This is all true, but I have to interject the *asterisks*
No.
It really isn't possible in this area.
True, but it seems that
most of the country is not like it is here in Texas. Even Houston and Dallas have competitive grocery markets. It’s only San Antonio (and most of rural TX) which does not. I’m sure there are other places where competition is weak, but there are plenty of areas where it’s not.
There is only one major grocery chain and they do not permit you to combine coupons with sale items
Not true. (At HEB) you can’t combine a coupon with a free item, but you can use a coupon on sale items. The best deals I’ve found at HEB were using coupons in conjunction with their “buy this, get that free” deals. You have to have a coupon for the purchased item, though, not the free ones. The bigger problem with HEB is that more and more of their store – and likewise their sales – are for store-brand items. Also, they work with manufacturers to print coupons and have them available at the shelf, so they don’t feel as compelled to give you a stellar sales price. But, I’m not complaining. Their store brands are often as good if not better than national brands and their overall pricing is very reasonable. And, although HEB doesn’t specifically price match, you’ll often find that they’re matching Walmart’s rollbacks on their shelf pricing. I’d hate to live somewhere where I’d only get a reasonable price if the item was on sale.
I don't shop for food at Walmart either.
Walmart is consistently going to have the lowest standard prices for national brands (read, processed foods). But, the sales price at your average grocery store will be similar if not beat Walmart’s normal price. From a couponing point of view, Walmart has pros and cons, but that would be an entire post in and of itself.
Also, most coupons are for processed, convenience products that I don't buy. A coupon for BOGO Hamburger Helper or $1 for Velveeta doesn't help me since I wouldn't be buying it anyway.
YUP. And, good for you! I practically grew up on Hamburger Helper so it’s only fair that my kids get some every once in awhile, right? :wink: It’s also true, though, that coupons for toiletries are easy to come by and everyone uses those. (Well, most everyone … Matthew makes his own deodorant.)
I also don't need and will never use 60 bottles of 'almost free' mustard.
I got about 2 dozen bottles of $.10 Kraft salad dressing about 2 years ago and am very sad now that I’m almost out.
Find me a way to coupon for produce and staples (flour, sugar, butter, beans, rice, potatoes,fruit, vegetables etc....) and I'm there.
Best thing you’ll get here is to watch your store ads. Most shoppers don’t even do that much, but items like these do go on sale and will cost you less in the long run if you buy each of them when they’re a bit cheaper than normal. I plan our meals around what’s on sale so that I know I’m cooking “in season”.
I stick to my basics and private labels, keep meat purchasing down and only buy under a certain price point. I do OK.
My time is also valuable, I believe. For some of the really extreme couponers they spend the equivalent of a part time job comparison shopping and coupon clipping.
I’ll second and third this idea in another post.
Topic: Coupons (Read 5623 times)