What's the easiest way for a newbie to get started? - Page 24

hjenny2003 · 05-19-2008, 01:12:48 PM

Originally Posted by riffparker

do this very simple excersize

look for nothing but toothbrushes and toothbrush coupons

see how many free toothbrushes you can get in 2 weeks

after you've done that the rest will be easy

I'm so new to this coupon stuff, but I read your quote about toothbrushes and paste. That is so true and you really can get a lot.. Good advice!!!

onehotbev · 05-25-2008, 05:06:20 PM

I too am a brand-spanking newbie and decided to just jump in! I was burning brain cells trying to "think" myself into action and still didn't have a handle on how things worked or why couldn't I just use coupons w/o paying attention to the weekly circulars? I thought it was too much to take in.

But, I learned more in one hour actually AT Kroger than I have in 3 weeks of staring at sales papers! If the item I was shopping for was not on sale, it could cost more than regular price at Wal-Mart EVEN with a double or $1.00 off coupon!

BUT...if it WAS on sale...look out! I was SO excited to walk out of there with a FREE $1.00 box of Barilla pasta because it was a 10 for $10 AND I just happened to have that $.50 coupon that doubled! Woohoo!! That was some convincing "OTJ" training!

My dh was a big help, too.

Take someone who's coupon savvy w/ you to show you some tips OR just a willing shopping partner who wouldn't mind being a sounding board while you shop.

Good luck! I 'm looking forward to learning more every day!

ajwangler · 05-27-2008, 11:28:55 PM

If there's such a thing as a "new" newbie, it's me. This is all overwhelming to me too! The thought of spending hours clipping & organizing, then shopping, dumpster diving and carrying a briefcase... whew, maybe this isnt' for me afterall. I don't like to shop in the first place. Does that automatically count me out?

Where is the best place to start when I live in a rural town, with only Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Kmart and Walmart? Is there a good place to start?

maeby · 05-29-2008, 10:04:25 PM

Originally Posted by ajwangler

If there's such a thing as a "new" newbie, it's me. This is all overwhelming to me too! The thought of spending hours clipping & organizing, then shopping, dumpster diving and carrying a briefcase... whew, maybe this isnt' for me afterall. I don't like to shop in the first place. Does that automatically count me out?

Where is the best place to start when I live in a rural town, with only Rite-Aid, Walgreens, Kmart and Walmart? Is there a good place to start?

You're not alone, ajwangler. I'm a new newbie too - just joined today. I've got a small amount of coupons collected from 2 weeks ago (since there were no coupons this past Sunday, I'm still stuck on my original coupons from the week before) that I'm keen to use and I might start this weekend.

I'm not quite sure which store is best to start with. From what I've read starting small is the key - it's best not to overwhelm yourself :) I might start with Walgreens and one of the main grocery stores here. Unfortunately we don't have a CVS where I live, or else I would start there! CVS seems to be all the rage! I'm very jealous :)

nairtseuqe · 06-01-2008, 06:36:14 PM

I have been reading everything I can get my hands on for the last week or so and I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with this whole coupon thing. I tend to get a big obsessive with new things...lol

I signed up for a free trial of a paid site to help me try to make sense of things. DH and I are making a price book for the grocery stores in our area. A friend gave me all the inserts from her paper from like the last 4 months. I clipped out anything I thought I'd use and put them in a binder. I tossed anything I won't use because I'm overwhelmed by the thought of trading coupons at this point and I want to avoid buying things "because I have a coupon".

Before now I have always made a meal plan of whatever I feel like 1 week at a time and then bought ingredients accordingly. This month I made a meal plan for 4 weeks completely from things already in the house. We will need to buy milk and fresh fruit/veggies. I cook from scratch almost exclusively. The rest of the grocery budget can be used for good sales and/or stockpiling.

I think I can handle basic grocery coupons and such, but I just don't get the drug store thing. I have never really shopped at drug stores and all of the rules for rebates and specials seem so confusing. It seems that many of you get great deals on things there, but half the time I find myself wondering "wow, these people really like blood sugar monitors and hair color". These aren't things I'd buy. Do you buy them to get the special deal? Doesn't spending extra money for things you don't need defeat the purpose of saving money?

I think I'm going to stick to the grocery coupons I can get in my paper and online for now. I have enough to worry about with all the rules that go with that. "Does this store double? How much? How often?" It's all a bit confusing still. I don't even know what coupons are good for me that are worth trading for.

mama22qts · 06-01-2008, 07:14:14 PM

You're on the right track. It takes time to get all of this down, but after a while it clicks. Pick one drug store, start easy. CVS, if you try to get EVERYTHING every week, would really whig you out. Just pick one of the items that you DO use that's an ECB deal, and go from there. It will click, I promise. Plus over in that forum there are really helpful folks that will guide and mentor you.

nairtseuqe · 06-02-2008, 01:03:56 PM

Thank you for your kind replies! I don't see any CVS stores in Colorado. That's kind of a bummer since it seems to be the best of the drug store chains. Within 30 minutes of me we have:
King Soopers
Safeway
Walgreens
RiteAid
Albertsons
Target
Walmart

I was looking through the flier last night for Safeway and noticed that Chex mix is BOGO. I have 4 $1/1 coupons that I printed off the internet. Can I use these to save even more when it's a BOGO special? Do I have to present the coupons first, or the club card first, or does it matter?

actopher · 06-02-2008, 09:45:52 PM

Originally Posted by mama22qts

You're on the right track. It takes time to get all of this down, but after a while it clicks. Pick one drug store, start easy. CVS, if you try to get EVERYTHING every week, would really whig you out. Just pick one of the items that you DO use that's an ECB deal, and go from there. It will click, I promise. Plus over in that forum there are really helpful folks that will guide and mentor you.

This is very focused and helpful advice. That's my plan! I made a CVS scouting trip yesterday. That particular store seemed a bit disorganized and understocked. I'm looking for the cottonball twin packs since I need a ton, and may try the Pampers deal with my coupons.

mbmom · 06-14-2008, 08:20:39 PM

Hi! I am a newbie. I have been reading here like it is my job! But I'm not really sure what to do next. I have gotten a coupon organizer and have begun to cut coupons. I have printed some online coupons, read many of the posts on my local stores, and have made a list of the things I use in my household to stockpile. But I don't know what to do now. My next food trip won't be until next weekend, as I just went this past Thursday, and my grocery $$ is now gone. I would love to know how those of you who are well into couponing first started! Thanks!

borntoshop · 06-14-2008, 08:54:36 PM

Welcome! You sound like you're doing a great job! Keep reading and posting. You'll be able to PM as you increase your posts. Try to not get overwhelmed by picking a store you want to focus on for the week or a stockpile item you want to get started with. Feel free to PM me when you get PM privileges. Good luck!