How to use coupons to spend the lowest amount.
Since starting my couponing journey last year, I have had to learn all the ins and outs of trying to buy things with the lowest OOP or Out of Pocket. Well, below is a picture of some items I paid ZERO out of pocket for. It is so nice to walk out of a store and you didn't spend one dime. It is really a high you get from such nice shops as this. Here is how I did it. I used my CVS Extra Care Bucks that were expiring, several coupons and the amount that was left over I paid for with a $10 gift card I received from My Points. So my OOP would have been 2.21 and with the gift card paying for that it was 0! Yeah. I am a mild couponer but sure love to stock my shelves with free stuff or cheap stuff. Who wouldn't?
Some things to remember when you first start:
1. Couponing is work. But you can choose how much time you want to spend at it.
2. Start small. I started with CVS and of course clipping coupons for grocery shopping. At this time I do not have a lot of time to run to multiple stores. Choose one drugstore and learn its ins and outs. I'm now getting many toiletries very cheaply and often for free.
3. You don't have to buy lots of papers to get coupons. I have one paper delivered every week and my in-laws get two papers and give me the inserts. I am not out to have tons of shampoos or other items because I don't have the room for storage. I do like to have enough until the next sale rolls around.
4. Couponing gets easier the longer you do it. Give it time. Like anything else in life, practice makes perfect. It also gets addictive. You really start to hate paying full price for things.
5. When life is hectic, take a break. When I am busy or have sick kids, I don't deal shop. I just wait until the next week to start again.
If you ever have any questions on starting to coupon shop and stockpile, please just ask. There are people out there that do far better than I ever do and have entire blogs on the topic, but for me it is a small part of my life that I do enjoy sharing via my blog. I'm happy to get others started.
I love CVS for this reason! I've recently discovered Totally Target too, which is wonderful, because I shop there alot. I'm definitely a "hit and miss" coupon user though I'm working on it :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for all of the tips.
Blessings,
Marcia
I should use coupons more often but with just me and the mister to buy for now it's not as important as it once was. Love your 50's kitchen. I grew up in one! Mimi
ReplyDeleteYAY! There is a new CVS by me. I'll check it out. I need to save as much as possible with a daughter going off to college next year! Thanks so, so much for the links :D
ReplyDeletexoxoxo,
Ricki Jill
I LOVE to coupon too! My daughters are really in to it and do great. I need to do more. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tips. I am going to try this after I get used to having a job again. When you are making the money, you want it to go as far as you can. (I think my husband has felt this way for a long time:)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Thanks for the shout out also!
ReplyDeleteCVS and Target are always a win...my mother just sent me practically a book of all sorts of coupons. Great post!
ReplyDeleteMy hubby and I are just getting into doing the coupon thing. Not going as good as we thought but I'll keep plugging away. I just found your blog and any other hints you have would be most appreciated.
ReplyDeleteSO GREAT! Thanks for sharing this. I wrote about coupons this week, too - and I'm just getting started in it in a more serious way. I have my CVS card and a Kroger card, and that's where I'm going to start my focus. Thanks for that tip!!!
ReplyDelete