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| photo from academylighting.com |
I've seen new couponers come and go. They've spent twice the money they normally would, and have nothing in the house to put a meal together. Even though their pantry, cabinets, basement, closets, and garage are stuffed to the gills.
I can't imagine going back to my "former life" and paying full price everything. Here is what I do to keep myself from overdoing.
- Budget - I quit shopping when I reach my limit.
- Menu Plan - I menu plan out of my pantry with what I've already bought. That leaves most of my budget for the next week's best deals.
- Needs - Perishables and things I have to buy come first in the budget.
- Keep an Eye on the Stockpile - When I menu plan, I look for what I'm getting low on. These are the items I start watching for the next great deal on.
- Take a Break - Depending on time, mood or other family activities, sometime I don't shop, much.
If you haven't seen TLC's Extreme Couponing, it's on again - January 15th and 16th.
Posts
So glad you posted this! I do feel like sometimes I'm shopping til I drop, but lately I have really noticed that I am stocking up on things we use all the time & not going crazy trying to get every deal.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your blog it has saved us so much money we really appreciate all your hard work :)
Hi All,
ReplyDeleteI have to say I love the fact that I have a nice stockpile to the point that I can take some weeks off from shopping or only do the cheap/free/MMs for the week if need be. This week I was glad SNS did not have anything to exciting going on.
I love your 5 point outline(Budget, Menu Plan, Needs, Eye on Stock and Time Off) basically the same thing I have done most of my life. It is not hard and it works.
It does take time/understanding to get the most out of couponing but after awhile it does become a routine. I LOVE saving our hard earned money for FUN stuff.
TYVM Jeri for the hard work it takes for us to have a local blog to make the most of our area deals =)
First of all those other people are INSANE! There is no need for that much food/toiletries in your house. And only the one guy at the end even mentioned donation as part of the process.
ReplyDeleteI struggle with the balance b/w grabbing a great deal and sticking to a budget. I'm working on meal planning but I still struggle when it comes to thursday and its a SNS thursday. This week I only had $11 and I still needed a few things for dinner and I hadn't gone to SNS yet. I went anyway and spent only $23 so I wasn't too far off my mark but still. I WILL not buy anything else until Sunday this weekend. Its an adjustment and I'm still working out what my budget amount really is for the week. I'm learning still but I know not to spend too much time on it or get every.single.deal. out there.
One thing more: I want to thank Couponmama for sending me the rebate forms! I just filled out $44 worth of beer rebates! Sweet!
I recently have read the Economides new book and decided to go back to once a month shopping this month. Basically since I don't live really close to a SNS or Aldi, I will only go to Schnucks and Dierbergs throughout the month for really good sales. For example, I went to Dierbergs yesterday for Hostess Donuts (my 5 year old was with me, but they were a great deal), the laundry detergent for $1.69 and 2 packages of toasted ravioli $1.99(2 meals w/ vege sides for our family).
ReplyDeleteIt was stressful when I planned my OAM shopping last week. But, I have been able to spend so much more time with my little one this week (and saved a bundle in gas!).
Thanks for all you do!
I do thank you so much for posting this! I am a "new couponer" and I vowed at the beginning that I wasn't going to go crazy (too much work and not really necessary, in my opinion)... That I would start slowly, focus on a few things at a time, and really be realistic about my time and efforts. I know I spent WAY too much time and money this week - planning trips, shopping, making return trips, evaluating my purchases, etc. I was so thrilled after one trip until I realized that I doubled coupons and etc., but on a purchase that was overpriced at the store (so my coupons and effort barely took the total below a customary sale elsewhere!). Ack! Anyway, I think it will take some time a patience for me to get it, but every little bit helps. Thanks for the work that you do here -- total timesaver! Other posts reviewing some couponing basics would be a big help too! Happy saving to you! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat Post. Thanks! It's so easy to become obsessed with the deals at first. I've learned to ask myself before I shop... Is this trip going to bless my family or do the opposite. Do we really need to make a special trip out to buy more free bodywash... no. I've also started getting out by myself for a couple of hours on Sunday night to get that weeks deals and be done with it... except for Thursday SNS shopping and a few occasional deals. Then I can spend my time on other things and not drag my kids everywhere. Thanks to my husband for giving me those few hours on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteMy small freezer and pantry and lack of other storage space keeps me from buying too much. If I know I dont have room to store it, there's no sense getting it. Fortunately there are many opportunities for donating so that keeps my stockpile down. It also helps to take a break now and then and not have to run after every deal.
ReplyDeleteAs we saw my from Shop N Save plan yesterday - I don't chase deals anymore. I did chase deals at first trying to figure out what I was doing but haven't done that for a long time. I try to go out only time a week on Sunday morning unless I have to get rainchecks - then I will go out when the trucks come in. Grocery wise, I have a very good stockpile and we have been eating from eat for a while. I do have to get produce each week and bread. I do so much scratch cooking produce is essential.
ReplyDeleteSo, I pick and choose. I have to give a huge shout out to Jeri. I so love this blog. I tell everyone and I think we have a great group of couponers. Thank you so much for all you do.
Rhonda
I only get items we use. I do Walgreens once a week. Then I do grocery shopping once a week. I do either Schnucks or Shop N Save for whatever deals they have on stuff we use, and then get everything else at Aldi.
ReplyDeleteOh - I have 3 kiddos (4, 2, and 2 months) so they really limit how many stores I have to shop at too, LOL!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Jeri! - YES, there have been weeks that I feel like I shopped 'til I dropped but they were exceptional weeks that had a lot of terrific deals at SNS, Schnucks and Walgreens. Also, being a relative newbie to couponing meant I was trying to get up to speed with how to approach the shopping days.
ReplyDeleteI missed the TV show but looked at the four clips that were on-line. I have to say that I think the people profiled were not role models for me. The fact that all seemed overweight/obese suggested they were making poor lifestyle choices, including perhaps not eating very healthy foods? (I hesitate to write this for fear of offending anyone. So, in the spirit of full disclosure, I am overweight and know how challenging it is to lose weight; my downfall is wine/beer calories!) Moreover, my opinion about the guy with his stockpile in the garage is that he has major hoarding issues. I love having a stockpile of bargain items, but I try to keep in mind how much we can use in the next 6 months or so (for food items; maybe a year or so if it is paper/plastic/cleaning supplies) and not buy beyond that! I also have had a GREAT feeling being a generous contributor to the families in need at our children's school this holiday season thanks to the savings from couponing! Jeri don't know if you realize how many lives your hard work is touching!!
I have been couponing since August and have to say that it's been unbelievably helpful for some items and for general shopping strategies. HOWEVER, I have a husband who is avoiding sodium, so most of the coupons for processed foods don't make it into our menu (unless I buy something new to try for me and the children - the Knorr "sides" is a recent example). I cook from scratch a LOT (including making my own Italian sausage and breakfast sausage links, which I freeze - avoiding that sodium! - so this week's boneless pork and chicken drumsticks/thighs at SNS was a DEAL I was waiting for! Ditto for the Dierbergs whole chickens and salt-free, frozen turkey breast!)
I often compare what "prepared" foods cost vs. making something from scratch when I evaluate whether a coupon is a good "deal" or not. A prime example is SOUP-it's mostly water and so easy/satisfying/CHEAP to make from scratch! I love home made soup and I love to use my crock pot. (Aside: Check out the crockpot cookbooks by Judith Finlayson in your library - changed my view of the device forever. Kudos also for the "cake mix doctor" books by Anne Byrn.) That said, there are some things that I love to have on stock for their convenience, particularly for school lunch sacks.
I realize I'm starting to ramble so I'll sign off and program the TiVo to record the upcoming episode. Looking forward to reading other posts on this topic!
Debra
Jeri, that is a warning that always bears repeating! Sometimes it is hard to say no or
ReplyDelete"whoa". Especially when you are getting paid to take the stuff out the door!
Since you said reminded me (again) a few weeks ago, I have set a budget and have stuck to it pretty well so far. I have a very small stockpile, because my goal is to stock the food pantry (which is impossible) as much as possible.
If something is on sale with a pop-top can, I'm probably going to be there.
But I have been challenging myself to spend less time in the store, and to plan my trips. Each week I get a little better. Problem now - my DH is egging me on too :-) Help me, Lord!
ArmyMomx2
Oh - and I went back to using gift cards for payment (SnS/WAGS/CVS etc). I have a certain amount i can use each month put on the GC so when it runs out, I'm done.
ReplyDeleteAMx2
Hi All - I've really enjoyed reading your comments. And thanks for all the kind words.
ReplyDelete"New Couponer" - My goal this year is to write more than just coupon match-ups. I'm sure you can tell writing is not one of my God given talents or soemthing I've lerned to do very well. But, I know the blogs I like to read, have much more than just the deals and I love the hearing other peoples thoughts.
Good Morning to All,
ReplyDeleteI too have really enjoyed everyones insight.
Marcella: After the show first aid, I went to SNS and was in line with a male cashier, that I like, and he said "I saw a preview of that couponing show and it made me think of you." I think I had heart failure--I do not want to be thought of as "Insane". I am no where near Extreme. But he made me laugh, he just loves it when I come in and spend less than $1 on a $50 purchase.
Debra: I would looovveee some of that homemade Italian Sausage pleeaaassee or just maybe the recipe if you would be so kind. =)
Now to the show: Extreme Couponing. They are putting out casting calls for the next show(s) so it had enough interest to keep going =( I did not like the image 3 out of the 4 couponers shown on the show gave us couponers, just my opionion. Amanda(the first lady) major issues here. The young girl(? forgot her name) was ok but a little overboard. Joyce: was the best. Now onto Nathan: First of all I really wish they had of shown him actually taking the 1100 boxes of Total to the church for donation, he lives in KY, that has to be a huge church to need 1100 boxes. I have read(he has his own blog also, I do not read) from other bloggers, that Nathan does HUGE YARD SALES, several a year, that is why his garage was set up the way it was, open the garage door and let customers in. This Could Not be talked about or shown on the show. He made my skin crawl gave me the creeps. Ok thats enough about him. He is going to give couponers a very bad image. Yuck.
I do hope the next show is more reasonable with more people like Joyce. Ok back to our world.
Have a great weekend everyone.
AMx2: I love your idea of using gift cards to set your limit!
ReplyDeleteI liked Joyce & Joanie (The Krazy Coupon Lady) they both were realistic with what they buy & donate to family/friends or food pantries & that's what I try to do.
ReplyDeleteWas Joyce the 3rd woman who teaches people as wshe goes? I did like her and she noted that she only buys things she uses. I guess I'm more talking about the hoarders, especially the first womand and her 40 yr supply of TP!
ReplyDeleteAlso, there is no way you could go into a store and buy truck loads of things and the store have it all in stock...unless you have a camera crew.
I liked when the young mom told her son he couldn't have a certain fruit snack b/c she didn't have a coupon. My kids are trained to ask if we have a coupon for something they want :)
I forgot to thank you too Jeri. You have taught me so much about couponing and saved our household a ton of money. I've even paid my brother-in-law to baby sit in free razors and body wash. Can't beat that!
I go a little crazy sometimes, but try to keep it to a minimum. Last week I made like 3 million trips to get finish at wags, and the MM omega vitamins, and kids flu meds. Bc this is my first year couponing (6 mo in!!) I realized I had never seen dishwashing det. free, or even REALLY cheap, and we use the gelpacs or tabs b/c our dishwasher does a lot better with them. We had been paying at least 2.99, b/c there were rarely dishwashing tab coupons that were good (.25 for cascade? give me a break). Also, the omega pills were an awesome deal! my hubs takes them every day b/c he is super scatter brained. I can tell that they help! But they are normally like $25 for a good brand, so getting them for -$3 was like christmas for us!! And my kiddo, bless her heart, is super picky about the flavor of kids med. so when I can find a flavor she will take that doesn't cause a meltdown, I stock up.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, the day I decided I needed to tone it down was the day I sent hubs to SNS to use some expiring cats. The back story is, I have a really hard time using up cats at SNS when there are not $10/50 days. We just don't go there that often. So I was already annoyed that I had recently let some expire. I had a fever and did not want to go out. I had my hubs go to the store and usually that spells disaster b/c he is the WORST bargain shopper. He buys the most expensive crap ever. But I gave him a very specific list of things I needed. Anyway, I wrote my grocery list on the back of one of the cats. He, being crazy, left the cat on top of his cart while he walked a little away to pick up some other groceries. Apparently, some lady snatched it from his cart and like sauntered off really quick. First he went crazy checking everywhere to make sure he hadnt lost it, but he was sure she stole it! He called me and was like "this lady stole my coupon!!" Of course, by this time he had already left the store. He just let it go. He was like, what was I going to do, follow her? I told him I would have watched her checkout and when she pulled it out to pay I would have contacted management. I mean, if I had left 5 dollar bills on the cart and she stole them I would have been indignant, right? Anyway, the whole thing sparked a big fight between me and the hubs who is nonconfrontational and never wanted to accuse anyone of stealing. However, when I realized we were fighting over a $5 coupon, I really had to just laugh. It's not worth it...it really isn't. Our budget may be really tight, but we'll make it. $5 cat isn't worth ruining my day over.
-couponmama
I think time to shop without the kiddos is essential. My three year old only goes to pre-school two mornings a week for three hours. I devote one of those days to doing my shopping. This week we had snow days and a scheduled teacher work day so I took both my kids with me to walgreens. I will never do that again. I was so crabby and irritated by the time I left I wanted to scream. No deal is worth that aggervation. Plus when I looked at what I got it wasn't anything I really "needed". I made a new rule for myself. Only shop alone! Later that night I went to target by myself and had 45 minutes of alone time and it was great and everyone was happy!
ReplyDeleteA coworker yesterday mentioned the Extreme Couponing show and I felt I had to defend myself as not being "one of those people"! When people talk to me about coupons I always make sure I mention that I donate, and that getting just a few free/cheap items is just as rewarding to me as any trip where people get several cartfulls for next to nothing. I think its important for us to show others that most couponers arent like the ones on that show, and to promote responsible couponing. Having 2 disappointing transactions last week has reminded me to keep things in perspective.
ReplyDeleteJanet:
ReplyDeleteThanks for asking about the sausage! Here is the recipe.
DEB'S NO SODIUM ITALIAN SAUSAGE
5 lb pork (I trim away excess fat) - I use "butt" a.k.a. "shoulder"
1 cup "garlic wine" (see note below)
2-1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
2 tsp fresh ground black pepper
3 Tbsp fennel seed
2 Tbsp mild paprika
1 Tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp Hot paprika
2 Tbsp thyme
2 Tbsp oregano
1 Tbsp basil
________
Cut pork into strips and set aside in refrigerator to keep cold.
To make "garlic wine" take whole, peeled garlic (I buy it at Costco in a plastic jug) and fill a blender with it. Add 1 bottle of dry white wine (anything reasonably drinkable) and blend to a fine mince. Let sit while you assemble the remaining ingredients to allow the wine to take up the garlic flavor.
Mix spices together (modify to taste - the various paprikas can be found, e.g., at Global Foods in Kirkwood) and sprinkle over chilled meat. Strain the garlic wine and add garlic to meat mixture. Grind meat mixture through coarse blade of meat grinder. Add wine to ground meat, mixing lightly then grind a second time. Portion into separate zip-top bags and freeze.
I have experimented with spice blends - just grind up a batch of sausage and cook a small portion to taste and see if you like it. If not, tweak it at will and have fun! We use this in pasta sauce and on pizzas.
Debra
PS The left-over garlic gets put into a plastic container in the fridge and used in cooking. The wine seems to preserve it well or you could add some olive or vegetable oil to keep it even better.
ReplyDeleteDebra
Wow! I was on my way to check a second rite aid for more toilet paper, but I changed my mind after reading these posts. We are a family of 5 so lots of TP is necessary and nothing beats getting it free. BUT my storage space for TP is packed tight at this moment. And even though I'm not sure how long 100+ rolls will last, I am thoroughly enjoying watching cartoons with my husband and 3 kids on this Saturday afternoon, and I think this is definitely on of those times when I realize that free TP is not the most important thing in the world. Thanks, everyone, and have a pleasant, relaxing weekend!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning to All,
ReplyDeleteDebra-A very Huge Thank you for the recipe =) I am goin to try this asap. I have not found a sausage that I really like but I have been comparing what I get to some homemade sausage my Dad would get on his route over in the city or north county years ago.
couponmama--you story just makes me chuckle, them DHs we just gotta love them. =) I was wondering where you were last week--Glad you had a good time shopping. =)
Hi All
ReplyDeleteChris - I forgot to put on my list - shop alone. It's even hard for me to think when Hubby is with me, I can't imagine trying to think with little ones along.
Debra - Thanks for the recipe for sausage. It sounds yummy!
Jenn - I don't know if I'm jealous you have a Rite Aid in you area, or thankful we don't in St Louis. I have a hard enough shopping between the three and making sure RR and ECBs don't expire.
Reading through the comments got me thinking about something that I need... A "deal guide"! A listing of the brands/items I shop for frequently and price ranges that are acceptable to me... I certainly can understand free or less than $1, but what about those products that might never get that cheap? Contact solution, diapers, etc.? Do any of you use something like that? To keep track of when prices are as low as you can get them?
ReplyDeleteShopping alone is next to impossible for me, so I really have to "automate" this if I am going to be successful long-term... Thanks so much! :)
Hi Anonymous - It sounds like you are talking about puting together a price guide. I think every couponer has one or at least they do in their head. It takes while to know what your "buy" price is.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost impossible to have the "universal" guide because every part of the country is a little different on prices and every person has the few brands they are loyal to.
You will find Contact solution free after RR or ECB's several times a year. I stock up when they are.
I'm way past diapers, so I can't help you out with them, but I'll put the question to my readers what a good price is.