I HATE MYSELF FOR NOT BRINGING MY COUPONS.
Yes, friends. You will get to that place.
But I suppose it's not such a bad place to be.
So, now that I've freaked you out probably just a tad...Let's get started!
In this post I will cover:
TOTAL VENDOR COUPONS: $31.00
- Moneymaker situations
- What to bring with you while shopping
- How to store your coupons
- My favorite stores and tips
- A break down of the haul above
Money Maker $$$$ Situations
- Moneymaker situations occur when the value of your coupon(s) for a product exceed the price of the product in question. However, it is important to note that moneymakers DO NOT occur at every store.
- Some stores may just adjust the value of your coupon(s) down to the price of the product in question, therefore you will get the product for free, however you will not make money off of it.
- Some stores will hand you cash, or if you are purchasing other items in the same transaction, the overage will be applied to other items that you are purchasing in the same transaction.
- Some stores will only allow your overage to apply to other items that you are purchasing on same transaction. So, if you happen to be at a store that only allows this, you need to make sure that you purchase filler item(s) so that you aren't losing that precious overage!
- If you are unsure of a store's policy regarding overage, look up their coupon policy and print it out! If you are using one of the two couponing websites I listed in part one of this series (Krazy Coupon Lady or Southern Savers), you can also get that information there. Bringing me to my next topic....
What to Bring with you While Shopping
- Always, always, always print out the coupon policy for the store that you are planning to use coupons. You will eventually encounter (hopefully not on your first haul) a cashier who is hell-bound and determined that you are not leaving the store with 25 free items, let alone getting $10 back in overage. Or the manager who has absolutely no idea what he is talking about. You need that policy to whip out the minute you need it.
- Always, always, always plan your trip BEFORE hitting the store(s). Make your list, check it twice. Check five times. If you happen upon another deal while you are there, great. But make sure you are prepared for other deals before you get there.
- Obviously, you are going to need the coupons that you plan to use. However, also bring a couple of the last few week's inserts as well, just in case you run into a good deal. And some scissors :)
How to Store your Coupons
(This is how I choose to do it. There are many methods to the madness.)
- I choose to NOT clip my coupons until I actually use them. This is why: if you look on the spine of your newspaper inserts you will notice in very tiny writing the date in which the insert was released. So, I organize my inserts by date in a recycled large, rectangular cardboard box. So, when I need a coupon and I know what insert it is in, I just look for the correct date. This method is especially effective when you use a site like Krazy Coupon Lady or Southern savers because when they list a coupon from an insert it will be listed like this: "0.50/1 LaLa Bar SS 1/26." So, you can just look through your coupons that are organized by date, find the insert you need, and cut out only the coupon you need.
- I generally don't print "printable" coupons until I need them, unless the coupon is super awesome. This is probably a bad habit.
- I keep my store flyers and other store coupons in an accordion file folder. I found mine in the dollar section at Target.
- When I go out to do a haul, I have a smaller, purse sized accordion file folder that I use to organize and store the coupons that I am going to use that day. I also bring my store coupon file folder, along with an additional file folder with a coupon of extra inserts and printable coupons just in case, and some scissors.
My favorite Stores and Tips
My favorite stores are Publix and Target. Here's why:
Publix...
- has great buy one get one sales each week.
- has two great sale flyers located at the front of the store.
- has a great email newsletter (The Best Meals Happen at Home).
- Ecoupons.
- doubles manufacturer coupons valued at 0.50 cents or less.
- will hand you cash in situations involving overage, or if you are purchasing other items on the same transaction, it will be applied to those items.
- generally very nice and patient employees.
- accepts some competitor coupons.
- has many store printable coupons on their website.
- has a mobile app filled with mobile coupons. (Target App)
- has a number you can text to receive additional mobile coupons.
- has a great additional mobile app in which you can save even more on TONS of items. (Cartwheel App).
- allows you to triple stack 1 manufacturer coupon, 1 store coupon (either mobile, printable, or one found in an insert), and 1 cartwheel offer on each product!
- has awesome clearance sections.
- has good gift card deals (you've probably seen them before; "buy 3 and receive a $5 gift card instantly").
- allows you to use overage on other items in the same transaction.
- will refund you 0.05 cents per bag if you bring your own reusable bags instead of using theirs.
** Publix sales change over on Thursdays (at least in my area, I believe in some areas it changes over on Wednesdays). Target sales change over on Sundays.
Breakdown of the Haul Pictured Above
Publix Items (I did 3 transactions, I was teaching someone):
4 Wisk Laundry Detergent- $6.49 each on BOGO sale for $3.24 each
- coupons used: (2) $3/2 wisk laundry detergent MF Coupon
- final price: $1.75 each
- coupons used: (1) $1/1 Publix MF ecoupon
- final price: $1.75 each
- coupons used: (12)$1.50/1 Bird's Eye Frozen Veggies MF Coupon
- final price: $0.20 MONEYMAKER each
- coupons used: (2) $1/4 Uncle Ben's Country Inn Rice MF Coupon
- final price: $0.49 each
- coupons used: (3) $0.75/2 Quaker Chewy Bars MF Coupon
- final price: $1.02 each
- coupons used: (1) $2/1 store coupon (1) $2/1 Publix MF ecoupon
- final price: $0.39
TOTAL VENDOR COUPONS: $31.00
TOTAL STORE COUPONS: $2.00
SPECIAL PRICE SAVINGS: 47.26
TOTAL SAVINGS: $79.26
Or 80% savings!
CVS Items (I had 2 other people with me, making 3 transactions):
3 Crest Toothpaste- $3.00each
- coupons used: (3) CVS Coupon Center Coupon of the week $2.25/1 crest toothpaste (3) $0.75/1 MF coupons
- final price: free
Or 100% savings!
Walgreens Items (I had to do one transaction for every 2 sticks of deodorant, so 11 transactions total):
22 Speed Stick Deodorant- $3.50 each- on BOGO Sale
- coupons used: (11) BOGO Speed Stick Deodorant MF coupons
- final price: free
Or 100% savings!
**I did have to pay tax on the free items from Walgreens. I no longer have the receipt, but it was about $5 in tax.
GRAND TOTAL FROM ALL 3 STORES BEFORE COUPONS: $184.96
I PAID: ABOUT $24.00
OR 87% SAVINGS!
**Forgive me if my math is slightly off. It is late, I am tired.
So there you have it friends, it is possible! If I can do it, you can do it! As always, if you have any questions, you can ask them here or via Facebook. I will probably begin to do weekly coupon posts.
If you decide to give couponing a try, let me know how your first haul goes!
So there you have it friends, it is possible! If I can do it, you can do it! As always, if you have any questions, you can ask them here or via Facebook. I will probably begin to do weekly coupon posts.
If you decide to give couponing a try, let me know how your first haul goes!
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