If you could only offer one piece of advice...

[wealthybarney]

Hi Jcurtis93, here are some answers to your question.
There is a forum and a bad trader list made up by about 3 or more kind, reasonable and fair SuperMods who don't put up with games.
They strive to be as unbiased and just as possible.

So, if they say it is unresolved, or a bad trader-I pay attention since they have the inside information that I do not.
I go to the bad trade forum 3x/week.

Another way is to really, really, pay attention to the feedback listed on the traders user control panel.
If I have never traded with a person before, there are certain questions I ask myself.
I may go back 11 pages and read every comment.
I don't know how other members do it.

I suppose members could pass info about their bad experiences with those on their "Buddy List"; however my buddies and I choose not to go there-it would be a rare thing or unusual circumstansis.
Who wants to complain about others everyday?

Also, it is important to say that everyone on the "bad trade' list isn't necessary a bad trader.
The first one can be corrected once the trade is made good. I am not an expert there, you'll need to ask them.
There are exceptions/unforeseens. That is why when there is a family emergency, you notify a SuperMod.

You will make mistakes, everyone does, some things happen that can be overcome, some can't-SuperMods are here for that.
There may be people unhappy with whatever you do.
Also, it is how someone behaves in pm's and trade.
If unreasonable, or snarkey, they can go on your: "Ignore" list, and move on.

Except for the rare few I have had to put my foot down on, most of your experiences will be positive. Sometimes you may be disapointed with your end.
Personally, I have never once pm'd when it was not what I expected.
That is just me.
Maybe someday it will be necessary.
The Mods are here for that as well, and I encourage it.
Treating people right and being a good citizen at HCW(meaning we all have rights, and responsibilies) will bring you friends and save you money! HTH.

[nrpeace17]

My advice is to never leave home without your coupons. You never know when you might happen upon a great deal, even if a trip to the store wasn't planned.

[Benichole]

Originally Posted by Clipper When checking out DO NOT hand over all your coupons at once to the cashier. Deal them out in small, manageable like groupings. That way if a problem arise they just can't shuffle around the offending coupons and pretend they did their job correctly. When I check out they don't get the next batch of coupons until I see they've successfully imputted the ones I've already given them. It saves a lot of headaches.

This is probably one of the best things I have learned. I just give them all of one kind. Like the other day I said here are 15 of the freshpet coupons. Then I count all the beeps while they scan. Often times they will miss one or two so it helps to count.

[Alleynn]

Originally Posted by catnerd714 Do not bring DH or SO with you shopping! They only add stuff to the cart and try to get you to spend more. My DH now knows to ask if we have a coupon for something before he even considers asking if he can have it!

My DH does the same thing and I laugh at him and tell him he's learning. He's even started the habit of grabbing q's from blinkies and teartabs also. He just doesnt look at the coupons very well, he might find blinkie q's for diapers lol..we have one child who will be 17 next month..


My one advice to you would be stockpile coupons first, with out coupons there isnt much savings.

[purpleshoes]

Originally Posted by MariaT KEEP ALL YOUR COUPONS! I gave away the Kraft buy 3 get free cheese or something like that figuring I would never use it. Low & behold Kool Aid is a Kraft product so I could have use it after all by buying three little kool aid packets. So KEEP/CUT/DON'T TOSS anything until it has expired!

How could you use the kraft buy 3 get free cheese or ...to get kool aid? Novice to all of this.

[purpleshoes]

Originally Posted by Benichole This is probably one of the best things I have learned. I just give them all of one kind. Like the other day I said here are 15 of the freshpet coupons. Then I count all the beeps while they scan. Often times they will miss one or two so it helps to count.

I hand my coupons to the cashier one at a time. I've had so many of them get mixed up on which they scanned and which they didn't...so its my way of keeping track for myself and helping the cashier at the same time.

[Delmajesty]

I'm just going to reiterate a few good points:

- Be organized!
- Be nice!
- Buy 1 paper for each member of your family if your goal is to stockpile.
- Save all coupons - you never know when you will want to trade.

[angeleyeza]

dont think that the first time you coupon you HAVE to use them all at once . dont get upset if there isnt a sale for that one special coupon the first week of couponing. eventually it goes on sale before expiring.be patient. share. and have fun!

[pebblesminidash]

I've been couponing for a while, but started actually extreme couponing a few weeks back. Some things that really helped me when I first started were:

Be organized and take all your coupons in with you. Look through them as you walk through the store and be sure you put all of them in one place that way it's much faster at the checkouts and the cashiers like you because your not actually holding up the line.

Trade, trade and trade some more. You'll save more than you ever realized you could if you trade for coupons you'll actually use.

And.....

Try to shop at a store that does double coupons. Especially if you have .50 coupons, you'll double your savings. Try to go through the weekly ads and see which stores might be having a super double or triple day.

[Pennstater]

don't buy anything that is not on sale (good price compared to your price book) Dont' plan menus ahead, eat whats on sale. Use allrecipes.com to input ingredients and find something to make with your sale items.