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Is it just me or are most of the coupons in our Sunday papers not worth using anymore? Today, we did have a few, but we had about 6 inserts, that is probably why. Normally, I am doing good to find 2 or 3 worth using. It seems they are either for processed foods, beauty supplies, pet supplies or you have to buy 2, 3 or more to save even 50 cents. What do the rest of you think and do you use them like years past?
Yes, I think the value of using coupons has decreased. Probably because during the financial crunch, so many more people starting using them. And grocery stores have had to accept a thinner profit margin, so they cannot continue doubling and tripling them. Around here, they were giving classes on how to use them to a point that it nearly 'games the system'.
One more factor, IMO, is that you can get the coupons online now. The manufacturers prefer that - they get your email address and sometimes other valuable market research information (age, sex, zip code, etc.) so that the customer using the coupon also becomes a source of valuable information AND sells an additional product item. I've often found that the online coupons are far more valuable for me as a consumer, but admit that it's a bit of a pain to get them.
In the long run, newspapers are an antiquated industry and the printed coupons are part of that. The smart manufacturers are moving their coupon and promotions to direct to consumer online techniques and social media.
We use all that we have need for. We never buy because there is a coupon. Sometimes a name brand is less with a coupon than the store brand. We normally buy a Sunday paper for the coupons. There is enough savings to way more than pay the $2 for the paper.
As I was bored last week, I spent the $5 fee to attend one of the "super couponing" seminars at a local venue. After listening to the hour long spiel, I decided that I would pass on most of the offers that I see in the papers. I am really not into about 90% of the items that are being advertised. If I see the rare one for items I use, I will go after it.
For me, I save a lot more money shopping at EDLP places like Aldi, salvage stores in and around Amish areas, and various ethnic markets.
Now, the DW, is the master of all the Walgreen's/CVS/Rite Aid programs and uses them to get all kinds of free junk. Sometimes, we actually get something that we can use free. If not, it goes to one of her charities.
I wish that those speakers would actually lecture on how to reduce your over all food bill with couponing as one of many tools. Instead, they all think that they can outfox the CPG marketing goods.
There are quite a few coupons threads going in the Deals, Coupons forum. This thread is closed.
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