Met this gal at the store tonight - A HCW member in the news

[bparker493]

This was filmed at the South Commercial Safeway in Salem, Oregon. I was the other person in the video. I'm Barb. Luana has the large coupon box. I should add that she has two. One for food items and one for non-food items. I don't lug all my coupons around like that. I just take what I intend to use.

Luana and her sister keep the food pantry at her sister's church stocked. That's why she buys so much stuff.

It was filmed during the Savings Rally. In Oregon, we are limited to four double coupons per trip, up to a maximum of $.50 each.

I rolled my previous $20 SR coupon and used a Kraft $2 catalina and a couple of $1 Glad catalinas to get my balance down that low. The news people wanted the total to be low so we planned that trip very carefully to make it work out that way.

Luana's $150 in savings wasn't from WAGS. It was from rolling her $20 SR catalina on the Rice A Roni. They were $25 for 25 of them - $20 SR catalina - several $.50 off one coupons - $2 double coupons. She had a profit for every transaction and had to buy other items to eat up the difference. She was ending up around $13 profit on each transaction. She bought meat with the difference because it's one thing you don't normally get for free.

I think the folks on this board are way more advanced than the Supersavers group and I appreciate you all very much. I've learned so much here.

The Supersavers group was meant for the stores in Salem Oregon although they will work elsewhere if the same stores exist. HCW has far more posts and better deals than our board. Most of our members aren't interested in doing "power" couponing, they just want to learn to save more money.

Originally Posted by bparker493 This was filmed at the South Commercial Safeway in Salem, Oregon. I was the other person in the video. I'm Barb. Luana has the large coupon box. I should add that she has two. One for food items and one for non-food items. I don't lug all my coupons around like that. I just take what I intend to use. Luana and her sister keep the food pantry at her sister's church stocked. That's why she buys so much stuff. It was filmed during the Savings Rally. In Oregon, we are limited to four double coupons per trip, up to a maximum of $.50 each. I rolled my previous $20 SR coupon and used a Kraft $2 catalina and a couple of $1 Glad catalinas to get my balance down that low. The news people wanted the total to be low so we planned that trip very carefully to make it work out that way. Luana's $150 in savings wasn't from WAGS. It was from rolling her $20 SR catalina on the Rice A Roni. They were $25 for 25 of them - $20 SR catalina - several $.50 off one coupons - $2 double coupons. She had a profit for every transaction and had to buy other items to eat up the difference. She was ending up around $13 profit on each transaction. She bought meat with the difference because it's one thing you don't normally get for free. I think the folks on this board are way more advanced than the Supersavers group and I appreciate you all very much. I've learned so much here. The Supersavers group was meant for the stores in Salem Oregon although they will work elsewhere if the same stores exist. HCW has far more posts and better deals than our board. Most of our members aren't interested in doing "power" couponing, they just want to learn to save more money.

This is awesome! Thanks so much for giving us some details to the news clip! Great job organizing a local group-I'm sure a lot of people appreciate your efforts!

[nrpeace17]

Hi Barb, it's great to have you here. I was really impressed with your shop, you go girls!

[4rsavings]

Originally Posted by mytuesdays I saw that segment on the news. Any idea where she got that coupon organizer?

Hi this is Luana (from the news blip).

My coupon Organizer was from eBay. It is from 4 best bargains is the seller, here is the link to the auction I bought from :)
Pro Deluxe Coupon Organizer-4 Case Box - eBay (item 200179021360 end time Jan-24-08 08:06:40 PST)

If you buy 2, you get $10 off. I use one for my Grocery & one for NON grocery items :)

happy Couponing ALL!

Luana
By the way, the other gal on the video was Barb Parker & she is the owner of our local Yahoo group :)

[queenofthehivemomof5]

howdy Barb and Luana...great job you guys did on that shopping trip!

[bparker493]

A couple of other interesting things I forgot to mention...

They filmed us for about an hour. Isn't it amazing how little gets used out of all that?

As mentioned in previous posts, the anchor person introducing the story wasn't at the store at all. A Field Producer and a Camera Person came out. They were not in any of the shots. They told us that they do all the work and someone else gets all the glory.

My 12y DD came with me on this shopping expedition (as she does on most). She was too shy to be on camera. She's been wondering if I'm going to get stopped in the aisles and asked for my autograph. Not likely!! However, the jokesters at work have been bugging me for my autograph.

[nrpeace17]

Welcome to you also, Luana.

[Esthermo]

This is so cool. Thanks for the link to the organizer. I was just telling DH that I need another organizer. I am still using the beginner style coupon holder. I have 3 now and I can't even close one because there are so many coupons in it. I had to take out one catagory today because I was worried it would spill while I took it out with me.

[4rsavings]

Hi Barb! Didn't see your post until after mine - LOL

Hi Julie! It was great chatting with you the other day!!!

I am very new to this group, but for myself, find this group WAY more advanced in their/your savings. Our Yahoo Group is great for new people and hopefully it grows and helps others to save money, but I find I learn alot more from this group. You all ROCK!!!

One thing I wanted to mention about the coupon organizer I have, it has a nice side area for a mini calculator & pen. They say it is for a checkbook/credit card, but honestly, I prefer my debit card to be in my pocket.... I don't suggest leaving it in the cart with my coupons. If you want pictures of it, just let me know :)

IF you buy a coupon organizer, DO NOT just buy one that is up for auction. They have a 1-800 # to call, so call them and chat, you'll get a better deal. They are very nice people, I think his name was Bill (?) They will use your material if you send it to them, I just got a pure black one and then a Coke designed one. (Sorry Pepsi) They didn't have a Pepsi option :(.... But I got different materials because I can tell which one is which without opening it.

Another hint: If you don't/can't buy 2 right now, try to go together with a friend so you both can share in the savings.

Also, I made my own labels. They have a numbering system, which I am sure works fine, but for me, my tabs were easier.... I also took some plastic pouches, cut them and seal-a-mealed them to the size I wanted, then used a hot glue gun to put them on the inside of my lid. This has been SOOOOO helpful to me!!

Barb is correct, my sister and I donate almost everything we get to my sister's church. We also are part of a church network in the area that helps families in crisis situations. We also adopt 10+ families a year during the holodays and stock their cupboards with food on top of giving gifts for the family & children. We love doing it and feel really blessed to have the knowledge that allows us to have this ability.

As Barb stated, my savings was pure profit from the coupons I used at Safeway. The first week of the savings rally I focused all my extra savings towards London Broil ($1.99 lb) & Chicken Breast ($1.49 lb). I stocked my freezer with about 40 lbs of London Broil and 20 lbs of Chicken Breast. I also bought produce and such that we never get much of a discount on.

I just got home from a Safeway and here is what I got:
1 Box Total Raisin Bran$3
7 Bags Flat Earth Chips 2/$5
2 Box Quaker Life $6
2 Box Quaker Cinn Life $6
4 Box Honey Bunches Oats $8.00
1 Vitamin Water $1
4 Pillsbury Pie Crusts 4/$10
8 Bertolli Dinners $39.92 (@$4.99 ea)
2 Windex Antibacterial $3.99

After all coupons and catalina's at the register I paid $5.11 and got 2 free movie tickets :)

I love couponing :)

Thanks for your support everyone! I am really glad I found this group!

Luana

[TheWoman]

I bet that ebay seller is wondering why sales have increased so dramatically lately...