Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
If you have questions about this, please email help@theknot.com.
Thank you.
Note: This only affects The Nest's community members and will not affect members on The Bump or The Knot.
? for coupon users
I'm new to making it a point to try and use coupons now when grocery shopping. A few of the supermarkets in my area double coupons up to $.99.
In the past, we have done a lot of our grocery shopping at Super Walmart because their prices are so much better. They accept coupons but do not double them.
My question is do you think with the savings that SW offers upfront, it's worth it to continue to shop there and use coupons even though they don't double? Or do you think it's better to shop at the grocery stores that double coupons and pay the extra money on items?
I'm just curious to see what others do who use coupons. I'm not trying to become an extreme couponer, but I generally have been saving 1/3 when I have been shopping at the places that double coupons...but...I'm also not doing full orders when this happens.
Re: ? for coupon users
You should make a list of the things you buy most often and how much they are not on sale at your grocery store and at Walmart/Target, and then see what the difference is with the coupon savings. And always take a look at the circulars!
I usually buy most things at Target on sale, that way I save whatever the sale price is plus a coupon. I really only buy produce and meat from the grocery store b/c Target is usually cheaper in my area.
hehe, I actually started an excel spreadsheet named Staples and on it I list all the stuff I buy regularly and the regular price at all the stores I frequent to try to figure this out.
In my experience I would save more shopping regularly at a discount place like Super walmart and the coupons would just be an added bonus. Their overall prices are just so much lower, plus I usually only end up having coupons for maybe 10% of the things in my cart.
I agree with the spreadsheet, if you want to be that organized.
Otherwise, just keep an eye on things. You'll find some things will almost never be cheaper at the grocery, even with a coupon. My have generally found that paper products (toilet paper, paper towel), health and beauty, and cleansers are cheaper outside of the grocery store. My store of choice is Target. We also have the Target card, which gives you 5% off every purchase, which equates almost to the tax. They also accept coupons but don't double. Also, coupons for paper products are usually really low ($.25, $.45) so even doubled they aren't that huge of a deal. Laundry deteregent coupons are usually $1, which won't be doubled at the grocery anway.
Since you're new to coupons, I'll share my vision. I only clip coupons of things that I already buy or was already planning on trying out. Coupons are marketing. So, if you clip coupons for things that you don't usually buy, it makes you want to try something new, therefore, you're actually spending more money. Don't fall prey to their plan!
I know you didn't ask for all of this, but I'm brain dumping of course. I also don't usually clip the coupons that are for 2 of something unless I use a ton of it. In my mind, it is another ploy to get you to buy more. Coupons are almost always more valuable if they are are on just one product (save $.50 on one vs. $.75 on 2).
I wouldn't change your shopping patterns dramatically for coupons...if something is a 35 cent coupon, you're only saving another 35 cents if they double it. Unless you have a lot of them to make it worth your while. So if you typically shop at walmart, then shop at walmart.
At times Superfresh (remember them) used to have triple coupons...now I would make a shopping trip out of that...pulling out my coupons that are under 1.00 and seeing what I can get those items for even if I needed them or not (as extreme couponing as I got). Now their prices started WAY high to me so unless the item also was on sale, a lot of times it still wasn't a great deal.
I definitely already do this part. So that's a good start.
I also agree with you on this. I happened to be at the grocery store yesterday and had 2 coupons for the new pillsbury egg scramblers...one was $.50 off of one variety and the nother was for $1 off three varieties. Since it's a new product, I don't like buying multiples in case I don't like it. So since my store had them on sale 2/$4 I just bought one to try it for $2, got my coupon doubled, and spent a $1 to try it. That made me feel good...especially since when they're not on sale they're around $3 a box. So I'm learning...
Ditto. I have caught the Extreme Couponing show a few times and these people have coupons for literally all the good stuff. Granted I know it's because they scour the internet and that coupons vary regionally, but I feel like what I'm finding now isn't the stuff we eat regularly.
It can be hit or miss. Some weeks the coupons are great (around holidays there are usually a lot of good coupons), sometimes I don't clip anything.
I always get frustrated with the Extreme Couponing show. They say they only spend $2 or something on a huge order of food. A lot of those people spend hours upon hours searching for coupons. Many times they purchase coupons from other people. In my mind, if you're spending $30-$50 a week on coupons, the items aren't really free. KWIM? Also, who wants to eat rice crispies every day for the rest of their lives? With that said, some people really do a fabulous job with coupons. I do fine. Sometimes I save $10, sometimes I don't have any coupons. But, I don't tailor my week's meals to what is on sale and what coupons I have. So, I could definitely be doing better.
We shop at Bloom and they often have store coupons that print out at the store for $2 off $10 of produce or meets, also for other items. On certain days they have double coupons up to $1.99 which would be a good day to shop although I believe it is on Thursdays which doesn't work out well for me.
I agree with everyone else, don't purchase items that you don't eat/use regularly unless you want to try something new. We do a lot of shopping at Walmart as well but Target does have good coupons they send occasionally.
I am fairly new at this too but it feels great to be getting a deal even if itis only $5.00 every grocery trip.