something's that I've gotten with coupons!
WARNING: YOU WILL BECOME ADDICTIVE;)
Alright let's get started! How many of you have ever watched the TLC show "extreme Couponing"? Isn't that just amazing!!!! I love that show. Now let me explain that I am just beginning and still learning the tricks and tips but so far it's going great! And this post is basically just sharing what all I have learned from a good friend, Mindy, or what I've just come across online. You also need to understand that you can't be picky with the product if it saves you money. For example if you only like to use only Crest Pro Health toothpaste. Well there's not always going to be just that kind of tooth paste on sale and with a coupon. You will have to widen your Brands. But if its super cheap and it saves you money then why not?????
So first and foremost you need some coupons.
Where do you get coupons? They are many options out there.
Sunday papers: I buy the double stack, the Desert News and Salt Lake Tribune for $3.00. Right now I found that you can sign up for the Sunday paper for just $20!-you only get either or but I'm sure you could get both for $40. A freaking deal considering if you were to buy the two papers for $3.00 for 52 weeks, that's $156. But before going out and paying $40, I think first just try to see if you even enjoying couponing first.
The coupon inserts that come in the paper are called SmartSource. Coupon lingo is SS.
Weekly Mailer: These coupon inserts come in the mail weekly. These are called Redplum. Coupon lingo is RP.
Printing coupons online: When you find a coupon that you like print it immediately!!!! Sometimes they are only there for like 24 hours and you have a hard time finding it again. This has happened to me many times and I think I've finally learned=) Some of the sites you do have to sign up with an email to print, but that's not a big deal.
Some of my favorites that I have found are:
https://www.hopster.com/ -This one you will have to play around and unlock the coupons: not hard and takes like 10 seconds.
http://www.coupons.com/
http://www.redplum.com
http://m.smartsource.com/default
https://www.brandsaver.ca/en_ca/coupons/
http://www.pgeveryday.com/tag/coupon
I think most of these have a limit on how many of the same coupon you can print in one day or at all.
There's also websites that you can order just a specific coupon or you can order just the inserts and not have to buy the newspapers. Not sure what they are called but just Google it.
Now that you have some coupons... What method is the best to stay organized? I first started with keeping them in separate envelops but that was overwhelming! So switched to a binder with separators and baseball card inserts.
Labeled separators: This is so you can find your coupons fast. I just have the basics but since I'm getting so many coupons I need more categories! Like for example I have a section for personal hygiene but I have so many razors and deodorant now that I need to have a sub category for each.
Baseball card inserts! Find these in the office/school supply section at Wal-Mart.
Okay now the Apps that I'm currently using.
Grocery IQ: Coupons! You can actually print these coupons off of your iphone or ipad!
Favado: Shows you what stores have what on sale and if there's a coupon you can use too.
Weekly ads: Shows the stores ads and has coupons too.
Grocery smarts: Shows the stores, whats on sale and what coupon to use.
Shopular: Shows the stores and they sales/deals they are having.
Retail Me Not: Shows the stores and coupons for that store.
Cartwheel-deals for Target: get additional % off for those items.
Websites that I follow! A lot of times these websites will tell you what's on sale at what store and then what coupon to use to get the lowest and best price. Some of these also have like a how to start couponing sections THAT I SUGGEST YOU READ!
I suggest just going to these websites and playing around and seeing what you can find and like.
http://www.pricematchwithrachel.com- This lady does price match at Walmart for all the counties in Utah!
http://savvyshopperdeals.com
http://savvyshopperdeals.com/grocery-deals/
http://thewallyworldwoman.com
http://thekrazycouponlady.com
http://www.krogerkrazy.com- Will send you an email telling you about the best deals.
http://freebies2deals.com-Will send you an email everyday telling you about the best deals.
http://www.coupons4utah.com- Will send you an email everyday telling you about the best deals.
http://www.couponmom.com- Will send you an email telling you about the best deals.
People I follow on Facebook that post the best deals:
Couponing to be Debt Free
Penny Pitchin' Mom
Money Saving Mom
HotCouponWorld
The Krazy Coupon Lady
Pocket You Dollars
Queen Bee Coupons & Savings
Kroger Krazy
Freebies 2 Deals
If you live in Utah County: On Tuesdays or Wednesdays Wal-Mart will double coupons up to a $1.00 value! I've heard though that some stores aren't doing this anymore so make sure to ask the store manager! I haven't done this yet since I don't live in that county but I'm thinking about going down once a month to do this!
$0.25 coupon = $0.50$0.50 coupon = $1.00
$0.75 coupon = $1.00
$1.00 coupon = $1.00 NO DOUBLE
This site will help you out! http://freebies2deals.com/2014/01/utah-county-walmart-double-coupon-wednesday-january-22nd.html
Tips: It never hurts to ask! A Kroger/Smiths was having a sale on their wipes but mine wasn't advertising it so I asked, showed them a picture and they gave it to me.
Have a copy of the stores coupons policy.
Make sure you have a stores rewards cards or you won't get the best deals! (Kroger/Smiths).
Take it slow and don't get discouraged!
Coupon lingo from the Krazy Coupon Lady:
$1.00/1, $2.00/1, etc: One dollar off one product, two dollars off one product, etc.
$1.00/2, $2.00/2, etc: One dollar off two products, two dollars off two products, etc. You must buy 2 items to receive any savings; you cannot redeem the coupon on one product for half the value.
Balance Rewards: The Balance Rewards program is Walgreens’ new (September 2012) reward program. Earn points when making qualifying purchases and then redeem them as a Walgreens gift card. This program seems to be taking the place of the Register Reward program.
BOGO: Buy one, get one. Will usually end with “free” or “half off” meaning buy one, get one half off, or buy one get one free.
B1G1, B2G1: Another way to write ‘buy one, get one’. The “B” stands for “buy”, the G stands for “get”. The numbers indicate how many of a product you must buy to qualify and the number of products you get when you redeem the coupon or offer. B1G1= Buy one, get one. B2G1= Buy two, get one B2G2= Buy two, get two
Blinkie: Manufacturer coupons dispensed by coupon machines found in grocery aisles next to products. Recognize them by the blinking red light. Dispenses coupons one at a time in intervals. Manufacturer blinkie coupons may be redeemed at any store, not necessarily the store in which you found them.
Catalina: Sometimes abbreviated as “CAT”, Catalina coupon machines located at register, dispense long receipt-like coupons that may be used on a future purpchase. Catalinas, refer to the coupons themselves which may be manufacturer or store coupons. Some Catalina coupons are advertised and some are generated based on consumer behavior.
Coupon Insert: Coupon circulars inserted into Sunday newspapers amongst the other advertisements. Smart Source (SS), Red Plum (RP) and Proctor and Gamble (PG) put out coupon inserts, sometimes just called “inserts”. Coupon inserts are a valuable money-saving tool and The Krazy Coupon Lady recommends buying multiple Sunday newspapers in order to have enough coupons to create a stockpile.
Coupon: a note from a store or manufacturer that entitles shopper to a discount on specific product. Coupons may be clipped form the newspaper, printed from the internet or even downloaded to your store loyalty card.
Couponing: [koo-pon-ing, Kyoo-] (v.) the practice of redeeming discount coupons in order to save money.
Couponing: [koo-pon-ing, Kyoo-] (v.) the practice of redeeming discount coupons in order to save money.
Couponer: [koo-pon-er, kyoo-] (n.) A person who collects and saves coupons to redeem them on products, such as groceries.
CRT: Cash Register Tape. Usually used when talking about CVS pharmacy, CRTs print at the bottom of your receipt and are generated based on your purchasing history (seemingly random). CRTs are specific to the store where they were printed. They are usually product specific coupons, example: $1.00 off any deodorant purchase.
Double Coupons: Select stores always double coupons up to a certain value, usually $0.50. If your store doubles coupons up to $0.50 off, any coupon $0.50 or under will be doubled in value. Coupons $0.51 or greater will be worth face value, no doubling. You do not need to present two coupons for one item. Each coupon will be worth twice the value. Other stores may double coupons on a particular week day, usually a slower day like Tuesday. Other stores may offer physical store ‘twice-the-value’ coupons. Even other stores may feature double coupons on a special promo week basis and will advertise this in their weekly ad.
ECB: Extra Care Buck CVS pharmacy program; now renamed Extra Bucks.
eCoupons: Electronic coupons may be downloaded onto your store loyalty card or cell phone. Download from your PC or go mobile and download to your loyalty card through your cell phone. Grocery coupons must be downloaded to your loyalty card and will be deducted automatically when you swipe your card at checkout. E-coupons may be downloaded to your cell-phone for other retail items such as movie rentals. Download a coupon using the mobile ap and show your discount code to your cashier.
Extra Bucks: CVS rewards program, formerly called ECBs. Extra Bucks print according to the store’s weekly or monthly advertised deals. When you make a qualifying purchase, you receive the coordinating Extra Bucks value as advertised. Extra Bucks are similar to catalinas or register rewards, but they print directly onto the bottom of your receipt.
EXP: Expires or Expiration Date
Handling Fee: Refers to an amount, usually $0.08, paid by the manufacturer to reimburse the store for the trouble of accepting a coupon. The handling fee is usually used to pay a clearing house to sort, organize and bill the manufacturer. If a store chose to sort its own coupons, they will keep the handling fee.
IVC: Instant Value Coupon. IVCs are store coupons found in the weekly Walgreens ad. IVCs may be stacked with a manufacturer coupon.
KCL: Krazy Coupon Lady, refers to TheKrazyCouponLady.com
Krazy: Intensely enthusiastic about or preoccupied with saving money by using coupons.
MIR: Mail in Rebate, refers to rebates which must be submitted by mail. These are the traditional rebates that require you to mail in both your receipt and proof of purchase in the form of UPC barcodes.
Manufacturer: The company who produces the brand items: Dove soap manufacturer, Pace Salsa manufacturer, etc.
Manufacturer: The company who produces the brand items: Dove soap manufacturer, Pace Salsa manufacturer, etc.
MFR: Manufacturer abreviation.
Manufacturer Coupon: A coupon created by the manufacturer, or by a marketing company on the manufacturer’s behalf. Manufacturer offers a discount to shoppers in order to entice them to buy their product. When a coupon is redeemed the manufacturer reimburses the store for the entire value of the coupon, plus a handling fee, aprox $0.08.
OOP: Out-of-Pocket; refers to the amount of money you will pay a store to make your purchase. Does not include and after-purchase savings, coupons or rebates.
OYNO: On Your Next Order. Store promos such as Spend $25, save $10 on your next shopping order. OYNO refers to savings that you will not see on your first transaction, but that may be applied to your next purchase. Most OYNO coupons have no minimum purchase. If you spend $25 and receive a coupon worth $10 off your next order, there is no minimum purchase on that next order. If you spend and value over $10, you may redeem your coupon. If you spend under $10, you may use your coupon, but will forfeit the difference.
One Coupon per Customer: Limits you to only using one “like” coupon per customer or person, per shopping trip.
One Coupon per Day: Limits you to only using one “like” coupon in a 24 hour period.
One Coupon per Purchase: Refers to your ability to use one coupon per item. Meant to enforce the point that you may not use two of the exact same coupon for one item.
One Coupon per Shopping Trip: Limits you to only using one “like” coupon per shopping trip. If you change locations, then it’s a new shopping trip and you can you another “like” coupon.
One Coupon per Transaction: Limits you to only using one of this coupon per transaction. You may request to do separate transactions. Example: If you have 5 coupons that read “one coupon per transaction” you may request to separate into 5 transactions and pay 5 times.
Peelie: Adhesive manufacturer coupons found on products in the store. Peelies are often good on a wider selection of products than the one it is stuck to. Be sure to read the fine print on the peelie to discover if the coupon may be used on a smaller size or different variety of the same product, to allow you to maximize savings.
P&G: Proctor and Gamble manufacture a wide range of consumer goods and are one of the largest corporations in the world. Proctor and Gamble puts out monthly coupon inserts filled with coupons for a variety of Proctor and Gamble produced brands, just a few of which include: Always, Bounty, Crest, Dawn, Gillette, Olay, Pampers and Tide.
PSA: Prices starting at; when a group of items are on sale, such as Fiber One products 25% off. We might write “PSA $2.09″ and list a group of Fiber One coupons. This means that the cheapest Fiber One product is $2.09 and prices go up from there.
Purchase: a purchase refers to buying any item. If I buy 30 items on a single shopping trip, I just made 30 purchases.
Purchase-Based Coupon: Purchase-Based coupons specify a dollar amount off a minimum dollar future purchase. Some common values: $2 off $10, $3 off $15, $4 off $20. Purchase based coupons may be used in addition to store and manufacturer coupons.
Raincheck: A Rain Check is a written slip that you can request from a store when a sale item is out of stock. When the store restocks the item, after the sale period is over, a rain check entitles you to purchase for the previous sale price. Store may include an expiration date as well as a quantity limit on your rain check. Rain checks are usually issued at the customer service desk.
Rebate: A rebate is a refund of part or all of the amount paid. KCL refers to rebates as programs that offer you cash back for making a qualified purchase. Rebates are sponsored by a store or a manufacturer. Either clip and mail UPC barcodes or enter receipt proof of purchase online, then wait for your rebate check in the mail.
RR: Register Rewards. Walgreens drugstore rewards program, and version of the catalina coupon. Look for the same machines located at register, dispensing long receipt-like coupons that may be used on a future purchase. RRs cannot be ‘rolled’ like catalinas.
Rolling Catalinas: refers to the practice of separating your purchase into multiple transactions in order to use register catalina coupons from your first transaction to pay for your second transaction. Another catalina prints from the 2nd transaction that pays for the 3rd transaction and so on.
RP: Red Plum. Formerly known as Vallasis, Red Plum coupon inserts and website feature coupons from a variety of manufacturers. Red Plum is part of Valassis Interactiv.
SCR: Single Check Rebate, Rite Aid Drugstore monthly rebate program. Each month pick up your rebate booklet to see hundreds of dollars in possible rebate savings. Shop with coupons, save your receipts and enter quick information online. The SCR system stores all your rebates and totals them each month. Request your monthly check be mailed to you and cash it like any other check! No clipping barcodes or UPCs, no mailing or stamping an envelope.
SS: Smart Source. A marketing company, like RP, Smart Source coupon inserts and website feature coupons from a variety of manufacturers. Smart Source is part of News America Marketing Co. Smart Source coupon inserts can be found in most Sunday papers.
Stacking: Stacking may refer to using any two promotions together. When a coupon coincides with a promotion, we say “stack the coupon with the sale or promotion”.
Stacking Coupons: Stacking coupons refers to using both a store coupon and a manufacturer coupon on one product. Nearly all stores will allow you to “stack”. Only one manufacturer coupon may be used per item.
Stockpile (v.): to buy many items at a time in order to build your stockpile.
Stockpile (n.): a food storage or stash of food and non-food items. Stockpiling is a key principle to The Krazy Coupon Lady methods. Buy items when they’re on sale and you have a coupon. Buy products before you need them and build up a stockpile of food and toiletries. When you run out of an item shop from your stockpile.
Store Coupon: A coupon created by the store to entice you to buy a certain product at their store. Stores receive no reimbursement from store coupons. Store coupons may be found in the weekly ad, printed online or downloaded as e-coupons.
Store Loyalty Card: A free card which you present at checkout to receive additional savings. Fill out a short application to receive a loyalty card at your local grocer. If you don’t want to carry the card, the cashier can look up your preferred card by entering your ten digit phone number.
Transaction: a transaction refers to your entire purchase, especially the payment you make for that purchase. If I buy 30 items and then pay the cashier, I just made one transaction.
Tear Pad: A pad of manufacturer coupons found near product on shopping aisles. Tear pad manufacturer coupons may be used at any store, not just the one where you found the coupon.
WAGS: Abbreviation for Walgreens Drugstore
UPC: Universal Product Code. Bar code printed on product packages that can be scanned electronically.
WYB: When You Buy. Some sales or coupons require purchase of multiple items. When reporting a deal on KCL, we always include a final price. Example: Buy 2 Mint Milano cookies $2.00 each, use 2 $1.00/2 coupons, Final Price: $1.50 each, WYB 2. You must buy 2 in order to use the $1.00/2 coupon, so the final price states “WYB 2″.
YMMV: Your Mileage May Vary. A phrase used to describe that an experience one shopper has may differ from your experience. One store may allow you to stack additional promos and another location may not do the same. Some stores, such as that ‘one’ SuperCenter, who do not have a universally enforced coupon policy will often let one customer do one thing and another do something completely different. If we receive an email from a reader with a great shopping scenario, we might report it and say, YMMV until we see if stores nationwide are allowing the same scenario.
Okay like I said I'm just beginning and I hope that this will help you if you decide to try to coupon. Just try it, what can it hurt right?! Just try to never pay full price and see how much you can save.
GOOOOD LUUUCK=)
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