There seems to be quite the variance in opinion on the topic of coupons. As I'm typing this, the image of the current popular meme of 'what society thinks I do vs. what I really do' keeps popping into my head. Give me a moment to giggle....ok I'm not really giggling, rather I'm wishing I was a bit better at computers so that I could create my own version of this meme! Anyway, since I can't speak for anyone else but myself, the following is a glimpse into the file folder of my brain that holds my experiences with coupons.
Me + Coupons = Roller Coaster!!!!
My coupon experience has had it's fair share of it's ups and downs, it's been exciting at times, brought on some great rushes, made me feel a bit ill to the stomach here and there, and has nearly ended with an abrupt halt more than once. Now if that doesn't describe a roller coaster, then you need to go to an amusement park pronto and get back to me.
For statistical purposes, I suppose I fall into the category of 'Single mom of 2'. Now I don't necessarily enjoy that label as it does not give credit to the contributions of my long term boyfriend, but yes, I am a single mom of two ever growing, ever eating, ever wanting yet EVER ADORABLE children. I am only working part time right now, so using coupons has become a very integral part of my spending habits. To be completely honest, most days I resent the fact that my life currently depends so much upon coupons. It drives the decisions behind where I shop, where we eat, and where we go for entertainment purposes. I have to, however, keep it into perspective...because of the couponing skills I have acquired, I CAN shop, we CAN eat out occasionally, and we CAN go elsewhere for entertainment...although I look forward to the days where couponing can once again become a hobby rather than a way of life. So if you ask me the simple question, "is couponing worth one's time?" the answer without hesitance is YES!!
The time and dedication couponing requires really depends on the level of couponer you want to be. The most basic level involves simply saving sunday paper inserts and checking sites like coupons.com for current printable coupons (if you don't have a local paper with coupons, you can purchase the whole inserts online). You clip the ones you want to use, and off you go! For just a few minutes of effort you can save a few dollars a week on things you are already buying. In my opinion, everyone should be doing this. Who couldn't save a couple dollars a week on groceries and household items that you already plan to buy? You can easily save 10-15% off your shopping bill. Even if you only saved $5/week, that's $260/year by doing something that only costs a few minutes of your time once a week.
(great scissors practice for little ones, free help for you!)
The next level of couponing takes a bit more time. This involves taking your shopping lists and actively searching for coupons for specific items on your list. These could be in inserts, on product packages, or anywhere on the web. Thankfully there are many different websites, blogs, etc. that do all of this for you. Many manufacturers and specific stores have printable coupons on their internet sites as well as facebook pages. This is particularly helpful for birthday gifts and other holidays. There can be lots of coupons online for toys, clothing, and many other types of products, as well as coupons for percentages or dollar amounts off your total purchase. For just a little more time and effort, you can save considerably more on groceries and other items. Now we've got you up to saving closer to 20-25% off your shopping bill. We'll take our $5 and double it...now you're saving $10/week for still very little time dedication. That's $520/year in easy peasy savings.
With considerable more time and effort, you can bump that savings up to an average of 50%. That is the level I try to keep myself at, as I can be content with that number. I need all the savings I can get, yet I have to also place a value on my time. I cannot justify spending the time needed to get higher average savings than that. Since I am the income earner and the couponer, there's only so much I can do. What do I do in addition to the methods above to save more?
Be open minded to other brands: for many products, there isn't much of a difference between them. I have found that many store brands compete quite well with their brand name counterpart. With this in mind, however, when pairing coupons up with store sales, you can often get brand name products for considerably less than store branded items...segue to next point...
Shop the sales: tailor your shopping list (and your weekly meal plan) around store sales. By matching coupons up with items that are on sale that week, you can maximize your savings. This requires a bit more planning for me as I shop multiple stores, but I find it worth it. There are plenty of sites online that compare store ads with current available coupons. If you are lucky enough to have a store nearby that doubles coupons, your savings can really add up.
Stockpile (to an extent): stocking up on items when they are dirt cheap prevent you from having to pay full price later when you run out and HAVE to purchase the item out of necessity. Please, however, do not be a shelf clearer. It's frustrating as all heck to go to the store with my shopping list to find half of the items out of stock thanks to people who find ways around the system (meaning coupon limits) and purchase a dozen or more of an item that's free or nearly free with coupons. You don't need a stockpile worth $20,000, you don't need 60 bottles of mustard in one shopping trip just because they are free. Most stores have a limit of 3 like coupons in one transaction. Take your three and continue on. If you happen to be heading to the same store later in the week for something, then get another three...just let someone else get some too! As much couponing as I do, I have a very small stockpile. I stick to my coupon limits and only get what I know I have space for. It's always enough to hold me off until the next time a particular item goes on sale.
Go without: As long as it's not an absolute necessity, I generally go without something until the next sale comes along. My family loves pot roast. They go on sale every 4-6 weeks at a local store for buy one get one free. I always get two when this happens. Once they are used up, I know that I only have to wait a couple of weeks before they will be on sale again. Most stores have a general sales cycle. Again, many websites have lists of general sales cycles.
Look for coupons at the store: Some items will have 'peelies' on them, or peel off coupons that you can use at checkout for that item. Always be on the lookout for those, as well as coupons found near store displays. Again, be courteous of other shoppers...please don't take a whole bunch of these coupons.
Request coupons: there are lists online of companies that will send you product coupons if you contact them requesting such. I've had success in the past doing so. Companies also really like feedback. If there is something you particularly liked or disliked about their product, use the contact us button on their website and tell them about it. Sometimes as a thank you they will send you coupons.
I'm sure there are little odds and ends that I'm forgetting, but above are the strategies I use on a regular basis. On average I probably spend approximately 2 hours a week on my couponing, which for me is worth it when I save on average 50% off my grocery and household item shopping bills. If you used my very fake numbers above, the example savings jumps to $20/week or $1040/year.
With these tricks above, you'll soon be sending me brag pictures like this:
(This is a picture of a Target shopping trip I made a couple months ago and saved 82%)
Believe me, if I help you save some good money, I definitely want to see the pictures :)
