Newbie Needs Help!!!

[jbush7748]

I really want to go full force with couponing but am feeling a little discouraged and really overwhelmed. I have been doing all of my shopping at Target for some time now and really like doing everything at one place. I know that the coupon policy is that they will take one store coupon and one manufacturer coupon, but I'm not sure where to go from there. There aren't any stores in my area that will double or triple coupons. I also don't want to spend a lot on newspapers every Sunday and am wondering where to start when trying to locate more coupons for free. Any help would be greatly appreciated, and if there is anyone willing to take on an apprentice couponer I am a quick and loyal learner.

[CW&M Mom]

what stores do you have in your area (and pharmacies)

[SariniLynn]

First and foremost, have you checked out (and perhaps subscribed to) the Target forum here?

Second, I think there's nothing wrong with sticking to one store. Personally, I shop two grocery stores (Aldi for what they carry; Kroger for the rest) and coupon only at CVS with any regularity.

However - if you want to "go full force" with couponing, you will probably want to expand your horizons beyond that. To really get the best deals, you will want to pick up the loss leaders at every store you have access to. I would suggest picking out a few new stores you want to shop, finding their forums here on HCW, and starting to watch the weekly ads. If there isn't anything you want or need that week (no deals good enough for you), then don't go shop them. Just watch each week, and go pick up whatever great deals are available for that week, in the stores you're watching.

For example, I have three "coupon-able" grocery stores in my area: Kroger, Albertsons, and Tom Thumb. I have subscribed to all three forums here, but really just skim the "most recent post" on my User CP and only click through if it looks interesting. Every Wednesday, I peruse the weekly ad, but I only plan to actually go to the store if I see a spectacular deal. Otherwise, I just do my normal shopping at Aldi/Kroger and call it a week.

ETA: You might also consider looking at couponer blogs. I don't coupon at Target short of a really good deal, but I seem to remember running across a blog that focused solely on Target deals. Something like that could be a great way to get a little extra help in ramping up your couponing, without having to move to a different store.

[motherofmolly]

locating coupons: ask neighbors, co workers, friends and family for their inserts. ask the gas station if you can pick up extras on monday, or dumpster dive for inserts (with permission of course).

target is nice and does have some deals. but really i have never seen them as a stock up on everything. pick a pharmacy and go from there. most do not double, but take a sale price less a coupon and add in the rr/ecb and you can make money or break even. walgreens forum is hopping as usual. rite aid too.

sometimes it is necessary to go to a couple of stores...but that does not mean you need to spend more time at it. i do 4 or 5 hours on sunday. that is it. i might go out during the week (going to cvs and wags for kids toothpaste today). but normally i do not unless we run out of milk or bananas.

[blossomed]

Have you taken the time to see what you were spending? Knowing that for the last three months you spent xx amount of dollars will help you "see" savings more clearly.

Also printable coupons and requesting from manufacturers are great. Go get your last Target receipt and then visit the brands website and sign up, or email and request coupons from them ,or see if they have a printable. I only get one paper, and just in the past month 1 co-worker has brought in hers for me. Now my "free paper" has an insert. It takes time to build sources.

TRADE!!

Were you using the Target coupons prior to this?

Personally for me the convenice of Target would be far outweighed by the temptation of all that cute stuff!

[jbush7748]

The stores in my area are Safeway, Raleys, Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aide, Grocery Outlet, FoodMaxx, and Olivers (to name the closest ones).

[SariniLynn]

CVS is a great place to get started with couponing. Their policies are pretty easy to follow, and since they limit the deals, you don't end up with empty shelves nearly as often...

This week, as I recall, there is a $1 moneymaker on Blink contact solution, with an insert coupon. That would be a great place to start. They also have free Dove Mens (with printable), and very cheap Clean & Clear cleansers with the right coupons...

I don't have Rite Aid around here, but what I've read of their deals look pretty good, too...

[CW&M Mom]

Safeway has awesome coupons (in a booklet and some are store some are manu). Look for booklets! They are a hot commodity here! (not sure if there is one out current...but anytime your there...search for booklets)

I agree about CVS too. If I was to choose the easiest of the three pharmacies to shop...to me CVS is the easiest, walgreens is the hardest. When I mean easy vs hard. Walgreens scenario's rules, ect are complex and can be hard to keep it all straight...but Walgreens your much more able to really stockpile. CVS limits how much you can get...BUT it's easier to learn on the easy one first. Get the hang of it...then try out the next one.

Do you get the Sunday paper? I would get at least one, so that you get the ads and can see what your needing that week.