Okay being an avid couponer there are few misconceptions.
1. I can regularly buy $200 worth for $20.
Truth: That is a rare occurence and usually requires a serious amount of coupons and a triple sale. I am not saying it does not happen but it is not as often as people think.
2. I can feed my family of 6 for $30 a week.
Truth: Sure if you want totally prepackaged food! If am down to that number it is because I have a fairly well stocked pantry and I am just replenshing. I mean, milk alone is almost $3 a gallon and bread is another $1 on average. there is already $4 gone. Of course there are those that only buy powdered milk.
3. Couponing is easy.
Truth: Couponing is a pain in the butt! But ever so worth it!
Now to give a few examples of couponing. I found coupons for electrasol on ebay. Cost me approx $1 per coupon. not quite but close. I got 20 of them. The item was free with coupon. So I spend $1 per box on something that I normally spend $4 a box. A savings of $3 per box for a total of $60. It won't go bad! so I won't have to buy that stuff for a year. Another one: coupons for franks red hot, .50/1 double at kroger and get the little bottle for free. We use a ton of this stuff. cost of bottle: $1 After I get the coupons I usually average about .05 per bottle. I usually have about 30 bottles at a time in my pantry. Lipton noodles and sauce, again .50/1 double at kroger usually free (watch for sales) cost of bag: $1 cost about .05 per bag. So just on these items I would have spent: 20 x $4 = $80 electrosal, 30 x $1 = $30 franks, and $20 x $1 = $20 Lipton for a total of $130. I actually spent 20 x $1 = $20 electrosal, 30 x .05 = 1.50 Franks, and 20 x .05 = $1, lipton, for a total spent: $22.50 less what it would have cost me: $107.50 for a total savings. These are just 3 items that at the store I get them for free, thought there is a cost getting the coupons sometimes. Now, keep in mind a few things, I have a pantry that is about 3 x 5 that i put a shelving unit in, which is where I store my items, and my cabinets hold the rest. Sometimes I do run out of room and that does get interesting!!! Recently Kroger had a deal that if you bought a package of Cottonelle for kids you got a B1G1 free. Well, I happend to have bought on e because I had a $1 off and it was on sale for 1.99 so I was thrilled when I got the catalina. I have been using them ever since. even at the usual price of $2.99 I am getting 2 packages for that cost and they are usually bigger rolls than the cheap stuff. and usually they are on sale for $2.50 or less. Also recently kroger had a coupon printing that if you bought 3 or 4 hamburger helper you got a coupon for $1.50 off meat. So Cool! and the hamburger helper happend to be on sale for $1 that week. Now, we dont' buy a lot of that stuff but sometimes I do make it. So I have some stocked up now. Those items above are just 3 of the items I do this with, there are more. Just trying to give an example. If I can save $20 or more off any shopping order I am thrilled. I just try to do what is best. Unfortunately the sales and coupons do not happen on a specific day you have to watch and be prepared which is how the above poster got 10 bottles of ketchup for free (I am sooo jealous, I never get that one for free) if you do this enough you will notice a drop in cost cuz you will have some stocked up. If you don't have room in your kitchen get creative, buy one of those short tubs and fill it up and stick it under your bed or the kids bed, tub keeps the buggies out and easily accessible. Sorry so long and believe me I could go on and on and on and on and on ........
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