Coupons aren't for me...

"Coupons really aren't for me. I can only ever find coupons for things I don't buy." This was what I thought before I really started focusing on paring down our grocery bill.

I discovered coupons aren't for everyone. They aren't for you if:

:: You don't want to spend the time they entail- and that is perfectly OK! If you feel comfortable with your current grocery and toiletry bill, that is perfectly fine!

OR

:: You don't buy the following:


Toothpaste/Toothbrushes/Mouthwash
Shampoo
Body Wash/Soap
Deodorant
Razors/shaving cream
Makeup
Pain relievers
Diapers/Wipes
Toilet paper
Cleaners
Air fresheners
Laundry detergent
Baking mixes
Frozen Vegetables
Spaghetti sauce
Canned vegetables, including tomatoes
Canned soup
Cereal
Salad dressing
etc, etc, etc.

So, if you are looking to cut your grocery bill, but you still don't see coupons you think you can use, try considering a few things:

:: Don't be brand specific- Sure you like a particular brand, but would you like another brand that much less if you could get it for free or cheaper than generic?

:: Try just using coupons on toiletries- everyone needs toiletries- you could even track your savings to see if coupons are worth it for you

:: Yes generic is cheaper than most brand name items, but brand name items can be cheaper if you match the right coupon to the right sale:: Frozen vegetables can be just as nutritious as fresh; if your grocery store doubles coupons, you could get many of the frozen vegetables free or under $1

:: Look at your local grocery stores- is there a grocery store nearby that you don't shop at because you think it is too expensive that just may have some great deals on their sales? I used to completely avoid Shaws because on a whole their products are very expensive. Once I discovered they double coupons up to $0.99 and have incredible sales on occasion, I have really cut my grocery bill. Check A Full Cup to see if your local grocery store coupon matchups are listed or check online to see if there is a blog that lists deals for your local grocery store.

Some things I've found true for myself are:

• I use the most coupons on toiletries and household items.


• I always check to make sure the deal I think I'm getting is cheaper than another brand or generic.


• I shop at 2 grocery stores a week. On Wednesday's I come up with a menu and grocery list based on what I have in the house. On Thursday's I check the Shaw's online flyer for sales. Whatever I need that I can't get on sale at Shaw's, I get at Market Basket Thursday morning. I hardly ever use a coupon at Market Basket because their generic is cheaper than any other brand I've found. On Friday I make a trip to Shaws since their sales run Friday thru Thursday. I only ever buy what I can get a really good deal on at Shaws. Otherwise they are much too expensive.


• Unless there is a great deal at the grocery store, I always get my toiletries at CVS, Walgreens or Rite Aid when they are on sale. I try to always keep a stockpile and pick things up when they are on sale and I know we're getting low. You can get most of the toiletries listed above either free or really inexpensively (ie: less than $1) at these drug stores with coupons, sales, and/or rebate.

So think about your individual situation. Could there be a place for coupons in your life?

New Coupons for April!

April is here! That means a new batch of coupons is available on my sidebar or at Coupons.com. (The coupon bar on the side of my blog contains all the coupons you would find at Coupons.com making it easier for you to acquire them, esp. when I refer to them. And, unfortunately, if you reach your coupon limit from my blog sidebar, you can not print more from Coupons.com or vice versa).

Happy Savings!

The Rules of Coupons!

What are the "rules" of couponing one may ask?!

• Only one manufacturer's coupon (MQ) may be used per item


• Only what is stated on a coupon may be bought with the coupon- check for the right size, brand, number of items, variety, etc.


• Most stores only accept coupons up until the expiration date- some stores make an exception and accept expired coupons- I don't have any around here that I know of


• Some stores double coupons as long as the coupon does not say "Do Not Double"- most only double coupons up to $0.99 - Shaws is the only store around me that I know of that doubles


• A store coupon (one that a store specifically puts out and does not say "manufacturers coupon) can be used with a manufacturer's coupon (a coupon put out by the brand itself) on the same one item. This can make a great deal!


• A coupon can be used on a rebate item


• Internet printable (IP) coupons can not be photocopied. This is illegal


• If a store has a sale to buy one item, get on free (BOGO), many stores let you use a coupon on one or even both items


• If a coupon is valued at more than what you purchase an item for, many stores will give you the extra money off your bill (without even realizing it). However, they will not give you the money in cash if they end up "owing you money" in the end. This extra money is called "overage". In this case, it's best to throw in a small "filler item" like a pack of gum or a candy bar to make up that extra money.
  

Do you know any other coupon "rules"? Please leave us a comment if you can think of any!

Organizing your coupons

Now that we've established where to get your coupons, let's talk about how to organize them! There are so many different ways to organize that it really is up to the individual and what works best for you. I will explain a few options that I've seen and the one I personally use.



My personal coupon organizer is an accordion binder/folder.

It works for now, but as you can see, I'm beginning to bust out of it! It would be a great way for a beginner to start though! I have each section categorized and then use envelopes to sub categorize as such.

Dental floss, toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouthwash

Cosmetics/Hair body wash/soap, Olay products, lotions, mens, shaving, deodorant, makeup, shampoo/conditioner, feminine care

Cleaners/Paper Products paper products, dish products, sponges, plastic, laundry, batteries/light bulbs, household cleaners, air fresheners

Medicine chap stick, eye drops, stomach, vitamins, cold/cough, pain relievers

Baby baby food, diapers/wipes, wash/lotion

Dairy milk, eggs/butter, yogurt, cheese, Pillsbury products (I know...their not dairy, but they are refrigerated!)

Jar/Can oil, canned, salad dressing, condiments

Rice/Pasta/Spices spices/marinades, pasta, pasta sauce, salsa/Mexican, rice

Breakfast/Snacks Peanut butter/jelly, coffee/tea, bread, snack bars, candy, juice/soda, crackers/cookies, chips/pretzels/nuts, cereal

Baking Baking mixes, misc. (I should really rework this category and the breakfast/snacks category as the breakfast one is bursting and the baking one has few coupons in it.)

Frozen pizza, entrees, ice cream, vegetables

Meat/Produce/Restaurants self explanatory

Like I said, this is a great way for a beginner to start! For the more advanced, Crystal at Money Saving Mom has a really great way for organizing coupons. I think I may be switching to that soon.

Other "couponers" use binders with trading card pages and organize their coupons by brand or even by coupon. Like I said, there is no one right way. Whatever works for you. Also, what works for you at one point, may change or you may find you just keep tweeking it.

So, now that you've got your coupons, start organizing!

Where do you find all your coupons?

Sunday newspaper- Generally, the Sunday newspaper (and only the Sunday edition) has 2-3 coupon inserts. These include the Red Plum and Smart Source inserts. Occasionally, Procter and Gamble includes an insert as well (I believe it's once a month). Weekends of holidays, the Sunday paper does not have any coupons. The cheapest way I've found to buy a paper is by subscribing to your local Sunday only paper.

Internet Printables (known in the blog world as IP)-
Coupons.com is great source for coupons. They upload new coupons every month and allow you to print two of each coupon.
Smartsource.com
BettyCrocker.com- You do need to set up a free account with them.
Pillsbury.com
EatBetterAmerica
Some brands have their own coupons as well. If I am looking for a coupon for a specific brand, I type the product into my search engine followed by "coupon" (ie: Chex Mix coupon) and see if it comes up with one.

Trading Coupons- I haven't done this myself yet, but I know there are places where you can trade or buy coupons from other people online.

Catalinas- A Catalina is a coupon that prints out at the register. It will often be for a specific product or a certain amount off your next purchase.

Free Samples- Free samples usually come with a coupon for that actual item.

Blinkie Machines- Those little machines that spit out coupons in front of products at the store...I find that when those are out, that item tends to go on sale soon!

Tearpads- Like the blinkie machine, these are pads of coupons found in front of an item at the store.

Coupon flyers- Found at the grocery store.

Store coupons- Either found on the store's website or in a flyer at the store.

Requesting a coupon- Sometimes a company will send you coupons if you request it from them.

Let's get started...

Some common myths about couponing.

1. You end up spending more money when you use coupons because you buy things you normally wouldn't if you didn't use coupons.
-This can certainly happen...if you're not coupon savvy! However, if you continue to follow along, you'll see how using coupons can get you food for cheaper than store brand items!

2. Couponing takes too much time.
-It can, but once you get a system down, it will go faster. As with anything, the more you want something, the harder you'll work at it.

3. Coupons are only for junk food.
-If you opened my freezer right now, you'd see that this is certainly not the case! I have so many frozen vegetables in there, I'm running out of room! I also have stocked up on cheese and some bread. There are certainly coupons out there for unhealthy things, but ultimately, you choose what you buy. Plus, if you save money buy using coupons for things like frozen vegetables, you can in turn use the money you saved, on items that don't often have coupons.

4. Coupons only come in the paper and the paper costs money.
-Some of my best coupons come from blinkie machines or tearpads at the grocery store. If you purchase only the Sunday paper and pay $1 a week for your paper and you use $5 worth of coupons, you've already paid back what you spent on the paper.

5. Coupons really don't save you that much money....what, maybe $5 a week.
-Follow along this blog and you'll see otherwise real soon! A majority of my savings is from matching coupons to sales!

Do you have any other questions about coupons? Please leave me a comment and I'll be happy to try and answer them for you!