I've learned a couple of coupon lessons since my
last post on the subject.
I thought I'd share.
Firstly, I checked out two free web sites:
hotcouponworld.com and
couponmom.com.
The verdict:
- Hotcouponworld : does not actually tell you whether the final price is a good deal, and that's what I like about The Grocery Game - knowing whether I should use my coupon or wait for a better deal.
- Couponmom: is a lot like The Grocery Game. And free. I compared Couponmom's list and The Grocery Game's list for a couple of weeks. Couponmom lists fewer deals but, if you don't want to pay, I highly recommend it.
I also learned another clipping (actually non-clipping) trick.
A big problem with clipping coupons was that sometimes I wouldn't clip a coupon because we don't normally buy that product. Then a great deal comes along and I don't have the coupon.
Now I keep the entire coupon insert and just write the date on the front.
When I'm compiling my grocery list I only clip the coupons I'll be using on that particular shopping trip and put the insert away for next time.
Much less hassle.
As for The Grocery Game. I found a little problem with their list.
My grocery store has a lot of deals where you have to buy a minimum quantity of a product to get the good deal. That's not a problem if the price is really good.
Sometimes however, the Grocery Game people list a coupon to be used on the product.
Coupons are usually for only one item. But in this case you have to buy the minimum quantity the store lists.
So you're really only applying the coupon's savings to one of the items. Not all four as the Grocery Game implies.
Example
Fiber One Bars:
- regular price: 3.99
- sale price $1.50 each if you buy 4
- coupon $0.50 on one item
GG claims that the new price is $1.00, but that's only true for one of the four items.
The rest are still $1.50 each
In the end you're really paying $1.38 each.
All that being said, today was a good coupon day. I even got something for FREE!
| Item | Qty | Original Price | Final Price | Savings |
| Classico Pasta Sauce | 2 | $3.59 | $2 | $3.18 |
| 1lb Penne Pasta | 2 | $0.99 | $0 | $1.98 |
| Betty Crocker Fruit Roll-ups | 4 | $2.99 | $1.50 | $5.96 |
| Cheerios Cereal | 2 | $2.99 | $0.95 | $4.08 |
| Cheerios Cereal | 2 | $2.99 | $1.00 | $3.98 |
| Raisin Bran Cereal | 2 | $3.49 | $0.75 | $5.48 |
| Raisin Bran Cereal | 2 | $3.49 | $1.50 | $3.98 |
| Arm&Hammer Cat Littler | 1 | $8.99 | $5.99 | $3.00 |
| Arm&Hammer Laundry Det. | 2 | $5.99 | $2.49 | $7.00 |
| Sobe | 4 | $1.99 | $0.79 | $4.80 |
| Fuji apples | 1.89 | $1.99 | $0.88 | $2.10 |
| Total Savings: | | | | $45.54! |
Not bad. Not bad at all.
