Quote:
Originally posted by lauseng
My question for you is this: when I look up those people who get stuff for next to free using coupons, they are typically shopping somewhere that doubles coupons. I've never lived anywhere that doubled coupons. What kind of deals should I be looking out for that don't require doubled coupons? Do you get your coupons just from the Sunday paper, or do you swap with people? Any tips?
Jackie |
Jackie,
I'll just butt in here and comment.
Around here it is very rare for stores to double...almost unheard of...until this spring when Rainbow started to have 3 day promos about once a month. I am just starting to learn how that works.
Normally I buy many store brands, too, especially when they are on sale. I always use the loss leader coupons. I don't go store to store, but many people visit each store getting the loss leaders. For me it takes too much time. I think you could coordinate it with your weekly trips out and it wouldn't seem so bad.
I have been trading coupons on a small scale here at DoD and a couple of other boards. I could trade with neighbors, but it's almost easier for me to trade here when I have the time. It is worth a stamp to trade away coupons you won't use to get some you will. I have found that many times I can trade for better coupons than we have here. For example, the Crest coupons were $1 off here, but in other areas the coupon was for $1.25 off.
Personally, I don't want to bother with listing my coupons so I have a list of products I use and when I go to trade with someone I just email my list. These can be specific brands or just categories such as "pasta". I also save some coupons for people I have traded with more than once. On DoD I may list one or two things I am looking for especially after the Sunday coupons have come out and there is one I really need. To make it worthwhile I also email the person my list so they can add a few others that they might have. I do the same for them. Many people have multiples, but I only have the one set from the paper. Try a trade and see how it works. I don't always end up using all the coupons or even wanting all of them in which case I may trade those away or if they expire I trade those to military families who can still use them.(Most of the time that is a trade for the postage)
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Other things that I do (may be repeated from previous replies) is watch for the markdowns on produce. I don't see these as much anymore, but you can get some great stuff. When they are restocking bananas they take all the singles and put them in a $1 bag. The last time I got these I had to ask. I saw the singles, but none were bagged. The produce guy brought me the bag and I bagged about 10 lbs for $1.
Sometimes the bananas are really ripe, but that time they were ripe to green. If they are too ripe for eating I freeze them without the peel and use them for banana bread or put them in the blender with milk and ice for a nice flavored drink. I have also found green peppers, bagged salads, etc. You have to use these things right away or freeze. Also, the meat dept has markdowns and I try to take advantage of that when I see it. You can easily save enough on that meat to buy a freezer and stock up even more!
If your area has a bread outlet you will save a bundle! I cringe if I have to spend more than $1 on a loaf of bread. Sometimes I can get white bread for 4/$1, but .50 is the norm. Everything gets put in the freezer.
One thing I haven't looked at, but have read about is the deli deal late at night. Apparently you can get the roasted chickens or other prepared foods at a great discount. I never really shop at night, but it may be worth a look.
I have a big family to feed and it is easy to buy in bulk which saves more money, too. I'm not sure how that would work for smaller families/couples.
That's all I have to ramble about right now.