[amdcap]

Hello Everyone,
I am new to this website and I have been wanting to start couponing for a while. I do use coupons but I don't think I use them right ...I am still not sure how you get stuff for free???
I really want to dumpster dive and get some coupons but I am really afraid to do so as I am not sure if it is legal. I live in Arizona. I have heard if there is no sign posted then you can (which there are tons of those green bins around or is it best to go to the recycling centers or dropoffs?). But I am wondering if anyone knows for sure if its legal or not and the rules on this in Arizona. I feel a little arkward calling the police station and asking them I figured maybe someone here knows??? I just dont want to go to jail because I took coupons
But I really want to spend less then 150.00 on grocerys a week for a family of 3. Which it is really hard to see that happening.
Thanks!!!
~Amy

[Starrlight]

Not sure about Arizona specifically, but if you have a recycling center near you check with them. Some will let you (especially if you're brining in newspapers and you don't make a mess of the papers). An easy way to get extra inserts is to ask friends, family, neighbors, coworkers etc for their extras.
As for freebies this will depend on your stores. My main grocery store doubles up to 1.00 (1 like coupon per trip), so if an item is 2.00 and I have a 1.00 q it's free. Different stores have different policies. Also drug stores are great for freebies. For example CVS once you do your first trip and roll your bucks you can get lots for free or super cheap. Say this week you go in and buy the Physicians Formula mascara for 7.99 and use a 1.00 q, you pay 6.99 and will get back 7.99 in EB's (extra bucks). So then for your next trip you have 7.99 in their $ to spend, so find another deal that is close to that amount - for example the Right Guard Professianal strength deodorant 6.99 - 1.00 q = 5.99 + the Maybelline mascara 4.99 - 1.00 q = 3.99 for a total of 9.98 - 7.99 eb from the other mascara = 1.99 OOP and you'll get back 2.00 + 5.00 eb's to use on your next trip.
It is possible to get your spending down but you'll need to stick with it. Start by trying to get at least 1 insert per person in your family (so for your family of 3 I'd try to get 4 of each insert each week or order coupons online or even join a train). Also pair up coupons with sales (there are sites that do this for you or sometimes people here will post (though the postings haven't been lively lately) the deals) and stock up when they hit rock bottom prices. Plan your menu around what's on sale instead of the other way around.
HTH

[Starrlight]

Oh also if you have a CVS near you and you have a reoccuring prescription they take (and often put out their own) competitor coupons. So I have a prescription now at Vons and want to transfer it over to CVS next month. I take in a prescription coupon, transfer my prescription, pay my copay and end up with a $30 (or $25) gift card. So that would give me $30 to start earning eb's with.

[mcmama]

I used to be able to dive for inserts at my local recycling center, then they changed things so that all the newspapers went deep into a dumpster. It would have meant crawling in. Before, when they had the papers stored in a shed, I was able to go through them.

Checking out recycling where I am now tomorrow. I have TONS of cardboard to dispose of from my recent move.

[mcmama]

Well, I hit a gold mine for inserts today.

My local recycling center has bins that are not locked up after certain hours, unlike my previous town - no guy standing there telling you where to put stuff - just clearly labeled bins. And the paper bin had discards from last weeks newspapers from a store or newstand that I guess just throws them out. So I got A LOT of the PG insert. And the bottles and cans are not really reachable, but I was able to score several coke codes.

No one cared. I just did not leave a mess or get in anyone's way.

I am hoping that next week with the electrasol coupon I will score something similiar.