Are the coupon claims for real?

[midnight]

I keep reading about these people who say they can cut their grocery bill by 80% - 90% through coupons. I just don't see how that is possible. I have tried a little and I can't even get close to saving 50% off my grocery bill.

Is there some secret that I am not aware of or is it all a big scam?

[crosses]

I think that getting great deals with coupons has become harder over the last year. Most coupons are not near as generous as they once were and now they are mostly for new products.

I think a lot also depends on where you live. If you live in an area of the country where the grocery stores double or triple the coupon value, then it is much easier to save that if they don't.

It also depends on how dedicated you are. To get 50% or more, you can't expect to only look in your Sunday paper. You need to join coupon groups, trade, search where the best place is to redeem them. etc. I think the ones that save a lot you could consider professional couponers.

[terry1156]

I don't get anything near that, but I do save about $10 a week using store coupons and collecting from the Sunday paper. It isn't a full time. I only get them when they are convenient, but it is worth doing. I could probably save more if I put more time into it.

[emily1067]

A great site about coupons is cutouthunger.org....it helps you figure out which stores offer the best deals and which coupons to use. It also benefits a great cause!

[Luv2shop]

It really depends on what you buy and if you have coupons for everything. I can save anywhere from $40 to $70 a week of my bill using coupons. You can write (email) the companies that you buy their products and ask for coupons or free samples.

[katwoman]

I've been couponing for a year now and have seen significant savings. Maybe in the new year I'll actually track what I spend vs what I saved but there is definately no money crunch now.

The key for me is I only buy products we use and that have shelf life. Like mayo, canned broths, soups, paper products, 2L sodas, etc. As for perishables, unless you have a coupon, try to buy from ethnic markets for a savings in money. Also using a FoodSaver device helps to stretch grocery shelf life.

Sometimes savings are right in front of you and you don't see them! For example, I get a home mailer with a coupon from a gas station. For an 8 gallon gas purchase, I can buy a gallon of 2% milk for 99 cents! This mailer has had the same coupon every month for YEARS and I just took advantage of it! Now I'm asking my neighbors for theirs since they're probably not using this coup either.

Really, there are sooo many tricks that you have to get on a couponing board like www.dealagogo and see how others are doing deals.

[marjorie]

I'd suggest all of the above. Start tracking the sales for the stores in your area. Soon you'll have an idea of their usual cycle, often 6-8 weeks. Armed with this information you will know what to pick up at the coupon sites. Writing to manufacturers is also a great idea. It can be pretty time-consuming. When my stores triple (and they always double $.99 and under), good deals can be found. When I first started stockpiling my budget was so low the 1st stockpile was a $.20 can of vegetables! Pay attention to how much you can expect to use so nothing goes bad. The very best I ever did was 85% off my bill, but little fresh fruit, vegies or meats were needed that week. Glad to help if you have questions.

[flash]

Absolutely true. I am disappointed if my sales slip shows less than 2/3s off the "regular price". Of course, the regular price may be out of line. I tend to stick with one grocery that I know, buy only things that are on sale AND have coupons, and stock up.

Two months ago the store had buy 8 cans of Campbell's select for 1.29 each and get $8 off your purchase, just their loss leader to get you in the store and spend more. I bought 8 cans of soup, used coupons, and got the soup for free. It will last in the pantry for awhile. I try to maximize these kinds of deals to stock up, then supplement with perishables on sale or where needed. If you have the ability to stock and store, and ONLY buy coupon/sale/rebate items, you can really save.

[markio26]

i try to purchase a case at a time.. for example.. apples had tomato soup on sale, i had 12 coupons for campbells.. i think it cost me $6.00 and that was without double or triple coupons.. when i find a sale i stockpile.. if it is 50% off i buy 2... if it is 75% off i buy 12 and use it or it goes into my gift box.. it depends on the item...

[Amy752]

I think the people who are getting 80-90% off are doing a couple things... First, they only buy things on sale with a coupon (nothing else!) and their supermarket doubles (or sometimes even triples) the coupons. It is possible, but a lot of work.

[Tree0164]

Some people do get some good deals. But some will buy stuff that they do not normally need. I don't use coupons alot unless it something that I can get a good deal on. I tend to buy generic.

[nickie33]

Originally Posted by midnight

I keep reading about these people who say they can cut their grocery bill by 80% - 90% through coupons. I just don't see how that is possible. I have tried a little and I can't even get close to saving 50% off my grocery bill.

Is there some secret that I am not aware of or is it all a big scam?

saving coupons is the best thing a person can do for their family, you can get coupons everywhere , on boxes, in bags, sunday paper, call all of the
manufactures most of them will send you coupons and samples let your
friends and family know so they can save their paper for you, some stores
have machines with coupons next to a product you might not need the coupons right them but take one for later, watch your local store adds for the best prices,learn the stores coupons rules there are ways to get around most of them, see if any of the local stores double of even triple coupons, in my town marshs triples coupons the begining of the month and meijers triples the end of the month and before you print out online coupons make sure there is a store near you that you can use them at you dont want to wast paper or ink and go to the store web sites most of them have coupons, fast food, clothing, hardware, office supply ect. think about what you need and how you can save before you buy