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

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.

WOW... TROPICANA ... Awesome rewards program sign up now

Tropicana is jumping on the "customer reward" band wagon. I give it TWO THUMBS UP (and toes, feet, actually I am jumping up and down about what I saw so far)!!!  This really is a JUICY reward program. so much so I chose this to be my WOW its Wednesday feature this week.

It seems every time we turn around another company is trying to create a program to "reward" us for using their product.  I checked out the rewards and am quite impressed.  They have discounts to use at parks, fairs, the circus, sporting events, bowling... the rewards seem to promote healthy family fun activities!!!  I love it.  and they didnt seem to need as many purchases to achieve as most reward programs do.

One thing I saw was a B1G1 admission to use at Cocokeys indoor waterpark in Fitchburg, MA!!!  I noticed this because we have been talking about going there.  I already have 4 pts and this reward only needed 1pt!  1 pt to save me $30wow!!!  So join in and see what activities it might save you money on.

Heres 3 codes to help get you started.
LA73E CL9W4
SAVVY-AUNTI
YAHOO-34765


Take the survey at sign up and you'll earn a 4th pt too.  Reports have it if you sign up your grocery card it gives you another one but I put bigy as my grocery store and it never asked for my store id#.  Try Stop and shop or another store card and see if it works for you.

I am glad I can share things like this with you. Have you seen a great deal that needs sharing?  contact me.  

Heres where I heard about it this reward program...  http://www.southernsavers.com/2010/02/tropicana-juicy-rewards/#disqus_thread

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....

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???

Memorial Day on $0?

Ok so Every year we host a Huge Memorial weekend party.  people come from all over and camp out in our yard.  Its a blast and we have between 45-60 people coming and going the whole day.  Its usually a big expense for us and every year we make a big trip to BJs to buy the stuff and spend about $500 once all is said and done.

My goal this year now that I am couponing is to do it for as little as possible by planning early.  I know I cant really do it for $0 but if I can plan it so our only real cost is the meat from the local butcher that would be amazing.  If you want to see how I am doing I am tagging everything that I get for the party as Memorial Day Prep.  So far I have tons of soda and chips from this weeks pepsi deal...  When the week is up I will tally it but it should come out pretty much free.  maybe a buck or two.

Check back soon or start planning your own party following my lead.

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.

FREE Halloween Candy

Thats right I said free.

I will briefly state that I have recently begun clipping coupons again and found that the world of coupons has eveloved. I am no longer clipping to save a few dollars here and there but learning the art of getting things for free... and yes its legal.

I am having so much fun finding deals everywhere that you will probably see me post a few here when its just too good not to share. I might even start a whole new blog about it. we'll see.

SO to the FREE CANDY. This is at Walmart. And is so simple its amazing.

Go to www.coupons.com (it has coupons you print at home)
There is a coupon for $2 off a bag of willy wonka candy. Walmart sells bags of nerds, laffy taffy, or pixy stix for $2 a bag (2/$4). BINGO FREE CANDY.

There is also a coupon for $2 off a bag of nestle brand candy. At walmart this sells for $2.50 a bag. So this will cost you 50 cents. Still an amazing deal.

You have to look through the coupons on the website to find them, there are usually 20 pages to sort through but you may find other coupons you can use too. Heres the thing you can go back and print this coupon 2-3 times PER computer.

I printed 3 coupons for Willy wonka, and 3 for nestle. Went to Walmart yesterday and found the kind I wanted. You might be tempted to get the bigger bags and use it as a discount off but why bother?

In the end I got six bags for only $1.50.

Nestle is also 2/$4 at stop and shop this week so it will work the same there too.

Hope you enjoy. Happy Halloween.

Melissa