Coupons as shopping motivation, and what's a FLIP?

FlyLadyFan · 05-19-2008, 11:44:45 PM

Hi, newbie here.

Started couponing again for 2 reasons mainly:

1- dh has started "high-miling" to save gas $$ during his commute. High-miling is what some call the "how you drive" tricks for saving gas, such as coasting as much as possible, going slower, drafting. So far he's increased his mileage in our Passat from about 28 mpg highway to 42 mpg highway. That's a big deal for me, cause he's hard to get to "change" unlike all of your husbands I'm sure. (LOL!)

So I told him if he could change his ways to save $$, so could I.

2- I absolutely hate grocery shopping, so we end up eating out a lot and I end up buying without a plan. But if I challenge myself to save as much money as possible it makes it more of a game while I'm there, and my "to buy" list sort of makes itself as I plan around sales combined with coupons. I think this will at least bring more food in the house and we'll end up eating at restaurants less ... which will really save the $$$.

Lastly, what is a FLIP? I do not see it in the FAQ lingo thread and can't figure it out from the context, other than it's some sort of money-saving coupon like device. I know what a catalina is now, thanks to this site! But what is a FLIP that you combine with sales and Mfr Qs for more savings?

Thanks in advance,

FLF

.

hotcouponmama · 05-20-2008, 12:53:55 AM

Very cool on your DH saving gas! That's an awesome change in mileage.

A FLIP is a Food Lion Internet Printable as I understand it - I have no Food Lion near me though so I am reciting that from memory.

Welcome to the community!

FlyLadyFan · 05-20-2008, 01:01:03 AM

Oh, Food Lion is one of my main shopping places. Excellent! Thank you -- I will check out their site for printables right now.

Happy saving,

FLF

.

MishaaE · 05-20-2008, 01:33:57 PM

FLIP= Food Lion Internet Printable

Welcome!!

oscamaya · 05-20-2008, 03:57:41 PM

Welcome FLF!

Once you see all the great deals you can get at Food Lion, you won't hate grocery shopping anymore!

Every week all of the FLIPs are posted in a sticky thread at the top of the forum with the dates that they are valid for. You can only print the coupons once per computer, but every week there are usually a couple of different sets (with similar coupons) so you can print each set once. You can sign up for the Shopper's Companion on the FL website and they will e-mail you a set every wednesday as well.

I also try to do coupon match-ups with the weekly ad which I also post at the top of the forum. Other members add what they have found too.

The gas mileage thing is awesome! We just parked our minivan and solely drive our Honda b/c of gas prices. And congrats on changing your husband! LOL

DonnaMac · 05-20-2008, 07:10:14 PM

Good for you! We do the high miling tick and just did not know what to call it. It really works!

Good luck with your coupons!

mrskay9 · 05-21-2008, 03:56:08 PM

Welcome!

Great job! I was really scared about High Miling for a second there. I was thinking more about Mile High, totally different lol

Back on track--ok, if you say you hate shopping, here's my tips that may help, I don't know, they help me.
I have a palm pilot and I have a program for it called Splash Shopper. It keeps a list of what I need. That's the basics. But it does much more. It keeps track of if I have a coupon for it, how much it costs, total bill, it can track it at different stores, what aisle the item is in. It keeps a database of everything I use and then I just touch what i need for the week. It organizes it and I just sort by aisle and go shopping. No going back a few aisles. I love it as you can tell!

Also, I have a few cook books about freeze ahead meals. It's been a life saver for me. I love knowing that there's a meal in the freezer I can pop in the oven and we don't have to go out to eat.
I have Don't Panic Dinner's in the Freezer and Super Suppers are my favorites right now.
You could also check if your local library has some freezer cook books.
It actually doesn't even take that long to do a few freezer meals on day on a weekend and freeze a few meals in advance. It's a liberating feeling! You eat healthier too!

Hope this helps and again, welcome!

FlyLadyFan · 05-21-2008, 04:06:23 PM

Thank you for all the great replies and ideas, Ladies.

I just ran across the proper name for the "high" miling gas saving thing my dh started doing. It's actually called: HYPER-miling. I can see how the "high" miling thing was a little misleading . . . my bad!

Happy saving to all,

FLF

.

karab · 05-21-2008, 08:56:30 PM

Hi, I'm new here too, but I just wanted to say that I love Flylady! (sorry, a little off topic)