Comments on: Our First Couponing Weekend http://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/02/04/our-first-couponing-weekend/#utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=our-first-couponing-weekend A personal finance blog teaching you how to live debt free and use credit wisely. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:18:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Epicviewhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/02/04/our-first-couponing-weekend/#comment-11390 Epicview Thu, 19 Feb 2009 02:15:59 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=1848#comment-11390 Update on CVS Green Dot Prepaid card deal. $9.95 is just the ACTIVATION FEE! You have to add more of your own money to have any credit on it. Plus there is a $4/month maintenance fee. Sorry for referring such a bad deal. Update on CVS Green Dot Prepaid card deal. $9.95 is just the ACTIVATION FEE! You have to add more of your own money to have any credit on it. Plus there is a $4/month maintenance fee. Sorry for referring such a bad deal.

]]> By: Epicviewhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/02/04/our-first-couponing-weekend/#comment-11365 Epicview Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:52:10 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=1848#comment-11365 Hi Kevin, I just saw this deal at CVS. Buy a Green Dot Prepaid card for $9.95 and get a $10 credit when shopping at a participating store by 3/20/09. Seems like you can get some cash back when combined with the rebates, sales and ECBs. I've posted the link at my website. http://tinyurl.com/fbd-tendollarsfree Hope you find it useful. Hi Kevin,

I just saw this deal at CVS. Buy a Green Dot Prepaid card for $9.95 and get a $10 credit when shopping at a participating store by 3/20/09. Seems like you can get some cash back when combined with the rebates, sales and ECBs. I’ve posted the link at my website. http://tinyurl.com/fbd-tendollarsfree
Hope you find it useful.

]]> By: Carnival of Money Stories « Funny about Moneyhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/02/04/our-first-couponing-weekend/#comment-10739 Carnival of Money Stories « Funny about Money Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:55:45 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=1848#comment-10739 [...] No Debt Plan   Our First Couponing Weekend   Interesting story, interesting comments, and a nice link to a site to help turbocharge your [...] [...] No Debt Plan   Our First Couponing Weekend   Interesting story, interesting comments, and a nice link to a site to help turbocharge your [...]

]]> By: Amphritritehttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/02/04/our-first-couponing-weekend/#comment-10332 Amphritrite Thu, 05 Feb 2009 17:45:11 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=1848#comment-10332 Kevin, Regarding the "never in stock" issue... It's a good idea when you play the DSG to come up with a contingency plan. SOME really nice stores will give you a raincheck on the price, but rarely do they give you the ECBs (CVS) or RRs/ESRs (Walgreens) that go with it. Walgreens seems to be especially...well...asinine about it. Also, keep in mind that Wags is rumored to be shutting down the ESR/RR program at the end of the month; don't get too ahead of yourself this month. Kevin,

Regarding the “never in stock” issue… It’s a good idea when you play the DSG to come up with a contingency plan. SOME really nice stores will give you a raincheck on the price, but rarely do they give you the ECBs (CVS) or RRs/ESRs (Walgreens) that go with it. Walgreens seems to be especially…well…asinine about it.

Also, keep in mind that Wags is rumored to be shutting down the ESR/RR program at the end of the month; don’t get too ahead of yourself this month.

]]> By: Lisahttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/02/04/our-first-couponing-weekend/#comment-10323 Lisa Thu, 05 Feb 2009 15:51:42 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=1848#comment-10323 Kevin, I just ran to Foodtown to pick up some pasta sauce and the Colgate toothpaste that was on sale. The sauce was.74 and the Colgate was .88. The Colgate was completely out, and the cashier actually told me to go up to the courtesy desk and get a rain check. It never even occurred to me. Best of all, I have some $1 off coupons for regular Colgate, so I'll go in next week when they replenish. :-) I also read on another board that CVS and Walgreens both do rain checks as well. Not sure if all stores do, but hey, it's worth asking! Kevin,

I just ran to Foodtown to pick up some pasta sauce and the Colgate toothpaste that was on sale. The sauce was.74 and the Colgate was .88. The Colgate was completely out, and the cashier actually told me to go up to the courtesy desk and get a rain check. It never even occurred to me. Best of all, I have some $1 off coupons for regular Colgate, so I’ll go in next week when they replenish. :-)

I also read on another board that CVS and Walgreens both do rain checks as well. Not sure if all stores do, but hey, it’s worth asking!

]]> By: Kevinhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/02/04/our-first-couponing-weekend/#comment-10315 Kevin Thu, 05 Feb 2009 14:38:24 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=1848#comment-10315 Everyone: Thanks for all the great comments! Our next planned purchase is the 3 pack Brita filters (if they get them in stock). They are $17.99. I have $2 ECB and a "get $4 coupon in mail with $20 purchase". I plan to get CVS cottonballs ($1.99) + some small piece of candy to get my total over $20. Should be interesting. Really hope that have it in stock. Anyone know what to do if the item is never in stock? Is there such a thing as a rain check? @Philip: I'll try to regularly update how much we've spent total and keep you all updated on our progress. @Jenna: I plan to get even more organized because I just noticed on the forums that they have the ad scans for like all of March (how is that possible?). Going to use that to plan everything out. @Shanna: Thanks for the tips! @Amphritrite: The OOP is the concern. It definitely takes some time to build up your giftcard/ECB balances. A little bit of initial investment to get started, etc. @Lisa: Should be interesting to see how we both progress. @Startup: Thanks for the links. @Stephanie: Good thinking with moving costs :) Everyone: Thanks for all the great comments! Our next planned purchase is the 3 pack Brita filters (if they get them in stock). They are $17.99. I have $2 ECB and a “get $4 coupon in mail with $20 purchase”. I plan to get CVS cottonballs ($1.99) + some small piece of candy to get my total over $20. Should be interesting. Really hope that have it in stock. Anyone know what to do if the item is never in stock? Is there such a thing as a rain check?

@Philip: I’ll try to regularly update how much we’ve spent total and keep you all updated on our progress.

@Jenna: I plan to get even more organized because I just noticed on the forums that they have the ad scans for like all of March (how is that possible?). Going to use that to plan everything out.

@Shanna: Thanks for the tips!

@Amphritrite: The OOP is the concern. It definitely takes some time to build up your giftcard/ECB balances. A little bit of initial investment to get started, etc.

@Lisa: Should be interesting to see how we both progress.

@Startup: Thanks for the links.

@Stephanie: Good thinking with moving costs :)

]]> By: Stephanie PTYhttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/02/04/our-first-couponing-weekend/#comment-10237 Stephanie PTY Wed, 04 Feb 2009 19:29:52 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=1848#comment-10237 I seek out the completely free-after-rebate items at Walgreens, and I only get the things that I will actually use. Right now, I don't want to stock up on much of anything, since I know I'll be moving within the next year (hopefully)... and I don't want to have to move any more stuff than I have to! Once I move, I'll get more into things like the drugstore game. I seek out the completely free-after-rebate items at Walgreens, and I only get the things that I will actually use. Right now, I don’t want to stock up on much of anything, since I know I’ll be moving within the next year (hopefully)… and I don’t want to have to move any more stuff than I have to! Once I move, I’ll get more into things like the drugstore game.

]]> By: Start-Uphttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/02/04/our-first-couponing-weekend/#comment-10228 Start-Up Wed, 04 Feb 2009 18:32:52 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=1848#comment-10228 In addition to moneysavingmom, I also recommend www.thethriftymama.com both sites list the weekly and monthly deals for CVS and Walgreens. You'd be amazed at how many deals they find with no money out of pocket In addition to moneysavingmom, I also recommend http://www.thethriftymama.com

both sites list the weekly and monthly deals for CVS and Walgreens. You’d be amazed at how many deals they find with no money out of pocket

]]> By: Lisahttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/02/04/our-first-couponing-weekend/#comment-10224 Lisa Wed, 04 Feb 2009 17:00:55 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=1848#comment-10224 OOO! I was excited to read this. I too, just bought my first Sunday paper for coupons, grabbed out all the flyers, and planned my shopping week on Sunday. I shopped at Walgreens the first time the other day, and before coupons it was almost $70. After the flyer coupons, AND manufacturer coupons for many of the same products, I walked out spending only $35. I was so proud of myself! I did the same at Pathmark, and netted myself $80 in savings. Now I didn't just have the Sunday coupons, but also scrambled all over the web to find coupons for things that were on sale, that I could use. This is my new hobby now. I bought my family of 3 enough for two weeks (plus some almost free toiletries bargains for surplus) for $91. It usually costs close to $200. Good luck! Sounds like we're both on the fast track to saving some money! :-) OOO! I was excited to read this. I too, just bought my first Sunday paper for coupons, grabbed out all the flyers, and planned my shopping week on Sunday. I shopped at Walgreens the first time the other day, and before coupons it was almost $70. After the flyer coupons, AND manufacturer coupons for many of the same products, I walked out spending only $35. I was so proud of myself! I did the same at Pathmark, and netted myself $80 in savings. Now I didn’t just have the Sunday coupons, but also scrambled all over the web to find coupons for things that were on sale, that I could use. This is my new hobby now. I bought my family of 3 enough for two weeks (plus some almost free toiletries bargains for surplus) for $91. It usually costs close to $200.

Good luck! Sounds like we’re both on the fast track to saving some money! :-)

]]> By: Amphritritehttp://www.nodebtplan.net/2009/02/04/our-first-couponing-weekend/#comment-10223 Amphritrite Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:51:21 +0000 http://www.nodebtplan.net/?p=1848#comment-10223 Hello :) Congrats on your first forray into the mess. It sounds like you've got a decent plan on getting started! I'm a stockpiler, a coupon-clipper, AND a drug-store game player. Here's a few tips: - Take a deep breath and don't go too hard, too fast. Don't get overwhelmed by trying to hit all the "deals". - Set a budget. My DSG budget (as in, extra I can spend), is about $10 each month to take care of OOP. Since getting my gift cards, I haven't needed to spent the $10, but who knows...I might need it someday. - Keep an eye on the blogs! As mentioned above, moneysavingmom is an awesome one. There's also one out there called "I <3 Wags" with some awesome rundowns, pictures, and total counts for walgreens-specific runs. - Even if you don't plan on going shopping one week, remember to pick up your newspapers. I buy three each week (if it's a 4 or 5 circular weekend, I might buy four). You won't often USE the coupons for several weeks. - Finally, stay AWAY from the processed food coupons unless it's something your family uses. Do not be tempted to purchase foods that are awful for you just because you can get them free or almost free. Maintain a healthy diet. I'll keep an eye on you :) If there are any coupons your family could really use from past newspapers, drop me a line, and I'll see if I still have them in my circulars (since I'm only one person, I often have random extra coupons). Hello :) Congrats on your first forray into the mess. It sounds like you’ve got a decent plan on getting started!

I’m a stockpiler, a coupon-clipper, AND a drug-store game player.

Here’s a few tips:

- Take a deep breath and don’t go too hard, too fast. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to hit all the “deals”.

- Set a budget. My DSG budget (as in, extra I can spend), is about $10 each month to take care of OOP. Since getting my gift cards, I haven’t needed to spent the $10, but who knows…I might need it someday.

- Keep an eye on the blogs! As mentioned above, moneysavingmom is an awesome one. There’s also one out there called “I <3 Wags” with some awesome rundowns, pictures, and total counts for walgreens-specific runs.

- Even if you don’t plan on going shopping one week, remember to pick up your newspapers. I buy three each week (if it’s a 4 or 5 circular weekend, I might buy four). You won’t often USE the coupons for several weeks.

- Finally, stay AWAY from the processed food coupons unless it’s something your family uses. Do not be tempted to purchase foods that are awful for you just because you can get them free or almost free. Maintain a healthy diet.

I’ll keep an eye on you :) If there are any coupons your family could really use from past newspapers, drop me a line, and I’ll see if I still have them in my circulars (since I’m only one person, I often have random extra coupons).

]]>