Economy and Couponing

[Mothernature]

I have used coupons and deal hunted for eight years. While I am not actively participating in either, I have noted changes.

The prices on the south-east coast are the same on the north-east coast. This is not a good sign for those who live in the lower cost of living areas.

Insert coupons are terrible. As previously posted, P&G had several $.25 coupons. I can't remember the last time I saw a $.25 coupon from P&G. I've found great wine and hang tags. This may suggest manufacturers feel more people are redeeming coupons or these companies are targeting a smaller subset. One can not ignore the number of people who join this site weekly. More people are deal hunting and using coupons.

I think manufacturers are reacting to the increased cost to provide their products. A company can not float if they pay for the cost of operations increase and cover the cost of the products through coupons. There is little to no profit.

If people know how to work the deal system, this issue will have little impact on their consumption.

[melodyjg]

I just wish that here in Oregon we have even a chance at winetags...I think since I started couponing heavily almost a year ago...I have seen 1!!!:frown:

[munchiegurl]

well i have barely been copuning for 3 months but i did notice a difference on last months p&g inserts to this one. last months was a higher VALUE than this months. suh as the febreeze cnadles and head and shoulders shampoo it used to be 2 dollars off last month and now this month its 1 dollar off. so i did notice that.

[tammymv]

people r asking me teach them how to coupon, including random strangers !! people r really starting to take an interest. i think coupon usage will go up !! maybe a new way for us old timers to make an additional income while helping others save !!? thinking about starting tis , but don't know where to begin. any advice would be appreciated

[essentia]

I just wish that here in Oregon we have even a chance at winetags...I think since I started couponing heavily almost a year ago...I have seen 1!!!:frown:

They come and they go. There was a time in the mid/late 90s when winetags and other nice c/o's for fresh produce, meat, seafood and cheese were everywhere. Then it dried up for a while, and now back in seasonal waves.

[mama22qts]

I think this year's crop of WT is WAY smaller than in previous years. I have also noticed that there are not nearly as many blinkies as there used to be. More pet food freebies and less people food freebies too.

[jillibean_1978]

There are no wine tags or blinkies any where here. Well, cvs has 1 over by the diapers. That's all I have seen. Walmart won't put any up. They said it's a waste.

[bubblefly23]

I have noticed a lot more couponers recently, and I've been couponing for years (well, since I was in college.....about 10 years ago.....nothing compared to some on this site!). I've also noticed more people who seem vigilant about it, like me, with their binders or accordion files open! When I first started, I never saw that.....just the random elderly woman with an envelope full of coupons. I notice a lot more moms my age (early 30s) couponing than I did just six months ago, even.

I attribute this to the economy, and the availability of websites like this. My grandfather used to file his coupons and check all the weekly circulars to match up the best deals.....but that took a lot of time and energy, something I don't have as a working mom (he was retired). Having access to this website allows me to find the best deals from the computer, and plan my strategy efficiently. I think as the economy worsens and more people who never dreamed they'd use a coupon find themselves unemployed, the popularity of this site and "playing the coupon game" will increase even more.