Aug 31, 2014
Extreme Couponing in the Real World
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How Much Do YOU Spend? According to the USDA, the average US
family of four spends $771/month on a modest month. This means choosing store brand products and sticking to a list. More liberal spending plan, they are spending $994/month. If the family includes teenagers, the price goes up to $1,100 +
How much do you spend? Do you even know?
$$$ Grocery Savings $$$ Grocery Store is the one store we have to
shop at. There is no magic number. Whatever works
for YOUR family! For every hour clipping coupons, shopping,
unpacking = at LEAST $25/hour of savings. Buy the best quality products at the lowest
prices! Save where you can, so you can spend
where you want!
Top Reasons People Don’t Use Coupons
Too much time Remembering to use coupons Juggling coupons at grocery store No coupons for products I use Coupons aren’t worth the time Embarrassed to use coupons Private brands are less expensive
without the work
Grocery Budget Set a Monthly Budget for grocery Budget will be different for every family Doesn’t work, try a different amount The longer you coupon the less your
budget due to stockpiling If you are saving money that you
weren’t before, it IS working for you. Cash Envelope System
Use Coupons With Purpose Don’t just use a coupon because you
have one. Combine with a store sale, store
coupon, rebates, or other promotions to maximize savings.
Stockpile your most used items at the rock bottom price.
Stockpiling
Why Stockpile? Have needed items on
hand Will spend less buying it
when at lowest price Less trips to grocery storeWhen to Stockpile? Sale cycles every 12
weeks Holiday/Seasonal Sales Spreadsheet/Grocery
Price book
Instead of making a list each week with what we want – we shop the sale each make and build our menu based on what is in our pantry!
What to Stockpile? Items you use on regular
basis Ingredients for recipes in
your main rotation Item you will need in
future Seasonal/Holiday Items Convenience items to have
on hand for easy meals Cleaning
Supplies/Toiletries/Paper Products
Items you can donate
Stockpiling ExampleShopper A: Buys a box of cereal at $4 a
box each week for $24 total.
Shopper B: Buys 6 boxes of cereal at the rock bottom price of $1.25 and pays only $7.50.
Shopper B saved $16.50 by stocking up!
My Stock up PricesFREE ITEMS Band Aids Cough Drops Deodorant Shampoo/
Conditioner Toothpaste Toothbrush Razors
Milk - $1.99 Eggs - $0.88 Shredded Cheese -
$1.50 Sour Cream – <$0.50 Cereal - $1.25 - $1.50 Cereal Bars - $1 Oatmeal – <$0.50 Bread - <$0.99 Dish Liquid - $0.25 Pasta/Sauce - $1
Coupon Basics Couponing Terms & Abbreviations Where to Find Coupons Coupon Fine Print Types of Coupons Store Policies Organization
Before you shop, these are the things you need to know!
B1G1 w/$1/1 q (3-1SS) & $1/2 IVC, earn RR, submit MIR (YMMV)
Confused?
Common Coupon Terms $X/X – Dollars or cents
off when you buy X items
$XX/$XX – Dollars off when you spend X dollars
B1G1 = Buy 1, Get 1 ECB = Extra Care Bucks
(CVS) SS = Smart Source
Insert RP = Red Plum Insert
GM = General Mills IP = Internet Printable RR = Register Rewards MIR = Mail in Rebate FAR = FREE after Rebate CAT = Catalina OOP = Out of Pocket WYB = When You Buy YMMV = Your Mileage
May Vary
Find a complete terms list: http://bargainbriana.com/15-days-of-couponing-day-2-the-language-of-couponers-translated/
Where to Find Coupons? Sunday Newspapers
› Kokomo Tribune (less coupons but includes Red Plum Inserts), Indianapolis Star (Larger selection – No Red Plum Inserts)
Internet Printables› Coupons.com› CouponNetwork.com› RedPlum.com› SmartSource.com
Magazines (All You!)
In/On Packages In Free Samples Blinkies/Tearpads In Store Brochures Doctor’s/Dentist Offices Recycle Bins Fairs, Festivals,
Conventions Facebook Twitter Recyclebank
Search for coupons in the Bargain Briana Coupon Database: http://bargainbriana.com/coupon-database/
Coupon Database http://bargainbriana.com/coupon-database
Sunday Insert Coupons
SS = Smart Source P&G = P&G Insert
Coupon Fine Print One Coupon per Purchase/per Item Purchase
› If you buy one bottle of shampoo, you can use one manufacturer’s coupon for that bottle. If you have additional coupons, you have to buy another item to be able to use that coupon. You are not allowed to use two manufacturer’s coupon per item.
› Example – $1/1 Coupon – Must buy 1 item. $1/2 Coupon – Must buy 2 items, $1/3 Coupon – Must buy 3 items, etc.
One Coupon per Customer/Family› This is rare but you will see this often on high value coupons.
One Coupon per Transaction› You are only allowed one coupon for this item for each transaction. This is to try to
limit how many you purchase in a transaction. So, just make a few transactions whether in one trip or multiple trips to get around this.
Do Not Double› Language on a coupon that does not allow doubling. However, if the coupon starts
with a 5 will double regardless (if the store allows doubles). If the coupon starts with a 9, it will not double.
Other Coupon Language/Exclusions› Valid only in certain states, stores, etc.
Coupon StackingM
anufacturer’s CouponStore Coupon
FAQ: B1G1 Free Coupon Can you combine a B1G1 Free Coupon with a
$1/1 coupon? When you are using a B1G1 Free coupon you
have to buy X to get X Free – two items. In my opinion, this means you have to buy two items for this coupon to work. Therefore, you can not stack a coupon on top of a B1G1 Free coupon.
I
FAQ: Do I have to buy X items if the sale is X/$X
My oldest son and I get into an argument every shopping trip about this particular point. If the ad states the price is 3/$4 so you have to buy 3 items?
In most instances, you do not. The price is really $1.33 each. You will still get this price by just buying one item. (Unless the ad specifies you have to buy 3 to get the price!)
eCoupons Cellfire Kroger eCoupons Meijer mPerks Saving Star Shortcuts Upromise – Not take
off your bill but “deposited” into your Upromise account
Most cannot be stacked with paper coupons
Limited to how many coupons you can use
Convenience
eCoupon ComparisoneCoupon Stores Activat
eCan Stack with
Other Coupons?
Cellfire Kroger Loyalty Card
No
Kroger eCoupons Kroger Loyalty Card
No
Meijer mPerks Meijer Cell Number
Yes, can stack with manufacturer’s coupons
Saving Star CVS, Marsh Loyalty Card
Yes, independent of all other coupons.
Shortcuts Kroger Loyalty Card
No
Upromise CVS, Kroger, Marsh, O’Malias, and Peapod
Loyalty Card
Yes, independent of all other coupons.
Upromise eCoupons
› Activate each month Link to Store Loyalty Cards
› Earn money on selected purchases
› More ways to save!
COUPON DISORGANIZATION Not organized!
Coupon Organization Filer Method File each week’s
insert in an accordion file
Only clip coupons when needed
http://bargainbriana.com/couponizer
COUPONIZER I now use the filer method and supplement with the Couponizer.
Couponizer Use in conjunction
with the filing method
Great for “loose” coupons such as printable, home mailers, etc.
Easy to transport Durable Fits in medium size
purse
My Coupon Keeper
Other Organization Methods
Binder Method File Box Other ?
What works for YOU?
Store Policies Know the coupon and policies of the
stores you are shopping Keep copy of the official coupon policy
with you while shopping Coupon Policies can change often so
look for updates
Drug Store Game Drug Stores such as CVS and Walgreens
offer rich customer loyalty programs. Stack coupons with Register
Rewards/Extra Bucks to maximize your coupon
“Roll” Register Rewards and Extra Bucks to minimize your out of pocket costs
Stack with Store coupons
Drug Store ComparisonCVS (BB Preferred)Sunday – Saturday Ad Extra Care Bucks with loyalty
card Limits on ECBs Rewards Clip Free Coupons Stacking Allowed Coupon Center
› Tip: Keep scanning card until it tells you no more coupons!
CRT = Customer Receipt Tape Coupons
Saving Star CVS Advisor/Surveys for ECBs CVS Green Tag: $1 every 4th
Visit!
WalgreensSunday – Saturday Ad Register Rewards Register Rewards are limited
per transaction Stacking Allowed Weekly Ad Coupons IVC = Instant Value Coupons AARP Discount Card If you use 10 coupons at
Walgreens, must have 10 items to use all coupons. Use cheap filler items to get to your number.
“Roll Extra Bucks”“Example”
Transaction #1› Buy (5) Honest Tea @ $1› Use (5) $1/1 Printable
Coupons from Recyclebank› http://bargainbriana.com/recyclebank› Pay $0 out of pocket
› Earn $2 Extra Bucks to use on next purchase!
Transaction #2› Buy (1) Refresh Tampons @
$6.79› Use $1/1 Printable Coupon› Use $2 Extra Bucks from
Transaction #1› Spend $3.79 out of pocket
› Earn $6.79 Extra Bucks to use on next purchase!
Spent $3.79 for $11.79 worth of products!
Use the FREE CVS Transaction Planner to plan your trips precisely: http://bargainbriana.com/cvs-transaction-planner
“Roll Extra Bucks” for 10/23 – 10/25
Transaction #1› Gold Emblem Candy
Corn, Autumn Mix, or Pumpkins (8 oz) - $0.99
› Spend $0.99 out of pocket
Earn $0.99 Extra Bucks to use on next purchase!
Transaction #2› Pumpkin Masters Carving
Tools - $2.49 › Use $0.99 Extra Bucks from
Transaction #1› Spend $1.50 out of pocket
Earn $2.49 Extra Bucks to use on next purchase!
Purchased together in one transaction would have cost you $3.48 out of pocket. Instead you saved the $1 by doing two separate transactions. (This is a VERY simple example.) Other times you will save much more by doing separate transactions)
When doing multiple transaction, be aware of people around you. Most cashiers are okay with 2 transactions at a time. If it is busy, you may want to go to your car and come back in or come back in on another day.
Grocery Store ComparisonKrogerThurs – Weds Ad Loyalty Card Doubles up to $0.50 Limits two identical
coupons for doubling Accepts Printable
› Accepts Free Product Printables
› Major Limitations on Product Printable Coupons
eCoupons: Kroger, Cellfire, SavingStar
Fuel Rewards New Coupon Policy:
http://bargainbriana.com/new-kroger-coupon-policy-central
Meijer Sunday – Saturday Ad
(Kokomo area)Thurs – Weds Ad (Indy) No loyalty card required Doubles up to $0.50 Limits two identical
coupons for doubling Accepts Printables Stacking Allowed Meijer Mealbox Coupons
(STORE COUPON) mPerks (Store eCoupon)
Marsh Supermarkets Marsh Supermarkets Thurs – Weds Ad Fresh Idea Card for Savings & Doubling Doubles up to $0.50 Limits two identical coupons for doubling Accepts Printable Coupons
› No Free Product Printable Coupons Accepted eCoupons: SavingStar & Upromise New Catalina Machines Triple Coupon Events (Check Marsh FB or Blog for
updates)
Super Store ComparisonWalmartAds are sporadic Price Matching (limits) No Doubling (Some Test
Markets) Accepts Printable
Coupons Accepts Competitor
Coupons Accepts Catalinas Walmart Coupon Policy:
http://walmartstores.com/download/4730.pdf
TargetSunday – Saturday Ad No doubling Stacking Allowed Accepts Printables Target Printable Coupons Target Mobile Coupons Buy X, Get GC promotions Official Target Coupon
Policy: http://bargainbriana.com/updated-target-coupon-policy
Put it all Together To Begin: Focus on 1-2 Stores Save Inserts on Sunday Go to BargainBriana.com
› Grocery lists for Aldi, CVS, Kmart, Kroger, Marsh, Meijer, Target, Walgreens, Walmart, and more!
Print List Clip & Print Coupons Go Shopping Save $$$$$
How to Read A Coupon Match Up
Print Your ListSelect Your Items Click “Add to My Coupon List”
Click Print Icon to Print List Disable Pop Up if needed
Print the List:
Courteous Couponing Do unto others Do no clear shelves Coupon Ethically Use coupons as intended Keep calm HAVE FUN!
Meal Planning ResourcesUse Stockpile & Plan Your Meals
Accordingly!
5dollardinners.com Onceamonthmom.com crockpot365.blogspot.com
Special Offers All You Magazine – 24 Issues for $30
› http://bargainbriana.com/all-you-magazine-deal/
Couponizer - $19.95› http://bargainbriana.com/couponizer
Daily Email Newsletter + Updated 10 Days of Coupon Series Emailed› http://bargainbriana.com/about/subscribe-
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