Getting Started with Strategic Shopping and Coupons

[Kmommy]

Hi!
Very new to this world of coupons; a 2 week baby you can call me!
I am a little discouraged as my husband bought two newspapers last yesterday for the coupons, I clipped what we needed (saved the rest) went to walmart (bc we were out of food!) and only saved about$7. Im not seeing the huge savigns that everyone is talking about. I read the ebook about cutting groceries in half...maybe I am doing something wrong??

[mnm'z]

While I'm not new to coupons, I am new to this site and the huge savings many posters are experiencing. I've read several times that it takes a couple of weeks to experience big savings. I'm giving it more time. I did find that I save more money on H&B products than I do food. But it all helps.

[Lfwh]

MMZ,

I too save more money on H&B than groceries. But I am also saving more on groceries now than I did last year. I've been tracking what I spent last year on groceries compared to this year and I am saving 20% more on average than last year. I have also discovered that I am getting freebies at the grocery store, something I never got before. So it all adds up in the end.

Good luck with the system and keep us posted of your progress.

[mnm'z]

I'm not giving up I'm experiencing enough savings just with the H&B products alone to make me happy. The food items will progress, I'm sure. I've e-mailed Meijer to ask them to re-implement the double coupons, they already do it in some markets, so why not mine? We'll see what they say. But again, when I went to Meijer on Saturday I purchased $150.00 worth of product for an OOP of $100.00, savings of about $50.00. I'm happy with saving 33% of my food bill considering my hubbie put things in the cart

[Debbiep]

Don't be discouraged! It took me a few weeks to get up-and-running with the big savers
Now, I have a ton of coupons to draw from-we buy 10 papers each week. My husband has been great about helping clip them all-he's lovin' the bottoms of my register tapes!
I've put all mine in a nice fat binder, clear sleeves to see them easily. My office was kind enough to let me buy one from them, discounted.

Some of your fabulous savings will be found at the local WGS, RA & CVS.
Welcome!

[purplemoon]

Welcome! And don't give up! It *does* take time to see huge savings. I have yet to hit the *huge* mark. I've been doing this for about seven weeks (although I've been saving coupons for years ~ but this site has taught me how to be a smart shoppper ~ which is equally as important!!). I don't know that I will ever save a real TON of money because we eat organic and natural (most of the time). Those coupons are far and few between. However, they are slooowly become more available. My savings, since I began seven weeks ago, has risen from about 17% to 25%. I average about 22% savings a week.

It will take you time to get to know the pricing (sales) of the products you use. Sales go in cycles. For example, boneless chicken breast is now "on sale" at my S&S for $3.49/lb. NOT! I bought it when it was "on sale" for $1.99/lb. It was actually that price for three weeks in a row, I think. I stocked up and froze it.

Soo...don't give up! ANY amount of money you save is helpful!

[Kmommy]

Thank you for all the encouragement; I will keep plucking away at it.
Cant wait to see huge differences!

[scrapbookann]

I have a krogger card

[PrincessOfCamelot]

I have to share my recent success story w/ coupons and sale items. My Acme had Malt-O-Meal cereal (the big bags) on sale - 4 for $10, with a $5 automatic rebate at the register. I had 4 $1.00 coupons, so I ended up with all that cereal for a buck! Woo Hoo!

[mrsbill8]

Do you have a list for ACME? Do they double coupons or take internet coupons?