Aug 27, 201208:38 AMThrifty Mom
Let's be Thrifty Together
Etiquette for the coupon lady (or gentleman)
If you’re interested in couponing, it’s likely you’ve seen at least one episode of the reality show “Extreme Couponing.”
Please, ignore almost everything you witnessed.
Not only is it ridiculous that some of those women spend more than 40 hours couponing on top of a full-time job and raising children, but they often condone couponing practices that are generally frowned upon.
Here are a few couponing “rules” I like to follow:
No. 1: Get familiar with stores’ coupon policies.
Every store has a different policy when it comes to couponing. Some will allow you to stack coupons, some don’t. Some have limits on the number of the same coupons you can use in one shopping trip. Some won’t let you use free product coupons that are printed from the computer.
Many couponers recommend actually carrying up-to-date copies of store policies with you whenever you go couponing. That way, if a cashier tries to tell you that you’re doing something “illegal,” you can quickly reference the store’s policy and get down to business.
I don’t do that. But I do read them over so I know what I can and cannot do.
No. 2: Don’t clear the shelf.
OK, there’s a small caveat to this rule. If there are two items left, go ahead and get the two items and clear the shelf. What I mean by this rule is don’t go buying 10 of something and leave nothing for the next couponer.
For example, in this week’s deals, CVS has a great price on dishwashing liquid. One of the coupons is specific to Dawn Hand Renewal and the other is for any Dawn product. While I like the Dawn Hand Renewal, there were only four left on the shelf at my CVS. So instead of buying four of the Dawn Hand Renewal and clearing the shelf, I bought two fancy and two regular. And I know for a fact, it will go on sale again.
No. 3: Be considerate of other shoppers and your cashiers.
There are other shoppers out there who aren’t crazy couponers like us. They just want to get in and get out. If you need to do two transactions to get your deals just right and there’s someone behind you with one item, please, let them go first. And I always tell my cashier upfront if I’m doing more than one transaction.
No. 4: Don’t photocopy online coupons.
Most online coupons can be printed twice. If that’s not enough for you, find another computer to print more copies. Some couponers frown upon printing more than the allowed two by using multiple computers; I think you can do it within reason. I usually stick to my two prints unless it’s a really good deal. Never do I make photocopies.
Online coupons are printed with individual codes on them. Every one is different. If you make photocopies, it probably won’t scan right anyway. So save yourself and your cashier some time and just don’t do it.
No. 5: Don’t use a coupon on the wrong product.
Shouldn’t the coupon only scan if you’ve bought that product? Yeah, it should, but it doesn’t always work that way. Don’t take advantage of a flawed system.
On that same note, don’t use more than one coupon on a single product. Again, some store systems will allow it, but it’s not really kosher. An exception to the rule is if an item is on sale for buy one, get one free. You can use two coupons (one for each item) even though one of those items is technically already free. (Be sure to check the store’s coupon policy before doing this, though; some specify that this type of deal is invalid.)
No. 6: Share your coupons!
This can be more of a suggestion than a rule. If you have a great coupon that you’re not going to use, think about bringing it along to the store anyway and leaving it near the product. Someone else might come along who does need that item and now they have a free coupon to use!
In essence, we call ourselves crazy couponers, but in reality, don’t go crazy over couponing.
CVS:
Score big at CVS this week with a couple of moneymakers – including one worth as much as $6.50!
Stayfree pads, 14-24-count
(Sale) Price: $2
Use one $2 off one Stayfree product from Aug. 26 SS
Final price: FREE (100 percent savings)
Gillette Venus razor, single-pack
Price: $7.39
Use one $4 off one Venus refillable razor from Aug. 12 RP
Pay $3.39 OOP, receive $5 ExtraBucks*
Final price: $1.61 moneymaker!
Children’s Dimetapp Cold & Cough, 4 oz.
(Sale) Price: $4.99
Children’s Dimetapp Cold & Allergy, 4 oz.
(Sale) Price: $4.99
Advil Congestion Relief, 10-count
(Sale) Price: $4.99
Use two $2 off one Dimetapp product found here**
AND use one $2 off one Advil Allergy and Congestion relief found here**
AND use one $1.50 off one children’s allergy relief product from the CVS coupon machine
Pay $7.47 OOP, receive $4 EB
Submit $10 mail-in Pfizer rebate found in Aug. 26 RP
Final price: $6.53 moneymaker!
CVS also is having a deal this week where you can get a $10 gas card when spend $30 in qualifying products. There are plenty of scenarios available here; the following is the one I used. Keep in mind, the Dawn dishwashing liquid is a great deal on its own, too! There are two $1 off two coupons for Dawn products in Sunday’s P&G insert, so you can get four bottles for just $2!
Jergens Natural Glow and Protect lotion, 6 oz.
(Sale) Price: $7.99
Buy two for $15.98
CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain
Price: $8.99 on sale for buy one, get one 50 percent off
Buy two for $13.48
Dawn dishwashing liquid, 9-10.3 oz.
(Sale) Price: $0.99
Buy four for $3.96
Use two $2 off one Jergens Natural Glow and Protect from June 10 SS
AND use one $2 off one Jergens Natural Glow and Protect from CVS Coupon Machine
AND use one $2.50 off one CoverGirl Outlast product from Aug. 19 Parade
AND use one $2.50 off one CoverGirl LipPerfection Lipcolor, Blast Plipstick or Outlast Lipstain from Aug. 19 Parade
AND use one $1 off two Dawn products from Aug. 26 P&G
AND use one $1 off two Dawn Hand Renewal products from Aug. 26 P&G
AND use $4 off $20 purchase by signing up for CVS ExtraCare emails***
Pay $16.42 OOP, receive $10 gas card
Final price: $6.42 (81 percent savings!) Without the $4 coupon:$10.42 (69 percent savings!)
* ExtraBucks are printed on your receipt for use on your next order
** Free registration is required to print these coupons
*** When you register your CVS ExtraCare card online at www.cvs.com you can opt in to receive promotional emails. In my experience, you will receive an emailed coupon at least once a week ranging from 20-25 percent off your order to $4 off a $20 order. These can either be printed or sent directly to your card. If you have it sent to your card, be sure to remember it and remind your cashier to apply it to your order.
WEIS:
Weis has some great BOGO deals this week. Here’s just a few of the best:
- Boneless slow cooker pork roasts
- Jennie-O turkey bacon
- Edward’s pie singles (my husband LOVES these!)
- Milano breads
- Arnold’s breads
- All TopCare products (finally got some cheap-ish toothbrushes!)
Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats
(Sale) Price: Four for $8 (must buy four)
Use two $0.70 off one Frosted Mini Wheats Touch of Fruit from Coupons.com
AND use one $1 off two Frosted Mini Wheats cereals from Aug. 26 RP
AND use $2 off four Frosted Mini Wheats cereals from Aug. 26 Weis circular
Final price: $3 or $0.75 each (63 percent savings!)
Green Apple Tic-Tacs
(Sale) Price: $0.64
Buy two for $1.29
Use 0.50 off two Tic Tac products from Aug. 26 RP
Final price: $0.29 (76 percent savings!)
Capri Sun, 10-pack
(Sale) Price: $1.88
Use $1 off one Capri Sun 10-pack from Coupons.com
Final price: $0.88 (47 percent savings!)
If you happen to get Target coupons in the mail, score a great deal on Kingsford charcoal with the below scenario. Even without the coupon, it’s a pretty decent price.
Kingsford charcoal, 16.6 lb.
(Sale) Price: $7.99
Buy two for $15.98
Use $3 off two Kingsford grilling items from Target mailer
Pay $12.98 OOP, receive $5 gift card
Final price: $7.98 or $3.99 each (50 percent savings!)
To keep with the grilling theme, there’s a new product from Bic called the Bic FlameDisk. It’s a charcoal alternative to your charcoal grill. Get it for free with a coupon in this week’s SmartSource insert.
Bic FlameDisk
Price: $4.99
Use FREE Bic FlameDisk from Aug. 26 SS
Final price: FREE (100 percent savings!)
International Delight Creamer
(Sale) Price: $1.67
Use $1.50 off one International Delight Creamer found here**
Final price: $0.17 (90 percent savings!)
Stayfree pads, 14-24-count
(Sale) Price: $2
Use one $2 off one Stayfree product from Aug. 26 SS
Final price: FREE (100 percent savings)
** Free registration is required to print these coupons
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