Coupons

[DanceMom]

Hi, so like everyone else I'm trying to save money on food and gas - and if those prices don't keep rising. So would anyone like to save their money saving tips and or coupon tricks. I currently use coupons.com and smartsaver.com but they don't seem to update or get new coupons very often. I can't seem to find coupons for normal stuff like cereal, milk and the healthy snacks. I would love to hear what other folks do.

 

[redneck_woman]

Here are a couple that I use....

Coupons

Welcome! | Eversave.com

Coupons | Online Coupons

Also Grocery Coupons, Coupons, Free Samples, Online Coupons, Restaurant Coupons has great tips on saving money on grocery, eating out, etc., etc.

I go grocery shopping once a month and save anywhere between $30-60 on my grocery bill. The down side of using coupons is the waiting time when you have several, I wish it was easier when you check out with scanning the coupons. When you have about $60 in coupons it takes a while and sometimes the customers behind you get a little aggravated.

 

[DanceMom]

I don't mind waiting while they process coupons. If I have an internet coupon that won't scan and the girl wants to skip it or give it back, I ask for a supervisor. I figure if I took the time to shop and wait in line, they can properly process it - afterall I don't give false ones. Especially when most of the time these grocery stores don't have enough cashier to begin with.

Thanks for the sites - I will check them out, I need to cut food costs and my husband is anti pasta to save $

 

[redneck_woman]

A trick that I do is, if a coupon doesn't expire for a while and I use that product quiet often, I make copies of it. I use Downy Fabric Softener and I have a coupon that doesn't expire until 2009. Well I normally but 2 at a time and save 2 buck every time. $2 adds up after a while....I will be saving $48.00 over the next 2 years by reusing it.

 

[Gummie]

startsampling.com has coupons and free samples. Not a lot, but worth a look.

 

[DanceMom]

A trick that I do is, if a coupon doesn't expire for a while and I use that product quiet often, I make copies of it. I use Downy Fabric Softener and I have a coupon that doesn't expire until 2009. Well I normally but 2 at a time and save 2 buck every time. $2 adds up after a while....I will be saving $48.00 over the next 2 years by reusing it.

Yes I have done that in the past as well. Especially on the coupons with the higher amounts.

 

[StrawberryGal]

Washington Post Sundays Newspapers have Coupons inserts.

I saved about $100 off of my groceries in coupons and another $50ish in MVP card at Food Lion.

 

[redneck_woman]

Washington Post Sundays Newspapers have Coupons inserts.

I saved about $100 off of my groceries in coupons and another $50ish in MVP card at Food Lion.

Was that for the month or in 1 shopping trip?

 

[StrawberryGal]

Was that for the month or in 1 shopping trip?

One Shopping Trip. I makes about two major grocery shopping in a month and once a week for fresh food such as milk, vegetables, fruits, meats, etc.

I've gotten a whole bag of diapers free with coupons alone. Target and Food Lion let me do that. Wal-Fart and Shoppers will not let me do that. Also, BJ's let me use more than one coupons to lower my check out bill.

Note: DO NOT use Self Check Out at BJ's because it wouldn't let you use more than one coupons. Use regular check out with a human person to be able to process coupons for you.

 

[DanceMom]

I find it depends on the cashier as to how many coupons to use. When I was buying formula I used to get coupons in the mail that were for $11.00. I would buy 2 liquid bottles and get another 1 free all with the 1 coupon. Other times the cashier would balk. I've also gone to walmart and given the cashier coupons by mistake - things I didn't actually buy and they put them through. I find the cashier who cares the least - takes and processes the most coupons without a care... I heart them when they save me $$$$

 

[StrawberryGal]

I find it depends on the cashier as to how many coupons to use. When I was buying formula I used to get coupons in the mail that were for $11.00. I would buy 2 liquid bottles and get another 1 free all with the 1 coupon. Other times the cashier would balk. I've also gone to walmart and given the cashier coupons by mistake - things I didn't actually buy and they put them through. I find the cashier who cares the least - takes and processes the most coupons without a care... I heart them when they save me $$$$

That's very true. I've ran into some cashiers that handed back my coupons and said "you already used one".

At Food Lion, I have gotten to know the cashiers and they all honor my coupons request knowing that I'm just trying to save money because I'm a Stay at Home Mom. It paid to be "friendly" with the cashiers.

 

[redneck_woman]

I find it depends on the cashier as to how many coupons to use. When I was buying formula I used to get coupons in the mail that were for $11.00. I would buy 2 liquid bottles and get another 1 free all with the 1 coupon. Other times the cashier would balk. I've also gone to walmart and given the cashier coupons by mistake - things I didn't actually buy and they put them through. I find the cashier who cares the least - takes and processes the most coupons without a care... I heart them when they save me $$$$

I have one of those coupon organizer things. (makes things a lot easier) I normally grocery shop at Wal-Mart, when I get ready to check-out I will scan over the cashiers and find one that looks like they just don't have a clue. Their just there for a paycheck, anyhow I will take all my coupons and shuffle them up so my duplicated ones are not together so they don't catch it. Works like a charm....Sometimes I don't understand why a lot of the stores won't let you use the multiple coupons on the same limit, they are getting their money back in the end.

Did you know Wal-Mart has a coupon limited and if you go over that limit the register locks up, a manager has to come over and unlock it. CRAZY!!

 

[StrawberryGal]

I have one of those coupon organizer things. (makes things a lot easier) I normally grocery shop at Wal-Mart, when I get ready to check-out I will scan over the cashiers and find one that looks like they just don't have a clue. Their just there for a paycheck, anyhow I will take all my coupons and shuffle them up so my duplicated ones are not together so they don't catch it. Works like a charm....Sometimes I don't understand why a lot of the stores won't let you use the multiple coupons on the same limit, they are getting their money back in the end.

Did you know Wal-Mart has a coupon limited and if you go over that limit the register locks up, a manager has to come over and unlock it. CRAZY!!

That's why I said don't go to Wal-Fart.

 

[redneck_woman]

That's why I said don't go to Wal-Fart.

I know, but I use to shop at Food Lion and started going to Wal-Mart because my bill is a lot cheaper.

 

[StrawberryGal]

I know, but I use to shop at Food Lion and started going to Wal-Mart because my bill is a lot cheaper.

Really? I tried shopping at Wal-Mart for groceries and their prices are a little higher than the one I shop at Food Lion. :shrug: Also, Wal-Mart's fresh food aren't that great. They goes bad really quickly.

I prefers to shop at this Food Lion I use all the time. Also, I got to know the cashiers and the store employees. They all are very nice and friendly.

 

[redneck_woman]

Really? Also, Wal-Mart's fresh food aren't that great. They goes bad really quickly.

Have you tried using Reynolds Vac and Seal? I got one and the shelf life for my produce stuff lasts twice as long. Great for meats too!!

 

[StrawberryGal]

Have you tried using Reynolds Vac and Seal? I got one and the shelf life for my produce stuff lasts twice as long. Great for meats too!!

Not yet. I need to buy upright freezer to be able to have more "storage" space for frozen food. That's why I go grocery store once a week to get fresh food and meats and milk as I don't have a whole lot of room in the freezer.

 

[DanceMom]

I feel Walmart is by far the cheapest - but also the most frustrating to get through. I agree their fresh food isn't fresh so I go to Giant to get that and a few things that Walmart doesn't carry. Food Lion is o.k. I have found many items almost at their spoil date and to get fresh milk or bread is almost impossible. Also they always seem to be trying to stock shelves or empty shelves. Honestly I try to avoid food lion.

 

[StrawberryGal]

I feel Walmart is by far the cheapest - but also the most frustrating to get through. I agree their fresh food isn't fresh so I go to Giant to get that and a few things that Walmart doesn't carry. Food Lion is o.k. I have found many items almost at their spoil date and to get fresh milk or bread is almost impossible. Also they always seem to be trying to stock shelves or empty shelves. Honestly I try to avoid food lion.

There is one Food Lion that's better than any Food Lion in the county. I go to the one in Callaway. Callaway's food are not almost at thier spoil dates. I have no problem getting fresh milk or bread at Food Lion. :shrug:

Ooops, the secret is out.

 

[DanceMom]

Honestly the foodlion in Lusby is the worst for fresh milk and bread. Truth is if you need either on sunday or monday - they don't have it. Litterally no milk to be had on those days...just saying...makes me go to giant where i pay more. then again I find with these hot summer days the milk spoils in 48 hours if not used up. and i buy milk every other day....uhg!