Couponing 201:Stockpiling ResourcesBy Sarah White (Savingwithsarah@gmail.com)

A refund – a company send you back part or whole of your purchase priceTypes of Refunds:

1. TMF (Try Me Free) – get purchase price for trying their product2. Satisfaction Guaranteed Refunds – not satisfied issued full purchase price3. Cash Refunds – get back part of purchase price4. Premium Refunds – buy product get a free gift

Rebates: Staples - https://www.stapleseasyrebates.com/img/staples/paperless/pages/Landing.html Rite Aid – (SCR – single check rebate) https://riteaid1.rebateplus.com/ra-v2/#welcome

Stockpiling:

Buy items before you need them while it’s CHEAP or FREE, and avoid having to pay FULL PRICE when you absolutely need it.

Buy multiple items at ROCK BOTTOM PRICE You won’t pay full price when you really need it Eliminate need to run to store when you are out of something, and will cut out impulse

buying

How to Stockpile:1. Compare the coupon policies at the stores you have available to you as well as any

incentives they offer you to shop there. 2. Finally “match” your coupons to the sales ads and purchase when you find a deal that is

at rock bottom.  3. Stockpile when the price is free or close to free (70% off).

Understanding Sales Cycles: November – Cough Medicine, Cold Medicine, Soup (Campbell’s), Jello, Oats (Quaker),

Tissues December – Carnation Milk, Baking ingredients, Wet Wipes Summer – BBQ Sauce, Marinades, Condiments, Country Time Lemonade, Charcoal July & August – Back to School Supplieso toilet paper and cereal cycle every 6 weeks

Remember:

Almost every item will go on sale every 6-8 weeks or 12 weeks at the most

How much to stockpile: How much space do you have How quickly will you use things before they expire What quantity of an item do you need to last your family until the item can be purchased

again at rock bottom. How much are you willing to spend in advance to collect large quantities of cheap items

Monthly Menu Planning: You will know what ingredients you need to shop for and what you need to stockpile.  Include one family favorite meal each week and include a leftovers night.  If it is in your budget you can include dining out.

Steps to Monthly Menu Planning: Start by writing down all of the meals that you know how to prepare and your family

likes to eat.  Next, you can look for frugal recipes to add to your menu. Consider bulk cooking and freezing meals

Purchase products in the smallest size that your coupon allows.  If a coupon doesn’t have a “size limit” then you can use it for “travel size” or “smallest size available” and get that product for free with possible overage.  This is a new way of shopping for most people. 

Stockpiling at Giant: Take advantage of gas point deals along with matching coupons located back page of the flyer Take advantage of extra gas points coupons located on the front of the flyer Buy meat when it is marked down Take advantage Catalina Deals B1G1 Sales with B1G1 Coupons = 2 FREE Items

Catalina Deals: http://www.couponnetwork.com /# Go to this website. The offers that are green in color are the current Catalina deals.

Stockpiling at Walmart:

o Take advantage of Price Matching http://walmartstores.com/10563.aspxo Full Take Advantage of Overage by using coupons on trial sizes or sometimes full sized

products (Ex. Trial size Cascad is $.97 coupon is $1.00 off ANY Cascade = $.03 overage)

Shopping at CVS: CVS Extra Care Card – need this for discounts (tied to your phone number) How the Extra Care Bucks Program Works:

1. First, ECBs are earned through promotions, such as “Buy this product, receive $$ in ECB.” Sometimes the promotion says “buy $X of this product and get $Y in ECBs.” The required amount to receive the ECB is calculated before coupons. So, if you have to purchase $10 worth, you can do that and then have $10 of coupons and still get the ECB promised! You do not have to buy all the products for that particular promotion in the same transaction, unless specifically stated in that promotion. In fact, they can be bought anytime, at any store, as long as the purchase is made during the time period the promotion is valid. Your receipt will print at the bottom and keep track of how much you have toward a spend $X get $Y promotion.

2. Second, at the end of each quarter, CVS rewards it’s customers by giving them 2% back of the total amount spent during the quarter. The 2% is calculated after coupons and is given in the form of an ECB. You will see at the bottom of your CVS receipt a total amount spent for the quarter. It will say “Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter Spending is $ XX.XX”. Multiply this number by .02 and you’ll get an approximation of what you’re getting back. At the end of the quarter, you can print your Quarterly Rewards ECBs from CVS.com, scan your card at the Red Machine (price scanner) and have them print there, or they will print at the bottom of your receipt with the first purchase you make in the new quarter.

3. Third, $1 ECB is earned for every 2 prescriptions filled @ CVS. The $1 is reflected in your quarterly ECB total. Always scan that card at the pharmacy counter!

4. Fourth, if you buy the green bag tag for $.99 and have the cashier scan it every time you use your reusable shopping bag, you'll receive $1 on every 4th scan.

5. Fifth, if you join the CVS Beauty Club you'll receive $5 ECB on every $50 spent on qualifying beauty purchases and $3 ECB on your birthday!

Extra Care Bucks: Your ECBs will print immediately when you have earned it at the bottom of your

register receipt. (Except for the quarterly spending. Watch your receipt for an announcement of when the quarterly ECB will print. This is usually about 2 weeks after the quarter ends. Once they start printing, when you make a purchase the ECB will print at the end like normal.)

ECB coupons can be used to purchase nearly anything in the store. Please note that the excluded items are prescriptions, alcohol, tobacco, and Gift Cards. In some areas, this also includes dairy.

ECB coupons expire 4 weeks from the date they are printed

What are CRT Coupons? Most stores should now have the CRT coupon scanner center in the front of their

store (most stores have them located in the front). Make sure to scan your card every time you visit. You never know what's going to pop out. Also, continue scanning your card until the screen tells you no more coupons are available.

These can be very general ~$1 of any pain reliever, or these can be more specific~ $2 off of a $10 Tylenol purchase. You may also receive CVS coupons such as $4 off of your $20 purchase on your next CVS purchase. These can be used in addition to your ECBs. CRT coupons can also be combined with mfg coupons.

Both ECB and CRT coupons are specific to your CVS account, which means you cannot use them without your specific CVS card.

Overage at CVS CVS registers are programmed to not allow overage. If you buy 5 Colgate

Toothpastes on sale for $1.25 each, and plan to use 5 $1.50/1 coupons, the first 4 will scan without a problem. However, the last coupon will beep, and the register will not accept the coupon. The register will display a message to the cashier stating that the coupon has “exceeded limit” and it will prompt the cashier to modify the coupon to the max value (which is included in the prompt). In this case, the last coupon will be modified to 25 cents since:5 items @ $1.25 each = $6.25- 4 coupons @ $1.50/1 = $6.00Difference is = $0.25Therefore, the register will not let the last coupon to exceed the $0.25 “balance.”

How do I use $/$$ CVS Coupons When you receive a $/$$ CVS coupon, for example a $4/$20 CVS purchase your

total must be $20 before your coupons. You cannot stack these, meaning if your total is $22 and you have a $5 off of $15,

you can't use a coupon to get your $22 down to $17 and then use another one to get your $17 down to $12.

Some stores/cashiers will let you use multiple $X off of $XX coupons IF your total is higher than the $XX combined. Ex: If you have 2 $5 off of $15 coupons, your total must be $30 or higher before coupons.

If you are able to use two $X off of $XX coupons, the barcodes must be different. You cannot use two of the same barcode coupons at the same time.

$X off $XX coupons can be used in conjunction with other coupons: manufacturer coupons, store coupons and ECBs

Using coupons on clearanced items: o Coupons can be used on clearance. However, if your store has to enter in

clearance items manually (will show up on receipt as generic “taxable item“ rather than a specific item), they will have to enter in the coupons manually as well because the register will not recognize an item to apply the coupon to, as the product was entered in a generic format.

o Clearance items do NOT produce ECBs, even if the sale states "any" products. YMMV (Your Mileage May Vary) whether or not the cashier will print ECBs manually for clearance items.

o For those of you who "go green" during your shopping trip and bring in your own reusable shopping bag ~ be sure to pick up one of the CVS green bag tags. The initial cost is $.99 and these can be found for purchase at the registers

Bag Tagso Green Bag Tags can be scanned once per day (some areas give credit once per

store per day) and for every fourth scan you will receive $1 ECB. o Green Bag Tags are not attached to a particular ExtraCare card. Bag Tags are

interchangeable - meaning that more than one person can share the same Bag Tag, multiple Bag Tags can be used on the same ExtraCare account. It does not matter which physical Bag Tag is scanned, you will simply get one credit towards the $1 ECB for each daily scan.

CVS Rainchecks: If a product in the circular is not in stock, get a raincheck. If it is an ECB deal,

make sure the deal # is listed on the raincheck. When you buy the product(s) for the ECB deal, the cashier will use the deal # to "push through" the ECB. One great thing about rainchecks at CVS is they never expire!

If you are doing an ECB deal that requires you to buy multiple items in order to receive the ECB, make sure you indicate that to the cashier so they can put that information on your raincheck.

Further, if you've purchased a few products already but not quite enough to generate the ECB, keep your receipt, along with a copy of the ad, and your raincheck. The cashiers can force the ECB when you redeem your raincheck for the remainder of your items.

CVS Beauty Club ~ sign up now! When you join the CVS Beauty Club you'll receive these great benefits:

1) 10% off beauty shopping pass after enrollment2) $5 ECB on every $50 spent on qualifying beauty purchases3) $3 ECB on your birthday!

Shopping at Rite Aid:

Wellness+ Card o You can begin using your wellness+ account immediately by giving the cashier

your phone number.o When you use your wellness+ card, you get benefits including UP+ rewards and

your purchases (total purchase price before coupons) count toward a bonus program:EARN POINTS EVERY TIME YOU SHOP

Earn one point for every dollar you spend on nonprescription purchases. Earn 25 points for every prescription you purchase

MEMBER LEVEL* POINTS REWARDS plus for every 125 points† a one-time, 10% off shopping pass silver + 500 points 10% off all non-prescription purchases every day

free health screenings4 gold + 1,000 points 20% off all non-prescription points purchases

every day *All members are enrolled at the plus level and can earn their way to

silver+ and gold+. †For every 125 points up to 375.

+UP Rewards For +UP Rewards, be sure to use your wellness+ card. For a particular promotion, you need to buy all of the products on one

transaction. The circular lists +UP deals, and occasionally there are "hidden" deals where a

member posts that he/she has received +UP rewards not listed in the circular. Run to the store if you want to take advantage of the hidden deals, they are known to not last the entire sale week!

+UP rewards print out at the bottom of your receipt. +UP rewards are tied to your wellness card. +UP rewards expire usually 14-20 days from the time they are awarded, best to

look at the expiration date listed. Be sure to use your +UP rewards before they expire. They will beep if used after

expiration and stores will not override. You can roll +UP rewards back into the same deal. +UP deals are unlimited unless stated otherwise in the ad. Deals that state "limit

x per household" are tracked by wellness card. If you buy more than the stated limit +UP rewards will not print. If you don't get your +UP for some reason, corporate is great about sending a replacement one.

Using $/$$ Rite Aid coupons $/$$ coupons are available for Rite Aid from various sources, for example:

when you sign up for your wellness+ card, you may get one email coupons redplum.com completing video values A $/$$ coupon is applied to the total purchase price before any other coupons

are applied. Present the $/$$ FIRST after your items have been scanned.

Combining Rite Aid coupons and Manufacturers coupons (and +UP) Rite Aid coupons are available in store and online. Online, you can get Rite Aid coupons by completing video values (see below).

Also online, you can print wellness coupons. Note: When you open the wellness coupon link, you may want to save a copy on

your computer. That way if Rite Aid updates the coupons without changing the link (before the coupons expire), you will have it.

Video Values (Create an account) 2 main features of Video Values: Watch a video (it's an advertisement) for a

product you want to buy, then at the end of the video, you can print a coupon for that product. Note that although the coupon is a pdf, it will beep if you use it more than once.

Earn a certain number of video credits and receive a $/$$ Rite Aid coupon You cannot multitask while watching the videos, it's a little quirk.

Single Check Rebates (SCRs) are a monthly program. A booklet is available at the store and some are advertised in the weekly

circulars. The deals are also online. SCRs are a great way to convert your +UP rewards to cash and often a Money

Maker when you have a manufacturer or Rite Aid coupon on the product, or if you are using a $/$$ Rite Aid coupon on the transaction.

You need to sign up for SCRs to start: Single Check Rebates Claiming SCRs is easy. The key is to keep your receipts! And don't submit for

payment until you are sure that you have entered all receipts for that month. Once submitted, you cannot add more products.

Offers valid on in-store and Rite Aid Online Store purchases. Enter your receipts on this website throughout the program month. When you

put in your receipt information (transaction #, etc), all products purchased on that receipt that are eligible for SCRs automatically load, it's pretty cool. Click on Detailed Status at any time to see all your rebates.

Rainchecks:Rebates on +UP deals

Request a raincheck if a +UP deal product is out of stock. Rite Aid does not manually print +UPs (unlike CVS where the cashier can manually force a ECB to print). The raincheck should be written as the cost net of the +UP. But cashiers (and managers, too) are not consistent in handling +UP rainchecks. If the cashier will only write the sale price of the product (but not information about the +UP reward), even after pointing it out to him/her, then cut out the picture and price showing the +UP from the ad and attach it to the raincheck. Then when you use the raincheck, point out to subtract the +UP amount.

Rebate Rain Check Policy

o Request a raincheck if a SCR item is out of stock. The cashier may resist, may say "it's on the truck coming in tomorrow". If you insist, they must write the raincheck (occasionally you may need to get customer service on the line to encourage the cashier to write the raincheck).

o When purchasing rebate items with a Rain Check, make sure the cashier adjusts the price as "Rain Check" and not "Sale Price". If they do, return and rebuy the item.

Store Deal Websites: o Rite Aid:

http://www.iheartriteaid.com/ http://hip2save.com/save-money-with/rite-aid-deals-rite-aid-coupons http://www.forthemommas.com/category/drug-store-deals/riteaid http://forum.couponmom.com/rite-aid-deals/ http://dealseekingmom.com/rite-aid-deals-week-of-31311/ http://www.survivingthestores.com/category/coupon-match-ups/drug-store-

coupon-match-ups/rite-aid-weekly-deals http://www.beautifulfrugallife.com/2011/03/rite-aid-weekly-deals-313-

319.html http://thefrugalmap.bargainbriana.com/for-the-mommas/

o CVS: http://hip2save.com/2011/03/cvs-deals-313-319.html http://www.momsneedtoknow.com/category/drugstoredeals/cvs/

o Giant: http://thefrugalmap.bargainbriana.com/for-the-mommas/ http://www.momsneedtoknow.com/category/grocery-stores-stores/giantpa/ http://www.thebrainybuyer.com/2011/05/23/giant-free-with-dollar-doubler-

coupons/ http://www.ourcouponhome.com/showthread.php?41400-Possible-Dollar-

Doublers-in-the-5-22-ads http://www.happyclippings.com/giant-pa-weekly-deals http://www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/giant-pa/ http://www.weusecoupons.com/upload/giant-pa-martins/171854-giant-pa-ad-

6-12-11-w-pics.htmlo Weis:

http://thefrugalmap.bargainbriana.com/for-the-mommas/

o Target: http://www.stretchingabuckblog.com/category/all-stores/superstore/target http://www.totallytarget.com/2010/01/08/cheap-finds-page/ http://www.givemeneither.com/2011/02/16/target-deals-yobaby-yogurt-1-29-

simply-asia-75-cents-and-more/ http://www.commonsensewithmoney.com/2011/02/target-deals-cheap-

kelloggs-crunchy-nut-cereal-tonys-pizza-skippy-peanut-butter-and-more/ http://www.afullcup.com/shoppinglist/target http://www.couponmom.com/deals.php?market=1&store=36&sort=!

PercentSaved

o Walmart: http://wheelndealmama.blogspot.com/2011/05/walmart-free-and-cheap-as-of-

5811.html http://myfrugaladventures.com/2011/06/shop-for-free-target-and-walmart-9/

Deals of the Week: Office Depot:

Until Saturday August 13th:5 glues ($.01 each) = $.052 Bic Matic Grip PencilsPrice Matched to Staples $1.00 each$2.00 - $1.00/2 coupon printed online = $1.00 or $.50 eachTotal OOP w/ tax= $1.11

Office Max: Until Saturday August 13th:3 packs OMX Filler Paper 100 ct. $.01 each = $.033 Packs Papermate Pens 10 ct. $.10 each = $.30Total OOP w/ tax = $.35Regulary w/tax $7.8996% Savings!

Staples: Back to school savings card = $10.00 Hammermill Copy Paper 500 count 2 reams $4.99 each = $9.98 - $1.50 = $8.482 Bic Matic Grip Pencil Packs $1.00 each= $2.00 - $1.00/2 printable = $1.00/2 - $.30 = $.701 Zebra Grits Pens $4.00 - $.60 = $3.402 Staples Pencil Caps $.10 each = $.20 - $.04 = $.163 Slider Pencil Cases $.50 each = $1.50 - $.24 = $1.2610 Pocket Folders $.01 each = $.10 - $.01 = $.091 Omnitech Battery Pencil Sharpener = $9.35 - $1.65 = $7.70Total OOP w/ tax = $33.70 - $4.00 rebate pens - $7.48 rebate paper = $22.22 regular price w/tax = $52.53 = $58% savings!

Reading Eagle Subscription:

o For new subscribers: The first 13 weeks will be $16.25 (Regularly priced at $22.75) If interested come see me.

o Already have a subscription you can upgrade to: Weekend $22.75 (Regularly priced $29.25) 7 days $41.00 (Regularly $53.95) If interested come see me.