I use the coupons in the paper or that come in the mail. At the grocery store and in restaurants. My favorite lately is IHOP. They usually have a set of coupons that will get us BOGO free breakfasts.
joanne0012 wrote: Over the years, I have gradually given up on grocery coupons since a smaller and smaller number of them were relevant to the way we eat, and the majority seemed to be for processed foods that were overpriced, unhealthy, and we could make them better and cheaper on our own.
Exactly right! If you really want to save money, and eat properly, you're going to scratch cook and use unprocessed ingredients. I have several pounds of dried beans and about 5 pounds of dried lentils right now on the shelves. It's enough to eat for months and is all of $10 worth of food --- no coupons on that kind of thing. Plus, even with coupons, store brands are often priced less than major brands with coupons. But, I always check just in case there is something 'relevant'.
Around here, the in-store sales are usually the best deals.....
We have used restaurant coupons when they're 2-for-1 or 2nd meal, 50% off kind of thing. But we never go to fast food places so many coupons are worthless to us.
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Kajtek1 wrote: Costco is now having coupons for laminate flooring. The $8 coupon apply to each box you buy. Saved me $120 on material for single room.
Sounds like a good savings to me!
We used some 20% off coupons from the two big hardware stores when we were remodeling our home and saved big that way on a couple of projects.
Cat
(Jim just reads the forum once in a while)
Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some sort of battle.... Live simply, love wholly, give generously, care deeply, speak kindly.
I used to clip and use coupons all the time but got away from them when the amounts got smaller, the expiration dates got shorter, and multiple purchases became mandatory in order to use a coupon.
I agree with retiredtraveler in that the grocery stores do a good job with their sale prices.
I'll sometimes use a coupon that the store or manufacturer places on an item on the shelf.
Now, the coupons we seem to use the most are the ones that come in the mail from local merchants (in the coupon packets, neighborhood magazine) and the ones from Target and Kroger. Also, the coupons/discounts we get from stores where we have perks cards from like Petsmart and Kroger (gas).
You know, you're right... the expiration dates do seem to be getting shorter. I wonder why? It seems they are average about 30 days anymore and they used to be much longer, even up to a year on some items. Oh well, I'll just keep clipping them for the products I buy on a regular basis with the hope that I have a chance to use them before they expire. I forgot to mention in my previous posts, that there are some good savings to be enjoyed on household cleaning & personal care products, especially when you find them on sale somewhere and use it as a price match at one of the places that offer it.
Personally, I don't carry the "shoppers cards" much anymore, around here the stores that offer them typically have higher prices overall. With the price of gas what it is, I try to do the majority of our shopping at one or two places at most.
Kaj, that was a GREAT deal! I've also noticed that the coupons aren't good for as long any more. I only cut out the ones for products that I normally use. I won't buy something just because there's a coupon. I have the "shopper card" for our local grocery store, but you gotta remember, we're in the middle of nowhere. We don't have much choice! County Market is only 8 miles away and is in Abbotsford, where our store is. If I have to go "to town" then that's at least 30 miles away, and I usually hit the "big" grocery store while I'm there, just because there are some things I just can't get here.
I must say, for being a town of less than 2,000 people, we have an AWESOME grocery store! We're VERY lucky to have our County Market and prices are actually pretty good.
While being off work, I started going to my granparent's house every morning for coffee. (You just never know how much longer you will have with them) On the occassions my wife comes with me, she will set with my grandmother and cut coupons out of the Tulsa World.
I don't think to take them with me when shopping, but the wife does.
I have started watching prices. For example, I never knew there was such a difference in the prices of bread.
CatandJim wrote: A few topics lately have mentioned ways to save money.... So I thought I would ask about coupons.
Do you use them?
If so, where?
The grocery store?
Online?
At restaurants?
Any other places come to mind?
If not, why?
Just curious.......
Yes we use them, always have, at all the above.
My mom taught me to take advantage of discounts, including coupons, at an early age. She always said "manufacturers wouldn't print them if they didn't want you to use them." Makes perfect sense to me!
All of the above. Just got 20 cents of per gallon at Safeway. filled up both tanks on the pickup.
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Oh well, I'll just keep clipping them for the products I buy on a regular basis with the hope that I have a chance to use them before they expire. I forgot to mention in my previous posts, that there are some good savings to be enjoyed on household cleaning & personal care products, especially when you find them on sale somewhere and use it as a price match at one of the places that offer it. 
