Run to the store for just a few items...who does it?

[abond0017]

I have just started expanding my couponing from my once or twice monthly commissary trips to using coupons for other stores weekly sales too.

Well, this week I only saw about 3 or 4 items at each store that would be a good deal...not free...just a good deal with the coupons I have.

Does anyone make runs to the store for that little when it isn't free? I'm thinking it is a waste of my time, but I also don't want to waste this week of couponing since I just started to venture out kwim? I just don't know if it is unreasonable or if I'm just being really lazy...the stores are all just about 10 min away.

wwyd?

[angeliainwonderland]

I live in a very small town. If there are decent coupons out I will go about 3-4 times a week to Walmart. I don't like to use an insane amount of coupons at 1 time. And sometimes I get 10 or more of 1 item so I go multiple times and split em up, I don't wanna look like those "extreme couponers" on tv.
I go in an hour later 2 days a week. I almost always go by Walmart on my way in. But my town is small, so not really any extra gas expense.

[CW&M Mom]

My Walmart is about 2 minutes away. My Walgreen is the other direction about 2 minutes away. So for me...the gas I do not factor in. The time that it takes from my kids (or the chance I'd actually have to take my kids in with me *gasp*) is where I factor in whether it's worth it or not. If I have family in town that can watch my kids...I'm more apt to go more often.

Now the Target/Dillons stores are far far away from me...a big drive, and nothing in between but corn and soybean fields. So those I typically only do once a month or more often If I"m already in the area for other reasons.

[belinda2]

I pop in and out of stores for a few items. Most of my stores are within a few miles. My Dad has cancer and is living with us and I'm preparing 3 meals a day and no matter how careful there is always something I need. So I use the time to buy sale items with coupons and stock up when possible. Yesterday I was able to pick up bacon and sausage for $1.89 each and bought 6 4pound bags of sugar at 1.18 with coupons. The sugar was my required $10 expenditure for the discounted meat. Forgot the half and half which means another trip and I'll pick another store for their sale items.

It allows me to save and relax as caregiver.

[amylynne01]

Yeah. I use quick trips to the store as a way to entertain my kiddos. They love going to the store, riding in the cars (carriages), seeing different things, counting, etc. But we stick to stores close to home - all my stores are in my town or the 2 surrounding ones. Plus I combine those trips with the bank and post office, so it's not totally wasted.

[ChrisMiss]

I too have expanded my shopping trips to include shopping sales at other stores. Previously, I just bought what we needed at the time I was shopping. Now I'm shopping ahead and building a stockpile of items that we use and I'm buying them on sale and with a coupon. Savings are already starting to build up.

[434Teresa]

I try to make only one trip a week, but sometimes I do 2 but also other weeks I dont go at all.

I however dont run from store to store when I can price match the ads at walmart and be done in one stop. Gas is to high here also.

[abond0017]

I try to make only one trip a week, but sometimes I do 2 but also other weeks I dont go at all.

I however dont run from store to store when I can price match the ads at walmart and be done in one stop. Gas is to high here also.

See that's the thing. No Walmart here so there really isn't a one stop shop place.

I think I am definitely going to pass when I only see about 3 products I want to buy. I can't justify driving 20 min round trip and taking at least 15 more min of my time at the very least in the store just to save on a few items. So, I may not even do the once a week thing if I can't get more than a few items.

I don't really "need" to go to the store for anything else during the month cause I get most of my everyday needs shopping done at the commissary. I was just hoping to use the other stores to help build up my stockpile, but I guess I'll just have to do that on better sale weeks.

[bryansilvia]

I would do it if you had a bunch of coupons for the item so you can stock up on them.
But if its just 3 things and you only have 3 coupons.. I say wasted trip.

[3timesoccermom]

Yep, we have to go for just a few items at least once a week sometimes more and if Hubs wants something sweet that we don't have he never hesitates to jump in his truck and go get that one thing. Plus I've gone from fixing 4 lunches every day to only 2 but I still have to have fruit, vegetables, juice, bread and other breakfast/lunch staples every week. I refuse to freeze bread since I was raised on dried out sandwiches and fruit only lasts so long so those have to be refreshed every week and at those times are when I pick up the sale items I want. If there is something highly desirable I'll go a couple of times to stock up on it. My main grocery stores are only about 2 and 5 miles from me and there is a WM in every direction about 6 miles or so away.

abond - don't worry much about how you are doing things now. Everything will change with the baby's arrival anyway. You may find yourself going to the store just to get out of the house.