When you say you’ll never do something, and then you end up doing it, you inevitably learn things about yourself in the process. Such is the case with couponing.
Here are just a few things I am learning about myself:
1. I didn’t really understand couponing (and even made fun of it!)
I am so thankful Carrie from Grocery University had pity on me and let me know about her program! I can’t help but think it is a God-thing that I ran across something that made this couponing thing crystal clear. And to those who took the brunt of my skepticism for all these years…a humble apology.
2. Saving money at the grocery store motivates me to save money in all areas of my life.
I was so surprised how that first shopping experience lit a fire under me to find other ways I could save money. In addition to that, I was less likely to want to go back to the store for something extra because I did not want to mess with my successes.
3. I don’t utilize my pantry like I should.
Honestly, some of the biggest savings for me in this whole venture has come from shopping my pantry and using what I have on hand wisely. Often, just the addition of one or two ingredients creates an entire meal from my pantry alone. In fact, I am usually able to pull 2-3 meals per week from my pantry. That creates significant savings overall.
4. I must be getting older (and wiser), because I’m not being obsessive.
Once upon a time I was all or nothing. Couponing felt like an all or nothing thing to me prior to listening to the GroceryUniversity audios. However, once I dug in, I realized it didn’t have to be. I may never be the gal who walks away from the grocery store with $80 worth of groceries for $5, but I can do a little bit and be light years ahead of where I was.
5. I am not alone in my couponing hesitation.
I have had MANY conversations with other moms (some of you even here on the blog) who have the same hesitations as I had about couponing. Many of you are raising larger-than-average families and just don’t feel as if couponing is for you.
It is because of these questions and concerns, I want to introduce you to Holly from iGoBoGo.com. She is a Christian mommy of 6 little blessings, so she knows what she is talking about when it comes to managing a large household AND couponing.
So, what are your concerns about couponing? What keeps you from jumping in? What specific questions do you have when it comes to using coupons for your family’s grocery needs? Have you tried before and found reason to quit? What couponing questions keep you up at night?
Ask away! Holly will answer!
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I Said I Would Never Use Coupons Series:
Grocery University Convinced Me To Try
Where I Started
My First Shopping Trip
What I’ve Learned About Myself – this post
Holly Answers Your Coupon Questions
Roan says
I have only been couponing since January, and I was a skeptic before too. I am still not the Coupon Queen! Like you, I know I will never buy a cart full of groceries for $5, but I am motivated by my small, but steady savings. I have trimmed about $80-100 a month from our grocery bill. That is worth it to me. And you are right, saving money at the grocery store does trickle to other money areas of your life. I am challenging myself to really cut back for the month of August. We’ll see!
I plan to read the links you listed to see what else I can learn.
Thanks for this series!
Kate says
Okay, my biggest problem with couponing is finding the darn things. If I bought national brands it wouldn’t be hard, but I don’t. I shop exclusively at health food stores and farmer’s markets. I know there ARE coupons out there for organic brands and health food stores, and believe me, when I see a good sale I do take advantage of it. Or if they hand me their sales flyer I will look through the coupons and use the ones that work. But I just don’t have the time to dig up all those more obscure coupons. I have found Saving Naturally recently (started by Stephanie at Keeper of the Home) and that’s helping some. But what other suggestions do you have for finding coupons, for, say, Annie’s bunny crackers? Thanks!
Robin @ Pink Coupon Cafe says
Amy..
I’m so glad to read that you’ve jumped in on couponing. Be careful — it can be addictive. But..it’s like I tell me husband — he enjoys hunting deer, I enjoy hunting a bargain!
It was so nice to meet you at Savvy Blogging, and I hope you’re doing well.
Have a blessed day.
Robin
Elisabeth says
My question is: Can you really coupon if you eat very healthy?
My family eats tons of fruits & veggies and lean proteins. I never see coupons for that stuff! Sure I can coupon for a few boxes of cereal or a few yogurts but that’s only 20% of my total budget.
Thanks in advance!
Celee says
Most coupons are for things we don’t normally buy since I try to make things from scratch. I do use coupons for cleaning supplies and that kind of thing. When I did coupons before I always had tons of them in my wallet. I spent hours finding them and clipping them and sometimes they would expire before I used them. Other times I wondered if it was worth the time and energy for the minute savings. Now I use coupon books- like the ones from Target that come in the mail and shop the circular add of our local grocery store. I may not save quite as much as before, but life is more sane:).
Jenn @ Beautiful Calling says
It’s funny how many times our “nevers” happen. I guess never say never rings true 🙂
JustCorey says
Since i got married (a little over a year now) i have NOT used coupons. My mom usually had a mess of coupons when i was growing up but it always seemed to be for obscure products that we never actually used. I didn’t want to end up with piled up coupons like that so i have never tried. Plus the past several months, since i had my son, my husband has been doing the shopping– i dont suggest that if you want to eat healthy 😉
I may look into it more now that i have read of some of your success. Having a little one now makes me want to save more to help his future… and if i can stay sane looking for coupons, it will more that likely help me too.
Rebecka says
My question for Holly would be “where can I easily find coupons for the things *I* use?”. I spend $800 a month for my family of 8 (2 adults and 6 kids under 11 who eat a lot!). These are the things I buy the most of:
produce is at least 30% (probably more) of my budget
milk, eggs and cheese
flours and other baking supplies
oatmeal (plain, not instant), rice
meat from local butcher
I make our own: bread, yogurt, cookies, cakes, tortillas. We put up veggies from our garden and make our own jam and syrups.
We can’t eat anything with fake food colors/dyes or flavors, or msg…not by choice, but by necessity. That’s like half the store and 90% of all food coupons I see.
Even for cleaning products…we cloth diaper and use cloth wipes. I use vinegar and scouring powder for most cleaning. I can’t use any scented products for anything.
I’d be THRILLED to save even $50 a month…but how? BTW, stores in my area (Western WA) do not ever double coupon and many won’t accept internet coupons. I also live a smallish town, so no CVS, no super walmart, no target. Only two local grocery stores and a regular walmart.
Any ideas?
Brianah says
We live on a really tiny grocery budget. We have $180/month to feed me, my husband, and our 11 month old son (who is currently on formula). Our grocery budget is also one of the few places I can cut from if we are having money trouble. Luckily I am on WIC right now and so that covers our milk, beans, rice, eggs, and some cheese. We are trying to eat healthier and it has been so frustrating. I have tried couponing before with little success.
My questions:
How do you make coupons work when you don’t buy name brands? When your grocery stores don’t double coupons? When you don’t shop at Walmart?
When Aldi’s won’t take them?
When you don’t buy commercial cleaning supplies?
How do you keep track of coupons so they don’t expire before you can use them?
How do you keep track of them, period? I have never had luck being able to use them when I need them/be able to find them easily.