Couponing in America

One thing that has caught my eye of late, has been the extreme sport of American couponing. Yep couponing. A noun turned into a verb. 

From what I can tell, couponing is the obsessive collecting of discount coupons and the overly obsessive (and most likely unnecessary) need to get value for money through buying in bulk and accruing coupons. Whats that you say, you can get 15 packs of paper towel for free for every 30 you buy?? Bargain, Sign me up Joanie! 

Look at these lovely lasses, proud as punch of their couponing hoard! And lets be honest, who doesn't need or want just as much stock as Coles in their house.

                                            

Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for saving a dollar where necessary (except for when it comes to traveling to work on public transport, which is 12 blocks away, as pointed out today by my collegues. Here, I’m apparently more than happy to drive the 12 blocks and then pay $13 per day to park. Smart. I’m not just a hat rack my friends) but I do wonder what part of an obvious OCD, urges these poor souls (or self respecting normal people) to unashamedly purchase 9 trolleys worth of stuff whilst handing over hundreds of coupons. Who knows? Amanda knows, thats who!

As Amanda has demonstrated, couponing really is quite simple. All you need to do is collect every coupon (including those you spend hours searching on the internet for) that you come across for about 6 months, spend a brief 6 or 7 hours in the supermarket researching instore promos, go home and collate your information, make a list, keep hydrated, get your  game face on and you are ready to go! What a brilliant use of your time! If only more people knew! 

Generally speaking, couponing appears to be female friendly sport, enticing even the likes of Kourtney kardashian, a lass who definitely needs to scrape and save $ wherever possible. Men appear to be nothing more than trolley pushers or bag carriers for these coupon sporting divas. 

‘So how do I get involved?” I hear you ask. Well simply head on over to krazycouponlady.com and she will be more than happy to break you in. From what I have seen on her website, she offers all sorts of fun couponing information, including an area where you can share your couponing sucess stories, aptly called the ‘Brag Lounge’. (I wonder if this is supposed to be a play on the word bag or just meant to be brag? Who cares! either way, what crazy fun!) 

Anyway, While perusing this section, I found one slick couponers' quick & easy tale on how she got herself totally sorted for Easter:

Nb. if you are reading this on your mobile, I suggest skipping this part, as this couponer explains her bargains, line by line. I have included this full tale not to demonstrate how severely OTT and ridiculous the process is, but to simply share the ease at which these peeps 'Coupon':

The candy will be used for Easter baskets at home and my oldest son’s Easter party in class.

I’m also military. On Tuesdays, all our local Walgreens give 15% off each item and 20% off any Walgreens brand items. The retail price of the item is WITHOUT the discount so it’s easier for you to follow if you don’t get a discount. My Final Price is WITH the discount so you can keep up with my math. 

On to the break down:

2 One A Day Men’s Pro Edge Vitamins, $10.49 each
Buy One Get One Free
Used $1.00/1 One A Day Vitamins, any from Wags Monthly Book (takes off $2.00)
Final Price:  $11.38 for both ($5.69 each)

12 Blue Diamond Almonds, $3.79 each
Buy One Get One Free
Used 12 $1.00/1 Blue Diamond Almonds, 6 ox from SS 1/29
Final Price: $7.32 for all 12 ($0.61 each)
*This is a 2-3 weeks supply in my house! My boys really enjoy the different flavors.*

6 Cadbury Mini Eggs, 8oz $2.00 each
Must buy in increments of 2 for this price
Used $2.00/3 Hershey’s Kisses, Reese’s, Miniatures, Eggs Cadbury or Whoppers Bags, 8 oz+ from SS 2/26
And $1.00/2 Hershey’s or Cadbury Easter Chocolate, 8 – 10 oz from Wags Monthly Book (takes off $3.00)
Final Price: $8.30 for all 6 ($1.38 each)

2 Starburst Crazy Beans, 13oz $2.00 each
Must buy in increments of 2 for this price
Used $1.00/2 Starbursts, Life Savers, Jellybeans from RP 3/18
And $1.00/2 Starburst, Skittles, Life Savers or Hubba Bubba Cluckers Easter Item from Wags Monthly Book
Final Price: $1.40 for both ($0.70 each)

2 LifeSavers Jelly Beans, 13oz $2.00 each
Must buy in increments of 2 for this price
Used $1.00/2 Starbursts, Life Savers, Jellybeans from RP 3/18
And $1.00/2 Starburst, Skittles, Life Savers or Hubba Bubba Cluckers Easter Item from Wags Monthly Book
Final Price: $1.40 for both ($0.70 each)

12 Snickers, Snickers Peanut Butter, and Milky Way Caramel Eggs, $0.50 each
Must buy in increments of 2 for this price
Used $1.00/2 Mars Easter Candy (no size restrictions) from RP 3/18
Final Price: FREE

2 Ring Pops, $0.39 each (used as fillers)
With in ad coupon
Final Price: $0.66 ($0.33 each)

Spongebob Squarepants Mini Fishing Game, on clearance $1.19
Regular Price: $4.49
Final Price: $1.01
*So excited for this find! My oldest son LOVES Spongebob!*

Total Retail: $115.69
After Coupons: $31.47

I used a total of $12 in previous RRs. I only count them when I spend them, not when I earn them. 

Total OOP: $19.47! The cost of 5 cans of almonds!

Like I said, earlier, IF ONLY MORE PEOPLE KNEW IT WAS THIS EASY!! Not at all extreme or freakish. Nice. 

But seriously, times are getting tough and I know that we all need to look to new ways to save money and thanks to couponing and 27 year-old wholesome all American housewife, Joanie (the Krazy Coupon Lady herself) we now have a solid method:

Until next time my prettys, dont forget to save those coupons! And if you do forget, dont worry, just hit up the bins at your local tip :)

xxx