Coupon Basics 101

 Are you new to couponing and wanting to save money using coupons?  If so, you have came to the right place.  I am here to help you to learn to save using coupons.  If you have any questions or comments, you may contact me at Dixie@DeepSouthDixieCouponers.com.

 

Here are some guidelines to follow:

1. Shop your sales – Watch your weekly grocery sales ad’s.
2. Stack your coupons – Means use a manufacturer and a store coupon at the same time on a product (if your store allows)
3. Stockpile – Get alot of the same product for a small amount of money spent

Where can we get coupons?   Lots of places

 

1. Sunday Papers:   Your local newspapers have the coupon inserts inside them.  On holidays there will be no sunday coupon inserts.   Be sure to get at least 2 so you will have them for the B1G1F sales.   Always go with even numbers for this reason.
   
2. Blinkies:  Black boxes with a red blinking light on the side and will give you a manufacturer coupon and can be used at any store
3. Catalina:  A machine that prints out coupons or Register Rewards at the end of your qualifying transaction.  These are printed at places like Winn Dixie & WalGreens.
4. Extra Care Bucks:   These are printed at CVS after a qualifying transaction.  Same as Walgreens except it is printed on your receipt.  You can get $1 and up off your next transaction.
5. Extra Care Bucks from CVS Kiosk:   These are coupons printed out for use at CVS from a redmachine that is located at the front of the store.  You must scan your CVS Rewards Card to get these coupons.
6. Glove Box Coupons:  These are store coupons for $5 off $25 purchase as an example.
7. Internet Printables:  Coupons that can be found on the internet and printed out.  Example: Coupons.com, Redplum.com, Smartsource.com or certain manufacturer’s have coupons to print as well.
8. Peelies:  These are peel off coupons located on a product.
9. Register Rewards:   These are coupons that print out from WalGreens after a qualifying purchase and can be used again in the next transaction.  Example:  $5 next transaction or $ off certain item that is printed on the coupons.
10. Tearpads:  These are pads of manufacturer coupons that can be found on the shelves or qualifying product.
11. RecycleBank:   A website where you can earn points to print off Coupons.
12. Target Coupons:  Coupons printed from Target’s Website and can be used at Target Stores.  These can be stacked with a manufacturer coupon.

 

What are coupon abbreviations:

• B1G1F:   Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
• WYB:   When You Buy
• MIR:   Mail In Rebate
• OOP:   Out Of Pocket
• UPC:  Universal Product Code that is found on products used to scan at register
• GM:  General Mills
• SS:   Smart Source
• RP:  RedPlum
• P&G:  Product and Gamble
• $1/1:  One Dollar off 1 Item
• $1/2:  One Dollar off 2 Items
• ECB:  Extra Care Bucks at CVS
• RR: Register Rewards at WalGreens
• Manu:  Manufacturer Coupon

How to Use Coupons at a Drug Store:  CVS, WalGreens, Rite Aid

• CVS:   Apply for a card.  It is FREE!  Use this card every time you make a purchase at CVS.  It will save you 2% back on all purchases.  When you 1st sign up go ahead and sign up for emails.  You will receive a coupon for $4/20 your transaction in email.  Make sure to remember when you walk into the store have your card ready and scan at the Red Kiosk for CVS Coupons.  Be sure to sign up for The Beauty Club as well.  For every $50 you spend you will get $5 ECB back.  You can use a manufacturer coupon and a CVS Kiosk Coupon for each item purchased (Check with your stores policies). Extra Care Bucks and Kiosk Coupons do have an expiration date.  You can Roll your ECB into multiple transactions in the same visit.

• Rite Aid:  Apply for a card.  It is FREE!  Be sure to use this card with each purchase you  make at Rite Aid.  Rite Aid has a rebate for purchases.  A check is mailed  to your home.  This is an electronic rebate system.  Be sure to check Rite Aid Video Value for Rite Aid store coupons by watching videos.  You can watch 20 videos and get a $4 off $20 to be used in the store and these can be stacked with a manufacturer coupon.

• WalGreens:  They do NOT have a card, but they do have a monthly coupon book as well as an Infant Care Book.  WalGreens does accept manufacturer coupons with a store coupon, from their monthly coupon books, and stack (check with your store).  When you purchase qualifying items you will receive Register Rewards printed out at the end of the transaction and you can use these again for another transaction.  Register Rewards do have an expiration date.  You can only have 1 manufacturer coupon per item purchased and possibly will need a filler item so find a really cheap item to use as your filler.   You can Roll your Register Rewards into multiple transactions in the same visit.

 

When you have a coupon, Dont just go out and use it just because you have it there.  Look for sales in your local sales ad’s for that item.   If you really need that item and it hasnt went on sale before that coupon expires then if you want you can use it but don’t expect to save as much if its not on sale.  It will eventually go back on sale and hopefully you will be able to get another coupon.

Buy 1 Get 1 Free -  Winn Dixie, Publix, Food World, Bruno’s have B1G1F items.  When you purchase B1G1F items, then be sure to use 2 coupons on those 2 items (check with your store).  You will get a great price!

Always Carry your coupons with you.  I use a coupon binder and love it but you can use any method you wish to carry yours.  If you go to the store you might see an item that is on clearance or sale that you know you have a coupon on but if you left your coupons at home then you cant get the item.

Always carry Store Coupon Policies or Ad Price Match Policies with you.  Again, another great reason for having a coupon binder.  CVS, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Publix, Rite Aid, WalGreens, Walmart Coupon Policy, WalMart Ad Match, Winn Dixie

Please be careful what coupons you print!  Make sure it is NOT counterfeit.  You can check HERE for a list of counterfeit coupons.

NEVER NEVER NEVER copy a coupon!  It is illegal!

You can print 2 coupons, unless stated otherwise, from each computer.  These are great for B1G1F sales!

Be sure to get rain checks if your store is out of an item.  You can use these again next time your in the store and they have them in stock and still able to get it at the sale price.

Rolling:   Means using the ECB or RR means you will do multiple transactions and pay for them using ECB or RR that printed out from the previous transaction.

Double Coupons: Some stores will double coupons which means if a coupon is $.50 then your coupon is doubled up to $1.00.   Check with your store and check to see how much they double up to.

Stores that double in the Mobile Area:

• Bruno’s & FoodWorld will double up to $.50 every day.
• Kmart will double up to $.99 at certain times.  Check with the store.

 

Again, if you have any questions, comments or concerts please feel free to contact me.