Team 10: 21 Things to to be an Epic Couponer

[dahliagrower]

1. Do you shop every week? Every two weeks? Monthly even?

I tend to two two shops (quick ones) during the week to pick up stuff (when I haven't fully prepared for the full week of meals/lunches etc. I like to pick up fresh rolls and fruits/veg during the week. Either one night a week or a Saturday morning I usually do a bigger shop.

2. Do you use coupons every time you shop? Most times?

I am always looking at what's on sale ... my small "fresh" shops tend to have less coupons available.

3. Do you save your coupons for when things are on sale? Or use them as you get them?

Save for a sale ... unless I just absolutely need it (or know that it doesn't often go on sale).

4. How long do you spend planning your shopping trips?

I make a list of what I need from the main store that I use (Thrifty Foods) ... and then I make a smaller list for Safeway and sometimes Walmart (although I'm not a big fan of shopping at walmart). I would prefer to take the Walmart flyer to LD and pm there - with the coupon stacking.

5. Do you always go to the same store or stores? Which ones? Or do you browse the flyers and go where the sales are?

Pretty much the same shops. Look at the flyers on a Wed or Thurs night and plan out my shop. Always try to have a list. Now usually trying to limit what my DH picks up (milk, meat....). Once a month I am now going to SDM but it's a bit further out of the way. Don't shop at RCSS. Funny post last week was someone at RCSS and Bush Beans were on clearance for $1 or something and her message was to get there right away to pick some up... and I just thought to myself "why would I drive for 20 minutes to save $.50 on a can of beans". Gas is expensive these days so a big consideration on how far I will go. But stop somewhere on my way home - do that often.

Regarding cashiers ...
Well - I've already discussed that here ... so don't need to repeat. Some are absolutely wonderful and some are almost painful. I guess that's why I now really avoid CT and WM and Zellers -- haven't had many great experiences at any of those places. Safeway, Thrifty's and LD and of course SDM - I've had great experiences - the staff in the store are helpful and the cashiers don't make me feel like I am taking money out of their personal pocket.
Had a great experience today at LD with a salesperson in the store ... he was giving a coupon to a gentleman and I heard him say "you stack - right?" - my ears perked up .... I then asked him if he had another of those coupons as I had the same product in my basket? (All-Bran Buds cereal)- tear pad on the stand for $1 plus the coupons he had in the back for $2 ... and the product was on sale for 3.99 (usually 5.99) ... got for .99 (bought two). Super helpful and made my day... I then pm'd Walmart and SDM so I didn't have to make different stops for the other items on my list. Too bad they didn't carry more food!

Stock pile is growing nicely - lots of toothpaste, toilet paper, soap, shampoo, laundry detergent, d/w detergent, cereals (all on sale - many with coupies on the boxes too!) and canned goods and juices.

Dahlia

[sheetsofemptycanvas]

I wanted to post this package train to give you all an idea of what they're all about. I know that most of you won't be able to participate given the 15+ trade rating requirement but I just thought you might want to check it out. The rules for package trains have had to be stricter lately because of some members joining a bunch of these at once, receiving a bunch of great packages and not sending anything

I enjoy hosting these trains as well and will do one again in the future!

[dahliagrower]

Hi there -

Team 10 Travelling Express #1 made it to me in Victoria today --- thanks Loops!
Out - $22 plus 3 B1G1
In $34 plus 6 B1G1
Thanks so whoever put in the Finish coupies (great for stacking!).
Train will be mailed to Lisa (lmw77) tomorrow once I get it weighed.

Night!

Jacquie

[Out_of_the_Loops]

Hi there -

Team 10 Travelling Express #1 made it to me in Victoria today --- thanks Loops!
Out - $22 plus 3 B1G1
In $34 plus 6 B1G1
Thanks so whoever put in the Finish coupies (great for stacking!).
Train will be mailed to Lisa (lmw77) tomorrow once I get it weighed.

Night!

Jacquie

Woo hoo our little train is chugging along so well! I had to pay it forward with any coupons I had from yours, Lisa, and Tami's wishlist. Everyone was so good to me with the Axe, Huggies, and Mars coupons. This really was an awesome train. I wonder if all of them are so good? I think we might just have extra special passengers and a great conductor.

[sheetsofemptycanvas]

Woo hoo our little train is chugging along so well! I had to pay it forward with any coupons I had from yours, Lisa, and Tami's wishlist. Everyone was so good to me with the Axe, Huggies, and Mars coupons. This really was an awesome train. I wonder if all of them are so good? I think we might just have extra special passengers and a great conductor.

Well aren't you sweet!! This has been my best train yet, you guys have been fabulous passengers!

Dahlia grower, don't forget to send it to the address I PMd you instead of home to me... the next rider can send it to me

[katie333]

I hope Jen gets the one from me soon. Unless it got held up by the strike somewhere it should have reached her by now. I brought it to the (Shoppers heehee) postal outlet so I know it has enough postage.

Ah, the weekend once again.

I think I might be brave (for me, you've all done this already I think) and try some price matching this weekend. I noticed the Freshco offers this and I'd like to skip a visit to a couple additional stores even though the ones I am thinking of are all pretty close to me anyway.

Any tips to share on PM? I have the flyers I want them to match and will circle the items. My main fears are that they will reject it for some reason or they will require an annoying process with overrides and stuff like that.

[sheetsofemptycanvas]

I hope Jen gets the one from me soon. Unless it got held up by the strike somewhere it should have reached her by now. I brought it to the (Shoppers heehee) postal outlet so I know it has enough postage.

Ah, the weekend once again.

I think I might be brave (for me, you've all done this already I think) and try some price matching this weekend. I noticed the Freshco offers this and I'd like to skip a visit to a couple additional stores even though the ones I am thinking of are all pretty close to me anyway.

Any tips to share on PM? I have the flyers I want them to match and will circle the items. My main fears are that they will reject it for some reason or they will require an annoying process with overrides and stuff like that.

When I PM at Walmart I keep all my items that I'm PMing separate and I put those up last. I hand the cashier each flyer and point out the product and then I give any coupons at the end. I find the more organized you are the easier it will be! I also warned the people behind me that I would be taking up a little more time because of it and they were really understanding Good luck!

I'm sure the train will arrive safely, I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[Out_of_the_Loops]

So I went to the dentist today. I thought I would keep my eyes open as I remember from here they sometimes have coupons. There was a pad of coupons on the bookshelf with the magazines but they expired in April of 2010 lol. I guess it isn't just the magazines that are old. Then when I went to sign my insurance forms there it was on the reception desk...

A pad of Crest Pro Health ... FPCs!!!!

I asked if I could have one and she gave me six!

What a good trip to the dentist.

[Out_of_the_Loops]

Oh and I had no cavities. I guess that is important too, lol.

[dahliagrower]

Dahlia grower, don't forget to send it to the address I PMd you instead of home to me... the next rider can send it to me

Yup - mailed today to lmw77 (lisa) ..... must weigh a lb!..

Question though ... so do we provide feedback for the rider before us - all the riders before us - or just the conductor?

Nice on those FPCs at the dentist.... I think I've got a dental appt next week but they usually just give out a new t/b and a travel size colgate rather than coupies --- but I can always ask.

Our local Thrifty's (owned by Sobey's) has some good sales on this week so heading there for my big shop tomorrow.

[katie333]

Morning all!

Loops - Good job at the dentist (on both counts!)

Dahlia - Good luck with your shop!

So my PM did not go as planned. My DH took his turn (frankly he usually does the shopping) and he did not feel comfortable doing any PMing. So he went to 4 stores instead to get our groceries for this week (and beyond!). Thankfully the stores are all quite close to us, so I don't think the gas was that bad. We got some great deals and stocked up on quite a bit including the Wonder+ Simply Free hot dog and hamburg buns, Eggos, GingerAle, Cleaners, Shaving Cream, along with getting quite a bit in the way of side dishes and meat. We spent way more than we usually do, even our usual post-couponing, but I think we've reached end of job on a lot of our stockpile (for the next 6 months or so). We worked out a meal plan and it looks like we are covered for at least 14 dinners. Should not have to buy much for the rest of the month other than fresh goods.

[sheetsofemptycanvas]

Yup - mailed today to lmw77 (lisa) ..... must weigh a lb!..

Question though ... so do we provide feedback for the rider before us - all the riders before us - or just the conductor?

Nice on those FPCs at the dentist.... I think I've got a dental appt next week but they usually just give out a new t/b and a travel size colgate rather than coupies --- but I can always ask.

Our local Thrifty's (owned by Sobey's) has some good sales on this week so heading there for my big shop tomorrow.

You only rate the conductor and I will rate everyone when the train gets home to me There was a lot of debate about this a little while ago and everyone voted that this was the way trains would be rated.

[katie333]

You only rate the conductor and I will rate everyone when the train gets home to me There was a lot of debate about this a little while ago and everyone voted that this was the way trains would be rated.

Good to know. I would think VWTs are different or no?

[Giving-Small]

Yes Virtual Wish Trains are different because each rider provides coupons for each rider and you know who sent what usually. Good point.

[sheetsofemptycanvas]

Good to know. I would think VWTs are different or no?

Yes Virtual Wish Trains are different because each rider provides coupons for each rider and you know who sent what usually. Good point.

Absolutely, you rate each rider and and the conductor on a VWT! The thread on rating regular trains is a sticky at the top of the train section.

My PM at walmart went awesome yesterday!! Very patient cashier and no problem with using a ton of coupons as well! The lady in front of me was PMing and using coupons too, if I had more nerve I would have asked if she was an SCer as I have NEVER seen anyone else do that before! So if someone was at WM at South Keys in Ottawa yesterday around lunchtime let me know, hehehe. AND the lady behind me complimented my coupon bag All in all a great shopping day and I saved a ton of money