Feeling VERY Overwhelmed

[mbromberg545]

So I am pretty new to couponing. I have always cut a few here and there, but now I look daily for coupons on top of the Sunday inserts. I have even joined a coupon swap group that meets once a week. I am really excited about the savings that we can potentially have and I am SUPER excited about starting a stockpile. I had never even heard of these before.

But here is the problem...I am SO completely overwhelmed by all of it. I have started a binder, but I still feel very unorganized. Also, I feel like I am going to 5 different stores looking for the best deal. It has added quite a bit of extra stress on me and of course, my DH thinks that I am ridiculous. I am constantly looking the ads, but not every item is listed, so I try to look at at least 2 stores to compare prices before I will purchase anything. I keep thinking that there has to be a better deal somewhere.

Kroger just discontinued the double/triple coupons in our area, so I am struggling on how to get things at a GREAT deal (preferrably free) without shopping at every store in the area.

Any ideas?

[motherofmolly]

slow down and take it easy. maybe you should start a price book for the items you use alot and the prices they are at each store. this can help you decide where to use coupons.

each store sales are going to be different. when you are looking at the ad or matchups, make a list of what you plan on getting there and with what coupon. that plan the route for each store and go out shopping. plan on doing it one day for 3 or so hours.

you trip should include walking the isles to look for clearance or new products (scan dont look at everything) and maybe make a note of anything that pops out. look for tearpad coupons that might be good. and then getting your items on the list. if they have a clearance area, look there for great markdowns you can matchup with coupons. then get out and go to the next store. you really shouldnt be more than an hour in each store...i am normally in and out in 30...unless my dh is with me

besides krogers, check out all (and i mean all) of your other stores...dollar stores, local smaller grocery stores...if you can find them in the forums, look there for deal matchups before you go out. maybe check out a new store once a week. you really shouldnt spend that much time shopping or checking out other stores. look for store coupons you can match up with regular coupons or $/$$ that you can combine with coupons.

[cintinative]

I agree with MOM. I would start small. Start with one or two grocery stores and maybe one drug store like CVS. Focus on those, look here on the forums for matchups, and start developing your price lists. If you try to do too many stores you are going to get overwhelmed fast. I totally did that when I started. I also overstockpiled. Set yourself a strict budget for "stockpile" buying (anything you don't absolutely need right now) and stick with it until you have the hang of things. And remember, sales are cyclical. Odds are good if you miss it this week because you are too busy you might see it again in a few months. =)

[belinda2]

I feel your pain. I recently got back into couponing and it is overwhelming. What helped me more than anything was to take a small notebook and list about 10-20 of the items I purchase regularly and do price checks at various stores. Hang onto your receipts and list prices and savings. This helped me get a handle on prices. And than take coupons into account.


It was surprising to me the difference in prices. I'm south of Houston and had been doing most of my shopping at HEB. It was irritating to learn HEB uses MC and not their own. WM has turned out to be the best buy in town and I"m not a fan of WM. Walgreens seems to be a waste of time more than saving any real money. Family Dollar and Dollar General are generally more expensive than WM. Food King still doubles but their prices are so high except for a few sale items they are not going to be a regular stop.

Once you start looking there are coupons everywhere. JCP sent me a $15 for any purchase on my Rewards Card. Coupons come in the mail from various restaurants. I've emailed several companies and some of those are starting to come in the mail. Hanging out on TNT is helping bring in more coupons. Today I had no choice but stop and do laundry.

[ChrisMiss]

I too am very new to using coupons and trying to get the most from my money. I got very overwhelmed at times but I started taking baby steps and am celebrating my small victories in the savings dept.

I started a spreadsheet of items that we use the most of and entered the prices of those items from stores. Then when the sales ads come out I can check my spreadsheet to see if the item is truly a good bargain compared to other stores.

Getting the coupons organized is very important also I think. That way I can quickly see if I have a coupon for the item on sale.

I agree with the writing of a list of what's on sale. I started last week and wrote a list by store of what I was shopping there for, how much it was, if there was a store coupon and if I had a coupon for the item. It really helped the shopping go faster so that I could then look at other items, maybe writing them down for my spreadsheet at home.

Keep at it, it does get easier the more practice you get.