Every day I sit here and post whatever tips or tidbits pop in to my head. I try to explain things as fully as I can, but I know that I can't cover everything!
Many of you have realized by now that I am absolutely HORRIBLE when it comes to replying to emails (sorry - love ya! Really I do!).
So let's play a little game: Ask me anything (although in theory, it should be about couponing, but I'm flexible) . I'll either answer your question as a direct reply in the comments, or as a completely separate post if the answer is a bit more complicated.
The following exceptions apply:
1. You aren't getting my full name, Social Secrity Number and mother's maiden name....sorry!
2. No - I don't know what the numbers mean on Lost or if Ben is finally good now either.
3. The woodchuck would chuck the appropriate amount of wood if the woodchuck could chuck wood.
4. My true hair color (mainly because I have no idea!)
5. Anything I deem too personal of a question.
So ask away!
Julie
You have such a great understanding of the whole coupon scene. I've wondered what kind of work you did before you became a full-time mom because it obviously prepared you well.
Mindi
I was an office manager/bookkeeper for a local moving company.
I've just always had a good head for numbers. I can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday, but I can tell you the price of butter at 6 different stores this week 😉
mary
Ok Mindi, here goes. I would like to know how you find all the coupon match ups. Do you keep a list for each week so you know what was in each weeks ss or rp? I have tried to google a particular coupon but it doesn't always work. Thanks, Mary
Mindi
I use one of several online coupon databases...my favorite is A Full Cup
Amy
Hi, I love your blog more and more each week. i especially love the GIant PA match-ups, since I haven't found one anywhere else. And I loved your series Feeding your Family on $50 a week - it was so practical and very real! Thanks! I'd love to know what town you live in. I grew up in Delaware County and just have been curious! THanks again!
Mindi
I live in Montgomery County - about 15 minutes from the King of Prussia Mall.....but I grew up in Haverford!
Tosha
I'd like to see more on your series about blogging:)
Mindi
I can do more....just give me a few days!
Maria
Okay, can you tell me what happens when you give a buy one get one free coupon on a BOGO free item? DO you get them both for free?
Mindi
In theory, yes - you get both for free.
In reality - It depends on the store, the sale and the mood of the cashier.
The places that I have had the least amount of problems doing it is CVS, Rite Aid and Acme
Jess
I also love the Giant PA match ups. You are the only one I have found who does it. Thanks for all of your time. Love the blog.
Mindi
Thanks for your kind words! I really do enjoy working on this site!
Perky
Where in the Philly area are you located? I'm also in the area (near the megagigundamall-that-ate-Philadelphia and the National Park where one of our forefathers spent a lot of time in 1776). I'm just wondering if we'll ever run into each other at a CVS and fight over the last bottle of free shampoo or a razor or other incredible free-after-ECB item! LOL!
Mindi
I'm in the same area as you, but don't worry about fighting with me at CVS. My stockpile is so large that if I get to the store and someone grabs the last one, then I don't are because I'm not going to run out and I will just wait until the following week for another deal.
Besides - my husband has threatened to divorce me if I bring one more Johnson's Buddies soap in the house!
Andrea
I so appreciate the Giant PA posts. I live in southern York County and have not been able to find anyone else who posts the deals like you do. So thank you and PLEASE keep up the good work!
I had a question that I think was already covered - I don't understand the BOGO deals with coupon matchups. How do you get both items for free?
The other question I had was, how do people find out what the Walmart grocery/food item rollbacks are? I know they have rollbacks on their website but they are not for food, toiletries, or cleaning supplies.
Thanks again!
Mindi
Thanks for your nice words!
I think that the people who post Walmart deals get different circulars than we do. My mother-in-law lives very near a Super WalMart and I've seen the circulars that they get as opposed to the ones that I get and they have more "grocery items" in those circulars!
steph
I am sure I will be back to ask something worthwhile but I can't think of anything right now so here's kinda a silly question I am curious about: What's the cheapest price for butter at those 6 stores? I stocked up when Shurfine was $2/lb a few weeks back because that was the cheapest I had seen in a while. This week it is $1.50.
Mindi
Right now any Acme running a "Customer Appreciation Sale" is the cheapest at $1.49/lb.
If your Shurfine is $1.50/lb, that is my "stock up like crazy" price.
Costco usually hovers around $1.50-$1.70/lb, but we no longer belong to Costco
Celia
I just want to thank you. I have learned so much from your blog and I know it has helped us buy our house. I CANNOT WAIT to have room for a stockpile and a deep freezer.
Do you think people will ever stop being negative about us wanting to live within our means? We feel so happy and free with our budget, but it brings me down to hear my family continually question why we do this.
Barb
I think it's GREAT that we are holding onto as much as we possibly can! I earned this money and I'm not giving away one red cent if I don't have to! I think more and more people will be looking for these deals given the current economic climate. I recently spoke to my investment broker and he admitted that he broke down and used a coupon-like there was some shame in that! I told him that using coupons is the only way that I have anything left to invest in my kids college fund. If you're happy-more power to you!
Mindi
I think that using coupons is slowly becoming "cool"...and even if it isn't, I can say with all honesty that I don't care what people think of me and my coupon binder!
I feel a post coming on......
Jennifer Y.
Hi Mindi,
Love your site! Before I started couponing, I would do most of my grocery shopping at Walmart. But I have seen the light and I now anxiously await your Acme post every week. Thank you for all your hard work. I don't know how you do it all.
My question is... do you/how much of your stockpile would you say you donate? And wehre do you donate? I give some stuff to my neighbors and some to City Team through my church. I just thought it would be nice to have another local charity in my back pocket. Also, where do you donate the diabetes monitors??
Thanks,
Jen
Mindi
My donations vary, depending on what I can get....one week I donated 15 tubes of toothpaste, another is was 10 boxes of Cheerios.
Most of my donations go to the St. Vincent De Paul chapter at my church, but I also do the Giving Tree (at Christmas) at my son's school and I just got another flyer the other day from school, so I'll send more to the school soon.
As for the diabetes monitors, I save them for when we go to CT. My sister-in-law works in a hospital on a shoestring budget and is thrilled whenever I can get them for her (which isn't that often....maybe once every 2-3 months)
steph
Here's one for ya. Every week I refer to the coupon databases like a full cup or couponmom to search for a coupon, which then tells me what flyer and date to look in. I would say most of the time my flyers do not have those coupons or are not the same even when I search in my state (PA) or area (NE). For instance, I just went thru the 2/08 SS and I don't have about 30 of the coupons listed, about 15 are for different quantities/$ amounts and I only have about 10 that weren't listed. Do you have that much of a difference in your area?
Mindi
Coupon values vary wildly depending on where you live. The Land Of No Doubles tends to get the "better" coupons. It can even vary within the same metropolitan area. I've bought papers at my local store on Saturday and then drove 15 minutes west and decided to buy more on a whim and had completely different ciculars. I've also occasionally received an insert in the mail that LOOKED exactly like the one I just got in the paper, but is missing many coupons or has different coupons
There are also local variations....for instance, I wouldn't expect newspapers in Iowa to have Hatfield Meats coupons.
It's frustrating - I know.
Bonnie Kendrick
I love your site, Mindi. I, like some others have yet to find anyone who posts the Giant of PA deals. I live in southern York county and am lucky enough to have a Martins close to my Mom who I visit frequently as well as my Giants here at home. I get to take advantage of the catalina deals when it's better than the gas points! Thanks for keeping up the hard work even when their deals don't seem all that great, a lot of us have to shop there and it's nice to know about the coupon matchups.
Also, to the reader asking where to donate the monitors, I know that any of your local nursing homes would be happy to take them or you can contact the "Visiting Nurses Association," they can hook you up with a local branch to donate with.
Mindi
Thanks Bonnie! FYI - you can usually tell when the deals are bad because my posts are late. When the deals are good, I can't wait to do the coupon matchups. When the deals are bad, I find myself thinking "Hmmm - this might be a good day to re-grout the bathroom!" 😉
Misty
Hi, I don't know where I am suppossed to put this but if you have any left I would like to buy a ring maybe more. Please let me know. Thanks so much.
Mindi
Misty - I have to check. I honestly didn't think anyone would take me up on buying them and instead I got flooded with emails. I'm looking to see how many spacers I have left to see if I make some more with what I have on hand (buying more spacers would kind of defeat the purpose of trying to close my business) and will let you know!
But I'll be having an earring giveaway in a few days with the same deal - give away 2 pairs, deep discount on what I have left of that style!
Jennifer Y.
Thought of another question... Can you explain how double coupons work exactly. Like who is giving you the double--the store or the manufacturer? And, if "do not double" coupons actually double who is losing money?
Also, do you think there are gray areas of couponing? For example, I now know you cannot use 2 coupons on BOGO at Genaurdis. Do you think it is ethical to go through self check out, scan your coupons first and then your card? Just looking for another opinion. Thanks!
Mindi
Jennifer: that is a great question and deserving of it's own post! Will get it up later today (have a dentist appointment this AM)
A.T.
Hi! I really like your site however I live in Arizona...can you recommed any sites similar to yours that would have store info in my area? Thanks, have a great day!!
Mindi
Hi there!
I'm not familiar with which stores are in your area, but check out BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering. The link will take you to a page of links to sites that do grocery posts like I do for stores all over the country! With any luck, it will include your local stores!
Kristine
I am not sure if you are still working from this "ask me" post, but I have a question : )
I am trying to make Chili (just plain jane chili with the mcCormick seasoning pack). Does it matter if I cook it stovetop or use the crock pot? I don't really know the difference (other than the time it cooks for). Could I just follow the directions on the packet, but throw it all in the crock pot instead.
I know this isn't really about frugality, but I know you often post recipes and such.
Thanks so much. I feel like a doofus even asking this! I love your site!
Mindi
It's the same deal....the only difference is that if you make the chili in the crockpot you still have to brown & drain the meat before you add it to the crockpot or else you will end up with boiled meat that will make your stomach turn.
Ask me how I know this 😉