Have you seen a change in coupons lately?

I haven't gotten the paper since my husband and I moved about two years ago. However, I do have places that I look online for coupons and I have noticed that there aren't nearly as many that I want to use as there used to be. I think that a big part of the reason that this is the case for me is that I've gone to using mostly store brand items and there are very rarely coupons for those. However, I have discovered the coupons that you can load onto your Kroger Plus card and you can use those with a printed coupon and that does equal a lot of savings in that area.

I have also noticed coupon values dropping. I try and use my coupons when the item is on sale because .50c off a $5.00 item is not much of a savings. And those $1.50 off when you buy 3 of any of these products is a drag too. I don't use all those items so I have to buy 3 of the same product. I also find the coupons distributed are always for the same product. I think it's Proctor & Gamble who give out the most coupons. I am always getting my laundry detergent, fabric softener, paper towels and toilet paper on sale WITH coupons. They are always $4.00 off at the store plus the coupon. Does that mean the company (manufacturer) is overpricing to begin with? If they can afford to put the product on sale so often (3-6 week cycles) then perhaps the product only costs the manufacturer two bucks. Why can I never find a coupon for my favourite jam? And why does the store never put it on sale? FYI, I used to work in the office of a retail chain and I know that the stores put the items on sale as per the direction of the distributor.

I usually only get coupons from the Sunday newspaper, or through free samples that include a coupon. I've noticed that in the Sunday paper, fewer and fewer coupons are being offered. And generally now, I have to buy two of the item, and I get like 40 cents off even then. So I have to buy more, and yet I save less.

I get the paper every sunday & there hasn't been any coupons wothe a hoot in weeks. I haven't cut one coupn out in a long time. Today there was 3 books of coupons but not any i could use.

We have started receiving more coupons now. I always get the Sunday paper(when it has the coupons in it) but we also receive the coupons in the mail on Wednesdays. I will agree that the coupons are not the same value that they use to offer. The cents off for 3 items or meager amounts off of more expensive items is insulting. I do still clip the coupons and try to match them with the best deals. Unfortunately for me I do not live near any stores that double or triple coupons. I know several people make out like bandits using this method but it does not work for me.

I have notice the shortage of coupons and when they have coupons you need to buy more than one item. Most of the time it does not help you save. If I know of somebody who will also uses the product I will take advantage. I had one coupon for buy 2 teas get 1 free. My aunt loves tea and I gave her our free tea. I also go online and get free coupons. I will sometimes go to the manufactures web site and see if there are coupons on there as well.

Lots of good coupons until Christmas, then they dropped off. I noticed more in this last Sundays paper though. I prefer the coupons with cents off one item. I don't usually use the 50 cents off 3 items. In those cases it's cheaper to buy the store brand.

What I am noticing is tighter deadline on the date they expire. There are lots of generous coupons, but if you don't use them up in a few days or weeks, they are useless. I had one that was as good as cash for $20 at my favorite shoe store, but I have to use it by Jan 10. Unfortunately I am booked solid until the 12th. I hate to lose the $20 on the one hand, but on the other, to get that coupon I bought enough shoes to last a while. I really don't think I need any more.

I have noticed a change. There are fewer coupons in my paper. But I have found some wonderful coupons online. Target had a bunch the other day. I was able to print them up, and I saved over $5! A friend of mine has contacted a couple of companies of products she uses. They actually sent her some coupons. I may have to try that.

Your explaination is why I no longer worry about buying a newspaper or coupons. The people that do well with them have grocery stores with good doubling and trippling programs. We do not have that luxury here. The only store that doubles sets a limit to 5 coupons and you have to buy an additional $25 worth of items besides. Yes that's not hard to do, but I want my doubling w/o having to buy the additional $25 in items. So frustraiting.... So I just watch for printable coupons and sites that do match ups and hope to find a good deal or two that way would be my suggestion.

I read a discussion yesterday where a member stated that for the New year there were going to add coupons just this once for the first Sunday. I do believe that with the economies drop especially last year it is there way of earning more by us not saving as before. I so agree, I use to be able zip through sites and find loads of coupons that I found useful, now I can surf and be flustered as I can spend two useless hours and not find any good ones for what I need. Sad.