Hi .. as the subject says, I am new to the forum along with couponing. I've used coupons before but had know idea that I could save as much money as you guys talk about..and that's where my question comes in..

How do I? Does anybody know of a webpage that breaks it down for you...or can anybody here do so for me?

I am a mother of a 7 year old boy and 8month girls...we spend nearly about $300 JUST on health and beauty items + household items (paper products + cleaning supplies) *that's not including formula* a month...and I have read topics where you guys spend that much on FOOD and all other items monthly. Help me save!

Also another problem..how can I convince my husband that this is a great way to save money? I tell him that we have to stock up on the stuff especicall when it's on sale + we have coupons...he says he agrees but we are forking out extra money to do that at that time. How do I convince him that we are going to be saving money in the long run? If we buy 5 packs of diapers this month..on sale with a coupons...we don't have to buy them next month, and we save that month! Is there any other way I can put .. so maybe he will go with the flow? -- He tells me 'Why do we have to PAY for coupons...when we can get them for free or pay much less for the paper?' how do I tell him that there are coupons on the page that I may not be able to find?

I thought about just doing it...for a month and then coming to him and showing him how much I saved. But what happens if I don't save that much? Considering I am new at this...and don't have a whole lot of knowledge on the subject. I am sure he would be pretty upset..that I spent much money, on just 'stocking up'. Eh..

Thanks guys!_rori

Join a Coupon Train to swap coupons with other members and to save more

Do you have CVS where you live? If so, check out the CVS board and I can Guarantee you'll save several hundred dollars the first month alone. If that doesn't convince your hubby, I don't know what will!

Keep all your receipts to show him where you're saving. My DH was skeptical at first too, but not anymore. He's seen my receipts and knows how much I save - and enjoys that we're able to do a lot more fun things with that money. I took him to the movies last Monday afternoon - something we usually don't do because it costs SO much these days. But I'd saved so much on groceries, that it didn't hurt at all! I was also able to take my DD and her boyfriend on Saturday to the movies without worrying about the cost.

You're not "forking out extra money" when you're getting 10 of something for the price of ONE. Or even FREE.


Oh yeah, and

Welcome! You will love it here, everyone is so friendly and helpful! I know I have learned sssooo much here!

My DH was also skeptical, until I showed him a few CVS receipts that had $0.00 as the balance and ECB's attached! He couldn't believe it! He still hates to hear about all my "deals", but no longer complains, and I overheard him telling someone the other day, how much his wife saves at CVS---I think he's coming around, LOL!

thanks for the welcoming..

after reading the cvs board...just curious...do you guys remember your first shopping trip to cvs? did you save..and how? how do you start getting savings..and ect? -- and now when you take a trip to cvs...do you just go in and grab what you need/see or do you plan your trip + what you will buy before you go...?

I did not do as well as I had wanted to at first. But, now I feel like an old pro. I have spent less than $15 out of pocket this quarter on 174 diapers, hand lotion, mouthwash, toothpaste, and Easter candy. It definitely pays to shop CVS. If your kids wear Huggies, there is a great deal next week. Just check out the April 6-12 ad.

~heh~ I remember my first trip, thinking "This will never work." and coming out of there with BAGS of stuff for almost free, getting in my car, and *SQUEALING!* because I was so happy!

Best advice: read, read, read the CVS board, gather your coupons, be PREPARED with a list when you go in! Download the CVS Calculator that BigJimSlade made for us all to use and use that for your shopping list (after inputting all your items, coupons, etc, of course). There's a Sticky for it at top of the CVS board. I use it for nearly every trip to CVS.

I actually went into CVS yesterday with my DD on a spur-of-the-moment trip. She needed some sports tape for her catching hand (softball). I bought that and some gum with no coupons, "just to see how it would feel". It was kinda strange!!

I am new to the whole CVS things and knew that I would have to put a small initial investment into shpiing there in order to reap in the savings.

I went their yesterday and bought the following:

2 soft soap spa (9.98)
1 kotex (2.50)
2 lady speed stick (6.00)
2 colgate total (2.99 bogo)

I used the following coupons:

CVS 4/20
2 $1 soft soap
1 $1 kotex and
2 $1.50 colgate
1 $1 speed stick
1 .75 speed stick

I spent $13.40 oop including tax whick is 9.25 here in Nashville.

I got $3 ecb back for the deodorant and $9.98 for the body wash.

I went back today and used my $9.98 for 2 more body wash and got 2 more tube of colgate free with coupons. Then I got another $9.98 back in ecb.

So far, I've only spent $13.40 and have $12.98 in ecb's still.

Oh...this is my 1st post!

Welcome! I'm pretty new to this as well. I've learned a lot from this board and also from visiting www(dot)money saving mom(dot)com. Her website lays out all the basics (look in the right hand margin for CVS 101, etc.) She also lets you know about where to find coupons, freebies, etc.

As far as advice for hubby, I guess you'll just have to prove it to him. Sorry I'm not more helpful. My hubby is a believer just from the savings he sees on the reciepts.

Best of Luck!!

I totally agree with mpayne - you have to be prepared. And you probably want to have a few back-up plans if they don't have what you are looking for. It seems that I end up spending more money than I want to if I do not have a plan.

Also, if you have any prescriptions, take advantage of the transferred prescription coupons that come out every so often. You can get a $30 gift card for transferring a prescription to CVS. And, for every 2 prescriptions you have filled there, you get 1 ECB at the end of the quarter.

Welcome! I would plan! I have saved over $20 off my pet food bill alone this month and I am also still new at this! Good luck!

yes you will have to spend some money at first,but maybe not as much as you think.Also,if you could transfer a prescription,then maybe you could get a 25 dollar gift card for doing so.

Husband not quite understanding? I can understand that and what you need to do is ask about what you plan to do and someone will help you out.You also need a backup plan in case they don't have everything you plan to purchase.

You might have to be patient,but next week there is a deal on huggies at cvs.You might want to start with that.Do you have any huggie coupons?If not,then maybe someone can send you some.I only have the 1.00 off right now and there are better coupons out there.

JUST ASK FIRST,I've seen several people who try to do it on their own to start out with and end up spending more on their initial purchases then if they had posted what they plan to do up front.

to a fullcup

i was looking at the ecb deal thread..and i didn't see an ecb for the huggies..can you give me an example how i could do a transaction [with the huggies]..and come out winning?

i'm sorry for being such a pain.