Frustrate and overwheled!

[callstreetclipper]

I'm new to coupons and am feeling so frustrated and overwhelmed. I have looked on this and other sites and I understand the concepts behind the coupon thing, but I guess I'm having trouble putting theroy into practice. I have cut coupons, and I have them organized but now what? I tried last week and got so frustrated that I ended up at Walmart and forgot half the things I needed!!!

[CouponQueen83]

First, what stores do you shop at/have in your area?
Once you determine that, go to the store links here, and check out the weekly ad and coupon matchups.

Make a list with what you want out of the ad, and the coupon you have for it -- and take it a step further and pull the coupons out RIGHT THEN.

Take list and coupons to the store -- voila! Winner, winner chicken dinner!

[motherofmolly]

pick a store. one store. figure out the deals at that store and use coupon there. master that store first and then move on. i always say to pick a pharmacy store (walgreens, cvs, or rite aid). as those items are stuff you normally spend alot on. once you get the hang of that store, you then move on and add another store to work on.

even after 5 years of couponing, i still make a list. i use an envie system. i have an envie with coupons for that store and a list of thing i need to get there. that way i have my list to compare and the coupons to go with it. i usually have a pocket sweatshirt on and put the coupons in my pocket as i get the items (or get another envie that is empty and transfer your coupons as you get the item. nothing worse then forgetting coupons in another envie or your purse and you got the item)

now, as you are working on the one store, make your list for say the grocery store. you know what you are going to get (normal regular items nothign too fancy)...add some coupons to those items you are already getting. ie you are getting soup and you have a coupon for the brand you buy and the one you will get at that store.

remember, couponing is job. just like any other job, you have to start small (i used mcdonalds as an example before...you dont start as the manager ..you start on the easiest job there making fries. nothing too that just put them in the oil and set the timer and take them out...once you master that you move on). start slow and get the hang of it. if you can go by yourself the first couple of times so you can think without worrying out a child or your dh. i go shopping on sundays. i leave the house at 5am. yup that early. it is quiet and i can go to wags, cvs,kroger, and walmart ...then once a few other stores open i can go there.

[mark]

I normally don't weigh in on this types of threads, but all above is good advice. I can see why you get frustrated. If you are second guessing one hundred items you will never get out of the store because you will be checking to see if that really is the best deal. Pick one store and go in with a list of ten items you have coupons and matchups. Do all of the comparing and then decide that you are in fact getting the best deal possible. The coupon match up in the store forums will deliver the best savings - I'm convinced of it but you need to convince yourself. Don't look at other items you don't have a coupon and a matchup as this is the "impulse" buying that you want to avoid. If your concerned about wasting time, look at from a $ per hour. If you save $15 on the ten items and it took you 30 minutes, you are "making" $30 per hour. You can do it and this board can help.

[3timesoccermom]

Don't worry, every bit helps. If you save $1 today and you didn't yesterday you are that much further ahead.

Don't be scared when you see the posts from the pros on here who end up spending .05 on a $94 order. They didn't do it their first week of couponing either and they put a LOT of thinking into it when they do that well. It's work.

I will never be one of them because I am just not smart enough to figure it all out like they do but I am still saving a lot more than I used to and it helps our family budget a lot.

Also, there is another thread from a few days ago where someone felt the exact same as you do and there was also a lot of good advice in that thread. I am trying to remember the title but you might want to do some hunting for it for even more good suggestions.

[434Teresa]

Dont try to start out saving half off your bill for it takes time to do that..unless you have someone that is there to hold you hand(so to say).

Just start by using whatever coupons you can to cut your shopping bill back some. Keep reading and make you a list of items you use alot of so you know what items you need to find coupons for(wishlist). Then as you get use to shopping with coupons in hand,and price matching things you buy at wal-mart from your sales ad. The more you do this the more putting the theroy into practice will make sense to you...you will see this week you may have 10 coupons then next 20 and each week the more you learn the more coupons you will be able to use. By price matchig you will learn more about useing the ads to your advantage. I know that I sound crazy to you and your thinking you will never get this but you will if you stick with it you will. Just dont think you are going to do it over night for none of us did that,unless we had someone next door that walk it with us every step of the way and that dont happen very much..It takes time in 6 to 9 months for now you will be much better if you just hang in there and take your time.

When you go to walmart go with a list..I would write a big C by the items I had coupons for that I was buying and the number of coupons I had just in caes it was on clarance or a really good sale...Then if I was going to price match the item I would write DG for dollar general ad and so that way I knew what book the item was in and not have to search for it...I would also have the coupons that I was going to use for that trip pulled and in a envie so I did not have to search for them. If I decided to buy something that was not on the list and I had a coupon I would pull it then and add it to the envie so I did not forget it at check out time.
You really have to find what works for you, which takes time...

[shopaddiction666]

First, what stores do you shop at/have in your area?
Once you determine that, go to the store links here, and check out the weekly ad and coupon matchups.

Make a list with what you want out of the ad, and the coupon you have for it -- and take it a step further and pull the coupons out RIGHT THEN.

Take list and coupons to the store -- voila! Winner, winner chicken dinner!

Had to check and see if you are from michigan with the "WINNINER WINNER CHICKEN DINNER " I have only heard that saying when speaking about Frankenmuth

[shopaddiction666]

I am young and get fustrated with them sometimes, but I grew up with a single mother of 3 kids so we NEVER EVER bought an item without a coupon and now I teach my co - workers . The worse part is when the cashiers make you feel bad and keep calling other staff to check and double check your coupons .

[callstreetclipper]

Wow thanks guys. I do my shopping Sundays so I will let everyone know how it goes tomorrow. Motherofmolly I WISH I could do the shopping alone! Dh seems to think of it a "our time together". Well if he can learn to coupon with me we will be on the right track. This is really great advise guys thanks again!

[motherofmolly]

Wow thanks guys. I do my shopping Sundays so I will let everyone know how it goes tomorrow. Motherofmolly I WISH I could do the shopping alone! Dh seems to think of it a "our time together". Well if he can learn to coupon with me we will be on the right track. This is really great advise guys thanks again!

then make him involved in the process. maybe even make it a game to see who can do the best .....maybe he would be willing to pick a store and work on the "deals" at that store himself. make sure you tell him "this will make us closer" lol!!!

if the above does not work, see if you can distract him in the store and send him to look for something. this works with my dh. i tell him "hun go look at the hunting stuff and see if they have anything good on clearance" and i go the other way....we meet up when he is done looking and by then i am almost done!!