 There's been a lot of talk about couponing lately, and I guess it's starting to pique my interest. Not only did we run a story on The Coupon Guy, we also had a very lively discussion in a recent behind the scenes chat about people who make couponing work for them. Maybe you're one of those people who turns a nose up to coupons, but if you ask anyone who makes a hobby out of clipping coupons, they'll tell you it drives THEM crazy to see people throw away their money. And, really, it is pretty chic to save these days. No one likes to get taken to the bank. I was impressed recently at how many fabulous people at the hair salon were well-versed in the couponing craze. No closet-couponers there. Even Jon and I were talking tonight about how we wanted to start clipping. I think I smell a coupon challenge... Anyway, with the holidays around the corner, I'm going to give myself my own coupon challenge. If I do something thrifty or nifty, I'm going to post it here. A viewer by the name of Mary Beth was particularly knowledgeable and gave me some good tips to get started. She says start out with weusecoupons.com! For my first couponing trip, I tried to collect all the coupons I could find. I Googled for individual product coupons and then free manufacturer coupons. Then, I looked at Harris Teeter's specials because the grocery store was accepting double coupons up to $1.98 that week. I hear that happens about once a month. The store manager told me it probably won't happen again until the first of the year. THE RESULT? I was pretty encouraged for the first time! I saved more than I spent, even though it was just by a few cents. It wasn't even a hassle. I just clipped the coupons when I had the time... and made my shopping trip a little more focused. If you read the receipt, you'll see I spent $15.29 and saved $15.36! I didn't buy anything unless it had a coupon. And, though I don't typically use Arm and Hammer detergent, I thought it would be good for towels or other random things. I also rarely eat margarine, but I thought it might be good for Thanksgiving, for work or for house guests who don't like real butter. At 49-cents, it was hard to turn down.         
23 Comments
Tennille
11/15/2011 11:53:27 pm
Michelle, if you look at your receipt you saved more. Your VIC savings was $15.36, but just below the change you will see a coupons tendered amount. This includes your VIC and coupons, you actually saved $26.16 off of retail price. This means you saved about 63% off of the retail price of your order.
Adena
11/16/2011 12:58:32 am
Very good for a newbie Michelle. You are well on your way to becoming a Couponista :)
These are all items I purchased on super doubles too! The Kosher salt, Philadelphia Cooking Cream and I Can't Believe it's not Butter should have
Mavis Schlichtmann
11/16/2011 03:13:18 am
I shopped everyday but Sunday during Super Doubles Harris Teeter and saved 75 percent overall. I've only been at it a few months but you do have to collect those coupons. :)
Loretta
11/16/2011 03:13:34 am
I am hooked on couponing! Free toothpaste, toothbrush, gum, milk and $.50 fabric softener are my best scores! You are throwing $ away if you do t use them. My vehicle and student loans would both be paid off if I'd started couponing years ago!
Jessica Flewwellin
11/16/2011 03:14:01 am
I just don't see a savings in buying a product you don't normally use just because it has a coupon that'll make it cheaper. Now Luke some of the ppl on the show go and buy all these things they don't eat or can't eat before expiring and donate it to food banks or soup kitchens, yeah I can see that. For the average penny pincher like myself I won't buy an item I don't need or use just because there is a coupon available. JMO
June S
11/16/2011 03:14:18 am
I have been couponing for over 30 years. Couponing is a great way to help balance my budget and feed my family well. My DIL is getting very good at it too - matching up coupons with sales can save a lot. But some people think they are going to save like they do on the extreme couponing show, and for most of us, that's not going to be the case. But who needs 50 tubes of toothpaste just because they are free or almost free? You have to use common sense when doing your couponing. I typically save about half during super doubling and tripling events, and that's good enough for me.
Jennifer Gore
11/16/2011 03:14:38 am
Jennifer Candy Gore I don't use coupons for things that I won't use even if they are super cheap. I use coupons for products I like and products that I am do not have brand loyalty too, IE; toilet paper, toothpaste, laundry detergent, dish washing soap, dishwasher soap, shavers, mouthwash, and so on..which I combine with coupons for items I really do care about with the particular brand and when on sale, and bam..save a good bit. I love having things on hand so when I run out I don't have to rush to the store and can wait until things go on sale again and get a few more. I love coupling, but no one is going to do what they do on the tv shoe bc the stores waive their coupon policies to be on it and they stage things in the show..it's a reality shoe that is not reality, shocker!
Loretta
11/16/2011 03:15:33 am
Sometimes, even with a coupon, store brands are the better buy. I've yet to walk out of a store would have spent. You have to know when to stop. Right now, I probably won't buy toothpaste, laundry detergent, fabric softener or cleaning products with a $300 grocery bill down to $3.00. I usually do save over 50% of what I for the next 6 months. Unless it's free, of course!!!
Shane Oster
11/16/2011 03:15:52 am
Ok people, please allow me let you all in a little secret. When they show the "extreme couponers" on tv, please take a close look at what they are buying. They only save money on junkfood, candy, soda, hygeine supplies, etc. Then take a close look at their bodies, do you reall want to buy 30 snickers bar for $1.00? The couponing is geared for housewives that have lost all motivation to keep fit.
I agree with Jennifer, no store is going to do what they do on those extreme couponing shows. Those stores violate every rule in their own policy just to get some air time.
Adena
11/16/2011 08:04:43 am
Sorry Shane but you are not exactly correct on that....coupons are geared toward any consumer, none in particular. The manufacturer may release a coupon because they have a new product and they want people to buy it and like it. It may be the same product they have had for years and they improved the formula or changed the packaging or added a new fragrance. There are lots of reasons why coupons are out there and I highly doubt that it's to get all the out of shape housewives to buy a bunch of Bon-Bons to consume during their favorite Soap Opera. I buy healthy foods with coupons all the time and I am not a housewife. Extreme TV is just that...extreme...to get ratings. Maybe if they offered a coupon for that show they would have more viewers.
Shane Oster
11/16/2011 08:05:07 am
Adena, I appreciate the intelligent rebuttal. I know what you mean, but I am solely stating my opinion from the tv show. I know that there are good deals to be had. I enjoy getting a good discussion going when time permits.
Jon E.
11/16/2011 11:11:59 am
thought you were going to wait for me to do the "challenge" thing. No fair getting a head start! 5/10/2012 08:53:42 pm
This site will really help me in my project, thank you for helping me out 7/31/2012 08:21:03 pm
Excellent posts to read keep it up and keep going on this way. And keep sharing coupons related information..Thanks 8/21/2013 12:25:42 am
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