Shop with Kids? Oh NO!

by Briana Carter on October 13, 2008

Mail Bag Time!!! A reader writes in asking this question:

Do you shop with children? If so, any advice? I’ve been trying to start couponing, but with my 11 month old throwing everything I hand him in the floor and getting frustrated while I try to organize coupons, I’m wondering if it’s going to be something I can manage.

I try very hard NOT to shop with my children. Can we buy this mom? I need a recorder where I can push a button that says, “No, it is not on our list.” Oh, the horror stories I could tell you about my children and shopping. Once, while shopping with my two youngest children, my then 3 year throw a horrendous fit in the chip aisle. Why? Because I wouldn’t buy cheese puffs. He called me a dummy and threw himself to the floor while everyone stared at me. Oh, what a fun memory! Sometimes people give you dirty looks, looks of pity or even one time, a lady told me “You go girl” because I refused to give in while he threw his fit. Anyway….

Sometimes I will leave around 8pm to go shopping and leave the kids at home with my husband. I also try to shop on my lunch break or before I pick up my kids from daycare. If you are a stay at home mom, this may be more difficult. While you are getting comfortable couponing, I would suggest trying to schedule when someone else can care for your child. Whether that be after your spouse gets home from work, joining a MOPS group, or child care swap with a friend.

If you can’t schedule a time when someone else can watch your child, I do have some suggestions. (I’m not saying any of these will be the miracle for you but they might help a little!)

1. Fill their bellies. Bring a small snack or toy for your child.
2. Enlist their help. If your child is older, enlist their help while you shop. Give them a coupon while near the item and ask them to find it or let them pick out the variety (if you don’t have a preference).
3. Small Trips. Don’t try to be too ambitious and make smaller trips. Try to keep your total time around 30 minutes.
4. Schedule at the right time for your child. Go early in the morning when your child is “fresh” or after naptime. You know your child, schedule it around them for your own sanity.
5. Let them know your expectations. Let them know what you expect of them in the store. Sometimes this helps.

I would also suggest doing more of your leg work before going to the store.

This is my before shopping routine:

1. Use my “printer friendly” version of my deal page.
2. Look through the pages and mark out the items I know I don’t want/need.
3. Search for the coupons by insert and then clip the coupons of the items I’m interested in.
4. Write the # of items I want of each item by the item, check off the coupon to use as I find them so I know they are clipped.
5. I then organize my coupons by aisle. I paper clip the multiple coupons together and then put the list and the coupons in an envelope.
6. As I am shopping, I gather the items I want to purchase. As I am doing this, I find my coupons and place them in a separate envelope so I will be ready for checkout.
7. I do a quick double check of my coupons as I’m standing in line just to make sure I didn’t miss any coupons.

Here’s the coupon wallet I use while shopping. I leave my purse in the car and put cash or my credit/debit card, loyalty cards, gift cards in the outside pocket. I have extra coupons in different sections in my coupon wallet in case I find something that isn’t on my list that I need, unadvertised sale, or clearance.

As you get more comfortable with using your coupons, you will find it a little easier to shop with your children with your coupons. Good luck to you!!!

Readers, do you shop with children? Any funny or horror stories to share???

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Man, I messed up a deal!

by Briana Carter on September 27, 2008

I usually say this at least once a week! I get all nervous and confused and distracted under all the bright lights in the stores.

Learn from my mistakes (and there are alot!). Ha!

Some recent ones:

1. Bought Nestle 8 pk fun packs at Walgreens instead of Hershey. So now I need to buy 3 more Hershey to complete the get $5 when you buy $10 worth of HERSHEY. NOTE TO SELF: Just because an item is sitting right next to another does not mean it is the same brand. I did this with crackers once too at CVS. Then I was ticked at the register when my ECBs didn’t print out. Well, doh, Kraft and Sunshine are not the same. They had me all confused with the same sale and yellow tags. I’m sure that is what they are counting on. But back to the Hershey deal, oh darn, I have to make another trip to Walgreens. That is going to hurt. [giggles maniacally]

2. Huggies Swimmers rang up as $8.99 instead of $2.25 clearance. Almost walked out of the store and then realized that there was a reason I had to pay so much more than I planned out of pocket. So turned around and received my refund and he re rang it. Then as I was walking out, I noticed he only charged me .25 instead of $2.25. So what do you do? They told me just to take it since it was already so confusing. Okie Dokie.

3. A while back ago there was a Get $10 off 3  Hanes/Fruit of the Loom (they changed the brand mid way through) when you buy $10 worth of Nabisco. Checked out. Checked receipt. Couldn’t figure out why they $10 didn’t come off. Stood in Customer Service line for around 10 minutes. Then figured I was $1 short because something was on sale more than it was listed (normally that is good – but not in this case since it would have saved $10 if I would have spent $1 more.) Explained to Customer Service, just returned everything. Then I tried it again. Can you believe this, I messed it up AGAIN. I only bought 2 Fruit of the Loom items forgot another package of socks. At this point, I said forget it. We needed the stuff anyway and I was too mentally worn out from all the math.
4. Bought an item not on my list because it was a good deal and I had an awesome coupon. Got to the register. Guess what? Expired by 2 days. That is just a total bummer because I thought I found an extra deal.

These are just some recent ones. I should know better, I’ve been doing this awhile. These are total rookie mistakes but I think it happens to all of us. I should note that all of these trips, I didn’t even have my kids with me to get distracted…so there is NO excuse! LOL!

So Some Tips:

1. Always check your receipt. Especially with clearance items at CVS. I was told today that the system only holds it in the clearance % for 1 week and then it has to be entered again. That is why some things don’t ring up like they are suppose to.

2. Check Expiration Dates of coupons and toss them or donate them to the Overseas Coupon Program.

3. Double check the deals and make sure you have the right items, right size, right BRAND. (Don’t let those yellow sale tag distract you!)

4. Remember you don’t have to buy 10 when the deal is 10/$10 unless it is specifically noted that you have to buy 10 to get the deal! (Don’t let the mix and match advertising confuse you!)

5. Did I say check your receipt? Also, watch while they are scanning your coupons to make sure none get missed!

Any other tips or funny deal mess up stories for my readers?