coupon

Couponing Myths: Debunked!

Abby H.

In the spirit of helping others learn to coupon, I’ve been posting some Couponing 101 post over the past week or so. Today I want to continue by debunking some myths surrounding coupons and couponing!

Myth #1: There are never any coupons for fresh fruits, veggies, or food for my special diet!!! Au contraire!

You just have to know where to look!   There are lots of printable coupons for these items.

And don’t forget your couponing and rebate apps! Check out a list of my favs here. Did you know that Sprouts has an app too? They have all kinds of coupons for dollars and cents off stuff you actually buy.

Myth #2: It takes too much time to coupon!  By the time I clip all the coupons and visit all of the stores with deals, I will have wasted all of my savings on gas!

I would like to kick TLC in the Butt for “that show”.  It portrays all couponers as crazy people with oodles of time on their hands who just clip and file in their binders.   When I go to shop, I check the deal sites (I like Grocerysmarts.com, I can make lists, print coupon, and check sales at all of the stores in our area all in one website!), make my list, grab the coupons I need, put the coupons and list in a separate zip lock bag for each store.

I bring a pen, calculator, my small coupon wallet (it lives in my purse all of the time!), my pad of paper with all my deals, lists, and scenarios on it and I am ready to go.  It takes me less than an hour to prep for a shopping trip.

I visit one grocery store.  That’s it.  Sometimes, I’ll go to a drugstore, but only if the deals are sooo good and are free or have a very low OOP. I don’t roll rewards or go to more than one store each week. I don’t have the time.

Screen Shot 2016-06-21 at 4.16.08 PMAt my coupon classes the bottom line I teach is: Couponing can take as much or as little time you want to put into it.  My blog and classes try to make it as easy for you as possible.  I want you to have the tools to make saving your family money easy.

I don’t clip every coupon every week.  I don’t have a binder. Here are pics of my coupon wallet!
It’s served me well over the past 9 years. The tabs are in order of the store I frequent, and I stick my sticky backed coupons to the inside front flap. I bought it at Walmart for $1.97.

Myth #3: You don’t really save money with coupons!

My grocery bill has gone down from $200/week to $75/week thanks to coupons and strategic shopping! Once I started using coupons in conjunction with store sales and eating food that was in season, we have saved $6500 in a year. We eat better food than we did before!

 

Myth #4: Store brands are cheaper.

Here is a recent sale that I took advantage of- this demonstrates that with a good sale and a coupon, you can purchase name brand items for less than the generic price.

*Store brand High Protein Cereal/Granola (Generic Kashi) $2.99

*Kashi $3.49

-Coupon for Kashi $1.50 (from Vocal Point)

-Name brand price with coupon $1.99- With a coupon and a sale, I save $1.00 over the identical generic item!

Myth #5: Couponing is for poor people.  (this one really bugs me)

Recently, a study on coupon usage was conducted by the Neilson Company, and they discovered that people making $100,000 or more were 25% more likely to use coupons than those making $25,000 or less. It also profiled the average coupon clipper as being a woman earning $50,000 a year. And really, how do you think rich people get rich?  By saving their money!

Myth #6: A cashier told me when I use coupons, I am stealing money from stores!

That is a LIE. It’s not even a myth, it’s a lie. Grab a coupon and look at it. Screen Shot 2016-06-21 at 4.23.38 PMSee where it says Retailer in bold? Next to it the coupon reads: “Abbott Nutrition will reimburse you for the face value of this coupon plus 8 cents handling when submitted in compliance…..”.  The bold is my emphasis.

So as you can see, the store will be reimbursed for the face value of the manufacturer coupon, plus 8 cents PER COUPON. All coupons have similar language.  The industry standard handling is 8 cents per coupon.

Imagine how many coupon your average grocery store accepts in one day.

Also, when a store puts items on sale during the time a coupon is valid, the store expect you to fill your cart with other stuff that’s on sale.

When you buy an item that is on sale and use a coupon, you are not stealing, you are being a strategic shopper. Sales and coupons are tools to help you stretch your budget further.

Stores also regularly have items that are low priced to get you in the door, so you will.. that’s right, fill your cart with non-sale, non-coupon items. Those items are called Loss leaders.

Transaction vs. Purchase- Clearing up coupon lingo

Abby H.

If you read the fine print on coupons, it usually says a bunch of stuff that rivals legal documents.

Screen Shot 2016-06-13 at 11.41.45 AMYou’ve probably seen the following statements:

  • Limit one coupon per purchase….
  • Limit one coupon per transaction…
  • Limit one coupon per purchase of products and quantities stated.  Limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip…
  • One coupon per person, per day…
  • Limit one manufacturer and one Target/Store coupon per item…
  • Limit of 4 identical coupons per household, per day…

UGH!!!  That’s so confusing!  How is anyone supposed to stockpile and save tons of money when there are so many restrictions?

Well, let’s clear that one up.

  1. Each item you are buying is a purchase.  3 widgets, 3 coupons for those widgets, 3 purchases.  You don’t need to buy each widget separately, you can have them all rung up together.
  2. A transaction is your entire basket order.  Everything you put onto the conveyor belt all totalled is your transaction. Some stores (not too many, check your stores coupon policy) allow you to break up your basket into separate transactions to use more coupons.
  3. Our third example comes from Proctor and Gamble (P&G) coupons.  This means that you can only use four of the same coupons on four of the items stated on the coupon, in the sizes stated on the coupon in the same shopping trip.  The term”shopping trip” is up for debate, but to me that means per time you visit the store.  Some couponers argue that “shopping trip” is the same as transaction.  I don’t chance it.  I’ll just stick to four P&G coupons per store visit.
  4. The fourth example is super rare, generally seen on high value store coupons. It means exactly what is says. You may use one of those coupons per day.  Your mom may use one of those coupons per day, your uncle, your cat, etc.
  5. Target and some other stores (Albertsons, CVS, Walgreens, and Vons) allow you to match up (or stack) a store coupon with a manufacturer coupon.   An example is shown below with coffee creamer.    Store coupons can be found on on the stores website or  in store advertisement/circular that is available in the store. Target and Albertsons have store printable coupons available on their website, while Vons has store coupons that you can load onto your Vons card (these are sometimes called E-coupons or electronic coupons).  CVS and Walgreens have sale flyers and coupon booklets in their stores and CVS has the “magic coupon machine” where you wave your CVS card under the reader, and it spits out coupons! Check your stores coupon policy to see if they have any further restrictions on how many stacked coupons you can use per transaction, which bring us to…Screen Shot 2016-06-13 at 11.42.04 AM
  6. This is taken directly from Target’s updated coupon policy.  At Target (and some other stores), you may use 4 identical/like coupons per household, per day. So, at Target, you can stack 4 sets of coupons.  4 Target coupons and 4 manufacturer coupons for your 4 items for your household. That doesn’t mean you can’t come back the next day and do it again!  I’ve done that before when a deal is super hot.

Coupon Lingo!

Abby H.

deals_and_Coupons_version_2 (1)

Just like any other hobby or subculture, couponing has it’s own lingo. You’ll often run across it reading blogs or talking to fellow couponers. Here is a list with the most commonly used lingo:

Actual – Physical items you hold in your hand meaning a box of pasta rather than a pasta coupon. Used often in trading coupons.

BLINKIES – These are found in stores in a dispenser machine. Most often the box will have a red blinking light on it.

BOGO (or B1G1)- Buy one get one free.

Catalina – Coupons that come from a machine at the cash register. Named after the manufacturer of the machine that spits out the coupons.

CRT – Cash register tape.(this is a pretty dated/old school term for a receipt)

Double Coupon – Means the value of the coupon is doubled at the register. In San Diego, Only Kiehl’s doubles coupons.

ECB – Extra Care Bucks. A form of rebate from CVS. ECB’s are a CVS exclusive.

FREE ITEM COUPON -You get a free product at the store at no cost or just tax.

HBA – The health and beauty aid section.(shampoo, conditioner, body wash, styling products, etc.)

IP – Internet printable coupon.

INSERT- The packages of coupons that come in the Sunday paper.

MANU or MANNY – Short for Manufacturer Coupon. A coupon issued from the manufacturer. Manufacturer Coupons are about 90% of the coupons in the Sunday papers.

MIR – Mail In Rebate – you have to mail it to a clearinghouse to redeem. Learn more about rebates here.

MM- Money Maker- Any deal where you come out ahead or the store pays you to leave the store with items. These deals are pretty rare these days.

NON-INSERT- A coupon that does not come from the coupon packages (called inserts) in the newspaper. Non-insert coupons come from inside or outside packages, home mailers, Smartsource blinkie machines, magazines, tear pads.

OOP – Out of Pocket – money paid after coupons.

OYNO – On your next order – a lot of Catalinas fall under this, meaning you need to make an additional purchase to redeem.

P&G – Proctor & Gamble Sunday insert coupons.

PEELIE – coupon’s found on products that are sticky unless removed carefully.

POP – Proof of purchase found on actual item, usually a UPC/barcode.

RP – Red Plum Sunday Insert Coupons. In San Diego, these coupon inserts come in the Monday junk mail.

SASE – Self Addressed Stamped Envelope some freebies or rebates require them.

SS – Smart Source or Sunday Insert coupons.

STORE COUPON- A coupon good at a specific store (Target, Albertsons, Vons, CVS, and Walgreens all have store coupons).

TEAR PAD – A pad of refund forms or coupons found hanging from a store shelf or display.

TMF – Try Me Free – rebates for the full price of the item when it first is new to the market.

WINE TAG – coupons found on the necks of wine bottles. In CA, these coupons require the purchase of at least bottle of wine to redeem the deal.

WYB – When You Buy – additional purchase is required to redeem.

San Diego, CA area Coupon Group looking for new members!

Abby H.

Are you a new couponer looking for a couponing tribe of friends who “get” your love of saving? Are you an old time couponer who remembers the Good Ol’ Days of Double coupons?deals_and_Coupons_version_2

If you live in San Diego and are interested in finding some like minded couponing buddies, check out my new Facebook group here.

We’ll be getting together in East County twice a month to talk strategies, tips, hints, and of course, to share coupons!

In between meetings, we’ll share tips and tricks, hot deals, and share our love of saving!

 

New Month, New Coupons!

Abby H.

file000786402730Here is your monthly reminder!  A new month means new printable and electronic coupons!

Check out the following sites:

One of my favorite website is the Sunday Coupon Review.  It helps me plot out scenarios in advance and I can email friends to ask for coupons in advance. Remember if clipping coupons isn’t your thing, but saving money is, check out my list of Smartphone apps that can save you the big bucks!

Here are just a few of the new coupons that have me excited:


$1.50 off (2) JOHNSON'S and/or DESITIN products
$0.75 off any 1 NESTLE COFFEE-MATE Coffee Creamer
$1.00 off one True Lemon
$2.00 off one (1) Playtex Cup Product
$1.00 off ONE (1) 10 oz. Chobani Meze Dip

Jump into Fun at Rockin’ Jump San Diego!

Abby H.

With summer coming, I know moms and dads will be on the hunt for fun, frugal stuff to do with the kids. I was stoked to learn about Rockin’ Tots at Rockin’ Jump San Diego!

Henry LOVES trampolines! It’s a great way to burn off energy and get some wiggles out. Rockin’ Jump San Diego– is the Ultimate Trampoline Park! Fun for kids of all ages! Rockin Jump has a massive main trampoline jump arena and slam dunk zone. The trampoline dodgeball arena provides something for everyone along with more fun attractions! Rockin Jump also offers the perfect Birthday Party Venue and a healthy family activity!  I can’t wait to take him!

Right now there are some special Deals at Rockin’ Jump – Come jump, flip, bounce and climb at Rockin’ Jump, San Diego’s Ultimate Indoor Trampoline park. Not only do they have a huge trampoline arena, we have dodgeball, a stunt air-bag, Joisting, rock climbing, basketball slam-dunk, a tots-only arena, mini-golf and a cafe’.  There are discounts off the Ultimate Birthday Package, Jump Time and Jump and Mini-Golf combo’s! Find all the great deals here.

We’ll be visiting soon to check out all of the fun and the party package! I’ll be sure to report back with details and tons of pictures!

@usfg

New Month, New Coupons!

Abby H.

file000786402730Here is your monthly reminder!  A new month means new printable and electronic coupons!

Check out the following sites:

One of my favorite website is the Sunday Coupon Review.  It helps me plot out scenarios in advance and I can email friends to ask for coupons in advance. Remember if clipping coupons isn’t your thing, but saving money is, check out my list of Smartphone apps that can save you the big bucks!

Here are just a few of the new coupons that have me excited:

$1.00 off 3 LaCroix Curate
$2.00 off any one Balmex Diaper Rash Cream
$2.00 off any ONE package of HUGGIES Diapers

Better than free shampoo at Target!

Abby H.

IMG_4385WOOOHOOO!!

Just as my stockpile starts to dwindle, my fav shampoo and conditioner comes up free! Through Saturday night (remember, Target sales start anew on Sunday morning), when you buy 4 13 oz Garnier Fructis Shampoo and conditioners at $2.97 each, you’ll get a $5.00 Target GC. It’s all of the 13 oz varieties, I just took a photo of this one shelf tag.

Deal:

Buy 4 13 oz Garnier Fructis Shampoo and conditioners at $2.97 each= $11.88

Use 4 $2.00/1Garnier Frucits Shampoo, Conditioner or Treatment (excludes trial) – from the 3/6/16 Red Plum

Pay $3.88, get back a $5.00 Target Gift card for your next purchase. Now that’s a deal!

I bought 4 (the coupon limit on the coupon is 4 like coupons per day), but I may buy 4 more tomorrow when I go back to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription! It’s deals like this that help me re-stock my dwindling stockpile.

Price Per Unit: Is Bigger Better?

Abby H.4 Comments

random-aisle-photos 013The price per unit helps you determine if the jumbo sized drum of applesauce is a better deal than a regular sized jar. How to determine the price per ounces is easy, most of the time stores do it for you! Take a look at the shelf tag- it should give you a price per unit, usually in ounces (oz.) or pounds (lb.).

If the price per ounce/pound on the larger container is smaller, then it is a good deal. When comparing, make sure both containers are using the same unit of measurement

Here is an example of what the shelf tags can look like:

Screen Shot 2016-03-27 at 2.54.29 PM

The majority of shelf tags will list:

  • The Item
  • The size of the container (in ounces, pounds, or units)
  • The Price of the item
  • The price per unit (in ounces, pounds or units)

This is also a great strategy to see if the store brand or a brand that isn’t your usual brand is a better deal than what you normally buy.

If your store doesn’t have shelf tags that break down the price per unit, here is how you can figure it out- I recommend using a calculator.

Take the price of the item and divide it by the number of ounces/lbs/units in the package.

Let’s use for our example the Uncle Ben’s Buttery Ready Rice, pictured above on the left.

$1.93 divided by 8.8 ounces equals .219, which is 21.9¢ per ounce.

If you keep a Price Book, you might want to  include a space for unit price, you would write 21.9¢ in the Unit Price Column. You can round up, or leave it as a fraction of a cent, to get an exact price for comparison. Learn more about price books here.

My trip to Target, or how you can find savings everywhere!

Abby H.
Seriously, this little face loves to shop!
Seriously, this little face loves to shop!

Last night, Bitty Bird and I headed over to Target to pick up a few things. Armed with my smartphone and a fistful of coupons, we were determined to save some dollar bills!

While browsing the aisles, checking the Cartwheel app for more savings, I was stopped by two college guys (they were wearing SDSU basketball jerseys) who asked me about bacon (why was the bigger package cheaper? Answer- it was a loss leader for the week! Come in for cheap bacon, fill your cart with full price groceries). Then they asked me what I was doing scanning everything with my phone.

Thus began a quick lesson in the middle of the grocery section of Target on how to save money.

First I told them basically everything I mention here.

But really, I told them, what you need is Cartwheel. Target Cartwheel is any Target shoppers best friend. It’s the best app! With that app, I can scan products and it will tell me if there is a discount available for that item. If there is, with one quick swipe, the discount is added to your cartwheel account. At checkout, present your smartphone to the cashier, with the Cartwheel app open, the barcode is scanned, and the savings is instant!

One thing not mentioned in my previous Target post is that Target now has these awesome text coupons. There are signs all over the store so you won’t miss out if you keep your eyes open. Like this week text CARE to Target (827438) to save $5 off a $20 or more purchase on personal care items. These text coupons work just like cartwheel. Pull up the text, click the link, and present the barcode to the cashier at checkout. These coupons are stackable with store sales, manufacturer paper coupons, and cartwheel deals too.

They ended up saving about $25 between Cartwheel, the text codes they found while in the store, a couple coupons found on products (and a few I gave them), and the rebate apps I hooked them up with (you can see my favs here).

Saving money doesn’t have to involve tons of work, hours of clipping coupons, or being “that lady” (or guy, there are couponing dude too).

And for what it’s worth, after my coupons, codes and Cartwheel, I saved over thirty bucks! My bill went from $86 for $53! It’s not sorcery- It’s smart shopping. It’s your money, spend (and save) it wisely!