Couponing 101 - Checkout

Couponing 101 - Checkout

Day 5 of Series

First and Foremost for the best shopping experience:

Get Organized Before you Leave the House

First, make a list of the things you want to buy and at what store.
Sort the coupons you want to use and put them in a separate envelope for corresponding stores. If you are using the Binder Method - Weekly, we suggest you clip the coupons you know you will be using for the coupon matchups and place them in the envelope as well. This will cut down on some of the time in the store.

One of our readers places in very small print the amount the item is going to cost with the sales matchup on her coupon so that she knows with one glance of the coupon the price of the item.

Choose wisely what time of the day you go.

By experience we have found that early in the morning or afternoon, or late at night is best time. You and your cashier will be less stressed when there is no line behind you and all the lanes are full.

Understanding the best order to present coupons(at end all in a stack or sorted in groups)

This varies by the store and the cashier.
You may want to choose not to hand them the whole stack. Giving them small sets, helps them check what it is for and how many you have purchased when they have to go back through your items when the cash register denies the coupon. (this helps, because the less they have to sort and count through the easier the transaction is.)

Do not be afraid to ask for management to come clarify something for you.

Often, you know more about the store coupon policy than the cashier does. If you don't understand do not be afraid to ask nicely for a manager to answer a question you may have. You'll often find that the cashier didn't know it either and it makes your transaction with that cashier easier next time.

Print the Store Policy and keep it with you.

If you are going to be shopping at many different stores weekly, at first it will be hard to remember each stores policies. This will be a great reference tool.
This will help you quite often. That way if you need to you will be able to reference it at or before checkout.

If you have any method that works for you please share it with the "Thrifty Moms" it may be something that will work better for others as well.

OK, Ladies & Gentleman

Commitment!!!! Let's see it!!!!

Go here for the next session for today Rain Checks