MSE Blog: Couponing: my new MoneySaving obsession

WishI'dReadSooner

I've probably been using coupons for MUCH longer than most of you. I can remember the time when Asda used to ask you to take your coupons to the customer service desk BEFORE you shopped. They would then add them all up - checking they sold everything first and give you CASH to shop with!!!

Wouldn't you all love that again! This was in the days when if you went diligently through a magazine you'd find a few pounds worth of vouchers, magazines often also cost only 20-30p. Of course you could skim through them before buying to see if you'd be in pocket too.

I often walked out of a shop with a bag or two of groceries and more money than I went in with. Those were the days!

PRINCESSX87

WishI'dReadSooner wrote: »

I've probably been using coupons for MUCH longer than most of you. I can remember the time when Asda used to ask you to take your coupons to the customer service desk BEFORE you shopped. They would then add them all up - checking they sold everything first and give you CASH to shop with!!!

Wouldn't you all love that again! This was in the days when if you went diligently through a magazine you'd find a few pounds worth of vouchers, magazines often also cost only 20-30p. Of course you could skim through them before buying to see if you'd be in pocket too.

I often walked out of a shop with a bag or two of groceries and more money than I went in with. Those were the days!

I feel this would be every couponers dream for this system to come back !!

ScarletRaven wrote: »

Fantastic idea! You'll get all sorts of bits, nappy samples, toiletry samples, Cow and Gate even send you a cute little cow toy Heinz and Cow and Gate are great for the coupons they regularly send, and the changing bag from Boots is a fab freebie that would be a great gift in a hamper

Thanks, Hopefully, I will pay off in the long run if they see how many items, MOC & coupons they can get in such a limited time. I should think with a baby on the way, MS is the way forward for them now!!

Aesop

I remember when I was younger and my older sister lived in Corby. At that time Corby was the redemption place for mos coupons. my mum used to cut out ANY coupons from newspapers and send them to my sister. I think she did what you have mentionedand take them to the local asda asda before shopping and get the cash before shopping.

PRINCESSX87

Yesterday when I was visiting family, the conversation started on couponing. I was asked if I was ashamed and embarrassed that I was using coupons to do my shopping. This question shocked me because A) Even though I’m new to it, I don’t see it as shameful & My financial background with my partner means we just CANT afford to stick our noses up at any savings,even if it is just a few pounds here or there.



I also got asked if anyone was ever rude because I’m holdingup them paying whilst scanning my coupons. < This I’ve had no experience with as yet, But, Again I don’t think I would even bother commenting.



Do your families have any negative comments about couponing?

Aesop

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

Do your families have any negative comments about couponing?

my partner does. he hates going shopping where I pull out coupons. He didn't mind when I used vouchers to pay for London Zoo and it only cost me £3 for three of us.

I have semi converted some friends to coupon use. At least if they are going for days out they now look for coupons or use tesco deals to save money.

I think it is embarrassing for a lot of people the thought of using coupons means we don't have much money.... but even rich people will try to save pounds where they can. not necessarily through coupon use but by asking for discounts, name dropping and other activities.

I would hold your head up high and just continue.

The number of people you will read about on mse who have saved money in a number of ways, meaning they can afford nice holidays, days out, trips away etc. Things they wouldn't normally be able to afford before they found mse and other like minded people.

PRINCESSX87

Thanks for the reply!

You summed up how I feel in one. I am POOR. So is mypartner. We are barely robbing peter to feed Paul. Therefore shame goes out thewindow. I also get a trill when I know I can get items free or extremely cheapthanks to an hour a day that my partner & I spend on clipping.

In an ideal world, Money would be no issue, but sadly thisisn’t the case.

We are very lucky in the respect that we have no childrenrelying on us. So if it’s a very tight week and beans on toast in on the menufor 5+ days then so be it.

This month I’m planning on creating a stock pile. I havelimited space, But, I will find space, As we can no longer afford the way wecurrently spend and still have no food in the fridge at the end of the week!So, Hoping to post my savings here asap….



(Sorry for the rant & going slightly off topic lol )

abailey54

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply!

You summed up how I feel in one. I am POOR. So is mypartner. We are barely robbing peter to feed Paul. Therefore shame goes out thewindow. I also get a trill when I know I can get items free or extremely cheapthanks to an hour a day that my partner & I spend on clipping.

In an ideal world, Money would be no issue, but sadly thisisn’t the case.

We are very lucky in the respect that we have no childrenrelying on us. So if it’s a very tight week and beans on toast in on the menufor 5+ days then so be it.

This month I’m planning on creating a stock pile. I havelimited space, But, I will find space, As we can no longer afford the way wecurrently spend and still have no food in the fridge at the end of the week!So, Hoping to post my savings here asap….



(Sorry for the rant & going slightly off topic lol )

Stockpiling is an excellent idea - I started this at the beginning of this year and bought loads of toiletries and a few tinned and packet things for the cupboard. This month we've been completely skint due to messing up of wages etc and I'm so glad that we had stuff put by to see us through the month - It definitely brings a certain peace of mind. The grabbit board is really good for this as now and again there'll be a glitch on something - I bought a years worth of washing machine tablets for £7 early this year

I feel pride in the skills I've learned from MSE, though I still have a lot to learn, and would never feel ashamed for using coupons, or buying food with yellow stickers on, or researching prices before I part with my cash. There are people in my family who look down on me because of this and my finances more generally, but I take no notice of that - at the end of the day, I want food in my cupboard and I'll do what I have to do to get it there (as long as it's legal and moral of course )

gallygirl

PRINCESSX87 wrote: »

You summed up how I feel in one. I am POOR. So is mypartner. We are barely robbing peter to feed Paul. Therefore shame goes out thewindow. I also get a trill when I know I can get items free or extremely cheapthanks to an hour a day that my partner & I spend on clipping.

In an ideal world, Money would be no issue, but sadly thisisn’t the case.

To be honest. money isn't an issue with me but I still use coupons. I'd be ashamed if I DIDN'T try to get the best price for something. Keep up what you're doing and in the years to come you'll be able to use the money saved for treats, or to invest in your future. Then THEY will be the ones ashamed and embarrassed at all the money they wasted :T.

I've been out for lunch before with 15 others at work. We all teamed up to use BOGOFs from Ask. Our boss who was with us was totally bemused - then very impressed when he saw his share of the bill :rotfl:. We eat out at our local pub chain and usually have a voucher for a free bottle of wine. Get the bill, do an online survey about the service, get a voucher for the next bottle :T.

I do think the extreme couponers in the USA are a bit barking though. I don't really need 2 lifetimes worth of toothbrushes in the garage thank you :cool:. Liked the one with the guy who gave it to foodbanks though :T.

Savvybunny2009

I like couponing but I think it can be a little bit false economy sometimes. A lot of coupons are for things you would not necessarily buy which may be a nice treat but it's still money you wouldn't spend on a normal shop.

I do meal planning to cut down costs and compare prices by kg rather than shelf price which has saved a fortune, probably cut the monthly food bill in half. But then looking for coupons on what we actually buy, it's not often there is any for everyday items. They seem to be more aimed at people who buy convenience snacks and food rather than those who have the time to make it cheaper from scratch.

We do use the xx amount off a xx spend vouchers though.

Luckystar

I would rarely buy something just to use a coupon unless its already on offer or the voucher was a big saving. Tesco tailor their till spits and clubcard mailing to what you regularly buy so not always junk food, the last mailing I had included £1.50 off a beef joint, 50p off del monte juice, £1 off kenco coffee all items I buy and will use

In my local Tesco at the moment there are leaflets by the fruit & veg with 'enjoy the tastes of summer' and a picture of strawberries on the front. Inside are info and recipes and the following MOC
75p off £3 or more on fresh salad
75p off £3 or more on fresh vegetables
£1 off £4 or more on fresh fruit
They are valid until 30/6/13 so I grabbed a few to last me until the end of the month. Look out for these, good savings on fresh items:T

I am never embarrassed to use coupons or go to customer services If I've been overcharged (DTD is still going), always use a coupon in a restaurant, if I'm planning a meal out I actively seek out the best deal and go there. Why pay more for something if you don't need to. my DH used to laugh a my coupon and freebie finding, but not so much any more as we have saved a lot of money over the years and had some great free stuff too :j