YOU In Bloom ~ Clip it to the Bank
Coupons Gotcha Down?
(Yes, that’s my dorky hubby! Don’t we make a great pair?!)
On a fairly regular basis, I receive emails from newbie couponers that say they want to give up….. They want to throw in the towel and the coupons 😉 ! They’ve had a bad experience with a mean cashier, their coupon beeped, they’ve invested 5 hours organizing and still don’t know what is what, they’ve over-spent at the grocery store because their coupons didn’t scan properly, the person behind them in the checkout line scowled and glared…. And the list goes on and on.
I know from experience that couponing can definitely present a variety of challenges, but I also know that in the long run, it is absolutely worth it! I am dedicated to providing words of encouragement and sharing my own experiences as a means to help beginner couponers have a successful journey into the amazing world of saving money. Today, I ask you to do the same…. Please lift the spirits of these struggling readers by leaving words of motivation, inspiration, and wisdom below! 🙂
Thank you so much for participating!
What is your husband doing in this pic? pointing to….??
To be honest, I have no clue! 😉
Just a thought….I think every store should have a coupon only line, then we couponers wouldn’t feel so bad about taking too much time at the check out line…
BTW I just got my free No Nonsense socks in the mail today, fits size 4-9? they better stretch! lol so cute w/the baby blue stripes..
What a great idea!!
The coupon-only line, I mean…
I agree too. It’s like some places have credit only or cash only, why not coupons? Maybe they’re afraid if someone comes in line and they refuse to take a coupon all the couponers may retaliate?
I wish there are such things like checkout line for couponers!
That is a great idea!! And only the coupon friendly cashiers can run it! rofl
Don’t give up. I am new to the whole “coupon thing”, and I love it. I can’t believe how much money I am saving!
I have only been using coupons for a month and it has really changed my life. The first trip was exciting. Then the next few trips were hard becuase I thought I had it all worked out, but my coupons beeped at walgreens and I scurried around looking for filler. I got glared at by the manager at Rite Aid and had a woman in line get mad at me for using so many coupons. In response to all of this I say, give it time. I have worked out a better system for bringing coupons in the store, so I can have it all prepped before I check out. I am now more familiar with each of the stores, so I am a little better at avoiding the beeps. If I think I am right and the product is worth it, I do ask for a manager. Why should I pay more when the manufacturer is going to reimburse them? The money that I save for my family is going to help us to a path of greater financial security, which is a gift I want to give myself and my husband. We work so hard for our money, why should I give it away because of a few negative people?
That being said, I do try to do the following:
Organize coupons before check-out
Always be super nice to cashiers
Let people with only one or two items and cash in hand go in front of me
Thank the cashier for taking the time to put up with my coupns. Sometimes a smile and a little charm can go a long way.
Finally, if I have a ton of coupons for a great deal, sometimes I will gift a set to a nice cashier I use a lot. Never hurts to pass it on!
Stick with it and know that the time and effort of your labor will pay great dividends for your family.
Great tips!
I totally agree with the organize coupons before you get up to the checkout. I will just pull my cart over in an empty aisle and sort through to make sure all my coupons are sorted out and that they match with the right products. It saves time and frustration.
I am new (really tried this for a month) to couponing. Over the years I’ve used some here and there but I’m really trying to do better. I went on a trip to Wal-mart today and saved $22. I know to those of you that have been doing this for awhile that may not be much but I felt good about it. My husband was impressed, too. But I wouldn’t have been able to save that much if not for this website and some others that I check everyday and find out about savings. I can’t thank you enough! I am a stay at home mom. I have a child with a disability and I stay home so I can help him with whatever he needs but that is the choice my husband and I have made and we make it work. I also have a 6 year old who I am trying to teach about saving money to and this is also a way to do that. We are taking baby steps but I think we will get there and learn each day and hopefully save more the next time we go shopping. It’s fun trying to find the deals. So if your getting down, just keep your head up and keep at! It’s a learning experience but try to keep it fun and see what cool things you can find out there! Sorry to rattle on but I would hate for someone to give up too soon. I would give it a little while before I throw in the towel.
I think it’s great you saved $22!! To me any amount saved is an awesome deal if you needed the items anyway! Great job!
Don’t fret, just remember that you are going to save money! If a coupon doesn’t work then tell the cashier to take it off your order, if the cashier gives you grief then don’t be afraid to tell them to cancel your order. If you have alot of coupons and someone comes up behind you in line kindly tell them that they might want to go to another line because you have coupons and it make take you longer than expected. If need be then call upper management to have any problematic situations handled accordingly. And remember that if you miss a sell it’s ok because you will find many more to take it’s place. Good luck, and keep clipping.
my mom told me when she and my daddy were newlyweds, she clipped coupons. she kept track of every coupon she used, and put however much she saved into a jar (so if she used 2.50 worth of coupons, she put 2.50 into the jar). she used that money to buy their first color TV (this was the late 70s, so not everyone had color back in the day 🙂 )
i know i sometimes will let myself have a treat (like spending my register rewards on new makeup, or using overage to buy a snack) as a reward for my coupon using…
think of couponing as a way to treat yourself, not a chore, and it’s more fun!
That is a great tip! Just remember to have fun! Try not to stress yourself out!
Yesterday I had the craziest experience & it didnt have to do w/ a cashier it was a fellow customer a grouchy old man, actually. (There is a encouragement after I sware…). As a friend and I were leaving rite-aid I told her to hold on to her reciept and we could do the huggies rebate and this man told me “don’t bother with all those coupons”, I kindly said “but I’ve learned to save alot of money with them” he then says to me ” well you shouldn’t of had kids then if you have to worry about coupons”… I could say nothing in response to that especially since I was almost in tears and I wanted to tell him go drink your Jim Beam you mean old man… yes thats what he had in his bag. People might not understand casiers might not undrstand but we have a community of fellow couponers who probably at some time wanted to give it up but didn’t and persevered and has saved their families hundreds of dollars… When you feel discouraged remember never give up you have money to save honey…
I agree, don’t be discouraged. Keep on plugging away and in a few months you’ll wonder how you lived so long without couponing.
I personally try to go shopping on the same day and time every week so the same cashiers see me over and over (and OVER). They get used to you and if you do as another ready said, be SUPER, SUPER nice. Thank them a couple of times for their help. At Meijer and Rite Aid I even announce that “a crazy lady with crazy coupons is at the register”. Generally, this makes everyone smile and laugh…win-win. One time I had a cranky lady in line behind me. The only time that I truly felt like hitting someone. It didn’t stop me. I LOVE saving money for my family as you will learn to love too. So, don’t let the “meanies” of the world ruin your good fortune of knowing how to coupon.
Remember, everything takes practice. In the end you will have an EXTREMELY DIFFICULT time purchasing items WITHOUT a coupon. Just wait…it will happen and you will smile!!!
OMG!!! You do the same thing I do, “the crazy lady” part….funny how some of us learn coping skills. But, that’s really it, each of us has to learn how to deal with a situation the best for us! I know some people would never use those cute phrases as they would think they were downgrading themselves, but with all situations in life, we each have to find what works for us.
Um, how does that even make sense? “You shouldn’t have had kids if you worry about coupons”? Don’t let him get you down. You should applaud yourself for being able to save your family money. Like anyone who has kids shouldn’t have to save money. What a rude old man. Sorry about that! Just keep doing what you do! You rock! 🙂
im a newbie too. last week i spent 3 hours organizing all my coupons while also caring for my 15 month old daughter… thats the challenge with me. when i was finished i went to the store with a bugdet of $150 for food, diapers, laundry detergent and a few other things. it took me a little longer to shop, but it was enjoyable. the cashier was nice, but the people behind me in line were ready to KILL me, they kept saying rude things and i just ignored it. my total was $193.23, and after using all my coupons i saved $40.00, i was $3.23 over bugdet. i didnt apologize to the people behind me because i did nothing but save my family money.
moral of the story….dont give up its SOOOO worth it, and dont apologize you are doing nothing wrong!
and i just realized my dyslexia got me on budget!!
I love when the “upset” people behind me and the cashier realize what I saved!!! Sometimes they are shocked to hear my before and after total.
I still never understand why people get so upset about people using coupons! So you have to wait a little longer in line? Try taking some notes and saving YOUR family some money! I know none of the people that do that will read this, because everyone on here are savvy savers, but I just had to say it lol
I started couponing in January of this year. In someways I feel like a professional in other ways I still feel like a beginner. Yes, I have had stores that have made me feel like a criminal more than once, but you are NOT doing anything wrong. So, let them waste their time on me or you….it’s their dime. I even had Target’s asset protection (security) ring me up once. I just smiled and said, “wow, since when do they train the security to be a cashier”. Every deal I had was legitimate, so he wasted his time as far as I was concerned. As far as the amount of time I spend on cutting, printing and organizing my coupons, I can only say that until you can actually make yourself look at it as a part-time job and the savings is how you are helping out with the family income and food storage in case of emergencies, it is almost a hopeless cause. A few months back I told my husband that I was now working a part-time job with couponing and it has made life SOOO much easier. I don’t feel as guilty about the time I have to put into it. I have saved a ton of money and now have a huge stockpile of personal products and food. A few weeks ago, I didn’t have the money to go shopping, but it was ok because we had plenty of food to last until the next time I could go. It was a wonderful thing to know that my kids (all 7 of them) would not go without, because I was prepared. So, I would say keep your chin up!! It does get better. Try and make a schedule for yourself to work on the coupons so that it doesn’t seem like you are doing it ALL the time. Good luck. 🙂
I agree with you. I think of it as a second job…a job I love!
I really never let anyone get me down about it, to me, it’s a simple statement…would I rather have the dollar in my pocket or the stores pocket? I’d rather have it in mine! Even without kids I was frugal and always wanted to save money. Actually, my kids say I don’t want to spend any of my money…but that’s another issue 🙂 Save your money…then you can decide how you want to spend it…don’t give it to the stores…don’t let some person (cashier/manager/other customer) get you upset…their attitude is their problem, if they didn’t get upset at you, they’d get upset about something else…really they would. Keep your money! Keep on couponing!
Don’t give up!! It is so worth it. I know its hard in the beginning but once you learn the ropes its so rewarding. I bought this week $267 worth of groceries for $74. I have only been couponing for 3 months. I have saved so much money. Yes its time consuming and you do run into mean cashiers but I don’t let it bother me cause I know in the end my family is going to gain from me couponing. As for the people behind you, well you were there first so they can just wait their turn. I have had a ton of people give me the evil eye but when they see how much my bill is in the end those evil eyes turn into WOW eyes. Even have had some to say congrats. thats awsome, wish I could do that. The best tip is to know what each stores coupon police is. Print it off and have it with you.
Oh, and I wanted to add….I’ve read here how some people get upset when they forget a coupon or something…don’t let that get you down either….don’t let a dollar get you upset! Just remember there’s always another deal around the corner!
SO WISE! Thanks for that reminder.
It’s very frustrating when you know you are following a store’s policy and the coupon’s policy. Don’t be afraid to stand up for yourself, but still be polite. No one is going to agree with you if you’re yelling and being rude, even though you completely feel that way on the inside!! But couponing has helped us so much, we have almost gotten our credit card paid off! That is HUGE for us! WAY bigger than some sassy pants manager trying to be “right” and not follow their coupon policy.
So my tips??
I Shop in mini trips. That way it is easier for me to keep track of the coupons and making sure they come off my total. It also seems less intimidating to a cashier.
Always be nice, and gift something if you have it. I gifted some chapstick to the cashier at Walgreens that let me flip flop register rewards between like 30 transactions.
If you remember, ring up BOGO/Free items LAST and coupons over for those FIRST. That way they don’t have to scroll through all the other groceries to find the item. It is right there at the end and the cashier can find it quickly. I have found cashiers LOVE this!
Don’t shop up until the store closes. That will REALLY upset someone!!
Keep your coupon policies handy and stick to your guns.
Good luck and don’t give up! Start small. If it gets too much, take a break or do less.
Couponing is a journey, not a destination 🙂 There may be roadblocks, but the adventure is worth it!!
Love this comment!!
Thank you 🙂
My tip would be to stick with the stores that work for you. When I first started I tried to hit all the stores. I quickly realized that walgreens and cvs are to much work for me. I see all the great deals that are posted on here. And sometimes I think, “I need to go get that” but I just chose not to shop there. I am not sure if it is the ones in my town that give so much trouble or just me. But I can get EVERYTHING I need for my family at Publix. They are wonderful there, always helpful and it just makes life easier for me. Like I tell others 50% is better than nothing. Don’t always try and walk out saving 95%.
I also have realized that Walgreens is too much work for me. I will only go in there if I have a lot of time to spend in there. I don’t like the fact that I have to get fillers in order to use both manuf. and store coupons. And I can’t guarantee that I will be back in less than 2 weeks so I avoid anything with register rewards.
I think this comment was meant for me. I have been so frustrated with my computer and printer, and long story short I have made both myself and my husband very frustrated (he has to listen to all my whining!). So, really, thank you for the encouragement. Its just what I needed….
Please don’t give up I have been doing this for over a year now, and its a learning experience. I do not care anymore standing in line with people giving me the evil eye because I have coupons, because a lot of them are amazed at how much I just saved. There are times when I want to choke the cashier, but I try to choke her with kindness….most of the time I get my way. So your coupons are like cash, do not give up.
your husband is a cutie pie……..
Couponing is so exciting at first, the great deals, the savings you see posted. Your on a coupon high. Then the reality sets in. This coupon doesn’t scan, that cashier was mean. The deal was sold out. That is when it is time to stop and take a deep breath and relax.
If the coupon doesn’t scan ask for the manager, also don’t hesitate to return the product right then before your leave the store if it was something you don’t really need and you feel you are right. If you don’t want to hold up the register, take it to customer service.
If you feel overwhelmed by to many coupons, just clip or print those on the products you know you are going to buy on this shopping trip. Any coupon you use, if it is on something your family will use, is a savings. just because you are not saving 90% on your grocery bill doesn’t mean your a failure. Congratulate yourself for saving 5 or 10%. Any savings are good savings.
If you see a great deal while you are out, just come back later with your coupons.
Also remember, coupons and sales are cyclical. If you missed the sale this time, chances are it will be back. If not in the exact form, in something close. Deals are like fish, there are always more in the sea.
I have been couponing three months. I still learn things every week. I am now saving my family about $500/month. That is an amazing amount of money. This is definitely my part-time job! I always say “this is not for the faint of heart” meaning this is definitely a new skill set and it takes time to learn it all and there absolutely will be mistakes and cranky people along the way. The best thing is to be organized and have a support system – either coupon with a friend or have someone who can celebrate all your successes with you. It is SO worth it when the cashier asks for $40 for your cart FULL of groceries and then tells you how much you saved and congratulates you. Then you call your coupon friend and tell them how much you saved and giggle together. You can do this. Each week it is easier and you become more confident. GO Couponers!
Once I had a particularly bad experience at a local store. I wrote the following blogpost mostly out of jest. I never sent it, but it sure made me feel better.
https://thecoupongoddess.blogspot.com/search/label/letter%20to%20an%20angry%20cashier
That was a pretty scathing write-up. Did you ever consider going to a different cashier?
It was written as a joke for my readers.
Oh.
Pure poetry!
HILARIOUS, that is exactly what a frustrated couponer needs to see to get back on track!!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, when you have a bad experience, it is soooo helpful to be able to laugh about it, it keeps the whole situation in perspective. I’ve been known to say that if you hate coupons, what the heck are you doing working in a grocery or drug store. Go work at the DMV, and take your bad energy with you! Thanks Coupon Goddess!!!!!
I loved that letter. Especially the fiber comments.
Oh my! I have a cashier at Target that needs this letter, and she is in her early twenties, but you scrutinizes EVERY coupon!!
should read “she” not “you”. 🙂
My word of encouragement is that when you keep trying for awhile, a couple of things can happen. One is that you’ll discover which stores are more “coupon friendly”. For example, We have two CVS stores within reasonable driving distance. One is so-so for couponing (the one where I started), but the other one has this fantastic manager who thinks couponers are amazing. 🙂 The second thing is that the longer you do it, the more cashiers and managers will recognize you. And that can be a really good thing IF you’ve been sweet and friendly and smiled a lot! I have been doing this for about 15 months now, and I have 5 different cashiers/managers who know me and ask about my deals and my kids! So yes, it can be tricky at the beginning. But don’t give up, because I absolutely love doing my shopping now because it is almost always a pleasant experience.
I have been couponing religiously (in a manner of speaking) for eight or nine years now and I would estimate that I have saved approximately $3000 in the grocery store. In addition to saving all that $$$, couponing makes an otherwise mundane task fun and challenging. I even have a network of friends and relatives who either give me their unused coupons or I trade coupons with them.
Here’s another coupon tip: if you enjoy Coke products, then by all means enroll and enter codes in mycokerewards.com. I have earned more than a dozen coupons for FREE 12-packs of Coca-Cola products. (This tip is not meant to endorse Coke over any other soft drink brand, in fact, I think Pepsi has a similar rewards program). HAPPY COUPONING!!!
I’ve been exposed to coupons my whole life. I used to clip for my mom and aunt and I LOVED it! I knew what coupons my mom had when we went to the store and I remember being able to help her out. I’m now trying to pass that along to my kids. If they ask for something at the store and I don’t have a coupon, I’ll tell them that. They understand and now are helping me to clip as well. Coupons have saved my family thousands of dollars when used correctly and along with this website and others like it. You can’t deny your family saving that much money – that’s a vacation, heck maybe even a Disney vacation if you start early enough! I encourage all of my friends to coupon as well. Remember, it’s YOUR money, not anyone else’s that your saving. Don’t apologize to anyone for that. Who couldn’t use extra cash? I can’t see how people don’t use coupons. Don’t lose hope!
Wow! Sounds like you hear it all from everybody!! Honestly what can you do about it??? Call up a store and say “I’ve just recieved some sad news about so-and-so and they said that their 50 coupon didn’t scan. The cashier was mad and they didn’t find everything they were looking for” 🙂 Smile and go on with life. 🙂 (I’ve had my fair share of coupon disappointments) 🙂
If you ever feel frustrated just quit for a little bit or slow down. The deal will always come around again! 🙂
I just focus on what I can handle. Some weeks I work really good deals at the grocery store. Other weeks I try to get as much as I can at CVS. I love getting the good deals at Target, but it’s hard for me to not spend more there. 🙂
When I was new and felt like giving up I would save all my receipts for a few weeks and then look at everything that did go right not only what went wrong! And you don’t need it all just what you will use before it goes bad! I have been known to goa little over board! (like the 10 cases of TP I have coming this week) SHHH my hubby is going to freak!!! 🙂
Don’t give up on couponing it is definitely worth it. I don’t like the long lines and slowing other people down with my coupons so I shop on Monday or Tuesday evenings normally and I go to the drugstores later in the evenings when they aren’t as busy. This really helps me get in and out and utilize my coupons with little problems.
I try to do the same or go early in the mornings……
Don’t let anyone involved get you down (be it the cashier, huffy people behind you in line, rude managers, etc.). If couponing becomes a chore, take it easy and slow down. Have fun with saving money.
And I agree with knowing each store’s policy (and having it printed out & with you helps too!). If the cashier nor manager will remedy the situation, I’ve found corporates to be VERY helpful.
Above all, just have fun with saving money. It’s definitely a journey filled with hills and valleys, but it’s the trip that’s so much fun :).
Myself and my neighbor are coupon nuts and we have the binders and if I am going or she we will call and go together. and then sometimes we go on our own but then we share what we found. If there is a great deal we will tell each other and share coupons if one of us does not have the one we need. As far as the cashier, you get to leave the store they have to say and work. So even if they are rude about the coupons you can always find a manager and then leave they all have to stay. Some people should not work in the public but they do, we all pay for it but try to kill with kindness. Just stick with it I have been doing this for about 6 mths and it is a very fun time. The last trip to CVS my total was only 7cents I did not have any change only a $5 bill the cashier was checking her pockets for the 7 cents. What a great cashier she was happy I save so much. Hang in there dont give up it is fun and worth it.
My best advice is to do your homework. Read all you can about other peoples experiences and try to learn from them. Don’t be the first one to try a new deal. Come back to the online postings and find out what others have found out. Leave the trail blazing to the “experts”, they will surely come back and tell you whether something worked or if it didn’t. Be a follower until you feel comfortable. Don’t be afraid to let other people help you on your journey.
Chris – Awesome advice. 🙂 I don’t mind one bit speaking up for myself but I understand others aren’t and sounds like pure torture. This is a great option… Us “experts” grow a thick skin and don’t mind the scowls and whispering.
I almost gave up, I almost did. Walgreens was the worst. I just couldn’t handle it anymore b/c at night I would go couponing but my brain wasn’t totally “on” at 11 at night. Things would beep, there would be only 1 cashier, lines would back up, my face would turn red, URGH! Is this worth it? In the end, yes. Just like with anything you are new too, you will mess up and make mistakes. I’m still working on overspending, buying shampoo when I have 10 bottles already, etc. It takes time, but you can do it and you will save so much money!!! We have gone from spending $130/wk to $70-$80/week. That’s a lot of savings for a family of 4. Just think, you can use that extra money for a great little vacation with just you and the hubby!!
I have been couponing for a couple of years and was super nervous at first about people getting annoyed, cashiers not taking my coupons, and making sure all my coupons scan. Now two years later I don’t even think about it! It just isn’t a big deal to me anymore to watch the cashier like a hawk and tell them if they missed a coupon, or have them take something off of my order if I need to. So if you are a newbie, just remember it will not always be so nervewracking!
wow.. i feel encouraged reading all the comments myself though I do not feel like letting go of coupons. I have been enjoying it the whole time.. I have been banned at a RiteAid because I was paying only tax. Had a fight with a security guard and two cashiers at Target. Got kicked out of a CVS store for attempting a free coupon for the Bayer meter and two coupons on a BOGO sale. Faced mean managers at Walgreens and walked out the store because I was not allowed to use a FREE coupon on a BOGO sale. I think I have experienced the worst but I never gave up. In the end, I was right. My advice would be to not take it seriously. There is always room for improvement and that we all learn from our mistakes. Before I feel sad about coupons that I miss but now, I care less about it. Do not go head to head with mean cashiers and managers. Walk out the store if they would not stick to the policy. Let corporate handle the problem. You will also learn to avoid stores and cashiers.. Go to the store at the right time.. (when the cats are away). Coupon with integrity! 😀
Ha Ha, you sound like my kinda woman! We should go couponing together 🙂 They wouldn’t know what hit them. I too believe that if the deal is legit, stand up for yourself and get that great deal. I recently had trouble with a CSM at Wal-Mart, that after my receipt had printed she spotted my large stack of coupons and would not give me my receipt or gift card back until she went through my coupons like a hawk and said that I couldn’t use 6 scrubbing bubbles printable coupons at one time or 8 Welch’s juice ones because I must have copied them! (hello, hasn’t she heard of more than one computer or more than one link to a coupon, plus the Welch’s ones had different exp dates since I printed them on different days at different computers! And a couple had a different picture because they were coupons that were offered at different times online. If I find a good coupon that will make for a sweet deal I print it at home, my sister-in-laws, mother-in-laws, moms, and even work occasionally) She said I could only use one of each and I would either have to return the items or give them the money back for the coupons that I used! Well for one I didn’t care for her gritchy and accusing tone, #2 it was getting late in the evening and I had my antsy 2 yr old with me and a bit of a drive still to get home, # 3 a cart full of items that I was not returning nor giving them anymore money for, so I got mad and marched myself and that CSM to the customer service desk, called corporate right there, who in turn called the store manager into the store at 9pm as well as a head customer service rep into the store and after about 20 minutes they got there looked at my coupons then smiled at me so kindly and said that all of my coupons were just fine and I was free to leave with everything 🙂 The gritchy CSM’s mouth hit the floor and SHE stormed out of the building! Sweet Victory, the only bad thing for me was she had gotten me so mad in the process of treating me like a criminal that I had a terrible headache when I left (but at least I had a victory smile on my face!)
Getting the hang of couponing takes time and patience, but once you’ve got it, it will seem like a breeze. Also don’t let a couple of bad experiences ruin your fun, there’s always going to be one or two “gritchy” cashiers and managers out there, but there are also a lot of them who think that what you are doing is great! And never be afraid to stand up for yourself or call corporate when you are right. In my experiences, corporate has always sided with me and not the employee that has read the policy wrong, or thinks they are the ruler of all that is always right (because they are usually the ones who are wrong)
Sorry for the book, I tend to ramble 🙂
I had very bad experience at walmart the other day with my coupon purchase…the cashier was very particular argued about half my coupons and terminated then restarted my transaction twice! In the end I had to take off half my items because she wouldn’t let me use them, and I had spent so much time and energy into getting it all together!! I was ready to be done on my way home 🙁 Then last night at Target I did another go with the same coupons from walmart the days before and some new ones. I had absolutely NO issues at all. The cashier was so nice and he even said that they like couponers because it shows we are paying attention to their marketing. In the end I started out with $205 on my total and after my huge pile of coupons paid only $45.96 and received $20 back in gift cards too…so only $25.00!!! Just remember that even if you have an off day there are even better days ahead!!! The savings are so worth the few bad experiences you have (everyone has them newbies and the pros) so just keep going with it!! Have fun!!!
I starting couponing last year. There is nothing like the feeling you get when you see how much you saved in a shopping trip! I even got my husband on board after showing him my receipts and he is a math guy so he really enjoyed it once I explained it to him. And I don’t even do a lot of the CVS or Walgreens deals because our stores nearby were always out of the stuff by the time I could get to them. We mostly shop on the weekend at Walmart. I have the store ads for price matching in hand. I circle the items we want ahead of time and write little hints at the top of each ad so I remember which item was in which ad. I also get out the coupons I want for that trip before we go and move them into a smaller sorter I have. I write out my list in order of what items we will come across. For example, in Walmart we stop at the shampoo type items first, move to the diapers, then the frig is next to those, freezer, etc. So we are not going back and forth. We are now so effecient we are in and out (depending on their lines) in no time it seems. My husband always has a huge smile when he sees the receipt so it makes up for any rude faces we get from people behind us in line. lol…I’ve even encountered some cashiers that do not want to accept a coupon because the bar code is torn and it beeps. My husband is so smart he asked the guy to scan the other one (same coupon for another duplicate item already scanned) so now I always take extra coupons of the same thing if I think there will be a problem. Works every time! So don’t worry about getting every deal, just be happy with all the savings you do end up with.
My words of advice: Keep going, the person in line behind you is only scowling because they are jealous that you are saving so much money on the products they are buying, pure jealousy! If you have help, leave the kids at home until you get more experienced with it.
Organize at home- I search the blogs and copy and paste the deals I want to check out in a word document, then I clip those coupons, print my list and head to the store. I go down the list grab what I want and the coupons are already there, clipped and ready to use.
Put the stores corporate number into your cell phone (I will put the numbers at the bottom)
You do not need to get every deal, when I first started I would be running to the store late on Saturday night in hopes of getting that toothpaste, if you do not absolutely need it, wait for it. Stores have sales cycles and within the next 4-6 weeks it will be on sale again. If there is a coupon you do not want to see go to waste, don’t run out last minute to use it (unless you have time) give it away.
Whatever you do don’t stop, keep going. I am now able to take care of a household of 11 people with only $500-600 per month (including diapers, toiletries and food) It is worth it. If you get super frusturated e-mail me: myrandab@pdx.edu, Happy couponing!
Walmart Corp- 1-800-925-6278
Walgreens Corp- 1-847-914-2500
Target Corp- 1-800-440-0680
Rite Aid Corp- 1-800-748-3243
“You don’t need to get every deal” That is one of the best things I’ve read on here. Yes, you are totally correct. People would be so less anxious if they realized how many deals are coming up that they don’t even know about. So if you miss one, don’t fret. You’ll see another treasure soon enough. Awesome gem of advice!!
Keep looking for those sweet and helpful cashiers (they are out there) and be courteous to other shoppers. I sometimes let other people go in front of me. Another tip: When you know your going to have multiple transactions, write a list for each transaction! I even will write out which Register Rewards I’m going to use. It gives me more peace of mind when I have my things in order!
O my……….like many things it will get better with time or maybe you will get better at it with time. I was very frustrated early on (at it for 2 years now). Once I got my stockpile built I found I was much less anxious about all the sales and trying to hit them all. Now I shop for only what I need to fill the holes and I only go to basically 2 coupon friendly stores. I don’t always buy at rock bottom prices, but still pay much less than I used to pay. It is also MUCH less time consuming now that I am not shopping for everything.
Also, like others, I have found small trips with coupons to work better. And I never do it if I am in a hurry. I always screw the purchase up and then get mad at myself……….not worth it!!
So keep at it, don’t let the glitches get you down, and once you have worked out your best methods/stores and have your stockpile built it will be so much easier!!!!!!!!!
Yes I agree small trips work best. And never be in a huge hurry you will miss something and kick yourself later.
I agree – when I am rushed I mess up the deal.
I have been couponing for years but extreme couponing for the past 6 months. I have had so many bad cashier/grumpy customer/ manager disagreements. Its never fun to be in a confrontation with someone esp when you know you’re right and they are telling you that you are wrong. But it always helps me when I think of all the money that I am saving for my family. I have gained a huge stock pile and every week it grows even bigger. Also, I have realized if you have a very bad experience with a cashier or manager, to call corporate and explain what happened. Usually they are very friendly, and will help you. They want you to continue shopping with them so they are anixous to make it right. I have even been given a $20 giftcard and coupons for free products. Be nice !! And remember all the free stuff you have !!
Coupons can be a pain at times more for others than me. My kids say Mom you gonna use all those coupons again? LOL! They say it takes forever. So thats when I ask them well do you like those cookies or whatever it might be? They say well yeah. Well we would buy those without the coupons! Then they are like Oh ok… LOL!
Ok so today I went to Dollar General. The cashier told me my total then scanned my coupons. She said WOW you said like $7.00 off $11.00 total. LOL! She said I’m so gonna start cutting coupons. I love when I get this reaction.
To those who are ready to give up DONT! It so worth it in the long run.
I’m at about 10 months… Some days are better than others. *Try to not get frustrated but always *advocate* for yourself.* Bad cashier, be sweet as pie as you recite the store’s coupon policy and ask for a manager or ask the manager to call corporate (Ahem… Target.)
None of our stores double and there’s no Publix ( booo…) BUT I can tell you with three cats, two 65lb. Boxers and two adults we WERE spending over $400 a month on groceries alone ($100+ being kitty littler & pet food). Now we’re at $200 WITH a huge stockpile that could last for months, and budgeted in (already paid) buying into a CSA (locally grown organic farming) until the end of OCTOBER AND buying 1/4 of a grass fed local cow (about 180lbs of steaks and ground beef etc). We could have never done those things… without Collin. SO SO SO worth it. Give yourself a break when you need to so you don’t get burnt out.
I had a gentleman and his wife approach me in the grocery store and ask, as he looked at my binder of coupons,”How does that work out for you, using coupons?” I told him that I am a stay at home mom and with 4 kids it definatly helps. We talked a bit and they left. A few isles later he reapproached me and told me to tell my husband that he is one lucky guy to have a wife like me who uses coupons. I thought that was sweet! My husband says he already knows he’s lucky!
I have always treated couponing as a game or a challenge – how much can I save on any particular trip (amount and percentage). And I never stress over it. If it isn’t somewhat fun or you let it stress you out, it isn’t worth it. Saving money is great but money isn’t everything. (Wait did I actually say that? The family won’t believe it!) But it’s true. Quality of life – happiness, etc. – that’s what matters.
As for how stores treat couponers, I’ve been fortunate to develop a rapport with the supermarkets I frequent most so I know a lot of the cashiers, customer service staff, and managers (ok so I probably have a reputation as “that coupon man” LOL) which probably helps as they’re used to the routine of stacking store and manufacturer coupons, the needed overrides for having more coupons than items, etc. It becomes a game to them too to see how much I can save on a trip.
You have such the right attitude, your whole first paragraph, reminds me of my husband, quality of life, happiness, the old saying, you catch more flies with honey, etc, etc,etc. When I read the posts on these coupon blogs, I really think many of these women (even though they scream the opposite) LOVE the confrontation. It gives them POWER, (just listen to their explanations), they are RIGHT and that cashier, manager, etc. is going to do it THEIR way or they will call corporate!!! I think it’s a way of letting off the estrogen that they don’t get to let off at home, ha! ha! I think enough people have proven that IF you handle people correctly (kindness and courtesy) and don’t get on the defensive, you will more often than not get your coupons through. I hear about the couponers that feel they are so mistreated from some of my cashier friends and I’ve also seen them in stores. These ladies need to watch a video of themselves and their behavior in action. I don’t think they would recognize themselves. This in essence has been proven many times in documentaries (for other situations, not coupons, but I’m sure someday, some journalist will attack this problem too.) Couponers don’t realize that they sometimes are expecting trouble just by looking at their cashier and it then becomes a power-play. Again, cheerfulness, kindness, courtesy, treat others the way you want to be treated, you will eventually win in the end, not always of course, but cheerfulness is always going to get more than the sour lemonpuss. It’s a hard one for many people to learn though.
Wow Sue…you said exactly what I was thinking! I’m totally with Scott’s idea of it being a savings challenge and therefore fun! I never argue with anyone and I have never had a bad experience. If something doesn’t work out, I shrug my shoulders and go to customer service to get a refund. I am always really friendly and polite to cashiers ( with or without coupons) and I think that works in my favor when it comes to using coupons. I live in this town and I would HATE to be known as the obnoxious, anal coupon lady.
To those just starting out, it takes more time in the beginning but it gets easier as time goes on and your stockpile gets bigger. Sales and coupons come around often enough that you don’t need to stress out when you can’t get a particular deal. Definitely try to shop at quiet times, get there early for great sales and make sure you get rain checks everywhere you can. Above all, be friendly and have fun.
I am a veteran couponer, and I am anal…I say this because you are going to think it after you read this. I have learned from experience to hand over my coupons one at a time, unless I only have a few. This saves time of me having to go to customer service to claim my money that the cashier gypped me out of…then customer service person has to go retrieve my coupon, (while my frozen stuff begins to thaw), then customer service person has to make sure I got the right thing. Trust me, it’s easier to hand them over one at a time, and watch the register as the cashier is taking off your coupons. When they ask me if I have any coupons (do I have coupons?, come on now!), I just let them know that I’d like to give them one at a time because I have printable coupons and they stick together.
Instead of having someone behind me huffing and puffing because I have a lot of coupons, before they even put their stuff on the belt, I tell them “I have a lot of coupons, if you don’t mind waiting”. I’ve actually had some women thank me, and they go to another register.
I know being a newbie to couponing can make you very nervous and anxious. I would get so nervous that I would have to go to the bathroom and soon as I got in the store. I knew where the bathroom was in each store 🙂
One more bit of advice: don’t try to get every deal there is. There will always be more coupons and more deals, so you can get them the next time around.
Happy Couponing!!!
I do the exact same thing you do! I hand over each coupon one at a time. After having so many coupons not scanned by the cashier, it is just easier in the long run. I also warn the person that gets behind me that I have a lot of coupons and they may want to go to another registrar. If I am at CVS or Walgreens and I doing multiple transactions, or have not put my items on the counter, I always let people go ahead of me. 🙂
I started couponing in Aug 09. At first it took quite a bit of time to put my deals together (couple of hours) and keep my binder updated. But now, 10 months later I can put my Wags & CVS shopping deals together in under an hour (I always do this after my kids go to bed- less distractions).
I have had a few deals/coupons that didn’t work out in the beggining but I learned from those mistakes. I too have run into a few “not so nice” cashiers in the beggining but now I know who the “nice” ones are and those are the cashiers I go to. To make couponing fun, try going with friend who also coupons. It helps to have a second set of eyes when you are at the store searching for that exact product and it is fun to share the coupon high when you walk out of Wags paying .08 cents for $50 of stuff. 😀
Listen, THIS IS ONE ADDICTION THAT YOU DONT WANT TO QUIT!!! I am telling you! I have been doing this for about a year now and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. Should I start with the fact that I was able to get enough laundry detergent for over 4 year for DH and I for l about $10. YES you read it right, $10, thanks to the deal a while ago when Walgreens were running B1G1 and I got the coupons from eBay and got myself like 100 bottles. Should I tell you that I have enough paper napkins for 2 years from the deal a while ago from publix? Should I tell you about the 100 bags of nuts I got last week from Publix for $5??? Fisher was on sale for $1 and I got the coupons from EBay for $5. Or should I tell you that I have enough soap, toilet paper, body wash, toothpaste, makeup and shampoos for LIFE! Maybe I should tell you that once a week we eat out for free thanks to coupons? A burger from there, a small drink from there and maybe a dessert from some place else!
Please, DON’T GIVE UP! It is so much fun to watch your saving grow, grow and grow. It is so much blessing to be able to bless others for very little to nothing!
COUPONS ROCK!
I find it’s a lot more fun to go with a friend, too! My friend and I will both sit down together and see what coupons we’ve amassed between the two of us and which deals look good (i,e. Walgreens, CVS, Target, etc.). Then we shop together and buy all the same things. That way we both are on the lookout for deals, etc. Also, she’ll warn other customers who come up behind us that we both have a lot of coupons so they might want to go to another line. 🙂 I had an older gentleman complaining one time about my coupons and said “It’d be nice if people would learn to use just plain ‘ole cash for things nowadays!!!” He was irritated….so I told him I would gladly toss out all my coupons if he’d be willing to use HIS CASH to pay for my groceries. LOL! He shut up after that!
I am about 6 months in and nowhere near got it down. I still tend to cave and buy when I don’t have all the coupons I need with me. Case in point…..saved a whopping $4 on a $67 Walmart purchase just now. :0( But there are plenty of saving 50% and way more trips too. One nights these two guys kept creeping closer in the line and I thought they were upset because I was in the quick lane (manager told me to go) and I had 3X the amount of items I should have. Then I realized they were watching the monitor go down, down, down, till I had saved 50% on that transaction. Their faces were so cute! I told them what I do and that it’s great when it works! Made my night! Hang in there. Even with mistakes and poor choices sometimes, I have still saved about $700 so far. Don’t get discouraged. Know you are not alone!
Don’t give up – we all have good couponing days and bad.
Keep it in perspective.
Remember how much you are saving now opposed to before even if you forget to use a coupon or don’t get a deal correct.
Smiles go a long way.
Start with small deals first until you get the hang of it.
Know that you are not doing anything wrong by using coupons, asking questions or asking about the store policy.
I couldn’t give up using coupons … I love the savings so much. But something has been “off” with my normal self lately, and I think I’ve realized it’s because I’m being treated so badly in the stores when I’m checking out. Even if the cashier doesn’t say something rude, she looks at me rudely and as if I have put her out. So I really have to work at getting over that. 🙂 I’m used to being treated so sweetly when I check out, but that has all changed since I started using coupons so much. Yikes! “Don’t bring me down!!” Sure makes me thankful for the few cashiers that are still sweet to me … and seem proud of me for saving so much money! There are a remnant!
Something that has helped me keep going when things are discouraging is to go on the same night every week with a friend. We’re in it together and we have a great time. So even if it gets discouraging, I have someone to talk it through with and at least we got to spend some time together while the kids are home with dads.