Calling All Extreme Couponing Moms !!!

The first thing to learn is that sales come in cycles. Usually in November hand creams and lotions are at basement prices. What you look for is a coupon, and then the store sale and coupon. So you don't just use one coupon, you use multiple offers. Stores are trying to clear inventory for the next stock. So it isn't using one coupon, it's using it in conjunction with the store sale.

So, for instance, I noticed feminine care product coupons in this Sundays paper. Two weeks ago, target had a 10 dollar gift card if you spend 40 on such things. I then noticed that this week they had a 5 gift card if you buy two of each. So using all three coupons-stacking them-I got bottom basement prices.

To shop this way, you need space. Lots of it. It's bulk buying. One time I bought three years worth of toothpaste. It was free! If I was really trying to save money, I would have done at least three transactions on the feminine products, going back and repeating it as many times as I could.

I stopped extreme couponing, however, because 1. It is really a full-time job, 2. The coupons aren't as good as they use to be and 3. The stores are making it harder, so you have to work harder.i still buy with the cycles, and stack coupons if I happen to notice something. I use to read all the websites and do all that, but I'm too busy, and my time is worth more to me. If I happen to be going, great! I still shop clearance, and all that, but I no longer get 4-6 Sunday papers, etc. It really wasn't worth it to me.

I'm not an "Extreme Couponer" - I coupon. I save, on average $40 a shopping and the most I've ever saved is $102.50 - that was HUGE!!

I use the Sunday paper. I pay attention to the sales - specifically condiment sales - ketchup and mustard really don't go bad and we use a lot of it in our home...

other sites to visit:
bettycrocker.com
coupons.com
generalmills.com
pillsbury.com
hotcoupons.com

You can sign up for their recipes too on some of the sites listed above.

The best way to save money while shopping:

BEFORE YOU GO:
1. Eat before you go. If you are hungry - you will impulse buy.
2. Make a menu for the week - include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
3. Make a detailed list.
a. get your coupons for your list.
b. check your fliers for sales.

WHEN YOU ARE SHOPPING
1. DO NOT let the music distract you - yeppers - they play music to distract you while shopping.
2. Stick to your list.
3. At check out - keep your eyes on your basket and the cashier - this way you won't be tempted to pick up something from the impulse buying racks by the cashier!!

Also - Costco - you can join and split your membership with a neighbor. Then go shopping together - split the items that you can - especially the meat - you can make a lot of meals with the skinned chicken breasts!

Good luck!

I make use of the moneysavingmom page. She has coupon matches for a number of shops. These pair store coupons, printable coupons, newspaper coupons, electronic coupons, and manufacturer coupons and list what you can get, and at what cost.

You can also use a number of apps including favado, ibotta, checkout51 and others.

I tried my hand at it. It works well for certain personal items (i.e. toothpaste, deoderant, soap, paper goods etc.). Most of the food items though, we find, we are better off just watching the price and buying a lot of when the price is most favorable. i.e. I can buy a can of plum tomatoes range in price from $0.88 to $4.29 at my local supermarket. I stock up when they hit the rock bottom price of $88. I don't stock up when they are on sale for 2/$5, because while cheap, they could be way cheaper.

Best,
F. B.

A long time ago I tried to use coupons but it was not worth my time.

My time = $$$

I do not know about your area but I do know that the outcome from some of the TV coupon shows have in turn made many stores limit coupons. Who needs 12 bottles of mustard, really? I know my current grocery store frowns upon the coupons and makes it difficult for people to use. No doubling or tripling of coupons and no coupons from other stores. I appreciate that because I despise being in a line behind the extreme couponer... again .. my time = $$

Also keep in mind your time, wear, tear and gas for your car when you travel to the different stores for their deals. I've found that when my grocer has some deal of the week, I just stock up.. for instance, last week nice thick cut pork chops were buy one get one free. There were 2/pack and averaged about 1# each. The packs ran about $10-$12. I think I bought at least 6 packs at buy one get one and that alone was a savings over $30 with no coupons... just smart shopping.

Costco has great coupons and you do not have to clip them or anything. Just take your brochure to the store with you. LOTS of deals each month on many staples.

Congratulations on your house!

krazy coupon lady dot com
this is by far the best site. I did it for a little while and got some great deals but to do it right, you have to invest some time.

What I've noticed the few times I've watched the show is that they get a ton of say toothpaste, and a ton of soup, and a ton of whatever, so they have very full carts and yes, it's quite expensive before the coupons. They do get it for very cheap, but they still don't have what it would take to make breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a week. For example, there have no meat or fresh vegetables, bread, milk, etc. So while they may have enough deodorant to last a lifetime, they don't have what it would take to sustain a family for any length of time without a trip to the grocery store. So, is it worth my time and effort - no, not really; at least not for me.

Anyway, how they do it is they collect coupons from everywhere. They dumpster dive for them; have friends and neighbors save for them; print online, etc. It is very time-consuming. You cannot use more than one coupon for each item so you would not be able to combine the manufacturer's coupon with a store coupon. Also, there may be limits as to how many of a certain item you can get. Not only on the coupon, but the store itself may have set a limit. You'll need to check on that. Also, I've heard them say that they give the store a head's up that they're coming to buy 700 bottles of Listerine so the store can set that aside and be sure to have enough for other customers as well.

Again, a lot of work. Not for me.

I actually enjoy cutting coupons, but half the ones I cut out, I don't use. I don't know the trick where these people end up getting everything for a $1 or so, I save a few bucks if I'm lucky. Sometimes it's not worth cutting out, $.025 isn't that much of a savings. But they have had $3.00 off deodorant and it only has cost $3.50 and razors, that has been a good deal too.
Good luck to cutting corners, the real trick is not to eat out as much, I have found.

Coupon mom.comatches national coupons with your sales at local stores and tells you when is the best time to use the coupons on each item.

I checked that for about a nanosecond. No patience for it. And the "free" stuff is always TicTacs and Yakisoba noodles. Can't really feed a family on those! Lol
But...good luck!