This is the question I've been chewing on for quite some time. I read the coupon blogs hoping to be inspired. They make it all look so easy! However the amount of time that these ladies put into it is a bit on the ridiculous side. Clipping coupons, running from store to store, researching in hopes of getting that good deal. Maybe if I though of it as a part time job...nope still not feeling it. I do know this, I LOVE to find a good deal. There's something about the thrill of knowing I got something I need (or want) for a great price.
Update: So last night one of the coupon gals had gone through the sales at Target & Albertsons and basically said exactly what to do and where to find the coupons. So I thought, what the heck. I spent the evening print out coupons and making a list in hopes of finally being hooked on the coupon idea.
Here's what I got:
6 bottles of Mayo
4 Bottles of Italian dressing
6 Bottles of BBQ sauce
Orange juice
12 pk Bounty Paper Towels
Bar Keepers cleaner (I didn't have a coupon but need it anyway)
Total $13.56 (saved $30.04)
After looking over the receipt, they didn't take off two of my coupons which would have saved me $2 more dollars.
The verdict: Even after seeing the savings, I'm not sold on all the work that I had to put into the before shopping prep (around two hours). Then to get to the stores to find three of the awesome deal items (Easy Mac, Ritz Crackers, & 100 cal snack packs) at both the stores were out. With the coupons I had prepared, they would have only cost between $0.10 & $.12 each. All that printing & cutting for nothing. It was a total let down. I much prefer going out and being surprised by a good deal rather than setting out thinking I will get an awesome deal and not.
Are you a bargain hunter? Do you clip the coupons? Why or why not?
5 comments:
We've had this discussion. In line at Target I believe:) I like to find a score out of no where!
I like a good coupon, but don't have the time, energy, or desire to do all the prep work. I like the ones I don't have to work for! :D
I have to have a really good coupon to use it. I like a good deal but I don't search the internet or hop stores just to use a coupon. Waste of gas there's really no savings. I go for things like day after Thanksgiving, Easter, & Halloween. I've tried to keep a little coupon holder in my purse but I forget what's in there and forget to look.
It is such a good idea. So much time (I don't know if I am will ing to give that up).
I think you may know that I am a coupon-a-holic. I put in about 5 hours a week between searching the deals (made way easier by www.afullcup.com), clipping, sorting, etc. With that 5 hours, I save 72% on my grocery/toiletries bill per month. Plus not only am I saving a ton, but I am constantly adding to my stockpiles if I ever need them. I am able to go for weeks w/o a trip to the store, other than fresh fruits/veggies. It has definitely cut our monthly food budget down. Plus it's so much fun.
I took my mom out yesterday thinking we'd do okay, considering no one around here doubles coupons and I was missing most of my coupon stash, but we ended up spending under $12 for over $180 worth of groceries and toiletries. Heck, Alberston's ended up PAYING us $4.75 for over $20 worth of stuff.
I promise you it's worth it, there is just a HUGE learning curve. I probably spent 6-8 hours per day (okay, night) for the first 3 days just trying to wrap my mind around it all. Anyways, just had to add my two cents. :P Glad you were able to snag a bunch a good deals though!
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