Please let me just say that I am no expert at this at all and have only been doing this since September. Most everything I have learned came from just reading the SouthernSavers website and practice!
*1* Is couponing really worth it?
Based on my receipts, what we have in our pantry, what we eat for meals, and the excess in our budget for groceries/household items that I don't spend that answer is a resounding, yes. I personally have been happy with it and will continue to do it! It does take some time at first, but over a short period of time you get an "eye" for it and the process goes much more quickly and becomes second nature. For all you finance and numbers people take a look here at this Wall Street Journal article---it might make you think twice about it!
*2* Do you always have receipts where you save more than you spend?
Technically, not always. What I mean by that is they are usually within a few dollars of what a spend vs. what I saved. That includes the special sales in conjunction with coupons. This week I spent $67 and some change and saved $87 and some change. Our bill was slightly higher than normal b/c I had to get some items that were not on sale and usually never go on sale!
*3* Where do you find the best deals on diapers?
Usually, I get them at Target b/c they will allow you to stack a manufacturer's coupon and a target store coupon. Every few weeks they will have a special where you can get a $5 gift card with the purchase of two diaper packs and that is when I stock up. Typically, I have Target Baby Club Coupons for Pampers and a manufacturer's as well. I will also hit up Publix when they are one sale b/c they allow you to stack a Publix coupon & manufacturer's coupon. However, if you can time the drugstore deals right and have the good coupons-- then I have found that is the way to go. I did the Rite Aid diaper deal and got 286 Pampers Baby Dry diapers for $32.14. This was using a combination of $5 off $25 purchase coupons and manufacturer's coupons. Final price factored in the $2.oo in rewards (check mailed to you) and a $15 Visa Gift Card due to a special promotion. Since I have been doing this, I have never run into a deal like that and it is not b/c I haven't been looking! Also, we don't have a local Rite Aid and I just happened to be going to my parents to drop off Anderson for the weekend and they have one near their house.
*4* How do you know what is the best price?
I use the Southern Savers "Buy Price List." I have found that her prices are similar to the prices here on the island (there are a few exceptions). She is based out of Columbia, so it will be close just about anywhere in the southeast. Click here to see how it works.
*5* Do you go to multiple stores to get all the savings?
Nope. I have no desire to spend all my time running from grocery store to grocery store. I am certain that this adds to your savings, but I am just not up for it. I stick to Publix, CVS, and Target, and I am usually not running to each one every single week to get the sales. I try to get to CVS once a week b/c the amount of free stuff you can get there is crazy and usually a register coupon prints a $5/25$, $10/$30, etc...coupon that the Publix I shop at will accept as a competitor coupon. There is a CVS near Anderson's MMO program so I stop by there on my way to the grocery for the weekly run after I drop him off.
*6* How do you organize your coupons?
I do not clip the coupons every Sunday. I have an accordion file that I label the date the coupons came out and stick them in there. When I go to do my grocery list, I look to see the date of the coupon match-ups and go to the section and look. When I go to the store(s) I have a Vera Bradley Pocket Organizer that momma got me and it has my list w/ coupons, receipts, and well as any gift cards that need to be used. I am famous for sticking things in my wallet and forgetting about it and then rediscovering it to see that it is expired!!
*7* Do you save on other things besides groceries?
Absolutely! You can pay rock bottom prices for household items as well. I save on toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, cleaning supplies, batteries, personal care items, and health care items as well. I used to think that getting those things at Target or Wal-Mart or buying in bulk is cheaper, but I quickly found out that with the coupons they take at Publix and using them when they go on sale is a much better deal!
*8* Isn't buying in bulk better?
No way. Look here for a short explanation---scroll down to #7 on the list.
*9* Do you sign up/register when required to get a coupon and do you get tons of emails?
It really depends on what the product is. If it is something I buy all the time, then yes b/c they will send you more coupons every so often and they are usually a higher value than in the paper. For instance, I signed up for Cottonelle to get a coupon--I love this toilet paper and will wait for it to go on sale (if I really needed it I would pay full price!). They send me a $1.00 off coupon about once a month. I have signed up for others as well and really haven't gotten tons of emails at all. Some other sign-ups that have yielded great coupons/offers are Publix Baby Club, Target, Proctor and Gamble, Pampers, Huggies, and ConAgra Foods.
Good Luck and Happy Couponing! I would love to hear some success stories!
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