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Effective CouPAWning (For you, your family, your pets

and your rescues)

Overview Before you start Knowing What You Need Checking The Flyers/Ads For Weekly Deals Attaining Your Coupons Types of Coupons Components of Coupons Clipping and Organizing Your Coupons Where To Shop (Coupon Polices/Tips) How To Shop Know “What’s a good deal?” before you shop Expired Coupons

BEFORE YOU START

ScissorsPaper CutterCoupon Organizer / BinderPatienceTime

KNOW What You Need

• KNOW what items you currently use (brands, sizes)

• Keep a list of items you currently use (in case you can’t do the shopping)

• Keep track of items you are running low on or have depleted

Check the Flyers/Ads for Weekly Deals (WHAT is on Sale / WHERE are the Sales?)

Sign up for “email alerts” from your main retailers on upcoming weekly specials (usually receive on THURSDAYS)

Check the white plastic bag (i.e. Door Store or RedPlum) at the bottom of your driveway on SATURDAYS (There ARE usually coupons inside)

Go online to retailers’ websites

View ads in the SUNDAY paper

ATTAINING YOUR COUPONS

Methods for Attaining Coupons

1.) Hard Coupons

2.) Downloadable to Shopper Card

3.) Email / Digital / Online

Hard Coupons (Paper) - Local Newspaper (Redplum, Smart

Source, P&G)- eBay (purchase hard coupons

from other couponers)- Mailed coupons from retailers- Mailed coupons from third party based

on purchases (dunnhumby)- Reach Magazine- Entertainment Book/Local Coupon

Book

Tips For Buying Your Local Paper

Before purchasing your newspapers at a retailer, check the Redplum ad

The front cover will usually say $__ in coupons inside Take one paper at the retailer and check it

thoroughly (can use a closed lane to spread newspaper out to search)

Weigh the cost of buying the paper versus the number and quality of coupons you need!

If buying multiple copies, check EACH newspaper to ensure all coupon inserts are inside (people DO steal them!)

Coupon$ Inside the Newspaper

Redplum Coupons (1-2 inserts)Smart Source Coupons (1-2 inserts) This is also the insert inside the Redplum flyer at the bottom of your drivewayProcter & Gamble Coupons (inserted during the LAST SUNDAY of the month); other small P&G inserts randomly

Hard Coupons (In-Store)

Blinkies (dispensers in aisles)Tear Pads Hang TagsPeel OffsCatalina Coupons (coupons dispensed

upon check-out based on your purchase)

Downloadable to Shopper Card• Each week, coupons can be downloaded from

retailers’ websites to your shopper card.

• Upon checkout, coupons downloaded will be automatically applied to items purchased.

• (NOTE…downloadable coupons will “replace” paper coupons if both are used in the same transaction.)

Email / Digital / Online Coupons• Signing up on retailers’ sites will allow you to

receive updates, specials and coupons

• Retailers’ website can offer coupons on the main page

• Groupon / Living Social offer deals when purchased online

• Online coupons on coupon sites (be careful of spam sites)

Types of Coupons

Manufacturer Coupons- Directly from the manufacturer and usually can be

doubled (varies by store) up to $1.00 (unless stated otherwise)

- If doubled, the retailer pays for the doubling portion

Store Coupons- Directly from store and are not doubled- Most store coupons will allow a manufacturer’s

coupon “stacked” with it (see terms on coupon)

Components of a Coupon- Coupon Type (Manufacturer’s or Store)- Expiration Date- Coupon Information (product description and details)- Terms for Coupon (Limits or combination policy)- Bar Code (be sure to keep intact or scanning is difficult)

Clipping and Organizing

If clipping multiple copies, a paper cutter saves time Be sure to check the reverse side of your coupons on

the page before clipping to ensure others are not damaged

ONLY clip what you (or friends/family) need When organizing clipped coupons, file “like coupons”

together to ensure categories are easily identified Place the coupons in chronological order within each

category with the coupons expiring soonest up front Determine which categories make the most sense for

you, your family or your rescues

Coupon Policies Among 6 Retailers

Retailer

Limits 5 per cust per day

5 per cust per day

No limit; follows policy on coupon

No limit; follows policy on coupon

4 per cust per day

No limit; follows policy on coupon

Double? Up to $1.00 (thru 2/28)

Yes (see details below)

No No No No

Tax Exempt Policy501 © 3

Need CCE and go to cust serv desk

Need Tax ID number: fill out form each trip

Need CCE or GSTEC (very strict)

Need Tax ID number

Need CCE and take to cust serv desk

Need photo ID: Proof of Tax ID; will issue card

CCE =Consumer Certificate of Exemption GSTEC = General Sales Tax Exemption Certificate* Meijer changes doubling policy each week; check weekly ad (sometimes will only double first two like coupons)

How to Shop…Time is $

• Pre-plan your trip (especially if going to multiple stores)

• Coupons – never leave home without them• Bring your lists into the store• Never shop hungry• Stock up on GREAT DEALS!• Never buy something just because it’s on

sale! (Especially if you’ll never use it!)• Know your coupon policies ahead of time• Scope out a friendly cashier• Inform cashier of coupons up front• Inform customers behind you in line that you

have coupons• SMILE (can’t hurt if a coupon is questionable)

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Know your pricing- Familiarize yourself with the price of many of the

products you buy regularly- When looking through the ads, recognize a good

sale when you see one- Just because it’s “on sale,” doesn’t mean it’s not

less expensive at another retailer- Compare your “staple” items among the stores

(see handout)

- Take coupon policy into consideration when comparing prices

Coupons Expired?• While most retailers will NOT

accept expired coupons, they can still help our troops!

• Check with your local organizations on how you can help them save!

• Most organizations allow the military to use after 6 months!

THANK YOU!

HAPPY CLIPPING, $HOPPING AND $AVING!