Dry run trip to the store

[jojopotato67114]

I'm wondering if anyone goes to the store to check prices before actually going to do shopping? If so, do you go down every aisle or just check the things you need or want to buy that week? There seem to be times when there are alot of items on special that aren't in the ads. Thanks.

[$Saving!]

There are always items on sale that don't show up in the ad, many times those are items that were on sale the prior week and carry over.

If your grocery store has an online 'order' service, you can check prices there. In my area we have two grocery stores that customers can order their groceries online for pickup and because of that, you can look up the price on anything (I do a lot of coupon match ups that way).

Also, while at the store each week (or whenever you go), check the shelf tags for the specials, many times the sale shelf tags show when the sale ends by date in small print somewhere, that can help you plan ahead some as well should you get coupons for those items.

Otherwise, bring your coupons with you along with your predetermined list based on the current ad. That way, if you find something on sale that you were not aware of, you have your coupons with you to match up.

[jojopotato67114]

Thanks. I checked the two main stores in my area and they don't offer the online order service. (Walmart does but shows only a few prices, Dillons only offers n specialty items.)

One of the main problems I am having is organizing the coupons. I tried the binder system and really didn't like it. Thinking I'll just get a shoe box and divide it into different sections.

[$Saving!]

Thanks. I checked the two main stores in my area and they don't offer the online order service. (Walmart does but shows only a few prices, Dillons only offers n specialty items.)

One of the main problems I am having is organizing the coupons. I tried the binder system and really didn't like it. Thinking I'll just get a shoe box and divide it into different sections.

Ahhh, the binder system. I'm very old school, been couponing seriously since the early '80's. Long before the binder system showed up.

I don't think I could handle the bulkiness of a binder and the patience to fold, pocket each coupon.

I used accordion files that I purchased at Office Depot. Durable, not plastic and I use two of them, photo below.

I find it easier to pull out a section and flip through the coupons to find the one(s) I'm looking for and then plopping them back into their designated slots. I like them too because they hold all sizes of coupons without having to fold or trim them in any way. They're wide enough to hold the catalina print outs without folding too. I have 24 sections and labeled them in a manner that made sense to me.

One of my sections is "meat and dairy" - odd huh? BUT, every grocery store I shop in has all the meat and dairy along the perimeter walls, and mentally it's just easier for me to think that way

I don't take my coupons into the store with me either. I make my list on an envelope, put my coupons that go with that list inside the envelope and off I go. I don't 'graze' when I shop - I stick to my list and I'm in/out/done.

[kristinnm]

Roundy's stores have pretty decent web sites and they have a tab that you can click for "In-store Sales" that's aren't on the flyer. I find it very handy, except when it's an item I have a coupon for, is on sale and my Copp's store doesn't carry it! It lists everything that Roundy's stores carry and any specials - just search by name and see what comes up.

I just checked out the Dillon's site and it's very similar, but unfortunately doesn't have that In-Store Specials feature.

But I do a scouting mission earlier in the week to see if the items I need to buy are a better price at WalMart or Copp's or if Copp's has anything on clearance that isn't listed on the corporate site. (My Copp's and WalMart practically share a parking lot, so it's very convenient!)

When I started (very recently), I had a box of cheap, letter sized envelopes that I just flipped up the flap and wrote the catagory on it (Groceries, Frozen, Dairy, Meat, Deli, etc) and just shoved the coupons in the corresponding envelope, then put it back in the envelope box as a holder (very cheap, lol.) Then I organized the coupons on an Excel spread sheet. (Excel is your couponing friend!)

Before shopping, I make up a new envelope for my specific transactions with just the coupons I'm going to use and just bring those envelopes (I usually do 2-4 separate transactions for double days.) Infortunately, it's not a great system to bring them ALL with you in case you spot a deal - you have to pull them all out and shuffle through them to find the coupon. So I actually just bought some trading card inserts and I'm creating a binder to bring with me instead of the main envelopes. BUT I will still use my transaction envelopes and bring the binder just in case.

So, maybe you can still use your binder for your main coupon collection organization and try just making up an envelope for the coupons you specifically need when you make your shopping trip?

I try to have a very specific list and not browse, but just this Saturday I realized I forgot to put a couple of things on my list that I needed (hubby needed razors, for one), so I was glad to have my whole stash with me at the time!

[amylynne01]

Usually no unless there's a catalina deal going on that I want to get shelf prices for so I can plan at home. Then I have a list of prices to check while I'm actually shopping, but I don't typically make a trip just to check prices. It's included in my normal trips.

[jojopotato67114]

Thanks ladies. You both have given me some food for thought.

$Saving! the folding all of those coupons is exactly and the bulkiness of the binder is exactly what I didn't like about the binder.

Kristin, I like the envelope idea. I clip all of the coupons that I will use and leave the rest intact for trading etc.

I think I'm going to see if I can find some sort of plastic envelope where I can file the coupons by expiration date and keep them altogether on one of those bigs rings. One of my problems has been using coupons with a later expiration date before using ones that have an expiration date that is closer.

[motherofmolly]

i have a few "pencil cases" that are see thru and color coated. i got like a 4 pack at dollar general. they zipper close too! they arent super big, but they make for great store envies. and i can remember the colors too (yellow is target example)

[kristinnm]

I think I'm going to see if I can find some sort of plastic envelope where I can file the coupons by expiration date and keep them altogether on one of those bigs rings. One of my problems has been using coupons with a later expiration date before using ones that have an expiration date that is closer.

Sounds like a good idea!

Excel is really good for sorting! I have the first column for the catagory (matches my envelope catagories), then the coupon item (brand, restrictions), then the amount (ie. $1/1, $3/2, etc), then how many I have of that coupon, the coupon type (manufacture, printed, store) and finally the expiration date column. Every week I add the new coupons then use the "Sort" feature to sort them by catagory. Once a week, I "sort" by the expiration date. All of the oldest coupons move to the top and I can easily see which have expired and pull them from the envelopes and see which are close to expiring. If you have Excel on your computer, I highly recommend it to make your life easier!

[kristinnm]

Awesome tip!

i have a few "pencil cases" that are see thru and color coated. i got like a 4 pack at dollar general. they zipper close too! they arent super big, but they make for great store envies. and i can remember the colors too (yellow is target example)