21 Things to be an Epic Couponer (full)

[eltada]

Ok, so I am taking this discussion a little off topic...sorry. But I don't know where to post it and thought we're all in this together so I will share...

I went for one of my later night shops to RCSS and Walmart. I start at RCSS because it seems there is always at least one thing I can't get so then I will just price match it at Walmart. Why I don't skip RCSS all together....? I have no idea. Anyway, tonight was no different. I went all excited about buying milk. The sale was for Neilson TruTaste or Lactancia. I was really happy because not only was it on for $3.99, but I had a coupon for Lactancia! When I got there, there was lots of Neilson but NO Lactancia. And not even a spot on the shelf or the cooler bins where it USED to be. So they advertise this brand of milk but they don't actually sell it? What? I really could understand being sold out or "selected varieties" but it appears they don't even regularly stock this brand AT ALL. geesh!

Have any of you experienced this before?

[theweave]

Help - What should I post about next?

Okay I have so many topics popping into my head. Please tell me which two or three you'd like me to do first.

1. Part 2 of coupons and where to find them (this includes some of the less common places) on the forum under coupons, ebay, kijiji, facebook, save.ca, brandsaver.ca.. so many places!

2. Reading and understanding a wishlist and tradelist. A wishslist is stuff a member is seeking, trade list is the opposite, it is what they up for trade!

3. Creating your first wishlist. Mine has been up for a while, just needs updated!

4. Creating your first tradelist. Man don't go by mineI i have not had time to update in so long , it is probably out of date1

5. Trading - how to, the good, the bad, the funny. Actually my trading has been very good! Never had a bad one yet from SC'ers! I usually get more then I was expecting!

6. What's a trade rating?Trade ratings are when you complete a trade, you get/receive feedback on the trade, whether it was good, bad, or neutral... shows other members how reliable you are and often how frequent you trade coupons with others.

7. What's a train? Is it worth riding? There's so many types of trains - help.well you got me on this one, no experience with these! )

8. What's a RAOK and what do you do when you receive one?
RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS if is when you get coupons that you have not even requested! What do you do when you get one, first do the HAPPY DANCE!!!! Then go bump the other members trade rating!!! That is if yuou know who sent it to you!
9. SmartCanucks - I found a thread I like and I want to find it again easily - help Not sure what you are referring to here but use the searh feature but ask around if you can't find it! Chance are, someone will know about it!

10. Drinking from a firehose -- taming SmartCanucks info overload - tips and tricks BREATHEEEEEE!!! it takes a lot of time to digest everything, do not do all at once!

11. Visitor messages and friending?Just click on person's username and click on visitor message. You can leave a message on your page (note:everyone else can read it too, if you want it private, pm them!)

12. What's rep and when to give it. What do you do when you get it?There is a cloud symbol at the end of each post, click on it and type in your rep. You can only rep a person once or twice in a bit and then it locks you out for that person for a bit till you rep others! When you get one, it will show up in where your noitifcations are1

13. What are the candies besides some name? That I go no idea, I just ignore them pesky things!!!

Okay me gots to get some sleep now!

Chris (out!)

[greeke33]

All the topics look great! Hopefully we can cover them all, so if we do, then wherever we start is great!

[Giving-Small]

Good day everyone!

Well here is Part 2. I've simply done a slideshow with no audio track this time. Let me know what you think. Does it work? Would you prefer it with audio.



View slideshow

[Giving-Small]

Wow the time is flying by. One thing I'm learning is it takes longer to create these slideshows/tours that I thought. Either I talk too much or there's a lot of info to share.

Thing 3: Activity

1. Where have you found the most coupons so far?


2. Where else can you find coupons?

• Can you spot a couple of "big" ways I left out?
  
• Share other ideas that you have for finding coupons

3. Go out and find a coupon with one of these new methods and tell us what it is and where you found it. If you have a camera and are able to add a photo (to another site or to your gallery on SmartCanucks), share a photo. No worries if doing photos is not your thing, just share what you find and where.

Looking forward to your answers.

[$power]

Good morning Darlene.
I just finished watching part 2. It was more good stuff. I didn't mind no audio, though I find your voice very soothing to listen to

#1 ) Most of my coupons so far are from Smart Source and Red Plum and you!
#2 ) Expanding on finding coupons in magazines, I've gone to the thrift store and looked at the mags there for that very purpose.
#3 ) I called J & J and requested the coupons they offer monthly. Chose StayFree and Aveeno. The guy who took my call was a pleasure to deal with and I will be doing this once a month as allowed.

P.S. Hope this project isn't a 'monster' you've created..

[susan.h]

Great slideshow Darlene! Your voice is nice, but I don't mind no sound either.
1. A lot of my coupons are from online sources (I check gocoupons.ca, save.ca, brandsaver.ca, and websaver.ca daily! ). The rest come from when I "coupon shop", or from my sister's Saturday paper coupon inserts. (redplum, smartsource)
2. Where else to find coupons...hmm...well, to expand on finding coupons on/in food containers...I never realized that there are coupons printed on yogurt cartons (the cardboard that wraps around the individual yogurts), and I found a coupon for cream from a 1/2 & 1/2 carton the other day!
3. My plan for this Sunday is to go to my local McDonald's early & scout for some coupon inserts. Never done this before, hopefully I find something, I'll post Sunday & let you know how I did.

I too hope this project isn't too much trouble for you...
I've already learned so much!
Thank you!

[Giving-Small]

The project isn't too much -- I'm loving it. We such a great team . I'm just slower than I hoped at getting info up that's all. If you can cope with that, then it's all good.

So Epic Couponer's group -- do you think we should have a "special name for ourselves"?

[eltada]

Hi All - busy, exhausting day so I am off to bed here shortly. Just wanted to check in. Really liked the slideshow - will have to watch it again to catch everything. I actually prefer you talking with the slides - I missed you! lol! But of course, whatever works for you if fine by me!

1. The most amount of coupons I have found myself was with the recent new round of Toonies for Tummies. I have been to two different stores and picked up a few of pretty much all of them.

2. I am not sure if this is what you are thinking when you ask for "big" things you left out...but I have also found a large part of my stash from trading with other couponers and participating in trains. This is really good because you can get a bunch of coupons with very little time committment (unless you are like me and it takes me FOREVER to go through the trade/wish lists!!). You don't have to hunt around...just find someone with coupons they don't want!

3. Will have to wait to go out and try some of the things you suggested. We are having guests this weekend and hubby said NO MORE SHOPPING until everything is organized at home! But on the upside, he is helping me put up shelving and organizing our growing stash before our guests arrive!

I did find a new (to me) coupon on a cereal box in RCSS in Oshawa on the All Bran Flakes box -- a free Nescafe singles product. There is a thread here somewhere about a series of new coupons on cereal boxes...I will see if I can find it. Ok, here it is. Plus, I did discover a Pampers easy ups coupon in my diapers package I opened today...no mention of it on the outside so it was a pleasant surprise. Good long expiry too (April 2012!).

Will see where else I can dig up more coupons early next week.

As far as the name goes...I kinda like Epic Couponers as it stands. But will try to think of other suggestions....

Have a wonderful night everyone!!!

[Giving-Small]

eltada - you hit the nail on the head -- other couponers are a great source of coupons fast.

We'll talk about how to speed up trading. I had the exact same experience when I started out. It took a long time to do trades.

Thanks for sharing the cereal thread.

Okay - what are some other ways to get lots of coupons besides trading?

[Giving-Small]

Activity - What do you think?

Here's an article posted on SmartCanucks on Who uses coupons the most and the least, and why - Must Read Article by tjthemanto.

How does this fit with your own experience? Do you think the researcher is on the right track? Why or why not?

[susan.h]

Interesting article!
I think he is on the right track in the beginning, regarding the cashier's attitude affecting whether or not we use coupons. I am super sensitive when I check out (when I finally make it to the check out-after quadruple-checking my coupons, etc), I give the cashier the coupons as each item is scanned (e.g., 4 boxes of cereal scanned, I then give the cashier my 4 coupons for the cereal, then move on to the next item). I had one experience with people in line behind me (they were rolling their eyes, telling each other 'boy you sure picked the right line', etc.), so now I just let others behind me in line go ahead, and that seems to work for me, for now anyways.
I also agree with the end, where he mentions that stores who print coupons, but do not train their staff to accept coupons, are shooting themselves in the foot. I mean, why accept coupons if noone that works there know how to accept them?
Hmmm...lots to think about!
Have a great night!

[crazycoupongirl]

Way To Go Giving Small For Doing This Thread For All The Newbie Members.. I also watched your video.. you truly are something amazing, for all you do for those in need, and for taking the time to help those new to couponing on here.

[LovelyLaeticia]

Activity 3

1) Most of my coupons to date come from flyer inserts and the internet. It was the quickest way to build up my base.
2) I have done a couple of trades with Smart Canucks members, which built up my stash quickly. In paticular, I did a trade for a $100+ bundle that really helped me out!
3) Just on Monday I went to the store, they had Pogo's on sale, and they came with $10 of coupons inside! Yay! May as well have been free Pogo's

[eltada]

That is a very interesting article. I think it has some very valid points. I don't like the negative vibes from cashiers either. I often shop after the kids are bed (for ease) but there is another plus side. Later at night (ie: checking out at 10-10:30) there are typically shorter lines (the last two times I went, I had the cashier all to myself). It's a lot less pressure because you don't have to worry about the negative vibes from the people behind you too. I often try to lighten the mood with the cashier with a little joke about price matching/coupons and so far, I have been lucky. I also make a big show about my flyers and coupons to people who come up behind me so if they aren't paying attention and don't move to another line....oh well. All of this just to avoid any "eye-rolling" or "exaggerated sighs" etc. I don't care too much about other customers...I feel like they are missing out on a good opportunity to save money.

In addition to the article, I read through the comments afterwards and some other posters made good points as well -- post #27 & 28 specifically were good. The lower incidence of coupon use in lower income families might have other contributing factors...such as lack of ability to build a stash due to extremely tight budgets, transportation issues, poor to no access to the internet (for coupons, tips, support) and inability to organize and multi-task (perhaps due to education but also due to lack of resources -- time, tools, energy).

Another thing that I'm not sure was mentioned (if it was, I missed it) was attitudes of the couponers close friends and family? Are they supportive of coupon use and do they encourage it? If yes, obviously the couponer will be more confident and willing to use coupons. If not, how does that play into the number of coupons used. I read lots of responses in that thread, plus throughout the forum, of couponers who remember their mom using coupons when they were young. I wonder what impact that has on how coupons are used (if at all).

Ok, enough chatter from me...