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**Welcome Wagon:  Extreame Couponing???  |
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Lorraine Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
lorraine
salt point
ny
USA
158 Posts |
 Posted - May 11 2011 : 08:58:28 AM
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does anyone do this? and If so can they teach me? I am the mother of three boys. between the boys and my husband they can eat all day or so it seems... they do.... even the skinny one eats like he has a hallow leg (as my husband puts it!)
thank you all for any advice you have.....
LorraineMichelle
farm girl #3007
Chickens are like potato chips...
You can't have just one! |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 10:03:39 AM
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That's so funny, Lorraine - my husband and son have hollow legs, too! (So do my son's friends, which makes it really hard to keep food in the fridge!)
I used to do extreme couponing, but after a while I found that I was buying a whole lot more processed foods than I should have been comfortable with. Now we stick to the fruits, veggies, meats aisles for the most part - just to eat healthier. We now make our own bread every day (artisan bread - the easy way - just mix, rise and bake... perfect for hoagie rolls, pizza dough, calzone and spinach pies, sandwich bread, etc...), as well as pretty much everything else from scratch. It can be time consuming, but extreme couponing can be, too. The trade-off is healthier foods, and a healthier family.
The trick for me with the couponing, though, was to buy the Sunday papers, glean the coupon section, then every week match my coupons with the sale items at local stores who have double coupons AND the in-store discount card's sales and the coupons printed up at the register. It was extremely time consuming to keep clipped, organized (I just kept the products organized alphabetically - with so many coupons, it was much easier for me that way) and on top of the sales, but I actually saved a lot of money - I can't remember now, but think my average was 60% savings, with my max at around 90%. My neighbors would also give us their coupon discards from the newspapers, but if I saw a coupon for something we really liked, and I knew I'd be saving money in the long run, I'd go back and buy another Sunday paper or two. And don't forget the rebates. But again, I was buying a whole bunch of processed foods that weren't so great for my family's health, and truthfully, making more from scratch was SUPER less expensive and much, much healthier. MJF really helped me understand this more than anything. :)
What I've actually found, though, is that shopping at places like COSTCO will save me a fortune when I buy in bulk - items like toilet paper, ketchup, coffee, flour, sugar, juice, nuts, cocoa, etc... basically, the "staples" we have to have... you get the idea. Plus I save on gas because I only visit that type of store once every couple of months or so. We have also started making most of our cleaning products, but to be honest, I use mostly vinegar for everything... in the bathroom, I use rubbing alcohol to clean and disinfect (a trick I learned from Alee - she's the best!). There are so many, many simple things you can do to cut your grocery bill that are much healthier for your family all-around, truly. The main cost for us - for which I rarely find coupons - is for organic milk, which I have to buy weekly. For me, though, the milk is worth the cost. I also have slowly taken over our teeny backyard with gardening - using raised beds and methods like intercropping, companion planting, etc. I started growing herbs last year, and tried to learn which herbs were beneficial for the different vegetables I grow - it's pretty amazing how nature really takes care of itself! :)
The thing is, I started making all of these "habit" changes slowly, and before we knew it, not only did we prefer them, they ended up saving us a ton of money in the long run. :) They aren't necessarily changes you can do all at once, but over time, they will completely transform the way you do things. And the best part is we have each other: these awesome farmgirls here are the best source for how-to's and what-to-do's-when... You will LOVE it here!
Hugs and best of luck to you -
Nini
Farmgirl Sister #1974
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
www.papercraftingwithnini.myctmh.com
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Edited by - Ninibini on May 11 2011 10:06:18 AM |
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classygram
True Blue Farmgirl
1812 Posts
Brenda
Pleasant Hill
Mo.
USA
1812 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 12:17:52 PM
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After watching it a couple of times I was amazed at how these ladies do it. But I don't think I'm up to all you have to do to gather your coupons. I use coupons but only a few. DH is unemployed and we've just learned to go with out or have less. Also we don't have any stores near by that double coupon. For those who can keep up with it, it's amazing. But this grammy can't get around all that well and the store is one place I'm not to excited about going too. Good luck on your couponing, I knew it will work, and be a great help with you that still have children at home.
http:///www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com
Seek reasons to Love..In every sigment of everyday-look for something that brings forth within you a feeling of Love-Abraham Hicks |
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Lorraine Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
lorraine
salt point
ny
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 12:30:38 PM
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I really appreciate all the help I have started making my own cleaning products, and laundry soap. it was so intimidating....but after doing it I thought it was so easy.... it was harder to hunt down the products than it was to make it...I am trying to cut all the expenses I can. I do have a flock of chicken and duck (for eggs) and 2 goats that we will breed in aug, so we will have milk... but any Idears are very much appricated.
thank you,
lorraine
Chickens are like potato chips...
You can't have just one! |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 1:00:55 PM
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I found BJ's (if you have one near you) more valuable then Costco (BJ's is also a warehouse store), however, their membership is cheaper, and they accept all manufacturer coupons, where Costco only accepts their own. Also with BJ's the more you bought the cheaper some items were. Depending on their weekly sales. For instance sometimes they would have cottage cheese on sale, you would save 1 dollar buying one container (huge), 3 dollars, if you bought 2 containers, and 7 dollars by buying 3 containers. That was cool how they would do that! It would be different products each week of course. But, I liked that a lot. I also like I said liked I could bring in my regular Toilet Paper coupons and get the bulk TP even cheaper! Along with the week BJ's also had it on sale!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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classygram
True Blue Farmgirl
1812 Posts
Brenda
Pleasant Hill
Mo.
USA
1812 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 1:14:39 PM
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Lorraine I too would like to start making my own cleaning products. They are getting out of hand in the stores. I'll have to check out the sites for how to do it.
http:///www.scatteredlittleblessings.blogspot.com
Seek reasons to Love..In every sigment of everyday-look for something that brings forth within you a feeling of Love-Abraham Hicks |
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
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Lorraine Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
lorraine
salt point
ny
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - May 11 2011 : 7:40:40 PM
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I am comipling my own book (binder) adding every cleaning recipie I find. I made 10 gallons of laundry soap for around $2.50. so easy:
1 grated bar of zote soap & 4 cups of water in a large sauce pan boil till soap is all melted. wile that is cooking. in a 5 gallon tub (that you have a lid for) you fill it half way with hot water, disolve in it 1 cup of washing soda, 1/2 cup of borax. pour the soap into the 5 gallon bucket mix. put the lid on the bucket and let sit over night. it will be a gell solid. take that and refill your laundry soap container half way with your soap & water the rest of the way. put lid on and shake... add your favorit essential oil for smell.... $2.50 for 10 gallons you can't get cheeper than that. it is pennies a load.... I do 5+ loads a day. works great
Chickens are like potato chips...
You can't have just one! |
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walkinwalkoutcattle
True Blue Farmgirl
1675 Posts
Megan
Paint Lick
KY
USA
1675 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 05:05:05 AM
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Lorraine, there are TONS of awesome recipes on here in the "Cleaning up" section for great cleaning products. I only use homemade ones, now! Also, I find that the meat you buy at Costco/Sams/BJ's is REALLY cheap if you buy it in bulk and cut your own steaks. If you buy a large chunk of Ribeye (Usually 100) you can get about 18 steaks-which is SO MUCH LESS than what you buy it per lb! Wrap them up in butchers paper, or ziplocks, and freeze! :)
Farmgirl #2879 :)
Starbucks and sushi to green fried tomatoes and corn pudding-I wouldn't change it for the world.
www.cattleandcupcakes.blogspot.com
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MagnoliaWhisper
True Blue Farmgirl
2817 Posts
Heather
Haysville
Kansas
USA
2817 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 10:43:49 AM
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I was doing the liquid but I live in a small apartment too much room consuming I really like to just make it dry same recipe just no water or cooking, works great!
http://www.heathersprairie.blogspot.com |
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coloquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
Susan
Co
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 12:16:00 PM
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I have watched that new show several times.It seemes pretty interesting , but if you see the foods they are bringing home it made me wonder.One woman had a whole closet of 2 liter bottles of pop.I looks like mostly junk food, laundry products and paper goods. I had to laugh at one lady who was so proud of all the cat treats she had gotten but didn't have a cat!And the lady that had a stack of disposable diapers and no baby. Hopefully they did like the one young man and donate them to someone that was in need.
I do use coupons to save when it is something that I am going to buy anyway,but to me it isn't really saving if you don't really need it to begin with.
Susan |
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Bensgrandma
True Blue Farmgirl
228 Posts
Alexis
White Oak
PA
USA
228 Posts |
Posted - May 12 2011 : 4:37:30 PM
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I've watched that show too. Honestly, who needs 100 bags of croutons. On the otherhand, I don't buy anything without a coupon. Paper products, shampoo, coffee, etc. When coffee goes on sale then I stock up using the coupons I have saved. Right now I have 10 50 cent coupons for Folgers, which will double to $1.00 off. When the local store puts it on sale for $7.50, I will probably buy all 10. The last time they did it they also offered a $3.00 rebate on two so I got $6.00 for my next shopping trip in addition to getting the coffee for $6.50. That is a big one for me. I have envelopes labeled - baking, dairy, laundry, pet etc. I sit down with the weekly paper and match up with what is on sale. The best I have probably done is about $30.00 off an order. OUr store is also giving gss points. You get 10 cents off a gallon for every $50.00 spent.
We needed a new garden tractor- I bought $1700 worth of gift cards when they were offering $.20 a gallon off. I have enough saved for two full tanks of gas. We will also take our gas cans since you can get up to 30 gallons in a fillup. I put the gift cards on Discover Card, which gives a rebate. I will pay it off when tghe bill comes in but I will get $17.00 in rebate from Discover too.
I still haven't gotten into making my own laundry soap but will one of these days. I am always looking for bargains but dont buy unless we need it or I know we can use it - razor blades, shampoo, toothpaste.
I make a game of it.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/HugsandStitches
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACharmingExperience |
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LucyLobo511
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
Mari-lyn
Capron
IL
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 08:40:19 AM
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I have been using coupons my whole adult life. I can not extreme coupon because of the rules that my stores have and I don't buy a lot of processed foods. But I have gotten some really good deals by saving up coupons and waiting for those items to go on sale. I do have a stock pile of deodorant and razors and some other stuff we use and eat. I just started using a new idea that I saw someone else use at the store. I cut out all my coupons and use a binder with trading card pages and I slip the coupons into the slots most fit perfect I also got some sleeves that are for 5*7 slots for bigger coupons I take the whole book with me and find the coupons as I go along or if the store has something on sale I check for the coupon right then. I have gotten toothpaste for 23 cents because they had the small tube for 83 cents and I had coupons for 50 cents off I bought 5 tubes. Start first stock piling and organizing coupons it takes a little while to get this done but I do it at night while I watch TV and I have the kids help. Do not pay for coupons or even pay someone to teach you there is no savings in that. Do you have a Walgreens by you? I get most of my toiletries there but only when it is on sale and I have a coupon. They even have a web site to help you wildforwags.com. Oh and when a store has something on sale and runs out make sure you get a rain check this works perfect for coupons that come out later. I hope this helps you start as I think of things I will post them. I have also learned that it is cheaper and more fun to homemake everything that you can.
Insane and Blissfully Happy
Mari-lyn
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LucyLobo511
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
Mari-lyn
Capron
IL
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 08:42:34 AM
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Oh!! http://www.moneysavingmom.com/ This women does a lot of the work for you check out her site
Insane and Blissfully Happy
Mari-lyn
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Shi-anne
True Blue Farmgirl
596 Posts
Cheryl
Ada
OK
USA
596 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 1:34:07 PM
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Their are a number of blogs where they post good deals and couponing ideas several times a day. If you are interested let me know and I will post them or send them in an email.
http://theprairiemaid.blogspot.com/
Farmgirls don't have hot flashes ~ They have power surges! |
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Shi-anne
True Blue Farmgirl
596 Posts
Cheryl
Ada
OK
USA
596 Posts |
Posted - May 13 2011 : 1:35:25 PM
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BTW, welcome to MJF.....hope you find lots of interesting ideas and join the fun.
http://theprairiemaid.blogspot.com/
Farmgirls don't have hot flashes ~ They have power surges! |
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LucyLobo511
True Blue Farmgirl
177 Posts
Mari-lyn
Capron
IL
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2011 : 07:52:40 AM
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Here is the reason I use coupons and keep them in a binder with me whenever I go to the store. I got 24 bars of soap for 2.61
I have been carrying these coupons around with me for weeks and they were gonna expire on the 30th. The store I was at had two bars for 1.00 and my coupon was 1.00 off one I was going to use two coupons but in IL. you can not get money back so I am happy with free. Then the other coupons I had were also 1.00 off any bar of this one brand and they came in two packs for 1.29 so 2 bars for .29 I like deals like that. It may not be the exact soap we always use but it will get used and it gives us a chance to try a couple different brands.
Insane and Blissfully Happy
Mari-lyn
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Lorraine Michelle
True Blue Farmgirl
158 Posts
lorraine
salt point
ny
USA
158 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2011 : 08:50:32 AM
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where do you get somany coupons from?
LorraineMichelle
Farmgirl #3007
Chickens are like potato chips...
You can't have just one! |
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Hope Floats
True Blue Farmgirl
69 Posts
Texas
USA
69 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2011 : 10:14:05 AM
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| In my area, coupons are in the Thursday and Sunday papers. You can also go to some manufacturers websites and print coupons from there as well. Target, Walmart and several grocery stores also have coupons on theirwebsites, that can be printed. And if there is a product you always buy contact the manufacturer and let them know how much you like their product, they will usually send you several coupons as a thank you. Also set up a gmail, yahoo or google account just for your couponing. I've learned from experience that your email address is sold to different companies and you don't want your personal email account to be bogged down. |
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DeborahLee
True Blue Farmgirl
85 Posts
Deborah
Starkville
Mississippi
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2011 : 10:21:19 AM
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I've vented elsewhere about the TLC show, so I'll skip that part! I do coupon but not the crazy way they do it on TV. Two really good sites/sources that I like for information are Jill Cataldo's site http://www.jillcataldo.com/ and Southern Savers http://www.southernsavers.com/ Both have tutorials and guides to help you make the most of your couponing time!
Deborah
Professor, librarian, writer and farmgirl! |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22944 Posts
22944 Posts |
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practical.homemaking
Farmgirl at Heart
2 Posts
Kelley
West Monroe
LA
2 Posts |
Posted - Jun 23 2011 : 1:15:16 PM
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I am enjoying couponing for my stockpile. My husband and I have 7 children so stockpiling by using coupons is a No-Brainer! I am new to MJF and have just started working on my badges. There is no local chapter in my town so I have registered for one. Basically I am winging it. Any help and suggestions is greatly appreciated!
The Practical Farm Girl |
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Primginger
Farmgirl in Training
26 Posts
Melissa
Wescosville
pa
USA
26 Posts |
Posted - Jun 24 2011 : 06:50:50 AM
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I was very excited about this show until I saw the first episode. This is not showing how we, normal people, can use coupons in our stores. I also think this show shows us more of how people hoard food and products more than anything.
I use coupons, I mainly use them when the item is on sale or I can get it free, but I certainly don't need 40 containers of mustard! lol
It has been brought to the attention of many that one of the episodes shows one of the women using a completely different coupon for a totally different item, it was all set up for the show. These supermarkets let these men and women abuse the coupon policy for the show and it's just not right. I haven't watched the show since that first episode and many stores are now changing their coupon policies because of how the coupons are being abused by consumers. I personally think the show has ruined using coupons for all of us.
Like others, I try to make my own cleaning products, and from day one of buying our home I have only used water and vinegar on my wood floors, on my windows, I use clorox in my bathroom and bleach and hot water to clean my sinks. I think using vinegar and making my own laundry detergent has helped me to save tons of money over this high priced stuff.
Enjoying my little Homestead
www.heirloomhomestead.com
http://primgingersphotos.shutterfly.com/ |
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Marcy
True Blue Farmgirl
2701 Posts
Marcy
Tiverton
Rhode Island
USA
2701 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2011 : 10:05:00 AM
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I've been using coupons for years. I love Refund Cents. I get the magazine bi-monthly as well as access to their site (which is free if you get the magazine) There are always coupons, refunds and ways to save money on the site. Michele also always lists Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens and others, matching what coupons are coming up and how to match what is on sale that week. All you have to do is print it, match the coupons and save. RC does not like the extreem coupon show, as most of the things they get away with on the show, you cannot do in real life. It's a great site for anyone who is interested. She also lists internet deals, instant win games and just about everything coupon related. If you have any questions either check the site our feel free to email me. And no, I do not know any of the people who run or own the site, I just like the way that it does help me save money now and then.
take care
hugs
Marcy
Farmgirl #170
Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give...Eleanor Roosevelt
http://marcysworldofcreativity.blogspot.com/ |
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**Welcome Wagon: Extreame Couponing??? |
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Extreame Couponing???
