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Buying Groceries on a Budget: Couponing Misconceptions

July 5, 2012 by Lisa Park + Leave a Comment

This week, I wanted to talk about Buying Groceries on a Budget: Couponing Misconceptions.

Before I started this blog, I actually stayed away from using coupons. My thinking of coupons was that when you used a coupon, you still paid more for a name brand product than if you just purchased the store brand using no coupons. And yes, this can be the case if you don’t know when the right time is to use the coupons. Later in this “Buying Groceries on a Budget” series, I’ll give more information on how to use coupons correctly.

First, I want to clear up some misconceptions that I think people often assume about couponers and clipping coupons:

1)  Misconception 1: You have to be a crazy coupon lady to save money on your grocery bill.
This isn’t true. I’m not one of those ladies with stacks of coupons and a massive coupon binder. I only have a small coupon pouch that easily fits into my purse. I do enjoy finding good coupons and deals, but it’s important for the every-day person to know that they can save money on groceries without spending hours and hours of clipping and organizing coupons. You need to be willing to do some couponing, but it’s not the main focus.

2)  Misconception 2: You can only find really good deals or pick up products for free on items such as junk food, boxed foods and pre-packaged foods that aren’t that healthy.
False. First of all, I don’t buy many boxed, pre-packaged or junk food items. Purchasing hundreds of items such as Top Ramen for free is notpart of providing healthy meals for my family. I mainly make homemade meals from scratch, and I am starting to do more freezer cooking so I have quick meals I can pull out at the last minute. In fact, most of my weekly grocery lists consist mainly of produce, dairy and meat.  

In reality, most of us won’t walk out of the store with hundreds of items in our cart with a grocery total of $0.01. But with the simple tips I share in this “Buying Groceries on a Budget” series, you will be able to walk out of the store with really good deals, which will help to cut down your grocery bill considerably.

3)  Misconception 3 – “I don’t have time for coupons.” 
I laugh at myself because I used to say this. Life is busy and there are constantly a hundred demands pulling us in different directions. But adding a few minutes here and there to clip some coupons doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you’ve never used a coupon, don’t expect to immediately save 90% off your grocery bill. It takes some time to learn how to use coupons. But clipping coupons is going to save you money.

4)  Misconception 4 – “I tried using coupons, but I didn’t save any money.”
If you use nearly every coupon you clip, then you are notgoing to save any money. Instead, you’d probably end up buying a lot of over-priced items you wouldn’t normally buy or won’t use, and you’ll end up spending a significant amount more than you save. This is not how to effectively use coupons.

Couponing to save money doesn’t have to take hours out of your week. You could see considerable savings by committing to spend an extra hour each week to make a menu plan, write out a grocery list, follow a few couponing and deal websites, clip coupons, and check sales fliers.

Using coupons wisely requires patience. It involves waiting until an item is at its rock-bottom price, which is the lowest price you’ll see it at a store, and then pairing it with a coupon so that you get it inexpensively or free!

Other Posts in the Buying Groceries on a Budget Series:
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: How to Determine a Budget
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Couponing Misconceptions
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Where to Find Coupons
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Organizing Coupons
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Find Sales & Stack Coupons
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Valuable Tips to Prepare for the Shopping Trip
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Tips During the Shopping Trip
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: 8 Additional Tips When Shopping at the Grocery Store
  • Buying Groceries on a Budget: Organization & Patience

Filed Under: Buying Groceries on a Budget, Money-Saving Tips

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Hello, I'm Lisa

I enjoy teaching people how to live frugally so they can live within their means while still enjoying and doing the things in life that matter most to them. I'm here sharing tips about budgeting, saving money, meal planning, simple recipes, and more.

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Use the link below or message me for the link to the Disneyland post.

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The link to the recipe is below or message me and I'll send you the recipe.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2015/05/29/best-slow-cooker-french-dip-sandwiches/

#frenchdip #frenchdipsandwich #easydinnerideas #easymeal #easydinners #easymeals
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Message me for the recipe or use the link below.

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For those of you in Northern Utah, if any of you want to try the Staples boxes, use the code savingcent10 to get $10 off.

Also this month, the Food and Meat Co-op is featuring convenience foods and easy meal options such as chicken nuggets, corn dogs (regular and gluten free), restaurant-quality sweet and sour pork meal kits, and orange meal kits. It’s nice to have quick and easy meals on busy days!

The pickup day for orders is between March 23-25 depending on where you live in Northern Utah.

https://foodandmeatcoop.com/tooele
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Once you determine your goal, determine how much money to save each month, then break it down to how much to save per week. You may not be able to save $500 a month, but maybe you can save $200 a month. That means you would set aside $50 a week.

Some things you could do to save this money is don’t eat out, cut your grocery bill down, don’t go to the convenience store to grab a drink, or cut out subscription services.

It’s the small changes that make a difference over time.

For more tips, visit my website.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2021/01/05/how-to-create-a-budget-free-budget-worksheet/

#budget #budgeting #financialgoal #finances
We are having these Oven Baked Tacos this week for We are having these Oven Baked Tacos this week for dinner. It's an easy meal to make!

To make this meal even faster, prepare the ground beef in advance by cooking it earlier in the week. You can then put the cooked meat in the fridge or freezer and pull it out when you are ready to use it.

Click the link below for the recipe, or message me, and I'll send you the recipe.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2013/10/18/oven-baked-tacos/

#tacos #bakedtacos #ovenbakedtacos #easydinneridea #easymealideas #easymealidea #easydinners #easymeals
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I share tips of where to purchase tickets, how to use Genie+, where to find hotels in Anaheim, how to save money on food, and more. Plus, I’m sharing tips how to plan out your days, and I share Disneyland and California Adventure itinerary ideas.

Use the link below or message me for the link to the Disneyland post.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2023/02/12/how-to-go-to-disneyland-on-a-budget/

#disneyland #disneylandtips #disneylandtipsandtricks #californiaadventure #californiaadventuretips #disneylandbudget #budgetdisneyland #savemoneyondisneyland
These slow cooker French Dip Sandwiches are on my These slow cooker French Dip Sandwiches are on my meal plan for this week. And it's so easy to make! You just need 10 minutes to put it together in the morning. Then let it cook all day.

I've tried a bunch of French dip Sandwiches, and this recipe is by far my favorite. My family also loves this meal.

The link to the recipe is below or message me and I'll send you the recipe.

https://savingcentbycent.com/2015/05/29/best-slow-cooker-french-dip-sandwiches/

#frenchdip #frenchdipsandwich #easydinnerideas #easymeal #easydinners #easymeals

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