Becoming Coupon Savvy: Considering the cost of gas

This is something I've been thinking about for a long time.  I hear often, I don't drive to "_____" for my shopping because it isn't close to my home and gas is so expensive these days.  Now, don't get me wrong, I completely understand that this is a concern.  You don't want to spend more money simply because of going to a different store that is further away.

However, I would strongly encourage you to calculate the cost of the gas you would use.  When you calculate the difference between the store closest to you and the store further away, you may be surprised to find it isn't much more of an expense.  If the store further away allows you to save a lot more money, then the extra gas would be worth it.

Since I started couponing, I have loved shopping at Meijer.  They are so coupon-friendly and I can really save a LOT of money shopping there.  Since my recent family relocation, my closest Meijer is a long ways away from me.  It is an extra 30 miles drive from where I was shopping nearby.

• 30 miles extra one way = 60 total extra miles
• Roughly 15 miles/gallon (probably get better than this)
• 4 extra gallons of gas to make the trip
• Roughly $3.50/gallon = $14
• Saved $110 in my shopping trip (hadn't consistently saved that much in one trip at my local stores)

As you can see, the extra travel was well worth it.  Now, I probably will only make that trip 2 times a month, but in the end, we will have saved more money than if I wouldn't make that trip.

I'm not encouraging everyone to drive an extra 30 miles to a different store, but definitely think through the actual cost before you turn away from shopping at a specific store.

Becoming Coupon Savvy: Buy 1 Get 1 Coupons (Part 2)

I thought I would go back to the idea of using Buy 1 Get 1 Coupons again this week.  There are more ways to use these coupons to see a lot of savings.

• A Buy 1 Get 1 FREE sale at a store
• You can use your B1G1 FREE coupon on this sale and get both items FREE!
• Some stores do have a policy against this, so be sure to read over your store's policy to be sure.
• B1G1 FREE coupon for the same product (both a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon)
• If you have both a B1G1 FREE manufacturer and store coupon, you can use them both and get the items FREE as well.
• Again, be sure to check the store's policy.
• A Buy 1 Get 1 50% off sale at a store
• Usually the store will mark the lesser priced item as your FREE item, so it wouldn't give you any additional savings to use your coupon at this type of sale.
• However, you might get lucky and have the store mark the full price item as FREE, but would not normally be the case.
• A Buy 2 Get 1 FREE sale at a store
• You could use your B1G1 FREE coupon on this sale so you would only have to pay for 1 item.
• Also, if you were to have a B2G1 FREE coupon, depending on your store's policy, you would need to purchase 4 and you would end up paying for 2.

Hopefully, this isn't too confusing.  Please feel free to leave a comment below or e-mail me with any questions!

Becoming Coupons Savvy: BOGO Coupons

I LOVE getting Buy 1 Get 1 Coupons!

One obvious reason is that this guarantees a discount of at least 50%.  Sounds good right?

Well, these coupons can get even better when you know a few tricks!  Did you know that you can "stack" B1G1 manufacturer coupons with other manufacturer coupons?

This was new to me when I started couponing.  I had no idea.  Here is an example of how this can work....

Ziploc bags - sale price of $2.00

• Buy 3 at the sale price = $6.00
• Use a B2G1 FREE manufacturer coupon = $4.00 ($1.33 each)

Not too bad, just using the one coupon, but let's add another manufacturer coupon....

• $1/2 Ziploc Bags manufacturer coupon = $3.00 ($1.00 each)

NOTE:  If I had a B1G1 coupon, I wouldn't have been able to use the $1/2 coupon.  The extra manufacturer coupon you use is for the item(s) you purchase before you get the FREE one.

Are you confused?  I hope not, because I want to add one more coupon to the mix.  :)  FUN!

Let's add a store coupon such as a Target Store Coupon (Target lets you stack manufacturer and store coupons on the same product)

• $1.50/3 Ziploc Bags Target Store coupon = $1.50 ($.50 each)

Pretty awesome, right?  This goes to show how knowing your store's coupon policies is a big key to saving a lot more with coupons.

Remember, too, that Target often offers Gift Card deals.  What if they were to offer a deal on ziploc bags for.......Buy 3, Get a $5 Gift Card?.....You would make $3.50 after the gift card and the coupons!

Now, I know this is my made up scenario...not the most realistic, but hopefully you get my point.  There are so many ways to stack coupons to save money.

Happy Couponing!

Becoming Coupon Savvy: Money Off Money Coupons

We've all seen the money off money coupons out there.  Many stores offer these from time to time.  An example would be $5 off your $20 (or more) purchase.  These are great...an extra coupon you can use on top of all your other coupons!

The biggest thing to remember about these coupons is to always give this coupon to the cashier first.  If you give all your regular coupons first, you may bring your total down lower than the required amount to be able to use the money off money coupon.  You don't want that!

Becoming Coupon Savvy: Rainchecks

Let me just say, I LOVE RAINCHECKS!  Have you ever gone to the store for a great deal and discovered that the shelf for that product was empty?  That can be very frustrating.

If you've never taken advantage of rainchecks, you really need to start.  Here are my reasons why....

• The main purpose of rainchecks is that you can still get the advertised deal later on when the product is back on the shelf.
• You might get better coupons later than what you currently have, making it an even better deal.
• The store might offer a special promotion later on.  (i.e. buy 2 of _____ product and get $1.00 off your next order)

The basic idea is, get a raincheck whenever you can because it may help you grab an even better deal later on!  Don't miss out!

FYI.....CVS Rainchecks never expire!

Becoming Coupon Savvy: "Redeem at" vs. "Redeem ONLY at"

"Redeem at" vs. "Redeem ONLY at"

If you read the fine print on your coupons you may see one of these phrases on there along with a store name.  I see this a lot with Walmart on it.

This can be confusing, but here is the difference...

"Redeem at"

• As long as the coupons states that it is a Manufacturer Coupon, you can redeem this at any store.  The trick is that it is up to the discretion of the store you go to.  Some stores may not accept it since it has another store's logo on it.  They will get their money back from the manufacturer, but they are not required to take it either.

"Redeem ONLY at"

• With this coupon, you can only use the coupon at the store it states on the coupon.  You cannot use it anywhere else.  Be sure to check and see if the coupon specifies at specific store location as well.

Hope this clears up some confusion on this issue.  :)

Becoming Coupon Savvy: "Stacking" Coupons

I LOVE to "stack" coupons!  What a great way to save LOTS of money!

"Stacking" coupons is simply....using one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon on the same product.

Check out your store's coupon policy to see if they allow coupon "stacking".  This is such a great way to reduce your grocery expenses.

Trust me, it is not complicated, you just need to plan ahead.  The store coupon matchups posted each week will let you know when there are coupons that you can stack together.  Just keep an eye out for these deals, do the math, and save!

Becoming Coupon Savvy: Custom Coupons/Store Deals

Many grocery stores offer various incentives to get you to shop at their store.  When you know how to match up coupons with sales and their incentive, you can SAVE LOTS OF MONEY!  So much fun!

Some stores offer what I call "custom coupons".  I call them that because that's what Meijer calls them and I shop at lot at Meijer, so that's the term I regulary use.  :)

Anyways, a "custom coupon" is when you buy a certain amount of a specific product and have a coupon print out when you checkout for money off your next order.

i.e....Buy 2 of 'x' product, Get Custom Coupon for $1 Off Your Next Order

When you have a sale, coupons and a "custom coupon", life is good.  Sometimes you can even make money on these deals.  :)

There are also "store deals" that stores sometimes offer.  You will see this a lot at Target.  Here are some examples....

• Buy 5 of 'x' product, get a $5 gift card
• Buy $10 worth of 'x' product, get $10 your purchase of 'x' products

Keep an eye out for these 2 different types of deals, because they are a great way to save on your groceries.

Becoming Coupon Savvy: Manufacturer vs. Store Coupon

I know I've talked about this before, but I wanted to revisit this.  In order to maximize your coupon savings, it is really important to understand the difference between a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon.

A manufacturer coupon is issued by the manufacturer and a store coupon is a coupon issued by the store.  Pretty simple right?

It is easy to forget to check this.  I have assumed I had a store coupon when it was really a manufacturer coupon.

Be sure to check the top of each coupon to verify what type it is.  The coupons that print out at the register when you check out can be either type.  Also, coupons that you print online can be either.

Since most stores allow you to use both a manufacturer and a store coupon on one product, you need to know what kind of coupon it is, so you know how best to use it.  I will talk more about "stacking" coupons in another post.

Becoming Coupon Savvy: "Do Not Double/Triple"

You've probably seen this printed on some of your coupons.

 "Do Not Double/Triple"

Sometimes these coupons will still double.  If you look at the bar code on your coupon, pay attention to the very first number....

• If it is a '5', the coupon may still double.
• If it is a '9', it won't.

Don't ask me why this is the case, but it is.  It all depends on how the registers are setup at your store.  At my Meijer, the coupons that begin with a '5' will still double.

If your store still doubles these, be aware that could change anytime.  You may not want to plan on these doubling, but be pleasantly surprised if they do!  :)

FYI:  Although the cost of the doubled amount is the store's responsibility, some manufacturers don't want the coupons doubled.  This is because when they are doubled, the amount of coupons redeemed increases.  They have a budget that they set up for redeemed coupons and this can impact their budget.

Becoming Coupon Savvy: Check the Size Requirements

One thing that is very important to read carefully on your coupons is the size requirements.

Can you use the coupon on a trial size?  Some coupons don't give that restriction and you can get FREE items sometimes with those coupons.

Sometimes there is a minimum size requirement and you need to be sure to adhere to that.  Please don't try to "sneak one through".  Even if the store's system takes the coupon, the store more than likely will not get the money back from the manufacturer.

Since I started using coupons more heavily, I have learned that buying smaller sizes in larger quantities with coupons has helped me save a LOT of money.

So, be sure to read this part of your coupons carefully, so you know how to correctly use them.

Becoming Coupon Savvy: Read the Product Description

One of the most important things you need to read when reading your coupon is the product description.  This will tell you exactly what you can use the coupon for.  Don't just go by the picture.

Most manufacturers will put the newest/most expensive product they have for the picture on the coupon.  Sometimes, this is the item the coupon is for and sometimes, you can use the coupon for any of their products.  Make sure you read it!

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, only use the coupon towards the product it was intended for.  Don't try to use it on a different product than what is described.  You store will not get their money back from the manufacturer and this could hurt other couponers trying to do it right.  More to come on couponing etiquette in the future.  :)

Becoming Coupon Savvy: Purchase vs. Transaction

This is a big source of confusion when reading the fine print of your coupons.  I have seen both of the following printed on coupons....

• 1 coupon per purchase
• 1 coupon per transaction

What's the difference?  Even cashiers get this confused.  A purchase and a transaction sound like the same thing to me.  Here is a quick description of each.

• Purchase - each individual item you purchase
• Transaction - your total order when you checkout  (all your purchases combined)

So, if you have a coupon for ziploc bags that says "1 coupon per purchase"......you can purchase 4 and use 4 coupons.  If your coupon says "1 coupon per transaction".....you would have to purchase all 4 in separate transactions.

Another thing I have seen on coupons is "1 coupon per purchase, limit of 4 per transaction".  This would allow you to use 4 coupons, but no more than 4 in one transaction.

So, if your cashier says, "You can't use all four coupons because they say 1 coupon per purchase", you can politely say, "That's why I purchased 4."  :)

Becoming Coupon Savvy - Understanding Your Coupons!

Have you ever read the fine print on your coupons?  Sometimes this can get very confusing.  Not only the fine print, but sometimes even the coupon description is confusing.  What coupons can you stack together...what store can you use it at, etc...

I am planning to start a new series next week titled "Becoming Coupon Savvy - Understanding Your Coupons!"  There are so many things that fall under this category and I can't wait to start blogging about this!

If there is a specific question you have on this topic, leave me a comment below and I will try to address it early on.  Thanks!