Couponing Tips
these are not listed in any specific order
-just because a coupon is expiring doesn't mean you must use it. there will be new coupons just like it. if it's a high value coupon & you can get a good deal, go ahead. otherwise don't get crazy. I made that mistake when I started. I thought I had to use them all! any you can't use you can donate to coups for troops, that's what I do. you can find the link under my 'COUPON' tab :)
-if you have kids, either find a time like after lunch that's best to take them when you know they will be at their best & take snacks etc along to keep them busy, or plan to have someone who can watch them for you. I NEVER take our kids shopping with me because shopping alone sometimes is hard enough. Our kids don't do well in stores with seeing all the food etc & sitting at the check out. they get all whiney & crazy!
-to get the best deals you should go as early in the morning as you can when the shelves are freshly stocked & you're not running into issues of items being sold out, especially if you have to drive some ways & can't do rain checks like others can. Then you won't clog up the check outs as well.
-find a young cashier that enjoys checking you out, knows the policy as well as you do & will sometimes let you have extra savings you shouldn't. get to know them & become friends with them. I have a cashier who looks forward to my transactions & always makes sure that my coupons double for me since I'm always double checking & going back & forth paying & getting coupons out & trying to make sure things are up in the right order... etc. she knows what I'm doing & is a big help & she enjoys checking me out.
-if you plan to make a big order, call ahead & speak to management to make sure your 30 specifically strawberry flavored yogurts are available. or all 25 of your free pepsi 2 ltrs. sometimes they won't get the product in stock again until the next day. otherwise you have to re-plan that whole transaction! not fun!!
-always take your coupon binder with you in case you need coupons out of it. I made the mistake of not taking it with me at first & realized fast it was not wise!
-if you are doubling coupons make sure you get the lower value coupons like instead of 1.10 off 1 you want 1.00 off one so you can double it & get more off.
-if you're not doubling coupons make sure you get the higher value coupons like 1.10 off 1 instead of 1.00 off 1... etc
-don't forget when printing coupons you can print a limit of 2 coupons. I always try more though because once it let me print like 20 juice coupons & you better bet I used them all :) depending on the page, I usually just hit the back button & it will reprint for you without much hassle.
-always go down your grocery list & search for possible coupons online & in your binder. sometimes I don't think I have a coupon when I do.
-always compare coupons from one site to another. one site might have a better value coupon. whether you are buying or printing.
-always pay attention to the expiration date.
-always make sure you are getting the correct number, oz or product the coupon is listing.
-always double check to make sure you have all of your coupons for your products and none have gone missing. I hate when I find coupons later on & realize I payed full price for that item.... :(
-always pay attention to make sure the correct value is coming off while the cashier is scanning them or make sure your cashier knows to watch for you! mine does :)
-always know what you are going for and make a detailed list of prices and quantities so that things go quick & smoothly. always have a back up for any items that might be out or not priced right so that you have a quick replacement & you don't stress yourself out or panic over what to do now.
-if you're able to, go to the store a day or so before your actual shopping trip so that you can check any deals that weren't in the stores ad or to check prices of items you might want or have a coupon for. then when you go, you won't pay more than you need to etc...
-do not print coupons until you are ready to us them, that way they don't expire before you are able to use them. (I have issues with this as I like to print them as soon as they are available. they go fast! so you have to be careful)
-make sure you're not trying to use a coupon at Shopko that is only for Walmart. etc.
-make sure if you're doubling coupons that you read the top & fine print to make sure it doesn't say DO NOT DOUBLE. (I just recently used 3 Huggies coupons that said DO NOT DOUBLE & my cashier got them to double so I got $3 extra off!!)
-if you have kids, either find a time like after lunch that's best to take them when you know they will be at their best & take snacks etc along to keep them busy, or plan to have someone who can watch them for you. I NEVER take our kids shopping with me because shopping alone sometimes is hard enough. Our kids don't do well in stores with seeing all the food etc & sitting at the check out. they get all whiney & crazy!
-to get the best deals you should go as early in the morning as you can when the shelves are freshly stocked & you're not running into issues of items being sold out, especially if you have to drive some ways & can't do rain checks like others can. Then you won't clog up the check outs as well.
-find a young cashier that enjoys checking you out, knows the policy as well as you do & will sometimes let you have extra savings you shouldn't. get to know them & become friends with them. I have a cashier who looks forward to my transactions & always makes sure that my coupons double for me since I'm always double checking & going back & forth paying & getting coupons out & trying to make sure things are up in the right order... etc. she knows what I'm doing & is a big help & she enjoys checking me out.
-if you plan to make a big order, call ahead & speak to management to make sure your 30 specifically strawberry flavored yogurts are available. or all 25 of your free pepsi 2 ltrs. sometimes they won't get the product in stock again until the next day. otherwise you have to re-plan that whole transaction! not fun!!
-always take your coupon binder with you in case you need coupons out of it. I made the mistake of not taking it with me at first & realized fast it was not wise!
-if you are doubling coupons make sure you get the lower value coupons like instead of 1.10 off 1 you want 1.00 off one so you can double it & get more off.
-if you're not doubling coupons make sure you get the higher value coupons like 1.10 off 1 instead of 1.00 off 1... etc
-don't forget when printing coupons you can print a limit of 2 coupons. I always try more though because once it let me print like 20 juice coupons & you better bet I used them all :) depending on the page, I usually just hit the back button & it will reprint for you without much hassle.
-always go down your grocery list & search for possible coupons online & in your binder. sometimes I don't think I have a coupon when I do.
-always compare coupons from one site to another. one site might have a better value coupon. whether you are buying or printing.
-always pay attention to the expiration date.
-always make sure you are getting the correct number, oz or product the coupon is listing.
-always double check to make sure you have all of your coupons for your products and none have gone missing. I hate when I find coupons later on & realize I payed full price for that item.... :(
-always pay attention to make sure the correct value is coming off while the cashier is scanning them or make sure your cashier knows to watch for you! mine does :)
-always know what you are going for and make a detailed list of prices and quantities so that things go quick & smoothly. always have a back up for any items that might be out or not priced right so that you have a quick replacement & you don't stress yourself out or panic over what to do now.
-if you're able to, go to the store a day or so before your actual shopping trip so that you can check any deals that weren't in the stores ad or to check prices of items you might want or have a coupon for. then when you go, you won't pay more than you need to etc...
-do not print coupons until you are ready to us them, that way they don't expire before you are able to use them. (I have issues with this as I like to print them as soon as they are available. they go fast! so you have to be careful)
-make sure you're not trying to use a coupon at Shopko that is only for Walmart. etc.
-make sure if you're doubling coupons that you read the top & fine print to make sure it doesn't say DO NOT DOUBLE. (I just recently used 3 Huggies coupons that said DO NOT DOUBLE & my cashier got them to double so I got $3 extra off!!)