Is couponing a budget buster at first?

politjunkie · 04-04-2008, 09:39:39 PM

Example, jsut did the walgreens deal

I spent $60 with tax on the P&G

Then i got 8 4 packs of diet pepsi for $2 oop

and i have 8 RR left over

Its a good deal no doubt but this wasnt in my budget for the week, but it seemed like to good of a deal to let go on stuff we will buy eventually anyways.

Do you find these things to be budget busters at first until you have more coupons and more RR/ECB built up?

smoothiie1206 · 04-04-2008, 09:44:14 PM

Yes!! I still have budget busters! I spent an extra $40 at Kroger this week but I save around $120-130. And I bought things that will last me 4 or 5 months.

Whispered · 04-04-2008, 10:00:28 PM

hmmmm, interesting ?

I look at it this way, like smoothie says she spent extra but SAVED 120-130.00

You got 8 ~ 4 packs of pepsi, basically Free..

I've found in the long run, it pays off...
Example, the Dove Shampoo was on sale this wk, at Walgreens.
2 for 5.00... I also had coupons, for 3 dollars off 2..

so I spent 5 dollars, got 4 shampoos/conditioners.
SAVED 16.00!!
and yes, I'm a brand girl, lol.. I love dove.
I didn't really Need any more shampoos, etc.. but they last forever!!
and thats a good savings...

I found that I'm well stocked now, and i've been able to juggle some of the bills, lol, .

So it depends on how you look at it... I look at it as SAVINGS~

plus, when someone is in need, you can easily help them out and that feels good... priceless!

favoritern · 04-04-2008, 10:03:49 PM

One word.....STOCKPILE. Always nice to shop in your own pantry.

politjunkie · 04-04-2008, 10:05:31 PM

i agree whispered... longrun its great which is why i clarified "at first."

I am on a strict budget and this jsut messes with my grocery money for the month. I know it will all work out great in the long run. I guess i just need to save a lot on a lot of other things the rest of the month ;-)

I am new so i dont have a lot of the coupons built up yet, only started collecting them this week. Good news is I am going to be getting 20 of all the inserts on sundays for the foreseeable future so i should be able to do good in coming months.

lovinmylife · 04-04-2008, 10:06:57 PM

I think that it depends on you. I just started in Oct 2007, I have always had $120 - $150 per week for food, diapers, bathroom stuff, and formula. We have 3 children (2 in diapers) and I am due in May with our 4th. I can NOT break budget. I put the cash in my purse and when it is gone I am done shopping for the week. I pick and choose my deals according to how often they come around (cereal v. meat), and judge how much to buy. Now after 6 months, I have 1 year supply of almost all bathroom supplies, and about 6 months for food. I am still working on diapers and formula but I stay about 2-3 weeks ahead. Start slow and work your way into the big deals and rebates. It can be done!!!

nrpeace17 · 04-04-2008, 10:48:48 PM

I would say, don't go crazy at first. Buy your essentials, at the best prices you can using all coupons available and following the sales as much as you can. Some things you will just need to buy, and can't wait for sales on at first. Then start focusing on the absolute best deals with the lowest oop, and stock up on those items to build your stockpile. It gets easier as you gain more experience.

Jiji · 04-04-2008, 11:07:57 PM

I was told to "not go overboard" in the beginning because there was always another sale down the road. I tried to do that, but sometimes it's just TOO GOOD to pass up, kwim? You'll bounce back eventually, either next week or next month.

gettinrevvin2007 · 04-05-2008, 12:45:14 AM

I spent more in the beginning, but it has been a 'learning curve'. What I 'used' to consider a deal; I look back and shake my head at now. Good thing I've learned not to pay those prices anymore.
You know how 'when it rains, it pours?'
Well, when you get your stockpile built, you don't need to buy in nearly as big of quantities AND, if you have one of those 'crisis' years, where everything/everyone/situations complicate matters, you will look back and be 'Thank God (or whomever you pray to) and realize you were 'prepped' for those difficult times. It's amazing how things have a way of working out.

tunabreath · 04-05-2008, 01:11:09 AM

Did my first planned CVS run yesterday and spent a lot more than expected. I went back today with better planning and definitely came out better. So I'm thinking this is must be something that gets better as you keep accumulating the ECBs and stockpile.

I know I messed up with this month's budget (completely blew this week's), but at least I already have the toiletries I would've bought in the next two months or so.