But in response to Kelly, I would say that I’ve had much better luck shopping online for things like kitchen appliances, rather than buying them online. While I may find something cheaper at Wally World or B.B. ‘n’ B., I usually end up regretting those purchases because they often turn out to be cheap crap. So, I shop online for the best reviewed items that I can afford and make sure that the items can do everything I need them to do. Sometimes they’re even cheaper than what I would have bought at a big box store, especially if I can get free shipping.

But even if the item isn’t cheaper online, I usually end up saving because I am less tempted to buy other things on impulse like a DVD from the bargain bin, a flashy nail polish color that’s on sale, or a candy bar at the checkout counter. Plus then I really save time — not to mention gas!

I do a quick search for online coupon codes because they take no time to find through sites like http://www.retailmenot.com, but grocery coupons ARE a waste of my time. When was the last time I saw one for something nutritious and useful like bananas??

However, I rarely use coupons offline. I rarely find a coupon for something on my list, and I don’t need an excuse to buy more stuff I don’t need. Anyhow, I try to buy generic whenever possible and I’ve found that is almost always cheaper than using coupons on brand names.

When I’m at the grocery store I stick to generics to save money. We’re lucky that our local grocery stores have good, all-natural generics which are cheap even compared to the not-all-natural name brands.

But hey, if I were better organized I’d clip coupons in the evenings, or on the train or something… I know that it’s basically free money (although you have to be careful – brand names with coupons can still be more than generics without).

Good question!

I find that when I have high dollar coupons for stuff I don’t need I’m more likely to make a special trip to the store and then put extra stuff in the cart. It’s easy for me to see how clipping coupons can actually end up costing me more money.

I think its great, but in my area coupons aren’t available in the paper and the few that I come across in the junk mail are for new, processed convenience foods & cleaners that I don’t use, and even with the coupon price are more expensive than what I do use. The coupons I see for products that we do use tend to be for prices I can get cheaper, on sale already at the stores that don’t take competitor coupons, etc.

But for the most part, around here the store flyers in the paper just have price lists, and no coupons at all. I’ve tried downloading them, but the online coupons I’ve found are again, not for products my family uses and I just end up on spam email lists for my trouble.

I think the keys to couponing are:
-you have to have access to coupons for products you use
-you have to buy with coupons when the items are already on sale
-you have have stores that double or triple coupons

Sorting them & tracking sales would be the least of my worries. I’d just like to see some actual coupons for once!

I also agree that there are good deals to be had with coupons online. One that I see and use frequently is $10 off $30 at the Children’s Place. Shipping is a flat $5, so I buy $30 worth of clearance items (already at great prices), and it’s the same as having a $5 in-store coupon. You can’t beat that!

BUT, for me, and for many, many others, I’m sure they make it work so that they did indeed save money. I clip coupons during my daughter’s nap while I’m watching tv or catching up on blogs. I have to be home and I have to be quiet anyway, so it’s not like I could really be doing anything else. So I’m not losing out on making any money.

Also, if you use your grocery coupons right, then you can easily save tons of money. It really is as easy as matching up the good sales with the coupons and stocking up on those items to take advantage of the greatly reduced price.

If you stock up on many of the non-perishables that you use regularly, then you’ll need to grocery shop less often, therefore it will actually save you time. This is how it works for my anyway.

And one more thing. Pretty often I do my shopping online and use online coupon codes. They are so quick and easy to use, it’s silly not to use them.

Now, of course to actually get a good deal, you have to make sure you’re not getting ripped off. So do a quick price comp before you buy. No big deal. And if shopping online saves me from driving to 10 different stores to find what I’m looking for, then it saves me time, gas, and mileage on my car.

Ok, I’m done rambling… I’m just alittle passionate on this subject.