To coupon or not?!?

Little One and I had a one-sided conversion the other day at the grocery store, when I had a mini-extreme-couponing grocery trip, which ended with, "Don't pay full price for anything! Use your coupons!"

Coupons, coupons....I love coupons; actually, the truth of the statement is I love getting a good deal! I'm not sure how I turned out this way, but I'm a nut-case when it comes to saving -- one of my friends would make fun of me when I'd look quickly to the bottom of my grocery receipt to see how much I saved!

Using coupons does not cheat anyone because the manufacturers pay the store back the value of the coupon plus eight cents. Some times my smart couponing causes the cashiers to give me strange looks; few have even questioned my integrity, but I remind them that I'm only printing my allowed 2 coupons from either coupons.com or from the manufacturer's site -- copying coupons IS fraud!

I've always tried to use coupons. About a year ago, I took my couponing to the next level and started using websites which help match sales and coupons for the best deals! I still get coupons from my Sunday inserts, but I also print coupons from coupons.com. Some of my favorite sites are Bargainstobounty.com for her Meijer deals, Thefrugalgirls.com for her drugstore deals, and Savingslifestyle.com for her Kroger deals. By putting in more time to research, I can save 50-60% off retail prices (and I'm not dumpster diving or buying extra coupons online).

The wealth of information online truly is incredible. Search, find, and share!


This was part of the Blog Dare Prompt Couponing!

Do I look like a crook to you?

I really enjoy couponing, and with the additional benefits of internet coupons, my saving's rate is increasing! But every now and then, I get haggled about a coupon, with the cashier condemning me of engaging in coupon fraud. Such was the case at Walmart earlier this afternoon when I was trying to buy post-its with the coupon, straight from the 3M site. I originally wanted to purchase 3, but as soon as the cashier set eyes on those coupons, she said, "We don't accept copies."

When someone insists that I'm wrong and I know I'm right, I tend to get a little more assertive. So I told her that they were printed from the 3M website, just in black and white. It also made me angry that she'd think I'm stupid or deceitful enough to copy coupons.

Ugh. I've contemplated printing in color -- I can always refill the ink cartridges at Walgreens if my HP printer will let me; some times it insists that I must buy a new one....crazy thing. I don't know. I was accused of copying coupons, which I did not, but couldn't someone also copy a coupon in color?!? I'm not sure if there's a solution to this except to find a store with consistently coupon-friendly employees who will not question my integrity or just to believe in my own integrity even if others question it. (And the only stores that I have found to be coupon friendly and also believe in my integrity are Meijer and CVS.)

Oh, and here's the coupon for a free Post-It Note pad at Target & Walmart...just don't go to the one I was at today....

Retail Coupon List

Wow...here's a list of retail coupons for store like The Children's Place, Gymboree, JC Penny, Coldwater Creek, NY & Co, Aeropostale, Banana Republic, and The Limited, for back-to-school shopping for the kids or for yourself!

Thanks Freebies4Moms!

Organic Coupons List

I've been thinking more and more about purchasing organic or more eco-friendly products. Often I think it will cost so much more, but I'm discovering there are coupons that can be used too, making it a good deal! Stockpiling Moms have compiled a list of coupons for organic products that can be found here.

My honest Walgreens receipt

All this for $.41?!? No, not really, not honestly!

I thought I could use the $3 off Natrol Acai coupon from the Walgreens July booklet with a $3 manufacturer's coupon, but today was told that the Walgreens coupon is a manufacturer's coupon (I think I was just lied to and am awaiting an email response back from corporate.). So I asked for my $3 manufacturer's coupon back to use at another time. The cashier was in a bit of a huff because she actually had to offer customer service to me and not verbally express what she was thinking, and she handed me the coupon without voiding that on the receipt too. So when I double checked the receipt before leaving the store, $.41 for 2 Starbucks ice creams did not make sense! Then I remembered the back and forth about the Natrol. So instead of stealing the $3, I went back to the cashier to pay for it. And now she was miffed that I was honest, and she actually had to offer customer service to me and not verbally express what she was thinking. I've read about a few cashiers who show an appreciation for coupon savviness, but I have yet to find one day shift Walgreens employee!

Anyways, there is something for you, if your Walgreens allows you to use the Walgreens July booklet as a Walgreens coupon (something I've done at other stores, mind us all), you can get the Natrol Acai tablets for free! They're marked down to $5.99; use the $3 manufacturer's coupon (I had mine from a previous time; it's in the box...don't steal the other coupons from boxes you don't buy...I've been on that receiving end before) with the $3 Walgreens coupon, and the product should be free! Oh, I think you have to be 27 or older to purchase these, at least that's what I was told today too!

Mimi’s Cafe: FREE Muffin Week is June 28- July 1!

Mimi’s Cafe is celebrating with their delicious muffins for 4 days- June 28 through July 1. Go HERE to print coupons good for a FREE 4-pack of muffins with a to go purchase, breakfast purchase or lunch and dinner purchase.

Thanks Combat Clippers!