need advice

[lnvazquez]

Hello everyone,

I have been couponing lightly for a while and I am hoping to get some advice on a few things. I get 2 papers a week and I have a binder with files and card pages. The first thing, I guess, is how to get these amazing deals I keep seeing but can't seem to find. I really don't have the time to sit and go through too many circulars. Plus, I live in New York, which makes it even harder to find any good deals. Also, does anyone have any ideas of how to get more coupon inserts without having to buy more papers? I welcome any and all advice and thank you in advance.

-L-

[booklover]

Find out what stores you have in your area, then look under store forum, and you will find the sales for those stores, plus coupon match-ups, and meet other people who shop there, too.


As for getting more coupons: ask friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc. if you can have their coupons when they are done with the Sunday paper. Lots of people don't use all the coupons, or any at all, so you may have some luck getting free coupons this way.

I trade with other people here to get coupons I want.

Good luck!

[Gardencook]

Hello everyone,

I have been couponing lightly for a while and I am hoping to get some advice on a few things. I get 2 papers a week and I have a binder with files and card pages. The first thing, I guess, is how to get these amazing deals I keep seeing but can't seem to find.-

Don't set your savings expectations too high based on what you hear that some couponers save. What most people don't realize is that those huge shopping trips where everything is free isn't reality. A lot of those couponers have been holding their coupons for weeks to make a big trip like that happen. If you saw them on a normal shopping trip, their savings would be considerably less.
It is a shame when new couponers feel they've got to keep up with "the experts," and give up because they "only" save 20 or 40 or 60 percent on a shopping trip. They lose sight of the fact that that is still money they would have lost if they hadn't used coupons.

[KmmCo]

Family, friends, and neighbors are great to get coupons from! You can trade for coupons on this site. Sometimes I do use clipping services, but you have to make sure that what you save is worth the postage, handling fee, etc - If you don't actually use the coupons then you are wasting your money.

I am thrilled to get around 50% savings on groceries myself - it beats paying full price. I also try to economize by not being wasteful (leftovers can be easily remade into soups, casseroles, etc) and by watching for markdowns on meat and produce.

As far as time to look at circulars - do you use public transportation any? If so, take the ads to read while riding the bus. I sometimes even look through the inserts in order to note what is there. Haven't had any luck trying to cut/file coupons on the bus though - some things need to be done at a table!