How much do YOU save?

[Nani22305]

For me I just started couponing hard core for about 3 months, it has made significant difference because I don't impulse shop like I use to, if I don't have a coupon then I don't buy it. For now the extra money goes towards groceries, I mainly save on health and beauty that are on clearance or on sale plus the coupons. Hopefully this winter I will save more on food. But it has made significant difference since I started.

[siriradha]

I'm just coming back to couponing after a long breather. Before I stopped, I had been hard-core, rushing to do every possible free or money-maker deal I came across. I was also building a giant stash for a yard sale.

Had the yard sale 2 years ago and I've still got soap, body wash, Windex, toothpaste, printer paper and all sorts of razors. I've donated tons to Ecumenical Social Ministries and other charities, too.

I keep telling myself now that I will NOT do this again. My aim now is just to stock up enough of things we actually use. It's hard, though. Every time I see a great deal, I can barely restrain myself from rushing out the door! Money-maker deals are practically irresistable, but I think about the cost of gasoline and my carbon footprint and try to back off.

In the last week, I managed to score 18 $3/1 Splenda Essentials. Many were free, but I ended up paying a little out of pocket. Still, I'm set for a long time and I can donate a couple.

[dmcnamara1964]

yea, ever since i discovered coupons sites/communities like hotcouponworld, FW, etc... i've been saving tremendously.

[franswa]

shopping with coupons has taught me how to shop wisely. Wait for sales, stocking up, not to the extreme though, just a good supply on hand to keep me ahead. I've been doing this for 4 months now and can't believe what I have been able to stock up and now I am able to spend what I save on other needed items. I'm looking at a lay off through the winter months. the stock up I've been able to do will help me make ends meet through the winter months that I am not working and keep my grocery bill down. Using coupons is the smartest move I could of made. Now I am addicted and I'm always looking for the savings.

[motherofmolly]

remember any savings is good savings. if you are averaging 20%, well that is still 20% that can go towards a bill or savings...or something else.

there are days i do 80% and others when it is more like 50%. but stocking up on sales on items we use (right now i am stocking up on langers juice for free after coupon spaghetti sauce and taco seasoning) when they are cheap or free will ultimately free up that money i would of spent later to buy those items.

[coupondad101]

I am new just like you and so far my average saving per trip is 32%. Not as much as most people here but it has helped a lot

[JulieDB]

It really depends. Last time I shopped at Albertsons I saved $17.00. Sometimes I am not able to use any coupons at all or buy anything on sale.

I do have some coupons for QFC that I am saving until I need them. I can get several free items and many more for money off.

[$Saving!]

I keep an excel spreadsheet that contains pages for each grocery/drug store I shop in.

So I know exactly what % I save at each store at any given time, by trip and running total since January 1st each year.

I also have a cumulative total of all stores.

The breakdown is how much I spent out of pocket, how much in coupon redemption savings there were and then the store sale savings.

Currently, as of typing this, over all (all drug/grocery) I'm currently at 72.16% savings since January 1st.

Last year my total savings % was just at 64%, so I'm pleased with this year so far.

[coupondad101]

I keep an excel spreadsheet that contains pages for each grocery/drug store I shop in.

So I know exactly what % I save at each store at any given time, by trip and running total since January 1st each year.

I also have a cumulative total of all stores.

The breakdown is how much I spent out of pocket, how much in coupon redemption savings there were and then the store sale savings.

Currently, as of typing this, over all (all drug/grocery) I'm currently at 72.16% savings since January 1st.

Last year my total savings % was just at 64%, so I'm pleased with this year so far.

WOW i can't wait till i get there

[$Saving!]

WOW i can't wait till i get there

I've been a serious couponer for just shy of 30 years I've moved three times during those years but always manage to get into the local routines and finding the best deals.

It's amazing over those years to see the changes in coupons, store policies, technology contributing to saving etc.

I think the most thrilling thing for me is that since my son (now 25, heading to 26 in January) was in diapers, our 'grocery budget' has remained the same all those years. Someday I may just have to go look at the rate of inflation over that time frame to see what our costs would have been had I not used coupons. I'm sure that would be an eye opener!