~~** Lots of GREAT couponing tips from the HCW mods!** ~~

mcscheatzle · 11-20-2008, 05:50:11 AM

MOD NOTE: this thread started as a wonderful RAOK to the mods.
So many great tips were shared, we wanted to keep it up in the trading area for all members to benefit from!

please tell us your best "couponing" tip.

My family and I have benefitted SOOOO much from this site over the past year. I am so grateful. I am continually amazed at my progress and the fact I don't "need" to go shopping for weeks maybe months!

There seems to be an explosion of people couponing now b/c of the economy. Hopefully this site will continue to grow and be prosperous for the owners.

Good Luck and Thanks! to all!

pennywatcher · 11-20-2008, 06:31:20 AM

I think stockpiling is an important concept for folks to grasp. I suspect that most people would be able to take a serious chunk out of their bill, without ever touching a single coupon, if they would watch the sales and buy multiples when the items are cheap.

PHmom · 11-20-2008, 07:23:29 AM

I agree and would add that I think stockpiling HBC items is just as important as stockpiling food. There are times when, if I hadn't had some in the cabinet, my DH wouldn't have had a razor to shave with - I certainly didn't have $10 to go buy a good razor at full price. And who wants to run out of TP, shampoo, or toothpaste? LOL

mom2lucas · 11-20-2008, 07:33:58 AM

The first thing I tell new couponers is that you don't have to use a coupon right away! Sometimes if the coupon isn't hot when you get it, its best to wait for a better deal. Check out ad previews and see if you can find the same item at a lower price in a few weeks. Use the coupon when the deal makes the most sense.

ShoppingCartDiva · 11-20-2008, 07:44:14 AM

Nice RAOK! :) I always tell people that just because you have a coupon, doesn't mean you should use it. :) I see too many people buying things they wouldn't, or more expensive brands/items, just because they have a coupon. And like mom2lucas said, know when to use it! It's like playing Poker, know when to hold and know when to fold.

ladywaterwind · 11-20-2008, 07:47:01 AM

What a nice raok! I think this has been my favorite one ever hehe

I always tell people that even if you don't coupon, for whatever reason, at least pay attention to the deals at drug stores. While the normal prices at CVS, WAGS, and etc are usually out of this world they have the BEST deals on HBA items, which, after meat, seem to be the most expensive area of groceries for most people.

Doreen · 11-20-2008, 07:49:46 AM

There is no way I can compete with the girls above me (those girls are seasoned couponers) but, here's my tip of the day.

I suggested this at the Kansas Coupon Group, and everyone loved the idea some did this at Kmart doubles here. I did this for my nephew when he went off to college last fall.

If you are going to be donating or gifting, spend your overage on laundry baskets instead of stackables.

greenfrog57 · 11-20-2008, 08:04:30 AM

Thanks for offering this RAOK!!! You ROCK!!!

Anyhow, my tip is to be more organized than I am.... Find a good organization system that works for you! Know where to find the coupons you need for a sale. I don't cut until I need to for a deal or trade....

ASweetHeart · 11-20-2008, 08:05:52 AM

Become familiar with the prices of different things.

For example, I know off the top of my head that small boxes Kelloggs cereal at the regular over inflated price is about $3. An ok sale price is $2.-$2.50. Buy 10 boxes after coupon price is about 3/$5. I know from expirience that I can find a 3/$5 sale every few weeks.

Now if I see a new coupon come out in inserts, tearpads or peelies for $1 off one and I'm getting low on cereal, I'll trade for a bunch even if it's not on sale at the moment. Why? Because I know a sale will be coming up, and if I wait to trade for them, I'll risk my coupons coming in late, not being able to find the coupons, or having them become so hot it's not worth trading for them.

Another tip, when you see a freebie coupon come out in the inserts, I like to wait until the absolute last minute I can before they expire to trade for them. When they first come out, everyone is ISO of them and the people who do have them often charge an arm and a leg for them. If you wait until a week and a halfish before they expire, interest in them drops dramatically and you can get them for almost nothing.