Trips to Stores

[lawschoolsaver]

I am new at couponing, but I have gotten so much free stuff this week! I am having so much fun! The problem is that I've basically gone to stores everyday. Between 2 Walmarts, 2 Rite Aids, CVS, 2 Walgreens, 2 Dollar Generals, Winn Dixie (sometimes more than once), I feel like I am constantly out and about. Someone will post a deal over at Walmart (or anywhere else), and I'll immediately head over there, afraid I'll miss out on the deal. I can't keep doing this. Does anyone have any tips to cut down my trips to once a week (or so) for each place? Do you plan and make all the rounds on Sundays? I just want to know how everyone else handles their couponing when it comes to visiting so many stores (and often making more than one trip).

[fluttervale]

I go to each store, once per week.

I have all my coupons in a Case It binder with trading card pages, and I take it with me. Then I stroll down each aisle and look at what's on sale. I have a calculator in my binder so I can establish a final price and price by unit (whether that be can, ounce, etc.)

I hit Kroger, CVS, Target, and Meijer every week. I look at ads, but most of my great deals have been sales that weren't in the ads. The truth is, just because it's free doesn't mean you need it, and doesn't mean that you have to run out right this minute to get it. Savings are savings, and sales come around regularly.

[atcwag]

I do my shopping at the 2 stores I shop at once per week (Sunday). If there is a particularly good deal that I need to go back for, I may swing in on my way to work, but I don't let it control my life.

[$Saving!]

I am new at couponing, but I have gotten so much free stuff this week! I am having so much fun! The problem is that I've basically gone to stores everyday. Between 2 Walmarts, 2 Rite Aids, CVS, 2 Walgreens, 2 Dollar Generals, Winn Dixie (sometimes more than once), I feel like I am constantly out and about. Someone will post a deal over at Walmart (or anywhere else), and I'll immediately head over there, afraid I'll miss out on the deal. I can't keep doing this. Does anyone have any tips to cut down my trips to once a week (or so) for each place? Do you plan and make all the rounds on Sundays? I just want to know how everyone else handles their couponing when it comes to visiting so many stores (and often making more than one trip).

Whoa little pony!

Ok, first know that some of these deals come around again and again, especially the typical toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant etc type deals at the major drug store chains - so you can miss a week or so and not miss out on good deals.

The thing to do is plan ahead - in other words, look here on store deals forum thread for the advanced ad (even a day in advance is great! although drug stores you can find out well in advance). Then decide which day you're going to go after making your best deals list.

If you make a list and stick to it, in and out picking up the items on your list (and if they're out, get rain checks) - then you don't spend too much time while in the stores.

For me, what works best is I shop the day the new ad comes out, for me that means Wed (most of my grocery stores have new ads beginning that day), Sunday for drug store deals and then one grocery chain has a new ad that begins on Sunday as well. So basically two days is routine for me.

BUT, when there is an especially great deal (or super doubles or some other major coupon boosting event), I may go three days in a row. But that's not frequent at all.

I'm so stocked up on the drug store items that I may have picked up three items in the last month at any of the drug stores - having skipped a few weeks because, well, I just don't need any more of what they have specials on.

I will, of course backfill down the line, not letting my stockpile dwindle to under 3 months supply but I don't feel the need to rush out there all the time when I know I'm well stocked - unless it's totally free of course and I can handle more of that item

And of course when I make my lists (I write the store name on an envelope at the edge and the list below with coupons inside for that list), they stay in my purse so that if the store is out of something, even if I get a rain check, I can always swing in if I'm passing by to see if they have it back in stock yet.

Just know that you're not missing the "one and only opportunity" to get something at a good price It WILL go on sale again and it WILL match up with coupons down the line.

Hope that helps!

[lawschoolsaver]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. I'm going to try and go one time to each store this week. I think that maybe, with all the excitement, I wasn't planning my trips as well as I should have been. Plus, I really don't need every free thing that comes up. I've only been doing this a few weeks now, but I already have a good amount of shampoo, etc. stockpiled. I just need to cool the newbie excitement!