Coupon Tips

It's a myth: Don't buy non-grocery items at the grocery store

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:44:00 +0000

Sometimes news websites or TV programs will run tips on how to save money at the store, and often one of them is that you shouldn't buy non-grocery items at the grocery store. And it's true, if you wander down the toiletries or cleaning products aisle, the items at their full price are often ridiculously high. But you certainly shouldn't make this a rule. The grocery store runs sales on their non-grocery products just as much as on grocery items, and you can of course always use coupons, with the added benefit that the coupon will be doubled.

As an example, a couple of weeks ago Proctor and Gamble ran a sale on their products in conjunction with Kroger. The items were on sale to begin with, but then if you bought $25 worth, you got $5 off. I bought a box of diapers, a container of baby wipes, and Swiffer dry refills, with coupons for all of them. I had $4 in coupons (counting the double bonus) so I got them all for $16, and the box of diapers alone is usually $19. I had needed Swiffer refills for weeks but I was waiting for a coupon/combo sale and was glad it came along. They put the box of refills on sale for $4 and I had a coupon that doubled to $1. Typically you cannot find a box of Swiffer refills anywhere for $3. The point is that the important thing is the price, and you never know where you'll get a good price for what. Including buying grocery items at a drug store... which is another post. :)

Best ways to get items for free, #1

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 14:55:00 +0000

Despite what Kohl's advertising says, "getting paid to shop" is fairly difficult to orchestrate, but it can be done. One of the easiest ways to do it is to save a coupon for an item that is seasonal or comes in a seasonal package until after the season has passed and the item is on clearance. This works with candy, cookies, anything that is marketed for particular season. Last week I needed coffee creamer. Coffeemate is my favorite and I had two 50-cent coupons I'd been saving until after Christmas. Sure enough, Kroger had discounted the Christmas flavors to 25 cents each. There were only 3 left, and they were gingerbread (my favorite is peppermint mocha), but still. I bought all three of them, paid 75 cents, and used the coupons, which were doubled and so worth $2. So Coffeemate paid $1.25 of my grocery bill in exchange for taking home 3 creamers. Fun times.

Defining 'high value coupon'

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:45:00 +0000

Off and on I use the term "high value coupon" and I want to let you know what I mean by that. For me, a "high value coupon" is a coupon worth at least 20% of the item's cost (or 10% if the coupon can be doubled). A 25-cent coupon off of 2 packages or 1 large package of Cottonelle bath tissue is not a high-value coupon because at the store where I shop those large packages are typically at least $8. Sometimes it also depends on what you like to buy. A 25-cent coupon off of 4 cans of Campbell's condensed soups is not, to me, a high-value coupon because 1) I don't use enough to warrant buying 4 cans very often 2) these soups almost never go on sale and when they do it's like 19 cents off the regular price and 3) the coupons are almost never good on the cream soups, which are the only ones I buy because I like them for recipes.
BUT, a 25-cent coupon off of Daisy sour cream is a high-value coupon, because the item will occasionally go on sale for $1 per container, and after the coupon is doubled, you've saved 50% off of the sale price and more like 80% off of retail.

Changing the name

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:53:00 +0000

I'm tired of posting dates in the title and feeling guilty when I miss a day when I know from my analytics that my blog gets visited about twice a week, period, LOL, so I'm changing the name and format. Just going to call it Coupon Tips and post normal titles. I'll still try to make a short post every day though. :)

Saturday 1/9/10: It's not a deal if you don't use it

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:41:00 +0000

One of the news stories I've seen about women who use coupons to "get $$$ of groceries for a penny!" showed a mom whose pantry was stocked floor to ceiling with boxes and cans of food she'd gotten for "free or almost free." A bit of a sensational claim I have a few issues with, but the point in this tip is that her pantry was stuffed full of food that was just sitting there. I recognized a lot of it because as you become experienced in using coupons you know that there is a certain set of items that you can get for very low prices because from time to time they go on a very good sale that you can combine with a high-value coupon. The food in her pantry was that--bags of Knorr sides. Boxes of Suddenly Pasta Salad. She said "if my boys are hungry they know this is where the food is." But I don't know any teenage boys who are going to go in the kitchen and whip up a Suddenly Pasta Salad. I don't know this is the case, but it looked like as time went on she found "good deals," bought items, and packed them into every corner of her pantry. But my feeling is that if I paid 50 cents for a bag of cheese, and then I don't use it because I didn't have any plans for it and forgot it was there or whatever reason, it wasn't a good deal--it was a waste of 50 cents.

Thursday 1/7/10: Don't be afraid to stock up

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:44:00 +0000

If you see a great sale and have multiple coupons for an item, don't be afraid to get a bunch of them. I tend to shy away from getting a lot of one item because I know someone who goes to the store and buys 2 cans of canned milk to make potatoes, just in case there isn't any left, then uses 1, and does the same thing the next time she makes potatoes. Result- her pantry is full of cans of canned milk and a dozen other items she does the same thing with. But as I've gotten to know how much things that I buy and use cost, and how often they go on sale and/or appear in the coupons, I know that when a big sale comes along I need to take advantage of it. This has happened before with Wanchai Ferry and Romano Grill box meal-helpers. I ended up with 4 each, and we ate them over a period of about 2 months, but I got them at a ridiculous price (about 70% off), and that kind of sale hasn't come up since and we used them all. Skintimate shave gel is my favorite--I'd much rather use it than the store brand, but can't bring myself to pay the retail price for it when the store brand is so much cheaper. So when a sale/coupon combo allowed me to get them for $1 each, I got 4. That'll last me 6 months--I still have 2 on the shelf--but I'll use them all, and again, the sale hasn't happened since. When a great price comes along, it's a waste of future money NOT to stock up, if you have enough coupons to make it worth it.

Wednesday 1/6/10: Don't get discouraged by success stories

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:22:00 +0000

As I write this I'm watching a woman on the Today Show who is known as the "coupon mom." Her advice is better than others I've seen, just because it's more realistic. Still, at the beginning, she did go on the requisite stunning shopping trip where she "got $100 worth of groceries for a quarter!"

Remember, stories like this are designed to stun you. First, WHAT did she buy? You can't eat 4 tubes of toothpaste. Potatoes and ice cream do not make a meal. Also, what coupons from previous promotions did she use? She even mentioned getting a $5 coupon back for buying 9 items from a certain manufacturer. If she was using that kind of coupon (and I'm sure she was), then she spent money previously to get it. I did this the other day. I went to Rite Aid and got Loreal shampoo and facial cleanser, 100 Tylenol, and 11 bars of Irish Spring (the only soap my husband will use--I can't get him to undo his brand loyalty, lol!) for $2.61, but I'm getting a $3 refund check back so really they paid me $0.39. But I was using a rebate check and a rebate certificate worth $17 for which I had previously spent a certain amount of money there. So really it wasn't completely free.

The "coupon mom" mentioned that realistically you should be able to save 30-50% off your grocery bill, and that's a good guideline. You're not going to get your groceries for free. There are almost never coupon for milk or eggs or produce. It's very difficult to get cereal for less than $1.50 a box. Sometimes you need baby food and nothing's on sale and your coupons are lousy. Last night I spent $50 at the store and my savings on the receipt said 17%, which is abysmal for me. I did get some things as manager's specials that didn't register in that percentage, but still I don't think it would've been more than 25%.

Another thing, this woman was at a store that would double high-value coupons, and I haven't found a store in my area that will double them over $0.50. So the point is to have realistic expectations about what you can do with the time and resources you have, and be happy you're saving (any) money!

Saturday 1/2/10: Go through your coupons

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 02:41:00 +0000

Take a few minutes to sort through your coupons and throw away the ones that expired at the end of 2009. It seems, at least for the products I buy, not many companies printed too many that would go into this year (although I've been away so I haven't gotten a paper in 3 weeks). Clearing out last year's unused coupons reduced my coupons by 2/3 I think, but remember, all the coupons you throw out represent money you didn't spend.

Friday 01/01/10: Resolve to save

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:45:00 +0000

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
Do you make new year's resolutions? I made a lot this year. So many, in fact, that I actually categorized them by personal, health, financial, etc. If you choose to make financial resolutions this year, resolve to save money in the areas of your budget that can fluctuate (i.e. food as opposed to mortgage). Resolve regardless of whether you need the savings. If you don't need the savings, consider donating farm animals in the third world through an organization like World Vision, but don't keep throwing away money you don't need to spend. Visit the coupon sites, go buy your newspapers, sit down with your scissors and the sale ads, and see what you can do with a little time and savvy shopping expertise.
And have fun!

Thursday 12/31/09: The annual/semi-annual sales are coming!

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:45:00 +0000

I hope you have some money leftover from Christmas in your household/clothing budget, or some gift cards, because January is one of the best times of the year to buy certain things. The best examples to me are Victoria's Secret and Bath & Body Works. We buy enough hand soap at B&BW in January to last a whole year, and VS is the only place I like to buy bras, but I don't like to pay the $40+ price tag for them. I also know clothing stores like New York & Company offer significant discounts after Christmas is over. These places are gearing up for their spring lines when there are still two months of winter left, so take advantage of the slashed prices!

Wednesday 12/30/09: Don't buy more than you need

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:45:00 +0000

I have a relative who frequently finds things on sale (or not) and decides it's such a good price she'll buy 15 of them. Or, she goes to the store and sees cheese on sale. She doesn't have a plan for the cheese, doesn't remember she has 3 packages in the fridge, so she buys 3 more. And does the same thing 2 weeks later because cheese is a frequently discounted item. My point is to be aware of what you have and what you'll use. Because if you buy something just because it's 60% off, you've still spent 40% of the retail price, and still spent money you didn't need to, which is the manufacturer's point in the marketing. Know what goes on sale often. Know what is a good sale. Know what you have in your supplies. Know how often you go through something. Then you'll be buying quantities smart.

Tuesday 12/29/09: Buy your Christmas stuff now

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 02:30:00 +0000

Again, it's a post-holiday window where all the good stuff isn't quite gone yet and stores are slashing prices on everything. So if you're into keeping candy around the house, decorating all over for the holidays, making cookies, or any other Christmas-season type activity, stock up now while the prices are a fraction of what they'll be next fall when you think "Oh yeah, we wanted to get a pre-lit tree this year..."

My Review of Kolcraft Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Originally submitted at Toys R Us

The Universal 2 Infant Car Seat Carrier is the solution to bulky travel systems. This compact and lightweight Carrier is all you need during the time your child is in an infant car seat!

Skip the travel system & buy this

By Sarita la profesora from KY on 12/28/2009

Pros: Lightweight, Easy To Maneuver, Easy to Set Up, Easily Stowed, Smooth Ride

Best Uses: Newborn, Infants

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

I waited a long time to review this product because when I bought it there were only 2 reviews and I wanted to add one that had some experience behind it. I've been using this stroller with my Graco carseat for almost 8 months. I walk my baby girl about 10-15 miles a week in our neighborhood in it, and our sidewalks are 40 years old. We go across grass, gravel, sticks, everything. Also it goes to the sitter's house three days a week. (I have a RAV4 but it also fits fine in the trunk of my husband's Civic.) It's been durable, a great stroller. I registered for a travel system and then deleted it from my registry and got this instead after reading reviews of the Graco version that said it was so much more convenient. I thought, I won't usually have my husband around when I'm using a stroller so I want the lightest, most convenient thing, and I'm SO glad I got this instead. It really does open and fold with one hand. The basket on this fixed the accessibility problem on the Graco at a lower price--I can pile it high and get anything out without messing with the seat. My only problem is the cupholder is too big to hold a standard bottle--a Dasani bottle topples over with any real bumps. But just a tip, a SOBE Lifewater bottle is exactly the diameter of the holder and will stay put no matter what bumps you go over. After almost 8 months of heavy use I'm a huge fan.

(legalese)

My Review of Playtex Breast Milk Storage Set

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 15:49:00 +0000

Originally submitted at Toys R Us

It's the most convenient way to store breast milk!

Guaranteed to be leak-free

Pump, store and feed in one liner

No pouring, no clean up

Freezer safe
What could be easier? There's no spilled breast milk or extra bottles to wash. Pl...

Great if you exclusively use PT bottles

By Sarita la profesora from KY on 12/28/2009

Pros: Easy To Use, Safe For Baby, Durable, Easy To Clean

Best Uses: Breastfeeding, Infants

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

I've used this system to store breastmilk for 7 months and continue to use it. I bought 2 packages so I have 2 adapters that fit my Medela pump, and 12 storage caps that I reuse and reuse. The convenience of being able to pump directly into the liner was not a huge benefit to me, because I don't usually pump enough to store at one time--at the beginning because I was pumping after nursing so didn't pump much, and now because I store 6 oz at a time and almost never pump that much. The convenience is good if you're going to use Playtex bottles exclusively, but someone gave us Walmart bottles, and baby girl decided she also liked Gerber Nuk bottles. If you're using another bottle, don't bother with this--buy the Lansinoh bags. If you freeze the Lansinoh bags flat, they thaw in 3-4 minutes. These store with the milk in a cylinder, obviously, and they're a pain to thaw. They take forever to warm in my experience. But if you pump a lot and only use PT bottles, it's a good system.

(legalese)

Friday 12/25/09: Hold off on seasonal products

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 12:45:00 +0000

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Love Coffemate's Christmas flavors? Me too. I wish they'd sell peppermint mocha year-round. I loooove it. But I hold off and wait until the week after Christmas, and hoard coupons for it, and then the store will discount it at least 50%. I buy enough to last me at least through February. It does have a "best by..." date, but remember that there's not actually any dairy in it so it's good long after that date.

Thursday 12/24/09: Try new flavors

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:45:00 +0000

So you have a coupon that's for a specific flavor, and you're going to be careful you use it correctly, as per yesterday's tip. But I want to encourage you to be willing to try new products and new flavors, with those specific-kind coupons. Often, companies who only sell an item during a certain season (pumpkin egg nog) or are launching a new item (Crackerfuls, which fell flat and was soon removed) will publish high-value coupons and severely discount the price in hopes of creating brand loyalty that will pay off later when the product is regular price and you don't have a coupon. Don't buy into that part of it, but feel free to take advantage of their big marketing push at the beginning! You could end up with a special treat you'll love. :)

Wednesday 12/23/09: Watch coupon rules: Specific flavors, etc

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:45:00 +0000

When you're buying egg nog and using a coupon for it, make sure that the coupon doesn't say you have to get pumpkin egg nog in order to get the savings, unless of course, you like pumpkin egg nog! Just be sure you're getting the right item so you're not stopped when you get to the register and then you're tempted to say, "Oh well, just go ahead and put it in, I guess." On the other hand...

Tuesday 12/22/09: It might not be a sale tag

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:45:00 +0000

While you're checking sale tags, make sure it's actually a sale tag. At Kroger they put tags the same color yellow as a sale tag on some items, but the tag just says "Everyday Low Price." It's the price it's always been, but putting a yellow tag on it makes you think you're getting a good deal. Remember, it's all a ploy to get you to buy more, and it's all based on real marketing research, so you have to be very savvy to make it work for you. But you can do it!

Monday 12/21/09: Check the sale tag

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:45:00 +0000

At the store where I do most of my grocery shopping (Kroger), they have an advertisement about how you'll find "those yellow tags" down every aisle and on the items you buy most. And it's true. But make sure you check that yellow tag to see what your actual savings is. I've seen them advertise a sale, and then it turns out that you're saving 19 cents on a 6-dollar item. Really? 19 cents? You call this a sale? I don't.

Sunday 12/20/09: Beware coupons for multiple items

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:52:00 +0000

I'm on vacation so I've missed a few days but I'm going to take a minute now to schedule some posts to appear automatically so hopefully that won't happen too much while I'm on vacation.

Today's tip is to choose carefully whether to use a coupon for multiple items. I saw a coupon a couple of weeks ago that was for something like if you bought two of these boxes of cereal, plus this drink, plus this movie, you'll get $5 back. Also, in our paper I frequently see coupons for peanut butter + jelly, or pancake mix + syrup, or canned milk + baking item, and I rarely clip them. Think of all the factors that have to come together to make them useful: both brands have to be on sale or cheap enough to be a comparable price to other brands, the coupon needs to be a high enough value, and you have to actually need and be willing to use all the items on the coupon. This doesn't happen enough for me. Once I did need pancake mix and canned milk, and both were on sale, so I saved a small percentage per item, but that's pretty rare.

Thursday 12/17/09: Don't buy paper towels

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 13:25:00 +0000

Okay, so this isn't really a coupon or sale tip at all, but it is about saving money (and the environment). I do use paper towels, but at the rate of about 1 roll every 9 months. Kleenex Viva are my favorite so when they go on sale and I have a coupon, I'll buy a roll if I'm almost out, and then that lasts me many months. And I'm a mom with an infant playing with solid foods. I know people who go through one or two rolls a week because they use them for everything, but you really don't need them to clean up spills. A dishcloth will work just as well and you can wash it. Thus you're saving money and the environment. A couple things I do consistently use paper towels for are cooking hot dogs (I wet the paper towel and wrap the dog in it to make it plump up nice & moist in the microwave) and cleaning glass. I can't think of anything else you have to have them for. Think of how you can use reusable products instead of disposable products, and you'll save money every time.

Wednesday 12/16/09: Some stores bonus coupons over $0.50

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:19:00 +0000

We traveled to Ohio for Thanksgiving and on our way there we stopped at a Kroger. I decided to get some Gerber juice for my baby since she had drunk the remainder of what we had. I had a coupon for 55 cents off of three, and they were on sale. Not a stellar buy, but still saving money on something I had to buy. When I got my receipt, behold, Kroger had added a 45-cent bonus "coupon" to make it equal a dollar. WHOA. I mean, that's the reason for 55-cent coupons--the store doesn't have to double it. So far I haven't found a store in my area that does this, but be aware that there are some that do, so you can look for one in your area. Ask your store if they're aware of any of their chain that will bonus any coupon to make it worth $1.

Tuesday 12/15/09: It's a marketing ploy: "Limit 3"

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 22:10:00 +0000

Hmm, missed a few days, didn't I?

Today's tip is another in the "It's a marketing ploy" series. Marketing research shows that people will walk by a table with a product on sale, but will stop and buy 3 if there's a big bright sign that says "Limit 3" or however many. The psychology is that you feel like if there's a limit on how many you can get, it must be a really good buy. Don't buy into it--unless it really is a good buy! Just make sure you're getting a good product at a good price... and as an added tip, if you don't need three, don't buy three.

Friday 12/11/09: It's a myth: "Buying bulk is cheaper"

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:03:00 +0000

Almost anyone will tell you that it's cheaper to buy in bulk. That is, after all, the thought behind "Value Packs" and Sam's Club and Costco, right? Well, it's not always true. Make sure you're scouting sales and figuring out the cost per item or unit.
Even cheapskates like me have certain things they just won't buy the cheapest version of. One of mine is hot dogs. I will only eat Hebrew National hot dogs. Another is pancake syrup. In our house Saturday morning is Pancake Day. I can't bring myself to buy that cheap syrup that is basically pure sugar with artificial flavorings and tastes like it. I want the pure maple syrup. Yes, I'm aware it's several dollars a bottle, but it's just that good, and we don't go through that much of it. I do buy the store brand, though. Would you believe that the larger size of Kroger pure maple syrup is more expensive per ounce than the smaller size, and has been since I've been buying it. So, I always by the smaller size.
Another example is soda. My husband loves to drink Mt. Dew. The cheapest place to get it, usually, is at Sam's. But occasionally Kroger will run it on sale, plus a buy-three/four/whatever-get-$$-off, and it turns out to be significantly cheaper than Sam's.
Just be sure you're looking to see how much it costs per item or per unit of measure to make sure you're getting a good deal.

Thursday 12/10/09: It's a marketing ploy: "30% more!"

noreply@blogger.com (Sarita) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:49:00 +0000

This is the first of an ongoing series I'll have on marketing ploys that are designed to get you to buy items but don't necessarily save you money.

Marketing research as shown that people are more inclined to buy something that has a special label on it such as "50% more!" or the like. Sometimes this means that the product contains 12 ounces instead of 8 ounces and is sold at the 8-oz price, which is a good thing. However, make sure you read the small print on the label! The other day I saw on a product, "30% more!" in big happy letters, and underneath it said in tiny letters "than the 5-oz. size." No price difference, just more product. Beware of this scheme and make sure you're getting a good deal.