Boston Gal's Open Wallet

I'm single too but I've cut and used coupons for years. I estimate I save 10 to 15% on a super market trip. Cleaning supplies, paper products and cat food and litter are good places to save. I don't go to multiple supermarkets altho there are ones especially good for produce, others for canned goods, etc. The traveling is too time consuming. Also, CVS's Extra Care program is a great way to save 25% on lots of products. It's worth a try.

 

I just don't buy into the idea of coupons. I mean, would you buy the products normally? When I've tried to use coupons, I found that I tend to buy stuff that I normally never would.

 

I like the idea of coupons; but it doesn't always work out for me. I only buy a few items and not all items that I buy even issue coupons. Still, the savings here is staggering.

 

If you are a healthy eater, vegetarian, or vegan I do not think you will be saving $59000. I do use coupons for some few things that I would buy anyway. I have recently had more savings using credit cards that give 5% refund on grocery, gas and drug stores, but those cards are starting to lower their refund amounts.

 

I just don't buy into the idea of coupons. I mean, would you buy the products normally? When I've tried to use coupons, I found that I tend to buy stuff that I normally never would.

Yeah, I really have to wonder to what extent her savings were due to getting 20% off of something that was already 10% than the brand she'd buy otherwise. I think a better comparison would not be coupon price of item A versus full price of item A, but coupon price of item A versus full price of what she'd buy in the absence of coupons.

 

Going to several stores each week adds the additional cost of gas and wear and tear on your car (city driving is the roughest) not to mention killing your motivation. I just check the fliers each week and if one store has exceptionally good buys, I may go there instead of my favorite store or on my way home from someplace near it to stock up on the bargains.

As for coupons, they are almost never for things I buy. My experience has been that the closer I get to making things from scratch (such as cooking my own beans or washing my counters with baking soda), the cheaper things cost, and the less likely I am to find a coupon. For example, using vinegar in the rinse cycle of the washer is generally cheaper per wash than even fabric softener on sale with a coupon.

 

I hate coupons! last time I used coupons the clerk didn't scan them, said she did, it wasn't reflected on the sales slip, she couldn't open her coupon drawer to give them back so I could inquire at the service desk. I left annoyed because after all that, the only reason I was buying said products was that after coupon they were to be cheaper than the store brand. blargh!

Kudos to those who have better luck than me, but I'll stick to remembering my store loyalty card and shopping the off-brands.

 

It is definitely possible for a single person to save alot using coupons. I estimate saving about $10 per week using coupons. The reality is, you don't even need scissors to do it. Use Ebay for the coupons once in a while, $1.38 for 20 $.75 double coupons is easy. Why buy house brand pasta sauce when I pay less than half for Prego? Think you can't get coupons for healthy food? Both Mueller's and Barilla have been heavily promoting their whole grain pasta with coupons. Success Whole Grain Brown Rice has free coupons out. (I paid $1.48 shipped for 20 on ebay). Fresh Express, lazy person salads had a $1 coupon (and happened to be on sale for $0.99 at MB). My girlfriend liked the $2.50 off Playtex Sport coupons(which was on sale for $2.99 at MB). The list of crazy coupons just goes on...

 

after commenting on Madame X's new Aerobed, I feel the need to clarify I like certain store coupons, but not food coupons. :)

 

I am also single and generally don't clip coupons but I do most of my grocery shopping at the beginning of the week and seem to find sales. Also this week, I got a coupon for toothpaste I actually use after checking out at super target. Usually, I just get coupons for products I would never buy. I hope this trend continues!!

 

you guys should check out www.hotcouponworld.com You would be surprised at how much you can save using coupons, this lady doesn't save nearly as much as she could. Check it out, you will be surprised

 

I could make it without coupons, but they make my life so much easier by putting extra money into my pocket. I am retired, but a full-time college student. I spend about 1 hour per week on my coupons, and the savings are incredible. Just for one example, this week I had 4/$1 coupons for toothpaste, I walked into the Dollar General store where Aquafresh was $1 each, and walked out with 4 full sized tubes of Aquafresh for free, except for the 24 cents in sales tax. How can anyone not think that is worth it?

 

Hi Anonymous,

From what you said, you exchanged an hour of your time for four free tubes of tooth paste. That's great!

But here is why I don't think it is worth it for me. If you think critically that one hour was not strictly accurate. You saw the $1 off aquafresh coupon and knew that aquafresh costs $1 at the Dollar General Store. How did you put these two pieces of information together? Either you have done a lot of leg work - knowing what products are stocked by what stores in your area and how much they charge for them or you have read the details for that deal on a message board, etc.

Do amazing free deals happen at each and every shopping trip? Are they always items you use and need to restock?

Back to your specific deal - while four free tubes of aquafresh toothpaste is great - it is only really great if you actually like aquafresh and you can use all four tubes before they go bad.

If you have fun tracking sales, clipping coupons, and reading about deals - great! But recognize that you do devote a lot of time to doing this. As I mentioned in my post, when you are shopping for multiple people in a household - the payoff is greater. But for me, couponing takes too much work for not enough reward.