Virtual Class #1 – Why Coupon??

If you’re like me, you never want to pay full price. These virtual classes will discuss how we use coupons, why and many other aspects of couponing. But right now, we are addressing an age old question: Are coupons worth it? You will find many people who will tell you, it simply takes to much time and energy. They say time is money, so spend your time making money. They may be right, but that doesn’t negate that fact that Coupons CAN be a very effective tool in lowering your grocery bill. Coupons must be used effectively in order to have an effect on your bottom line.

You’re probably wondering what I mean. Let’s take a look at some reasons people think coupons are a waste of time. Number one, people buy products they normally wouldn’t buy. If you’re getting a product for 50% off, lots of people will buy it! They are spending money they won’t have spent to buy a product they don’t need. With people who start couponing, this is a common problem. We have to be reminded that the manufacturers don’t really care about our family budgets. They know that coupons are a marketing tool that helps place their products in the hands of the consumer.

Number two, coupons are difficult to organize, clip and use. I hear all the time, ‘I forgot my coupons at home!’ I think to myself, ‘gosh it would be like forgetting my wallet!’ You have to look at coupons as if they are part of your budget. Getting organized and creating a good system that works is one of the only ways to make coupons work.
Number Three, you only save a little. I am a believer in pennies. In other words, little things add up quick.

Coupon success boils down to three things: Organization, Usage & Timing

- You’ve got to be organized. Read on this site about organizational strategies. My binders are infamous! I’ve even had news anchors joke about them. Binders work for me, something else might work for you.

- You’ve got to learn to use coupons. We talk a lot on WeUseCoupons.com about the quantity of coupons we use. If you only clip out one coupon, what’s the use? I buy ten papers. Many people look at me strange, but you’ve got to realize why. In order to save a lot with coupons, you’ve got to use a lot of coupons. It’s a very simple concept.

- So now that I’ve got my coupons, and I’m organized the last step is the most important: timing. Don’t just go to the store and use your coupons…..wait! Wait until the item goes on sale. Often with the additional coupon savings you will get items for nearly free. It’s an amazing concept!!

In following the three very basic steps above, I have lowered my grocery bill around 60-65%. I am very disciplined, I go with a list, I do intense planning, I never buy something I won’t use unless it’s free. (Oh by the way, I have a whole garage full of things I don’t use, but got for free!) Using coupons can be quite addicting, and sometimes we all tend to want to use them on items just because they are a good deal.

Remember, come to this site, ask questions, learn and really get involved here. We can help you, and will help you save hundreds every month!!

Because this is a class here is your homework:
On Sunday buy at least 5 papers (make sure the coupons are inside)
Get organized. Read about organizational strategies.
Use one coupon on an item that is on sale that you buy normally.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7oSQjZu5lF0

Ok I have a question for you I don't remember if you use a binder or not. If you do how big is it? If not how do you handle good deals that aren't in the sale paper? I have a 4" binder with all the coupons in it, but because it's so big and heavy I don't take it with me. I also have a smaller half inch one that I do take with me. I would love to stick to a list and only get things when they are on sale but my mom doesn't seem to be getting it and we live together. lol
Candy

I have been back and forth.....i currently use a binder and a small expandable and very portable accordian organizer. When i do my big shopping I use my binder....when it's just something quick....i use my accordian thing lol.

I use a big 3 inch binder. Many people look at me and laugh as they walk by. In the end, I get the last laugh. I pay about 50% of what I used to. Also I like the binder - I balance in one hand and turn pages as I go. You can arrange pages by the isle of favorite stores. I use little flag post-its to mark special/sale coupons. I have both the 9 pocket baseball page and the 3 pocket photo pages in my books. I like the 9 pockets, but they are small and I can get to the photo pages better. I also tape categories on my pages to flip thru fast. I offer some people some of my coupons, they acy like I have 2 heads. :::ponders that thought:::

I went and bought 10 Sunday papers today and used 6 coupons on Glade scented oil candle holders at Drug Mart. They had them on sale for 2.99, used my 2.50 off coupons and paid .49 a piece. I would have used all ten but they only had 6 on the shelf. So I paid 2.94 for 6. not bad. I am going to Giant Eagle tomorrow to buy Sunday papers that did not sell for 99 cents.

Are there certain stores that offer the Sunday paper the next day cheaper? I've been to a few stores and asked, they all say that they return the papers the following day.

I need to find some place that does that.... You know lets you buy un-sold papers for a fraction of the cost. Anyone??? I'm in NKY

OK I know everyone has their own way of organizing and so far I'm doing OK, but I fear that soon I'm going to be up to my neck in coupons and have no successful way of organizing them - so if anyone has any ideas - PLEASE share.... I'm still learning.

My problem with carrying my big binder with me is because it takes both hands to hold it. And then just barely at that. I have fibromyalgia and it affects my hands the most. Holding on to anything heavy is very hard for me to do. That's why I have a second smaller one, I go thru and pull all the coupons that go with my list and put them into the smaller one. I also put in the pages of all the ones that expire this month.

I'm a bit odd. lol Instead of having the organized by the store lay out mine is by month. It just seems to work better for me that way, because I shop several different stores and of course the lay out is different for each one. This way it doesn't matter which one I'm going to as far as how my coupons are in my binder. I did try doing it the way everyone else does it and it just didn't work for me. I also use the 9 slots pages, and I have the whole sheet ones too each one is labeled for the different stores so that when I get something I put that coupon in the one for that store so that when I'm done they are all together.

I hope that made sense.
Candy

I have a zippered binder with an accordian style file area in the front... These can be found in the school/office supply section of most stores. I use the accordian files for my ads for the week and mark them with either circles or post it tabs for pricing I want to match while shopping. (Walmart price matches on identical items)Then I have baseball card holder pages for my coupons. I bought these at Walmart for around 6 bucks for ~30 pages... but they were kinda flimsy. So I bought a different brand from Kmart and they were much more durable and a little bit cheaper. I have my coupons organized the following way, a couple pages for each...

Dental
Makeup
Lotion
Bath soap, gels, shampoos
deodorants
razors & supplies
Misc. Health coupons (bandaids, cotton swabs, etc...)
Vitamins
Digestive health
Pain relief
Cold relief
children's meds.
Diapers
Feminine
Toilet paper, paper towels
Kitchen paper supplies (napkins, paper plates, foil, ziplocs, etc)
Cleaning supplies
Smellies
Laundry supplies

Cereal
Snacks
Candy
Beverages (creamer, coffees, juices, etc.)
Refrigerator stuff (dairy, pillsbury, then leading into lunch meats)
Deli Stuff
Freezer stuffs
Boxed "instant" items (mac n cheese, betty crocker potatoes, etc.)
Canned goods (soups and broths first into all other canned goods)
Condiments
Pet Foods & supplies
Misc. (batteries, garbage bags, etc)
Rebates and offers

It's kinda bulky, BUT, I use reusable grocery bags. I put my purse on my arm, my binder in my bag of bags and throw them into the cart... Then I pull my binder out, and if I'm shopping without my kids, I put the binder resting on the child seat area. I've had several people laugh, I've heard a couple husbands actually say, "look at that" to their wives who say it's not worth the work or time... But, I've had several people say, That is such a great idea... and one guy at Walmart was so enthuised... he asked "can I touch it?" LOL... I still get a little intimidated when people are being impatient behind me in line... especially if there is a checker error or price error that must be handled, but I have told several people... I'm sorry about the wait... but I want to be able to spend my money on things I want to spend my money on, not things that I have to buy... alot of them have been ok, and those that aren't... oh, well. Hope this helps a bit.


One other thing... organize as you cut coupons... don't cut them all and then organize... it becomes a daunty task...