I've recently reorganized my coupon system. I had tried just keeping the inserts and clipping them as I used them. I stopped when I noticed I wasn't really saving as much as I used to when I used the envelope system. I bought new envelopes, new organizers, and little tab things so I could mega-organize into even more categories. This saves me time because after I make my shopping list I can grab what I want quickly without wading through too big a stack to get the coupons I need. Now I spend less time and save more.
My first big shopping trip after the reorganization was amazing. I was out of a lot of items around the house and there was a big sale at a local grocery store. I saved an even hundred dollars off the regular price, almost half my bill. Of this total saved, $71.85 was the sale price discount and a whopping $28.15 was my coupon savings. I paid $114.82 for a trunk load of food and household items and had to place some of my order on the backseat of the car when I ran out of room. To top it off this grocery store also has a fuel program and many of the items had extra fuel savings as well so I earned enough points to be able to bring two vehicles to the gas station and fill them up for thirty seven cents. No, not thirty seven cents per gallon, thirty seven cents period! My gas was free I just paid a small amount for tax.
It wasn't enough to earn me a spot on Extreme Couponing, not that I would want to, but the cashier clapped her hands when she saw the savings and the couple behind me in line gave me an appreciative "Wow!" It was a nice change from grumbling and eye rolling. We can thank the economy for that. I'm still Rodney Dangerfield with the younger set though. When I told the kids they just said, "That's great mom." in a monotone and kept their gaze on the computer or the cell phone. I get no respect. :)
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I think this is astounding! Keeping the inserts would not work for me. Often in the store, I see something marked low that I would not have on a list and it's not in a sale ad. After I search the appropriate page in my trading card binder, I often find the item is free or almost free when there is a double coupon deal in the store.
ReplyDeleteWhen I say I would not buy it, I don't mean I buy air freshener if it is cheap. If I don't use the item in that my grandson can use the deodorant, I buy it for him. Or, if it is a different brand than I prefer, I can switch for a free or really really cheap product.
The clipping all coupons and putting them in order, binder for me and envelopes for you, saving money is easier. Otherwise, I have to search through six months of inserts. Yes, some coupons are good for that long and longer.
I think that's great! One supermarket I go to has a gas points program, but its rarely worth it unless you have serious coupons for the items featured.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're blogging again!
WTG! I also wouldn't be able to just keep the inserts. I thumb thru the Sunday coupons, clip what I think I can use, and recycle the rest (no coupon box in town such as the local library, otherwise, I'd bring them there to share with others). I shop mostly at Aldi's and do shop some at IGA and a regional grocery chain or 2-that is where I tend to capitalize on coupons. The stores here mostly double, sometimes offer a limited amount (say 4-6) of triples. If I can at least cover the tax on non-food items, I figure that I am ahead of the game.
ReplyDeleteI am VERY IMPRESSED with the gasoline savings!
ReplyDeleteWow! That's fantastic about the coupon savings and the gasoline! Maybe I should start clipping coupons again? Hmmm... we'll see.
ReplyDeleteHi, I live in England uk and don't get 'couponing' but it sounds like you saved a lot of money. we have money off coupons in magazines or newspapers which you have to buy in the first place but its's usually 50p off a specific item and if you don't need the item it's obviously not a saving.Your way sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love love love my coupons and actually never shope without them. I recently bought the Coupon Mom Coupon organizer and I just love it. I use the Sunday paper coupons as well as the store inserts, and my last trip to the store I spent $40.26 and my coupon and in store savings were 37.00 even. Couponing is truly a gift, and when you can get almost 50% off it is worth the effort as far as I am concerned.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeletejust popped in to say hello from the UK !
Looking forward to catching up on your blog.
'Extreme' couponing has stopped here in UK, although I was able to take advantage of it for a while, but I never had the nerve to use a whole fistful of coupons at a time ! We could use coupons whether we bought the product or not. Unfortunately some people were seriously abusing the system, and were filmed on TV using coupons for trolley loads of 'free' food which they then passed on to friends and relatives etc., it stopped shortly after that.
ReplyDeleteNow you have to buy the item in order to use the coupon. An example of how peoples greed spoiled it for everyone.
When I heard about the whole insert method, I was amazed anyone would think it would save time as compared to clip / envelope / etc.. It takes only 15 minutes to clip, sort and file the coupons I want from a typical Sunday newspaper insert. I've timed it. That means the only coupons in my coupon box are those that I MIGHT USE. I can get in and out of a supermarket in 30 to 45 minutes.
ReplyDelete