Happy New Year!

I'm not sure about all of you, but I'm very glad the holidays are finally over! The past couple months I've been pretty busy and haven't done much couponing. My coupon binder and folder are a complete mess! This week I hope to get my binder back in order and purge my old coupons and inserts.

Here's a great posting I found last year that Bargains to Bounty did about knowing when you can purge coupon inserts- check it out here. One of the challenges I have with keeping whole coupon inserts is finding the time to go through old inserts and knowing when I can get rid of the whole insert. Bargains to Bounty solves that problem using a regional coupon database on The Coupon Mom's site. I was going to do a big coupon purge in December but figured I might as well wait until after January 1 since so many coupons expired then.

Printing Coupons

I posted this awhile ago but thought some of my newer followers might like to see this coupon information..

I wanted to take a minute to make sure everyone knows how to get their two prints from printable coupons... Most of the time, you can get two prints of each printable coupon. For sites like coupons.com, redplum.com and smartsource.com, you go back into the coupon and select print to get your second print. Certain coupons may have a limit of one- we're starting to see that more with coupons.com coupons.

The two coupon limit is per computer, so if you have access to multiple computers, you can get more prints!

However, with printing individual coupons (Bricks coupons, etc.) though a direct link, after the first coupon prints, hit your browser's back button until the coupon prints again... sometimes it takes just one time, sometimes a couple. This works for most individual printable coupons online (Bricks, etc.).

Also, if you're just getting into printing coupons and want to save on ink, make sure you go into your printing properties and change your print quality to draft mode and to black and white print. The coupons are not as pretty but you'll save a lot of money on ink cartridges!

Coupon Information

I thought I'd post a link to one of my favorite blogs- For the Mommas. This month For the Mommas is posting a 30 day "learn to coupon" series for anyone wanting to learn the basics plus more about couponing. Check it out and let me know if you have questions. I think it's always good whether you're new to couponing or need a refresher or additional tips to read this sort of info.

For the Mommas is one of my favorite blogs for Rite Aid deals and unadvertised specials!

Another very interesting article about Extreme Couponing

Thanks again to Bargains to Bounty for posting a link to another article about TLC's Extreme Couponing! The Coupon Information Corporation is expressing disappintment the TV series and the illegal strategies that have been shown. I like the idea of a show about Extreme Couponing but what TLC is showing is just plain bad. They are providing too little information about coupon strategies and store policies and not realizing that people ARE going to try to get deals like they are showing. They definitely need a disclaimer before the show that explains that merchandise was pre-ordered for the show, company policies were disregarded and that TLC probably ended up eating the cost of all the coupons "redeemed" because to redeem mass quanities of coupons would probably result in the retailer being refused payment for the coupons.

An article about purchasing coupons and some of my thoughts

Since the show Extreme Couponing aired, there have already been changes in the couponing world. P&G coupons now have a limit of 4 per transaction and coupons are becoming more regional. There was a great Bricks printable coupon for various Johnson & Johnson products that got flagged as a counterfeit after someone printed hundreds of copies and sold them on Ebay- stuff like that ruins it for the rest of us. Although I have bought coupons online before from reputable coupon clipper services (never tried Ebay), I am going to think twice about it after reading this article by Jill Cataldo. It's important to save money, but more important than that it is to save money using proper methods and following store policies.

I think that I can get enough coupons of the items I need from buying papers myself, whether it be the local Kalamazoo Gazette or the Detroit Free Press and from getting coupon inserts from friends and family. I can easily stock up using legitimate means of collecting coupons and although coupon clippers are still legal because you're not "buying" the coupon you're paying for someone "clipping" the coupon, I think there will continue to be changes and I'll stick with the ways that I know are legitimate.

Since the show aired, I am seeing more clear shelves in the stores when there are super deals-- which is both good and bad. It's getting more people interested in couponing, but it's also bringing out a new crowd of greedy couponers who have not yet learned coupon etiquette (or store policies). It's important to get your deals, but share the wealth with others- don't be a shelf clearer! I'm not saying that if there are only 2 items left on the shelf you shouldn't get them, but don't be one of those shoppers that brags on coupon blogs about buying up mass quantities of drugstore deals going from store to store and leaves nothing for others.

I suggest that you stagger your shopping trips- I try to go in the beginning of the week and then wait until closer to the end of the week to go back for seconds or thirds-- if I'm shopping for a hot coupon item and it's still in the store by the end of the week than others have had an opportunity to get the item as well. I like to rotate which stores I shop at-- there are several Walgreens close to me and one store I know is usually stocked better for sales (and must have less coupon shoppers), as well as rotating which Rite Aid I shop at each week.

Also, make sure to know each store's policies on coupons. Be aware that stores are dealing with lots of new couponers who do not know what they're doing- they want to get HOT deals like what they saw on TLC's Extreme Couponing show. They don't understand that store policies vary from store to store, and even regionally.

Thanks Bargains to Bounty for posting this link to Jill's site! Bargains to Bounty is a very reputable coupon site that always encourages responsible and ethical couponing!

Coupon refresher...

I'll post my Target shopping trip from today later, but I wanted to re-post this previous posting about buying diapers. I wrote this last May. It's been awhile since I've bought diapers at Target and remembered how excited I was when I first got a deal on diapers at Target...

Originally posted 5/5/2010

I thought it was time to take a minute and share my shopping history/ strategies with everyone. I have always used coupons... but it never really made a difference until last year when I started "couponing."

What's the difference between using coupons and what I refer to as "couponing?" Before, I'd buy a big box of diapers for $29.99 at Target and use a $1.50 off manufacturer coupon and think I got a good deal... What would I do now? I'd wait until there was a sale or promo on diapers and use the coupon with a sale to get an even better deal... like last week, jumbo packs of diapers were $8.99 and when you bought 3 you'd get a $5.00 gift card.

I never used to buy small packages of diapers because I thought it was a better deal to get a bigger box. When you do a little math, you'll see that most often you'll spend less when you buy smaller quantity because it's a higher percentage off... does that make sense? When I first started couponing, I started figuring the per item price (my cell phone has a calculator on it so it's pretty easy to do quickly in the store) and was surprised at the difference.

Here's an example:
Huggies Diapers- box of 108 size 4 diapers- $34.98 (Walmart online price) or $.32 per diaper
Huggies Diapers- jumbo pack of 27 size 4 diapers- $8.99 (regular price most places)- or $.33 per diaper

Using the $3.00 off 1 coupon scenario since this was the most recent big Huggies coupon:
Use the coupon on the box= $.30 per diaper
Use the coupon on the jumbo pack= $.22 per diaper

That's a significant difference! To make a deal like that even better (which I did last week at Target), I'd use Target store coupons with my manufacturer coupons. Last week I had 3- $3.00 off Huggies manufacturer coupons and 3- $2.00 off Huggies Target coupons that had came in some wipes packages a couple months ago. So here's what I was able to do:

3 Jumbo packs @ $8.99 each= $26.97- $9 (3- $3 off manufacturer coupons)- $6 (3- $2 off Target coupons)= $11.97 for 3 jumbo packs of diapers. Plus, last week Target was giving a $5 gift card when you bought 3 jumbo packs- so after gift card- I got 3 jumbo packs of diapers for $6.97!! That's only $.09 per diaper!! I hate to even think how much money I wasted on diapers for my now 3 year old! If only I would have learned how to do this sooner...

More coupon information!

Apparently everyone is on the same page this week trying to clear up any mis-information about coupons. One of my favorite blogs, Hip 2 Save, puts together a weekly video series, and this week's "Coffee with Collin" is "Proper Coupon Usage- Unextreme and Uncomplicated!" Collin also reviews some basic coupon info on this posting so I would highly recommend checking it out.

If you're new to couponing, this is a great site with loads of coupon information.

Couponing the right way

Last week TLC started a new TV series called Extreme Couponing. I am very disappointed in the show and the network for airing what they aired and hope that they do better in upcoming episodes. Bargains to Bounty found an article online by Jill Cataldo about one of the shoppers featured on the show that is definitely worth reading and I am very disappointed that TLC chose to air someone with shady practices instead of finding some of the thousands of couponers who follow the rules.

You can save a TON of money by couponing. However, you have to make sure you are doing it correctly- using the correct coupons on the correct items, following store policies and not trying to get away with anything shady. There are SO many deals that you can get using coupons the correct way. Last year was my first full year of big time couponing and I don't have my numbers in front of me, but I think my total coupon savings was around $4000 for the year. Saving $4000 while following the rules and store policies- that's good enough of a savings for me!

I wanted to give everyone a bit more information about coupon usage and if you have any coupon questions (can you...?, should you..?, etc.) please leave comments or email me directly.

Here are a few coupon reminders:
- DO NOT photocopy printable coupons- most printables allow a 2nd print by using your browser's back button- if you want more prints, use a different computer, borrow a friend's computer, etc.- do NOT photocopy!

- DO NOT use coupons on items or sizes other than what the specific coupon is for

- QUESTION any coupons that look too good to be true- I don't think any manufacturer's would ever publish any free product coupons or really high value coupons that could be circulated via email- if you are emailed a coupon that's a PDF or other similar file- don't use it. Using a counterfeit coupon at a retailer means that the retailer will NOT get reimbursed by the manufacturer and they may change coupon policies if they have too many losses. See Bargains to Bounty's posting "Beware of Counterfeit coupons" and "What you need to know about recent printable coupons" for more details about this and links to more information.

Why do I care about something that was on TV? My fear after seeing the show Extreme Couponing is that some retailers will see how coupons can be misused and make their coupon policies more strict. Manufacturers reimburse retailers when you redeem your coupons there, and if the coupons are used incorrectly or if the coupons are fraudulent, manufacturers may refuse reimbursement and stores will lose money.

I doubt that nothing will happen with the woman featured in the show (other than her reputation and credibility is now ruined) and even though she did appear to use the coupons fraudulently, since it was for a TV show the transactions weren't "real" and everything was staged.

Did you see the show? What are you thoughts?

How do you know where to find a coupon?

If you're ever looking for a coupon for a particular item, you can check out the database at Hot Coupon World. It lists coupons and where they can be found- if they were in a newspaper insert, it lists the date of the insert and which particular one (Red Plum, Smart Source or P&G). I've used several different databases and this one works the best for me.



I keep all the newspaper inserts I get in a file so that when a deal pops up I can easily find the coupon. It's also nice because I usually have extras and am able to share coupons with some of my friends and coworkers. I file my inserts in individual plastic sleeves by type of insert and then in a folder by date.

Did you know?

Buy one, get one free coupons
Did you know that at most stores, you can use two coupons with a buy one, get one free coupon?

For example, yesterday at Rite Aid, I bought two Oral-B toothbrushes. Here's what I did:
2 Oral-B toothbrushes- $2.99 each
$2.99- used $1.00 off coupon= $1.99
$2.99- used BOGO coupon= FREE
paid $1.99 for 2

In the above scenario, the BOGO coupon is attached to the free item so you can use a separate coupon for the item you are paying for, bringing down the cost of the item you're paying for and getting you a second for free!

Most coupons state "one coupon per purchase." What that means is that you cannot use multiple coupons on the same item- you cannot buy one toothbrush and use two- $1.00 off coupons. Many people also think that the phrase "one coupon per purchase" means they can only use one coupon for one item that day. That's not true either- if you are buying five bags of diapers and have five coupons, you can use a coupon with each individual bag of diapers.

What to do with expired coupons...

If you have coupons that have expired and you didn't get to use them, don't throw them away! Hip 2 Save has a great posting about what to do with expired coupons. Military families can use expired coupons up to 6 months past their expiration dates. Go here to check out the details and find out where to send your coupons!

Don't send expired printable coupons- these programs are looking for expired clipped newspaper/direct mail coupons.

The cycles of sales...

One of the blogs I follow is The Coupon Project. It's where I got the really cool savings tracker that I use to track my coupon and sale savings.

Angela put together a pretty nice posting on what went on sale last year and when. These are the items she found to stock up on because they were at rock bottom prices. It's a pretty interesting list- you'll see that usually each season brings great sales on the hot items of the season. This is because the manufacturer wants you to buy their products and not the store brand products or the competitor's products. We do a lot of grilling on the spring and summer so hopefully we'll start seeing lots of good BBQ sauce and summer food coupons and sales,

When I first started couponing, I'd be really disappointed if I couldn't get a deal I was looking for, if the store was out of the product or if I just didn't make it to get the good deal. Now, I know that if I miss a sale, there will be another soon and it could be an even better deal!

Some of my thoughts on couponing... part 1

I thought it was time to take a minute and share my shopping history/ strategies with everyone. I have always used coupons... but it never really made a difference until last year when I started "couponing."

What's the difference between using coupons and what I refer to as "couponing?" Before, I'd buy a big box of diapers for $29.99 at Target and use a $1.50 off manufacturer coupon and think I got a good deal... What would I do now? I'd wait until there was a sale or promo on diapers and use the coupon with a sale to get an even better deal... like last week, jumbo packs of diapers were $8.99 and when you bought 3 you'd get a $5.00 gift card.

I never used to buy small packages of diapers because I thought it was a better deal to get a bigger box. When you do a little math, you'll see that most often you'll spend less when you buy smaller quantity because it's a higher percentage off... does that make sense? When I first started couponing, I started figuring the per item price (my cell phone has a calculator on it so it's pretty easy to do quickly in the store) and was surprised at the difference.

Here's an example:
Huggies Diapers- box of 108 size 4 diapers- $34.98 (Walmart online price) or $.32 per diaper
Huggies Diapers- jumbo pack of 27 size 4 diapers- $8.99 (regular price most places)- or $.33 per diaper

Using the $3.00 off 1 coupon scenario since this was the most recent big Huggies coupon:
Use the coupon on the box= $.30 per diaper
Use the coupon on the jumbo pack= $.22 per diaper

That's a significant difference! To make a deal like that even better (which I did last week at Target), I'd use Target store coupons with my manufacturer coupons. Last week I had 3- $3.00 off Huggies manufacturer coupons and 3- $2.00 off Huggies Target coupons that had came in some wipes packages a couple months ago. So here's what I was able to do:

3 Jumbo packs @ $8.99 each= $26.97- $9 (3- $3 off manufacturer coupons)- $6 (3- $2 off Target coupons)= $11.97 for 3 jumbo packs of diapers. Plus, last week Target was giving a $5 gift card when you bought 3 jumbo packs- so after gift card- I got 3 jumbo packs of diapers for $6.97!! That's only $.09 per diaper!! I hate to even think how much money I wasted on diapers for my now 3 year old! If only I would have learned how to do this sooner...

There's more for me to ramble about but I figure I better end this post here so it's not too long and I'll continue this later...

Ordering Coupons

My Coupon Hunter is a great site for ordering coupons that have been in the newspaper. I subscribe to the Kalamazoo Gazette and we don't always get some of the high value coupons that some are in papers at bigger cities.

At My Coupon Hunter, you can order single or multiple coupons from newspapers. You can also order the whole inserts. This is a great way to stockpile when there are deals. It does take a couple days to get the coupons when you go through the cheapest shipping ($.45 for first class mail). The first order I placed on a Monday and received it on a Friday, so make sure to order early in the week if you're buying for the current week's sales.

You are paying for the service of clipping the coupons and postage. The coupon cost varies based on the face value of the coupon, some are better deals than others. I've looked into ordering from a couple other sites but have found this one has the best selection and the lowest prices and shipping prices. Some of the others charge additional handling and other fees.

Don't miss out on deals!

If you see deals or coupons that you want or might want, make sure to get your prints while you can and download rebates when you see them. Many of these deals go quickly and have limited prints... The rebate I previously posted about Seventh Generation is no longer available for print and the rebate at Diapers.com changed from $14.97 back on any order to $10 back on a $75 order.

Even if you're not completely sure you want a particular deal, get your prints so you don't miss out! I have started saving some rebate form when they're a pdf so if you miss one, feel free to email me and see if it's one I saved.

Are you looking for a coupon?

If you're ever looking for a coupon for a particular item, you can check out the database at Hot Coupon World. It lists coupons and where they can be found- if they were in a newspaper insert, it lists the date of the insert and which particular one (Red Plum, Smart Source or P&G).

I started keeping all the newspaper inserts I get and filing them by date so that when I see a deal on an item I might not have cut the coupon for I can easily go back and get it.

Printing Coupons

I just thought I'd take a minute to make sure everyone knows how to get their two prints from printable coupons...
After the first coupon prints, hit your browser's back button until the coupon prints again... sometimes it takes just one time, sometimes a couple. This works for most individual printable coupons online (Bricks, etc.)- not at places like Redplum, Coupons.com... but coupons like the the ones I just posted for the pasta.

Also, if you're just getting into printing coupons and want to save on ink, make sure you go into your printing properties and change your print quality to draft mode and to black and white print. The coupons are not as pretty but you'll save a lot of money on ink cartridges!

Is anyone interested in a couponing class?

For all my local (Portage) readers, are you interested in a gathering where we could go over some coupon basics, organization and grocery bill lowering strategies? Please let me know by emailing me or leaving comments.

Home Made Simple

Go to Home Made Simple to order a free coupon book for lots of great coupons on Febreeze, Cascade, Dawn, Swiffer, Cascade, Mr. Clean and more!

Kraft First Taste

I would highly recommend joining Kraft First Taste to get high value Kraft coupons on new products. This week I just got (in the mail) coupons for their new Digiorno 200 Calorie pizza- one free product and one $1.50 off coupon. You have to register and then check the site periodically for offers available- this is the first one that has been mailed- the rest have been printable coupons. After trying the product make sure you go in and review it to make sure the offers keep coming. Let me know what offers you have if you join!