Will Someone Help Me Understand how those Coupon Queens get their grocery bill to that Extreme Low Amount?!
Triple, double coupons - I've done that and after the dust has settled it comes out to about what I would hav paid @ a regular store (without a coupon).
Some of the times I can't find a coupon for ITEMS I use.
Answers: I use to work in a Grocery Store and there are RESTRICTIONS to coupons i.e. one coupon per purchase, Expire date, Free Items (cust pays tax), Free items (the few from rebates expire and don't come all @ one time).
Triple, double coupons - I've done that and after the dust has settled it comes out to about what I would hav paid @ a regular store (without a coupon).
Some of the times I can't find a coupon for ITEMS I use.
I used to be a Coupon Queen when all the kids lived at home. Let me tell you, it is a LOT Of work. You buy several Sunday papers to get the best coupons, track which Sunday's of the month you get the most, set up a full-fledged filing system, trade with friends in other parts of the country, set your menus by what is on sale and what you have coupons for.
I found I did best by buying my groceries once a month or so. And then you plan it like you are planning a war. All the grocery ads from every store in 20 miles. Compare everything - so and so has the best sale price, but this other place will double the coupon so you come out ahead. Take a buddy shopping and track everything on paper. Watch the cashier like a hawk - and the register. All too often stores "forget" to change prices in the computer even though items are on sale and they have changed the shelf sticker.
I pretty regularly brought home $1000 or so worth of groceries for about $100, but I invested an easy 8-10 hours a week to do that.
I think you have to alter your menu to work with the coupons.
I have a hard time with coupons because I have certain items that I use that don't offer coupons very often.
http://www.thestreet.com/s/10-secrets-of...
Good story on how they do it!
Its hard work, a lot of internet time!
go to http://grocerygame.com they look at the ads in your area and they can see what is on sale at different stores. It costs like $10, I think for a 4 week trial period. You can print off coupons and use them, if the store allows. It is pretty good. I use it. I save quite a bit......the only thing is that you have to clip the coupons out of your local paper too.
Good Luck
i also work in retail where coupons can be used. so some of the ways they can get there purchases for less than nothing are......
if the items they are purchasing are already on sale and they use the manufacters coupons, one per purchase of course, and if the store they're shopping at doubles the coupon thats even more off. where i work there is a chance for 3 coupons to be used on one item. if the item has in-store coupons they can use those and the manufacture coupons. many of those ppl arent picky about the stuff they buy, they just buy whatever is on sale and what they have coupons for. Me im not like that, i like what i like and i dont buy stuff simply because there is a coupon for it, so when i get the coupons out of the newspaper the majority of them i dont use cuz it's not on stuff i buy.
Research is involved...
Time is required to locate the coupons (in newspapers, online, by sharing or trading either in person or in online communities). Review store flyers and match up the sales, too.
Users have to be flexible about brands and sizes -- and buy the brand that is on sale/couponed instead of what may be a more preferred brand. (Ritz instead of Townhouse, Apple Jacks instead of Froot Loops).
When they do the coupon challenges, the shoppers ONLY buy what they have coupons for, and not their entire grocery list. For example, fresh produce is rarely couponed, yet most people buy fruit or vegetables most weeks. They might also buy several units of something that is 'really' on sale -- I've gotten things free or actually got money back on occasion if I had a good coupon and the item was on sale. It's rare, tho!
Depending on how much time you are willing to spend searching for coupons, matching them up to the store ads, etc. you CAN save a lot of money.
If you have the space to stock up on items (paper towels, deodorant, laundry detergent) and a freezer/ pantry, you can stretch the savings over a longer time.
Start early. Start clipping coupons at the first of the month and then at the end do your grocery shopping when the good sales at grocery stores you will save trust me.