Obviously, I'm too simple minded for coupons!

[cappuccinosmom]

So in August I started couponing and sale watching in earnest. It's not even the end of the month yet and I"ve spent $50 *more* than I used to before. I just topped $300. :

Maybe I'm stupid, or just not devoted enough, but somehow all those great deals and stockups busted my budget.

I think I am going back to my rotating menu, 3 bean meals a week, and forget about coupons and sales flyers.

[merry-mary]

I used to clip coupons but I've stopped. Like you, I wasn't seeing much results. Coupons are now expensive! You have to buy 3 things to get $$ off.

Like you, I stick to sales circulars. It seems to work better for us.

[MCsMom]

I have yet to see a coupon for fresh fruit and things in the bulk bins.

[BetsyS]

I use coupons, but I don't use them for everything, and it's like an "extra" when I do my budgeting, on top of planning cheap meals, buying stuff on sale, and the basics like that.

I occasionally get coupons on meat, fruit, vegetables, and dairy.

We are not as good and organic as other folks too, so that helps. We use toilet paper, we like ketchup and mayonaise, we eat oatmeal cookies (so we buy oatmeal), and we buy bread at the store. We also use whatever kind of cheese is cheap at the store, and mama gets a fancy chocolate bar about once a month. Those are all things that I regularly use coupons on.

[momto l&a]

I rarely use coupons because they seem like they are mostly for processed and stuff that really isn't naturally minded or healthy

[Benji'sMom]

There always seems to be a store brand that's cheaper even when you use the coupon, so I don't use coupons. I do use sale fliers but only if it's a super cheap deal on something I need anyway like chicken or ground beef, something like that.

[VisionQuest]

I only typically use coupons for items that I already purchase or for items that are nearly free or free that we wouldn't typically use but can be donated to the food pantry or shelter.

One mistake people make is feeling that they have to buy an item to use the coupon because it's going to expire.

[BetsyS]

Originally Posted by VisionQuest

One mistake people make is feeling that they have to buy an item to use the coupon because it's going to expire.

Absolutely. There will always be another coupon, another deal, another sale.

[melissel]

Originally Posted by BetsyS

I use coupons, but I don't use them for everything, and it's like an "extra" when I do my budgeting, on top of planning cheap meals, buying stuff on sale, and the basics like that.

I occasionally get coupons on meat, fruit, vegetables, and dairy.

We are not as good and organic as other folks too, so that helps. We use toilet paper, we like ketchup and mayonaise, we eat oatmeal cookies (so we buy oatmeal), and we buy bread at the store. We also use whatever kind of cheese is cheap at the store, and mama gets a fancy chocolate bar about once a month. Those are all things that I regularly use coupons on.

Yeah, what she said Plus, I'm not sure how you did your shopping, but sometimes I'll have months where I spend more stocking up on something that will take me a long time to use up. If that's not the case, then yeah, you probably need to do some better planning

[ColoradoMama]

Originally Posted by momto l&a

I rarely use coupons because they seem like they are mostly for processed and stuff that really isn't naturally minded or healthy

Plus, it's more expensive. So, even if you're using a coupon - you're still going to spend more money. That's the catch of coupons.