Practicing Proverbs 31

Couponing 101

Lesson 1

Practicing Proverbs 31

Couponing 101 Lesson 1

Introduction to Couponing

Traditional Grocery Shopping Normally we go

through our cabinets, see what we are out of and make a grocery list.

We go to the grocery store and purchase what we are out of, along with whatever else we might want to eat before our next trip to the grocery store.

Couponing “Couponing” requires

changing your mindset about how you shop.

You compare sale prices with active coupons to purchase items at the lowest price point and buy when items are at a “stock up” price, which is generally 60-90% off retail price!

I’m ready! What do I need? CouponsInternet AccessPrinter

(preferably wifi enabled to print from smart phone)

Smart Phone (not absolutely necessary, but can save you more $$)

Couponing Quick TipIt is wise to

create an email address strictly for coupon offers.

This keeps your personal email from being overrun with spam.

Example: Mycoupondeals@hotmail.com

Coupons Coupons are pieces of

paper or online offers that are provided by product manufacturers as an incentive for shoppers to purchase their items.

They reduce the amount you owe when you shop by allowing you to “pay” for your items with the incentives.

Where can I find coupons? Sunday

NewspaperPurchase onlineRecycling CenterOnline PrintablesSmart Phone

PrintablesDigital CouponsBlinkies, peelies,

hang tags, tear pads & crts

Grocery Store Check Out Coupons(catalinas)

Coupon trading/selling sites

MagazinesIn store displaysHome mailersManufacturersRestaurants/Hotels

Finding Coupon Inserts – Sunday PaperCoupons inserts are

found in the Sunday paper. Make sure you check your paper before you buy it to make sure your coupons are there!

The Reporter also has the P&G insert on Wednesday, once a month.

Red Plum In Sunday papersWill be

abbreviated as RP on websites

Example 07/27 RP means that the coupon is found in the July 27th Red Plum Insert

Smart SourceFound in Sunday

paperWill be

abbreviated as SS on websites

Example: 07/27 SS means that the coupon is found in the July 27th Smart Source insert

P&G (Proctor & Gamble)Found in Sunday paperUsually found in

Monroe County Reporter too

Will be abbreviated as PG on websites

Example: 07/27 PG means that the coupon is found in the July 27th Proctor & Gamble insert

Usually only comes out once a month

Smart Source General Mills Inserts Usually comes

out quarterly or every few months

Might be abbreviated as Smart Source (SS) or General Mills (GM) depending on the website

Harbor Freight Insert PagesUsually one page a

weekHas totally free offers

with no purchase necessary

Has free offers with any purchase

Usually has an expiration date several months away

Usually only one coupon per transaction

Finding Coupon Inserts – Order Insert Coupons Online

Many different sites offer coupons.

You can order them already clipped or as whole inserts.

You can also order coupons from eBay.

Finding Coupon Inserts – Recycling CentersIt’s best to do

this without children if at ALL possible.

Leave it better than you found it (neat, orderly)

Don’t climb into containers

Finding Coupon Inserts – Online Printables – Coupons.com Coupons.com is the most

popular coupon printing site.

Many coupon match up sites have their own link directly to coupons.com.

Requires a small software download the first time you print a coupon.

Can print 2 coupons per IP address, meaning 2 prints per computer or smart phone.

Can change the zip code to get access to offers in other locations.

Online Printables - Coupons.com Coupons.com is

probably the most popular site for online printables.

You must accept a small software download the first time you print.

Can usually print two coupons per computer/IP address.

Online Printables - Smartsource.com

Most coupon match up sites have direct links to smart source coupons.

Small software download is required to print the coupons.

Can usually print two coupons per computer/IP address.

Online Printables - Redplum.comSimilar to

coupons.com and smartsource.com.

Requires a small software download to print.

Can usually print two coupons per computer/IP address.

Online Printables – Bricks CouponsBrickscoupons.com

is an online coupon site that offers a slightly different format.

You can typically print two coupons per computer/IP address.

There is a small software download required.

Online Printables - HopsterHopster is a printable

coupon site that requires you to do an action to “boost” your coupon value.

You perform the action (watch a video, “like” a product on Facebook, etc) and print your manufacturer’s coupon.

Online Printables - Target.com

Target.com offers printable coupons.

Some are store coupons and some are manufacturer’s coupons that can be used at other stores.

Finding Coupons - Manufacturer Web Sites

Manufacturers often offer printable coupons on their websites.

Most of the time the coupons are bricks coupons and will be shown in that format.

There is usually a limit of 2 per computer/IP address.

Finding Coupons - Facebook

Lots of companies offer coupons on their Facebook pages. You may have to “like” the page to get your coupon, but after printing you can always “unlike” .

Facebook coupons are usually in the bricks format and have a limit of 2 per computer/IP address.

Finding Coupons – Smart Phone App

Coupons.com has a smart phone app.

Available in the iTunes store and on Google play for android.

You can choose your coupons just like the online website.

Need a wifi enabled printer.

Usually limited to 2 prints per smart phone/IP address.

Printable Coupons Insider InfoPrintable coupons reset

on the first day of every month.

Always remember to print anything you want on or before the last day of the month.

Sometimes the same coupon will come up again and you can print more.

There are usually many new coupon offers on the first day of the month.

Coupo

n Reset!

Printable Coupons - Troubleshooting

You may occasionally have trouble printing coupons for one reason or another, depending on the browser you use.

KrogerKrazy.com has an excellent article to help you troubleshoot the problem.

Click on the picture to go to the guide.

Printable Coupon NoNos NEVER photocopy a

printable coupon. It is coupon fraud and is illegal.

Each manufacturer sets a certain number of “prints” for each coupon and each coupon has a unique code printed on it. More about that later.

Finding Coupons - Digital or eCoupons

Many grocery stores, drug stores, etc now offer digital coupons that can be downloaded directly to your store loyalty card.

Once you have loaded the coupons to your loyalty card they will automatically be taken off your total when you check out if you have purchased the appropriate matching item and show your store loyalty card.

BlinkiesBlinkies are

coupons that are located in the grocery store aisles, generally next to the corresponding product.

Peelies Peelies are

coupons that are physically attached (usually like a sticker) to the corresponding item.

Please don’t remove these from the item unless you are purchasing the item.

Hang tags or wine tagsHang tags or

wine tags are coupons literally hanging on a product.

They are meant to be used on the item that they are attached to.

Tear Pad CouponsTear Pads are

usually located near the product they are for.

Can be gathered and used when item goes on sale.

Tear pads frequently contain refund forms also.

CRT – Cash Register Tape CouponsCash Register

tape coupons appear on the back or the bottom of your printed receipts.

Catalina CouponsCatalinas are

coupons that print in store at the register when you purchase certain items.

They are usually valid for a certain amount off on your next shopping order. We will discuss them in more detail later.

Coupon Swaps & Trading GroupsYou can find

many coupon trading groups on Facebook or other resources where you can trade coupons you don’t need with others for coupons that you will use.

Magazines Many magazines contain

coupons each month. Some of these magazines can actually be ordered for FREE! You just have to watch for special offers on the coupon sites.

The best coupon magazine is All You.

All You magazine is available at Walmart or you can order a subscription for much less. It usually pays for itself with coupon savings.

In Store DisplaysYou can often find

product displays in stores that offer great coupons.

Coupons are prevalent during seasonal events like the beginning of football season, back to school, the start of summer, etc.

Store Home MailersMany stores will

have baby clubs, pet clubs, etc that you can sign up for.

The store will periodically send you coupons. Some coupons may even be for free items!

From the ManufacturerMany companies will

send you free coupons just for contacting them.

Call and let them know how much you like their product and ask for a few coupons. You might be surprised!

Here is a link to a list of numbers to call for coupons. http://www.afullcup.com/forums/company-contact-information/451012-list-1-800-numbers-call-coupons.html

Discarded Coupons at Restaurants and HotelsMany restaurants

(some fast food) and hotels provide newspapers for their guests. If it is convenient, you can always ask the desk clerk or staff if it would be ok if you have the discarded coupons.

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