COUPONS!!!

I have bought coupons on ebay before and found that it is usually worth it. I make sure I only spend between $1 and $3, either on a mixed lot (I don't know exactly which coupons it contains, but there are usually quite a few) or on a lot of several coupons for a specific item that I use frequently. I've always come out ahead.

While the coupons themselves can't be sold for money, on ebay you are technically paying for the service of having someone cut them out for you.

if you go to like walmart hobby lobby you can get the squeeze handle scissors.. I like to sew but cutting sometimes gets to be to much so i switch between traditional scissors and the squeeze ones. and make sure the ones you use ... like no one cut metal with and dulled them first... yep it happens around here. electrical wire, whatever the project be, my scissors i hide.

good hunting...coupons that is

I love coupons!! I just wish I could get the couponing down like some other people have. I would love to get $500 worth of groceries for $50!

I'm a couponer also and have been thinking about scissor alternatives lately due to my hands hurting/cramping/being tender a lot. Have you thought about using a paper cutter? I know there's smaller ones available. I've also been thinking about investing in the circular blade cutter and a cut-proof mat made for scrapbooking. I'm not sure about gripping the cutter, though. If the handle was larger it'd be okay, I think.

I usually just peruse the circulars and set aside the few that I might use for the week.

The less you set aside, the simpler it is. Those coupon people on the Tee-Vee are nuts in my opinion, not that you asked. I mean, how many darn sticks of deodorant do you need? I mean NEED? Packages of TP? Yea, so there is a sale and you have a coupon. BFD! Life doesn't have to revolve around coupons...

I purchased a little cutter from Big Lots for $1, I think. It's curved and fits your hand really well and it has a ceramic blade and a magnet on the back so you can put it on the fridge to hold your coupons! LOL It has a safety blade so you can't cut yourself, or your little ones don't hurt themselves. I don't know how long the blade stays sharp, but for a buck it's worth a try. I found it in the office supply section.

You just run it down the page instead of having to manipulate scissors. It's a pretty nifty little gadget. Good for scrapbooking and pattern making too.

It is really nice to know that you are looking to use coupons for shopping and why shouldn't. Coupons can help you save some cash. If you really do not want to waist time cutting coupons then i would suggest to do online shopping. There are many different websites which provides promotional amd discount coupons such as www.ezcouponsearch.com/6pm-Coupons_cm_3387.aspx , you can get fashionable clothes, shoes and other accessories at discounted price and can save your time and energy. Some of the stores provide free home delivery. All you need to do is to visit "ezcouponcearch".

Post Edited (ArinyaGill) : 5/30/2013 8:32:47 AM (GMT-6)

I've gotten a rotary cutter since I last posted on this thread and it really works wonders. I can't do it like I could a year ago and have scaled way back. Unfortunately, you also can't get the good deals anymore like you could even a year ago, either. Shows like "Extreme Couponing" have really ruined things in many ways. Fewer stores double coupons, and there weren't many to begin with. Coupon values have gone way down and grocery prices have gone up. There are way more couponers now, and too many people are shelf clearers. When I go to get the one or two items I want there's generally none to be had. It's not worth it to put a lot of effort into it anymore for me. I'm content with keeping my ear to the ground (Internet, whatever lol) for deals on the things I use the most, like breakfast food. If that's the only thing I can get a good deal on my family is still happy because we've all been known to eat cereal for two meals a day even when there's other stuff around.

So, a few suggestions if you want to do some couponing. Make a list of the top ten things you use the most (or, if you have a stockpile all ready, the top ten things you need to stock up on) and concentrate on getting deals on those things. Use a general couponing forum to get an idea of deals at stores in your area. Scout sites specific to those you shop the most to get an in-depth accounting of what's up for deals each week. Don't expect 100% or even 75% savings overall, especially in areas without stores that double coupons. 25-50% is more realistic, with an occasional deal much better than that. I highly recommend Target for the more casual couponer. You can stack their store coupons with manufacturer coupons and get items for 50% off or more fairly regularly. grandmaroses, I feel you on the weight thing. I cut all of my coupons for about two weeks and then stopped because it was too much. Now I buy three papers at most and only cut the ones I know I'll use or I'm pretty sure will lead to 50% off or more before it expires. It's less headache overall.

The grocery stores in my area are switching to electronic couponing where you go on their website before you go shopping and click on what coupons you want and print your shopping list with coupon info on it. Put the items in your basket and when you pay, swipe your coupon card and prices are all adjusted automatically.