Coupon Organization: Three Ring Binder

Read more...

Considering A Coupon Organization Method

There are many different ways to do this and everyone has her own opinion on the best method. Whatever organization method you finally settle on, the most important thing is that it works for YOU.

Here are some things to consider when choosing an organization method:

1) What are your money saving goals? Do you want to save a little or a lot? Are you happy with saving $10 a week with coupons or are you wanting to see the big savings roll in? Are you looking to save only on what you use on a weekly basis or are you wanting to stockpile in order to cut future costs? Your answers to these questions will help determine what method you should choose. If you're only looking to save a little money here and there on the products you already use or only on the things you buy on a weekly basis, then I would recommend a simple organization method that doesn't take much time (see coupon organization methods page). If you choose an extremely detailed and time consuming method, you will end up putting more time into it then you save and will become discouraged. If, however, your goal is to save BIG and/or stockpile in order to save in the future, then you need a more advanced, better organized organization method (see coupon organization methods page).

2) How much money do you have available to spend on supplies? Some organization methods will require a bigger investment than others. If you only have a few dollars to spend right away, then it might be best to start with a simpler, less expensive organization method and then use your savings to switch to a more elaborate system later.

3) How much time to you have to spend on organization? Some systems simply take more time. It will ultimately be up to you to determine how much time you have to spend AND how much time you ACTUALLY WILL SPEND on organizing your coupons.

4) What method will you ACTUALLY use? You know your personality and your schedule better than most. What method will you actually use? It's one thing to like the idea of using an elaborate and time consuming organization system but are you the type of person that will actually put the time into it? Do you actually have the time? If not, then choose a simpler method so that you don't take the chance of becoming overwhelmed and frustrated.

These are just a few tips to help you determine how to organize your coupons. It may be that you already know which method will be best for you. It may also be a game of trial and error until you get the hang of the couponing game.

Remember to keep it personal. Whatever method you decide on, make it your own. Everyone shops differently and thinks differently so what works for one person may not feel right to you.

Read more...

Overview of Store Specific Coupon Policies

Store Specific Coupon Policy

**This is for general information purposes only. Please do not refer to this document when taking up a coupon issue with a store manager or cashier.

Homeland:
~ Doubles coupons $1 and under. So your $1.00 coupon gives you a $2.00 discount, your $0.75 coupons gives you a $1.50 discount, your $0.55 coupon gives you $1.10 discount and so on.

However, they will only double the first of like coupons. For example, you have (2) coupons for $1 off Cheerios. You buy (2) boxes of Cheerios. The first coupon will double to take $2 off; the second coupon will only take off $1. Their policy states that they will not double coupons at all on a few items like soda or tobacco products. Consult your store for a complete list; this policy may also vary according to store policy.

~Allows you to stack store coupons with manufacturer’s coupons.
~Accepts Internet Printable Coupons as long as they scan.

Target
~Offers store specific printable coupons on their website: http://www.target.com.
~Allows you to stack store coupons with manufacturer’s coupons.
~Accepts Internet Printable Coupons

Walgreens
~Offers store specific coupons through various mediums.
~Allows you to stack store coupons with manufacturer’s coupons.
~Accepts Internet Printable Coupons
~Does not allow overage on coupons and will not adjust coupons. If you are purchasing an item for .99 and trying to use a $1 coupon, the register will not accept it and the cashier will usually not adjust it. To use that coupon, you must buy (2) items at .99 = 1.98 and then use the $1 coupon so you end up paying .49 each. This rule does not apply when using Walgreens coupons with a manufacturer’s coupon.

CVS
~Offers store specific coupons printed at the bottom of your receipt or from the price scanner/coupon kiosk at some most stores. They also email coupons or send them via snail mail from time to time.
~Allows you to stack store coupons with manufacturer’s coupons.
~Accepts Internet Printable Coupons
~Adjusts coupon amounts when coupon amount is more than the price of the item.

Crest
~Does not accept Internet Printable Coupons
~Does not allow you to stack a BOGO coupon with a $x off coupon.
~Will adjust coupon amounts.

GFF Foods
~Doubles multiples of the same coupons up to $1 on Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
~ Does not accept internet printable coupons.

Read more...

Using Coupons Strategically

Utilize these shopping strategies and watch the savings roll in!!

Don’t be brand loyal

We all have some specific preferences as to the brands and products we use, however, being willing to use different brands and try new products can help you save big money. Determine beforehand the types of products you are willing to “be flexible” on. Then keep an eye out for deals on these items.

Save All (or most of) Your Coupons
This tip goes hand in hand with “not being brand loyal”. If you want to see the huge savings roll in, save all your coupons. Many times you may be able to use coupons on a sale/promotional item(s) that generate(s) customer rewards (extra care bucks or register rewards) which result in overage or a profit. Even if you don’t personally use some of these products, you can donate them and then “roll” the rewards into future deals on products you do use.

Know the Coupon Rules
One coupon per item(s) or per quantities listed
Example:
**Coupon reads “save $1.00 when you buy one” - you must buy ONE item to use this coupon.
**Coupon reads “save $1.00 when you buy two” - you must buy TWO items to use this coupon.
“One coupon per purchase” DOES NOT mean you can only use one per transaction at the store. It only means you can use ONLY ONE coupon per item purchased.
Know the individual store policies where you shop.

Let Your BOGO Coupons Work Overtime
Using a BOGO coupon on an item that the store has on sale for “BOGO” results in 2 FREE products!
Example:
**Gillette Shampoo is $4.99 and on sale BOGO Free. You buy two and the cashier scans them in. The first bottle rings up for $4.99, the second bottle rings up FREE. You hand the cashier the BOGO coupon and she scans it. The register will prompt her to enter an amount. She enters $4.99 and it is deducted from the remaining amount which is $4.99. This results in $0.00 owed.
Note: this does not work if the store register rings up BOGO items at 50% instead of full price and then 1 free.
Anytime you are using a BOGO coupon (except in a BOGO sale free sale), you may also use other $ off coupon(s) according to quantities listed on the BOGO coupon and according to individual store policy.
Example:
**Gillette Shampoo is $4.99. You have a BOGO coupon and a $1.00 off one coupon. Buy 2:
*First Bottle $4.99 - Use $1.00 off one coupon
* Second Bottle $4.99 - Free w/ BOGO coupon
NOTE: If the coupon is “buy 2 get 1 free” then you can use a BOGO coupon plus TWO $ off coupons.

Double Coupons
To my knowledge, Homeland and GFF Foods are the only stoes that double coupons in the OKC metro area. This means that you will receive a discount equal to double the amount shown on the coupon according to store specific policy (see “store specific coupon policy” handout for details).

Pick Cherries
Picking cherries refers to shopping at a particular store according to what’s on sale that week. Use the weekly circulars to find deals you have coupons for that will make the item(s) cheap or better yet…FREE! This requires knowledge in the average price of an item at other stores and discipline in only buying what’s “on your list” and not succumbing to all the “other great deals” the store has to offer.

Pair manufacturer coupons with store coupons
Many stores issue their own “store” coupons as an alternative way of running a sale. Walgreens, CVS, Target and Homeland all do this and allow the use of manufacturer’s coupons in conjunction with their own coupons on the same item (see “store specific coupon policy” handout for details).

Pair manufacturer/store coupon(s) with a rebate
Manufacturers often offer a rebate on their products and will reimburse the full cost of the product BEFORE coupons are deducted. This is a great way to make a profit!

Use Coupons on Clearance Items
Using coupons on clearance items to further reduce the already reduced price is a great way to save big.
I never go shopping without perusing the clearance section/aisles. Know where the clearance areas are in the stores you shop the most and visit them frequently.

Look for FREE, SUPER Cheap and Profitable Deals
Be ALERT! Know the coupons you have and keep your eyes open for deals that result in getting items ridiculously cheap, FREE or imagine…being PAID to take products out of the store.

Coupons and Sales Run in Cycles
Many of the same manufacturers put out coupons religiously for the same products. Some of these are Proctor & Gamble products, Unilever, Colgate-Palmolive, General Mills, etc. There’s always another coupon to replace the one that just expired.
Stores often run sales and their loss leaders in conjunction with the life cycle of coupons. So if you get a coupon in a Sunday insert, you can almost bet on finding a great sale on that product within the next few weeks.

Let the Pros Do the Work for You
Find a couple of money saving blogs or websites that are dependable about posting good deal alerts and various printable coupons. This can save you lots of time and energy and help you get the hang of the coupon game.

Participate in Customer Rewards Programs

Read more...

Where Do I Find Coupons?

Insert Coupons
These are the coupons found inside the Sunday edition of large newspapers. They are published by SmartSource, Vlassis (Redplum) and Proctor & Gamble. There is usually at least one SmartSource and one Redplum insert each Sunday excluding major holiday weekends. P&G Savers are usually published once per month.

Printable Internet Coupon Sites
Coupons that you can print online are all the rage. Coupons.com, SmartSource.com and Redplum.com are the most popular sources to find these coupon. These sites offer coupons for a variety of products from various manufacturers on a monthly basis. Coupons are updated and/or added at the first of the month. Sometimes new coupons will be added throughout the month. Most coupons stay up all month or according to the specific manufacturers print limits. Two of each coupon can be printed per computer.

Manufacturer Websites
Many manufacturers offer coupons through their websites as a regular feature or during special promotions. Some also make monthly emailed newsletters available which may feature one or more printable coupons. Basic personal information is required for registration. You will want to set up a separate email for couponing so that your regular inbox does not become overloaded. These coupons usually carry a print limit of two per computer.

Retail Websites
Many retailers, like CVS, Walgreens, Target and Homeland to name a few, offer printable coupons on their website. These coupons are a mix of store specific coupons and manufacturer coupons. The print limit is usually two per computer.

All You Magazine
This magazine is available only at Walmart ($2.49) or by subscription (as low as $1.00). It is full of valuable coupons. Sometimes the newstand issue contains coupons not found in subscription copies. Allyou.com also features exclusive coupons.com printable coupons.

Peelies
These are coupons found attached to a product in the store and usually read "save now". Sometimes it may involve buying another product as well to receive the savings. It is not ethical to take the peelie coupons off products you do not intend to buy.

Catalinas
These are coupons that print from the small printers located by the register at stores like Homeland and Walgreens. Sometimes they are coupons for specific products and sometimes they are for $x off your next order. They also carry advertisements for future “catalina” deals which feature $ off your next order when you buy certain products. These coupons are manufacturer coupons but are only valid at the store where they printed. You may not stack these coupons with other manufacturer coupons.

Tear Pads
These are booklets of coupons attached to special store displays. Unlike the peelies, it is acceptable to take a few tearpad coupons for use on another sale at a different store.

Product Packaging
Occasionally manufacturers offer coupons as part of their product packaging. These coupons can many times be found on the back of the box/carton or on the inside. Always check before throwing out an empty box.

Mail Offers
Sometimes manufacturers make coupons available by mail through Internet offers. Proctor & Gamble does this through their monthly “Home Made Simple” coupon booklet as well as on their site, P&G Everyday Solutions. Also, some stores (i.e. CVS, Homeland and Target) will occasionally send store specific coupons for various products through the mail if you are on their mailing list.

Free Samples
Many manufacturers offer free samples through on-line promotions. These samples arrive in the mail and many times are accompanied by a coupon. I suggest setting up a separate email account to sign up for these and other online offers.

Email Manufacturers
A great way to get coupons on products you love but do not see coupons for is by emailing the company. Just let them know how much you love their products (no need to ask for coupons). You’ll be surprised what you receive.

Read more...