The first comment on the recent Indy Star article is what I consider a coupon myth. Hopefully, I can clarify some common coupon myths with this new series: Couponing Myths Debunked.
The biggest problem I find with coupons is that most of them are for products I will never use or even with the discount the item is still more expensive than the generic or store brand.
This is a common misconception about couponing. There are coupons out there for a variety of products. Maybe not everything you use if you are brand specific or have special dietary needs. Eventually, though, if you are patient, a coupon will come around.
For example, many people think coupons are only for junk food items and convenience items. Yes, there are many coupons out there for those items but there are organic coupons and coupons even for produce. Examples: .50/1 Dole Golden Pineapple printable coupon, a recent $1 off Target Strawberries coupon, $0.50 off ONE Pampers Wipes 60 ct. or larger, and Whole Food deals.
I always buy name brand products for much less than generic products. I don’t just use a coupon because I have it. I combine a store store with a coupon and this allows me to maximize my coupon.
For example, this week at Meijer, Kellogg’s cereal is on sale for $1.79. I will combine a $1 off 1 Kellogg’s coupon from a previous week’s insert (Red Plum from 6-7-2009) and will only pay 79 cents for a box of cereal after my coupon! In contrast, if I just used that coupon recklessly without a sale at regular price around $3, I would still pay $2 for that same box of cereal.
When there aren’t any coupons for your favorite products, what do you do? I suggest visiting the manufacturer’s website and browsing around. Sometimes you will find coupons directly on their website. If you don’t, email them and ask if they have any available or if they can direct you to coupons. Sometimes just by asking, they will send you some coupons in the mail.
For those of you who think there are never coupons for the products you need, what kind of products are you look for? Let me know as I LOVE a challenge!
Have a coupon myth you would like debunked? Email me at bargainbriana@gmail.com.
I just used up the last of my Tropicana OJ coupons and I see V8 coupons all the time. Now the Gillette refills…..That is one thing I have noticed is that most of the time coupons/sales are designed to get you to TRY a product they seem to raley have sales/ coupons for refills on thing. Which is kind of a shame…very wasteful. Like I have about 10 of those scrubbing bubbles green sponge things that had 5 cleaning pads with them because they were free at WAGS awhile ago. But I have never seen the refills on sale. I have just about given up on trying to get others to coupon. Whenever I tell my mom about free stuff she is like “Oh thats nice …. I like Crest not Colgate. ” Arggggg
I’m not brand loyal except on a few items….all of which I rarely (if ever) see a coupon for: V8, Miralax, Gillette Fusion razor blade refills. Anybody seen any?
I am looking for coupons for incredible. (cleaning product)
I used to buy only store brand when possible (simply assuming it was cheaper, unless a name brand was marked down). Now I find that I can get a lot more variety, often better quality, more quantity, and spend A LOT less.
For example, I would NEVER pay $8 for a shampoo. Now, finding an overpriced shampoo with a “Try Me Free” tag that is also B1G1, makes me smile and my hair smell great!
Thanks for blogging!
LOL Gina – I used to be loyal to Quilted Northern until the Cottenelle craze got me. ROFL!
I used to be brand-loyal to Charmin – until I started couponing. Let’s see…a 25-cent off coupon for Charmin vs. a $1.00 coupon for Scott? No. Brainer!!! ;) The thing I have a hard time finding coupons for is Luzianne Tea Bags. They are few and far between – and that’s one thing I am very brand-loyal to.
OMG…..I used to date that authors brother in law. LOL. I babysat one summer for her. :O)
Hi Jolene – if you read this!
For a coupon class I recently taught at my church, I cut out part of two grocery store ads: one for a national brand coffee and one for the same size store brand coffee. I showed the unit price for both and the unit price after coupons. The store brand was .21/oz; the national brand — with coupon — was .13/oz. When they saw proof, they believed me.
You know, it’s funny. When I hear that there’s no coupons out there for products someone uses I have to ask them if they brush their teeth, bathe, use deodorant…all of the necessities that I think everyone uses. It may be that someone is brand loyal, but if they’re made aware of how much money that they can save brand loyalty often goes out the window. I still have my loyalties, don’t get me wrong…but if I can buy name brand, good quality shampoo over a cheaper, store brand I’m all over it!
.-= Kristin´s last blog ..Free Cup or Cone for Dad June 21 at TCBY =-.
Ooooo, Mercedes, you just made my day! Now, how do I get my hands on one of those booklets?
Becca,
I have seen fage yogurt products in those Mambo sprouts booklets. There’s also coupons for Oikos which is also a greek style yogurt made by Stonyfield.
Tanya
Here’s a coupon for $1 off Tropicana Juice available right now:
http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2009/06/hot-coupons-prego-sauce-skintimate-morning-star-and-more/
Sorry to be linking out Briana. You can add it to your latest round uo and fix the link ;-)
.-= mercedes´s last blog ..CVS: StyleScience Money Maker Deal =-.
Love your site. I really am learning so much from it. Here’s one for ya – I buy Tropicana OJ every week and I have never seen a coupon for it. I’ve seen for Trop50 – but that’s different. While there are cheaper brands out there and coupons for other orange juice brands, Tropicana is grrr…
.-= Tanya´s last blog ..Activity Log. Fall Off the Wagon Get Back On =-.
If you can find a Fage Greek Yogurt coupon, I would be forever indebted and eternally grateful! :)