Extreme Couponing Tip: See the Bright Side of Couponing
Extreme Couponing Tip: See the Bright Side of Couponing
This week’s Extreme Couponing Tip is about seeing the bright side of couponing and trying not to compare what you’ve got to what others have. Everything from comparing regional coupons to comparing different store sales and coupon policies is often a habit of a couponer, but I’m challenging you to stay focused and positive on our overall goal–to save money, no matter what the circumstance!
I admit it, I do it sometimes. I see awesome Buy One Get Free Deals at Publix (where they allow you to use TWO coupons on a BOGO sale) and find myself wishing we had a Publix in the Northeast. But then I remember we have ShopRite, where most stores (I know, not all) double coupons up to $1.50. I can go on and on. King Kullen doubles up to (5) $1.00 coupons per transaction, some stores will triple coupons, some stores only double coupons up to $1.00, some only take (2) Internet Coupons, some take as many as you can bring in, etc.
As tempting as it is, there is no reason to compare what you don’t have to what others have. We won’t get anywhere in life doing that. Let’s stop and see the positives in what we DO have. We need to appreciate and be thankful for the deals we have and remember that every region has different positives and negatives. We have to see it this way–any type of savings is a plus, no matter how great or small. No matter where you live and no matter what store you shop at, there will always be SOME way to save money and that is something to get excited about 
Now it’s your turn. Share a POSITIVE way you save money at your local grocery and drug stores! You never know, you might leave a tip for another reader that will really help them out.
Do you have an idea for an Extreme Couponing tip you’d like to see addressed? Leave your ideas in the comments!
Having shopped at both stores, I like Shop Rite better. The prices are more reasonable. That said, Publix has an awesome department where they have these meats that are pre-seasoned and ready to throw right onto the grill. Whenever we go to our timeshare, we grab some of these prepared meats and grill. Everyone that walks past the grill area thinks we are some awesome chefs. It’s restaurant quality stuff at home with no waiting for a table or the check and at a good price. I’m definitely looking forward to hitting up that department at Publix next time we go away.
I LOVE this! You are SOO right! I know exactly what you mean. In the end we all manage to get fabulous deals!!
I leave coupons that I know I won’t use next to that item in the store for someone else. And I LOVE when I find coupons that someone else has left that I can use. Paying it forward
My daughter (age 12) has the household responsibility of grocery shopping with me, so she is learning couponing now, too.
I also leave coupons that I know I will not use next to the item for the next person!
I am happy that I can save $200-$300 each month. I been couponing for over
a year and now I can’t imagine shopping without a coupon. Why pay full price when you can get someting for free or save 50%. I don’t want to pay full price for milk, yogurts, cereals and everything else ever again. This week my husband bought Smart Balance milk without a coupon for $3.99 and I am thinking “God,so much!”. Some time ago I stocked up on this milk and I paid only $1.50 for each. This week I will get free Colgate toothpaste, I will get cheap Activia yogurt so there is nothing to complain about. I am happy with what I save right now. Recently my 12 year old son even mentioned in his school essay that his mother loves to clip coupons and get things for free. I laughed so hard…
I moved to Florida after living in New Jersey, and let me say I do miss Shoprite. Is one of my favorite stores. Publix is a bit expensive for me, even though sometimes they have good BOGO deals. What I miss mostly is when coupons could double, since here in Florida that is nonexistent (at least in my area). I can’t save as much money as I did in Jersey, but hey, I’m doing my best. I love you Shoprite!!
I am with you!! I moved from NJ to Michigan a few months ago and how I do miss my SHOPRITE. That store is just the best. I could live in a high cost of living area and save LOTS of money at that store. I, too, am doing my best here in the midwest and manage some deals at the local Meijers but NOTHING yet compares to Shoprite:)
I just moved to North Central part of the country from the North East. I was so dissapointed when I went to get the paper the first sunday here. The coupons are horrible in this region. It took me a few days but with heavy research I think I found the secret! Insert subscriptions are all over the country so you can basically pick where you want to get inserts from. The one I just subscribed to is from NJ. Oh how I missed North East Coupons! It’s reasonably priced and I get them the friday before they come out! It’s not exactly how I save a the store but for those of you in regions like me, No fear! There is a way to get good coupons!
Megan, Where did you subscribe to other inserts? Would love to do this!
go on google and look up whole coupon inserts. I found a few.
http://www.wholecouponinserts.com
How do you order the inserts? Figure since I don’t read the paper it would save some trees
http://shop.whole-couponinserts.com/Subscriptions-starting-1-20-inserts-1-insert-this-week-Subscriptions-start-1-20.htm;jsessionid=7FB30FDD7AF7863CA1037E3DC87BD0D6.qscstrfrnt05
How do you save 200-300$ on groceries the most I save is 30$ with coupons.
Sabrina, just last Saturday I saved over $60. I had coupons for Activia yogurts (12), Colgate toothpaste (12), milk, tomato sauces,lip balms, Listerine and many others… I had to do three separate transactions because of the Activia and toothpaste.
I am in Long Island NY and have almost all the North East stores including King Kullen who doubles $1.00 coupon and less than a year old Best Market. Having many choices are great, but sometime I confuse myself because too many choices.
Some night I am looking at LRWC so long, before I make my mind up I get way too tired and not enough sleeping time. Next morning, I still don’t have some list to go around the few stores.
Now I do most of the fresh produce at Best Market because their produce, meat and Deli section is so fresh and very inexpensive.
I go to ShopRite once a week for much couponing like frozen foods, household, cereals, that kind of ” Great Deal” item.
Pathmark and King Kullen, only when they have great deals.
CVS is my favorite, but gave up Walgreen.
Rite Aid is when it has a good deal.
Still, a lot places but this is enough for me.
My sister lives in California and never heard of double coupon!
I am lucky and I am grateful.
I live in Long Island too and I totally agree with you about too many choices, don’t get me wrong it’s great having all these stores around, but sometimes it gets so confusing. I had to limit my self to certain stores and my favorites are ShopRite and CVS. Less than a year ago Best Market opened by my house, but I found their prices are high compared to The Food Plaza or Meat Farm so I do most of my produce shopping at Meat Farm, and like you I shop at ShopRite for everything else. I moved to NY 4 yrs ago and before that I really didn’t coupon and now when I visit my family in California I try to coupon for my mom while I am there and it’s so hard. They don’t double coupons and they have nothing close to ShopRite, so at times like those I am glad I live in NY.
Hanna, minus the King Kullen (because I don’t have one by me) that is exactly what I do. Right down to the Best Market. Which, by the way, I love love love! Great minds think alike
Hi Hassena,
I thought you were my neighbor and you are!
We might be crossing each other at one of those shops, LOL.
Best Market we are talking, must be a same one and I know some things are getting more expensive since they opened the door in last Spring
(was it?). Yet still has great deals. Last week and this week, strawberries are $1.99! Last week, chicken breast (no skin no bone) was
$1.89/lb. Deli price is going up a bit by bit but they are open till store closes. Most of the super market, Deli section closes by 7:30 -8:00p.m.
I heard Food Plaza is also good but haven’t tried yet.
If you see your weekly circular, you can pick a lot good deal at
Best Market. Two newly opened last year (ours and one at east) has
lower pricing than other existing area.
Wow, Cindy!!
That’s so nice to know I do the same kind of patter as yours for
shopping. It will be almost 2 years since I found LRWC and I saved so much and also I helped many after school snacks as well as local food
pantry. Budget cut is not just our house hold, but I am so glad I could help schools and others. Thanks to you and all people who put their tips, thought and deals!
I never try to keep with the Jones’ – isn’t that what couponing is all about? Remember that there is always one way we can all save something everyday…keep reading up with LRWC
LOVE to roll any rewards…such as catalinas, +UPS, ECB…(whatever a particular store calls them). I either roll the rewards on the same deal (if the store limits allow it) or use a previous rewards on a different deal that will allow me to earn a new reward. I see these rewards as a store credit. I purchase many items using this system. Typically these items are not being used right away…I try to have a small stock of items needed for future use.(medications, vitamins, paper products,feminine hygiene products, personal items,hair care, deodorant,…typically longer shelf life items).
I also only shop at stores I like…if I do not care for a particular store(for whatever reason) I just do not shop there, I find it keeps my attitude positive.
Ever since I have discovered this website, I have saved a lot of money. I have ShopRite near me for groceries mainly and on the bottom of my receipt, I have saved over $4K…I am very grateful that people take the time during the day to post deals and share coupon links to help my family. Its been challenging lately with money, so whenever I need to get the bang for my buck, I come here first to make sure there is a coupon. I refuse to pay full price anymore when it comes to buying stuff for my family. I look for coupons everywhere and try to get the best deal possible. Thank you Cindy and crew for all you do!!!
None of the stores in my area doubles coupons. I am glad to see that people get such great deals and wish that I could do it also. Yes, there is a little jealously when you’re broke and wish you could buy something for almost free so that you can buy other items that you need. But I still enjoy using as many coupons as I can when I shop.
I love the fact that I can share my knowlege with others. Just the other day a woman behind me in the supermarket wrote “Living Rich with Coupons” on her hand, because she was determined to start couponing after she saw how much I saved.
Carrie, I so understand…I keep this site written down on misc scrap paper in my coupon binder now for times like that. It started happening every other trip. I love telling people to come here.
I think it’s important not to get caught up with the beating of yourself up because you are brand loyal. I know that goes against a lot of extreme “rules” but really I am one of those people.I will try new products but I will only buy more if I actually like the product. So, I take advantage when I can and am realstic about how much I will can save. This site helps me find the brand new coupon items and deals all in one place.
Also, it’s important to realize that not all of us have a steady paycheck. There are many of us who are in sales industries where family income varies month to month. I try not to get upset when I hear oh just budget this way.. really, for a lot of us that formula is not going to work. We do the best we have with what we have.. and if that means we miss a sale well then that’s ok too..
Angela, you are so right! Having worked on commission for years, my grocery “budget” changes seasonally. There are lots of deals that I have to pass by because it is not the week for stocking up. But, boy, when I do, I have a blast!!
Couponing and shopping sales also helps me extend my food budget in lean weeks because I have enough detergent or shampoo or whatever to get me through. Those are the products that really coat a lot week to week. Building a stockpile keeps the weekly purchases down. I love the weeks when all I buy is veggies and milk!
This was a great post, Cindy!
In addition to great savings, savor the couponing adrenaline, enjoy the fun of finding great deals and enjoy sharing them with your fellow couponers.
It is so hard not to compare yourself to others I think it is human nature. The writers are right it doesnt get you anywhere. That even goes for yourself not to compare one shopping trip to another. I stumbled upon this site and I am so grateful for everyone on this site. I had the privelage of meeting Cindy at a workshop…you are the best! Thank you.
Don’t forget Acme where you can bring in 20 coupons and use them all in one transaction. No real limits unless they feel you are a dealer or going to the FAR extreme. Also, no can only buy 4 of the same variety stuff other play.
Acme doubles everything up to .99…
Although they are very expensive on anything not on sale (Shoprite is not that much better)…their sales are super.
It makes my life so much easier than Shoprite …where I have to use only 4 couposn of the same type in same transaction and am limited to four of same variety of item.
They even sometimes complain when I leave the store and come back to do another transaction… It is hit or miss but it does happen.
Anyway…everyone seems to ignore Acme.
Acme’s Coupon Policy ROCKS!!!! I remember the Marie Callendar & Healthy Choice Catalina Deal a while back. I was able to get a bunch in one transaction. Shoprite’s coupon policy is stricter but I have quite a few in my area that do not mind customers who do separate transactions to get the deals
I get flustered sometimes because prices in NY tend to be higher than other areas, and our coupons can sometimes be not as good as some other areas. That being said, I still get myself to save oodles and oodles every week by shopping at Shop Rite and cvs (which is 2 blocks from my house) while my neighbors are over spending for the same things and don’t even consider couponing a full contact sport like we do. So I feel good because I cam make it work!
I love this tip!!! I enjoyed reading a lot of the replies, ran out of time. I not only shop by this philosophy I live by it as well. I am happy to tell all of you couponers it has worked well for me. I’ll never be rice in my pocket but I’m rich in my heart. That makes me “Living rich with coupons”. lol
a year and a half ago, i was spending $250 per week at the grocery store for my little family (me, my husband, and our now 5 yr old), not including the $50 (at least!) when i had to run to the pharmacy! and then i stumbled upon this site and “extreme couponing”! now i spend $60-80 per week at the grocery store (sometimes even less!) and much less at the pharmacy…and i regularly get things for free! i have literally cut my spending in half, and some weeks more than half! i am so very greatful for this site, the couponing community, and all of the couponing lessons i have learned! if there is a will, there is a way! thank you, and keep up the good work, everyone!
I’m thankful that I had enough common sense to google “how to use coupons” and found this website. I’ve been couponing for over a year and have saved so much money. Our pantry is stocked and I am able to send “care” packages to my family. I’m focused on helping my co-workers figure out a coupon plan that works for them and I love making the skeptics at the grocery store believers. Remember, a penny saved is a penny earned and it all counts. Thanks Cindy for all your work. I certainly couldn’t do it without you.
I grew up in Florida and there was a Publix right down the street from our house. I used to love going there with my mom. Even as a kid I would think to my self how nice the store always looked. It was so clean. I live in upstate NY now and I LOVE shoprite. I have been couponing for just over a year and if they hadn’t come to town we never would have had any stores that doubled coupons. Plus they gave my fiance not just a job but a good job. Right when we really needed the money too. If you guys ever go to the Slingerlands store visit the seafood dept. and see Ryan the new seafood manager and he’ll take care of you.
Sorry he’s been bugging me to give his dept. some free advertising.
I’m so thankful for what I save all the time. Just know there will always be another sale. Also, as you coupon you will begin to know the good sales and coupons that don’t occur very often so always leave a little extra just in case.
I am grateful for Cindy and LRWC. I have always been a couponer but extreme for about 4 years. I used to spend so much time scouring ads for deals. Now I barely glance at them. Instead I take advantage of all of the hard work Cindy does for us! I spend my time now just prepping for the trip and check the site every chance I get for updates. If I find a deal that isn’t listed I head right to LRWC to share with my extreme buddies! I love this feature and how willing we all are to help. I think it would be awesome to have a conference sometime so we all could meet and bring friends to learn! I love sharing this site with friends and strangers!
I am always so amazed at the generous spirit of everyone contributing and using this website! Not only do I check the postings regularly, but I’m always checking the comments because so many of you take the time to post your experiences, hints, better deals, additional links …. you don’t always see strangers helping others … whether couponning is a financial necessity or a choice, it’s nice to know that for the most part, we are all here not only to benefit but also to help each other. Cindy has been gracious, patient and kind when there have been some cranky, whiny posts. Thank you, Cindy! You are a class act!
I too have always been a couponer, I can remember clipping coupons at 12! I used to be jealous of my aunt in Northern Jersey who used to get such great high value coupons. Then i thought let me ask her for her leftovers and she obliged by giving them to my mom every time she goes up and visit! Also grateful for Cindy and my newspaper carrier for leaving me all his coupon inserts!
I have significantly reduced my grocery bill without making my family feel deprived. Intially when I discovered Cindy’s site I felt compelled to get every single deal listed thinking I was saving money. After months of stressing myself with running around to all the stores, I realized I was actually spending more in the end. More time going to all the stores, more time rearranging my stockpiles to make more room and less time for myself and my family. So I regained some sanity by making peace that (1) every deal listed by Cindy is not for me and my family. No matter how great of a deal it sounds like. If my family doesn’t use it, then it turns into a waste. (2) being grateful that Cindy does not charge to obtain a wealth of information to save money on products my family uses.
I now shop at stores that I am familar with and they are familar with me. It’s less stressful. I also find that by shopping at these stores I learn about them and find unadvertised deals that sometimes even Cindy doesn’t know about
Not to be dramatic about, but it is like a Zen experience. You need to find the balance. The balance is different for everyone.
I agree with Maria… You have to find the balance, where couponing saves you money, but doesn’t take too much time away from your family or exhausts you. You also have to assess each deal and figure out if it is really a great deal for your situation, or if tweaking it a little and paying more might actually be more beneficial to your needs. I used to shop store brand/generic only, just to keep the costs down. Now, everything in my house is brand name, but I am not brand loyal. Focusing only on one grocery store and one drug store has also lessened the stress; between ShopRite and CVS everything will come on sale at some point.
I love lrwc because I have been able to save around 50 a week on my bills and get things for free that other non couponers pay full price for. The cvs groupon i got has lasted me weeks because i pay so little out of pocket every week there. I still have almost 13 bucks on it and i have had it since december!! I love coupons and you are the best Cindy! You are hours faster with your deals than the other blogs and that can make the difference between getting the deal and not!