Couponing

Couponing

Topics

What is Couponing?

Create a Shopping List

Get Organized

Weekly Coupon Maintenance

Topics

Coupon Sources

Record Keeping

Economizing

Couponing for Healthy Eating

What is Couponing?

Expira

tion D

ate

Restr

ictio

ns

Read the Small Print

Coupons can be tricky and cause confusion because of restrictions or limitations. Reviewing some of the small print and restrictions can help you avoid returned coupons. Expiration date:

Once the coupon expires, it is usually void.

Buy Item X to Get Item X Free:

Buy a certain amount of items in order to receive item X for free

Specific Item

Coupon limitations

The number of items you can purchase

Number of coupons you can use per transaction

Restrictions on products that are already on sale

Note: Always check the store policies. Refer to the Store Policy Resource page.

Create a Shopping List

Start by listing your most frequently used items Arrange items by food department Take the various departments and put them in order

according to grocery store layout and aislesCheck your pantry to see what you already

haveOnly use coupons on what you would

normally buyIf a coupon is going to expire and you won’t

be using it, leave it in the store by the item for someone else

Get Organized

Different systems

Envelopes

Expanding File or Wallet

Index File Box

Coupon Binder

Weekly Coupon Maintenance

Three options for maintaining your coupon organizer

By Expiration Date

By Product

Alphabetically

Coupon Sources

Newspaper Sunday Newspaper Local Newspaper

Direct Mail Valpak Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s

Websites Manufacturer Website Store Website

Magazines

Store Circulars Manager’s Special Weekly Savings

Store Kiosk

Record Keeping

Keep your Receipts For you record Returning product/item

Create a Receipt Spreadsheet Spreadsheet should include the date, store name and

location, total bill before discounts, tax, total bill after discounts, and total discount dollar amounts

File your Receipts Receipts can be filed at the back of your coupon

organizer or an envelope.

Economizing

Buying in bulk can be a money savings opportunity when the savvy shopper understands the advantages and disadvantages and makes good choices.

Extra Storage Space. Create a space in your home needed to store items bought in bulk.

Disadvantages. Companies try to promote unhealthy products via coupons and customers tend to buy items they don’t need.

Stacking Coupons

Example: Cereal (14 oz.) regular price =

$3.25/box Store sale 2 boxes for $5.00 Manufacturer’s coupon buy one

get one free. Another manufacturer’s coupon

$.55 off a box of cereal and the store doubles manufacturer’s coupon under $.99 (print two coupons)

Here is how the deal works!Buy 2 boxes of cereal on sale for

$5.00

Less one box free -$2.50

Less (.55 x2) -$1.10Less (.55 x2) -$1.10You pay $ .30Yes, you pay only $.30 for two

boxes of cereal that at regular price would

have cost you $6.50! For a total savings of $6.20

Couponing for Healthy Eating

Small changes in your diet can result in healthier eating.

Choose foods that are rich in vitamins and nutrients and low in sugar, sodium, fat, additives and preservatives.

Many disease and allergies are the result of poor food choices.

Smart couponing can be used for healthy eating or specialized diets.

Healthy Eating

Be conscious of eating a healthy and balanced meal.

Unhealthy eating habits can lead to various illnesses, such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, among other illnesses.

Make better-informed decisions about food and calorie.

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is recommended (MyPyramid.com)

Online Resources

Couponing www.coupons.com www.couponing101.com www.couponmom.com www.smartsource.com www.thekrazycouponlady.com www.valpak.com

Questions?