Top 10 Unknown Places to Find Coupons

Now that we know all of the obvious places to get coupons, let's talk about the places that many don't really think about.

10. Doctor's Office - check the counters, magazines, or just ask!

9. Free Samples - many times when you try a product, there is usually a coupon inside to go along with it.

8. Inside the product - no more throwing away the box or the bag without checking for coupons. Diapers almost always have high value coupons inside.

7. In the grocery store - many times coupons can be found directly on the item or near the item like on a tear pad. Or perhaps someone is offering free samples, they may offer coupons as well.

6. Coupon Books - you know those books that you see as you walk into restaurants or hotels.. yep, those. There are money saving coupons in there too.

5. Convenience Stores - just like grocery stores, you can find coupons directly on the product... waiting to used.

4. Post Office - many times when people do a change of address, there are coupons inside for a variety of stores. So the next time you are waiting in line, take a look around to see if there are any good coupons on the counters.

3. Email - if you signed up to receive emails from a company, they likely sent you a coupon or some type of savings offer. This is likely where the best coupons can be found.

2. Facebook - many companies are on Facebook now, so be sure to like or follow the page to keep up with current promotions or coupons they offer.

1. Other Couponers - it is very likely that you will see other couponers while you are out shopping. Some are even kind enough to share coupons with you. Or the "coupon fairy" (this is a real person) will leave coupons directly on the product for others to use.

Happy Hunting Bloggers!

Rain Checks

So you have made your list, cut and sorted your coupons, and you are all set to go make some deals... But you get to the store and the one item that you really wanted is gone! DARNIT VARMIT!!!

Think fast...  Find a store representative and see if they are on a display shelf somewhere else or there are more in back that have not been put out. Are you prepared to make a drive across town to another store to see if they are stocked up on the item that you really want? Can this item be replaced with something else that is on sale AND you have a matching coupon?

When all else fails, go to customer service and request a rain check. A rain check is a voucher that allows you to get the current sale price when the store receives a new supply of a particular item. Check with your local store on expiration dates for rain checks. For instance, here in Virginia Beach, Harris Teeter rain checks  never expire; however, at Farm Fresh they are only valid for 30 days.

Now let's say today is the last day to use the coupon or the coupon will have expired by the time the next shipment comes in, it is good to know if the store will still honor your coupon along with the sale price. If not, it may be worth making that trip to the next closest store.

**Make a section in your coupon binder that is specifically for rain checks. This way you are able to keep up with them and have them handy when a high value coupon comes out.**


Happy Saving Bloggers!

Catalinas

Catalinas are manufacturer coupons that print out after you purchased a specific quantity of a particular brand during a promotion. They can be used the same way that any other coupon can be used. If you are apart of any other blogs or couponing groups, you may see a post about "rolling catalinas". This method is used to reduce the amount of real money that is spent. Because that is the goal right?! Not to spend our money.


Example 1:

Let's say Swiffer Starter Kits are on sale for $5.99 and you buy one.

Then you use a $5/1 (this means $5 off of 1 kit) coupon.

You then pay the .99 cents plus the sales tax. After the transaction is complete, you receive a catalina (manufacturer coupon) for $1 off your next purchase.

You can now use the same $1 coupon along with another $5/1 coupon and only pay sales tax this time. And then you will receive another catalina for $1. And you can continue this process per store coupon policies or per specific policies written on the coupon. This is rolling catalinas. So in this example you will only pay the sales tax for the Swiffer Starter kits.



Example 2:

Let's say Scrubbing Bubbles are on sale for 2/$3 and the current catalina deal is buy 2 and get $2 off your next purchase. Again, you buy one.

Next you use (2) $1/1 coupon.

Then you pay $1 plus sales tax. After the transaction is complete, you receive a catalina for $2. So in this example, you made money just by purchasing the scrubbing bubbles.  



The picture below shows an advertisement for a current catalina deal that will continue through the 22nd of March. Plus this promotion is not exclusive to this specific store. This deal can done at any store that carries Glade.

 

Happy Couponing Bloggers!





EBT and Coupons

Evening Bloggers!

Another common question I get is whether or not coupons can be used with EBT (SNAP) benefits. The answer is YES! Just be sure to have a few dollars to pay the sales tax. 

I think this is an amazing benefit because now families can stretch their monthly allotment even further. Plus it is much more likely families will be able to choose from a wider and much healthier selection.