Question of the Day

Dear Whitney,





I need couponing help! As you know, I am a beginner. I am trying to learn from your couponing ways, but I don't ever feel like I am saving that much. I usually only average 20% savings at the grocery store. Don't get me wrong, that's great, but what should my average savings be? Also I feel like I can never find coupons for things that I actually need or will use. Am I looking in the wrong place? (I usually look at King Soopers or Krogers website. I also go to coupons.com) Any tips would be helpful thanks!


Love, Angie


Dear Angie,

I know it can be very overwhelming to begin to coupon. You see all these people getting awesome deals and it makes you feel discouraged. You cannot compare yourselves to others. If before you were only saving 0-5% then 20% is a huge success and you should be proud of yourself! For me, I feel good if I save 50% or more. But that is just me.

To answer the second part of your question, how you can never find coupons for things you need or will use. That might be because you are only seeing very little of what coupons are out there. If you are only looking on coupons.com and King Soopers, you are really narrowing your options. If you want to save significantly you are going to have the get a Sunday newspaper. I know it's easy to think I don't want to spend the money. If you don't spend the money on the newspaper you will be spending A LOT more at the store without it. Ask your in laws or family members if they get the paper and get the Sunday coupon inserts from them. I know sometimes you can't always find the exact thing you are looking for with coupons. You have to be flexible. You can't be brand loyal. Even if there are not food coupons you like, there are tons of household products you can use coupons for. I don't pay for razors, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes or things like that anymore. There are still tons of ways to save if you aren't using a single food coupon. I hope this helps and gives you encouragement to keep saving money!

Love, Whitney

What are your coupon or grocery saving tips? I would love to know!