. Any thoughts?

Thanks for this thread too. I never thought to buy coupons before triples. Next triples can someone just order me the coupons I need. LOL

[MaxxMe]

ahernandez, I'm guessing no way will it be that soon for HT, but maybe Lowes!

The first thing I do when I know triples is confirmed, is to hit ebay or a clipping service. The cost of extra coupons is more than offset by what is saved.

[Sally]

Ok, I am no expert but I would say end of October, if you will notice each time they list a wine sale they have triple coupon

[tarheel247]

I'm bitter with the HT in Wilson Nc. They wouldn't let me do the kraft coupon by buying 3 koolaides. I think they are still doing the triples. The store is new.

[Sally]

Originally Posted by tarheel247

I'm bitter with the HT in Wilson Nc. They wouldn't let me do the kraft coupon by buying 3 koolaides. I think they are still doing the triples. The store is new.

Tell them to turn the package over and read where it says 8 servings, that is not a single serve.

[Semicolon]

For people who missed this the first time it came 'round.

[ahernandez]

Thanks for bumping...

Ok so I guess you triples queens are on ebay and clipping services buying coupons right?

Help a newbie out...what coupons are you buying?

Also how do you prepare? Do you make lists, pull your coupons out of the binder? What my last triples I made envies for each section of the store and put in every coupon that I had less then $1. It seemed to work ok but I would like to see what you do.

Thanks

[msiegmund]

This is going to be my first Triples...I'm actualy doing a 'practice run' at Bloom triples this weekend.

I plan on going through my Qs and pulling out all of my Q's that qualify for the triples event. Then I'm going to sort by products I desperately need vs 'good deal' qs.

I really want to focus on getting stuff I need CHEAP during triples (like Woolite...it's SO expensive and I only have a 75c Q...this is on the top of my triples list!)

Then I plan on getting items that are on sale BOGO w/ triples.

Then I plan to stock up on baby food.

Then...everything else!

[cincySAHM4]

Originally Posted by msiegmund

This is going to be my first Triples...I'm actualy doing a 'practice run' at Bloom triples this weekend.

I didn't even know Blooms did triples and I don't even see a thread for Blooms under coupons here. What's the scoop...

Heidi

[sweetiris70]

Bloom triples seem to be at stores in N. VA and Charlotte, NC area. Maybe others but I don't know. Per their flyer it's triples up to .99 limit 5 per transaction. I bet they're going to be a bit irritated about all the couponers doing multiple transactions.

[CARRIEMB2]

it wasn't in my flyer.