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If you are brand new to couponing and just visiting this blog you can start at the Coupons 101 - Overview to get a start on the how to's of couponing.

Always, feel free to contact me at thriftymomincolorado@gmail.com

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

A question for everyone...


I am a huge advocate of using coupons to help lower your grocery costs and I have lowered my grocery bill around 70% compared to before when I didn't shop sales or use coupons. I have a pretty large stockpile that I have built up and can "shop" from so I don't really have to buy non-perishables unless they are at rock bottom prices. I talk about what I do all the time but was curious as to what my readers have experienced and think about this.

So, my question to you is have you started using coupons more? If so, are you noticing a significant savings on your grocery bill?

Let's help inspire others to get serious about using coupons and keeping more money in their pockets!

8 comments:

  1. I absolutely love couponing. Even with those need items for parties or vacations, I have cut my grocery bill in half. Just yesterday, I bought 40 items for $28, which included milk and a few other items that I did not have a coupon for! Thanks so much for showing me the ropes and giving us the lists!

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  2. Yes! I use coupons quite a lot now! I used to do all the work you do on my own, but it is so nice to have your blog to get the deals from!!! And I had never used printable coupons before - with your help they are GREAT!!!!

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  3. My sense as a newbie is that it takes awhile to ramp up and see the mega-saving benefits. I've only saved as much as $10 on a grocery store visit so far. I really need to strategize and find coupons for house-cleaning and other non-perishables. Also, the types of meals I prepare may be the issue--usually just a "clean" protein (nonprocessed meats by themselves and not mixed into casseroles or packaged mixes) and some type of steamed or sauteed veggies. We also don't eat sweets and junk food. So, usually if I just buy at the "rock bottom" sale price, that's the best I can do. Do you have any other suggestions?

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  4. To Anonymous that eats a "clean" protein diet, don't forget about the Sprouts weekly deals. They have great deals on fish and meat that are antibiotic free and fresh. If I'm just buying fruits (we have our own veggie garden), I can purchase all that at Sprouts for less than 10 bucks a week.
    As far as organic foods and other natural products, you come find coupons on a lot of their websites and also in Whole Foods stores.

    Walgreens is a great "coupon game" to play for other household goods such as shaving cream, razors and shampoos. And it is really easy to make your own "clean" laundry detergent. Thrify Mom gave a recipe at one time.

    All that being said, it does take some time to build up your coupons from getting the Sunday paper and building up your stockpile. Way to go on your $10 off on a grocery bill...that's better than nothing!!! Keep it up and you'll see the effort you put into it starting to pay off.

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  5. I have been using coupons for most of my 13 year marriage and usually save 10 to 15% on our groceries. Since finding thrifty mom we've gone to about 25%, even 39% one grocery trip. My favorite thing about your website is that I have discovered Walgreens rr program. Thanks so much!!

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  6. I'm so glad to see the feedback from everyone. It definitely takes some time to get stocked up but once you do you just need to maintain and stock up when things are at rock bottom prices. I'm really happy to hear that you are seeing decreases in your grocery bills - that is the whole goal of this site!!

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  7. I have been a bargain/stock-up/coupon shopper forever. We didn't have much money growing up, so shopping sales were and still are just a part of my life. For example, even now I am hesitant to buy things for my children if I think I can get them in hand-me-downs later on.

    As our family eats more veggies, and less sugary and processed foods, and uses environmentally safe cleaning products, couponing saves less and less, as many of the coupons are for foods that aren't all that great for you (and the fresh stuff isn't usually governmentally subsidized). All that said, I still have a nice stock of things to choose from, still use coupons regularly, and comically think of a grocery receipt with less than 35% savings as a moderate failure. It's really about the long haul. Every grocery trip can't be a huge savings, and sometimes you don't have the coupons. But over all it adds up. Our family of four that takes lunches and eats in most of the time spends around $6000/month for food. It's worth it! Thanks for taking the time, looking at different stores, and making this site available to the public. I know I appreciate it.

    -Leigh

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  8. Ha! I just read my own post, and saw that I put $6000/month for food! Wow - what an expensive family we are! My mistake - we spend about $600/month on food. My savings have gotten higher, too, since finding this site.

    -Leigh

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