Anyone who knows me , that I don't pay retail price for anything, any type of merchandise 9 Clothing, food, shoes, perfume, etc) or service( dining out, fast food, auto , delivery service, etc) that is. I've been known to leave the store and without purchasing an item if I know that I have a coupon for it I'll return later with the coupon and get it then.

Over the years there has been some that have teased me because of this or make fun of me (but they always asking when we are out girl give me a coupon I know you got one).

This trait has spilled over to Davongah but hey she is 10 thats cool.

Last night I had to laugh at myself, me and Justin went to the Safeway alone. I was getting some pickles. Jusitn takes off down the aisle and returns here ma here ma. He had gone and got me two .55 cents coupons ( from the coupon machines that they have sticking out from the shelfs) for vlasic pickles.

Once I say what he had given me I had to laugh and I laughed out loud, I had to ask myself am I as obsessed as everyone says that my 2 year old son knows that if he sees a coupon give it to mommy.

Come on I know there has to be someone else out there that believe in using coupons just as much as I do . I really felt weird last night when he did that, he is only 2. coupons should not be on his mind.

By Kiki on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 09:29 am:

I think it's great to be thrifty. I just wish I had more time to do it more myself. You can sometimes save a bundle if done right and without having the kids along. lol

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 10:12 am:

I use them. My mother was an avid couponer and refunder. When she wrote a check at the supermarket, after deducting the check amount she would deduct an extra amount equal to her coupon savings, and periodically add that up and put it in her savings account. That was her gift buying money for birthdays and Christmas.

My son loves it when I give him coupons for supplies for his dog and cat, and my dear dil is avidly seeking diaper and baby stuff coupons.

By Dandjmom on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 10:32 am:

Ginny,

Before my daughter came alone I used to refund also, and I'm going to return to it someday, but that is a little too time consuming with a 2 yr/old.

If you don't mind me askign what kind of diaepers does she use? And also let your dil know that she can call the manufacter ( number on packages) and asked if they offer consumer coupons ( mmany companies do).

If it's no problem woul dbe willing to sned what ever baby ones I have and coem across in my clippings and finding, ( I recieve a lot of manufactur ones in the mail aslo) better value then those in the Sunday paper. Let me kwo if your intrested.

Oh by the way , I think i'll try your Mom's idea thats really neat , never thougth of it . Since I belong to so many other clubs and have ways of earing free stuff I usually use that for Christams.

I belong to Shopper's Elite , ( for which I earn pionts towards GC of my choice) for scannng my purchases.

My house hold is AC Neilsen ( Yes the Neilsen that montors tv raitings and things) they have two panels; there shopping panal ( where you scan your purchases and make your voice count with Manufacturs, for which I earn points) and then there is there Media voice Panel( where me adn each memnbber of my household where these beeper style devices that monitors what stations that we listen to on the radio and what we watch on tv,( we all each family member are monthly by check for this).

I've joined Club Mom ( which gives me point for every dolalr that I spend shopping at there on line stores, target walmart, jcp, etc. or for shopping at the Giant Food stores.) and fthe way food goes in my house. I rak up points wtih this membership ( that I turn in for gift certificates of my choice even AEX gift checks if I choose.

I have my two kids enrolled in U-Promise. why not get something back for things that I use and buy every day and it is benefitting my kids , beuce the money is saved towards there college fund.

My bank offer Visa Extras, so I earn pints each time i make purchases using my debit card. and planned right I can go to one place and earn points in three different places.

And usually in October I turn in all these points for gift certificates , movie tickets, toys video games, adn some other things for my kids as well as other's on my Christmas list.

I know that I'm rambling on adn on , and I do apoligize. But I really do enjoy couponing and saving.