Great info everyone! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and thoughts!

I had no clue that you could get grocery food items for free or close to free with coupons! A few years ago at the fair I saw a sign that said something to do with getting groceries for free. Well just in January I got my first item for free! Now I wish I would have believed it and would have taken a coupon class!

I didn't think I would like couponing because I used to be so brand specific. Now I love the under $1.00 Planters peanut butter instead of Jif or the almost free razor instead of spending $20 on replacement cartridges for our Mach3's. It's been really fun trying new brands and new cuts of meat. I hadn't ever cooked a whole chicken until I started couponing and it's extra yummy when it's .39/lb. :)

I use coupons with almost everything I purchase, but the greatest savings for me comes from checking around with every grocery store continuously to the point that I'm always finding additional savings for instance, today.....I went into the Lowes Food Store to pick up my weekend savings. In the meat counter, they had discounted chicken breast from half price to 3/4 off. I bought a pack of boneless skinless chicken breast that originally cost $17.00 for $6.00 and it had an additional $1.00 off coupon on it if I bought the Kraft chicken stuff, which is on sale this week for $2.50 each. Also, I had a 10% off coupon catalina for fresh meat purchased and the Meat Department Manager who knows me well from previous visits, gave me a 10% off coupon for fresh veggies. It was a great day with all the savings I got today at Lowes Foods in Yadkinville, North Carolina. Elizabeth

When I tell people about couponing they often think that we eat a lot of processed foods when in fact we don't.

Faye, I like how you posted before that often times you really need to look at price per lb or ounce because the larger package of sour cream for example may not be the better deal.

I also never shopped at HT or CVS before couponing but now I love giving them my business (Walmart is not the best priced store... that was my big misconception!!). HT's customer service is top-notch! I actually enjoy shopping there. :)

Holly - good point about the price per pound/unit/ounce. Bigger is not always the better value.

Also, that not all coupons are for 'junk food'...there are fantastic coupons out there for milk, yogurt, etc...and that clipping coupons and carrying a binder does not mean that you're one of these crazies from 'That show that shalt not be named' (as Nancy puts it, LOL)... And that it is not as 'time consuming' to clip/organize coupons as some folks might think. Also, there are some out there that think it is ridiculous to go to multiple stores, that a trip to one store is quicker & more cost effective (gas-wise)...I have Teeter, Lion, Lowes, & Aldi on my route btw work & home, as is Target & WM (but I admit it takes a REALLY good deal to get me to go to WM LOL).

Woo hoo! March Madness, baybeee!!

I simply thought that between working two jobs and taking care of my daugther and the house that I didn't have time for couponing. When money got really tight, I started the process. That was 2 years ago. I can print IPs while at work and even turned my boss into a couponer when I'd come to work in the morning with my SD buys and show her my receipt:) So now, I have the time, better products and more money in my pocket!

thekeslings,

I agree. Walmart is not the best priced store. I too never shopped Harris Teeter until I started couponing. Now I find it is the A1 awesome store. They are so helpful and encourage you with your couponing. If I can't find something I just ask and they are right there getting it for me or pointing me in the right direction. Try getting that at WM. Ha! Wish there was one in Clayton though.

Kathy

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but it must be said: I used to think all the people who used coupons must be hermit-like greedy grubbing hoarders who wear moo moos all day long. I didn't want to be associated with such a crowd.

Now, after having met so many cool couponers (Faye, Nancy, the awesome F-V swappers, helpful staff and people out and about) I now realize we're from all walks of life looking to better our financial situations. I am a young*ish stay-at-home mom pulling my little family out of debt in style thanks to Faye's Brigade and I'm proud to be a part of it =)

Really excellent comments everyone!! I can't thank you enough for your first hand experiences and thoughts about this!

I'm new to this but I've been surprised at how much fun it is. I've been having fun trying all these new things, like Greek yogurt and yesterday I made a nice sausage casserole I would have never tried before, etc. Also, I've been surprised by how many rules there are to know and how complicated it can be, for instance the Walgreen's rule that you can't use the same coupon to score again on something you already bought with the same coupon. Plus the cashier's are on our side, helping out quite a bit and even telling me I did good a few times. The other comment is learning when to use restraint on a good deal, ie if it's free and a moneymaker, what to do? Or if you already have plenty of free toothpastes, what to do? Love reading SmartShopper btw

okay i know it's past 8:00 a.m. and you no longer need comments lol but i just couldn't refrain from giving Harris Teeter my praises. I have to say also the customer service ROCKS! They are so QUICK to help, whether it's checking the back to see if they have more product or if it's to correct an issue. I NEVER shopped HT before couponing. I always thought Walmart was the better deal but i hardly ever shop there now. And yes i too wish there was a HT in Clayton although i've heard rumors of a 'maybe' in the future. Fingers crossed!! :)

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