Extreme Couponing

[Juliebove]

I am watching one of the re-runs and the mom tells the son that she knows he doesn't like the cereal she is buying but she is getting it anyway because it is free. So I thought... If I bought cereal that nobody in my house wanted, nobody would eat it. Now if I could get it for free, I probably would and would donate it to the food bank.

But... Realistically? Could we as people with food issues be extreme couponers? Yes there are things like paper products, shampoo, soaps, etc. I am picky about some of these things and will only buy the brands I like. I have one suckish toilet (needs to be replaced) that will only take 1 ply toilet paper without getting stopped up. The other toilet will flush anything. I usually buy my toilet paper for it at Costco.

As for the food items... It seems very rare that I ever get a coupon for food that we can eat! Most of the coupons I do see are for prepared items and it is rare for me to get ones I can use. I did write to Imagine and they were kind enough to send me coupons for free items and cents off and I could use them. Once in a while I will get a coupon for a gluten-free item. And sometimes I can use store coupons. I had one the other day for 55 cents off of a bagged salad. But I am lucky to be able to save $3.00 on a shopping trip of $100.00!

When I lived on Cape Cod, we didn't know of the food allergies. I got coupons at the base PX and could use some of them. I took the Sunday paper and used what coupons I could there. The stores all did double coupons and one did triple coupons on Tues. Even still at the most I would save maybe $10.00 per trip. Nothing close to what these extreme couponers can do.

I have no desire to hoard food like they seem to do. Or they claim they have to do it because some things like peanut butter only go on sale twice a year. I do buy some things at Costco so must buy a whole case. I learned the hard way that I can only keep food in the garage that rats won't eat. I do buy Ener-G gluten-free bread several loaves at a time and keep it out there in a thick plastic box. I only hope they won't eat it. Other than that it is cans of food that I keep out there. And we drink a lot of soda and bottled water so I keep that there. Also extra cat litter and canned food and of course paper goods.

I also have no desire to spend 60 hours a week on couponing as that one woman does. I just don't see how they do it! When I do find a coupon I can use, it is only a small amount of savings and often I find I can buy a store brand or off brand for less money than I would pay for the brand name with the coupon. I am picky with some things. Less picky with others. Paper towels for instance. Yes, I prefer the ones with pretty prints. But I realize I need to save money so will buy plain white if it is cheaper. I will only pass on paper towels if I have tried a certain brand and found it to be of poor quality. But I am picky about my hair and will only use a certain shampoo.

So how do these people do it? There has got to be more than they are showing us on that show. It can't be as simple as clipping coupons and checking prices online. Can it? Does anyone here do it? Or even save a lot of money using coupons? Can *we* do it?

[mommida]

I am trying to do it. I refuse to stockpile useless food to us. If I can donate to food banks I will, but I haven't found a good enough deal yet. I have noticed that products I really don't need can be free. i.e. air fresheners ~ really just open the window.

Ok so sales according to the experts have a 6 week cycle. So buy enough chicken to last 6 weeks until the next sale.

You can print 2 coupons per ISP account at certain web sites. You need to download a free program and I haven't had problems with this one yet. (fingers crossed) PM me because I can get a credit if I refer to the one I use.

An on-line source for the "super" deals of the week are on couponmom.com (also has explaination of how to get better deals and what circular has the coupon with links to on-line coupon sites

Use store cards for internet card loading of instant coupons. CVS, Kroger, Meijer has cell phone Mperks system that uses your phone number as a discount card and printable store coupons, and offers discounts on FRESH produce.

Also don't forget to check out the reduced for quick sale. Say the Alouette cheese spread is close to it's sell by date so it is marked down to a 1.30 (usual price if I remember can be up to 3.99) have a coupon for .75 cents off. Just bought it for .55 cents.

More gluten free/organic products are getting more popular, just noticed coupon for Larabars.

So it seems like you should stockpile coupons and wait for the "stock up" sale. i.e. 10 for $10. If you have 10 .50cent coupons you got each for .50 cents or (bonus if the store doubles coupon up to a $ you got it for free)

I've only spent a little over an hour looking through stuff to plan a shopping trip. I've saved over $20 for 1 hours time, it is worth some time. I have saved up to 68% off the total bill.

Gluten, egg, fish, shellfish, and pea free limits products I would even consider buying.

[kareng]

Even before gluten-free, I didn't buy most of these products. I'm like Julie - I'm picky. I like the TP or salsa or canned beans that I like. I am lucky that I don't have a tight food budget. If I have to tighten it up, it may be whatever TP is on sale.

I know people who spend time and effort to get free Halloween candy or whatever. I think its like a hobby or a game for some. I think some of those people on the TV show are really hoarders. In a few years, they can be on that hoarders show.

I wish they had coupons for fresh fruit & vegs.

[GFreeMO]

Coupons for fresh veg and fruit would be fantastic! I have watched that show a few times and am amazed by how much they get for free. I tend to agree with Kareng that they may be hoarders. There was one woman on the show that had like 50 packs of diapers but didn't have a baby. Also, wouldn't the 50+ boxes of cereal and things go out of date before they could eat it all.

I don't think that any of the stores in my area offer double coupons either. I noticed that on the show they get their coupons doubled.

[Poppi]

Between gluten free food for myself, the fact that myself and both of our sons are allergic to food dyes and petroleum-based preservatives, I can't tolerate perfumes and being in Canada couponing is pretty much out of the question. We buy almost no processed food and I'm very picky about our toiletries and household cleaning products.

We don't get coupons in the paper in Canada and stores never, ever double them anyway. I'm lucky if I can get 50 cents off my laundry soap once in a while.

[GlutenFreeManna]

I do it. See my signature for my food restrictions. I may not save as much as some of the people on that show but I save as much as I can on the things I use. I still have about 10 packages of Mission Corn tortillas in my freezer from the last time there was a coupon out. I think I got them for .16 a package. We eat Mexican quite frequently and that is a huge savings. I also stockpile plain frozen veggies and some canned for emergencies (huricane season). Usually in the month of march is when all the good frozen coupons come out. This year I didn't stock up because we are plannign on moving in a few months and I'm tryign to eat my freezer down. I still have half a freezer full of Birdseye and Green Giant steamer veggies. We will eat them almost every meal until we move. I mix them with whatever fresh veggies are on sale to break up the monotony.

As far as buying stuff I can't eat or won't use, I don't do that anymore. I did used to get things that were free and donate them but I have to pay tax even if it is free with a coupon and I can't afford to do that anymore. Even with just casual couponing (buying just 1 or 2 of soemthing when it's on sale with a coupon) I save at least 50% off my total. Toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, shampoo, deodorant and soap is always free somewhere with a deal. The money I save on those items can go toward more meat, fresh produce and any gluten-free items I want to try. I am brand loyal on toilet paper--(must be Cottonelle or my fanny's not happy, lol) so I buy it in huge packages at BJ's Warhouse which also allows coupons to be used. I also buy my meat in bulk there and some produce.

[mommida]

1 hour a week clipping coupons, checking simple website, possibly printing a few coupons on-line

Save at least $20 a week

=

52 weeks in a year

times $20 saved

equals $1,040 savings or

to spend on fun stuff not food, razors, batteeries, skin lotion, soap or paper products like brand name TP.

Like I said, Meijer does have some on-line coupons for fresh produce and sales are clearly displayed in circulars.

[sb2178]

I think it's also a matter of family size. I probably save 10-20% using store sales primarily and limited coupons from manufacturers but I have very limited storage space and it's just me. So, I need a certain amount of variety and can't buy large amounts. Besides, it took me 4 months to eat 50 corn tortillas I bought from a store going out of business. I also order some things via amazon. Probably what saves the most is when I buy the fruit & veg on the clearance rack (i.e. 6-8 apples for $1 or 2 lbs of slightly bruised yellow squash for $1.39). That only works if I'll be able to cook it/freeze it that night though.

Typical items bought on sale:

soymilk

organic valley items

hummus

frozen vegetables & fruit

tuna

canned salmon

fruits/veg on sale (they do go on sale: cauliflower was $1.00 less than usual this week)

[Juliebove]

I am trying to do it. I refuse to stockpile useless food to us. If I can donate to food banks I will, but I haven't found a good enough deal yet. I have noticed that products I really don't need can be free. i.e. air fresheners ~ really just open the window.

Ok so sales according to the experts have a 6 week cycle. So buy enough chicken to last 6 weeks until the next sale.

You can print 2 coupons per ISP account at certain web sites. You need to download a free program and I haven't had problems with this one yet. (fingers crossed) PM me because I can get a credit if I refer to the one I use.

An on-line source for the "super" deals of the week are on couponmom.com (also has explaination of how to get better deals and what circular has the coupon with links to on-line coupon sites

Use store cards for internet card loading of instant coupons. CVS, Kroger, Meijer has cell phone Mperks system that uses your phone number as a discount card and printable store coupons, and offers discounts on FRESH produce.

Also don't forget to check out the reduced for quick sale. Say the Alouette cheese spread is close to it's sell by date so it is marked down to a 1.30 (usual price if I remember can be up to 3.99) have a coupon for .75 cents off. Just bought it for .55 cents.

More gluten free/organic products are getting more popular, just noticed coupon for Larabars.

So it seems like you should stockpile coupons and wait for the "stock up" sale. i.e. 10 for $10. If you have 10 .50cent coupons you got each for .50 cents or (bonus if the store doubles coupon up to a $ you got it for free)

I've only spent a little over an hour looking through stuff to plan a shopping trip. I've saved over $20 for 1 hours time, it is worth some time. I have saved up to 68% off the total bill.

Gluten, egg, fish, shellfish, and pea free limits products I would even consider buying.

I never buy the reduced for quick sale stuff because if there is any (and there usually isn't here), it expires that day. It is unlikely that I will be going to the store that day for something to eat that day.

No stores double coupons here at all.

What sorts of items are you getting coupons for? We don't eat much prepared food.

[Juliebove]

I think it's also a matter of family size. I probably save 10-20% using store sales primarily and limited coupons from manufacturers but I have very limited storage space and it's just me. So, I need a certain amount of variety and can't buy large amounts. Besides, it took me 4 months to eat 50 corn tortillas I bought from a store going out of business. I also order some things via amazon. Probably what saves the most is when I buy the fruit & veg on the clearance rack (i.e. 6-8 apples for $1 or 2 lbs of slightly bruised yellow squash for $1.39). That only works if I'll be able to cook it/freeze it that night though.

Typical items bought on sale:

soymilk

organic valley items

hummus

frozen vegetables & fruit

tuna

canned salmon

fruits/veg on sale (they do go on sale: cauliflower was $1.00 less than usual this week)

When I buy things at Albertsons, I usually save about 30% due to their sales. But they don't sell the rice milk we buy. I do try to stock up on that when Bartells has it on sale. I buy my hummus at Costco. I don't think that ever goes on sale. We don't buy anything in the way of frozen vegetables or fruit. Only fresh or canned.

[sa1937]

I use a few coupons now and then...this week I had a McCormick's coupon and used it for raspberry extract, a couple of Fleischmann's yeast coupons, a Caltrate coupon and one for Fruit Naturals. Generally I don't use a lot of coupons as so much is for prepared foods.

But General Mills is good at couponing (Chex cereals, Progresso soups, Green Giant frozen veggies, etc.) Kraft also runs coupons for salad dressings, which I use occasionally. Add those to store specials and it's possible to save a lot of money. Since my family is grown, I don't buy the quantities I used to and don't have the freezer space or the need to store things like when I had a big freezer (which I gave to my son several years ago).

[mommida]

I really hate grocery shopping and do put it off as long as I can. I do find something to eat that day.

Did you check out couponmom.com to find the deals at Albertson's? When the list pops out go to the far right column and click on the down arrow to rearrange the order for the BEST deals at the store that week.

Always bring all of your coupons because there is always a last minute deal not advertised. I would have missed out on the TP deal yesterday. 4 roll pack (regular price $3.79) 50% off ($1.89)and $1 off coupon too, I paid .89 cents. It was not advertised.

Cereal was 2.79 on sale for 1.95 had store coupon (from register receipt/ catalina) for $1.00 off and manufacturer coupon for .75 cents off, So I paid .20 cents.

This isn't a great example of super savings because soda was on sale (we have to pay for bottle deposit), we have rabbits (30 for food and bedding), bought candles ($5), school science experiment($13.54), and special snacks for baseball and travel (about $32).

I spent $148.76 (bottle deposit $9.60) saved $60.21 with coupons and sales & promotions.

The way gas keeps going up, I'm going to need the savings to pay for gas.

[GlutenFreeManna]

Foods I buy with coupons and sales:

Mission corn tortillas

canned tuna/pouch tuna

frozen veggies (Birdseye, Green Giant, Allens)

canned veggies

Frozen fruit--Strawberries, blue berries, etc.

canned tomatoes (Muir Glen, Hunts, DelMonte, Fumanos)

spaghetti sauce (Prego, Classico, Ragu--just check ingredients carefully)

canned beans/refried beans

salsa

chips (corn or potato)

chicken (Bj's has an organic brand called Harvestland and they usually put out coupons in their flyers, I also recently stocked up on Air chilled MBA Organic Smart chicken with a coupon from their fb page)

spices-McCormick puts out lots of coupons around holidays

sugar--brown sugar, powdered sugar and cane sugar for baking

Fleishman's yeast--has been free after coupon and sales around the holidays for the last three years, I always have ayears supply

Corn Starch

Baking Powder

Salt--Sea salt, Kosher salt, seasoning salt

canned fruit for pies (around the holidays)

Oatmeal--Quaker Oats for my husband--the only non-gluten-free item in my home--I stocked up for .29/canister last time

Chex cereals--always have coupons out but they are hard to find a great deal. I buy whenever I can get them for $1.50 or less.

Nuts--aroudn the holidays there will be lots of coupons

Eggs--coupons abound with lots of brands. Best sales around Easter.

Olive oil--I do buy light OO in bulk from BJ's but whenever I see a great deal on a small bottle I will get one to use for the table and keep near the stove (Usually under $3 is my buy price).

Coconut Milk--currently I have four half gallons I got for $1 each.

Almond Milk--also usually $1-1.5 per half gallon.

Rice--Mahatma/Water Maid, Minute rice, Uncle Ben's brown rice, pretty much anythign that is plain rice I will stock up when there's a coupon and a deal

Dried fruit--raisins, dried cranberries, dates (Make sure they are gluten-free), banana chips

rice cakes (been a while since I've seen a coupon for these but they are cheap anyway)

Progresso soups (select ones, I don't really stock up on these but I keep some on hand for huricane emergencies)

Nature Valley nut bars (forget exact name as it's been a while since I bought any but it's the one that's gluten-free)

Lara bars (these have had coupons out in the past but are hard to come by--I once got 20 for free after sale and coupon, usually I just buy when they go on sale for $1 per bar)

Ketchup--Hunts or Heinz--I'm not picky as long as it's cheap, gluten-free and HFCS-free--the time to stock up on cheap condiments is now with summer sales

Mustard--Frenches yellow is always free or very cheap, Spicy Brown and other flavors can be gotten for under .50

Mayo--I very rarely buy this but there are lots of coupons always.

peanut butter (almost all brands have coupons out)

Jam, jellies, fruit spreads (Welches, Smuckers, Polaner)

Pickles (Mt Olive, Vlasic (been a whiel sinc ei've seen a Vlasic coupons)

Relish

Herbal tea

Orange juice and other types of juice (I don't buy often but will get soem if it's under $1 after coupon)

Bottled water (I keep for my huricane emergency kit or for long road trips)

Gatorade (got a ton of this free last summer, I hope that sale/coupon comes around again)

Here are some gluten-free items I have seen coupons for but I don't really buy them enough (if at all) to call them stock-up items:

Rudi's bread

Udi's bread

Enjoy Life products

Pacific soups and broths

BC fruit snacks (I don't buy, but there are ALWAYS coupson out--big sales are back to school/sumemr time)

Ice cream (all types of brand: Breyers, Blue Bunney, etc--I don't buy anymore but when I did it was always cheap in the summer)

BBQ sauce (Kraft, Sweet Baby Rays usually have coupons)

Yogurt--I don't buy anymore but my buy price was .33 or less per 6 oz cup. Several brands were often better than that with coupons and sales.

Dressings--Kraft, Annies, Ken's, etc. I no longer buy but dressings are always cheap in the summer and have long expiration dates (usually a year out).

Applesauce--was always cheap but I stopped buyign it just because we didn't eat it enough.

Jello/pudding

Condensed milk--always on sale around holidays

Cheese--Kraft, Sargento, Cabot, Breakstones cottage, Ricotta, I no longer buy but my buy price was $1 or less per bag of shredded. Best prices are around the super bowl or cinco de mayo.

Sour cream--was almost always free with a coupon, but I no longer buy

Popcorn--I don't buy the microwave kind anymore but it was often free with a coupon

lunch meat--I don't buy, but many brands have coupons out frequently (Oscar mayer, Buddig) just make sure what you get is gluten-free

Keep in mind prices are regional. What is a good price for me may not be for you. Since I have stores that double I might be able to do better than someone without doubling BUT your stores may offer better store sales or other incentives. You do have to be willign to try new brands sometimes and always check the generic prices to make sure you are really getting a better deal, however most of the time brand names are cheaper with coupon and sale. Brand names are also usually esier to find out if they are safe for us to eat (i.e. Kraft as an example). So if youa re goign to buy brand names anyway you migth as well save money doing it. It is not easy or fast to learn but neither was learning how to eat gluten-free. As you learn what the good prices are for your area, you can quickly go through your coupons, pull the ones you want to use and zip through the aisles to get your groceries. I'm sure there are many other things I have forgotten about. I use hotcouponworld.com for my ad previews and match-ups (go to the forums there).

[Juliebove]

I really hate grocery shopping and do put it off as long as I can. I do find something to eat that day.

Did you check out couponmom.com to find the deals at Albertson's? When the list pops out go to the far right column and click on the down arrow to rearrange the order for the BEST deals at the store that week.

Always bring all of your coupons because there is always a last minute deal not advertised. I would have missed out on the TP deal yesterday. 4 roll pack (regular price $3.79) 50% off ($1.89)and $1 off coupon too, I paid .89 cents. It was not advertised.

Cereal was 2.79 on sale for 1.95 had store coupon (from register receipt/ catalina) for $1.00 off and manufacturer coupon for .75 cents off, So I paid .20 cents.

This isn't a great example of super savings because soda was on sale (we have to pay for bottle deposit), we have rabbits (30 for food and bedding), bought candles ($5), school science experiment($13.54), and special snacks for baseball and travel (about $32).

I spent $148.76 (bottle deposit $9.60) saved $60.21 with coupons and sales & promotions.

The way gas keeps going up, I'm going to need the savings to pay for gas.

No, I didn't check that website. I will. I don't currently have any coupons. I quit taking the paper a long time ago. I never found any coupons in it that I could use.

[Juliebove]

Foods I buy with coupons and sales:

Mission corn tortillas

canned tuna/pouch tuna

frozen veggies (Birdseye, Green Giant, Allens)

canned veggies

Frozen fruit--Strawberries, blue berries, etc.

canned tomatoes (Muir Glen, Hunts, DelMonte, Fumanos)

spaghetti sauce (Prego, Classico, Ragu--just check ingredients carefully)

canned beans/refried beans

salsa

chips (corn or potato)

chicken (Bj's has an organic brand called Harvestland and they usually put out coupons in their flyers, I also recently stocked up on Air chilled MBA Organic Smart chicken with a coupon from their fb page)

spices-McCormick puts out lots of coupons around holidays

sugar--brown sugar, powdered sugar and cane sugar for baking

Fleishman's yeast--has been free after coupon and sales around the holidays for the last three years, I always have ayears supply

Corn Starch

Baking Powder

Salt--Sea salt, Kosher salt, seasoning salt

canned fruit for pies (around the holidays)

Oatmeal--Quaker Oats for my husband--the only non-gluten-free item in my home--I stocked up for .29/canister last time

Chex cereals--always have coupons out but they are hard to find a great deal. I buy whenever I can get them for $1.50 or less.

Nuts--aroudn the holidays there will be lots of coupons

Eggs--coupons abound with lots of brands. Best sales around Easter.

Olive oil--I do buy light OO in bulk from BJ's but whenever I see a great deal on a small bottle I will get one to use for the table and keep near the stove (Usually under $3 is my buy price).

Coconut Milk--currently I have four half gallons I got for $1 each.

Almond Milk--also usually $1-1.5 per half gallon.

Rice--Mahatma/Water Maid, Minute rice, Uncle Ben's brown rice, pretty much anythign that is plain rice I will stock up when there's a coupon and a deal

Dried fruit--raisins, dried cranberries, dates (Make sure they are gluten-free), banana chips

rice cakes (been a while since I've seen a coupon for these but they are cheap anyway)

Progresso soups (select ones, I don't really stock up on these but I keep some on hand for huricane emergencies)

Nature Valley nut bars (forget exact name as it's been a while since I bought any but it's the one that's gluten-free)

Lara bars (these have had coupons out in the past but are hard to come by--I once got 20 for free after sale and coupon, usually I just buy when they go on sale for $1 per bar)

Ketchup--Hunts or Heinz--I'm not picky as long as it's cheap, gluten-free and HFCS-free--the time to stock up on cheap condiments is now with summer sales

Mustard--Frenches yellow is always free or very cheap, Spicy Brown and other flavors can be gotten for under .50

Mayo--I very rarely buy this but there are lots of coupons always.

peanut butter (almost all brands have coupons out)

Jam, jellies, fruit spreads (Welches, Smuckers, Polaner)

Pickles (Mt Olive, Vlasic (been a whiel sinc ei've seen a Vlasic coupons)

Relish

Herbal tea

Orange juice and other types of juice (I don't buy often but will get soem if it's under $1 after coupon)

Bottled water (I keep for my huricane emergency kit or for long road trips)

Gatorade (got a ton of this free last summer, I hope that sale/coupon comes around again)

Here are some gluten-free items I have seen coupons for but I don't really buy them enough (if at all) to call them stock-up items:

Rudi's bread

Udi's bread

Enjoy Life products

Pacific soups and broths

BC fruit snacks (I don't buy, but there are ALWAYS coupson out--big sales are back to school/sumemr time)

Ice cream (all types of brand: Breyers, Blue Bunney, etc--I don't buy anymore but when I did it was always cheap in the summer)

BBQ sauce (Kraft, Sweet Baby Rays usually have coupons)

Yogurt--I don't buy anymore but my buy price was .33 or less per 6 oz cup. Several brands were often better than that with coupons and sales.

Dressings--Kraft, Annies, Ken's, etc. I no longer buy but dressings are always cheap in the summer and have long expiration dates (usually a year out).

Applesauce--was always cheap but I stopped buyign it just because we didn't eat it enough.

Jello/pudding

Condensed milk--always on sale around holidays

Cheese--Kraft, Sargento, Cabot, Breakstones cottage, Ricotta, I no longer buy but my buy price was $1 or less per bag of shredded. Best prices are around the super bowl or cinco de mayo.

Sour cream--was almost always free with a coupon, but I no longer buy

Popcorn--I don't buy the microwave kind anymore but it was often free with a coupon

lunch meat--I don't buy, but many brands have coupons out frequently (Oscar mayer, Buddig) just make sure what you get is gluten-free

Keep in mind prices are regional. What is a good price for me may not be for you. Since I have stores that double I might be able to do better than someone without doubling BUT your stores may offer better store sales or other incentives. You do have to be willign to try new brands sometimes and always check the generic prices to make sure you are really getting a better deal, however most of the time brand names are cheaper with coupon and sale. Brand names are also usually esier to find out if they are safe for us to eat (i.e. Kraft as an example). So if youa re goign to buy brand names anyway you migth as well save money doing it. It is not easy or fast to learn but neither was learning how to eat gluten-free. As you learn what the good prices are for your area, you can quickly go through your coupons, pull the ones you want to use and zip through the aisles to get your groceries. I'm sure there are many other things I have forgotten about. I use hotcouponworld.com for my ad previews and match-ups (go to the forums there).

Wow! That's a lot of stuff. Alas, I don't buy much of that kind of stuff or those brands. But I will check that website.

[Juliebove]

I've got coupons! QFC just sent me coupons for four free items, one of them being eggs and I'm allergic! I can't remember what the other three were. They are not things I would eat either but there is one my daughter might eat. I will still get them and if we don't use them I will give them away. There are also a bunch of cents off coupons, most for items we don't/can't eat but I can use a few of them. My Costco coupons came as well and I can use three of those!

[GlutenFreeManna]

I've got coupons! QFC just sent me coupons for four free items, one of them being eggs and I'm allergic! I can't remember what the other three were. They are not things I would eat either but there is one my daughter might eat. I will still get them and if we don't use them I will give them away. There are also a bunch of cents off coupons, most for items we don't/can't eat but I can use a few of them. My Costco coupons came as well and I can use three of those!

Did you go to that website I told you about yet? You can trade those coupons there for coupons you CAN use! There are probably a lot of people that would give you a good packet of coupons in exchange for the free egg coupons or they might have soemthign else that's a free coupon of a similar value that they won't use. Go check out the forums at hotcouponworld.com tof ind out how to trade with other couponers.

[Juliebove]

Did you go to that website I told you about yet? You can trade those coupons there for coupons you CAN use! There are probably a lot of people that would give you a good packet of coupons in exchange for the free egg coupons or they might have soemthign else that's a free coupon of a similar value that they won't use. Go check out the forums at hotcouponworld.com tof ind out how to trade with other couponers.

I went to one website. Not sure if it was the one you told me about or not but it only showed the Safeway sales and I don't shop there much because the prices are pretty high.

AFAIK, trading coupons isn't legal. But I could be wrong.

I can hold off on the egg coupon until the end of the month when my husband is home. He eats eggs. I don't and my daughter generally doesn't. She does occasionally get them in a restaurant, or precooked boiled ones or in mayo. But we don't cook them.

[GlutenFreeManna]

I went to one website. Not sure if it was the one you told me about or not but it only showed the Safeway sales and I don't shop there much because the prices are pretty high.

AFAIK, trading coupons isn't legal. But I could be wrong.

I can hold off on the egg coupon until the end of the month when my husband is home. He eats eggs. I don't and my daughter generally doesn't. She does occasionally get them in a restaurant, or precooked boiled ones or in mayo. But we don't cook them.

Actually there are no laws regarding trading coupons. There are guidelines on the coupon that prohit copying and selling the coupons but those are made up by the manufacturer, not by any government body. The Coupon Information Center (CIC) polices coupon "sales" for the manufacturers and attempts to prosecute people selling fraudulent or copied coupons. The main investigator guy (Bud Miller) is even a member on Hotcouponworld.com If trading was not allowed I'm pretty sure they would ask the site (and all the coupon sites on the web) to stop it. Hotcouponworld is all about following the ruels so you won't find people telling you how to cheat or bend the rules using coupons there. That's one reason I like it so much, because there are other coupon websites out there that don't care if their member's misuse coupons and brag about it. HCW is not like that. It's all on the up and up!

[Juliebove]

Actually there are no laws regarding trading coupons. There are guidelines on the coupon that prohit copying and selling the coupons but those are made up by the manufacturer, not by any government body. The Coupon Information Center (CIC) polices coupon "sales" for the manufacturers and attempts to prosecute people selling fraudulent or copied coupons. The main investigator guy (Bud Miller) is even a member on Hotcouponworld.com If trading was not allowed I'm pretty sure they would ask the site (and all the coupon sites on the web) to stop it. Hotcouponworld is all about following the ruels so you won't find people telling you how to cheat or bend the rules using coupons there. That's one reason I like it so much, because there are other coupon websites out there that don't care if their member's misuse coupons and brag about it. HCW is not like that. It's all on the up and up!

I did go to your link. I downloaded the toolbar. Really didn't want another toolbar. Looked at all the "grocery" coupons and I would have to say at least half of what was there weren't even grocery coupons. Not a thing I could use. There were a very few things listed that I do eat but I don't need them now and at the store they were for, I wouldn't buy them anyway. I can get them much cheaper elsewhere with no coupon. There were also some links that that led to sites that seemed rather fishy to me. Like a place that claims they send you pre-clipped coupons. Now I don't claim to be an expert here but from things I have read on the Internet that's not legit. So I don't know...

[GlutenFreeManna]

I did go to your link. I downloaded the toolbar. Really didn't want another toolbar. Looked at all the "grocery" coupons and I would have to say at least half of what was there weren't even grocery coupons. Not a thing I could use. There were a very few things listed that I do eat but I don't need them now and at the store they were for, I wouldn't buy them anyway. I can get them much cheaper elsewhere with no coupon. There were also some links that that led to sites that seemed rather fishy to me. Like a place that claims they send you pre-clipped coupons. Now I don't claim to be an expert here but from things I have read on the Internet that's not legit. So I don't know...

hmmm...I don't know what toolbar you are talking about. I just use the forums there to get infromation about sales at my local stores and coupon match-ups. It sounds like you may have clicked on one of the advertisements or something. There are clipping services. Lots of people use them to get multiples. I don't think it's illegal at all but it's up to you to decide you think that's not right. I just buy 3-5 papers per week at dollar tree (depends on how many usable coupons they have in them) and that's enough for me. And I trade with my local friends--we get together every couple months to clip coupons when our local stores do a big sale. That way they get extra of what they need and I get extra of what I need. That's how I'm able to get say 20 Mission tortilla coupons to stock up on those when they are free. Similar groups/events are organized across the country by local libraries, and sometiems you will see a box in the library for people to put coupons they aren't going to use. It's open for anyone to place coupons or to look through and take what they need. I doubt the librabries would allow such practices if that was wrong. A lot of people ask their friends, family or co-workers to save the coupon inserts for them or they go to their local recyling center to get extra coupon inserts (if the center sorts by type and allows you to look for coupons--not all places will so you have to ask--I can't do that here because our recycling is not sorted).

What are your stores? I can link you to the forums for those specific stores if you let me know where you shop. it sound slike you clicked an advertisement ont he main page and didn't see the forums at all. it's sort of like here when you just go to celiac.com there is a lot of information/articles outside of the forums, but you have to click on the forums link to get here and sign up for a free membership to post.

ETA: Here's a link to the store forums:

Open Original Shared Link

--they are in alphabetical order so you can find your local stores and find out what sales they have and also learn what the coupons rules are for each store (every store has different rules).

[Juliebove]

hmmm...I don't know what toolbar you are talking about. I just use the forums there to get infromation about sales at my local stores and coupon match-ups. It sounds like you may have clicked on one of the advertisements or something. There are clipping services. Lots of people use them to get multiples. I don't think it's illegal at all but it's up to you to decide you think that's not right. I just buy 3-5 papers per week at dollar tree (depends on how many usable coupons they have in them) and that's enough for me. And I trade with my local friends--we get together every couple months to clip coupons when our local stores do a big sale. That way they get extra of what they need and I get extra of what I need. That's how I'm able to get say 20 Mission tortilla coupons to stock up on those when they are free. Similar groups/events are organized across the country by local libraries, and sometiems you will see a box in the library for people to put coupons they aren't going to use. It's open for anyone to place coupons or to look through and take what they need. I doubt the librabries would allow such practices if that was wrong. A lot of people ask their friends, family or co-workers to save the coupon inserts for them or they go to their local recyling center to get extra coupon inserts (if the center sorts by type and allows you to look for coupons--not all places will so you have to ask--I can't do that here because our recycling is not sorted).

What are your stores? I can link you to the forums for those specific stores if you let me know where you shop. it sound slike you clicked an advertisement ont he main page and didn't see the forums at all. it's sort of like here when you just go to celiac.com there is a lot of information/articles outside of the forums, but you have to click on the forums link to get here and sign up for a free membership to post.

ETA: Here's a link to the store forums:

Open Original Shared Link

--they are in alphabetical order so you can find your local stores and find out what sales they have and also learn what the coupons rules are for each store (every store has different rules).

I mainly shop at Costco (has the own coupons) and Winco foods. No advertised sales there, but they do have sales. Next would be Albertsons and Central Market. Occasionally Safeway, QFC or Fred Meyer. Their prices are more expensive so I rarely go there unless they have something specific that I want or I am in the area and just need a couple of things. The only listed store there is Safeway.

The toolbar is called Shop At Home.

We don't have very many newspapers here. Most went out of business and of the remaining ones, I think only one ever has coupons and seemingly nothing I could ever use.

[GlutenFreeManna]

I mainly shop at Costco (has the own coupons) and Winco foods. No advertised sales there, but they do have sales. Next would be Albertsons and Central Market. Occasionally Safeway, QFC or Fred Meyer. Their prices are more expensive so I rarely go there unless they have something specific that I want or I am in the area and just need a couple of things. The only listed store there is Safeway.

The toolbar is called Shop At Home.

We don't have very many newspapers here. Most went out of business and of the remaining ones, I think only one ever has coupons and seemingly nothing I could ever use.

Yeah I don't think that toolbar is something put out by HCW, unless it's something new I've not seen before. HCW has forums listed for Albertsons, Fred Meyer, and Safeway. I don't know how active those forums are or how good the deals are at those stores since I don't have any of those chains in my area. Coupon values and number of coupons do vary by area which is why so many people trade.

[Juliebove]

Yeah I don't think that toolbar is something put out by HCW, unless it's something new I've not seen before. HCW has forums listed for Albertsons, Fred Meyer, and Safeway. I don't know how active those forums are or how good the deals are at those stores since I don't have any of those chains in my area. Coupon values and number of coupons do vary by area which is why so many people trade.

Hmmm... I might get rid of the toolbar then. It's for printing coupons online. But so far the only ones I saw that I could use were for such a little amount of money it wouldn't pay for me to waste my toner to print them. Plus you have to fill out all this stuff and agree to get e-mails to get the coupons.

[GlutenFreeManna]

Hmmm... I might get rid of the toolbar then. It's for printing coupons online. But so far the only ones I saw that I could use were for such a little amount of money it wouldn't pay for me to waste my toner to print them. Plus you have to fill out all this stuff and agree to get e-mails to get the coupons.

Sounds like some kind of scam to me. You shouldn't have to jump through that many hoops to get a coupon. There are many legit websites that have printables (IP's). The ones I use most are:

Redplum.com

coupons.com

smartsource.com

These might require you to download a coupon printer. the only reason they need you to load the coupon printer software is that they limit how many coupons you print and track the coupons you print with a number on the bar-code. All the bar code numbers are unique when you print a coupon. If someone tries to print more than is allowed or if they print one and then make copies of it (big no-no) the companies can track whose computer the copied coupons came from. Some people that have commited fraud by making copies of coupons have found that their ip address is blocked from ever printing again. Sometimes they are banned from the stores they use the fraudulent coupons from (since the stores lose the most moeny from coupon fraud). Extreme cases could be investigated by the CIC and prosecuted, but that is rare. Other than that however, most coupons allow two prints per computer. If you have more than one computer it is allowed to use both computers to print more (remember every coupon will have a unique verifiable bar code). However, some stores only accept 1 or 2 IP's due to the amount of coupon fraud that can happen with printed coupons. All my stores have stopped accepting IP's for free items and even IP's that are Buy 1 Get 1 free. You should check the rules of your local stores before you go crazy printing stuff.