New to "Hardcore" Couponing"!!

[mkvangilder]

HI everyone, my name is K.Kae Vangilder and I live in the panhandle of sunny florida. My husband recently lost his job and more than likely will be going on disability (we hope) due to an auto-immune disease he has had for over 2 years now. I have always clipped coupons that I would see in the Sunday paper when I would get one, or when I was somewhere and saw one I that I thought I might use (tearpad, etc) I might take it. We never really had to pinch pennies so I would get excited just saving a buck or two here and there. After reading the sites on here, I could kick myself at all the thousands and I do say thousands of dollars I have just given away for the last 10 years. We get all my husbands and families medicines at CVS and for the last two years every time I would go and pick up one of his prescriptions they would ask me if I had an EC card and I had no idea where it was, etc. so I would tell them not to worry about it! OMG I told my husband tonight that if I found out he purchased anything there without scanning it first I was going to kill him!! Like I said, even though I have always "cut" coupons I have never done anything like this but I am going "hardcore." We have to if we want to eat! Anyway, I look forward to talking with a lot of you because I am not going to hesitate to ask questions when I don't understand something. I want to understand everything so I know from here on out everything I can about keeping my money! So....first question:

I don't know if there is a site anywhere or anything on this site that goes into detail but I know my first question is how do you know what all the abbreviations mean when all you "seasoned" people talk. I understand the basic ones and the message I received when I first joined today told me the basics, but some of the posts I have read today have so many abbreviations on things I don't understand...any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

[pasharain]

I am sorry to here about your husband's illness and hope that he will get disability. My DH's dad finally got approved not long ago and it has helped them tremendously.

I became a "hardcore" couponer within the last several months and I decided to start tracking my savings on 8/27/09. I am flabbergasted at how much I have been saving and could kick myself for not starting this sooner. Since 8/27, I have saved $2,250.35 in coupons and rebates. It is an accurate figure because I am making sure to subtract anything I pay for postage or to coupon clipping services.

I had trouble with the lingo around here at first too. Here is a link to the abbreviations list. . .

Hot Coupon World Abbreviations, Acronyms, & Coupon Terms

Anyway, please accept my best wishes to save lots and lots of .

[Jillee]

Welcome! I started "hardcore" couponing a little over a year ago, and like the above poster, I still kick myself I didn't start sooner! But ah well, water under the bridge. Better now than never!! I have more than cut my grocery bill in half and with the help of rebates have cut it even more.

Don't worry about learning the lingo, etc...it will just come. Give it some time.

Again welcome! Glad you are here!

[gooseandmama]

Hello & welcome....
you are now entering the dark side (just kidding, although I do get looked at in the store with my coupons like I am weird or something...I'll pay less at the checkout than any of those gawkers )
So, strap in & hang on...because this is FUN. Couponing is now more of a sport for me & I am having a ball...you will, too. Tonight, for instance, went to my favorite store, target, to return a pair of pants...couldn't resist doing the current glade deal but 5 holiday scents & get a $5 gift card(GC)...armed with my coupons, I chose 10, had some good coupons for each...$4.55 out of pocket(OOP) & $10 of gift cards to me (first transaction). Then I had a 2nd transaction to do, some warm delights, a couple of my little pony things to put back the the darling daughter age 5(DD5), couple of febreeze candles & some of the glade imotion thingys...all of that came to $66 or so, I handed over my coupons (Qs), then 1 of the GCs he had just given me, then the 2nd, then a 3rd I had from the other night...total OOP for the last deal was $20.51..."unless you have something else up your sleeve" he says... I had another GC, I just couldn't find it at the particular moment.

A few years ago my darling hubby (DH) was diagnosed with Hepatitis C, he went through the 48 week peg-intron treatment & was unable to work for 2 years, it wiped him out that bad...this was during the same time that I had thyroid cancer. We made it through & have never been better, health-wise. God is good, all the time & you can get through this. You have come to right place to help you save money to get you through.

I'm going to send you a private message(PM) in a few... I think back, like you said, think about all the money I could have been saving all these years...I just THOUGHT I was using coupons before. When the new year starts, I'm going to try to keep up just to see what I can do in a year's time. Glad to have you, hope I can be of help sometime...

[Jillee]

When the new year starts, I'm going to try to keep up just to see what I can do in a year's time. Glad to have you, hope I can be of help sometime...

Oooo...good idea! I think it would be that much more satisfying to see the savings build up than just seeing it at each shopping trip. I have my New Years resolution! Thanks!

[jolly321]

Hi, Welcome to Hot Coupon World. We're so very happy that you found us & decided to join our online family. We value our members, as you are what makes this couponing community a success.

Our goal at HCW is to help you learn how to maximize your savings & build your financial security. So, don't be shy, come on in, make yourself at home, have fun & start saving! After saying hello & introducing yourself we suggest you start with these forums 1st. Remember, please make sure to read the stickies & the FAQ within each forum below as they contain important & helpful info compiled just for you. Remember, you are not alone as there is always someone available to help if you have questions or concerns.

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Getting Started ~ Couponing Basics for New Members - Hot Coupon World

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Welcome Aboard!

Your Welcome Wagon Forum Mods
Cin42382, Manders13 & Jolly321

[mars1990]

Sorry to hear abut your husband. I've come to think about couponing like making money! This is the place to get started and so many people willing ot help you out!

[wildnutcase]

Hello and Welcome. Be ready to get addicted. I have always couponed, but since finding this site I have gone "hardcore" as you would say. I found this site in May, joined in June and with the knowledge I have gained here I have already $aved close to $5,000 dollars. This site will teach you how to really put the deals together.

Some of the items I have saved money on I have gotten for FREE. Even if I don't need or use it; if I can get it for FREE I do and I then donate the items.

I highly recommend that you join the iTrader group, you will then have access to Qs that are regional but can still be used anywhere. I also recommend that you learn about stockpiling and start your stockpile----this has really helped my savings.

Enjoy the site and don't be afraid to ask questions............this site is very friendly and helpful.

[ash1800]

HI THERE!

welcome to HCW the world of great savings and nice people initially it seems like a different language but soon you will get a hold of everything.

Be sure to check the grocery store forum to check your local store sales and drug stores like cvs,walgreens etc to maximize your savings.

and if you like come join us in trading section so you can get the coupons you need for sales if you need more info you can pm any mod or ill be also willing to help.