Coupon policy changes. Fine print limitations. Rewards programs starting. Rebate programs ending. Store limitations set.
We’ve seen a lot of challenges and changes in the couponing world in the last few years, haven’t we? Let’s face it. Stuff has changed and things aren’t same old, same old when it comes to couponing. In order to continue to thrive as a couponer, you need to understand the new couponing environment and how to navigate it in a way that still saves you money and doesn’t eat up your precious time.
Couponing for Today
A couple Octobers ago, I wrote a series of “lessons” posts to get you started couponing. Today those are still some of my most visited posts, and you can find them in my Coupons 101 section. However, I’m finding myself cringing a bit when I send new readers through those lessons to get started. As a coupon instructor, I’m also finding myself slowly removing slides from my Couponing presentations and adding new ones.
Simply put, what worked three or four years with couponing ago may well NOT work today.
For the last several weeks I’ve been hemming and hawing over what sort of a fall series to run here. If you’ve been following me, you know my last several series having involved crafting with mason jars, learning homesteading basics, and seeing if one can follow a plant-based diet on a budget. While these pursuits are definitely fun, it occurred to me that it might be time to do a series that goes back to basics. So for the month of October, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know about how to use coupons NOW. These posts will essentially replace the outdated versions on the Coupons 101 page.
Some of the topics and ideas I am planning to address in these expanded lessons include:
- How to stockpile when coupons and stores limit quantities
- Why understanding store sales cycles is vital
- Creating your own coupon scenarios without losing your mind
- Reducing your stress during checkout
- How to handle common coupon problems
- Saving money in the absence of coupons & sales
- Building couponing into a weekly routine that saves you time & money
It is my hope that these new lessons will better equip you with reasonable expectations of what can be achieved with coupons.
Who is this Series for?
My original lessons were geared primarily for new coupon users. This time around, my goal is to include both new and existing coupon users.
- Newbies. You want to get started with couponing, but aren’t sure the steps to take. Maybe you don’t have the money or resources to take a coupon class. You like things clearly explained with clear “steps” of what to do.
- Frustrated couponers. You started couponing with a gusto and you know the basics, but you’re frustrated because you can’t seem to get the deals you once used to and you’re wondering what happened.
- Returning couponers. Maybe you once used coupons, but you took a break for whatever reason. You’d like to get back into it, but aren’t sure what you need to know about couponing today to dive back in.
- Questioning couponers (for lack of a better term). Maybe you’re wondering about your friends that coupon – how do they do it, really?! And what about those people on Extreme Couponing – is it legit? Whether or not you’re considering taking the plunge yourself, I’m happy to have you on board and explain the mechanics of couponing so you can make an informed decision if it’s right for you.
I would also be very honored if my pro coupon users out there would consider reading and commenting on these posts as they are published. Your advice, encouragement, and stories are 100% welcome! Remember that I may have brand new couponers reading these posts, so your input is valuable.
Let’s Get Started!
Watch for these posts every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday in October. I will soon add a button to my sidebar so you can quickly and easily find all the posts in this series.
I also want you to know that even though there have been some definite challenges to couponing in the last few years, it’s my intention to keep the tone of this series upbeat and positive. The truth is there still are many wonderful deals to be had with couponing. (If you don’t believe me, just check out this Albertsons trip I shared this morning where I saved 85%!)
A final word: in a couple weeks I will be sharing a post on organizing coupons. I would love it if some of my existing couponers out there would consider sharing some photos and notes about how they organize coupons for this post! If you could do that, I’d appreciate it. Email me at angela @ thecouponproject dot com with your photo and a sentence or two about what you do.
Have you been on the fence about couponing? Or maybe frustrated by how stuff is changing and wondering how you can regroup? Anything you’d like me to address for this series?
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{ 20 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s like you have been reading my mind when you write these articles, Angela! Gosh, I knew the changes were coming, but… Thank you again for a great article.
Thanks Tiff! I feel it’s time to address head on the changes that are impacting using coupons – and how it’s possible to still use them and save money. I look forward to sharing the rest of this series!
I’m looking forward to the encouragement articles and responses, because I need to hear that side – the good side. Thanks again.
This whole topic has been such a pet peeve of mine that I try to avoid even thinking about it because I know my blood pressure shoots up when I do. I’m an old time couponer – never too extreme – and I have to say that I’m pretty sure those old days are gone for good. Thanks TLC and some Extremers out there (not.)… The shameless excuse “I’m trying to provide for my family by clearing shelves, and SELLING products” ruined it for you and everybody. It was bound to happen.
But here’s my take on how it is now vs. how it was before:
I can understand WHY it all changed – stores were hassled by complaints about empty shelves. Extremers were wiping out stock and “cherry-picking” which infuriated regular customers who come in for sales (not necessarily couponers, just customers who shop sales) and those customers complained and also stopped shopping at those stores. Stores were losing money and tired of dealing with shelf-clearers, multi-transactioners, and angry shoppers who missed out. They had to change policies, and then change them again.
Manufacturers put coupons out to boost interest or introduce items to customers so they will purchase them in the future. But if extremers are going in and buying a year or two’s supply, the reasoning for putting out those coupons is moot to the manufacturer. So now the coupon values are pitiful, the expiration dates are short (remember when a lot of coupons would be good for MONTHS?), and there are massive limits.
This is negative, but I have to say it: It happened because of GREED! I ranted and raved a couple of years ago that this would happen because people were so greedy. It did… And I honestly doubt it will ever get back to “the way it was.” It’s a shame.
I too agree it won’t go back to the way it was. And there were an unfortunate series of events that lead to some of these things changing.
My goal though is to not blame but say “now what?” What do people do now to get on with saving money? I still believe in stockpiling, but maybe it’s got to look different. I still believe couponing is worth my time, but that looks different now, too.
I appreciate your thoughts Tiff and hope this series will help answer the “now what?” question.
Well we have a choice: either pay full price or use the coupons we can to save at least SOME money. So yes I still use them, though I have found better deals on some generics again, and winco bulk foods, and the grocery outlet (like you speak of all the time in your blog articles).
I do like that you are offering, and asking for input, about “now what?”
I love the articles that you write about canning and gardening, because that’s just how we have lived since I was a little kid. I also buy lot of flour, potatoes, and other cooking staples because we cook our own food (always have). I don’t think a lot of people realize that saving and providing for your family isn’t just about buying 25 frozen dinners because they are cheap – it’s a whole lifestyle, and providing good things for your family, and not just from couponing.
One example I want to share (might not be in the right place but I’ll share it) that we do a lot in our family: we buy the 15 pound sacks of potatoes for $1.98 a bag, bake all of them up, cut them up and freeze them in bags. They make excellent fried potatoes for breakfasts, and when thawed they can be made into mashed potatoes easily, or potato salad, etc – and they don’t go bad like a big bag of potatoes does. We do the same thing with bags of onions: run them through the chopper and bag them, freeze them to use for cooking later. No waste.
I loved this comment, Tiff:
“I don’t think a lot of people realize that saving and providing for your family isn’t just about buying 25 frozen dinners because they are cheap – it’s a whole lifestyle, and providing good things for your family, and not just from couponing.”
This week I’ll be canning and freezing about 70 pounds of fruit that cost me roughly $0.58/lb. No coupons involved, but a little know-how and a little elbow grease. (And I’ll definitely share this too!) I definitely think a return to basic home-making skills is essential these days to saving money, which is exactly why I’ve transitioned personally to learning more of these pursuits as well as sharing them here. The coupons can often compliment these efforts – for instance, Albertsons doubler coupons helped me buy some canning supplies over the summer and I used Amazon credit to buy some heirloom seeds!
TA-DA!!
Wow I can’t wait to hear about the fruit canning and freezing! I agree with you that returning to the basics is the way to save money (and it’s so much healthier).
I have never had an autumn garden but am going to look into what I can plant and grow (and harvest) before we get frost (so it needs to be quick). I may be too late though.
That’s great that you got some canning supplies with the doublers and amazon credit
Again, thanks for the great articles and tips.
I think you can take the principles learned from couponing and apply them to other areas! I’m actually going to be busting out the sewing machine this week – for the first time ever. Please wish me luck. I’ve been terrified and haven’t even opened it since I bought it at a Black Friday sale like 4 years ago. I really need to get over myself sometimes!
Thanks Tiff.
Oh you’ll do great with the sewing machine! Just start with something simple. And remember that patterns are made by people who are laughing at you because the instructions are cryptic and the sizes on the patterns are never accurate
Seriously, just have fun with it. Worst case you use the item as a dust cloth. Sewing is fun (and frustrating)! If anyone can figure it out, it’s you.
I would like to see an article on how to build a stockpile (for emergencies and for money saving) that is not heavy on relying on store-bought canned foods. All over the news lately are stories about how even a can a day can be bad for health due to the BPA in the can linings. I know you can cook beans ahead and freeze but we have a small freezer used mostly for meats. Most of the other alternatives I can think of are more expensive and time-consuming and both are tight as it is. I am a caregiver about to be in need of one myself. Any ideas ? Thanks~
That is actually a topic I’ve wanted to tackle – but perhaps for a different post! I actually grew my own dry shelling beans this year and it worked SO well that I’m hoping to grow lots and lots more next year!
Thanks for chiming in – I’ll definitely consider writing about this, again if not exactly for this series – for another post on the site.
There will always be deals with coupons because the deals are there to get us into the store. I think that part of the change is not just the rise in the number of couponers. It also has a lot to do with the cost of gas and rising cost of food. The stock up prices are getting higher. There aren’t as many free deals to go around.
On a side note, could you do a series on freezer cooking? I’m always looking fro new freezer recipes.
Oh….I love that idea.
You can definitely read some posts I’ve written on that subject in this category here:
http://thecouponproject.com/category/freezer-cooking
You do have a point there Jolene. Prices are definitely higher due to gas prices, etc.
I feel Tiff’s frustration. I’ve used coupons since I was in high school over 13 years ago (showing my age!). I even remember when Albertsons used to take competitor coupons. Smith’s did too. Now they won’t. There is some good now. Walmart’s price matching and overages. Albertsons now allowing overages. Even of they’re few and far between at least it’s allowed. It’s also so much cheaper to buy foods to make dinner instead of prepackaged or frozen foods. I helped a friend meal plan who is on a tight budget. We looked over the items on sale and made a menu with 13 dinners and she only spent $50 or so. She was out of everything even spices. She used very few coupons. It takes planning. I’m a planner myself so I enjoy it.
Angela-I just emailed you my storage system for coupons. I love it! Can’t wait to see what others are doing. I love that you are updating the Couponing 101. I send all the people that I meet at the store who are interested to your website!
Thank you so much Sarah! I will take a look for your email.
I really, really appreciate your word of mouth endorsement of my site. That means so much to me! Thank you!
I love this idea already! Thanks for all the effort you put into helping your readers make the most from every dollar. Maybe you could write a series on basic homemaking skills. I think home making is a lost art these days. I know I never learned such things as sewing and baking and budgeting because for the first 30 years of my life I was dead set on being a business woman. Now I am so fortunate to be a stay at home mom to the most amazing 1 year old ever. I have finaly found my place making this house a home for my family. Thanks again for writing such an inspiring and informative blog!
I’m glad I came across your site! A couple years back I was couponing to help me afford to live on my own after my divorce (and to help feed my two monster dogs lol) now I have gotten back into because im back in school and my wonderful fiancé just graduated and is getting a “starting out salary” I was feeling exactly the way you described! I felt like things have changed and I wasn’t sure if I would be able keep up and get the max out of it! Thank you for updating!!
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