Man, I've been having so much fun not only shopping the great deals but also blogging about my adventures and here I am on another break. It's for a completely different reason than my recent lags, though.
I made the decision in the past couple weeks that we're scaling down our shopping to grocery deals, immediate needs, and once specific type of item. A few weeks ago I began feeling a bit ill in the mornings, and shortly thereafter we discovered that Andy & I will have an addition to our little family later this year! We're extremely happy and very much looking forward to our little couponer-in-training.
I wasn't prepared for just how much impending motherhood takes out of one's body, though. I'm constantly exhausted, and the thought of getting up early on Sundays and chasing deals hasn't been very fun! In addition, we'll be moving to slightly larger living quarters in coming months; the less of the loot stack we have to tote, the better. And, finally, many of the free items we're able to get with coupons at the drug stores still "cost" us sales tax. I would rather put the $5-10 a week in tax towards diapers or the savings account!
For the short-term, I'll be concentrating our shopping on grocery items and immediate needs (paper towels, garbage bags, that sort of thing) as well as baby items like diapers, wipes, etc.
In the longer-term, the blog will obviously take a bit of a different direction. Our adventures in frugality will take on a whole new dimension with the addition of a baby: finding good stroller deals, homemade baby food vs. prepackaged jars, frugal entertainment, the possibilities are endless!
So, that all said, I'm sorry if my updates aren't as frequent as they have been for right now. I'm still adjusting to everything, but with any luck I'll have the energy and mental acuity to pick up the posting soon. Here's hoping for some great diaper deals in the near future!
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Dual Drugstore Deals: $128 for a $3 profit, April spending, and back from a short break
I took a major step back from shopping overall for the month of April - you'll see just how much with the monthly numbers at the end of the post!
There were two major reasons I pulled back.
1. As I mentioned a couple times, we're really very well stocked on the items we use. There have been some good sales over the past couple weeks, but I've been weighing just how good they are a lot more carefully than before. If it's not something that we use frequently, I only want to chase a deal if it's profitable. Have you seen gas prices lately? Ugh.
2. The Extreme Couponing show is having an affect in many areas, mine included. Stock has been an issue and it's getting worse; combined with isolated reports of new couponers trying to use coupons improperly, it was (still is, really) time to lay low a bit.
That said, there were some deals that got me moving this weekend! Let's take a look.
Walgreens - shelf price $70.88
6 Right Guard body wash $4.49ea, BOGO sale, $13.47
6 4pk Noxema disposable razors $3.99ea, $23.94
1 8pk Tuf paper towels $3.99
Subtotal $41.40, less three BOGO Right Guard, less six $2 off Noxema razors
Total $15.93, received back $18 in RRs ($3 for each Noxema razor)
This was a quick, painless trip. I would have liked some more of the razors at a $1 profit each, but stock wasn't great so I didn't overdo it. We'll be stopping back later in the week as Wags has milk cheaper than the grocery store; if they get more razors on this week's truck I'll grab a few more packs.
Some of the razors have a $2 coupon inside the package. I'd like to touch briefly on the proper protocol for this sort of thing. The coupon is inside the package, so only open that package if you're buying the product - I'm hearing of some stores that now can't sell any of their razors because people went before the sale started and tore open the packages to take the coupon. DO NOT DO THIS!! I took the razors up to the counter with everything intact, and before anything happened I explained that I was going to buy one package and then cut it open to get the coupon right there. This way everything is on the proverbial up and up; no one is destroying packages before they're purchased, no one looks "shady" cutting or tearing things up in a corner of the store, and everyone is happy.
Rite Aid - shelf price $57.16
2 Gillette Fusion Proglide razors $9.99ea, $19.98 (LIMIT TWO)
1 Dove for Men deodorant $3.99 (LIMIT ONE)
5 Revlon emery boards $1.49ea, $7.45
3 Revlon tweezers $1.37ea, $4.11
2 16oz bags Red Vines licorice $1.50ea, $3
1 package Easter eggs $.49 (clearance)
Subtotal $39.02, less $5 off Proglide, less $4 off Proglide
Total $30.02, received back $31 in +UPs ($5 for each Proglide, $3 for Dove, $4 for each pair of Revlon (LIMIT FOUR), $1 for each Red Vines)
Revlon beauty tools are on sale for 40% off and you get a $4 +UP back for each two (limit of $16 in +UPs total). If you can find items in stock which are around $3 or less regular price, you wind up with free or profitable beauty tools - the trouble is finding the items in stock, of course! I mostly lucked out, though I had wanted a different type of emery board (the type I actually use). Those had been cleared out before we got to the store by one shopper who, according to the cashier, kept coming back into the store over & over to buy more Revlon. Holy extra Wellness cards.....
Today's trip
For the month of April
See? We barely shopped in April! The biggest expenditures were the perishables - milk, meat & produce.
I'd really like to see some great grocery deals start cropping up soon. That may be wishful thinking, what with prices everywhere going up, but a girl can dream.
There were two major reasons I pulled back.
1. As I mentioned a couple times, we're really very well stocked on the items we use. There have been some good sales over the past couple weeks, but I've been weighing just how good they are a lot more carefully than before. If it's not something that we use frequently, I only want to chase a deal if it's profitable. Have you seen gas prices lately? Ugh.
2. The Extreme Couponing show is having an affect in many areas, mine included. Stock has been an issue and it's getting worse; combined with isolated reports of new couponers trying to use coupons improperly, it was (still is, really) time to lay low a bit.
That said, there were some deals that got me moving this weekend! Let's take a look.
6 Right Guard body wash $4.49ea, BOGO sale, $13.47
6 4pk Noxema disposable razors $3.99ea, $23.94
1 8pk Tuf paper towels $3.99
Subtotal $41.40, less three BOGO Right Guard, less six $2 off Noxema razors
Total $15.93, received back $18 in RRs ($3 for each Noxema razor)
$2.07 profit!!
This was a quick, painless trip. I would have liked some more of the razors at a $1 profit each, but stock wasn't great so I didn't overdo it. We'll be stopping back later in the week as Wags has milk cheaper than the grocery store; if they get more razors on this week's truck I'll grab a few more packs.
Some of the razors have a $2 coupon inside the package. I'd like to touch briefly on the proper protocol for this sort of thing. The coupon is inside the package, so only open that package if you're buying the product - I'm hearing of some stores that now can't sell any of their razors because people went before the sale started and tore open the packages to take the coupon. DO NOT DO THIS!! I took the razors up to the counter with everything intact, and before anything happened I explained that I was going to buy one package and then cut it open to get the coupon right there. This way everything is on the proverbial up and up; no one is destroying packages before they're purchased, no one looks "shady" cutting or tearing things up in a corner of the store, and everyone is happy.
Rite Aid - shelf price $57.16
2 Gillette Fusion Proglide razors $9.99ea, $19.98 (LIMIT TWO)
1 Dove for Men deodorant $3.99 (LIMIT ONE)
5 Revlon emery boards $1.49ea, $7.45
3 Revlon tweezers $1.37ea, $4.11
2 16oz bags Red Vines licorice $1.50ea, $3
1 package Easter eggs $.49 (clearance)
Subtotal $39.02, less $5 off Proglide, less $4 off Proglide
Total $30.02, received back $31 in +UPs ($5 for each Proglide, $3 for Dove, $4 for each pair of Revlon (LIMIT FOUR), $1 for each Red Vines)
$.98 profit!!
Revlon beauty tools are on sale for 40% off and you get a $4 +UP back for each two (limit of $16 in +UPs total). If you can find items in stock which are around $3 or less regular price, you wind up with free or profitable beauty tools - the trouble is finding the items in stock, of course! I mostly lucked out, though I had wanted a different type of emery board (the type I actually use). Those had been cleared out before we got to the store by one shopper who, according to the cashier, kept coming back into the store over & over to buy more Revlon. Holy extra Wellness cards.....
Today's trip
Shelf price $128.04
Total $45.95
Rewards earned $49
$3.05 profit!!
For the month of April
Shelf price $277.44
Total $115.54
Rewards earned $62.98
Out of pocket $52.56
See? We barely shopped in April! The biggest expenditures were the perishables - milk, meat & produce.
I'd really like to see some great grocery deals start cropping up soon. That may be wishful thinking, what with prices everywhere going up, but a girl can dream.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Random updates
I dropped off a big pile of food & personal care items for the food bank this week. It felt really good to hand off so much knowing it's going to help people in our community who are struggling. I've written about it before and I'm sure it's not a surprise to anyone reading that grocery prices are just insane recently. It's hard enough with aggressive coupon use; imagine what these price increases are like on an average family just barely scraping by as it is.
Must. Donate. More.
We're also going to send some more care packages over to the troops soon. The last shipment we sent was well-received so I'll start putting another together.
I'm still struggling to put together my shopping plan for Sunday. One week ago I started the process of eliminating my worst "bad habit" - smoking. It's not easy, but it's going well and I'm doing much better than I'd thought I would. Unfortunately I'm a bit cranky and it's sort of hard to concentrate on a shopping strategy. I want to get in on Rite Aid's cleaning supplies deal but, gah, it seems so complicated right now! LOL.
Ah well. Quitting is more important; if I can't wrap my head around the deals this week it's not the end of the world.
Finally, a brief update on the Extreme Couponing debacle
(I really love that word - debacle!)
comes via Entertainment Weekly:
I have no idea if TLC will actually do anything about it because I'm sure they like all publicity, good or bad, but it's nice to see it addressed.
Must. Donate. More.
We're also going to send some more care packages over to the troops soon. The last shipment we sent was well-received so I'll start putting another together.
 |
| This is a picture of a cake I made so this post isn't a wall of text. |
Ah well. Quitting is more important; if I can't wrap my head around the deals this week it's not the end of the world.
Finally, a brief update on the Extreme Couponing debacle
(I really love that word - debacle!)
comes via Entertainment Weekly:
TLC 'looking into' allegations of coupon fraud on 'Extreme Couponing'
Allegations of “coupon fraud,” or using a coupon to purchase a product that is not listed on the coupon, have been made against J’aime Kirlew, who appeared in an episode of Extreme Couponing last week, by coupon bloggers.
TLC said in an exclusive statement to EW: “We have received a strong response to the premiere and are listening to and reading the various comments around the show — as with all programs, we appreciate the feedback. While the series documents extreme couponing strategies, we take any concerns about specific tactics seriously and are looking into the situation.”
I have no idea if TLC will actually do anything about it because I'm sure they like all publicity, good or bad, but it's nice to see it addressed.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Rite Aid Run - $179 for $13
I'm going to mash two Rite Aid trips together here. We had to roll some expiring +UPs Friday night, and with life and stuff I didn't get a chance to post that trip until now.
Friday's trip - shelf price $40.78:
2 packs 18ct Scunci hair bands $1.99ea, $3.98
8 bags Easter M&Ms $2.44ea, $19.52
1 Reese's peanut butter egg $.88
Subtotal $24.38, less four $1 off 2 M&Ms
Total $20.38, received back $17.98 in +UPs ($10 for spending $20 on Easter candy, four $1 +UPs for buying 2 bags participating candy, $1.99 for each Scunci)
Out of pocket $2.40
Today's trip - shelf price $138.66
8 John Frieda shampoo/conditioner $5ea, $40
3 John Frieda Full Repair stylers $5ea, $15
1 Biore pore strips $7.19
1 Biore cleanser $7.99
1 box 80ct Rite Aid dryer sheets $.99
2 Gillette body wash $2.99ea, $5.98
2 Bic Flex3 3ct razors $4.99ea, $9.98
16 Rite Aid cough drops 9ct $.50ea, $8
Subtotal $95.13, less eight $2 off any John Frieda, less three $2 off JF Full Repair stylers, less $7.99 buy Biore strips get free cleanser, less $2.99 BOGO Gillette body wash, less two $3 Bic razors
Total $56.16, received $45 in +UPs ($10 for each $20 spent on JF/Biore - $30 total; $1 for dryer sheets [LIMIT THREE], $2 for each Gillette [LIMIT TWO], $2 for 2 Bic, $1 for each pair of cough drops)
Out of pocket $11.16
This was a nice little trip today. We don't particularly need any more shampoo or conditioner, but the John Frieda is working out to $.50 per bottle after coupon & +UP. It's normally $8 per bottle, and it's really fantastic quality, so I didn't want to pass up the sale.
The stylers are for my sister and the body wash for my nephew. We're already stocked on cough drops so I'm going to donate these to the food pantry.
I got four surveys on my Rite Aid receipts today - each survey gives you a $3 of $15 purchase coupon when you complete it. Those are going to be nice for some extra savings in the coming weeks!
 |
| not pictured: 2 packs Scunci hair bands |
2 packs 18ct Scunci hair bands $1.99ea, $3.98
8 bags Easter M&Ms $2.44ea, $19.52
1 Reese's peanut butter egg $.88
Subtotal $24.38, less four $1 off 2 M&Ms
Total $20.38, received back $17.98 in +UPs ($10 for spending $20 on Easter candy, four $1 +UPs for buying 2 bags participating candy, $1.99 for each Scunci)
Out of pocket $2.40
Today's trip - shelf price $138.66
8 John Frieda shampoo/conditioner $5ea, $40
3 John Frieda Full Repair stylers $5ea, $15
1 Biore pore strips $7.19
1 Biore cleanser $7.99
1 box 80ct Rite Aid dryer sheets $.99
2 Gillette body wash $2.99ea, $5.98
2 Bic Flex3 3ct razors $4.99ea, $9.98
16 Rite Aid cough drops 9ct $.50ea, $8
Subtotal $95.13, less eight $2 off any John Frieda, less three $2 off JF Full Repair stylers, less $7.99 buy Biore strips get free cleanser, less $2.99 BOGO Gillette body wash, less two $3 Bic razors
Total $56.16, received $45 in +UPs ($10 for each $20 spent on JF/Biore - $30 total; $1 for dryer sheets [LIMIT THREE], $2 for each Gillette [LIMIT TWO], $2 for 2 Bic, $1 for each pair of cough drops)
Out of pocket $11.16
This was a nice little trip today. We don't particularly need any more shampoo or conditioner, but the John Frieda is working out to $.50 per bottle after coupon & +UP. It's normally $8 per bottle, and it's really fantastic quality, so I didn't want to pass up the sale.
The stylers are for my sister and the body wash for my nephew. We're already stocked on cough drops so I'm going to donate these to the food pantry.
I got four surveys on my Rite Aid receipts today - each survey gives you a $3 of $15 purchase coupon when you complete it. Those are going to be nice for some extra savings in the coming weeks!
Friday, April 8, 2011
"Extreme Couponing" - I guess the cat's out of the bag, and it crapped all over the floor
When I posted last night about the issues with TLC's Extreme Couponing, I was intentionally vague. I didn't want to go into too much detail about the apparent coupon fraud that was shown so as not to appear like I was promoting or condoning such behavior. That's not what I'm about, and that's not what this blog is about.
Well, today the lid seems to have been blown off the whole mess. The story of "J'aime" and her nationally-syndicated (apparent) coupon fraud is all over the internets and it's a big 'ol clusterflock. A sixth instance of coupon misuse was picked up that I hadn't noticed, blogs and message boards are exploding with angry couponers, and screengrabs of the show are being shared.
This post is gonna be long.
(note: some links to other sites in this post are currently overwhelmed with traffic and may not load for you right now. If that's happening, try again later.)
Prior to the show being aired, some folks recognized one of the shoppers. Normally that wouldn't be a big deal, but in this case she was recognized due to a bit of a mistake she made in June '10. The first shopper in the first episode, Jaime (I'm not bothering with the apostrophe), got some attention last summer when she posted Youtube videos of a shopping trip she made to Target. Those videos showed her using high-value coupons for Crest Whitestrips, Schick razors and Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion on Bounty paper towels, Schick shaving cream, regular Vaseline lotion, and other products that the coupons weren't intended to be used on. To make it even worse, she also indicated that she had used some internet printable coupons for Tide on her trip; Proctor & Gamble, the makers of Tide, do not issue any internet printable coupons and it's well known in the coupon community that any PDF coupons for P&G products are counterfeit.
So, that all happened and Jaime posted links to her Youtube videos and her blog online and a bunch of people watched her videos. And they fairly quickly noticed the coupon fraud. The reaction was swift and angry; she was chastised for cheating the system and Jaime very quickly removed the Youtube videos and deleted her channel. She deleted her blog posts discussing the Target trips. She apologized and said that the coupon classes she had taken had told her this was okay to do. The company who offers these coupon classes responded by saying they taught no such technique.
Unfortunately the folks offering these coupon classes are being dragged into this mess again, and as others who have attended the classes have vouched that they don't teach this sort of thing, I'm going to refrain from bringing their name into my post. I don't feel they're to blame one bit.
Jill Cataldo, a fantastic couponer and journalist, has compiled all this information in a blog post as well. She's got photos and everything, so give that post a look for further details.
That's the backstory. Jaime didn't post any further video or blog entries indicating any coupon misuse and the general feeling was that she had simply made a huge mistake, but had stopped with the coupon misuse. The incident was largely forgotten.
When previews for the new season of Extreme Couponing started to air, some folks in the couponing community recognized Jaime. There was obviously some concern that she would be appearing on a TV show about couponing when she had posted videos of herself committing coupon fraud online less than a year earlier. From what I personally saw, the consensus was that everyone hoped she had learned from her mistake and would represent the couponing community well.
Then the show aired.
This was the first thing I noticed:
Jaimie's shopping list.
If you're a casual couponer (or just a friend or family member who reads my blog to be nice!), it doesn't make much sense. What's with the numbers in the second column, right?
If you're a more fanatic couponer, you probably recognize those numbers, and hopefully you were just as shocked as I was when you saw them.
(post continued below jump)
Well, today the lid seems to have been blown off the whole mess. The story of "J'aime" and her nationally-syndicated (apparent) coupon fraud is all over the internets and it's a big 'ol clusterflock. A sixth instance of coupon misuse was picked up that I hadn't noticed, blogs and message boards are exploding with angry couponers, and screengrabs of the show are being shared.
This post is gonna be long.
(note: some links to other sites in this post are currently overwhelmed with traffic and may not load for you right now. If that's happening, try again later.)
Prior to the show being aired, some folks recognized one of the shoppers. Normally that wouldn't be a big deal, but in this case she was recognized due to a bit of a mistake she made in June '10. The first shopper in the first episode, Jaime (I'm not bothering with the apostrophe), got some attention last summer when she posted Youtube videos of a shopping trip she made to Target. Those videos showed her using high-value coupons for Crest Whitestrips, Schick razors and Vaseline Sheer Infusion lotion on Bounty paper towels, Schick shaving cream, regular Vaseline lotion, and other products that the coupons weren't intended to be used on. To make it even worse, she also indicated that she had used some internet printable coupons for Tide on her trip; Proctor & Gamble, the makers of Tide, do not issue any internet printable coupons and it's well known in the coupon community that any PDF coupons for P&G products are counterfeit.
So, that all happened and Jaime posted links to her Youtube videos and her blog online and a bunch of people watched her videos. And they fairly quickly noticed the coupon fraud. The reaction was swift and angry; she was chastised for cheating the system and Jaime very quickly removed the Youtube videos and deleted her channel. She deleted her blog posts discussing the Target trips. She apologized and said that the coupon classes she had taken had told her this was okay to do. The company who offers these coupon classes responded by saying they taught no such technique.
Unfortunately the folks offering these coupon classes are being dragged into this mess again, and as others who have attended the classes have vouched that they don't teach this sort of thing, I'm going to refrain from bringing their name into my post. I don't feel they're to blame one bit.
Jill Cataldo, a fantastic couponer and journalist, has compiled all this information in a blog post as well. She's got photos and everything, so give that post a look for further details.
That's the backstory. Jaime didn't post any further video or blog entries indicating any coupon misuse and the general feeling was that she had simply made a huge mistake, but had stopped with the coupon misuse. The incident was largely forgotten.
When previews for the new season of Extreme Couponing started to air, some folks in the couponing community recognized Jaime. There was obviously some concern that she would be appearing on a TV show about couponing when she had posted videos of herself committing coupon fraud online less than a year earlier. From what I personally saw, the consensus was that everyone hoped she had learned from her mistake and would represent the couponing community well.
Then the show aired.
This was the first thing I noticed:
 |
| Hat-tip alanisrox69 for the high quality screen grab |
If you're a casual couponer (or just a friend or family member who reads my blog to be nice!), it doesn't make much sense. What's with the numbers in the second column, right?
If you're a more fanatic couponer, you probably recognize those numbers, and hopefully you were just as shocked as I was when you saw them.
(post continued below jump)
TLC's "Extreme Couponing" - Here we go again
These last few days I've had a whole lot of friends, family & acquaintances contact me about "that coupon show on TLC." I posted a blog about the pilot episode, discussing how it's unrealistic and not a good overall view of couponers.
So now it's a series and episodes 1 & 2 of the first official season aired last night. We don't have cable so I wasn't able to watch it until this evening, but I'd heard some reactions and I figured I knew what I was going to see once I sat down to view the episodes.
Oh for....
*sigh*
The first thing that jumped out at me were FOUR obvious instances of improper coupon use.
Shelf clearing. Blatant shelf clearing.
Store coupon policies being completely ignored.
I giggled at paying for Maalox. Paying for Maalox is not being an "Extreme Couponer." I don't consider myself an extreme couponer, and even I know you don't have to pay for Maalox.
So let me start with the most important issue with last night's show - proper coupon usage.
As I mentioned, there were four instances that I could immediately see where coupons were used on the wrong product - either the wrong size item, or a completely different product. If you have a coupon for $1 off a 2lb bag of cheese, you can't use it on an 8oz bag of cheese. If you have a coupon for $2 off a box of Cheerios, you can't use it on Golden Grahams. On the season premiere, I spotted a wrong size misuse and three wrong product misuses. That's inexcusable, and it was completely deliberate. Sure, people make mistakes, but if you're at the level where you're using 50 coupons to buy 50 items while appearing on a TV show about couponing, you know damn well to make sure you're buying the correct size and, really, the correct product.
Once you get into the rhythm of couponing, you start to get a feel for which coupons are out there. While watching the show, my brain (and I'm not the only one who noticed, either) went, "Hm, wait, there aren't any current coupons out there for *product*." A quick glance at one of the myriad coupon databases available online confirms that there are not coupons for *Product X* but there are coupons for *More Expensive Product Y* - well, it was Product X that was purchased on the show using Product Y coupons three times that I could see in one viewing. There may well be more examples.
See, here's the deal. Manufacturers issue coupons for a specific amount for specific products. They have a whole system worked out; it's a marketing thing, which I've discussed a couple times before on the blog here. Manufacturers don't want you to use a $5 off hair color coupon on shampoo, or a $5 off anti-aging cream coupon for regular body lotion. If a store accepts 100 coupons for $5 off hair color but they only sell 10 hair colors, that will get noticed in a periodic audit. If and when the manufacturer notices that the store didn't sell 100 hair colors, the store won't get reimbursed for that $500 in coupons. If you were the one who used those 100 coupons on the wrong product, you'd best believe the store manager will remember you and they likely won't be willing to allow you in the store anymore.
Furthermore, it's against the law to fraudulently use coupons to obtain goods. That's theft. Stealing. People do go to jail (PDF link) for it, and face hefty fines.
Store coupon policies
This is another huge issue with the season premiere of Extreme Couponing. If you're a new couponer wanting to learn the ropes and figure out how to save money after watching the show, my biggest piece of advice is to NOT do what was shown.
If your local store limits you to one "$10 off a $50 purchase" promotion, they will not let you stand at the register for five hours while you phone a friend (or 10) to come down to the store and stand there while you ring out the rest of your transactions. It won't happen. It will not happen unless you're toting a national network camera crew. If your store only doubles 12 identical coupons per day (as mine does), you won't be able to bring a gaggle of girlfriends to pretend *wink*wink* each has their own separate transaction while you pay for everything. You'll be asked to leave the store, and stores can ask you never to return.
I can't stress this enough. Know your store's coupon policies and follow them.
Stockpiling
I talked about this in the earlier post, but it's due another mention.
If it was a terrible day when you had to put shelving up in your bedroom to hold your stockpile, you're doing it wrong. You've got too much shit. You need to ease up if it's taking over your living space.
A decent stockpile is not only a good idea, it's essential for truly "extreme" couponers. Sales are cyclical. Ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, and other condiments, as an example, always go on deep discount just as summer is starting. That's a good time to get enough free or nearly free ketchup to last you 3 or 6 months until it goes on sale again. Sunscreen goes on sale around the same time; get as much as you'll need for the whole summer so you don't have to pay full price in September.
The most important thing, though, is to know your limits. Know how much product you and your family use. Know how much space you have to store items. Know where to take your overflow before you have overflow.
Andy and I live in a fairly small, 1 bedroom apartment. I know we have a very large linen closet, which is where all our health & beauty items go. I know we have a large closet in the bedroom, one corner of which holds TP & paper towels. I know we have a small pantry and decent cabinet space for food. I also know we have an otherwise unused corner that I added a shelving unit to for more food storage, and there's room for one more shelving unit if we so decide to add more storage space. That's our limit. When those spaces start filling up, I start pruning items for donation. There's a neighborhood food pantry that takes household goods as well as food. There's a battered women's shelter that loves anything from food to cosmetics. I have neighbors who are always happy to take an extra tube of toothpaste or bottle of Advil. Our local grocery store has Harvest for Hunger donation bins set up in all their stores; I have several bags of excess items ready to be dropped off on our next shopping trip.
If you want to go extreme with the whole couponing thing, you also have to know when to stop.
So now it's a series and episodes 1 & 2 of the first official season aired last night. We don't have cable so I wasn't able to watch it until this evening, but I'd heard some reactions and I figured I knew what I was going to see once I sat down to view the episodes.
 |
| My reaction, above. |
*sigh*
The first thing that jumped out at me were FOUR obvious instances of improper coupon use.
Shelf clearing. Blatant shelf clearing.
Store coupon policies being completely ignored.
I giggled at paying for Maalox. Paying for Maalox is not being an "Extreme Couponer." I don't consider myself an extreme couponer, and even I know you don't have to pay for Maalox.
So let me start with the most important issue with last night's show - proper coupon usage.
As I mentioned, there were four instances that I could immediately see where coupons were used on the wrong product - either the wrong size item, or a completely different product. If you have a coupon for $1 off a 2lb bag of cheese, you can't use it on an 8oz bag of cheese. If you have a coupon for $2 off a box of Cheerios, you can't use it on Golden Grahams. On the season premiere, I spotted a wrong size misuse and three wrong product misuses. That's inexcusable, and it was completely deliberate. Sure, people make mistakes, but if you're at the level where you're using 50 coupons to buy 50 items while appearing on a TV show about couponing, you know damn well to make sure you're buying the correct size and, really, the correct product.
Once you get into the rhythm of couponing, you start to get a feel for which coupons are out there. While watching the show, my brain (and I'm not the only one who noticed, either) went, "Hm, wait, there aren't any current coupons out there for *product*." A quick glance at one of the myriad coupon databases available online confirms that there are not coupons for *Product X* but there are coupons for *More Expensive Product Y* - well, it was Product X that was purchased on the show using Product Y coupons three times that I could see in one viewing. There may well be more examples.
See, here's the deal. Manufacturers issue coupons for a specific amount for specific products. They have a whole system worked out; it's a marketing thing, which I've discussed a couple times before on the blog here. Manufacturers don't want you to use a $5 off hair color coupon on shampoo, or a $5 off anti-aging cream coupon for regular body lotion. If a store accepts 100 coupons for $5 off hair color but they only sell 10 hair colors, that will get noticed in a periodic audit. If and when the manufacturer notices that the store didn't sell 100 hair colors, the store won't get reimbursed for that $500 in coupons. If you were the one who used those 100 coupons on the wrong product, you'd best believe the store manager will remember you and they likely won't be willing to allow you in the store anymore.
Furthermore, it's against the law to fraudulently use coupons to obtain goods. That's theft. Stealing. People do go to jail (PDF link) for it, and face hefty fines.
Store coupon policies
This is another huge issue with the season premiere of Extreme Couponing. If you're a new couponer wanting to learn the ropes and figure out how to save money after watching the show, my biggest piece of advice is to NOT do what was shown.
If your local store limits you to one "$10 off a $50 purchase" promotion, they will not let you stand at the register for five hours while you phone a friend (or 10) to come down to the store and stand there while you ring out the rest of your transactions. It won't happen. It will not happen unless you're toting a national network camera crew. If your store only doubles 12 identical coupons per day (as mine does), you won't be able to bring a gaggle of girlfriends to pretend *wink*wink* each has their own separate transaction while you pay for everything. You'll be asked to leave the store, and stores can ask you never to return.
I can't stress this enough. Know your store's coupon policies and follow them.
Stockpiling
I talked about this in the earlier post, but it's due another mention.
If it was a terrible day when you had to put shelving up in your bedroom to hold your stockpile, you're doing it wrong. You've got too much shit. You need to ease up if it's taking over your living space.
A decent stockpile is not only a good idea, it's essential for truly "extreme" couponers. Sales are cyclical. Ketchup, mustard, BBQ sauce, and other condiments, as an example, always go on deep discount just as summer is starting. That's a good time to get enough free or nearly free ketchup to last you 3 or 6 months until it goes on sale again. Sunscreen goes on sale around the same time; get as much as you'll need for the whole summer so you don't have to pay full price in September.
The most important thing, though, is to know your limits. Know how much product you and your family use. Know how much space you have to store items. Know where to take your overflow before you have overflow.
Andy and I live in a fairly small, 1 bedroom apartment. I know we have a very large linen closet, which is where all our health & beauty items go. I know we have a large closet in the bedroom, one corner of which holds TP & paper towels. I know we have a small pantry and decent cabinet space for food. I also know we have an otherwise unused corner that I added a shelving unit to for more food storage, and there's room for one more shelving unit if we so decide to add more storage space. That's our limit. When those spaces start filling up, I start pruning items for donation. There's a neighborhood food pantry that takes household goods as well as food. There's a battered women's shelter that loves anything from food to cosmetics. I have neighbors who are always happy to take an extra tube of toothpaste or bottle of Advil. Our local grocery store has Harvest for Hunger donation bins set up in all their stores; I have several bags of excess items ready to be dropped off on our next shopping trip.
If you want to go extreme with the whole couponing thing, you also have to know when to stop.
Monday, April 4, 2011
A weekend off, and March monthly spending
I do have to hit both stores by Saturday to roll some expiring rewards which shouldn't be too difficult.
We shopped big in March, and that's brought me to a bit of an impasse. My goal when starting down the path of extreme frugality was to get by on less; it's in the title of my blog, for Pete's sake. While I've certainly succeeded in living well on drastically less money, I don't have less "stuff." As a matter of fact, we have more "stuff" now than we ever have.
I'm not complaining. I really enjoy having a supply of free shampoo, or stacks of free pasta, or pounds & pounds of free coffee. It's just...we're running out of space. Our food storage is fine, but the various health & beauty stuff is multiplying when I'm not looking and, while it's contained fairly neatly in its assigned shelving area, there isn't much room for more.
It's time that I get a lot more picky about shopping, at least for now. That's my goal, at least, and I may not succeed at it because who could pass up getting paid to go shopping? We'll see how that goes.... ;)
March Monthly Spending:
Shelf price: $1,340.68
Total: $519.65
Rewards earned: $461.47
Out of pocket: $56.18, for a savings of $1,282.50 or 96%!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)