Smart Spending moves to WordPress. Come see our new home
Come along with Mr. Cheapskatin’ as Smart Spending changes addresses. This move won’t cost you a cent.
The latest entry might help you find air fares for spring break and summer travel that won’t leave a hole in the ol’ piggy bank.
Bookmark our new site (http://blogs.ajc.com/smart-spending-blog/) and be sure to sign up for the RSS feed.
Home > Smart Spending > Archives > 2008 > October > 02 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USFood For Thought: Clipping Coupons Can Be Rewarding
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Got home from the supermarket Sunday and, as always, glanced at two figures on my receipt.
Grand Total: $31.74.
Your Savings at [store name]: $37.57.
Yesssss!
‘Tis a warm feeling when you save more than you shell out at the grocery. What’s the least you’ve ever spent for the most? Do you feel all warm and fuzzy?
Here’s my supermarket M.O.:
*Acquire a shopping card for discounted items at stores that offer them.
Clip coupons out of the Sunday AJC. (Shameless plug: You can get the cost of the newspaper returned many times over with the savings.)
Look for buy-one-get-one-free items, the primo money-saving deals. These are overstocked items, usually fresh — though inspect produce and meats before you buy.
Hold onto your coupons to apply to products marked down or to the two-fers. In my book, if a coupon further lowers the cost of a reduced item, that’s hitting the daily double.
When you see an item marked “three for $4.50” or “10 for $10,” the store wants you to buy them in bulk. Nice try. With few exceptions, you can purchase just one at the bargain rate.
Many shoppers prefer to print out coupons on-line. Among the most popular: www.couponsurfer.com, www.couponmom.com, www.grocerycouponmom.com. I tend to avoid them because you never know how much e-mails will rain down on you by signing up to a coupon service.
How do you minimize your grocery bill? Which sites do you hit up? Know any that do not pepper you with spam?
One last piece of advice: While digging into your pocket at the cashier to fetch your coupons, make sure you grab ‘em all. Exiting the store Sunday, I noticed one still crammed in my cargo shorts. Dadgummit, another dollar I could have saved.
There are more tips at Your Money. Check it out!
Services »
Comments
By Matt
October 2, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
Just frequent your local ALDI…
No more store cards, no more coupon clippings. Let me illustrate: 1 gal milk runs $2.49 everyday.
However, you will be required to bag your own groceries, bring your own bags or be prepared to pay for each bag, and furthermore require a 25c refundable deposit for a shopping cart.
But the savings are just huge even compared to Walmart…let alone Publix or Kroger.
By Macon Countyline
October 2, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
Pepper. Spam. I get it. Funny. Grocery humor.
By Jerry Puckett
October 2, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
Please tell me where I can buy an Atlanta newspaper in Valdosta, GA?
By sheryl
October 2, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
smartsource.com and coupons.com are also good sites to get grocery store coupons. The coupons are published online by the same companies that put the paper coupons in the Sunday paper. You don’t get all the coupons, but if you are too cheap to buy a Sunday paper…or you live outside a metro area…they are a great alternative…Also, you don’t have to sign up for any emails, spam, or sponsored offers!
By M
October 2, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Jerry - I recently moved to south Georgia, no where near AJC.
Newsflash…you don’t have to buy an AJC to get coupons, just buy a Sunday paper where you live, every one gets coupons.
Geniuses I tell you.
By M
October 2, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Jerry - I recently moved to south Georgia, no where near AJC.
Newsflash…you don’t have to buy and AJC to get coupons, just buy a Sunday paper where you live, every one gets coupons.
Geniuses I tell you.
By M
October 2, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
Jerry - I recently moved to south Georgia, no where near AJC.
Newsflash…you don’t have to buy an AJC to get coupons, just buy a Sunday paper where you live, every one gets coupons.
Geniuses I tell you.
By Amber
October 2, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
The Couponizer is a great product that helps you organize your clipped coupons!! I found it online, but it’s also been featured on QVC and MSN Money. It comes with shopping lists, coupon trackers, links to coupon sites, special savings and more! It’s a FANTASTIC way to keep everything organized and it fits in my purse! You can find it on www.thecouponizer.com
By JENNY
October 2, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Keep in mind that, at least at Publix, you don’t need to buy 2 of an item to get the Buy 1 Get 1 Free price. The item is marked down either way. So, if you only need one thing of bagels, buy one thing of bagels. You’ll still be saving money.
By Obama Supporter
October 2, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
I save money on groceries by receiving food stamps paid for by those taxpayer folks with jobs and ambition. For any groceries I can’t get with food stamps, I simply take by any means necessary.
I can’t afford to be wasting my government checks and subsidies each month on food when there is bling to be bought!
By Lissa
October 2, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
M - Maybe Jerry wants the AJC, period. My mother is still angry that she can no longer get the Sunday AJC in Middle Georgia. The coupons (and the articles) in the AJC were always better than the ones in the Macon Telegraph. It was her Sunday routine to go get the paper each week.
Sorry Jerry - the powers that be decided that people outside of metro Atlanta won’t get the AJC anymore.
By JJ
October 2, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
mr. Cheapskatin Most grocery stores will honor the coupon stuck in your cargo shorts if you take it right back in with your receipt. At least they do at Publix.
I sometimes forget to give them my Publix mystery coupon until I get to the car and realize what I didn’t do. I go right back in and they happily give me the money back.
By Jenny
October 2, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
Evening Edge, is a free paper it is delivered on Thursday.It always has coupons from the AJC sunday paper.
By joey
October 2, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
M - Newsflash: Only dimwits hit the post button multiple times, resulting in multiple posts.
JENNY - Wow, Publix is so sweet to do that. Dingbat, state law mandates that you can’t make the purchuser buy multiple items to save money. They HAVE to do that.
Jerry - Are you sure those coupons you are drooling about will work in Valdosta? Don’t they still use the barter system there? You know, “Leroy, I’ll trade you 2 chickens for a night with your wife.”
By tc
October 2, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
M - Genius’ would know to hit the post button once AND wait for your post to show up! I’m glad you’re in South Georgia.
By Early Bird
October 2, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Big Lots…try it!
By Stacey
October 2, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this
Have any of you had stores refuse to take your online coupons? My local Food Depot & Dollar General won’t take them at all and depending on the cashier, neither will Wal Mart.
I am a coupons shopper and have saved big with double coupons, freebies and good sales. I buy a lot of store brands and sometimes they are cheaper than using coupons. Also, Walgreens & CVS sometimes will have grocery items for less than grocery stores so don’t be afraid to check them out if you are already in there.
By Happy Shopper
October 2, 2008 1:21 PM | Link to this
Geez, what’s up with you people being so angry??!!
I shop at Publix and use coupons, wait for stuff to go on sale, and shop from a list.
We plan what we are going to eat and budget how much we are willing to spend…and we pay cash!
Good luck Grouches!
By harold
October 2, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
there’s no such thing as a coupon for food. coupons are only for processed foodstuffs sold in cardboard marketing boxes. use coupons and you will be a giant fat-a* in no time!
By Meat is cheap
October 2, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
We buy our own cow and pig every year and raise them on a farm we own in east GA. Every winter we slaughter them for our own meat. Therefore we know how well the animal was treated and fed, and the meat only cost a few cents a pound. throw in a couple of deers from hunting season and we are set.
By Mattie
October 2, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
Harold is right, almost all the Sunday coupons are for processed foods or cleaning supplies. But, Kroger regularly sends me coupons for $$$ off my total bill, as well as meat and produce. I rarely shop at Publix, after having them rammed down my throat in So. FL, where it’s Publix or nothing. Kroger is much cheaper on most of the items I use, and to thank me for the $300 or so I spend there each week, they send me coupons I can actually appreciate.
By Kimberly
October 2, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Harold - What about those “Springer Mountain Farms” Chicken coupons from the meat department? Not processed… sorry!
Stacey - Yes… sometimes even Kroger and Publix don’t want to take the printed SmartSource / CouponMom coupons, especially if they don’t have that scanner code in the top right corner. Wierd.
I do most of my shopping at Kroger, Publix, and occasionally Ingles, because they still double coupons up to $0.50, or if I know it’s cheaper at Wal-Mart, I’ll use the $1.00-off coupons there.
By clyde
October 2, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
I have a spare room lined with shelves.When it’s on sale I buy lots of it.Some items I buy in bulk.I make my own bread.I grow a small garden.
Current inventory includes 200 pounds of flour,40 pounds of rice,96 pounds of coffee,40 bottlee of catsup,60 cans of tuna,50 cans of ham,24 cans of chicken.,30 pounds of pasta,50 pounds of grits,20 pounds of oatmeal,Plus much more.
Buying like this saves big bucks.I paid $5.29 for a 25 pound bag of flour the last time I purcased and the 200 pounds is what I have left.
By watch for sales
October 2, 2008 6:57 PM | Link to this
I don’t use many coupons b/c they’re mostly trendy/processed items I don’t use, but I just keep an eye out for sales and lower prices. I buy some things at Super Target or Wal-Mart if they’re cheaper. Lots of store brands. In a few years I’ll qualify for the senior discounts.
By tina
October 2, 2008 7:19 PM | Link to this
Hey Obama supporter, I bet you didn’t know the majority of people getting food stamps is……none other than people who voted for Bush and plan on voting for McCain….so they can continue to get their food stamps. How about that? Newsflash. They woundn’t dream of putting a democrat in the office and messing us their good thing. How would I know this….I work for Dfacs. So I get to see first hand who is coming in to get the food stamps, medicaid, WIC, Tanf and section 8. do your research before you post. have a good day.
By Bottom dweller
October 2, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
I buy all name brand items, never look at the price and never use coupons…’cause I’m a generational gov’t dependent and use food stamps. I also drive an Escalade, have a plasma, and am always on my cell…. ‘bout forgot — WIC takes care of food for my 6 (no wait 7) kids - all by different fathers…I think…they’re never around anyway…
By A former Bush supporter
October 2, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
LOL! Food stamps… really? Poor people are funny. All rich folk know it’s more profitable to swindle the tax payers out of $810 BILLION dollars (I added all the tax cuts we threw into our bailout bill). And after we (i.e. the tax payers) bail your company out from nearly collapsing the US economy, you take your $45 million dollar a year salary (last years salary for AIG’s CEO) and retire- to one of your many exotic vacation homes. Now, that’s what rich folk call “bling”. And don’t worry, unlike those poor folks that “take by any means necessary” and risk breaking the law and going to jail, these rich folks don’t need to worry about the police because, according to our laws here on earth, they didn’t do anything wrong.
By Michael
October 2, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this
I am a retail Manager and know a lot of the ins and outs. Online coupons, you have to be carefull. There is a lot of fraud out there, that is why stores don’t like to take them because if they are fake…it is a cash shortage. Kroger takes most online coupons. As for Mr. Obamma supporter….you keep stealing your items you need….you will get caught one day. And those who have jobs and ambition will keep having to pay for your groceries and the increased prices on the items you rip off! As for Aldi, they are a good store, but I would rather pay for some service and to have someone bag my groceries for me and to take my cart back to the store. Also for all you GROUCHES out there. We all know you suck! You don’t need to come into the store and take it out on us! If it is cheaper somewhere else….go buy it there! Quit taking your bad day/life out on us!!!
By danish
October 3, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Aldi is ok but one of the reasons it is so cheap is that portions are smaller. for example, canned soup is about a half ounce less than campbells.
And the milk may be just $2.49 a gallon but it was not delicious. kind of watery in my opinion. my 2 yr old didnt enjoy it either.
By mr. cheapskatin'
October 4, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Keep the suggestions (serious ones, anyway), folks.
Let’s hear from anyone else having trouble using online coupons. I’ve encountered that before, too, which is one reason I stick to clipping from newspapers.
For those who do use them, give us some more good web sites
I also stick with Publix and Kroger because they double the value of coupons. Know any store that doesn’t?
.And yes, Harold, I, too, have used Springer Mountain Chicken coupons to reduce its high price. Last I looked, they do not come in cardboard boxes.
By ppkbradley
October 11, 2008 10:06 PM | Link to this
I do have a question—I’m new to this whole coupon thing…
Are there any legitimate websites out there someone could recommend, that have online coupons that are all ok to double? I’ve noticed a lot of the online coupons state, “Do Not Double or Triple” at the top, and you can’t tell what it says until it prints.
Also, in regards to Tina’s post: It doesn’t matter where you work, anyone with at least half a brain would tell you that Democrats are for spending to help out those on welfare (and to help people like Tina stay employed), and make sure everyone is cared for and fed. Republicans tend to believe if you worked hard and earned it, you should be able to do what you want with it, and are therefore opposed to using taxpayer’s dollars for things like welfare reform. I don’t claim to be a political connoisseur, but I do know that much. Research your facts before you vote people, and before you post ignorance for that matter!!!
By peach girl
October 15, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
I am Publix girl,clean and friendly employees it is indeed pleasure to shop there.Unlike Kroger which is very dirty and has unfriendly employees. Also I shop Walmart also not clean but I save alot of everyday prices.
By TEE
November 11, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this
Obama Supporter - come on REALLY!!! We know you are a FRAUD!!! It’s just crazy that you would put out such a false statement under the premise that you supported Obama…any REAL OBAMA supporter would already know that most of the folks on public assistance are White’s who have no idea what they are voting for, they just voted Republican because of race….When all the farmers and other working class folks (of all races) WAKE UP, they will realize the Republicans only want the rich to get richer and really don’t care about the real “working middle class”. BTW - I am a WHITE FEMALE living in Atlanta and VOTED OBAMA ALL THE WAY (primary included) - So next time you want to put out such lies under such a false premise, do your research and get the facts on who really gets food stamps, Section 8, etc. and them maybe stick to the topic and offer cost saving solutions that might actually help someone! Ms. Tee in Atlanta
By amy
December 21, 2008 6:36 PM | Link to this
Why doesn’t the Macon Telegraph have grocery coupons? The AJC has coupon fliers put out by SmartSource, Proctor and Gamble, and Redplum. How can people in Middle GA get their hands on some coupons? This isn’t fair!
By atlcouponmom
January 21, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this
Well, I coupon shop all the time..the key is dont shop at Walmart anymore go to Kroger/Ingles/Publix and make a list before you go..I get all the Sunday circulars from Ebay you can just buy from a reseller online like Ebay,couponmasters.com,P&G E-saver, Cellfire.com,and Shortcuts! Combine you should save a killing! I cut my food bill by 85% last year leaving a great little stash to go on vacation this year and I found coupons for that to so..even if you can get the paper there is no reason to not save on FOOD! Hope this helps everyone..Obama supporter/Not Obama supporter..we all have to get along and do our part if we want to make it out of this horrible time in history!
By Brendan
February 25, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
Coupons are becoming more prevalent on non-grocery items too. Check out EarnedPenny (www.earnedpenny.com) or CouponCabin (www.couponcabin.com). Both have coupons on computers, clothes and the like and there are some pretty good deals at times. Don’t have to sign up for the email blasts either (I subscribe to a few of the emails though and they aren’t bad).