This is just a baby step on how to coupon. I will keep adding items as we come across them.
Please don't expect to be like the show "Extreme Coupon". Most the time it just doesn't work out like that.
Also, don't think you have to have a huge stock pile in case of Zombie Apocalypse. It is very possible and easier than you think but it does requires several trips to the store a week. If you want to just save money and build up a stock for your family, I will teach you how.
Always, ALways, ALWAYS use your reward card ex: Homeland, Firelake, CVS, or Walgreens. If you don't have one, sign up for one. Their free! You can use your Homeland at Shell stations and receive cheaper gas once you spend a certain amount or buy items that have special gas promotions.
Sign up for Savingstar. Link all your reward cards when you sign up.
Always, ALways, ALWAYS use your reward card ex: Homeland, Firelake, CVS, or Walgreens. If you don't have one, sign up for one. Their free! You can use your Homeland at Shell stations and receive cheaper gas once you spend a certain amount or buy items that have special gas promotions.
Sign up for Savingstar. Link all your reward cards when you sign up.
How it works:
You sign up, then add your reward cards. Right now, they have a "healthy" offer that changes every week. Go to Homeland and purchase a $1 worth of apples. Use your reward card. Then in a few days you will receive an email, your reward has posted. Now on Savingstar you have 20¢. Once you earn $5 you can have it deposited into your checking account or paypal. Each month they have a "Buy $$$ get $$$".
Example:
Spend $15 on Pantene, get $5 back.{This is JUST an example}
Well CVS has Pantene on sale 2 for $6. You have a coupon for $2.00 on one item. You buy 2 Pantene's, because that's all that was left, and use 2 coupons (this is why you buy more than 1 paper). Your cost is $2.00 for both bottles. Then you go to Homeland and they have a Pantene for $3.99. (Make sure that's it's the Pantene that matches your savingstar) Use your coupon for $2.00 off and pay $1.99.
So far you have spent out of your pocket $3.99.
You have bought $15.99 worth of Pantene.
In a few days, you have $5 posted on your Savingstar account. Once you withdraw that, you have "made" $1.01 for 3 bottles of Pantene.
Does it always work like that? No, but it's really close.
You sign up, then add your reward cards. Right now, they have a "healthy" offer that changes every week. Go to Homeland and purchase a $1 worth of apples. Use your reward card. Then in a few days you will receive an email, your reward has posted. Now on Savingstar you have 20¢. Once you earn $5 you can have it deposited into your checking account or paypal. Each month they have a "Buy $$$ get $$$".
Example:
Spend $15 on Pantene, get $5 back.{This is JUST an example}
Well CVS has Pantene on sale 2 for $6. You have a coupon for $2.00 on one item. You buy 2 Pantene's, because that's all that was left, and use 2 coupons (this is why you buy more than 1 paper). Your cost is $2.00 for both bottles. Then you go to Homeland and they have a Pantene for $3.99. (Make sure that's it's the Pantene that matches your savingstar) Use your coupon for $2.00 off and pay $1.99.
So far you have spent out of your pocket $3.99.
You have bought $15.99 worth of Pantene.
In a few days, you have $5 posted on your Savingstar account. Once you withdraw that, you have "made" $1.01 for 3 bottles of Pantene.
Does it always work like that? No, but it's really close.
You can organize your coupons however is easier for you. A couple suggestions are:
*Cut all coupons out each Sunday and organize them in a binder or filing system (great for little kids to do)
*Keep a file of all inserts and only cut the coupons you need at that time
I have an expandable file that I bought at the dollar store. I keep all my inserts in there by week. Each week when I write down my match ups I pull each insert to cut the coupons. While looking through the inserts, if I see a coupon for something I might use, I go ahead and cut it. Homeland ALWAYS has something on clearance and if you have a coupon...extra cheap.
Example:
A couple of weeks ago they had a huge Pantene hairspray marked down for $2.41. I had a
$2.00 off any Pantene Hair product. Made the hairspray 41¢.
If I see something marked down and I don't have a coupon with me, I just make a note of it, go home and check for a coupon then come back the next day or two.
Here are a list of how some of the stores work with coupons. If you have any questions, please ask.
- Firelake Grocery will only except newspaper or pre-printed coupons.
- Country Boy will double up to 50¢ and will not except printed coupons.
- Walgreens and CVS will take all manufacturer coupons. You can also add manufacturer/newspaper coupons with store coupons for extra savings.
- Homeland will take almost any type of manufacturer coupon, printed or newspaper.
They also will double the first "like" coupon that is $1 or less.
Example:
- Angel Soft Toilet Paper sale price $1.00
You have a coupon for 45¢ off 1 package.
You buy 1 package with 1 coupon = $1.00 minus 90¢ (your coupon doubled) = 10¢ out of pocket (OOP)
You buy 2 packages with 2 coupons = $2.00 minus $1.35 (your first coupon doubled plus your second coupon) = 65¢ oop
- Dove Shampoo sale price $3.99
You have a coupon for $2.00 off 1 item of Dove Shampoo.
You buy 1 package with 1 coupon = $3.99 minus $2.00 (your coupon does not double because it is over $1) = $1.99 out of pocket (OOP)
Now for the coupon lingo-
OOP = Out of pocket
SS 1/24 = Smart Source Newspaper Insert from January 24th
RP 1/24 = Redplum Newspaper Insert from January 24th
K – Kelloggs/Keebler insert from the Sunday paper
GM – General Mills
P&G (PG) – Proctor & Gamble
BOGO or B1G1 – Buy One, Get One
WYB – When You Buy
DND – Do Not Double
MIR – Mail In Rebate
MFR – Manufacturer
RR – Register Rewards (Walgreens)
EB – ExtraCare Bucks (CVS)
If you have any questions about the above, just ask. I don't mind answering any questions and if I don't have the answer, I will get it.
Happy Shopping!
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