Are any of you active coupon users?

SunsetButterfly · May 4, 2013

I do use coupons when I can, but you have to be careful that you aren't using them to buy something you really don't need or that you wouldn't have bought anyways. Like in the example above: yes, it's great if you can get a few dollars off a movie ticket, but I don't go to the movies in the first place because it is so darn expensive even with a coupon. I just wait for the movie to come out on Redbox and rent it for $1 or I watch something else on Netflix instead.

sharpeimom · May 4, 2013

We use them virtually every time we shop, but only if it's for something we'd buy anyway. We rent our movies or watch TV movies so don't use coupons there.

We have nine cats and they use a lot of litter. We prefer one clumping brand and when it goes on sale about four times per year, we get about 100 coupons from Ebay and stock up until the next sale rolls around. Our cats and dogs eat a super premium brand of food and coupons ranging from $3.00 to $5.00 are available from time to time and sometimes we are sent some from the company. Facebook product sites are frequently good coupon sources.

We keep a well-stocked pantry and coupons help there. We could go slightly longer than a year and live well and only have to buy perishable items, such as fresh fruits, veggies, milk, cat and dog foods, some meats, etc.

Coupons are invaluable in saving on name brands with the products we're brand name fussy about. We prefer one brand name mayo, some health and beauty stuff, Campbell's soups in some types, etc.

Before we plan to buy our cat litter, we tell the store manager that we are going to need 100

35# hampers, so he has a week or so to order it in. That way, we don't clean out his whole supply. Our super market even has their supplier deliver it to our house and if we happen to not be there, he just sets it on our front porch and we pay the store.

If you write to many big companies and tell them how much you like/enjoyed their ____,

they'll send you coupons. Conversely, if you try something and think it's horrible, tell them --but politely! I've only done that twice and received scads of coupons almost by return mail.

Nurse2BeInGA · May 5, 2013

I have recently discovered the electronic coupons on the Kroger website that I can download to my Kroger card. I am a vegetarian and do not buy brands that test on animals if I can help it, so many are not applicable, but I do enjoy any extra savings I can find. If you have babies, there are A LOT of diaper and baby coupons on there. Also, if you rent the big carpet cleaning machine with the cleaner that comes with it, there is almost always a very good coupon on there for that.

Corpsman514 · May 5, 2013

I have recently discovered the electronic coupons on the Kroger website that I can download to my Kroger card. I am a vegetarian and do not buy brands that test on animals if I can help it, so many are not applicable, but I do enjoy any extra savings I can find. If you have babies, there are A LOT of diaper and baby coupons on there. Also, if you rent the big carpet cleaning machine with the cleaner that comes with it, there is almost always a very good coupon on there for that.

I love the Kroger Card

PalmHarborMom · May 5, 2013

I am terrible about clipping coupons and even worse about remembering to bring them to the store. My local grocery has digital coupons that you only have to enter you phone # into a key pad and it takes the $ off. But the best thing that I use is an app call GeoQpons. When shopping, I can pull up the app and it has coupon deals for all kinds of stores that we shop at anyway. Especially at the mall. Just a few weeks ago, my daughter needed new clothes and we had about $300 ready to ring up. Thankfully I remembered to check the app and there was a 30% off your purchase coupon. Just show your phone and get the deal.

amoLucia · May 5, 2013

My Mom was a coupon abuser. Not the quantity, 246 toothbrushes TV kind, but she would use coupons for things we would NEVER EVER use under normal circumstances. Poor choices that would cost money unnecessarily, like junk food and household items.

I wish I was more coupon-savvy than I am.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 5, 2013

I don't use coupons because most of them require the purchase of a national brand.

I mostly shop for groceries at ALDI, which is a chain of stores that sell generic foods at steep discounts. There are some minor inconveniences to shopping there, such as bagging my own food, bringing my own bags, and depositing a quarter (refundable) in exchange for a shopping cart, but the savings are worth it to me.

If I cannot find a certain food item at ALDI, I'll get it at Albertson's or Super WalMart.

When doing online shopping, I'll browse around for promo codes. At checkout, I'll enter the promo code and sometimes be pleasantly surprised with a steep discount off my total purchase.

amoLucia · May 5, 2013

Another disadvantage to couponing is that coupons frequently require the purchase of 2 or more same items in order to qualify. Like $1 off but must buy 2 items. I'm a household of ONE. I don't need 2 family size bags of pierogies - just allow me the 50 cents off 1 bag. So I won't buy it - their loss, not mine.

~Melissa~ · May 5, 2013

We just had a Publix open in our town (about time!) and they double coupons, so I'm looking forward to shopping there. Also, I use my Target Debit Card to save 5% on purchases-- plus you get 5 cents off per reusable shopping bag you use! :)