[joblessmom]

I am very new here and this week I will venture out on my 1st coupon saving trip to the store ...I am so interested in learning how to stockpile since Im a single mom of 2 girls and I am not working right now, so sadly when I run out thats it!!! At least for awhile. Things are so tight, I cant begin to tell you how humiliated I was when I had to ask my ex-husband for $$ he asked for what? OMG I had to tell him I couldnt afford my own tampons!!!!! I was totally humiliated and I am damn well willing to do anything to stretch my money!!!!!!!!! So any further help with freebie sites or info would be amazing, or even just great deals Id appreciate it all....Thank you so much.....

[Lynda1811]

To sign up for a buddy http://www.afullcup.com/forums/afc-b...-location.html

For a coupon fairy http://www.afullcup.com/forums/raoks...-up-fairy.html

Just remember it will take time to stockpile. It took me almost a year to start seeing my savings grow.

Don't rush the savings, you will end up spend more. Remember the sales will come back around.

If you have a kmart, keep watching the kmart forum for double coupns, you can start a good stockpile with very little out of pocket. If you have walgreens and/or cvs there are lots of good deals there.

Know your grocery stores coupon policy is a must. Do they double, up to what amount, on certain days or every day, is there a limit on like coupons. Do they accept expired coupons, and up to how long, do they accept IP coupons. Do they offer rainchecks, are you allowed to stack a store coupon with a mfc.

Pretty soon you will have so many tampons and pads that you won't know what to do with them all.

We all started in the same boat, so we understand the confussion, and some times the frustration, when first starting out. We are here to help.

HTH
Lynda

[mommymentality]

I'm new to using coupons... wish I had learned how to do this back when I was a single, unemployed mom of 3! But I guess learning as a Married mom of 4 is just as good LOL...

I don't know about the different stores in your area but I know in my area it's hard to find some of the good deals that others find, but I work with what we have.... I compare the weekly fliers to find things cheapest at whatever store I can get them at. I decided to start shopping at Shaw's because they will double coupons and they are the only store in my state that will, so I figured that along with their free Rewards card program it would be worth the drive... without even knowing it, 3 weeks later, I had started building a stockpile... and over my first full month I spent the same amount of money as the previous month, the only difference is... The month I just plain shopped, my cupboards were empty all month and we struggled to find meals sometimes... the month I shopped using coupons, rebates, sales and rewards programs, my cupboards began to overflow!

I would suggest take a GOOD look at your cupboards, figure out what brands you are buying on a regular basis, Visit their corporate websites, sign up for their mailing lists (I find more every week to sign up for)... after a few weeks you will start to receive coupons in the mail... Also check out the sunday paper, I got 2 this week cause there were so many good coupons in there

Some sites I check for printable coupons (which Shaw's takes) are:
http://couponbug.com
RedPlum: Home – Coupons, Deals, Tips, Savings & Contests
Coupons

Also check out your local grocery and drug stores, sign up for THEIR mailing lists, even cehck some of the smaller stores, like discount stores... I found out that our local discount/liquidation store had a mailing list with weekly internet coupons... so I can save twice as much on already discounted stuff! And drug stores, you'd be surprised what you can get at those... Rite Aid is one I never shopped at much except for Condoms, Pregnancy Tests and prescriptions (LOL), But I've began stalking their fliers every week when they come in the mail and they have some really good deals! Their rebate program is easy to work, and they are always having BOGO sales and coupons in the fliers you can cut out as well...

That's how I got started, and then hanging out on sites like this and seeing what others have been doing, it gives me ideas for how to work the systems even better than I already do, and It hasnt taken long to learn!

[debc60]

I have beem actively stockpiling for about 6 months and our cups and cupboards are overflowing. We have 3 freezers well stocked as well as every free spot in closets and corners. I do my best work at Target and Wags with free or almost free items. Food is still achallange as DH is a gourmet cook and wants to be able to continue this venture. We do well at SW early Sunday mornings as they have awesome markdowns on meat at this time. Not outdated just within 4-5 days of seel by date. Trying to get more rebates in but can't always et the hot forms. Just watch the adds read the boards and remember that these sales come around often so set priorities. This next week for me will be to stock up on Garnier hair products, coffeemate, and any other free products I can come up with.
Just remember it takes alot of time to research compile and search out these great deals.

[superk]

Lynda- you should sign up to be a "buddY".

[daffynpooh]

Be sure to email companies you use often and praise the products you purchase - they often send awesome coupons...this is how I've gotten several free item coupons. Even if not free items, their coupons are generally better than you find in inserts. Not every company sends them, but it is a great tool!

[joblessmom]

Thank you so much Im starting to think I might just survive the chaos of getting all this stuff down

[Lynda1811]

Originally Posted by superk

Lynda- you should sign up to be a "buddY".

I thought about it but am still learning the site myself.

Maybe I should, at least I will learn while looking for the answer for others.

Lynda

[superk]

You know how to put good deals together which I think people are looking for. The site comes to you the more you are a part of it.

[daffynpooh]

you will survive - we have faith in you!!!

[elis123]

I'm a single mom too ... and unemployed for over a year now ... luckily I had savings and unemployment, but those are nearly shot to *h-e- double hockey sticks* now too ... coupons have saved me a ton of money, and since having my son and losing my job (my son's father has never so much as contributed a Christmas card, and as a citizen of India isn't legally obligated to *argh*) learning that now is NOT the time to worry about my pride and dignity has helped a lot too ...

Lately I have been managing so well, I have been able to GIVE AWAY things I don't need. Imagine that! With some gentle prodding from some of the women on AFC I have decided to TRY stockpiling, even though my attempts in the past have left me feeling guilty about having so much more than I need. It is going well this time - maybe because I have finally realized I am as bad off as anyone else in my church, so it was time to stop acting like I wasn't. Seriously, admitting that you are broke is the first step!!

About the ex - he doesn't need to know what you are buying - but honestly, tampons is a good choice - even if that wasn't the real item ... seriously, he likely won't ask you what it is for if you have to ask for a loan again.

I love Mother Teresa ... there is a very famous quote from her - a funny one ... that I love and always makes me feel better ...

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. "

See? Doesn't that make you smile? What was the Lord thinking giving me a kid while I was losing my job and his father? How am I supposed to buy diapers, etc, etc. I guess in this case when God allows for an empty diaper box, He always provides an old pillowcase :P

I know, ewww ... hehe

[alice14523]

First step is to go slow. That way you won't get overwhelmed by it all. Learn as you go. I don't know how much time you have but I spend hours on AFC reading and reading. After you get the basics and start saving $$$, you will want to go further in your endeavor to save more. I have only been a member a short while myself and it just amazes me the $$$ I've saved. It has become a game with me now. When I go shopping, I just can't wait to see how much I've saved.

[acroporalover]

Hey,

One big hint, since I noticed you are also a Jersey girl, is to get your papers at Dollar Tree. They are $1 for the Asbury park press. I buy multiple papers, usually in fours and it depends how good the coupons are but I will go up to 12.

I have been having lots of luck at Shoprite and Walgreens lately so check out there shopping list.

Also check target and walmart for trial sizes when the coupon does not specify. I just got 17 cans of Satin care shaving cream for free at target.

Another thing to remember is if you get your papers early for the supermarkets near you and you see an item you use will work ouut free or dirt cheap, don't hesitate to order a ton of coupons for it, whether ebay or one of the sites recommended. I ordered 10 for our coffee so I spent $5.50 and $.99 for the coupons for my coffee. That is ten cans for $6.50 and will last a few months!! Sure beats $3.29 a can at full price. I know that the lowest price is $1.99 and that is when I will stockpile. Not before! So you will have to remember what the stores will put as the lowest prices on the items you use regularly and that is when you stock up on that.

Honestly, I spend maybe fifteen minutes in a store now and it is dificult for me to even hit my $50 to use my baby bucks at shoprite. That is with meat purchases.

Yes, I go to different stores and it takes up time on organizing coupons but it is so worth it. I have not paid for any hba items in months.

If you need any help let me know! I am in the Toms River Area and I love doing this thanks to the great people on this site. They have made it so easy!! Just PM if you have any questions.

[lynnsc08]

I'm new as well and have just found this website. I've already learned some tips and tricks that I didn't know before and cant' wait to see how it works out. I'm giving myself a goal to try something new each month - a new coupon organizer, e coupons, stuff like that - instead of trying to get it all at once. I've done a little of the CVS shopping with the extra bucks program so I have a bit of a stockpile already and have ideas as to where I would put the other stuff. My goal this weekend is to get the house cleaned and finish my shopping so I'll have room to stockpile everything. This month's budget goal is to use e coupons. I've already loaded them onto my Kroger card so we'll see if they work out! (I hope they do!)

I agree with the other posters about not going crazy - I still have to remember this myself. It's very hard to see a good deal, know you have a bunch of coupons and just literally not need the item or buy a ton and not be able to use everything. There will be another sale so you don't need to buy each and every one. The only time I willingly let myself break this rule is if there's something on clearance. Obviously you wouldn't get that price again because it's clearance and if I have coupons on top of that, I can't beat those kinds of deals!

Good luck!

[betsybreaker]

I'm new, too, and the first thing I'm trying to do is be patient. It's so tempting to run out and use that great coupon on a "pretty good" sale price. On the bigger ticket items it really pays to track and compare prices and get the awesome sale price to match up with your coupons for a total steal.

Knowing what you can and will use is important, too. Be careful of buyer's remorse later ("I didn't really need this, even though it was a great price). That's not money saved.

Because I live outside of a metro area, I can't take advantage of every weekly ad that rolls out. This makes it tougher to get those great savings. But I'm discovering that just by making two stops instead of one (adding Walgreens to my day of shopping) can help me save more.

Good luck . . . it's very rewarding and satisfying to stockpile and save!

[godschild112]

You are truly an inspiration. I hope that MANY, MANY young women see this story and realize that they can make it with children and without a man. You, my dear, keep up the good work, if I were there I would give you a huge hug.,...
God's blessings in you and your beautiful child.

Originally Posted by elis123

I'm a single mom too ... and unemployed for over a year now ... luckily I had savings and unemployment, but those are nearly shot to *h-e- double hockey sticks* now too ... coupons have saved me a ton of money, and since having my son and losing my job (my son's father has never so much as contributed a Christmas card, and as a citizen of India isn't legally obligated to *argh*) learning that now is NOT the time to worry about my pride and dignity has helped a lot too ...

Lately I have been managing so well, I have been able to GIVE AWAY things I don't need. Imagine that! With some gentle prodding from some of the women on AFC I have decided to TRY stockpiling, even though my attempts in the past have left me feeling guilty about having so much more than I need. It is going well this time - maybe because I have finally realized I am as bad off as anyone else in my church, so it was time to stop acting like I wasn't. Seriously, admitting that you are broke is the first step!!

About the ex - he doesn't need to know what you are buying - but honestly, tampons is a good choice - even if that wasn't the real item ... seriously, he likely won't ask you what it is for if you have to ask for a loan again.

I love Mother Teresa ... there is a very famous quote from her - a funny one ... that I love and always makes me feel better ...

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much. "

See? Doesn't that make you smile? What was the Lord thinking giving me a kid while I was losing my job and his father? How am I supposed to buy diapers, etc, etc. I guess in this case when God allows for an empty diaper box, He always provides an old pillowcase :P

I know, ewww ... hehe