Why don't you use coupons?

**threebeansalad** · 01-28-2007, 05:37 PM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

Coupons aren't for everyone- but if you ARE interested, I suggest checking out another newspaper since it sounds like your city's Sunday paper doesn't have "good" coupons. Mine doesn't either, so every few weeks I buy the newspaper for ANOTHER city at the Supermarket or Gas Station. It costs ~$0.75 more since it's not a local delivery paper, but the coupons make up for it (IMHO). Buying the paper every few weeks keeps the number of coupons I have available at a reasonable number so organization isn't a problem (I use one of the little envelope size organizers-- mine was purchased at the Dollar Store).

This week, I used coupons to buy:

Almonds (in can): (cost with coupon: $0.50)
4-15 oz cans Hunts Tomato Sauce: (Cost for all 4 with coupon: $0.86)
Box of NutriGrain Bars: $0.29 after coupon
Dreamfield Pasta (High Fiber White Pasta): Free after coupon
Mueller Whole Grain Pasta: Free after coupon

I consider all these foods relatively healthy, and all were purchased with Manufacturer's Coupons from the Sunday paper. Coupons are also good for paper products like TP and beauty/health items like toothpaste. I just didn't go down those aisles this week.

**Ima saver** · 01-29-2007, 07:15 AM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

I am not big on coupons. I do check the ads out in the fliers in the local paper, but we don't get a big town newspaper. I pick up coupons from the grocery store and also save those coupons you get when you check out. I just keep a small envelope in my purse with coupons, so I always have them with me.

**aurielle** · 01-29-2007, 07:53 AM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

~~not that many coupons around here

~~most of the time, the ones I do find, are not for any product I normally buy

~~nobody doubles coupons around here

~~the rare occasion I do find good coupons, I forget all about them so they never get used.

**sakigt** · 01-29-2007, 08:03 AM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

Originally posted by starving_student

Why don't you use coupons?

My reasons:
-Can't find them to begin with (where the hell do they hide)
-it takes too much time to browse the Sunday newspaper (in average 1h30-2h00)
-Very few are for non-processed, organic, bulk food or produce
-having trouble keeping track of them (what do I have when is the expiration date)
-Don't have them on hand when needed

I usually only find them in the local paper, but Ive found an older co-worker who usually just throws the ones she doesnt use away. Now she brings them in to me!

I also buy the Entertainment book. $5 off $50 at Publix x6 is huge!

I usually browse through the coupons while watching TV.

I use the coupons for the few things I do buy brand name: Cat food, canned veggies, packaged rice, cereal.

Im heading to the store today and Ill be using the following:

Cocoa Pebbles: BOGO + $1 off 2 = $3.79 for 2 boxes
$0.35 off Mahatma whole rice
All detergent: Sale $3.99 + $1 off = $2.99

Certainly not a huge amount but I dont buy things just because I have a coupon for it.

I find stockpiling much more useful than coupons. If I buy something normally and this week its on sale, you better believe Im buying the most I can.

**disneysteve** · 01-29-2007, 08:55 AM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

I think to some extent coupons are overrated. They tend to be for high-priced, nationally advertised brands of processed foods. I generally find that I can save more money by buying the store brand products than I would by using the coupons on the name brands, though not always.

I think the time factor is minimal. The coupons come in a couple of inserts in the paper, so no need to search for them. Takes about 5 minutes to go through them all.

So we do use some and try to match them up with store sales to increase the savings. But most of the items we buy don't have coupons.

**DebbieL** · 01-29-2007, 09:07 AM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

Coupons aren't the same in Canada. We don't get many of them. It seems that people in the US can really get some great deals using them. Here? Not so much. I don't bother unless it is a coupon that is for a product I'm planning to buy anyways (including the brand). Most of them are for the high priced packaged foods that I don't bother with anyways.

**mom-from-missouri** · 01-29-2007, 09:37 AM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

Usually they do me no good. Once in a while, but its rare.
I bulk shop at Aldi's.
I can get cornflakes for a little over $1 for a large box. So, what good is a 50 cents off coupon on a $4 box to me?
I'd spend more to use it.

**PrincessPerky** · 01-29-2007, 09:45 AM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

The only coupons we tend to use are the 'beer coupons' or 'wine tags' Everytime we are in the store we stroll the beer asile, for the sole purpose of finding coupns..for meat, water, pop (though I try to restric his use ofthose), and often 'snack foods'.

But other than that, I rarely find a cupon that I will use, one that ends up being cheaper than generic. and I NEVER manage to get sales at the same time...just my luck the stupid thing will expire the day before a sale or something.

**Fern** · 01-29-2007, 10:49 AM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

it's too much trouble; i make the effort sometimes to look for them and clip them, then they expire before i have a chance to use them, even tho i keep them in my glove box.

**sakigt** · 01-29-2007, 12:36 PM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

Originally posted by PrincessPerky

The only coupons we tend to use are the 'beer coupons' or 'wine tags' Everytime we are in the store we stroll the beer asile, for the sole purpose of finding coupns..for meat, water, pop (though I try to restric his use ofthose), and often 'snack foods'.

But other than that, I rarely find a cupon that I will use, one that ends up being cheaper than generic. and I NEVER manage to get sales at the same time...just my luck the stupid thing will expire the day before a sale or something.

You reminded me. I need red and white wine and meats tonight. Ill have to see if any have those kind of coupons.

**Daylily** · 01-29-2007, 01:55 PM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

I used to not use coupons when I didn't have the time. I agree with a number of the others that often times a store brand is less expensive than a national brand with a coupon. None of the stores in my area offer double days.

However, now that I am unemployed I have more time and more desire to save money. I now have time to go to more than one store per week to take advantage of sale + coupon. I'm also finding that one of the pharmacies in my area allows me to use their advertised coupons plus the manufacturers coupon together. It takes time and coordination but I do believe that it is worthwhile for me at this point.

**LivingAlmostLarge** · 01-29-2007, 03:01 PM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

I don't buy much of the overprocessed food. I look at my grocery cart today, meat, fresh veggies, and cheese (blocks of nice aged cheese), oh and water (long story). So what coupon do I get?

**PrincessPerky** · 01-29-2007, 03:34 PM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

beer cupons! they are for water or meat often (not as often as chips though so keep looking)

**ozzy gurl** · 01-29-2007, 04:20 PM

Re: Why don't you use coupons?

Originally posted by LivingAlmostLarge

I don't buy much of the overprocessed food. I look at my grocery cart today, meat, fresh veggies, and cheese (blocks of nice aged cheese), oh and water (long story). So what coupon do I get?

They are few and far between, but sometimes meat companies (Tyson and Perdue being the two that come to mind) do put out coupons. You can also find coupons for bagged salads, and sometimes for pre-chopped and bagged veggies (usually carrots). It's not a lot, but it helps. :-)

Why don't you use coupons?