We have a ritual every Saturday morning. We get up, have breakfast, I take the boys to Karate and then I run to the Dollar Store where I buy anywhere from 3 to 22 copies of the Sunday paper (they sell them there for $1/copy instead of the $1.75 regular price). Then I pick the boys up from karate, we stop at Wawa to get them a donut or Icee and then head home.
And every week I get funny looks at the Dollar Store from the other customers who can't figure out why I have a shopping cart full of newspapers.
Ok - the 22 copies was a one-time deal...but that was likely the best $22 I spent all Summer! (and just in case you were wondering, I DO recycle every scrap of paper that comes in to our home).
You see, I look at those coupon inserts as tiny little gift certificates. The week that I bought 22 copies (6/22/08)? There was a coupon in the Parade magazine for a free package of Kraft cheese wyb 3 Kraft/Nabsico/Oscar Mayer products. Each one of those coupons had a value of $2-$3. That one coupon made it worth buying multiple copies, never mind the other inserts that were in the paper that weekend. Oh - and that same week? Giant was running a promotion where you got a free ticket to Hershey Park when you spent $35 on Kraft products, including those packages of cheese. By the time I finished with those 22 copies of the newspaper, I had 4 free tickets to Hershey Park ($45 each) and about $350 in groceries...all for about $100 (including the cost of the newspapers)
Yes - that was an extreme week....but if you use coupons regularly, even paying full-price for a newspaper is a bargain. A few weeks ago there was a coupon for $2.25 off Electrasol Gel Tabs. Once again, one coupon made it worth the price of the paper.
So how do I know how many copies I am going to buy of the paper each week? One site gives me all the information I need: Taylortown Preview. While the values of the coupons might be slightly different, depending on area, the listing of the coupons for that week is fairly accurate (with regional variations...for instance, Taylortown Preview never lists when Hatfield Meat coupons will be in the paper).
Another basic newspaper-buying rule: always make sure to get the coupons the first Sunday of each month. That is the day that the Proctor & Gamble insert comes out and if you use Tide, Downey, Pantene, Pampers, etc....this is usually your one chance per month to get them. Just don't go overboard because the P&G coupons typically expire the end of that same month.
How many copies of the newspaper do you buy each week?
Mandy
Hmmm, I had never looked at it like that. I may just have to start picking up more copies of the Sunday paper now. Thanks!
Shannon
I usually buy 2-5. I don't have a discount store around, our Dollar General carries the crappy newspaper!
DianeScraps
I usually buy 4-6, but I get about 3 more given to me, and I have been known to purchase more, I think my max though was 15.
DianeScrapss last blog post..Shopping Report Friday 9/19 Acme
Heidi
I wonder what dollar store sells them for $1?
Anyhow, I usually only get one copy delivered, but if it is a really good week I'll go buy a second.
Heidis last blog post..Little Boy Blue's 6 Month Update
Leah
I buy two every week, but I am sure eventually it will be more 🙂
I was excited to see someone actually explain how many newspapers they buy and why, it helps us all figure out "the game"!
Leahs last blog post..Kroger paid me $2.93 to buy these.
Darla
Our papers are $2 a pop. Ouch.
Stumbled ya.
Darlas last blog post..When is it enough?
zaenal
aloha,,,,,,,,,,,i just want to shared my blog out to you ,and i hope that you will visit to my blog,because i have any handycraft to be sold,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thank's for your attentions,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,nice to meet you,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Amy @ The Q Family
I only bought 1 set of double newspaper each week. I think I might need to check out the Dollar store for $1/newspaper. Also I might need to step up my plan to check out Taylor Town each week. Thanks for the post.
Amy @ The Q Familys last blog post..Circus Circus...
Sarina
It would appear that I live in a coupon obsessed part of town because there are NO papers in any stores, coffee shops, gas stations around me after 8am on Sunday!
I get one subscribed and my friend (who has papers leftover in her stores on MONDAY) is picking herself up 2 and an extra for me now. I plan to get more, but while I am still struggling with virtually no coupon organizational plan I don't want to bury myself in papers.
Sarinas last blog post..There's no crying in couponing!