Supersize the savings. Most coupons have a disclaimer that says you can only use one per item. However, you can still get multiple discounts on the same product, because there are two types of coupons–one issued by the manufacturer and one issued by the stores. The store coupons can be found in Sunday circulars, store fliers and on retailer and product websites. Clip both types of coupons for the same item and you can really rack up the savings.

Here’s my story–I’m 31, make a great salary, live with my boyfriend and our two dogs. My boyfriend is a carpenter and hasn’t worked much during the last year. While I wouldn’t say we are hurting financially in any way, who doesn’t love to save money?

About a year ago, I saw the lady that started the site “The Grocery Game” on Oprah. I looked into it and thought, I don’t shop at Walgreens, Jewel, or CVS. What’s the point? But, then a few months went by and I knew that I could save some money on my grocery bill, so I decided to take another look and came across a TON of very useful websites.

Now, I admit, at first I thought coupons were going to be just for junk that we don’t really eat anyway, but let me assure you, I don’t think that anymore. Clementines, anyone? Buy one get one free on a dozen eggs? GE light bulbs, toilet paper, dog food? The list goes on and on with the coupons that are available.

It has gotten to the point with household products such as deodorant, shampoo, razors, etc. that I have a 25 cent rule. If I can’t get it for 25 cents or under, I don’t even buy it. There is no reason to ever pay full price on any of that stuff when there are Walgreens and CVS stores around. Plus, the amount of makeup and toiletries I have donated this past year would blow your mind. Not to mention the food I have donated, which includes 3 of the most sought out items at my local food pantry—peanut butter, tuna, and spaghetti sauce. We are not talking the crappy cans of veggies that have been sitting in a pantry for ages. And one other point—the amount that can be saved on household products alone can more than cover your organic/vegan/whatever food expenses.

So, seriously, I am really organized. I realize this coupon thing is not for everyone. I spend 1 hour on Sundays printing my list from assorted websites that post that week’s deals, and clipping and organizing my coupons. Then, when I hit the store, I am in and out and DONE. I don’t have spreadsheets with my savings or anything like that, but looking at my savings account, I will tell you I save hundreds a month doing this, we have more food (are filet mignon junk food?! pork chops, chicken, veggies?), shampoo and toothpaste than GOD and I donate mass quantities to a food pantry and a women’s shelter. Plus, and I am not kidding, my savings paid for my boyfriend and I to go on a cruise to Alaska (granted, I booked that through Travelzoo, so it was a steal).

So, M–if I can combine your store’s sales with a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon, you bet I’m gonna get 20 bottles of mayo for 5 cents! I’ll keep one or two for myself and give the rest away.

And TL–this whole community of couponers out there, and believe me, there are many of us, donate so much stuff to the less fortunate. I don’t “need” to coupon. I have no credit card debt. I have a great paying job. I am very, very grateful for all of that. Many of the (mostly) women who shop like me are also in the same boat. But many are not. Check out some of the blogs and forums and you’ll see that many of these couponers depend on their savings. Maybe they’re stay at home moms or their husbands lost their jobs, whatever. The point is, we “crazy couponers” out there like to spread the wealth. We realize we don’t need 20 bottles of mayo or whatever the product may be, but if we can get it for less than the price of one and donate the rest, why wouldn’t we?

And last thing, then I’ll step off my soapbox. The stockpile is the key to successful couponing. A few weeks ago I bought 24 rolls of Scott Paper towels for under $2. Some people might think that it’s crazy to buy that many rolls, but I think it’s crazy to buy just one for the same price. Ah, potato, potahto.

to MM, though I don’t live in ‘coupon-mania’ country, I really hate it when some groceries stores crews looked down (as if we’re beggers, not bargainers) on the couponers while we are trying to to take advantage of some offers/discounts whilst the said offers/discounts was the stores policy

so what’s the point of giving away discounts/freebies when you actually making fun of the recepient / talk them back etc

apparently you don’t have to clip coupons.
I may try this. I’ve attempted to clip coupons but end up throwing them out or not bringing them with me. I also think my time is worth more than I can compensate in searching for coupon savings and driving from one store to another. But not having to clip coupons might help!

yeah, the “baby formula, I won’t judge,I just won’t judge” comment seemed judgemental already but then I won’t judge

As I argue above, nothing comes for free. One person’s cart full of free groceries come at the expense of marginally higher prices for everyone else.

Yes, spread out over a population, it only amounts to a few dollars, which is not a big deal to me. But it is a big deal to someone who works two jobs but still can’t get a cart full of free groceries because she doesn’t have a computer to get these coupons, can’t spend the time to research deals, and can only buy what she can fit into two bags that she can carry on the bus. I guess I would just like to see more resources going to those who need them rather than to those who will use them to be marginally more comfortable.

So I suppose that it’s not the actual couponing-as-middle-class-mom-profession that I object to; it’s the idea that people who can afford things nevertheless take them for free because they are sooooo “savvy.” Couponing is a symptom of a more pervasive rot.

I am in Canada as well. I have the same concern about all the process food. I would say most of her pantry had items I would never buy. Our family’s food bill is pricey but it is because I buy lots of fresh food virtually no process food, I feel it is an investment in our health now and in the future. I personally, can’t eat most processed food now, the salt is WAY too over powering for me and I don’t generally like the flavorings they use. However, this has given me a renewed interest in using more coupons for the items that I can.

i know there are bad couponers abusing the system. they should be blamed. but before judging a customer, you’d better know your store’s coupon policy. some stores do allow overage when combining a store coupon and a manufacture coupon. if you happen to work at one of those stores, don’t blame the customer for ‘receiving the difference’. you should complain to the store management and/or manufactures and ask them to change the coupon policies. if the store is not happy with a customer buying 20 mayonnaise, put a limit on the product beforehand. don’t blame the customer if the customer is within the rules. the store can use gimmicks to allure customers and the customer has the right to play with the system as long as the customer doesn’t break any store rules/laws. if the store is not happy with coupon, stop accepting it. that’s it.

i cannot believe you have worked at grocery stores as you claimed. do you know who eventually pay for coupons? it’s the manufacture, not the grocery store. even those store coupon on the flyer, most if not all, are paid by manufactures. retail store lose nothing accepting coupons, plus the store makes a little more (coupon handling fee of 8c each usually). if the mayonnaise coupon doesn’t limit how many each customer can buy, what’s wrong with paying 5c for it? where do the ‘dishonest’ and ‘work around store policy’ come from? please elaborate.