If you watched the recent Nightline segment on coupon shopping, you might be wondering, “Is it worth becoming a coupon shopper?”
The real question is… why wouldn’t you coupon shop?
In life, we continually insist on the best prices for major purchases. We seek out the lowest price when buying a new car, booking the cheapest airfare, or finding the best deal on a new television. And yet, where groceries are concerned, most people don’t even give a second thought to what they’re paying for them. They go to the store and accept $150-$200 weekly grocery bills as part of life.
But groceries comprise one of the largest parts of our entire household budgets! If you knew you could easily cut that grocery bill by half or better, still buying the groceries and products you want and need, why wouldn’t you? With my system, coupon shoppers are happily spending a small amount of time each week, about a half-hour to an hour, to reduce their grocery bills by 30%, 50%, 75% or more.
I’m Jill Cataldo. Welcome to Super-Couponing®. With the tools you’ll find here, you’re about to completely change the way you shop.
Many people have written to ask what was included in my ABC Nightline shopping trip. Here’s the list!
3lbs. apples
2lbs. Earthbound Farm organic broccoli
3lbs. onions
5lbs. potatoes
1lb. carrots
2 jars Del Monte refrigerated pears & pineapples
Case of bottled water
8 filet mignon steaks
3lb. beef roast
2 packages Oscar Mayer salami
4pk. toilet paper
2 rolls Scott paper towels
2 boxes Kashi cereal
5 boxes Honey Bunches of Oats cereal
8 Old Orchard 100% cranberry juice
2 frozen New York garlic bread sticks
1 Culinary Circle rising-crust pizza
1 half-gallon organic milk
2 Suave women’s deodorants
1 Kotex pantiliners
1 4lb. bag Iams dog food
1 case of Baby Basics diapers (80 ct)
Pre-coupon total: $118.84
Post-coupon total: $50.61
And, I got $20 in Catalinas back. These are coupons that state “$10 off your next order,” which are like gift certificates to the store — they’re just like cash and can be used on whatever you want.
So essentially, I spent $30.61! :)
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Many people who watched the piece have commented at length on the differences between what I chose to buy and what the other shopper, Nathan, did. Certainly, when you’re approached about doing a national television piece, you can go one of two ways with your shopping trip. I chose to shop not only in a way that’s representative of how I would normally shop, but also how I think -most- people shop. And, one of the coupon myths I constantly hear is that “you need coupon doubling to save big with coupons.” Here in Chicagoland, we don’t have doubles, and we still enjoy great savings. Another myth? “There are no coupons for healthy foods or organics.” Busted! :)
I wanted to show a national audience what my longtime readers already know — we CAN save big on healthy, good, not over-processed foods. Hope you enjoyed the segment!
UglyChixImMe says
You totally would have smoked the Kentucky guy had you got to shop at Jewel like two weeks ago!
brc says
I thought it was fair and portrayed the different approaches people can take to couponing depending on their needs. I wish they had shown more of what was in your cart so people could visually see what the $50 got you, but hopefully they will sign on here and read your list!!
Great job.
PatK says
Way to go Jill! I was rooting for you the whole time. Clearly your cart had a more balanced variety.
prea says
As always Jill, it was great and a treat to watch. I think if he had shopped at a store that did not double coupons, his out of pocket would have been around the same, if not more than yours. And he bought a lot of junk – your cart looked a lot more like mine than his did. Great job!
Yamaha Girl says
It was nice to see you had a very balanced and healthy shopping list and not just a bunch of stuff added into your cart to see how much you could get. I loved when the host said your cart looked like what would be in his cart. Great job!
nsa101 says
You did such a great job! The other guy was just showing off with his Jello sign in the driveway. You should have totally brought out pictures of your cereal castle from last year! I completely agree on your shopping habits – a balanced meal is definitely a great way to show the average consumer that they can use coupons and stil eat healthy!
Proud_Husband says
I simply cannot tell you how proud I am of my wife. It’s funny seeing our house and car on television… anyway I think it is very nice that all of you have such kind words for Jill, she is the BEST. Anyway I just thought I’d share something with you all…
50 cent Filet Mignon tastes a lot better than free Jello…
Bernard2003 says
okay, I did it! I admit to posting a link to Jill’s shopping list… and asking what Nathan’s OOP would have been for all that junk food if he was not able to double his coupon values! since we generally don’t get to double coupons here, I think that makes a big difference!
pattycakes says
I even had my two teenagers watch the segment, so they can see where my inspiration and advice come from. They were most impressed. You did a great job showing people how to buy their regular groceries and slash their food budget. Thanks for all your hard work!
looking4adeal says
You did great Jill! We are proud of you! Thanks for helping so many people. Nothing against Nathan, and I have not looked at his site yet, but it came across to me that you seemed more concerned with getting a good deal on what you use while he seemd to just want to get anything free. I hope he uses his techinques to fill up food pantrys around kentucky.
Either way, congrats on a great segment.
psh0615 says
Great job. I thought you did really well.I liked your selection of groceries much better.Congrats!!!
bksandcoffee says
I think both of you did really well. I read on FB that Nathan donated all the jello to a food pantry. Way to go!!!! We are so proud of you Jill. :)
Jbab says
I only wish they would have compared it equally. It’s kind of like apples & oranges. They should have posted both lists of groceries, & to compare his retail price?????? What does that mean? It should be what he deducted from the actual price. Anyway, I wish they would let you do your own film, so, you could show it the right way, just like you have shown all of us that attended your classes! Your husband must be as special as you, & so sweet to post how much he loves you!
fayba says
Nice job last night Jill!! I liked that you didn’t take advantage of a deal just to make your bottom line look more impressive. Watched the link again this morning with the hubby and kids and they were equally impressed. They think you are amazing as do I, thank you for all you do!
Rudy84 says
You did fabulous! Another great shopping trip. It’s too bad you didn’t have the double coupon opportunity. Kroger is also having their March to Savings sale with some amazing deals. It was hard to do a side by side comparison when you’re not shopping at the same store.
All in all I thought both of you showed what amazing things can be done with coupons. Congratulations, Jill.
twinsplus2 says
Great job on TV last night, you did a wonderful job! It was neat to show my husband… I told him “that’s Jill! the one I took the classes from… the one who is saving us all that money!!!!” and I love that your husband commented… so sweet!!! Congrats Jill on your success and a BIG thank you for all you do!
funtime12 says
I guess WE get catalinas, but THEY get double coupons. Imagine if we got both ! I can’t really fault Nathan for getting all that stuff, because I thought that this was a type of “contest” where you were just supposed to get as much stuff as you can. It seemed that Nathan was “winning” at the beginning because they kept saying how he hadn’t even started to use his $50 yet. They could have talked a bit more about the Catalinas at the end, but these clips just fly by so fast I guess there wasn’t time. Anyway, I’m sure that this will generate lots more web traffic for this site; get ready for an overload.
luv2Q says
Fantastic job Jill! Your whole piece was an excellent example of healthy, balanced shopping and life!
de6300 says
Thanks for being such an inspiration Jill. You teach fantastic skills while maintaining your strong ethics, a balanced diet and a healthy appreciation for value and generosity. Most of this was not covered in the brief Nightline piece but it comes through every day with your wonderful Blog. Thank you for all that you do!
saving for vaca says
Jill, I’m so glad that you chose to show people that you can get meat and veggies this way too!!
Thanks for proving that we are not all crazy!
stealfinder says
I watched with my husband
last night and he said “gee, who’s house would you want to go to for dinner?”
ModernCouponMommy says
My husband called me into the room to watch you, he heard coupon & your name. What a thrill to see you shop like I do (organics, etc.) & your ability to educate people on a way to save without building warehouse storage in their home. The other shopper had great stuff too, however my husband has been afraid I could become someone who just bought everything. Upon seeing your shopping savvy demonstrated he hugged me and said he was proud that I have been investing in taking your free classes and learning from a “mommy like myself”. My most sincere gratitude to you Jill, I hope & pray that tenfold of your unending generosity is blessings back to you! PS- have gotten many friends and family into educating themselves with your helpful blog as well.
Murphwoman says
I taped the show to show my husband, so he could see who had taught me to supercoupon! We loved it!!! Half way through I paused the show to explain to him about how Kroger “doubles” coupons & what that means. You did a great job :)
HeatherPate says
Jill,
I was like..oh she’s getting your bucks for that…there’s her steaks…have the HBO…;-) Loved it!
You are just amazing!
Yesterday at Jewel, price pre PP: $100, price pre coupon: $63, price after coupons $41 with $12 to spend again. I posted all I got on my blog (www.xanga.com/patenaude)
$31 of that was for a dinner at church, so just $10 for my weekly bill. Yes, I got apples, potatoes, salad, creamer, carrots, peanuts, olives, celery…also ragu, cheese, noodles for my church dinner.
So $10 for my family, -$5 catalina. net cost $5..well under $5..but that’s just change!
Can’t wait for SC2 at the end of April!
becat3001 says
“What a tool, did you see how many glucose monitors he had piled up in his garage?He’s just a neat hoarder.”
could be wrong , but maybe he’s more about making a buck, Jill came across showing class / certain standards – not selling items in a garage sale ect. !
hookedonsaving says
I used to think it was all too good to be true, that I didn’t have time to do it, that I didn’t have room in my house for all that stuff, then I started reading your website. You are amazing.
Congratulations on the recognition! Thanks for representing us couponers with class and concern for eating well.
cravinsavin says
Jill, you were fantastic!!!
cg1 says
that was pretty good, 8 of those took off $26.70. I don’t run into many Jewel store coupons, could you post what they were for and where we can get them? :)
shobbs says
Do you regularly purchase multiple newspapers in case there is a really good deal? I’ve ordered your DVD, so I’m hoping the answer is in there. I’m just so confused as to how you can score so many ‘free’ cereals, personal products and other packaged goods without multiples of the same coupon. Please advise.
thanks!!!
New to couponing and loving it!!! :)
sati769leigh says
Though I wish they had not cut Nate’s trip to the local charity where he made a HUGE donation of goods. I think Nate forgot in his enthusiasm that most folks might not understand that sometimes in super couponing you DO buy things you don’t need or want to be able to get the things YOU DO need or want. I super coupon, and in fact use Jewel several times a year for it. Some of what I buy sometimesis JUNK. But in getting the junk, I get the catalinas to buy the healthier foods. I like that I am almost literally PAID to buy healthy food! WHAT FUN!! There are different approaches to super couponing and as long as what you are doing is legal IE like Jill or Nate,you are fine. He does sell things in garage sales! SO? there is NOTHING wrong with that. and posts concerning that have NOT been removed from his site. He and Jill showed different ways, different styles but neither were WRONG.
Jill I loved what you showed, what you had to say, and what you bought! Nate just has a different approach, but he is younger and enthusiastic! LOL time will temper that and he will learn about presentation for the masses.
knittingmomma2threegirls says
Way to go Jill!
The segment turned out great. Of course I’m biased, but I would have liked a little more Jill than Nate. I definately prefer your style. Although kudos to Nate for his ABC Jello logo – that’s COOL!
Where does Nate live? I would never store all those groceries in our garage with the weather changes and critters…he must be somehwere more temperate….
mommybrain4 says
I’ve been following Jill for 6 months now and am amazed! Jill you did great! Wish we had double coupons here in Chicago somewhere other than Kmart but alas, we will have to suffer through Catalinas(JK) and wait for the cash to start pouring out of the “little machine” by the register. I also wish I had a bumper sticker that says, “I follow Jill…follow me to the grocery store”
PnutLuv says
You did an awesome job Jill! I’ve been couponing since early Feb when I took your class, and I just am so grateful to your willingness to share all your great tips & info with everyone. You’re so enthusiastic and REAL! I might have to give you a big hug when I go to my next class LOL
Your passion for educating others is truly appreciated, and I try to pass that along to those who are willing to listen, recommending your blog & classes. Amazing how I have encountered so many people who just don’t seem to care about their grocery bills. Even people who are struggling financially. I want to smack them in the face with my receipts!!
Thank you!!
zeldajk says
Imagine what you could have done in the weeks with the P&G/Kraft and Conagra running together and the GM the day before! Their heads might really have exploded then :)
Chalk Inscriptions says
What I appreciate about you is that I would have the same shopping list minus dog food. Though the other guy is amazing, I would have to open a food closet with all those jello boxes and cereals. Thank you for sharing how to coupon shop the healthy way! I appreciate it! I look forward to learning more from you!
abalcer says
Jill just a quick note to thank you. I have only been following you for about 4 weeks now. I am already saving 57% on my grocery bills. I can’t believe it. And I actually like to shop now. It is so much fun.
Thank you for everything that you do.
straysrus says
I just went to Nathan’s website to check it out. OUCH! My brain hurts. Jill your website is much easier to use & follow. Those who follow your principles share more useful hints & information. Those on Nathan’s site seem to be the ones who clear the shelves off that frustrate the rest of us. Thank you Jill & my fellow shoppers who share here. I appreciate all you (all of you) do!