Couponing Update #2 – What I’ve Learned So Far

It’s been nearly 3 months since I embarked on my little couponing adventure. If you read my original post on extreme couponing you know that 3 months is the amount of time I committed myself to using coupons. Well, it didn’t take long for me to realize that couponing can definitely save us money and I’m happy to report that it’s now a way of life for us.

So what have I learned about couponing?

Coupons are repetitive – There are many coupons that I see over and over again so I don’t feel pressure to use a coupon just because it’s expiring soon. I’ll likely get it again in a week or two. Likewise I also know which coupons are rare and that I need to take advantage of them when I get them.

Sales are cyclical – Just like seeing the same coupons over and over again, sales run in cycles. So if you miss an item on sale you are likely to see it again in a couple weeks or months.

Coupons come out, sales follow – Coupons are just one part of a manufacturer’s marketing campaign. Usually within a week (or less) of getting a coupon you will see that item go on sale at all the major retailers. And if one store has it on sale one week, you can expect another to have it on sale the next.

What am I buying with coupons?

I’ve found that I use coupons primarily for health and beauty items, paper products and diapers. Occasionally I’ll get coupons for grocery items that we use like pasta. But even though most of my couponing is on non-food items, our savings are significant. Here are some of the things that I was buying before that I now buy with coupons:

Item                      Before Couponing              With Coupons            Savings

Floss                                               $2.99                                           $0.24                                 92%

Toothpaste                                  $2.99                                            $0.24                                 92%

Mouth Rinse                               $5.99                                            $0.50                                 92%

Shampoo                                      $2.99                                            $1.00                                 66%

Conditioner                                 $2.99                                            $1.00                                66%

Bar Soap                                       $1.00                                            $0.32                                68%

Diapers                                         $0.14                                             $0.08                                43%

These are some of the items that I regularly buy, or stock up on, using coupons. The great thing is that I’ve been able to stick with the same brands that we’re used to using, like Crest, Pantene, Dove, and have also been able to use brands that we had been priced out of before, like Huggies and Pampers.

Couponing shortcuts

When I started couponing I clipped every coupon I got. This added up to hours of clipping, sorting and filing. Now that I’ve settled into a routine I only clip the ones that I will likely use. I’ve started to print free coupons online and I also started using a coupon clipping service. This is an inexpensive alternative to getting newspapers that can also save you a lot of time. I believe in couponing but I don’t want to add loads of stress to my life either so I’m all for the shortcuts.

Couponing has turned out to be a very worthwhile activity for us and I’m going to stick with it.

Have you tried couponing yet? What has your experience been like?

Tagged as: Extreme Couponing, Frugality, Spending Wisely