Grocery shopping is the number one area in your budget that can be cut easily.....using coupons!
Here are some tips:
Patience and Persistence
· Big key to couponing is to hold a coupon until the product is on sale. Almost all products will go on sale once a coupon is issued.
· Be aware of sale trends and when things go on sale. July=picnic items, paper plates. Holiday=baking items.
· Try it for several months before giving up, treat this new way of shopping as a challenge.
· Start thinking of your coupons as cash.
· Check your receipts before you leave the store. They make mistakes too!
· By pairing coupons with the sales, you should be able to cut your bill in half.
· Base your meals around the deals-It is cheaper to shop from your own pantry (i.e. stock up when groceries are at rock bottom prices, whether you need it right then or not, and you will never pay full price again!)
Doubling & Stacking
· Bashas, Safeway and Fry’s double coupons up to a dollar everyday. For example: $.35 coupon doubles to $.70 and a $.75 will double to $1.
· They will only double 3 of the SAME or like coupon in one transaction. After the 3rd one, you can still use more coupons, they just will not double them.
· Stacking is when you use a store coupon (see in store ads) with a manufactures coupon together for 1 item.
Watch Store Promotions
· Look at the weekly ad for promotions and take advantage of them. Pair the sales with your coupons to save even more
· Stock up on staples when they are on sale. You can freeze meat, cheese, milk and bread for later use.
· Watch sales limits. If you exceed the limit, often you will be charged full price.
· Catalinas: these are coupons that print at the check out registers. They are like money towards your next purchase. If yours doesn’t print, call the Catalina Marketing Company at 1-(888) -8coupon. Often if store promotions say $5 back, it will be given to you in this form. Watch the expiration dates.
Shopping Myths
· Store brand is not always cheaper than the national brand
· Buy the smaller size with your coupon—SMALLER size equals bigger savings
· When you request a Rain Check, you can still use your coupon with that item unless the coupon has expired.
· Don't be loyal to a particular store or brand.
· You CANNOT use 2 manufacturer's coupons for 1 item even if it came from a Bashas ad (It will say “Manufacturer’s Coupon)
· Big key to couponing is to hold a coupon until the product is on sale. Almost all products will go on sale once a coupon is issued.
· Be aware of sale trends and when things go on sale. July=picnic items, paper plates. Holiday=baking items.
· Try it for several months before giving up, treat this new way of shopping as a challenge.
· Start thinking of your coupons as cash.
· Check your receipts before you leave the store. They make mistakes too!
· By pairing coupons with the sales, you should be able to cut your bill in half.
· Base your meals around the deals-It is cheaper to shop from your own pantry (i.e. stock up when groceries are at rock bottom prices, whether you need it right then or not, and you will never pay full price again!)
Doubling & Stacking
· Bashas, Safeway and Fry’s double coupons up to a dollar everyday. For example: $.35 coupon doubles to $.70 and a $.75 will double to $1.
· They will only double 3 of the SAME or like coupon in one transaction. After the 3rd one, you can still use more coupons, they just will not double them.
· Stacking is when you use a store coupon (see in store ads) with a manufactures coupon together for 1 item.
Watch Store Promotions
· Look at the weekly ad for promotions and take advantage of them. Pair the sales with your coupons to save even more
· Stock up on staples when they are on sale. You can freeze meat, cheese, milk and bread for later use.
· Watch sales limits. If you exceed the limit, often you will be charged full price.
· Catalinas: these are coupons that print at the check out registers. They are like money towards your next purchase. If yours doesn’t print, call the Catalina Marketing Company at 1-(888) -8coupon. Often if store promotions say $5 back, it will be given to you in this form. Watch the expiration dates.
Shopping Myths
· Store brand is not always cheaper than the national brand
· Buy the smaller size with your coupon—SMALLER size equals bigger savings
· When you request a Rain Check, you can still use your coupon with that item unless the coupon has expired.
· Don't be loyal to a particular store or brand.
· You CANNOT use 2 manufacturer's coupons for 1 item even if it came from a Bashas ad (It will say “Manufacturer’s Coupon)
Coupon Sources
· Main source is in the Sunday newspaper.(Get multiples of each coupon so when an item is cheap or free, you will have many instead of just one)
· Internet coupons: Print limit of 2 www.boxtops4education.com, www.redplum.com, www.smartsource.com, www.coupons.com & often the manufactures website for a particular product will offer coupons savings: www.bettycrocker.com
· Magazines (All You magazine through a subscription or buy only at Wal-Mart)
· Coupon trading or swapping or even E-bay!
· Catalina coupons
· E-coupons are paperless or clip less coupons that you load to your shoppers card: www.cellfire.com, www.shortcuts.com
· Ask friends, neighbors, family & co-workers for their extra unused coupon inserts.
· Included with samples.
· In or On the product packages.
· In store coupon booklets & blinky machines
Brother B o o n e taught us about investments and what to look for and watch when investing. Thank you so much!!!
