Wednesday, January 14, 2009

How to save money...Coupons, Coupons, Coupons...

When I recently decided to be a stay-at-home mom I had to find ways to start saving money so, I turned to a classic...couponing!

I think the best way to get started is to make of list of items you buy monthly then, go to the website of each manufacturer (MFR) and sign up for their newsletter. Once they confirm you're registered save the registration in a folder on your email user because if you haven't received any coupons (and you have the time) you might want to check their site to be sure your not missing out on any good deals.

Now listen, if you already getting overwhelmed don't worry. I had to do a little each week until I got into the swing of things and you might need try to add on another idea each week. Print out this blog and read it whenever you need a refresher.


Secondly, you need coupons. The best place to find them is the Sunday newspaper. I buy two papers at a time (they usually sell them in a bundle of two), which is only 50 cents more than buying one. One way around buying the paper is asking friends, family and neighbors if they use their coupons from the Sunday paper, If they don't, ask them if you can have them and save yourself the $2.50. You can also find coupons in the grocery store entrance/exit at the marketing kiosk. They contain tear off coupons and magazines (Publix has a magazine called "Green Wise", it is one my favorites) that contain coupons. Also, stores have Blinkie's, which are the little kiosks in the aisles that spit out coupons. Always pull two or more if it is something you use frequently.

You can also call 1-866-221-4141, the number for the Kroger Corporate office. They will send you other coupons by mail.

There are also a few good websites you can visit that I use:

http://www.shortcuts.com/

http://ppgazette.com/

http://www.couponcabin.com/index.htm

http://www.moneysavingmom.com/

http://www.couponmom.com/

http://coupon-printable.blogspot.com/2008/01/free-grocery-food-coupons.html

http://www.zombiemommy.blogspot.com/

Make sure you have a preferred customer card for everywhere you shop. These cards are offered at most stores, and they provide perks and additional discounts. CVS, Kroger and Publix are examples of stores where you should get shopper rewards cards. Kroger currently has rewards based on the dolloar amount you spent. The amounts equals points that allow you to purchase gas at a discount and CVS actually rewards customers on a quarterly basis with Extra Care Bucks (ECB's) based on the amount you have spent in their store for that quarter and Publix has a Upromise card. This card allows a percentage of what you spend to go toward a college fund for anyone (including yourself).

Next, most grocery stores double coupons up to 50 cents; however, most pharmacies do not double coupons. Make sure to compare prices after you take into account the coupon being doubled vs. the pharmacy sale prices. (I know Publix and Kroger definitely double up; be sure to ask your local grocer if they offer this service).

Thirdly, did you know that you can use coupons on buy one get one free items (BOGO)? Here is how it works: The BOGO item is Nabisco cookies and you have two $1.00 Nabisco cookie coupons, you can use one coupon on each item and basically get both items for FREE or a low discounted price.

Fourthly, is coupon stacking, bear with me on this one... Okay, let's say Publix has a coupon for $1.00 off pistachio's (it's a store coupon issued by Publix and doesn't have a barcode) but you also have a MFR's coupon (MFR's have bar codes) on the same item for a $1.00 off. Well, you can use both! Coupons are usually MFR's but Walgreens, Publix, RiteAid, Kroger and many other stores offer their own store coupons and then you can add you MFR coupons with it. The amount of discount doesn't have to match, just make sure one is a store coupon and the other is a MFR coupon.

Lastly, Kroger (and sometimes Publix) have a online upload for coupons. Basically, you register your Kroger card online then you click on the coupons they have listed you'd like to use. At the end of the transaction they are automatically added to your Kroger card. When you go to grocery shop the discount is automatically taken off when you purchase the item and guess what? You can also use a MFR coupon on top of the online coupon! For example, the other day I had a $5.00 MFR coupon for a Brita Pitcher and Kroger had a $5.00 coupon available online on the same item. I then uploaded the $5.00 online coupon to my Kroger card and then used my $5.00 MFR's coupon on top of it, so I purchased the pitcher that is regularly priced at $19.99 for $9.99!

A few more tidbits...there are couponers who decide not to cut coupons and keep them together by date (the date is usually on the fold of the paper). There are websites that will tell you where you can get the best deal using your coupon by giving you the date it was in the paper. For example couponmom.com has a great database that includes the date of issue in the newspaper of each coupon according to your city/state. I don't use this but I have friends who do and like it. You can trade for coupons at places like http://www.hotcouponworld.com/ or http://www.organicgrocerydeals.com/. Also, you can get on an envelope train and people mail each other coupons. You can also buy coupons for really cheap on ebay and other clipping sites. I haven't done this yet but I am sure their are some readers who can respond on the best way to go about this and what is legitimate.

Here is how I prepare to shop:

*I check my email to see if I received any coupons from MFR's I registered with.

*Then I buy the double Sunday paper for $2.50.

*I write down the name of the store, the item and price (Continue to do this through each ad).
-Afterwards I see what stores have sales on the same item and which has the better deal.

*Next, I clip my coupons and sort them using the envelope system (you can do whatever is best for you).
-I sort them into categories: Diary, snacks/desserts, carbs, health & beauty, cleaning supplies, and so on. Then I look at what items I have written down and see if I have coupons to match. If so, I put them envelopes (I have one for each store I visit) based on the store having the best price or sale. I do this on Sunday night and then Monday night my husband watches our son and I head out to the stores. I visit CVS, Walgreens, Publix and Kroger. They are all within blocks of each other and it works for me, you'll have to figure out which stores and what works for you.

*Every week Publix has a 1 cent item. The Publix where I shop keeps these items at the customer service desk. The items have ranged from cheese, to pizza, to salad dressing and breakfast cereal. Even if you don't use the item, take it! Someone you know might need it. I have started buying BOGO items if I have a coupons where I am basically getting both items for free and the 1 cent item as well. Then I package them up for families in need and deliver them in secret.

For my own personal encouragement at the end of shopping, I add up how much I spent and how much I saved. It reminds me it's well worth the time! I have figured out that I save anywhere from $70-$100 dollars a week! Before couponing, I feel as though I was throwing my money out my car window. Now I am saving anywhere between $3,640.00 to $5,200.00 a year!
Now, as you continue in your couponing venture you will start to learn that CVS has rewards bucks and most weekly ad's say to check the Sunday paper for coupons. Walmart takes coupons but doesn't double up but they do price match any sale price (not BOGO). Kroger and ? will give you the item for FREE if it rings up wrong at the register. So be sure to watch the register monitor as your items are being scanned. Kroger also has a 10 for $10.00 sale. At the Kroger where I shop, you do not have to buy all 10 items to get the discount. They ring up $1.00 each no matter what. This is great! Especially if it's $1.00, and I have a $1.00 coupon! FREE!! Oh yea, if items ring up for the wrong price at Kroger and Publix, wait until after you pay and then go to the customer service desk and show them your receipt. You will get your money back and the item for FREE! (You can ask your local grocer their policy).

Okay, their are still a lot of tricks of the trade not mentioned but I'm hoping others will chime in with their coupon successes and get this blog going! Please let me know if you feel this information is helpful and if there is anything you'd like to learn in future Blogs! Please let your friends know about the blog! I love helping others save money!

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Awesome tips here. I'll definitely be following them. I recall you also gave great tips on make-up as well.

Someone helped me locate you after all these years...I guess it is getting close to twenty now. I wanted to tell you that you have always been one of my best memories from that time in my life. I also wanted to apologize for the abruptness with which I left, it was the only way I knew to do it. I wanted to thank you for always being there for me, and for being a true friend. I am sorry if my departure caused you any pain.

I understand if you don't wish to maintain contact now, but I wanted to say again, thank you. You appear to have a beautiful life, very deserving of your character and beauty.

Blessings to you,

Q

Allison Pressnell said...

Melinda...

GREAT post. I love it. I am trying to get back into couponing regularly so these ideas are very helpful. Hope you are doing good.
Love,
Jennifer Pressnell

Skinny Chick - Atlanta said...

Great Idea, we were just talking about clipping coupons last night. I would like to add this site http://slickdeals.net

This is the direct link to the coupon section.
http://forums.slickdeals.net/forumdisplay.php?f=10 These people over there are some serious money savers. They have drugstore forums on how to get most stuff at the drugstore for really cheap or even free. Then in the hot deals forums there are lots and lots of deals. I was able to get video game systems for 20-30% off because of the online codes and an hdtv for myself of course for $200 off what all the local retailers were asking for.

Thanks for compiling the list! We will definitely be using it.

Zombiemommy said...

Great post! Very informative especially for the beginner couponer!

Lynneskitchen said...

I'm a couponing fanatic! :) Another source that is huge for me is www.southernsavers.com

How's that sweet baby?
Lynne