Just because it's listed - should you use it?

[nmmiller]

Hi All,

I'm brand new to couponing! I had a question for you.....

Just because something is listed with a coupon & is a deal - should you use it? Or might there be a better deal to come along?

For example....
There is a coupon in the 8-14RP for $1 off Schick Razors. The CouponMom list shows you can use it at Wal-Mart & they would only cost about $0.97 after the coupon. But SHOULD you use it on that? Is there a chance that you'll get an even better deal before it expires on 9/25?

Another example...
There is a coupon in the 8-14RP for $0.50 off Suave Deodorant - Which if used at Wal-Mart would make it about $0.47 each. But is that really a good deal? Don't you all get deodorant FREE all the time? What is the likely-hood this will be on sale somewhere and we can get it for free or almost free?

Is there a time when even though some deals might be "good" they're just not quite "good enough" and you should hold onto them?

Oh, and one other thing I discovered... If you use a RR at Walgreens for the same product that gives the RR you don't get your RR Missed out on $3 'cause of that.... Not sure if that is the case if it is used to purchase a different product that gives a RR...

TIA!!
Nicole

[Desert Debbi]

Good questions =)

First: Walgreens Register rewards can be maximized by "rolling" the register alternating products. So, for example, we have item A which gives us a $3RR if you buy ONE and item B which also gives us a $3RR.. for buying TWO. I would purchase just item A, then use my RR from that purchase to purchase TWO item B's I know I need 2 to get the RR for item B. If I want MULTIPLE of an item I would continue to "roll" this alternating purchase until such time as I purchased all the items I wanted. Remember, if you want 3 of item A you will have to make 3 seperate transactions to get 3 register rewards and you CANNOT pay with them with a register reward from the same product if you want to get another register reward. Likewise in this scenario, alternating 3 times would net you SIX of item B while only THREE of item A, and you would end up with $3RR leftover for next time. Finally, if you had used manufacturer coupons you would likely need "filler" items to attach your register reward to. So always be sure to find something inexpensive like a small candy or felt tip marker or peechee folder... something in the 20 cent range... to make sure you have the fillers you need =D

As for the razor scenario, and the deodorant, remember prices are going up on things due to the increased cost of gas, and other events occuring world wide and within our nation. I would personally buy those items at those prices, just to be safe.

[missmbb]

I would say whether or not the "deal" is right for you depends on your situation. If you have lots of grocery store options, you might want to look around and see what kind of deal you can get. You might have stores that double or triple coupons and others don't. Also, are you almost out of a certain item? If so, the "deal" might be as good as you are going to get before you run out. I've bought things before only to find a better deal later, but that's the way it goes.

[CurtisBeers]

I only get razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, shampoo, body wash, pain relievers and a few other items if they are free (after coupons and store rewards, or stacking mfr. coupons with store coupons, or getting trial size items or by rolling the store rewards)! That is what is cool about building a small stockpile. You have some at home so unless it's free, you do not need to use the coupon or run out just to get it.

[IndyMomma]

The key is to establish your own "rock bottom" price on the items that you use. Get to know your sales cycles and evaluate your coupons and your expiration dates based on your past experiences. Its going to take a while to establish, but you will get there.

Now if you need deodorant, .47 is a great price...especially if you were going to pay full price for it.
My rock bottom price on Suave for example is about .10 cents. It is $1.09 at Kroger everyday, and often goes on sale $10 for 10. My Kroger doubles .50 cent coupons to $1. If I can utilize the coupon during a $10/10 than I get them for free...great! But if I notice that the coupons are about to expire and there is no sale in sight, I go ahead and pick them up for 9 cent each. I usually buy 5 papers, so I can get 5 deodorants for .45 cent... less than the price I would pay at Walmart with a coupon for 1. It is all about Strategic Shopping..... Have you read Stephanie Nelsons book?

[Rooster]

No no no! Just because it is listed DOESN'T mean you have to get it! I made the mistake of doing that when I first started couponing and ended up with 10 cans of Hormel chili with beans. Guess what? We don't eat that-- so that was just wasted money...sometimes is not good to jump on a deal without thinking it through!
Well, the mission benefitted from it anyway...but it was really an AHA moment for me.

[CarmenLeah]

We don't havestores that double here and suave never goes on 'sale'. So I jumped on the $.47 deoderant.... But a month are two back there were $.75 suave Qs out.... But I was out of deo and needed some anyways... under $1 on 'great brands', and under $.50 on suave and the cheaper brands is my price point. Same with bodywash. Razors under $1 is good but we use refills (I know not cheaper, but we're pretty stuck on Fusion for DH and Gillette for me) so any chance to get refills for under $6 for a 4pk is stockup time.

[Marie5656]

Probably depends on the deal, and what you need to stock up on. In checking my own stock, I just realized I need to rebuild my supplu of tootpaste and deoderant. So I would take that into consideration when planning my shopping,

[shallen3]

At first .50 for deod. was a good deal for me especially if your out. Now I won't get it if it's not free or almost free and I mean pennies. Starting out there is a buy price and a stock-up price. If your out of something the buy price is what your willing to pay for 1 or 2 items to get you to the stock-up price. The stock-up price is the rock bottom price and you will buy enough to get you to the next sale cycle and that depends on how many people your buying for. It may take a while for you to figure out prices for your area and how many to buy. You will make some mistakes. Don't beat yourself up if you pay a little more for something beacause no matter what you are still saving a ton of money.

[IndyMomma]

There is a famous blogger out there and she taught me this motto...

Don't buy something at 90% off just because you can get it so cheap. You just wasted 10% on something that you will not use. Is that really saving? No, its wasting.... even though it is only 10%.... that adds up over time. Before you know it you will have a closet full of stuff you don't need just because you got it cheap. That is hoarder type behaviour.