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

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