The post where Melanie rambles on and on about whatever’s floating around in her brain. Grab some coffee. You’ll need it.
I’ve been couponing steadily for the last fifteen years or so. It’s so much a part of my life that the tasks surrounding it are much like brushing my teeth, washing the dishes, packing lunches, etc.
Automatic. Routine. Sort of like breathing.
Sunday I head out to the stores on the first day of the sale to shop while the gettin’s good. And on Monday I make my trades so that I can get my coupons in time for local grocery store sales.
Midweek I look ahead to the coupons that are coming out the following weekend. I write a list of the coupons I want and I stick it in my binder.
When I shop, it’s almost never on impulse. I have a list which I stick to. Of course there are unadvertised specials that pop up here and there, but for the most part I get in, out and on my way.
On the days that I have a little more time, I’ll go up and down each aisle to see if there are any new blinkies or peelies. On days like this, the leisurely ones that are few and far between these days, I watch what other shoppers are doing.
Sort of voyeuristic, but I find it fascinating. To see people take things off the shelf and plop it in their cart without glancing at the sale flier, price per unit or the competitor’s offerings. It’s very foreign to my way of life.
Watching people toss into their carts full price bottles of Tide, porterhouse steaks, $4.99 a box cereal, wildly inflated deli foods, $5.99 packages of bacon, well, it all boggles my mind.
The same way I feel when I flip through the television channels and see QVC selling prepackaged meals at some crazy price which people actually purchase. And while I’ve never purchased anything off of the television before, sometimes I like to watch just out of morbid curiosity.
My meal planning, if I could call it that, revolves around the sale fliers. Whole chickens are buy one get one free this week. So tonight it’s forty clove roast chicken and tomorrow chicken enchiladas.
Spinach on special for $1.50 per bag? Then it’s a week that our folic acid count is going to skyrocket after enjoying wilted spinach salads, spinach smoothies, and spinach filled pasta dishes.
I’ve trained my brain to crave the foods that are on sale. This is so much simpler than people realize. If you are only thinking about recipes that feature the sale foods, it’s so much easier to be content with what’s affordable.
My biggest hurdle as a couponer is produce. It’s so unfortunate that the stuff that’s the healthiest for you is so darn expensive. The idea that you have to have money to eat well is very disheartening.
Yes, you can grow your own produce, can it, freeze it, but only if you are able. I am the grim reaper of plants. Try as I may, I kill anything that produces leaves. The only exception to this is herbs. For some reason herbs are impervious to my black thumb.
Therefore, I am at the mercy of what my suburban grocer offers. And I do ok with it for the most part because I know how to make use of most veggies. That kale and collard greens that most people walk by, I can cook it up into something that people will actually want to eat.
But fruit? That’s a different story. Apples, grapes, oranges, are almost a luxury item now. I actually make the kids promise to eat that apple I put in their lunch bags because fruit is quickly becoming a precious commodity.
The idea of an apple or heck, any other food item going into the trash makes me ill. Fruit is hovering around $1.99 to $2.99 a pound, which quickly adds up when you have six mouths to feed.
It’s no wonder that the poor are dealing with serious weight issues. It’s cheaper to eat a candy bar than an apple these days.
Keeping on top of all of this coupon stuff can be exhausting. Because I’ve been doing this for so very long, I expect for the coupon burnout to come. It always does. Right now I’m right in the middle of a raging burnout episode.
Times like this I try to not get too down on myself. What we do requires a lot of work. Constant research and organization, not to mention the actual shopping, it can drain you when you live this lifestyle week after week, and month after month.
Few people can keep up with this way of life. For awhile when Extreme Couponing first came out, it was getting hard to get the deals in my town. The competition was fierce.
Several months of near empty shelves was starting to get to me. But I knew that most newbie couponers, even the ones bit hard by the freebie bug, would not be able to sustain this lifestyle.
Sure enough, as the months have gone by and the show has lost some of its luster, the shelves are not as ravaged anymore.
Free stuff is not as free as people think. Time and energy has value and can be depleted. You need to be truly dedicated to this lifestyle to do it for any sustained period of time.
Couponing is not for the faint of heart.
But for those of us who stick with it, the benefits are clear. We shop smarter. We utilize our resources better. Our dollars stretch further. And hopefully we teach our children to be better stewards as well.
That’s my hope anyway.
How about you? How long have you been couponing? Are you flying high with it or are you in a burnout valley? If you are a newbie, are you allowing yourself to take a break here and there?
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I am going out less to pursue coupon deals due to the high price of gas (thank you Dems and Obama) but I probably organize more before going out. I have been seriously couponing for about 2 years now and am able to donate to my local food bank. My burnout periods have been few and far between thankfully.
And I am going to expand my garden this year to encompass more than just tomatoes, peppers and squash.
Rita in VA
Rita- High fuel costs are also greatly affecting the way I shop. If there’s a deal that’s posted on a deal alert site, I’m not apt to run out and get it unless I’m going out already.
This summer we will be finding things to do on the home front because I’m not road tripping anywhere.
I’m glad you aren’t having burnout issues. Also, happy for you that you are a gardner. What I wouldn’t do to learn that skill!!
Excellent post! I agree with everything you said. I have been couponing seriously now for 3+ years. It started out of necessity, when the economy (and our jobs!) tanked. I learned how to do it by reading great blogs and a lot of trial and error. It is such a way of living now, I don’t know any other way – nor do I ever want to return to my previous life of “buying whatever I need”. The hardest lesson to learn with couponing is delayed satisfaction. You have to learn to hold on to that great coupon, wait for the sale – then bam! sensational deal! My family gets so many more great food and product choices because I am calculated and careful in my buying – only occasionally will we run out of something because a good stock up sale hasn’t occured and I am stubborn about paying full price. It makes me physically ill to be behind someone in the checkout line and hear that their total is close to $300 – I want to throw up right there – because I know that with coupons and a little delayed satisfaction, they could have those same products in their pantries for a quarter of that total. And these shoppers are usually ones that would greatly benefit from those savings. Many times I have offered to show someone how to easily and with the least effort, start couponing, only to be told, No thanks, I just don’t have time to do that. Wow. For my family, I made time and continue to make time to keep my family as financial stable as possible. And why should we give away money to big food companies if we don’t have to anyway? Some weeks I feel the coupon burnout. And sometimes those weeks I don’t shop, except for absolute essentials like milk or eggs. The stockpile always gets us through. I do “party from the pantry” month in January – I shop as little as possible so that we can clear out the pantry and freezer that has accumulated over the months. That gives me a coupon break too. And then sometimes, on rare occasion, I go to the store with – gasp – no coupons and buy what I want to make a particular dinner. You just have to let go sometimes. The funny part is that those purchases are usually combined with stuff I have on hand, which makes it in the end, not that bad. But it’s that wild abandon of shopping without coupons that frees the soul. I don’t ever want to return to the shopper I was before. This way is more fun and comes with so many other benefits for my family. Thanks, Melanie, for the reminder.
Andrea- Are you a blogger? If not, you should consider it, lol. I love your comment. I too have offered to teach people who desperately needed to learn the skill, only to be turned down because it’s too much work.
And one time I poured myself into another person because they were struggling so badly. I taught them everything I know. Only to be told after a couple of weeks that it was too much for them. They’d rather just pay full price.
And we wonder why our country is in peril? When did work become so distasteful? Seriously, it makes me sad when people have the time and the ability to learn this stuff but choose not to because it requires effort.
It surely speaks to the heart of our nation and economy right now.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. It was great to read your perspective.
I’ve been couponing for about four years now and I definitely go through burn-out periods. I have a list of things I have to buy before 3/31 for some rebates and I’m really dragging to get it done. And its hard to get excited over “another” deal on toothpaste. It takes a lot to get me psyched for deals now. But I just keep chugging along. Every penny helps!
Suzanne- Yup and amen. Toothpaste and feminine products. I’m so fully stocked that I could outfit a dental office and a cheerleading squad.
If I did half of what you do, I’d be dead. You, by far, are the most persistent couponer I know.
Laurie–MA
Honestly, our biggest savings is being 15 minutes from a Market Basket. Deli American cheese was $1.99 this week, apples have been 99 cents a pound for YEARS, iceberg lettuce–79 cents a head (usually 99 cents), shredded mozarella always $1.89 for 8 oz, etc. It’s certainly not the Whole Foods/Roche Bros./Wegman’s experience and the produce is not always as nice as Stop & Shop; but the prices across the board are easily 15-25% less on most days than S&S or Shaws. We have a Hannaford’s 7 min. away and are finding that their prices are starting to come down from what they used to be a couple of years ago so, with the price of gas, we’ll pick up a few things there if that’s all we need.
[Refill your coffee cup for this one, too!] Like you, Melanie, I have always shopped and planned meals around what’s on sale. (Supper tonight is boneless pork cutlets ($1.99 lb) with mushrooms ($1.99-12 oz.). MANY years ago, I used to be a serious coupon clipper, but that was when there were more “ordinary” products with 25-75 cents off, stores were often doubling, and the Sunday paper coupons weren’t all make-up, hair color, “Buy 3, get $1 off” deals. It’s just my husband and I now, so I only rarely find a Sunday paper coupon to clip. But your blog and others have steered me to a few coupon websites so hope to be able to take advantage of those if they fit what we need. My other “problem” is that my husband often does the grocery shopping because he drives by the store and actually LIKES to grocery shop (and cook–lucky me!). So, if there are coupons involved, I have to remember to give them to him and hope he doesn’t misplace or use them
And, altho. I didn’t comment at the time on your blog about Kohl’s, I just wanted to add that I rarely shop at Kohl’s unless I have the 30% off coupon. I’d rather they had fewer “discount coupon days” and rewarded all their credit card holders with 30% off coupons–I just don’t like this “lottery” type deal. But I know they need to keep people coming in.
My hat is off to you for working so hard to save money for your family and find the time to entertain us who follow your blog, as well.
I have been couponing now for 2 years and I have had my ups and downs. I started building my stock pile when I was pregnant with baby number 3. I was due in December and I didn’t want to have to leave the house with 3, 3 and under if I didn’t have to. When I started I went after every deal and wore myself out. After a break I have learned what deals are worth my time and effort. My husband thought I was crazy at first, but he has gotten so used to our stockpile that when we finally ran out of something he was shocked. I know that food costs are going up, but by copouning where I can I am able to afford the fresh fruit that my family craves. I love your blog and the perspective that you give on couponing and life.
Melanie,
How I love your blogging!!! I’ve been couponing for about 2 years now. I have a pretty nice stockpile that my kids “shop” at. They usually come by for Sunday dinner and they go “shopping” in my basement. My only problem is that I work full-time and try to keep up with the couponing. My binder gets very disorganized very quickly – I hate that!!!But I don’t give up – the issue is one of money. I have always been somewhat frugal and the savings that I get from couponing brings me such satisfaction and joy. My daughters are now asking for help with their grocery bills and for me to show them how I do it. During my last visit to visit to youngest in AZ I showed her the savings she could have. She lives near Fry’s – great couponing store!!!
I am so grateful to you and your blog for actually getting me started on this road. I read an article in the Old Colony about you, went to your blog and the rest is history. So thank you Melanie for starting me on this road and for continuing to encourage me and others to stockpile and save, save, save.
Theresa H.
I started couponing seriously about 6 months before THAT show began to air. Like you, for months I didn’t even bother with WAGS because they were stripped, but that is changing now. I used to use a binder but now I just organize by date and clip as needed. I try to plan out my trip by checking a few sites throughout the week, gathering coupons and then making my list. I ALWAYS look for the Managers Specials at my Kroger. I can usually save 50-75% on meat by purchasing only those items on special. I take them home and freeze them immediately. If I don’t know how to cook something, I look for a recipe or ask friends. My grocery bill, for two, is now down from about $300 a month to sometimes less than $100.00. I often don’t even have enough points to get a dime off of a gallon of gas! LOL! Couponing is MY WAY of LIFE! As well as comparison shopping!
Melanie,
I think you read my mind – I’m feeling the same way!
I’ve been couponing since I moved out with my husband 16 years ago (a skill that I learned from my mother) and I have had major burnout since the holidays! I still use coupons, but rather than going to many different stores and scoring the deals, I find myself shopping once a week at the store that offers the best deals on the items I need for the week. For me, 4 or 5 coupons per trip has been the norm lately compared to the piles I used to use. I’m a little disgusted with my shopping practices lately, and really want to get back on track. Oh, how I wish I had a nice stockpile!
On the other hand, my shopping patterns are similar to yours. I only buy sale items, and make lunches and meals with those items. I couldn’t ever imagine buying a $4.99 box of cereal or Tide at full price. I guess that means that although we aren’t in full coupon mode right now, we are always using our smart shopping practices, which will pay off in the end!
I’ve been couponing for a little over 3 years now and I too sometimes fall behind on clipping and organizing coupons, but I try hard to keep at it because it pays off when I go shoping and see the Savings in my grocery bill.
I can not believe that 3 years ago I used to pay about $900-1000 a month for a family of 4 and now I am down to $200-250 a month. I wish I had started earlier, but back then…I though couponing was only for people that can’t afford to buy groceries (stupid me…lol).
My family loves the extra “play money” we have left over every month. We are now debt free and enjoing life more rather then stressing out and trying to make ends meet on one income (as we did before).
I too have noticed that the “extreme couponers/followers” have slowed down a bit and I can actually find stuff on the shelfs now…lol. they must be burned out already.lol
My 7 yrs old daughter asked me to teach her to coupon, she even has her own little folder and she clips away every sunday with me. Couponing is my way of life, and I’m glad to see my daughter want to learn to save and follow in her mommies footsteps
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I, too, am in coupon burnout right now. I am glad to have a stockpile to rely on as well. I am getting back into it strongly but I concentrate on my grocery store and visit target about once a month for everything else with whatever deals I can get. Our family also eats according to her sales cycles. My kids are able to take leftovers to their school as three microwaves are provided which is great. They prefer that anyway. Fruit unfortunately I will buy at full price. My kids love it. I buy it in small doses through the week on the way to pick them up from school so that it doesn’t spoil. I have been couponing now for about three years and cannot imagine another way of life.
Laurie in MA- my parents live near a market basket. When we were visiting in February I went to get groceries we’d need (food for the kids etc so my folks don’t have to feed 4 more mouths for a whole week) and could not believe how much food I had for the cost. I live in the Metro DC area and groceries are outrageous here!
I am one of those “can’t quite get the major couponing thing” but I come here for the reminder to at least use the ones I do get (BJ’s etc). I’m always impressed with the deals you all work so hard to get.
- Kris
I learned couponing from my mom and have been couponing myself all my married life (30+ yrs!). It’s just the normal way of life for me. In fact, I consider it my job that has earned many thousands of dollars and enabled me to stay home with my kids. It does take a little effort but with great returns!
Like you Melanie I shop loss leaders and plan meals around them. My husband always knows which cereal was on sale-that is what he eats for a couple of weeks!
Today at Ralphs I bought Honey bunches of Oats for .88 (on sale for 1.88 less $1 coupon) and Colgate was FREE-on sale for $1 less $1 coupon! Eggs were .88 a dozen, whole chicken .69 a pound!
Food costs are one place I can save here in expensive So. Cal.
Love your blog Melanie!!
Really interesting topic, Melanie. I started couponing about 18 months ago. I got really comfortable with it and was decent at it. Not great but the savings were substantial and it was highly motivating. I built up a decent stockpile and life was good. Then things changed. I think it was a combination of things and perhaps they were all spurred on by The Show That Shall Be Nameless. The coupons became of smaller value and the games of 25 cents off 3 began.
I live in FL. This state is the bottom of the heap in the coupon game. There is no doubling ever and our prices are significantly higher. I could not begin to duplicate the savings that you and other bloggers are averaging. But I kept trying and watching our stockpile shrink down to practically nothing.
Now I have given up. After a month of not making back the price of the papers I was buying (2-4depending on the coupons) I called it quits. Now I shop at Sam’s club and pick up a few specials here and there sometimes.
I am sad that I am not couponing because I know it saves a ton of money when the conditions are right. I hate having a teeny little stockpile. But I just can’t justify the effort for the payoff. Call it burn out, call it disgust or whatever you want. I have a big ole case of it. Seems to be the only thing I AM stockpiling.
My mom actually taught me how to coupon at an early age (I’m only 25) and it’s definitely something that I incorporate into my daily life. Living in CA is EXPENSIVE, but I still manage to get good deals by researching and cutting coupons. As for fresh produce, I’ve almost given up going to the large grocery chains to buy fruit or veggies. There are quite a few Asian supermarkets in our area and they seem to have the best prices on produce. Last week they had a special on oranges: 5 lbs for $1! You can’t beat that and even if you just use it to make fresh orange juice it’s still quite a bargain
Good points Sheri L.! I too rarely buy produce at major markets. Along with a few Asian markets we have several Hispanic markets with great deals on produce I never pay more than .20 a pound for onions for example.
Also, we have an orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, pomegranate and persimmon tree in our small yard. If I am going to water and care for it, it must produce something for us!
In terms of savings on produce, do you have ethnic markets near you? I live in Atlanta and live within five miles of two large Asian mega marts. I can buy lemons at the local grocery store for two times the cost of a lemon at the Asian mega mart. This goes for all my produce.
I find that if you shop where the immigrants shop you get cheaper produce much fresher.
I must be something in the air. I even left walgreens this week with NOTHING because I just was too tired to try and make it work. I’ve been couponing for 12 years or so- but have gotten more serious in the last 3 years. I know I will snap out of it, because it’s too hard to go back to paying double what I pay now, but it will take some time to organize the coupon chaos I’ve got going on over here : )
Melanie, I love this entry, you are so right with flying high and burning out. I have been couponing for a long time, but in the old days it never clicked to me to stock up or to have more than one of the coupons I had? so I would only save minimum $$… Now that I have been taught the ins and outs of a ” GOOD” sale which really seems to be few and far between in the past month of so,and how to stack and use coupons to better serve me,I see great value in shopping this way, I have 3 growing boys a 13 yr old and twin 11 yr olds ( who have growing teen Friends that fequent the house) If I’m stocked I don’t feel as much like I’m being eaten out of house and home, I also don’t have to run to the store when company drops in, and I always have whats needed to bake up a little something tasty. I love the New Improved couponer that I now am, but I do burn out especially when the deals seem Hohum… thanks for such a great blog,I really enjoy reading what you have to say everyday. It’s my little piece of cyber bliss.
LeAnn S.
I have been doing this for about 8 months now. My stock pile is quite large. It amazed me how much money I can save following this type of lifestyle. Wish I had embraced it sooner. My adult married son was seriously hurt in a work accident and has gone back to school in order to change careers. His wife is supporting them and two children through this. So I coupon for them as well. I have managed in a short period of time to stock pile enough cleaning supplies, health and beauty aids to sustain three house holds for 1 year. Not to mention all the free pasta, and pasta sauce, olive oil, cereal, etc. etc. I too marvel at the people in the grocery store just paying full price for items I can get near free. I now open my binder while shopping and share with complete strangers coupons that I really don’t need to use because my stock pile is so large. I work full time in a department store and just last week was asked by a few employees to teach them couponing. I too from time to time get a little weary of how much personal time it takes me each week to maintain this life style. However I can’t afford to stop so I just keep pushing through looking for the next free or near free deal. I must say it does not take me nearly as long as it did when I first started.
I have been couponing for 32 years since my marriage in 1980. At that time, you used a coupon, but the big savings in my area were ad matching ads at the one store in town that did this. I recall doing a lot more rebates for items as well. I don’t feel old, but am I the oldest couponer?
I too have hit a huge bump in the road the past few months. My youngest daughter was ambitious and applied to 14 universities looking for the best financial aid package. She had two goals: get into a good school and go for free. She has the grades and test scores to do it.
Unfortunately the many, many hours required to fill out college applications, financial aid forms and scholarships since last October have left looking at a computer screen, scanning blogs, or filing coupons so wearying after all the hours glued to a computer screen. I have comforted myself as I have slacked off a bit with couponing that it is small change when looking at the costs for colleges, so in a sense I have been doing big time couponing, savings hundreds of dollars by shopping for best buys in college.
Monday, my daughter was accepted to one of the top schools in the country with a financial aid package which makes going there free except personal expenses and books. This had nothing to do with government grants or aid, it was based on her performance.
Woo Hoo! My best “money saving” strategy of the decade when the total cost of attendance at this school is $60,000 per year.
Had she not received this offer, she had a default school of great quality that was thousands less if we had to pay out of pocket. .
Yes, the cost of gas has not just changed my couponing habits but my entire way of life.
We were so used to years ago jumping in the car and going for weekend joy rides and quick vacations.
We filled up our van’s tank for $15.00.
Now, we all know we are lucky to get away from the pump with a fuel efficient vehicle for less that $60.00.
That costs robs all of us of the mobility and freedom that we all cherish.
How very sad for such a great, great country.
A bright note is late at night when I wanted to give myself a treat after hours of financial forms to be filled out by parents, I would sneak a peak at your blog–it wasn’t work, it was fun. Thanks for the treat that got me through the past 6 months!
I would love to hear more about your daughter’s process of applying to colleges. My oldest is a 7th grader and I am already stressing a little at the thought of the process of applying to colleges. She is the oldest of six so I will be spending a lot of time in your shoes someday
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I have been couponing for 3 years now and I am in the valley as well, I can only remember one other burnout time. This time its just due to crappy deals. show 50 cent shampoo and I will get excited again!
I started Super Couponing in college (about 15 years now) so I could shop all the time with a limited budget.
And man were the stores generous with their sales. We had a grocery chained that did Super Doubles ($1 coupons=$2)… those were the days!
I have defintely slowed down at times because burnout is inevitable otherwise! And I can’t believe the people that just pay full price all the time without following the sales at a very minimum. It’s crazy!
Hi Melanie, Been a coupon user for over 15+ years out of need and then because it truly can give you funds for you to use on other things you need or want to enjoy. I was a 9-5 person for over 20 years and now work retail for a big store as a cashier. I was shocked at how many people do not use coupons and buy whatever they want. As I am scanning these products I am thinking there is a coupon for that item on average especially for personal items, paper products these people never use coupons. Get me started on those who get EBT, there are so many people who don’t know how to cook, they buy 2-3 carts, no lie, of all processed frozen foods, I rarely see meat products like port chops, even chicken, some buy hamburger for the taco dinner. I also rarely see these individuals use coupons which would make their money go farther for the fruit and veggies, they also buy package cut apples, celery, cut up onions, blows my mind on how many people never make real mash potatoes. So for all couponers never feel bad about your volume of coupons, less then 30% and I think this is to high of people use coupons when so many of the products have coupons available. I will go shopping after work and they will watch my total and how many coupons I use and they see the difference but as you say, they feel it is to much work. I look forward to the challenge it makes me use my god given brain and keeps me competitive. I told my coworkers about the target sale on toys but they didn’t get it. I showed them my receipt of saving 188.00 dollars and spending on 53.90 which I used 30 in gift cards so spent 23.90 for so many fun presents. So everyone keep using coupons even when the person behinds makes rude comments, we are the winners and givers. Thanks for reading my rants and raves.
I have been couponing off and on for 13 years. I started couponing as a teenager. Make-up and smelly shampoos were (are) my weakness. I started seriously couponing about a year and a half ago. My husband and I realized that in order to reach our goals, we had to get a grip on our finances. One of our largest areas of spending was groceries. There is no denying it- our grocery bill was out of control. I sat down one night and Googled (what did we do before Google?) “cut grocery spending”. That internet search led me to a “hip” blogger whose expertice is, in the words of Mastercard, “priceless”. Later internet searchers led me here!
Like you, I am currently in burnout mode. I live in a rural area, and work at a school in an even more rural area. Just driving to the nearest grocery store or drugstore takes 30 minutes. If I want to go to Target, it takes me an hour to get there! Fuel prices are rising and time is precious. I just don’t have the energy right now. My stockpile is healthy… it won’t suffer the break and I know that I will be back at in a few weeks or so.
How do I know? I started seriously couponing before Extreme Couponing aired and have to say that I found those few months after the shows intial airing disheartening. A woman from a nearby (as in 30 minutes away) town was featured on the show. The area was zoo after! All I saw was empty shelves everywhere. I thought about giving up…. thought that it wasn’t worth the frustration. In retrospect, I see now that it was a test of my resolve. By August, all the other newbies had given up. I don’t have to be at the store at opening time to get a deal. I am so glad that I am not a quitter!
Monday I was bad, very very very bad. I have been spring cleaning and doing taxes and felt like a treat for hubby and I. I went to my favorite (not cheap) grocery store and just bought what we wanted to eat for the next 2 days. Ribeye only barely on sale, cheese for fondue, crusty breads, ice cream, and lots of fruit including raspberries, blueberrys, and strawberries. I bought meyer lemons and rhubarb to dress up a 3.00 box mix of lemon bars. I don’t regret my temporary rebellion but more poor cashier was so shocked when reading me my how much you saved total. He read it backward telling me I saved 80.00 on my 13.00 order, then he stumbled corrected himself by saying sorry that’s not like you, then turned red because he thought he just insulted me. Too Funny. We have enjoyed every bite of our rebellion!
I’ve been couponing for about 4 years now. don’t coupon for food too much because I live in California and our sales and coupon policies aren’t as good as they are in other places in the country. Plus, I am a vegetarian and there aren’t that many products that I use that I see coupons for. If I see a coupon for something I know I’ll buy, then I’ll clip it but otherwise I just stick to the farmers markets or the bulk store. I’m lucky to have a lot of reasonably priced produce options because I live so close to where it is grown. It almost makes up for the price of everything else.
I mainly do health and beauty items. I go in stages. In the beginning I went coupon crazy and bought anything and everything that was free but over time I realized that there wasn’t much point to that if I truly couldn’t find a use for the items. Now that I have a pretty decent stockpile, I keep a list of the amounts of each thing I have and just keep an eye out for things that are getting low. I maintain my Extra Bucks by rolling at least once a month but some weeks the sales are good (like this week) and I hit the store more often. I’ve been running low on skin care so I hit up the Nuance sale where everything including the nice night creams and serums were only $6.99 plus if you buy $20, you get $10 and I had coupons for all of them. Then I rolled that one into the Physician’s formula cleanser deal. Can’t really beat paying about $5 OOP for $70 worth of skin care. I just keep an eye on all the sales and eventually everything becomes free or cheap. I even got a free mani/pedi a few weeks ago thanks to a Groupon promo code on their “now deals” and a referral credit. The resistance I get from people isn’t so much the work that’s involved, but that they won’t be able to always use their favorite brand. While it is true you can’t be completely brand loyal all the time as I couponer, I rarely have to resort to my “second favorites bin” for things that I keep on hand as backup for when I run out of my absolute favorites. I’ve been using John Freida full repair since last spring/summer (with at least 5 sets left) and that’s my favorite and it’s a luxury brand as far as mainstream retail goes but I probably haven’t paid more than $5 for my whole stash. I think once you’ve done it for a complete year, you are able to get the hang of the sale cycles and you rarely have to use a brand you don’t like.
I have used coupons for over 30 years, started a binder about 7 years ago and never had burnout. I did have a bout of serious complacense when my binder was stolen in 2008. My three children, spouses, and four grandchildren will never have to buy toothpaste or toothbrushes EVER again. I bought two gallons of milk and eight boxes of Special K Red and Plain Cheerios for something like $8.15 using store sale, store coupon and newspaper coupons. Right now, I am out of chicken breasts, so that is of immediate concern!
I eat what is on sale, not what I think I am wanting. Since I can, freeze, and dehydrate, I can often take the perishable items and use them for months, buying in bulk.
I have been couponing and receiving freebies in the mail since my college days, about 30 years now. When you’re really bitten, you don’t give up on it (especially when you grow up in a lower-middle class family). Oh, and no double coupons back then.
I have people stop my in CVS and in the supermarket all the time. I now have a couple of people that I have been emailing deals to and one lady who even gave me her phone number so that we could get together.
Most people I see in the supermarket are very interested and at least ask me for websites that will help them.
My favorite shopping trip was the one where I met a father with his family couponing. He even had a coupon binder like mine. Nice to see that it is not just men who are doing this.
Great post, I love when you talk couponing
. I too am amazed when I see people tossing full priced items into their carts, sometimes I cringe! I think everyone gets coupon burnout once in a while, I just try to go w/ it and not feel bad. Then afterwards I feel rejuvenated and ready for more 
OK…I must be the “old lady” of this group of commenter’s because I’ve been couponing for over 30 years!! I remember when the Sunday paper was filled with coupons…and they didn’t expire for months! My mother used to send me her coupons from her Sunday paper. She lived in another state so they often had different coupons than I did. Now, the coupons are pitiful. I don’t color my hair nor do I need sanitary items or baby diapers. There’s not much to clip for us retired folks
I’ve been spending more time online getting coupons for some of the items that we use and that our stores have on special.
I very seldom buy fruit any more because it’s too expensive. I also don’t buy lunchmeat because it’s loaded with salt and we don’t need that contributing to our weight or our blood pressure. My DH loves sandwiches so every once in a while I’ll get some low sodium turkey and low sodium swiss cheese and make him a nice big sandwich.
I make my own bread or if I don’t have time, I go to the surplus store and get a loaf of day old for 99 cents (only if I’m going out for other things). We eat out about once a month as a treat, but I love to cook and bake so I’m like you, Melanie, I make meals based on what specials are at the time or I use what’s in my pantry and freezer.
There’s a LOT of ways to cut down. You just have to give it some thought and a little planning.
I think this is my favorite post of all time because it allowed me to get to know so many of you and your history with couponing.
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences with me. It’s been a true delight to read all of your amazing comments.
xoxoxo
Mel, i have couponed always, since the kids were in diapers(over 20 years ago,yikes!) and i used to think a couple of diaper and wipes coupons were like hitting the lottery. serious shopping came when hubby changed jobs and we bought a house that needed lots of tlc, expensive remodeling. now i have a stockpile that could sustain us for a really long time. money has always been tight and now gasoline is killing us with 4 cars. we have fuel discounts with grocery purchase, so last week we got 30 gallons of FREE gas totaling $119.xx. my oldest(21) is moving out next month and i have a huge amount of ‘stuff’ to give to her for her new apt. using the computer has made shopping the sales easier and more accessible to get coupon extras. i feel truly blessed!!!!! glad you are doing better since your accident. sorry to hear of illness in your house, take care, cathy67redhead
Sarah D ri
I’ve been stockpiling couponing for about 4 years now, but remember using coupons to get awesome deals on makeup at cvs when in college(15 years ago). I swear i cycle almost monthly- i hit a bunch of stores one or two weeks for awesome deals and then nothing. This week has been an off week after hitting a few sales last week. I just kinda go with it now and work with what i can get. I do have a bit of a stockpile but now seeing things go down a bit, used my last cans of stock the other night. I have found that i need to let things go down in my pile or things expire before they are used.
Recently my deals have been on things i think i’m going to need for baby number 3(surprise!) Rite aid had a good playtex deal and i’ve been hitting diaper deals when the come up. I feel grabbing this things now cheap will be great for when i’m too tired to care in the fall about couponing.
I’ll also hit the farmers markets and stands for produce this summer to can and freeze stuff. Last summer i bought 24 ears of corn for $12, cut it up and froze it in over 14 bags(plus a few ears were eaten that week). I think there is still some down there. But the great thing was i know where it was grown(bought it at the stand next to the field) and saved some money with the current prices of frozen veggies. I’m planning on doing that again with veggies all summer–even if i spend $10 a week on an extra veggie purchase it will keep the freezer and pantry full for the year. But fresh stuff is a killer on the budget. I can’t wait til the farms are open and that cost goes down.
What a great post, Mel. I have been couponing for most of my married life. That is 40+ years. I have watched couponing change through the years. I remember thinking it was great when something was on sale and I had a .10 coupon. My husband was in the service and we had to watch every penny.
I, too, get so frustrated with people who complain about the price of groceries and you try to explain couponing and stacking (have only been into stacking lately) and what a difference it makes. Then after showing them what I do and how to find the deals by checking online, I hear that is to much work. Ok, then quit your griping.
I’m a grandmother and some of the money I save I can use to visit the grandkids since none live close or I can help pay for their tickets to come visit us. Either way it is a strong incentive to help make ends meet.
Char L. MI
Brittany – NY
Growing up I would go out with my Aunt Jeanne who lovedddddd a good sale. She would buy gifts for people 50-90% off. So it was not a surprise that when I was growing up I always went straight to the sales rack & told my parents that if something wasn’t on sale then I didn’t need it. My dad says that in that way I take after my Aunt. Sadly, my Aunt lost her fight to pancreatic cancer 4 months ago (it was very unexpected since she didn’t do anything that could risk getting this type of cancer but God has his own plan). Everytime I get a good deal I always think of her and feel a little closer to her in my own way.
Anyway, I have been couponing for about 2 years and wish I had started sooner because I’m now out of college and realize all the money I could have saved while I was in college!
I’ve been couponing for 5 months now and seriously could not imagine shopping like I used to before my “ah ha” moment. I am truly thankful for God’s forgiveness with my poor shopping habits before couponing and when I was working full time.
It makes me sad when I hear family members say “it’s too much work”; I used to think that way but now I consider this my job, to save our family money and be a good steward with our finances.
Like others, I plan most shopping trips to save myself gas and time and I have stopped chasing all the freebie deals too.
Those sayings, “All things in moderation; Pace yourself, Time is money and You get what you give” all ring true to me and couponing.
Thanks for your honesty everyone!
I have been blogging for about 10 straight years now, but began focusing heavily on couponing in 2009. I do really well with couponing for awhile, then just totally frizz out-I think it just comes with the territory. I do run a blog focused on saving money, which means I can’t be without things to say-so I try not to burn out. Then again, burning out on couponing does make for some funny posts on my blog-so I can’t complain. The cost of fuel has also deterred my shopping adventures, and I find myself going out to shop less and less. When I do go shopping, I have an organized arsenal of coupons and lists that I can’t live without. I have 2 young kids, and a full time job-so I can’t allow for any unorganized mishaps at the store. Albeit, unorganized mishaps happen from time to time.
Wow! What a great post Melanie and a host of well written comments submitted from your readers too! I am a newbie to couponing and no burnout yet. It is a lot of work and I admire your organization skills and discipline. I love it when you admit you have gotten disorganized and your binder is overflowing! I like the way you shop to; have a list, stick to it, get and get out. I have found myself people watching and mentally shaking my head at their buying habits. Don’t get me started on QVC and HSN!! Meal planning and creating something special with what is on sale and already in your stockpile is an amazing skill. I don’t have the cooking talent, but am learning. I have a brown, not black thumb, but I hear you! The price of fresh fruit is outrageous here too but I think worth it with all the other savings. No burnout for me yet but I haven’t achieved anywhere near the levels of you and your other fine readers/commenters! I agree with you completely; Couponing is not for the faint of heart!! Great post Melanie!
I have been couponing & rebating for over 2 years now. I wish I was like some of your readers/fans and started way earlier. I truly think I’d be a millionaire!
Michele B.
I’m a young mother to a toddler that first heard about a “super couponing” workshop from a co-worker when I returned to work after my maternity leave. I was astonished, “you mean people to go CLASSES about couponing?” I went and reviewed this woman’s blog and hit the ground running. I scored a few deals and learned about my local stores coupon policies before I went to the workshop. I was a changed woman. Couponing makes me feel ‘smart.’ I’m paying less for products than other people because I took the time to research and plan. I laugh when I hear my mom tell me she bought toothpaste. I cried when my sister told me she ran out of dish soap. I’ve tried to convert my friends and family but they think I’m a nut job. My garage has 4 shelving units and my very small pantry is busting at the seams. I had coupon high for the first 3 months and then scaled back some so my husband wouldn’t have me committed. I think all couponers have experienced some form of burnout as a result of the show that shall not be named. Coupon values decreased, expiration dates have shortened, and shelves have been cleared. I continue to walk that thin line between a “coupon crazed hoarder” and “savings enthusiastic stockpiler” for the past year and the lack of available deals has actually helped me. I’ve only recently done a “2 trips in a week” shopping extravaganza and my husbands already calling a psychiatrist; begging that they medicate me so I stop bringing things home. I plan on winning the Mega Millions half a billion dollar jackpot this Friday
but I can assure you that this would not halt my couponing ways. It’s a great high and a way of life.
Guess I am the OLD lady of this group. I have been couponing since I got married in 1969!!! It was a MUST since DH was always a commission salesman. It just got to be a habit that has well kept me, now an unemployed widow.
Yes, I regularly have burnout. Right now it is CVS & WAG since the deals have been….pond water.
I also tend to shop at independent & ethnic markets since their prices are WAAAY better even though they do NOT take internet printed coupons.