So as you may already know, my sister has been learning to coupon each week at CVS. I thought it would be fun for her to share how it was going, in her own words. (Although, anything she says about me, probably is NOT true). Each week she will provide you with the tips she has learned.
From Natalie:
They have had enough. After many years of helping myself to my sisters and mothers hard earned stockpile, I had been cut off. I had to learn to do this thing for myself.
Shannon has agreed to help me become a couponer. To start things off, I have been shopping at CVS and trying my hand at the art of couponing. So far, I have unknowingly committed coupon fraud (twice), forgot my coupons at home, missed a cashiers mistake, and cried in my car.
But, I can see that the benefits of couponing outweigh the small setbacks and I am starting to enjoy the trips to CVS . The encouragement from the FTM readers is most helpful, all of your tips have been great.
I hope the newbie couponers on this site can relate to the hurdles I have been experiencing, so here is my tip to share with the newbies.
Natalie’s Tip for this week:
Be prepared before you leave the house. Have all of your coupons and ads readily available. I have been using a clear binder sleeve to keep my coupons and ecb’s safe. Otherwise, you will be chasing them around the parking lot. Not that I would know anything about that.
Til next week..
Nat – been exactly where you are a couple of times and I am doing this now fora little over a year!! (You remember me learning through your sister….). Its tough – I go through the anxiety at the registers alot of the time hoping that the deals will work or that I won’t be given a hard time by the cashiers. I have even come to “profile” my cashiers before picking the line to go to in stores like Target, Giant and Weis – that is – until I get to know them, and them, me, hoping to aleviate any stress. I’ve found that once you get to know them and some of the managers, especially in smaller stores like Rite Aid, etc, it works out so much smoother! I never have any problems at Rite Aid for the most part (Douglassville and Route 100 in Pottstown). However, lately, for some reason have been having all kinds of issues at CVS – two of them in Pottstown. They’ve had to refund me for coupons they missed or prices being input incorrectly, etc. Its becoming annoying. If the deals weren’t so good, I’d stick with just Rite Aid. I really only started doing the CVS thing with the last two months too. UGH!
Like Mindy, as you know, I too, have to shop with an almost 5 year old and almost 2 year old most of the time. Sometimes one behaves and other doesn’t and sometimes they both act up. Those are the times when I come out of the stores stressed out and almost in tears (I’m sure the fact that I am 35 weeks pregnant does not help things either! LOL) I have had the little one tear up coupons, throw my small coupon file that I bring to the stores on the floor so that everything fell out, had her grabbling things off the shelves, you name it!! LOL It’s tough. I really try to go when my husband is home and can watch at least one, if not both of the kids – its so much more enjoyable! I love couponing! It has become my hobby and one of the favorite things to do! I love seeing how much money I save when I look at the receipt and check out my modest – but growing- stockpile!! Its a sense of accomplishment, not to mention a bit of a rush!!
Keep at it Nat – I think you are doing great!! BTW – miss you at the Wood!! :-)
It is definitely worth it. I have to shop with my 20 month old and she is a nightmare in public. no cart straps will hold her, no matter how far away she is from merchandise she always manages to grab it. I pack snacks and toys , but nothing works for long. I have no one to leave her with. I go into the store organized and ready, by the time I leave most time I am just about in tears. I have had my daughter rip my coupons up at the register, almost fall out of the cart, you name it , its happened to me. Not to mention the screaming, its the worst high pitched ear bleeding sound. Most of the people there know me and my daughter. But customers stare at me like I am the worst mom. Every week I tell my self I am not going back but I still do…..lol I guess I just cant miss a great sale. But stick with it, all the misery is worth it in the end. = )
Good for you for sticking with it, Mindy!
I’ve had the same thoughts when I’ve noticed customers staring at me (about being a bad mom) but I finally decided that either they don’t have any kids or it’s been so long since they have had little ones that they have forgotten how they can be. How is it that someone so little can reduce their parents to a puddle on the floor waving a white flag??!!
lol Wonder what made you cry. Probably the embarrassment of chasing coupons in the parking lot, Been there!
Love this series. You’re doing a great job, Natalie!
I can relate to having a sister digging through my stockpile, my moms too. Luckily she trades babysitting and her chicken’s eggs for the freebies, so that’s enough for me :) I’m pretty sure that she isn’t going to try and learn anytime soon! I have been doing this extreme couponing for quite a while now, but still am enjoying reading about your sisters successes and adventures. It helps me teach others to see what someone new at this goes through! What a great idea for even more interest and info on your site! Keep up the awesome work and Natalie, hang in there, it gets easier every time you go, soon enough, you’ll be dashing out the door just to go and grab a great deal.
Nat- I feel your pain on the learning curve of drugstores! I found it very intimidating the first several times. Last time I took my husband for moral support and assistance. I had a great trip that time, had the time and two brains to work through finding everything (that isn’t where it usually is stocked), readjusting my planned trip due to rain checks and dividing the transactions. I was able to go prepared with envelopes for the transactions…however, we all know how that can go at drugstores. Success came and I’m much more confident at the drugstores now. Way to go Nat!
I love the “realistic” look at shopping with coupons…and sisterly love!
he he and I love that I have total editorial control .. no seriously she is doing great!
Bravo, Natalie!
Well, I think your sense of humor will get you far…well, maybe not with crabby cashiers…
I love that you are willing to share your adventures with us and I bet they will be especially helpful for fellow newbies. It can be easy for more experienced couponers to forget how overwhelming couponing is at the beginning. It’s been awhile since I cried in the parking lot, but last week I ended up digging through a RiteAid garbage can for my coupons (you don’t want to know!)
Oh, and don’t let Shannon and the rest of them bug you too much, before you know it they will be stealing from Your Stockpile!!! (jk!)
Those first weeks are difficult. I did the same things starting out. Now, I’ve been doing it for a year and it is actually enjoyable (the shopping–not just the saving). My heart no longer beats outside of my chest nor do I start sweating up a storm when I approach the counter (if I’m at my CVS, that is; at a different grocery store or something, I’m still a hot mess wondering if the deals will actually “work”). Keep it up! It will pay off!
Shannon, you cut off your sisters access to your stockpile? How mean, you must be the oldest! LOL I think we can all relate to what you are going through Natalie. We’ve all been there at some point.
Your post did give me an idea. While I don’t use a coupon binder, I prefer to file whole inserts and clip what I need when I neet it, I do like your idea of using a binder sheet for your shopping trip. That would help keep things more organized on my shopping days. Thanks!
I had to laugh too, because I can totally sympathize with problems she’s had couponing. Keep at it Natalie – it’s totally worth it ;)
I love Natalie’s humor. Made me laugh, read it again and laugh again. Way to go girl! PS Get someone to distract sisters or mom and head for the stockpile. Just saying…and of course joking.