OT - coupons

Ok, so I have seen people mention that they clip coupons and I periodically see stories on tv where a person is able to cut a $200 grocery bill down to $50 by using coupons!  How is this done and where do you get the coupons from?  Do you have any internet sites you would recommend or do you get coupons from another source?  All the internet sites I have found seem to lead me in a wild goose chase (sign up which requires an email address, click on a link to supposedly get coupons, find out you have to fill in a "brief" survey, get taken to another link after doing that, then get bombarded with spam etc. etc. etc).  One time I even filled in a survey I received in the mail that promised after doing so I would get over $500 worth of coupons - a few months later I received a coupon for $0.50 off a food item and a coupon for $499.99 off a brand new car (or course the car cost over 30k).

What is the secret?  Where are the legitimate places to get coupons from?

[abbysmommy4]

I clip coupons from the sunday paper, I also use a site called coupon surfer i think.  I had to download the printer format, but I have been happy with it and find a lot of useful coupons.  I can't say I have ever cut my bill down to $50.00..........lol.  If anyone can tell me how to do that, please share with us.

[Fourpaws]

I think thatis only possible if you buy everything with a coupon. I mean you make your list from the coupons?? I am not sure. I often wonder how people do it too. I have only saved around 10 bucks with coupons. I shop for all my dry goods at super walmart. So I still end up with about a 70.00 bill. I was watching Jon & Kate plus 8 and she said she can spend about 150.00 a week on food to feed the family and I don't even know how she can do it??? Everythime I try to get online coupons, there is always some weird catch. Maybe someone here can give us the secret!!!

[abbysmommy4]

The site I use is coupons.com.  I found it simple, I didn't care much for coupon surfer.  Sometimes if you directly to a product site, like SCOTT or whatever name brand you can get coupons from the site as well.  Also some stores accept competetor coupons.  

[spade22]

Thanks Ladies!  I printed off a few coupons from couponmom (suggested to me on the pregnancy 21-34 forum) and couponsurfer and sent hubby to get groceries so we will see how he did.  I will definitely have to check out the Sunday paper (I havent done that in years) and go to individual websites although that seems very time consuming.

BTW:  another great website that has nothing to do with coupons is gasbuddy.  It allows you to type in a zip code and it will tell you the prices of gas from cheapest to dearest in appropriate.  Good way to find the cheapest gas near you (or when going on a trip) especially with prices so high these days.

[RockRose]

spade,  one rule of thumb that I've heard is that coupons don't save you money - if you want to save money,  buy the generic or unprocessed foods that there are never coupons for.    Of course,  if your family wants Cool Ranch Doritos and you had planned to buy them anyway,  use the coupon in the paper.

But items you buy on coupons,  even factoring in the discount of the coupons,  usually cost more than other similar items.

[pertykitty]

cool ranch are my favorite!!  i tried the coupon thing but my paper never had any for products i like.  or my dh clips them and we forget them.  buying two for one is a good way to save, some stores have dollar days.  but even still you can save by buying the off brands. the only thing is (i saw this on discovery) they arent as regulated as to what "extras" go into their cans of food. ick!!! so maybe your del monte brand is allowed 5% (this isnt accurate im just trying to explain but having trouble lol) of animal by product in their cans, but the no name cans might be allowed 26%.  again a guess on the numbers.  thats gross, i prefer to cut out soda or steaks to get the better products.

i think kate is lying!! lol

[peekawho]

There are usually "loss leaders" in every store...advertised items the store is willing to take a loss on, in order to get you in the store where you will usually buy other items that are not marked down.

I look for those as often as I can, and try to buy store brand whenever possible.  

[babyscience]

I never clip coupons, because I ALWAYS forget them. I even drag them with me and forget to use them once I get to the counter.  I just rely on the grocery store club card.  It is like Vegas when it starts taking off all the dicounts at the end.
However...I will always use my Babies R Us coupons...they are always good.  Like 15% off, I save it for when I need to buy a big item.  The last was used for a walker!

[pertykitty]

yes i have a coupon for babies r us for 20% off any outfit, i cant wait to shop!! oh wait we were talking about groceries lol

[tiredbuthappy]

not exactly coupon clipping, but the way i save on groceries is by looking at all the different flyers each week, and going to different stores for those "loss leaders" described by peekawho. i have 4 different chains of grocery stores within 5 miles, so i can go to several in a week. we also plan meals based on what's on sale.

[pinkbelle]

i work at walmart and the walmart generic equate is made by a big manufacturer ( for example the generic peas are made by del monte buy walmart pays them money to put the equate label on it....) now this isnt true for the meats and such but for can goods and frozen foods it is.. so go ahead and buy the generic :- )

[spade22]

RockRose:

Thats a great idea.  There are items that we do buy the generic of but I have to admit, there are certain things that presumably come in a generic brand that I havent actually looked for - time to look at that bottom shelf!

As for yesterdays shopping escapade.  Hubby saved about $5 but managed to overspend by about $25......

[spade22]

loss leaders - I will need to check into those.