First things, first: What Are Coupons & Where Do I Find Them?
I believe that the Dictionary sums up coupons to a tee – however to me they are free money. What’s better then free money? Not much!
1.Newspaper-
For extras (for free) check libraries, restaurants and fast food places, doctor’s offices, your next door neighbor, some newspaper offices have places for leftover ads, post offices (same thing), recycle places.
2. Printable Coupon Websites-
Coupons.com
Coupon Network
Red Plum
Smart Source
Bricks
Coupon Database – you can use this to see if any product that you want to purchase has a coupon available ‘right now.’
3. Store Website Printable Coupons -
Same as above, may only be for this particular store so pay attention to type of coupon and if they are good to use for stacking with a manufacture coupon.
Target
Save-a-Lot
Kroger
Tom Thumb
4. Mobile Coupons -
5. Mobile/Card Coupons-
Text a code to the store and they will put the coupons on your loyalty card or use a site to do the same thing, for some stores you will probably have to sign up for their e-mails to get the code.
6. Manufacture Websites-
Get it straight from the horse’s mouth. Sometimes you have to sign up for a newsletter, they change each month so print your favorites when you see them.
7. In stores-
Look around! You can find lots of coupons on the items (peelies), next to the price, on the shelves, in the little coupon machines in front of the items. Keep your eyes open! Take a sales flyer when you come in the door! At CVS, use your card to check their coupon machine.
8. On/with your receipt-
Check all that stuff that prints out with your receipt and check the back of your receipt. Lots of good coupons come with that because lots of times it’s based on what you have bought and many times they are instore coupons so they are stackable!
9. Facebook-
Become a fan (or “like”) your favorite brands. I will always post these coupons as they become available.
10. Magazines -
I haven’t seen a magazine with more coupons than All You. But, look through your favorite magazine, you’d be surprised to see coupons hiding among the ads!
11. Samples-
Most of the free sample offers that you sign up for will come with a coupon for the product, especially those from name brands.
12. Email or Call-
Your favorite companies and ask for coupons – many times they will send you coupons and often even free products!
I believe the most important thing when looking for coupons is to find coupons on products you will use…
Now let’s learn how to become a savvy couponer.
Coupon Etiquette:
*Don’t photocopy coupons- it’s illegal and hurts the retailers and all using coupons
*Use only one manufacturer coupon and store coupon per item
*Don’t try to use a coupon for which it is not intended for- it’s unethical
*All coupons must have expiration dates or stores will not accept them
*Don’t clean the shelf off on a good deal- share the wealth
Coupon Techniques:
*Price Match at Walmart and Target
*Take advantage of stores that double and triple coupons (i.e. Tom Thumb, Kroger, Albertson’s)
*Take advantage of rain check offers
*Buy only when an item is on sale
*Use a Coupon Database so you aren’t always clipping coupons- find your coupons when you’re ready to shop and then clip
*Stack Coupons- i.e. manufacturers coupon, store coupon and $X off $XX
*Take advantage of store loyalty programs, register promotions, gas rewards
Coupons to the Extreme-
Now that have a general knowledge of coupon techniques, here are some additional techniques to save you even more money when you buy.
*Stacking Coupons-Did you know you can stack a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon? That’s two coupons per one item. You use this technique when items are on sale and are maximizing your savings efforts.
*Double Coupons- Many stores still double and triple coupons. This is a store sponsored event and a great way to maximize the savings of a coupon. Become familiar with your store coupon policies and what they will double and triple. When a coupon is doubled, the store pays for half of the value of a discount.
*Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupons (aka BOGO coupons or B1G1 coupons) allow you to purchase one item and get a second item of equal or lesser value for free! You’ll want to pay special attention to the fine print on the coupon as there is usually a maximum value stated on the coupon (this maximum value is the most that the manufacturer is willing to reimburse the store for the “free” item). With a B1G1 store sale, you are purchasing 2 like items and then automatically getting one item for free when you checkout. Since you are still essentially purchasing 2 items, you can use a B1G1 coupon in conjunction with the B1G1 store sale to get the both items for free (one is free after the store sale and one is free after the coupon). *Important Note: Read your store’s coupon policy very carefully as some stores (most recently Rite Aid ) may prohibit the use of a B1G1 coupon in conjunction with a B1G1 store sale. You will also note that many are considering this usage of B1G1 unethical. You have to use your own judgement on this one.
*Overage- Overage happens when the value of a coupon exceeds the price of the item. Many stores will allow you to apply the exceeding value to the rest of your shopping order.
*Price Match- Walmart and Target will offer a price match guarantee. The items will have to be identical and you will have to bring the print ad to show to the cashier.
*Rebates- Mail-in-rebates are an added way to save and often honored based on the price of an item or an amount you will spend.
*Rain Checks- When there are good sales, often stores will run out of items. Don’t forget the power of a rain check where a store will honor the sale price of an item at a future time.
Stay tuned in because tomorrow we will contine our Extreme Couponing 101!
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Good to know that Target also matching price
thanx. i am new to this and this helps a lot