Q&A about Extreme couponing

I was at a meeting recently that was about introducing people to couponing.  In all the questions a few kept being brought up lovingly AND teasingly.  Although people were trying to tease the girl doing the presentation (who was a newbie herself) I thought maybe some people really did want to know the answers to these questions.  so I thought i could help answer that here instead of individually.  Maybe some other people could find it helpful.

1.) Not all people go as crazy as the show on tv "extreme couponing".  

Most people dont have 200 bottles of mustard or stockpile diapers if they dont have kids.  Yes couponers also consider these people hoarders and often get upset because it means less of the items on shelves for others to buy & use.  We do however stockpile items that we will use in the next 3-6 months and depending on the space and item even a years worth.  You stockpile what you have space for.  I built an extra pantry for my overflow, and added extra shelving for toiletries.  see this post here.

2.) You wont always get your grocery bill down to $6 if there is $500 in your cart... 

those shows glorify and stock up on freebie coupons to get totals higher for dramatic effect.  Remember store sales often get your total down 25% without even coupons and those $500 totals are retail priced not sale priced.  I have seen a nearly $300 grocery bill come down to about $25 however i had tons of freebies and BOGO items in the order that day.  usually I average about $20-65 a week on a retail value of $100-180.  I eat lots of produce, eggs and meats which in my area dont seem to have coupons.  But during the summer this total should go down due to my garden.

3.) Do couponers really buy things they wont ever use just because its free?  YES!!!  

I have a few answers to this.  First if its free I buy them to give to other people or donate to shelters, or service men.  I have always been one to give back so if I am shopping and its not costing me anything then it is a shame if i dont pick it up for someone else who will use it.  Shelters and pantries ALWAYS need donations.  I personally feel it would be irresponsible of me not to get it for someone who may not be able to afford it.  AND If you understand how coupons work it also helps stimulate the economy because the store you bought it from sees higher sales and could even lower prices throughout the store due to increase in profits.

With that being said will i run out or make a special trip for a free item i wont use?  It honestly depends on the item, if i know someone personally who will use it and how i feel.  I HAVE passed up free items before to spend time with my family.  :)

4.) Will you buy something you wont use because it is a "money maker"?  YES.  Almost always. 

These are a high priority for me.  Will i make a special trip?  Most of the time; if its valuable enough.  If I make $3 buying depends i will go to the store and buy depends...  and I have on more then 1 occasion.  If its only a $1 i will usually stop in during routine shopping or sometimes pass it up if i dont feel up to it.  Thats a personal choice.

5.) Why should you buy "money maker" items even if you dont need them?  I know for some this question may seem silly and obvious but i actually get it a lot.  Its important to note that a money maker is an item that generates more rewards or rebates then it costs you to buy.  For example if an item costs you $1 to buy but you get back $2 in rewards thats a $1 money maker.  

Heres a quick example of why you should hop on these deals...  

The other week at Walgreens splenda was on sale for $2.99 

there was a $3 off coupon in the newspaper which means it was free. AWESOME.  but it got better...

If you bought 2 of them you got a $3 reward.

Now whether you use splenda or not that meant you paid ZERO dollars and then they handed you $3 everytime you took 2 off the shelf...  

If a store ad said "Stop by our store and we'll give you $11 worth of FREE products AND then give you a $3 voucher to spend."  Would you do it?  Does it really matter what it is thats free?  What if it were a surprise grab bag?

Would you do it if it was $22 worth of free products and $6 free voucher?  

What about $44 worth of Free stuff and $12 voucher?  Do you get the idea.  

This is a marketing strategy that works and has been around for years.  Most people just dont think of a grocery/drugstore doing it.... 

 A car dealer will offer free gift cards or even $50 cash for test driving a car, Time share companies give away $100 all the time just for looking at a place.  I sat through many time share presentations with my parents and even a few with my husband just to get the money.  Theres free money out there if you want it and you feel its worth your time.

So I bought 8 boxes of FREE splenda, spent $0 and received $12 free dollars to spend.  I then turned around and spent my FREE $12 on items that i wanted.  

Now of course my husband uses splenda but even if he didnt i bet for $12 free i could have found someone to use it.

In the end I came home with 8 boxes of splenda, 4 packages of maxi pads (another money maker), 10 packs of single serve butterfinger crunch candy (a free item), 4 packs of fixodent denture cleaners (a free item), 2 large bags of pretzels, 4 packs of instant popcorn, 2 packs of freeze pops, and 3 cans of tuna fish. AND i still have $8 left to spend another day on anything i wish... oh and remember i spent $0 out of pocket.

To me that was a great day.  I have lots of stuff to donate to people who need it, i got some snacks for the kids and money i can use towards other things like diapers or ice cream.


I hope this Q&A helps answer some of your questions or concerns..  and i hope to add to it as i find more time.

Thanks Melissa

Coupons dont rule my life...

Read this post today and thought id share.  I get a lot of stuff for free or very cheap and once in a while it hurts to pay full price.  Like when we went on vacation and xander got sick I spent $25 on medicines I knew I had at home (and cost me $0).  But we needed it and I bought the ones I had at home so I would know if we liked it.  

however yesterday I refused to pay $.99 (after a $3 coupon) for body wash.  Because in my mind body wash should be free and I had enough at home already.  I actually laughed at myself for not wanting to pay for it.  but then again I didn’t need it.

As I have couponed more and more I have actually found myself  LESS  worried with the cost of items.  I splurge on things I might not otherwise buy.  And when I do have to pay full price for something I shrug and say well its been free the last 10 times I bought it; so paying full price is nothing once in a while.

Check out the post on one of my favorite blogs that inspired me. And then share your thoughts. http://hip2save.com/2011/06/extreme-couponing-never-paying-full-price.html/comment-page-4#comments

Couponing is all about finding balance otherwise coupons will rule your life.    Heres to everyone finding their balance.

Melissa

Store Coupon policies links

Because every store has their own rules about couponing I just thought i would put these all together in one easy spot for people to find.  I recommend printing them and keeping them with you so if you run into a situation you can pull out the policy to verify and show store employees if there is an issue.  This post is just the coupon policies and not explanations of the reward programs.

Walgreen's coupon policy
Rite aids coupon policy  (thank you www.hip2save.com for uploading)

CVS I havent found any link to an official policy for them so heres a brief run down. They take manufacturers coupons and internet printables.  They dont take competitors coupons. You can use 1 CVS store coupon and pair it with a manufacturers coupons.  On a BOGO sale you can use 1 coupon per item even the free one.  You can pair a BOGO coupon with a BOGO sale and essentially get both items for free.

Target's coupon policy
Target's price matching policy 
Walmart's Coupon Policy
Walmart's price matching policy

local MA grocery stores
BigY policy
Stop and Shop policies  this brings you to their FAQ section scroll down to read about coupons and price guarantees

My mom taught me about coupons... And then I taught her

Growing up my mom used to clip coupons at the kitchen table or in the middle of the living room floor with us.  I have fond memories of my little sister leaving tons of clipped papers everywhere in the house.  Over the years I was never embarrassed or ashamed to use a coupon but little did I know the secret world of EXTREME COUPONING.

Once i discovered this whole new world i immediately began teaching my family.  and boy was my mom surprised about what i had stumbled upon...

It was about 6 months ago my mom called me and said "Thank you for teaching me this.  The timing was perfect and your father and i couldnt have lived all this months without it."

You see my dad had been laid off and they were pretty much living on nothing and trying to stretch even that.  I literally stumbled on this at the perfect time to help them live on pennies.  Now their cabinets are full and they dont have to worry about food.  Now if only we could figure out how to make coupons work for all the other bills in our lives.

My father just returned to work recently but its on a 6 month contract.  they are both hooked on extreme couponing and excited that it will help them stock up while he is working to prepare for when he'll be out of work again.

It has felt so good to know i could help them out during this time and also teach them something that will be able to help them far into the future too.

How has couponing affected your life?  Please share your story here.

I love CVS...

I think I have told you before how much I love CVS... I was reminded again this past week why.

I have had issues with other stores cashiers being uneducated about their own rewards program, AND also how coupons work.  Just because I am not paying for it doesnt mean the store loses money... duh, you get paid by the manufacturer.

Anyway.  After some great sales at Rite aid the last few weeks I guess the cashiers/managers had seen too much of me and started giving me some trouble.  They are now investigating EVERY coupon, gave me a hard time about B1G1 sales (I had to call customer support for back up), and basically did everything except accuse me of stealing.  They have now decided that I can only use one total purchase coupon per DAY.  Ironically its their company that pays redplum to put these out and allow us to print 2 per computer...  even in their company policy it allows for multiples but it does give the store the right to "limit" daily use.

SO I almost gave up.  Figured they decided they didnt want my business.  Instead I found another rite aid nearby and figure I will start fresh and see if I can educate them on coupon use.  I already taught them about the B1G1 free sales and they were much nicer about it.  They were glad I had my store policy with me and thanked me....SO wish me luck that hopefully this new store wants my coupons/money.

Anyway after all the issues that day I had to stop in to CVS for a quick trip and to remind myself everything I do is OK.  Not only did I feel better but I got a few rainchecks AND they gave me the ads for the next 2 weeks ahead of time!!!

I did complain a bit about rite aid to them and the guy working said "I dont understand they get paid either way.  If its a coupon it just comes from the manufacturer instead of you."

Just a reminder that apparently CVS employees do understand what a coupon is and other stores just think its paper...

Happy shopping.  :)

use P&G coupons = clean water

Some times people tell me that I shouldnt use coupons or try to get things free because its a hard economy and corporations need the money too.  I always say they want us to use their coupons.

Heres proof.  For each coupon redeemed from the 3/7 insert P&G will donate 1 day of clean water to a child in need.  How awesome is that.  I really want to do my part and spend my coupons.

http://www.pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/givepurwater/index.jsp?edstempseg=YF&utm_source=YF&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=March10Newsletter

I also saw a post recently about the % of coupons printed vs.  redeemed.  I cant find where I read it now (if I do I will post here).  but it said the national statistics showed that in 2009 there was an increase in coupon usage but that ONLY .7% of coupons printed were redeemed!!!  not even 1%.  plus halfway through the year when companies saw an increase in usage they actually stepped up how many they printed and printed more then ever.

SO if you're afraid of companies going belly up over coupon usage dont be...  our savings are not even denting their advertising budget.

How to use coupon "overage" to pay for another item

I used to only clip coupons for the products I loved and used regularly...  then I learned how to use coupons for items I dont need or want to buy things I did want.  Now I save every coupon.  Heres a brief overview of how it works using some of my recent transactions to explian.

At CVS a powerbar gel blast was on sale for $1.50 and gave back $1.50 in ECB's making it FREE

BUT there was $1 off coupon so.....  That means if you use the coupon at checkout you will get $1.50 ECB and only pay out $.50 meaning a profit of $1

This means you can pick ANY $1 item from the store, add it to your order and purchase it for free

Palmolive is on sale for $.99 and there was a buy 2 get $1 off coupon.  

SO if you bought

powerbar gel blast $1.50

and 2 palmolive $.99

sub total $3.48

use 1off power blast -1

use 1 off palmolive wyb2 -1

= $3.48- 2coupons = $1.48total cast AND get back $1.50 ECB... means both items were FREE

In effect you used the $1 off coupon to help pay for the palmolive.

Happy saving....

How to "ROLL" CVS ECB's: my shopping this week

Often people dont quite understand how things end up being free.  Even my husband sometimes says "Well, you paid for something in order to get the extra care bucks.(ECB).."  Its true at some point money has come out of my pocket.  So how can I say it was all free? keep reading...

For example this past week toothpaste was $3.50 and you got a $3.50 ECB back.  If I actually paid the $3.50 in cash I still consider this FREE because I still have $3.50 in ECB's to spend another day.  now if I spend the $3.50 on items that dont produce an ECB those are the ones in my mind I have paid for.  I hope this makes sense.  

With that said here's an example on how you can "ROLL" your ECB's.  This is when you use ECB's to buy items that produce more ECB's; getting more free items without any more oop expense.

I went in twice this week and did a few transactions.  I hope you can follow below.

I started the week with 3,3,3,2 in  ECB's (total of $11).  I looked at the ad and there were a few "FREE" items producing a $2 ECB.  since I had a $2ECB in my wallet this looked like a great place to start.

Transaction #1

Aussie shampoo $2.99

(2) sobe lifewater $1.69 (B1G1 FREE sale)

Gold Emblum Chocolate Almonds $.99

sub total: $5.67

coupons used:

aussie -$1 off

sobe lifewater -$1.69 (B1G1 coupon)

Gold Emblum $1 off any almond product

Total: $1.98  Get $2 ECB for the shampoo = FREE

I used last weeks $2ECB to pay for this order so the only cash I paid was $.05 tax. this is "rolling".  because I paid with an ECB and got an ECB back.  

Transaction #2

colgate toothpaste $2.99

(2) sobe lifewaters $1.69 (B1G1 FREE sale)

Gold Emblum Chocolate Almonds $.99

sub total: $5.67

coupons used:

colgate -$1 off

sobe lifewater -$1.69 (B1G1 coupon)

Gold Emblum $1 off any almond product

Total: $1.98  Get $2 ECB for the colgate = FREE pay with the $2 ECB from Trans #1 and paid $.02 OOP for tax 

Transaction #3

Gillette mach3 razor $6.49

(2) crest pro white toothpaste $3.50 each

Gold Emblum Chocolate Almonds $.99

sub total: $14.48

coupons used:

mach3 -2 off

crest -1 off wyb2

Gold Emblum $1 off any almond product

Total: $10.48  Get 7 for the crest and 2 for the razor = cost $1.48  The cashier misquoted me and told me it was $11.48 so I overpaid paid with the total $11 ECB's I had.  

I called CVS the next day and the manager told me he'd issue me a $.52 ECB on my next visit. :)  I love CVS.  SO much easier and nicer then Wags.  SO on my next visit I went to get my credit and the computer adjusted up and instead I got $1ECB. woohoo.

I had some palmolive coupons expiring so I checked the price and found they were going on sale tomorrow which means at my CVS you can buy it on Sat night. so i got next weeks price but used the coupon expiring today.  What luck.

I bought 6 palmolive $.99 each

and a powerbar gel blast $1.50

Sub total: $7.44 + $.06 tax

-1 off powerbar blast

(3 coupons) -1 off palmolive wyb2

total $3.50 used $2 ECB from the other day AND the $1 they gave me today = $.50 oop

I got $1.50 ECB for the powerbar
AND $1 for my green tag = $2.50 ECB left 

total cost today was $1.  (.50 cash and $.50 ECB)

Retail value $51.41 

OOP expense was ONLY $.57

I started the week with $11 in ECB's and ended with $9.50 = cost of $1.50 ECBS

or total cost for the week $2.07 (1.50ECB+ .57cash)

or if you look back everything was free
except I paid $1 for 6 palmolive($.17 each)
and that leaves $1.05 for the razor (which came with $15 worth of coupons inside the package)

I know this was long but hope you were able to follow it and maybe it will help you to start planning your CVS shopping trips.

My stockpile photos

I keep saying we are well stocked up...  Just wanted to show you what ONLY a few months of couponing has done for us here...

heres the stockpile "pantry" we built in the basement. Notice the wall isnt quite finished.  I couldnt wait and hung shelving anyway.  lol  lots of pasta, juice, soup, soy joy bars :), crackers...

heres the bottom half of the basement "pantry". Cereal, paper towels, soda & chips (for our memorial party), some cleaning products, maple syrup etc...

and heres a peak at some of our toiletries...  I dont have a photo of the kids bathroom shelf yet.  I also have a bunch I havent organized yet and will end up in an overflow bin in the basement.  Right now theres a bunch of Dove mens body wash just lined up on the floor and our big soaker tub is full of stayfree and kotex.  lol...   

I found some pantry racks at home depot.  They are about 12" wide and 4 " deep: 2 shelves each.  we bought 3 for each closet.  It works great inside the door.  The reason we chose the 2 shelf kind was because we could vary the heights by how we hung them.  In order to fit tall bottles on the top shelf we measured how tall a bottle was and hung the next shelf that far apart.  for example in the photo the nexxus shampoo is a top shelf and the toothpaste is the bottom shelf on the same rack.   We have pretty deep closets with lots of wasted space.  On the floor I have a big Rubbermaid bin.

In the basement pantry I used the same kind of rack but it was wider and 6 feet tall.  It has all short fixed shelves but works great for shorter items like mayo, soup, pasta, and helps to keep these within easy reach.

How do you organize your stockpile???

Saving Money 101: Coupon Rules?

Welcome back.  I am sure you have used a coupon here or there before but what do you really know about the rules...  Did you know there are rules?

Each store has their own rules on coupons.  It’s a good idea to check out their policies.  Some stores allow you to “stack” coupons.  If they have a coupon and the manufacturer has a coupon you can use both and save extra.  Others will accept competitors coupons.  Its good to know the corporate policy because sometimes even the cashiers dont know it...

Rite Aid, CVS, Walgreens, and Target all allow this type of stacking as longs as 1 is manufacturer and 1 is a store coupon.

Heres a quick link to targets policy...  this is one I recommend you carry with you as Target seems to be a store thats not very informed although the corporate policy is spelled out very nicely.  It is one I have heard and experienced problems with 

Target http://www.target.com/b/ref=br_bx_4/192-8675570-7665569?ie=UTF8&node=2223357011

Even when items are on sale YOU CAN USE COUPONS!!!  In most stores If an item is on a B1G1 free sale you can use a coupon for both items even the free one.  Example:  Lets say eyeshadow which normally costs $4 goes on sale for B1G1.  you have a coupon for $2.  You buy 2 eyeshadows ($8) B1G1 your cost is only $4.  You use 2 $2 coupons (1 coupon for each eyeshadow).  $4 cost - $4 coupons= Now they were both FREE!!!

Some stores will allow you to use coupons for the same brand even if its not exactly the same product.  Example: Using a womens body wash coupon to purchase a mens body wash item.  This is at the store level and will even vary by day.  Just ask.  it never hurts.

I hope you have enjoyed this second issue of Saving money 101.  Check back often for more tips.

Saving Money 101: Coupons where to find them...

Several people have asked how I find such good deals...  Heres a quick overview about where to find coupons to help you get started on your New Years Resolution to save more money. 

First I buy the Sunday paper and I buy multiple copies 2-3 papers works for me.  I heard it recommended you buy 1 for each member of your family who eats. Some weeks I think 3 is too many and then I hit a good bargain and am glad I have 3 times the coupons for it.  so its up to you but at least buy 2 copies.  ALSO not all Sunday papers are created equal.  I find the Hartford Current has more coupons then the Sunday Republican.  Although sometimes the coupons in the republican have a higher $$$ amount on them.  Example: a coupon for colgate in the Hartford current was for $.75 off in the republican it was $1 off.  I usually buy 2 hartford papers and 1 local.  ***Always look through the paper before buying to make sure your coupons are in them!

Second: I subscribe to www.sundaycouponpreview.com each week it tells me what coupons to expect in the paper and whether there is actually a coupon  insert.  I don’t want to waste my money if there isn’t any coupons that week.

I also print them off the computer.  Heres a few places to find coupons to print at home.  Also most companies have them on their websites and you can find extras on the big box store websites.

www.Coupons.com

www.smartsource.com

www.bettycrocker.com

www.redplum.com

www.walgreens.com

www.riteaid.com

www.cvs.com

www.target.com

www.bigy.com

Check when you are shopping and pick up and coupons hanging on shelves.  EVEN IF YOU AREN'T BUYING THAT ITEM!!!  sometimes they are good for months and you might want it later.  Ask at the pharmacy.  They often have coupons or coupon books behind the counter.

LOOK EVERYWHERE.  I find great ones at the pediatrician for kids items.  and I take a whole bunch.  dont feel bad they usually have tons and most get thrown away.  I like to get these and share with friends.

Just keep your eyes open you never know where you'll find them.  sometimes its in very strange places youd never expect.