Art got an email from the Star Advertiser newspaper about Extreme Couponing. It was a workshop hosted by the newspaper with promises of door prizes and super hints to save money with coupons.
To be honest, I was a little skeptical, but Art suggested we go so I could blog about it. I suspected some sort of Timeshare thing. The lecturer even joked about it.
About 50-60 people arrived. A door prize was given for whoever showed the most excitement about attending the class. We didn't jump on our chair and scream. The person who did won the gift certificate.
She showed us a video about a woman who was able to buy $600 worth of merchandise for $1.37.
Here is what we learned:
1. Always use coupons in conjunction with a store sale. Stores cycle their sales so you MUST wait until your item goes on sale. You can look for sale items at this website: staradvertiser.com/smartshopper. (Mainlanders: I don't know if you have something like this.)
2. Always use multiple coupons and stock up on something that is on sale.
3. Always use coupons for the smallest size allowed.
Why was the newspaper sponsoring this workshop? They were strongly encouraging us to buy 1 subscription for each member of the family so you could have multiple coupons. Granted it was cheap. $26 for 26 Sunday editions, but only if you had attended the workshop.
I won't go into the nitty gritty of how you save all those coupons and why you can do it in just an hour each week. The bottom line is that we just don't use that many coupons to start off with and storing so many cereal boxes or toothpaste was just not something we wanted to do. Things expire enough on us already.
And yet, it was interesting. And we did get this Safety Coupon Cutter that Art nearly cut his finger on as he was feeling around it to try to figure out what it was before reading the instructions.
Actually, the instructions don't tell you that there's a teeny, pointy razor sharp protrusion coming out from that straight edge.
So, yes... it was interesting and it did give me something to blog about.
To be honest, I was a little skeptical, but Art suggested we go so I could blog about it. I suspected some sort of Timeshare thing. The lecturer even joked about it.
About 50-60 people arrived. A door prize was given for whoever showed the most excitement about attending the class. We didn't jump on our chair and scream. The person who did won the gift certificate.
She showed us a video about a woman who was able to buy $600 worth of merchandise for $1.37.
Here is what we learned:
1. Always use coupons in conjunction with a store sale. Stores cycle their sales so you MUST wait until your item goes on sale. You can look for sale items at this website: staradvertiser.com/smartshopper. (Mainlanders: I don't know if you have something like this.)
2. Always use multiple coupons and stock up on something that is on sale.
3. Always use coupons for the smallest size allowed.
Why was the newspaper sponsoring this workshop? They were strongly encouraging us to buy 1 subscription for each member of the family so you could have multiple coupons. Granted it was cheap. $26 for 26 Sunday editions, but only if you had attended the workshop.
I won't go into the nitty gritty of how you save all those coupons and why you can do it in just an hour each week. The bottom line is that we just don't use that many coupons to start off with and storing so many cereal boxes or toothpaste was just not something we wanted to do. Things expire enough on us already.
Actually, the instructions don't tell you that there's a teeny, pointy razor sharp protrusion coming out from that straight edge.
So, yes... it was interesting and it did give me something to blog about.
I used to be so coupon crazy that I bought too much stuff I didn't need simply because it was a bargain. Did they warn you about that?
ReplyDeleteThe only coupons I use are the ones stuck to the product as I buy it or the ones generated at check out that give you dollars off your total the next time you come in. Too many of the newspaper coupons are for junk food. Loyalty cards at the grocery stores act like coupons since you get reduced price with your card.
ReplyDeleteinteresting...that's how I feel about shopping at Cosco with just two of us at home we don't need tons of stuff to store to eat.
ReplyDeleteWe like to use restaurant coupons.
ReplyDeleteI have never been a coupon user. My neighbor who I drove to the grocery store does, though. I couldn't believe how many she pulled out at the checkout counter. And she bought lots of stuff that I think she wouldn't have otherwise. Interesting! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm a coupon saver, usually save 10% at the grocery store.
ReplyDeleteThanks for attending that workshop for us. We don't use coupons at all....probably foolish of us.
ReplyDeleteBob uses coupons, I don't. I think Macy's is the worst about having coupons that seldom can be used because of the fine print. You're right about not buying enough to make couponing all that successful. I suspect the people that are really into couponing buy things they don't need just because they have coupons.
ReplyDeleteFunny about the coupon cutter. My friend always does number 1. I can't resist a good coupon but just here and there.
ReplyDeleteThere are some fantastic stories about coupons but I think you have to be extremely dedicated to make it worth while.. I always like the detailed descriptions you give.
ReplyDeleteI never get that good with them
ReplyDeleteGlad you explained how the newspaper profited from these lessons. I always think I will but in no time I lose interest. I'm just not disciplined enough but admire those who are.
ReplyDeleteAs someone mentioned above, I use store loyalty cards, and I use online coupons for Safeway but only if it is something I would buy anyway. If an iten I would usually buy is on sale I might buy several, but i don't do bulk storage either.
ReplyDeleteI use coupons occasionally but like you don't need the extras because with just the two of us, things expire before we can use them.
ReplyDeleteWe've used coupons for years (restaurant and supermarket) and saved thousands of dollars. Our rules are: (1) only buy items you need and want; (2) combine manufacturer's coupons, store coupons, and sales whenever possible, and (3) don't clutter up our home with lots of coupon files.
ReplyDeleteWe have fun finding great bargains with coupons, but we have no intention of making a chore out of it.
The meeting you attended was a clever way for a newspaper to solicit subscribers. Newspapers certainly need imaginative marketing to survive nowadays.
When the children were growing I used newspaper coupons but only for items I would normally use, or occasionally a new product I wanted to try. I discovered I was actually saving a dollar amount equivalent to, or more, than the cost of the newspaper subscription so decided it was worth the clipping effort. By the time the children had matured and left home the nature of couponing seemed to change and became less appealing to me, plus I didn't need that much any more. I was delighted to stop clipping coupons and have no desire to do so now, or go on the Internet to gather them -- except for an occasional flyer that comes in my mail with a coupon for a particular item I like at one restaurant. The big box stores with membership fees aren't cost effective for me either and weren't even when my husband was still living, plus they're not that close by to bother driving to.
ReplyDeleteI attend the similar class a few years ago but I couldn't master the technique...I can save a dollar or two with coupon but not over $500...it's like mystery to me.
ReplyDeleteIt's quite a hobby/project. I just don't have the energy! Or patience!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love coupons!! Finding, collecting and trading coupons is big in Canada! If I can get items for free by couponing, I often donate it to the food bank/charitites. (Julie in B.C.)
ReplyDeleteYou can get it for free? Wow! That is just awesome!
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