Coupons 101

Q&A

Question:  How do you know how many coupon inserts are going to be in Sundays paper? Also how do you view the list? 

Answer: You can click here, and on the date shown it will show how many inserts could be in your Sundays paper.  Please note that not all papers, or areas get all that are listed.  So it is important to check to see what your local paper carries.  I am lucky that my local paper carries all three inserts, the Red plum ( also known a Valassis), Smart Source, and the P&G.
Most the time you will get 2 inserts Red Plum and Smart Source. Normally on the 1st Sunday of the month you will also get the P&G.  Most holiday weekend there are NO coupon inserts.  This week is extra special, there are 5 inserts available ( my area will be getting 4 of the 5)
To preview the coupons available just click here, on the calendar click the scheduled insert and it will pull up a list.  This site will also sell them if you are interested .  Now just because it is listed does not mean it will be in your insert.  They list the master list….and not all areas get all the coupons.  

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I still get a lot of questions on this issue, so I thought I would repost it for all my new readers.
Trouble with adjusting the coupon down?

This week at Walgreens they have Ritz crackers on sale for buy one at $1.99 and get one free.
You can combine this deal with a $2 off 2 manufacturer coupon making these free!
I  bought mine with no problem, the cashier just put the value of my coupon in as $1.99 instead of $2.00, but  I have gotten several emails from my reader telling me they were not able to use the coupon. 
I had a problem trying to buy the Ritz crackers tonight at Walgreen’s. I had 4 boxes and 2 coupons. She rang all my stuff up. Then as she was scanning my coupons, she said it wouldn’t ring up my 2nd coupon. She said that after the first coupon, there was only $1.98 left and since the coupon was for $2, it wouldn’t let her do it. I asked her if it should just go against the total purchase … because I was owing more than 2 cents. She said it goes per item. So, she gave me back my coupon and I ended up paying $1.98 for 4 boxes … not really the deal I was hoping for!”

  I called Customer Service several times about it, but being that it was not MY transaction they were not able to help much.  They told me it was a problem with the coupon, I asked if they could price adjust it , and they would not give me an answer.  
This morning I saw that my blog friend Momsbyheart had posted a letter from Walgreens Corporate office telling them that yes you can price adjust a coupon down to the value of the item.  Click here for your own copy. I will print his out and carry it with me in my coupon binder that way if this happens I will be able to show the cashier, the corporate policy.
SO the cashier needs to lower the value of the coupon from $2 to $1.99 and it will work fine. Or adjust the price of the crackers up to $2.  A simple fix!

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Q&A
Question:Do you have any idea why the Smart Source that you receive and the one that I receive from the Idaho Statesman would differ in what coupons they have? I searched my Smart Source coupon books (several of them in fact just to make sure) and could never find the coupon for $4 off of the Schick razor that you bought at Walgreens. I am very confused by this and have been before as this isn’t the first time I haven’t been able to find a coupon in the same insert that you had mentioned.

Answer: Not all areas get the same inserts.  For example today I only got one insert the Smart Source.  But someone in New York who got the Smart Source may have the same insert BUT with more or less coupons than mine.  As far as I can tell  my two local papers they get the same inserts, and the same coupons in those inserts.  But I preview the master insert list…….and many of those coupons are not in my local inserts.   I have readers all over so I go ahead and list coupons that will be in other areas inserts, even if they are not in mine.  So to answer the question above I personal did not get the $4 Schick razor coupon, it was not in my insert but it WAS in many other inserts across the USA. 

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Please note that each state, each store can differ on  store coupon policy, and they can change from week to week.  These changes apply to my local stores, please check your own stores to see if they have changed too.  I have put this weeks changes in red. Updates as of 3/11/09

I get a lot of questions about coupons, and company policy.  So this week I called around, and talked to the Customer Service in each store asking them what their coupon policy’s are.  I must warn you most cashier have no idea what the coupon policy is in their store.  It is so important to be informed, and be an educated coupon shopper.  Some stores are a little more coupon friendly than others.  If you get a crabby cashier that acts like you are robbing the store, for using coupons.  Remember the store DOES get paid back for your coupons from the manufacturer. A coupon is just like paying with cash.  It just comes from the manufacturer, not you.

Albertsons-
  • will take all MFR ( manufacturer coupons) and you can stack it with an Albertsons in-store coupon
  • will take printed coupons
  • as of 4/3/09 they will no longer take competitors ad coupons
  • Will not take Internet printable competitors coupons
  • Will NOT take Walgreens Register Rewards Catalina Coupons
  • DO NOT match competitors ads or prices
Walgreens-
  • will take all MFR coupons, and you can stack it with a Walgreens in-store coupon
  • will take printable Internet coupons
  • DOES NOT match competitors ads or prices
  • DOES NOT take other stores in-store coupons
  • DOES NOT take albertsons catalinas
Rite Aid-
  • will take all MFR coupons, and you can stack it with a Rite Aid in-store coupon
  • will take printable Internet coupons
  • DOES NOT match competitors ads or prices
  • DOES NOT take other stores in-store coupons
Shopko-
  • will take all MFR coupons, and you can stack it with a Shopko in-store coupon
  • will take competitors coupons coupons, Like Fred Meyer, Walgreens…
  • will price match, others ads ( as long as it states the price, no 50% off, no buy 1 get 1 free) The items must be in stock at the competitors ad price.  Ad must be current, and bring Ad with you.
  • will take printable Internet coupons
Walmart-
  • will take all MFR coupons
  • will take competitors coupons coupons, Like Fred Meyer, Walgreens…
  • will price match, others ads ( as long as it states the price, no 50% off, no buy 1 get 1 free) .  Ad must be current, and bring Ad with you.
  • will take printable Internet coupons (some stores have stopped or limited them)
  • for an online copy click here to read , you might want to print it out and carry it with you.
Winco-
  • Will take MRF coupons
  • As of March 2009 they will now take printable coupons that will scan.
  • DOES NOT match competitors ads or prices
  • DOES NOT take other stores in-store coupons
Fred Meyer-
  • Will take MRF coupons
  • will take printable Internet coupons, as long as it says Manufacturer coupon on it
  • DOES NOT match competitors ads or prices
  • DOES NOT take other stores in-store coupons
Target-
  • will take all MFR coupons, and you can stack it with a Target in-store coupon.  As long as the total of the coupons are more than the price of the item.
  • will take printable Internet coupons, as long as it says Manufacturer coupon on it and it must scan.
  • DOES NOT match competitors ads or prices
  • DOES NOT take other stores in-store coupons
Kmart-
  • will take all MFR coupons
  • Will now take printed coupons, See press release here
  • DOES NOT match competitors ads or prices
  • DOES NOT take other stores in-store coupons
  • if you sign up at Kmart.com and join their email list, they send special like double or triple coupon sales.
Please remember company policy differ from region to region. They may change at any time. You need to always check with your stores management,, educate yourself, and  write down their name, the day to spoke with them.  Many times you will know the stores coupon policy’s better than the cashiers.
Be kind, save money and have fun doing it!

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Question: ?Where do you get photo sheets for your coupon book?

I get this question at least twice a week so I thought I would just do a post about it. ?In my coupon book I use clear plastic photo sheets that fit into a three ring binder. ?I know a lot of you are having trouble finding these. ?I was able to find them at my local Walmart, in the scrapbook section next to the photo/scrapbook albums. ?At my store them are behind a large concert pillar and hard to see, tucked back in the corner. ?You get 20 sheet for $1.96, each sheet hold 3 photos. ?

If you know of a better price online, or another store that sells them please let me know.

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Q&A – Printing Coupons

03/09/2009 2:47 pm · 3 comments

Question: How are you able to print 2 coupons, I was only able to print them once?

Answer: On most sites you are able to print a coupons 2 times. ?While your coupon is printing hit the back browser button on your computer and It will allow you to print another one in most cases. You will be able to print them 2 times off each computer in your house. ?I have 2 computers so most the time I am able to get 4 printed coupons.
Question: Can I photo copy a printable coupon?
Answer: ?NEVER photo copy a coupon, that is coupon fraud. ?Each coupon you print should have its own unique set of numbers with the bar code.?
Question: ?Can I print my coupon in black and white?
Answer: ?Personally I always print in color, I have better luck with cashiers taking them if they are in color. ?Technically all they need is the wording and the bar code, it should not matter what color it is in. ?I do have friends that print in black and white, but I choose to print in color.

Question: ?How do I know what stores take printable coupons?
Answer: Just ask right up front, That way you do not spend all that time loading up your cart only to find out that store does not take printed coupons. ?I try to keep my local stores coupon policy’s up to date, you can check out that ?post here. ?It can be tricky for example my local Caldwell Walmart takes printable just fine, the the Meridan no lager takes them, even though the corporate policy says they can. ?Just ask before you shop!
Question: ?How ?do you know if a coupon is fake?
Answer: Unfortunately there are fake or printable coupons out there. ?The problem with these are the store gives us the discount, but they DO NOT get paid from the manufacturer when it is a fake coupon. ?That makes the stores loose money, and then they no longer want to take ANY printable coupon. ?Personal I try to stay away from any coupon that is a PDF file, If I ever find or hear of a fake coupon I will be the first to let you know NOT TO ?print or use them. ?It will only hurt us all in the long run. ?I try to stick to printing off sites like, coupons.com, pillsbury.com. bettycrocker.com, these are all sites I use often and know that the coupons are legit. ?
Question: ?My coupons won’t print, any suggestions?
Answer: If you have a slow Internet connection, printing coupons can take a LONG time. Sometimes you may need to adjust your Internet security program (each is different so check in the help section of your program). Sometimes your firewall blocks pop-ups. You will need to look for a bar that comes down near the top of your browser, click that and tell it to allow this one time, or every time depending on your preference. Or go to your computers firewall program, either already preinstalled, or one you have set up to run on your computer and add the webpage?to your exceptions list. Some times coupons are on other sites in a “flash format” file. You should make sure you have a program to run flash componets. One we use is Adobe. There is no spam, or virus applictaions to worry about this is a very reputable company. Click here to install or upgrade your exsiting flash player.?? Another common problem is your computers way of “helping” you. Your computer saves little bits and pieces of webpages you have been on. So when there is too much in the storage your computer becomes slow and unresponsive. To help correct this in “Interent Explorer”go to your “Tools” tab up on the top of your browser. Then ” Internet Options”. Under Browser History click “Delete…” tab, then a new window will pop up. It is usually best to delete the “Cookies” and “Temporary Files” tabs.?
In Google Chrome go to the top right, click on the wrench icon. Then click “Clear browser data..” I generaly check all the boxs except for the passwords. Then change it to “Everything” and finally click “Clear Browser History”
In Firefox click “Tools” then on the bottom “Options”, then “Content” and click or unclick the options you prefer.

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Trouble with adjusting the coupon down?

This week at Walgreens they have Ritz crackers on sale for buy one at $1.99 and get one free.
You can combine this deal with a $2 off 2 manufacturer coupon making these free!
I ?bought mine with no problem, the cashier just put the value of my coupon in as $1.99 instead of $2.00, but ?I have gotten several emails from my reader telling me they were not able to use the coupon.?
I had a problem trying to buy the Ritz crackers tonight at Walgreen’s. I had 4 boxes and 2 coupons. She rang all my stuff up. Then as she was scanning my coupons, she said it wouldn’t ring up my 2nd coupon. She said that after the first coupon, there was only $1.98 left and since the coupon was for $2, it wouldn’t let her do it. I asked her if it should just go against the total purchase … because I was owing more than 2 cents. She said it goes per item. So, she gave me back my coupon and I ended up paying $1.98 for 4 boxes … not really the deal I was hoping for!”

??I called Customer Service several times about it, but being that it was not MY transaction they were not able to help much. ?They told me it was a problem with the coupon, I asked if they could price adjust it , and they would not give me an answer. ?
This morning I saw that my blog friend Momsbyheart had posted a letter from Walgreens Corporate office telling them that yes you can price adjust a coupon down to the value of the item. ?Click here for your own copy. I will print his out and carry it with me in my coupon binder that way if this happens I will be able to show the cashier, the corporate policy.
SO the cashier needs to lower the value of the coupon from $2 to $1.99 and it will work fine.

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Today and Tomorrow last day to take advantage of the Restaurant.com / Ebates Offer

Some have asked if they have to subscribe to something, or if this is a trial. Answer: No trial to sign up for, no subscriptions just a great deal.

You can click on the “Now Save 80%….” link below to go straight to restaurant.com and purchase the gift certificate… or if you would like you can sign up to Ebates to get an additional $5 bucks, with an extra 15% back as cash to your Ebates account.

You can do both or just the restaurant deal. Either way this has no subscriptions, and no do this to do that type gimmick. This is a no strings attached deal. How cool!

Ok so I know I have posted the Restaurant.com deal to get 80% off when you buy a $25 gift certificate for only $2.
Now Save 80% Off with every order of $25 Gift Certificates. Use code DINE and pay $2 thru 2/28/09.

But if you register through Ebates, click here:

Not only do you get $5 bucks for signing up , but you get 15% cash back into your Ebates account. Which they will add to your paypal account as a “Big Fat Check”
Example: I bought 2 gift certificates worth $50 for 2 of my favorite restaurants, I only spent $4 bucks.
but since I signed up with Ebates I made $5 bucks for signing up. And I made .60 cents for buying through Ebates, and entering the coupon code: Dine

I became my own “ATM” (A Thrifty Mom) and made $5.60 for buying $50 in restaurant gift certificates!

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Guess My Savings WINNER

02/21/2009 9:24 pm · 1 comment

I earned $18.39 for buying these items?
Yes they were all free….

And the winner is THE NERATKOS she guessed An OVERAGE of $4.50
Congratulations…you ?will get a free First Aid kit and a 3 pack of razors over a $10 value
Thanks to all who played! ?Hope you will all play again next week!

Transaction #1

5- Boxes Betty Crockers Fruit Snacks Used 2/ $1 off couons from the box
8-Cans of Progresso soup Used $6.40 worth of coupons from here and here
7- Rolls of Grand Biscuits Used $1.50 worth of coupons right from the can
?When I paid I used the ?Rite Aid coupon for 5 off 20$ order
Then I paid with $9.90 of coupons listed above, then ?$13.50 in Catalina coupons from yesterday
SO total cash out of pocket ?$3.90 ….but since I bought 2o participating products I got back 2/ $10 catalinas back. ?Plus a $3.50 catalina for the 5 boxes of fruit snacks.?
SO I walked away with a $23.50 credit of catalina coupons ( which are like cash, so don’t loose them)
?
Transaction #2
2- Packs of bread
5- ?Venus Razors that were $8.99, on clearance for $2.24 ( used $2 coupon from 2/8 P&G coupon insert)
5- Mini Band Aid First Aide Kits $1.19 ( used $1 off Band Aid products from 2/8 P&G coupon Insert)
When I paid I used the ?Rite Aid coupon for 5 off 20$ order
Then I used my 5 /$2 razor coupons and my 5/$1 band aid coupons
Total cash out of pocket $1.21

Total for both Transactions
Cash out of pocket was $5.11 but I got back $23.50 in Catalinas so it was all free plus I earned $18.39 for my next shopping trip.
I got an email telling me they wished I would have told you if I used Catalinas, to make it more “fair”. ?I will make sure to tell you next week what Catalinas I use….to make it fair for everyone. ?But even if I did not use Catalinas this week it would have still given me a $4.89 overage and the winner still would have been the Neratkos. ?Hope you all play again next week!

I love being my own ATM (A Thrifty Mom) Getting paid to buy the things my little family needs!

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Always check before you buy

02/21/2009 11:18 am · 1 comment

A quick lesson I would like to pass on. Many of you who are new to “couponing” have emailed me with stories of some cashiers or stores not taking coupons one day, but accepting them the next. This can be very frustrating, and emotionally draining. But I want to give some words of encouragement. “It depends on the day”. Yes it doesn’t amount to much, but point taken is that each person has their own ideas about coupons. It depends on who is counting the money behind the desk at your local store, or which manager is on duty that day. Unfortunately most people aren’t walking store rules and policies. That is why I have called each of my local stores and asked them what their store policy is. A lot of the time the first person I talk to will have absolutely no idea what the policy is. So I call often, learn who their managers are, I write what I learn down, and I bring it with me.
I tend to know the days my favorite cashiers work, and which store managers are coupon friendly. If you ever have had a bad day at a store because they did not accept your coupons that you spent so much time on, here is my own experience, just recently.
I went last night and was able to use my coupon at Albertsons, just fine. But as of this morning one of my local Albertsons has changed their policy. They will be happy to take any competitors coupon that are printed in the ad, but
they will not be taking competitors coupons printed off the internet. They said they can not tell which ones are fake. They will still be happy to take printed MFR (manufacturer coupons). All of this because the person counting coupons in the back didn’t like what was happening, not because the corporation came up with or changed a policy.

It only takes a moment to call, but a huge amount of savings. To which I and many of my readers can attest to!

Albertsons is a really coupon friendly store, I totally understand them not being able to take these coupons that “might” be a fake. Disappointed, yes but I understand. It is always best to follow the rules, be honest and that way we all benefit from coupon shopping. When people use “fake” coupons it hurts everyone….so please make sure you are always an honest coupon shopper. Thanks Albertsons for all the great deals!

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Filed Under: Albertsons, Coupon Policy

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