Couponing 101 - How and When To Use Coupons

Day 3 - How and When to Use Coupons

So- Every time I ask someone about clipping coupons I get the same answer ALL THE TIME, which goes something like this:

"I always try to clip the coupons from my (one) Sunday paper- and then I go do my regular shopping and it's cheaper to just buy the generic of the coupon that I have!"

"I clip the coupons and go buy things that I normally wouldn't buy and end up spending more money that I usually do."

SOUND FAMILIAR???

I used to think the same thing. Every other week, I would remember to clip my coupons and then I would take them to the store, hunt down the right product and size, and then do some math in my head and decide it's cheaper to buy the Walmart Generic. So I would grab the Walmart Generic and Toss the Coupon...

So sad.......

There are 3 important things you will need to know to be a successful "Couponer"


1. MATCHING COUPONS WITH AWESOME SALES and PROMOS!

• For example- If I go to Walmart to use my $1 off 5 Campbell's Cream of Chicken Coupons, it will end up being cheaper to just buy generic. BUT, if you use the coupon when they are at a rock bottom price- or if you match it with a promotion one of the grocery store's is having then you have - Cheap Soup!
  

2. DOUBLE DAYS/SUPER DOUBLE DAYS/TRIPLE DAYS!

Double Days

• Harris Teeter and Lowes Foods in Burlington run Doubles up to $.99 daily. This means if you have a coupon for $.75 they will deduct $1.50 off the price of that item.

• K-Mart Doubles about once a month (not every month in Burlington, NC) They run their double promotion usually up to $2.00. This means if you have coupon for $2.00, they will deduct $4.00 off the price of that item. (Let me tell you.....FREE STUFF.....when they do this)

Keep in mind, Restrictions usually apply to how many coupons you can double, so you will need to check with each store's coupon policy.

Super Doubles/Triples

• Harris Teeter ran for the first time last month Super Doubles. This is where they increased their minimum double amount up to $1.99. This means that if you have a coupon for $1.50 then they will deduct $3.00 off the price of an item.

• Harris Teeter also usually runs every month Triples. They triple the amount of a coupon. This means that if you have a coupon for $.75 then they will deduct $2.25 off the price of an item.

3. Coupon Stacking (My Favorite)

Stacking simply means using 1 Manufacturer Coupon and 1 Store Coupon on 1 Item!!
The three places I found to benefit from this is:

1. Walgreens store ad coupons
2. Lowes Foods store ad coupons
3. Target coupons
   

So, this is where using "Two Thrifty Moms" comes in... Use and abuse us to find all what the deals are and where to get them.

Most stores operate on a Sunday-Saturday Sale Cycle... So we will post a big match up for each store at the beginning of the week.

Food Lion, Lowes Foods, and Harris Teeter are on a Wednesday-Tuesday Sale Cycle and we usually have a coupon match up by Wednesday evening.

Don't be overwhelmed, it will take a little while for you newbies(that's you guys) to figure out when something is a good deal. When I first started couponing, I found toothpaste for $1 a tube and I was so excited I thought I had scored an awesome deal - so of course, I used all the coupons I had for that item and bought about bought about 10 of them. Then as time went on, I realized that "you" can get free toothpaste all the time! So, $1 for toothpaste is really cheap for all our non-couponing friends) So don't feel bad too bad when you see a deal for less.

The best thing to do is start a list like this one!

OK, Ladies & Gentleman

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

Go here for the next session for today. Coupon Lingo