babss74
Initiate Member
Joined: May 17, 2011 8:59:13 GMT -5
Posts: 57
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Post by babss74 on May 30, 2011 12:44:52 GMT -5
Same problem here with stock and WAGS, All I was looking for was the papertowels. Not one to be found. Last week it was the hotdogs this week its the papertowels. Between that and our CVS being out of things I have a stockpile of rainchecks!
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kathyattraverse
Established Member
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 20:50:31 GMT -5
Posts: 339
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Post by kathyattraverse on May 30, 2011 13:53:21 GMT -5
Last chance to claim any of the pet Q's I previously posted (one or two pages back). If you responded, yours are in envelopes to be mailed. I will be tossing them tomorrow so if you want them, please PM me with your address. Thanks.
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saveinla
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 2:00:29 GMT -5
Posts: 5,222
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Post by saveinla on May 30, 2011 17:34:23 GMT -5
Hope everyone had a great day today.
CVS transaction for today.
Oral B Indicator Tb 2*1.99 - use 2 1$ MQ from the P&G book M&M singles 2*0.5 Indiana popcorn 1*2.5 Pantene ProV 3*3.49 - used 1 2$ MQ + 1 3$/2 MQ Revlon Color Stay 1*10.49 - used 6$ CRT + 2$ MQ Preparation H 1*3.99 - used 2$ MQ
Paid with 5$/25 Q, 8 ECB & .99 ECB. Total was 0.43 + tax Got back - 2 , 1, 2, 4 & 3.99 ECBs
I had actually planned the transaction with 2 Schick hydro since I had 2 3$ Qs for them and they were BOGO, but they did not have even 1 Schick razor. Luckily the scanner gave me the 6$ off any Revlon colorstay face cosmetic and I had one 2$ MQ for that making it a 2$ profit after the 4$ ECB.
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suziq38
Well-Known Member
I love to save
Joined: Dec 22, 2010 21:11:27 GMT -5
Posts: 1,160
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Post by suziq38 on May 30, 2011 21:05:07 GMT -5
Great job, saveinLA! I didn't even think of the Schick BOGO with the $3.00 MQ's.
Thanks!
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leanna
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Joined: Feb 28, 2011 16:33:40 GMT -5
Posts: 1,800
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Post by leanna on May 30, 2011 21:27:39 GMT -5
There is a new type of Mr. Clean Magic Erasers coming out but the old ones are $1.97 per 2 pack. I used $1.50 Q off a 2 pack and bought 8 of them. Those things really work! Dollar General and Family Dollar have them for $2.00. We've been cleaning cupboards and was down to our last one. Hound Alert: I could really use the $.50 Marzetti coleslaw Q if anyone has extra to spare. Please PM if you do and thanks in advance. RubySlippers - I think you can print a $1/1 using this link: coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=5435W6XNNOQCSI got the link from iheartcvs's database. I also have a $1/1 from the All You mag. Would be lonely sending it in an envelope all by itself, but let me know if you want it.
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leanna
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Joined: Feb 28, 2011 16:33:40 GMT -5
Posts: 1,800
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Post by leanna on May 30, 2011 23:07:00 GMT -5
After getting home from our little jaunt, I of course had to go to Wags & RA.
Wags had no crackerfuls or Illy coffee & no substitution signs. Ra had no Renpure & the cashier tried to NOT take a coupon I had. She did take it after a quick explanation from me.
But I went home feeling blah - like this isn't worth it right now.
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saveinla
Junior Associate
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 2:00:29 GMT -5
Posts: 5,222
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Post by saveinla on May 30, 2011 23:59:45 GMT -5
Great job, saveinLA! I didn't even think of the Schick BOGO with the $3.00 MQ's. Thanks! Suzi, If you got the Indiana popcorn Q in your inserts, then with the 1$ CRT and 1$ MQ, it would be 50 cents. But no insert Qs for the popcorn for me. I don't think you would have gotten them either, but just check your inserts.
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shelly527in
Established Member
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 1:10:18 GMT -5
Posts: 349
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Post by shelly527in on May 31, 2011 0:09:02 GMT -5
here.kitty.kitty--- THANKS for the coupons! I think DBF has plenty of White Castle Qs now! LOL He better redeem most of them and leave the rest for someone else to use this time.
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dancinmama
Senior Associate
LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 20:49:45 GMT -5
Posts: 10,659
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Post by dancinmama on May 31, 2011 2:04:53 GMT -5
Great job, saveinLA! I didn't even think of the Schick BOGO with the $3.00 MQ's. Thanks! Suzi, If you got the Indiana popcorn Q in your inserts, then with the 1$ CRT and 1$ MQ, it would be 50 cents. But no insert Qs for the popcorn for me. I don't think you would have gotten them either, but just check your inserts. suzi/saveinla: I didn't get them either. DH loves that stuff and even though I only got (3) sets of inserts on 5/22, I was really hoping that I had gotten them. Oh well.
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dancinmama
Senior Associate
LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
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Post by dancinmama on May 31, 2011 2:20:31 GMT -5
After getting home from our little jaunt, I of course had to go to Wags & RA. Wags had no crackerfuls or Illy coffee & no substitution signs. Ra had no Renpure & the cashier tried to NOT take a coupon I had. She did take it after a quick explanation from me. But I went home feeling blah - like this isn't worth it right now. leanna: Whether it is worth it or not (for me) depends on HOW MANY items can be "purchased" for free in a single transaction. Right now, CVS is requiring the same amount of time for little in the way of free products. If I end up spending down my EBs, I won't be heartbroken. I can sit on the sidelines until the $/$$ and deals pick up in the future. WAGs is the easiest for me because I just wait until there is a deal like the Icy Hot and collect my RRs (usually in a single trip). Then I'm done for the week - no going back to do the same deal on another card (like CVS). With your injuries, I'm sure that it takes a lot of effort for you to put the scenarios together and actually execute the transactions; but it is probably really good therapy for you.
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Deleted
Joined: Apr 25, 2024 1:38:51 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2011 6:51:36 GMT -5
Yesterday had to go pick up some hamburger buns for a BBQ and saw that Wishbone Salad Dressing was on sale and I had a coupon
Spent $2.89 and saved $3.68
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nickyleey
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 20, 2010 10:39:39 GMT -5
Posts: 184
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Post by nickyleey on May 31, 2011 9:17:22 GMT -5
Have ya'll ever heard of SavingStar? I know a few blogs that I frequent have provided info. It seems pretty cool because you can link ecoupons to your store loyalty cards (kinda like cellfire and shortcuts) but instead of the amount coming off of your grocery bill, it gets deposited into a rewards account where you can apply the savings toward a paypal, amazon gc (like Swagbucks). I've signed up but I have yet to use the ecoupons. Alot of stores are now preventing you from using an ecoupon with a paper coupon, but that rule does not apply to SavingStar because these ecoupons not taken off of your OOP in the store. Another plus is that you can enter your CVS and RA loyalty card numbers. Here's the website: www.savingstar.comLet me know if anyone has tried it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2011 10:06:54 GMT -5
Just wanted to add that I spotted the CVS by my new apartment. It is actually a walking distance, no wonder I missed it CVS - 2 minutes Walgreens - 5 minutes Rite Aid - 7-10 minutes I am in business ;D ;D ;D Living in a urban area is going to rock it seems
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dancinmama
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LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
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Post by dancinmama on May 31, 2011 10:12:41 GMT -5
Yesterday had to go pick up some hamburger buns for a BBQ and saw that Wishbone Salad Dressing was on sale and I had a coupon Spent $2.89 and saved $3.68 cawiau: Good job. A little savings here, a little savings there - it will all add up. I think you're being smart about the couponing thing - looking for sales and combining with coupons to get a great price. Keep looking for those rock bottom prices.
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Post by sharona on May 31, 2011 10:18:53 GMT -5
After getting home from our little jaunt, I of course had to go to Wags & RA. Wags had no crackerfuls or Illy coffee & no substitution signs. Ra had no Renpure & the cashier tried to NOT take a coupon I had. She did take it after a quick explanation from me. But I went home feeling blah - like this isn't worth it right now. I'm with you leanna and I feel your frustration. It seems like lately it isn't worth it. I'm hoping that all the newcomers to the coupon world will get frustrated and give up leaving the people who have been doing it for years able to continue on. My coworker opened up my eyes to this a few years ago with coupons and rebates (she finds a ton of them for meat and fruit and shares them with me) and there is no turning back for me ever, unless they abolish the system completely. I can't use a single coupon without another customer or cashier mentioning extreme couponing or telling me about some blog they're reading and how they've been couponing for 2 months now so they're an expert. It is a fad, people will get frustrated and will get over it. Or they'll realize that buying 20 bottles of Sweet Baby Rays marinade isn't really as fantastic as they think it is. It will get better. People will get bored with it, stores will learn to stock more things.
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Post by bluecluessubtlety on May 31, 2011 10:38:55 GMT -5
I went to Fry's yesterday to do my grocery shopping. I wanted to use RRs. Apparently they have written on their FB that they accept them and a local blogger has an email confirming it. But I haven't been able to get a copy of the email yet. Anyway, I went to a coupon friendly casher/manager (he usually pushes everything). He told me no at first since they are not on competitor list. I said Fry's posted on their FB they take them. So he shrugged and said okay. He did limit me though. I was able to use 3*$1, 3*$2, 3*$5. Neither of us knew if that was correct or not. But I was okay with it. I will still try to get a copy of that email and use them on my next trip. I would MUCH rather use RRs for groceries than at Wags. One because Wags irritates me. And two, I don't waste RRs on fillers I don't really want. I get the full 100% value of them.
He treated them like coupons (limiting me to 3 like) but entered them in register as competitor Qs. Not sure if that is right. If they are comp, they won't get reimbursed. But I saw somewhere else online where Wags won't reimburse Fry's for their RRs (which makes sense since they put them out to entice people back into Wags). I heard they will scan but he didn't even try. Just manually entered.
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dancinmama
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LIVIN' THE DREAM!!
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 20:49:45 GMT -5
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Post by dancinmama on May 31, 2011 11:06:48 GMT -5
After getting home from our little jaunt, I of course had to go to Wags & RA. Wags had no crackerfuls or Illy coffee & no substitution signs. Ra had no Renpure & the cashier tried to NOT take a coupon I had. She did take it after a quick explanation from me. But I went home feeling blah - like this isn't worth it right now. I'm with you leanna and I feel your frustration. It seems like lately it isn't worth it. I'm hoping that all the newcomers to the coupon world will get frustrated and give up leaving the people who have been doing it for years able to continue on. My coworker opened up my eyes to this a few years ago with coupons and rebates (she finds a ton of them for meat and fruit and shares them with me) and there is no turning back for me ever, unless they abolish the system completely. I can't use a single coupon without another customer or cashier mentioning extreme couponing or telling me about some blog they're reading and how they've been couponing for 2 months now so they're an expert. It is a fad, people will get frustrated and will get over it. Or they'll realize that buying 20 bottles of Sweet Baby Rays marinade isn't really as fantastic as they think it is. It will get better. People will get bored with it, stores will learn to stock more things. sharona/leanna: People who are jumping in as a result of watching Extreme Couponing are going to be sorely disappointed unless they have a grocery store that doubles coupons and get on board to all the in/outs and tricks of the trade.
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murphath
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Joined: Dec 22, 2010 16:12:33 GMT -5
Posts: 1,981
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Post by murphath on May 31, 2011 11:41:09 GMT -5
Hi Y'all. With DS home from college I've noticed a real spike in food costs. That skinny kid can eat and drink! Yikes... But he's such a sweetheart that I love having him home. He's my baay bee, you know?! At any rate, sorry to post this late but the Santa Cruz organic lemonades are on sale at Raleys through today 4/$5.00. If you go to MFA website and search for the store Sprouts, she has a link for their .75 q. You fill out a short page and then the pdf file pops up. I'm leary of the pdf q's these days, but I printed 12 of them. They went through just fine so the final price was .50 per bottle. CVS Trans #1 My CVS has the small Frito Lays again with the sign buy 3 get $1 EB. Since they are 3/$1 that is a no brainer. You can earn up to $5 EB's. So I bought: 5 Honest Teas $5.00 (- 4/$1 q's from Recyclebank points) 15 chips $5.00 Used $1 EB Total OOP $5.11; got back $5EB and $2EB. I had to ask for the $5 EB because the computer thought I'd already done the Frito Lay deal. I did, but that was the last one not this current one. So they printed it out for me. I love CVS. Also got a $5/$15 CRT and a 25%off CRT (which are usually worthless since I never buy something that is not on sale). CVS Trans #2 Prep H $3.99 (- $2 q) 2 M&Ms $1.00 Milk $1.89 2 Schick hydro $9.49 (BYGOF; -2/$3 q's Used the $5/$15 CRT; $2 EB OOP was $2.21; got $1EB and $3.99 EB I wanted to use my raincheck for the Purex detergent and had a plan where my OOP would have been much less but they were still out. It's all good though because my DH and DS love the Schick hydro and the tax to purchase two of those suckers would be @ $1.66 and we needed the milk!! And who doesn't love m&m's??-especially when they are free! Target 2 Kraft swiss cheese $2.54x2= $5.08 (-2/$1 blinkies; $1/2 Target q) 2 Breyer's Blast ice cream-$2.99 x 2=$5.98 (-$1.50/2 IP; -$1.50/2 Target q) -.05 for my own bag (woo hoo!) OOP: $5.01 Safeway 2 Hebrew National hot dogs BOGOF: $3.89 (that's my JFU price) -$1.00 q from All You magazine = $2.89 2 Sunrype fruit & veggie snacks 2/$1.00 (minus q for free--in the Safeway pamphlet found in produce section) WAGS I did score 1 Icy Hot but that was it. Everything was out of stock at both my WAGS. And I got there pretty early. Very disappointing but that's the game we play. Total food bill for May was $225.00. Not bad for 3 people the whole month and DS for 2 weeks!
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coffeegrl
Established Member
Joined: Dec 25, 2010 0:33:29 GMT -5
Posts: 383
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Post by coffeegrl on May 31, 2011 12:14:55 GMT -5
I'm with you leanna and I feel your frustration. It seems like lately it isn't worth it. I'm hoping that all the newcomers to the coupon world will get frustrated and give up leaving the people who have been doing it for years able to continue on. My coworker opened up my eyes to this a few years ago with coupons and rebates (she finds a ton of them for meat and fruit and shares them with me) and there is no turning back for me ever, unless they abolish the system completely. I can't use a single coupon without another customer or cashier mentioning extreme couponing or telling me about some blog they're reading and how they've been couponing for 2 months now so they're an expert. It is a fad, people will get frustrated and will get over it. Or they'll realize that buying 20 bottles of Sweet Baby Rays marinade isn't really as fantastic as they think it is. It will get better. People will get bored with it, stores will learn to stock more things. WOW! My mom used coupons and rebates to get things for free or nearly free for years when I was growing up. Not necessarily because she wanted to and thought it was fun but because she HAD TO to make ends meet. I grew up watching this (I'm 28, so we're talking about 30 years or so ago) but never really followed in her footsteps. I always just clipped the coupons for the things I knew I used and just used them as I needed them. Now, my circumstances have changed and I am considered to be "new" in terms of trying to use my coupons to get things for free or pennies OOP, because I need to find a way to stretch my money farther. I am still learning and I am sure am spending more money in some areas than a more seasoned veteran of couponing would. So I guess you hope that I will "give up" huh simply because I haven't been doing things this way for years, leaving it to you to "continue on." I really try to stay out of anything that could cause/start an argument but the attitude protrayed in your post really irked me. I agree that a lot of the people who have jumped on the couponing bandwagon because of the show will probably give up after awhile. However, I'm sure that there are some people/families who would really benefit from learning how to do this. And I hope that they DO stick with it. And I understand the frustration going around about stores being out of the product for their really good deals. I was frustrated that I couldn't get another Complete contact lens solution last week. However, I also worked in retail management for several years and realize that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, corporate doesn't always allow you to have as much in stock as you would like. By and large, corporate determines where stock is going to go, particularly if they know a lot of people are going to be looking for it. For example, every Christmas at the store I work at, there is a bagged coffee that everyone wants and they want several. For YEARS I had to deal with customers who did not understand that because we (the store) were not an actual store of the company that made that coffee (we were a store in partnership with that company and the coffee company determined what products we were allowed to serve/sell), that I couldn't just order an infinite amount of that product. The other company determined how much we got. Did I think it was right that I couldn't order more for my customers? No. Did I understand the customers' frustration? Yes. Did I enjoy having to stand there and get b*****d at every day over something I had no control over? No, but I did. So before you think that it's all your store managers fault, remember that there are higher-ups who control a lot more than you think. Complain to CORPORATE. Write letters, call, e-mail. I am all for that. But please be a little more sensitive to what the local managers have control and don't have control over. I came over to the GC when a poster commented on a post of mine on Smart Spending and said, "Hey, come on over and we can help you." With just 3 trips to WAGs this month, since I started late in the month, I was able to get $46.74 worth of product for $38.94. Now to some, a savings of $7.80 might not have been worth it. To me it was, because I am just starting out using Qs and RRs. And I really hope that other newbies, especially those who desperately need to find a way to stretch their pennies each month, do continue. All the experienced couponers started somewhere. Again, I do think most jumped on a bandwagon because of the show and most will not keep at it. But I don't think it's right to say that you hope the newcomers will give up and leave it to you. Had your co-worker not introduced you to couponing, you might not be sitting here as a couponer. Everybody started somewhere. And if that show, as much as I hate it and the way they portray couponing to be, gets even a few people in my area to start saving money so they can pay down debt, have more money to buy nutritious food for their children, etc, then I say, "Go for it!"
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Post by sharona on May 31, 2011 12:16:30 GMT -5
This message has been deleted.
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Post by sharona on May 31, 2011 12:23:33 GMT -5
I'm with you leanna and I feel your frustration. It seems like lately it isn't worth it. I'm hoping that all the newcomers to the coupon world will get frustrated and give up leaving the people who have been doing it for years able to continue on. My coworker opened up my eyes to this a few years ago with coupons and rebates (she finds a ton of them for meat and fruit and shares them with me) and there is no turning back for me ever, unless they abolish the system completely. I can't use a single coupon without another customer or cashier mentioning extreme couponing or telling me about some blog they're reading and how they've been couponing for 2 months now so they're an expert. It is a fad, people will get frustrated and will get over it. Or they'll realize that buying 20 bottles of Sweet Baby Rays marinade isn't really as fantastic as they think it is. It will get better. People will get bored with it, stores will learn to stock more things. WOW! My mom used coupons and rebates to get things for free or nearly free for years when I was growing up. Not necessarily because she wanted to and thought it was fun but because she HAD TO to make ends meet. I grew up watching this (I'm 28, so we're talking about 30 years or so ago) but never really followed in her footsteps. I always just clipped the coupons for the things I knew I used and just used them as I needed them. Now, my circumstances have changed and I am considered to be "new" in terms of trying to use my coupons to get things for free or pennies OOP, because I need to find a way to stretch my money farther. I am still learning and I am sure am spending more money in some areas than a more seasoned veteran of couponing would. So I guess you hope that I will "give up" huh simply because I haven't been doing things this way for years, leaving it to you to "continue on." I really try to stay out of anything that could cause/start an argument but the attitude protrayed in your post really irked me. I agree that a lot of the people who have jumped on the couponing bandwagon because of the show will probably give up after awhile. However, I'm sure that there are some people/families who would really benefit from learning how to do this. And I hope that they DO stick with it. And I understand the frustration going around about stores being out of the product for their really good deals. I was frustrated that I couldn't get another Complete contact lens solution last week. However, I also worked in retail management for several years and realize that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, corporate doesn't always allow you to have as much in stock as you would like. By and large, corporate determines where stock is going to go, particularly if they know a lot of people are going to be looking for it. For example, every Christmas at the store I work at, there is a bagged coffee that everyone wants and they want several. For YEARS I had to deal with customers who did not understand that because we (the store) were not an actual store of the company that made that coffee (we were a store in partnership with that company and the coffee company determined what products we were allowed to serve/sell), that I couldn't just order an infinite amount of that product. The other company determined how much we got. Did I think it was right that I couldn't order more for my customers? No. Did I understand the customers' frustration? Yes. Did I enjoy having to stand there and get b*****d at every day over something I had no control over? No, but I did. So before you think that it's all your store managers fault, remember that there are higher-ups who control a lot more than you think. Complain to CORPORATE. Write letters, call, e-mail. I am all for that. But please be a little more sensitive to what the local managers have control and don't have control over. I came over to the GC when a poster commented on a post of mine on Smart Spending and said, "Hey, come on over and we can help you." With just 3 trips to WAGs this month, since I started late in the month, I was able to get $46.74 worth of product for $38.94. Now to some, a savings of $7.80 might not have been worth it. To me it was, because I am just starting out using Qs and RRs. And I really hope that other newbies, especially those who desperately need to find a way to stretch their pennies each month, do continue. All the experienced couponers started somewhere. Again, I do think most jumped on a bandwagon because of the show and most will not keep at it. But I don't think it's right to say that you hope the newcomers will give up and leave it to you. Had you co-worker not introduced you to couponing, you might not be sitting here as a couponer. Everybody started somewhere. And if that show, as much as I hate it and the way they portray couponing to be, gets even a few people in my area to start saving money so they can pay down debt, have more money to buy nutritious food for their children, etc, then I say, "Go for it!" I'm truly truly sorry that my words hit you like that. I was frustrated and didn't mean to come off like that. I am angry that everywhere I turn it seems like the extreme couponing show has gotten people thinking that they can do what the show does. I didn't at all mean to have an "I was here first so I am better than you attitude" but I can see how it comes off that way.
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Post by bluecluessubtlety on May 31, 2011 12:26:40 GMT -5
...I really try to stay out of anything that could cause/start an argument but the attitude protrayed in your post really irked me. I agree that a lot of the people who have jumped on the couponing bandwagon because of the show will probably give up after awhile. However, I'm sure that there are some people/families who would really benefit from learning how to do this. And I hope that they DO stick with it. Leanna can speak for herself. But I really think she was referring to a whole different group of people than what you are doing. You are in the position many of us were at some point. I think Leanna's frustration is with the people who watch the nuts on EC and think they'll do the same and are instant experts.
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Post by bluecluessubtlety on May 31, 2011 12:28:07 GMT -5
...I really try to stay out of anything that could cause/start an argument but the attitude protrayed in your post really irked me. I agree that a lot of the people who have jumped on the couponing bandwagon because of the show will probably give up after awhile. However, I'm sure that there are some people/families who would really benefit from learning how to do this. And I hope that they DO stick with it. Leanna can speak for herself. But I really think she was referring to a whole different group of people than what you are doing. You are in the position many of us were at some point. I think Leanna's frustration is with the people who watch the nuts on EC and think they'll do the same and are instant experts. OOPS, meant to write Sharona. And she did answer for herself.
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leanna
Well-Known Member
Joined: Feb 28, 2011 16:33:40 GMT -5
Posts: 1,800
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Post by leanna on May 31, 2011 12:31:18 GMT -5
After getting home from our little jaunt, I of course had to go to Wags & RA. Wags had no crackerfuls or Illy coffee & no substitution signs. Ra had no Renpure & the cashier tried to NOT take a coupon I had. She did take it after a quick explanation from me. But I went home feeling blah - like this isn't worth it right now. leanna: Whether it is worth it or not (for me) depends on HOW MANY items can be "purchased" for free in a single transaction. Right now, CVS is requiring the same amount of time for little in the way of free products. If I end up spending down my EBs, I won't be heartbroken. I can sit on the sidelines until the $/$$ and deals pick up in the future. WAGs is the easiest for me because I just wait until there is a deal like the Icy Hot and collect my RRs (usually in a single trip). Then I'm done for the week - no going back to do the same deal on another card (like CVS). With your injuries, I'm sure that it takes a lot of effort for you to put the scenarios together and actually execute the transactions; but it is probably really good therapy for you. Yup, you hit the nail on the head. Couponing for me has been my way of re-entering the world. At first just doing a little transaction was hard, but it's gotten better & better in terms of the brain part. The harder part for me right now is the physical - I still can't lift even really small things so it takes me a longer time to get my shopping done. But that's ok - it beats just sitting at home ya know. I had a bit of a scare at Safeway last night. It was sounding like they weren't going to take my Wags RR. For me, if that happens I would pretty much have to stop Wagging, because being in the test market we get RR's so inconsistently I could easily lose $$ on them if I didn't have Safeway to turn around & shop at.
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leanna
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Joined: Feb 28, 2011 16:33:40 GMT -5
Posts: 1,800
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Post by leanna on May 31, 2011 12:32:31 GMT -5
Just wanted to add that I spotted the CVS by my new apartment. It is actually a walking distance, no wonder I missed it CVS - 2 minutes Walgreens - 5 minutes Rite Aid - 7-10 minutes I am in business ;D ;D ;D Living in a urban area is going to rock it seems I am jealous but happy for you
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leanna
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Joined: Feb 28, 2011 16:33:40 GMT -5
Posts: 1,800
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Post by leanna on May 31, 2011 12:35:32 GMT -5
I went to Fry's yesterday to do my grocery shopping. I wanted to use RRs. Apparently they have written on their FB that they accept them and a local blogger has an email confirming it. But I haven't been able to get a copy of the email yet. Anyway, I went to a coupon friendly casher/manager (he usually pushes everything). He told me no at first since they are not on competitor list. I said Fry's posted on their FB they take them. So he shrugged and said okay. He did limit me though. I was able to use 3*$1, 3*$2, 3*$5. Neither of us knew if that was correct or not. But I was okay with it. I will still try to get a copy of that email and use them on my next trip. I would MUCH rather use RRs for groceries than at Wags. One because Wags irritates me. And two, I don't waste RRs on fillers I don't really want. I get the full 100% value of them. He treated them like coupons (limiting me to 3 like) but entered them in register as competitor Qs. Not sure if that is right. If they are comp, they won't get reimbursed. But I saw somewhere else online where Wags won't reimburse Fry's for their RRs (which makes sense since they put them out to entice people back into Wags). I heard they will scan but he didn't even try. Just manually entered. My Safeway just scans them in - they are MQ's - so should be reimbursed by the manufacturer, not Wags. When I mentioned above that I got a scare yesterday, it was because the cashier was confused between a RR versus a Wags coupon. They (Safeway) do not take Wags coupons, but they do take RR's. At least they still took 'em last night. Gulp. I am scared though that my system is going to be taken away from me.
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leanna
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Joined: Feb 28, 2011 16:33:40 GMT -5
Posts: 1,800
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Post by leanna on May 31, 2011 12:39:51 GMT -5
Total food bill for May was $225.00. Not bad for 3 people the whole month and DS for 2 weeks! That is fantastic!
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leanna
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Joined: Feb 28, 2011 16:33:40 GMT -5
Posts: 1,800
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Post by leanna on May 31, 2011 12:46:24 GMT -5
I'm with you leanna and I feel your frustration. It seems like lately it isn't worth it. I'm hoping that all the newcomers to the coupon world will get frustrated and give up leaving the people who have been doing it for years able to continue on. My coworker opened up my eyes to this a few years ago with coupons and rebates (she finds a ton of them for meat and fruit and shares them with me) and there is no turning back for me ever, unless they abolish the system completely. I can't use a single coupon without another customer or cashier mentioning extreme couponing or telling me about some blog they're reading and how they've been couponing for 2 months now so they're an expert. It is a fad, people will get frustrated and will get over it. Or they'll realize that buying 20 bottles of Sweet Baby Rays marinade isn't really as fantastic as they think it is. It will get better. People will get bored with it, stores will learn to stock more things. WOW! My mom used coupons and rebates to get things for free or nearly free for years when I was growing up. Not necessarily because she wanted to and thought it was fun but because she HAD TO to make ends meet. I grew up watching this (I'm 28, so we're talking about 30 years or so ago) but never really followed in her footsteps. I always just clipped the coupons for the things I knew I used and just used them as I needed them. Now, my circumstances have changed and I am considered to be "new" in terms of trying to use my coupons to get things for free or pennies OOP, because I need to find a way to stretch my money farther. I am still learning and I am sure am spending more money in some areas than a more seasoned veteran of couponing would. So I guess you hope that I will "give up" huh simply because I haven't been doing things this way for years, leaving it to you to "continue on." I really try to stay out of anything that could cause/start an argument but the attitude protrayed in your post really irked me. I agree that a lot of the people who have jumped on the couponing bandwagon because of the show will probably give up after awhile. However, I'm sure that there are some people/families who would really benefit from learning how to do this. And I hope that they DO stick with it. And I understand the frustration going around about stores being out of the product for their really good deals. I was frustrated that I couldn't get another Complete contact lens solution last week. However, I also worked in retail management for several years and realize that sometimes, no matter how hard you try, corporate doesn't always allow you to have as much in stock as you would like. By and large, corporate determines where stock is going to go, particularly if they know a lot of people are going to be looking for it. For example, every Christmas at the store I work at, there is a bagged coffee that everyone wants and they want several. For YEARS I had to deal with customers who did not understand that because we (the store) were not an actual store of the company that made that coffee (we were a store in partnership with that company and the coffee company determined what products we were allowed to serve/sell), that I couldn't just order an infinite amount of that product. The other company determined how much we got. Did I think it was right that I couldn't order more for my customers? No. Did I understand the customers' frustration? Yes. Did I enjoy having to stand there and get b*****d at every day over something I had no control over? No, but I did. So before you think that it's all your store managers fault, remember that there are higher-ups who control a lot more than you think. Complain to CORPORATE. Write letters, call, e-mail. I am all for that. But please be a little more sensitive to what the local managers have control and don't have control over. I came over to the GC when a poster commented on a post of mine on Smart Spending and said, "Hey, come on over and we can help you." With just 3 trips to WAGs this month, since I started late in the month, I was able to get $46.74 worth of product for $38.94. Now to some, a savings of $7.80 might not have been worth it. To me it was, because I am just starting out using Qs and RRs. And I really hope that other newbies, especially those who desperately need to find a way to stretch their pennies each month, do continue. All the experienced couponers started somewhere. Again, I do think most jumped on a bandwagon because of the show and most will not keep at it. But I don't think it's right to say that you hope the newcomers will give up and leave it to you. Had your co-worker not introduced you to couponing, you might not be sitting here as a couponer. Everybody started somewhere. And if that show, as much as I hate it and the way they portray couponing to be, gets even a few people in my area to start saving money so they can pay down debt, have more money to buy nutritious food for their children, etc, then I say, "Go for it!" Sharona already replied, so I'm not speaking for her, but just wanted to add my 2 cents. I think the big problem that EC has sparked is people couponing in a random chaotic way. That is what is causing problems. To really save money, one has to be strategic and smart about one's needs are. The other problem is one you addressed - the lack of stock. Stores have not caught up to the demand there is currently. My Wags stocks about 3 of the Complete contact lens solution. And yesterday there were 4 of the Calcium supplements that are free after RR. I can't remember who it was that pointed out this is a problem on a bait&switch level. I agree. The stores can't be advertising free items and have no stock and no raincheck system to get the item free. ETA:LOL to BluesClues. I read your post after I wrote this, and I was like "Wait. I didn't write that." Then I realized you saw that. I know that back in January/February there were a bunch of shelf clearers here (saw it with my own eyes) that I'm positive was a result of EC. But lately what I'm seeing is really more the responsibility of the stores and not a couponer problem. That's just where I live - I hear a lot on slickdeals and a little here about crazy people sweeping 100 items off the shelf. Not nice.
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leanna
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Joined: Feb 28, 2011 16:33:40 GMT -5
Posts: 1,800
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Post by leanna on May 31, 2011 12:57:49 GMT -5
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Post by sharona on May 31, 2011 12:59:34 GMT -5
Thank you leanna and bluesclues. To Coffeegrl I want to apologize again. I tend to put my foot in my mouth which is why I only lurked for ages back on msn and when it got transferred over here. I should have not said "all newcomers". I should have said the newcomers that are a bit nutty because of the show and try to emulate them right out of the gate.
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