I told you I was teaching a coupon class this week and you get to benefit from it! Here is part one of my notes for the Couponing Class!
Couponing 101
The first step to using coupons properly and to your advantage is to understand coupons. There are TWO kinds of coupons:
· Manufacturer coupons
· Store coupons
Manufacturer coupons come from the manufacturer of the product listed on the coupon. Let’s look at a manufacturer coupon:
There are three things that make this a manufacturer coupon: 1. UPC (bars and numbers)
2. Expiration Date
3. Address for the store to send the coupon for reimbursement
Did you know stores make money off coupons? Read the fine print! Stores get reimbursed the face value of the coupon PLUS 8c!
Store coupons are specific to the store that issues them. They say “Store Coupon” and have the store name on them. They may or may not have a UPC code. Target does. Publix does not. Store coupons will not have an address listed for redemption but they WILL have an expiration date.
Now that you understand what makes a coupon either manufacturer or store, lets learn how to use them.
Tips for using coupons:
1. Read the coupon carefully. Make sure you get the right brand, size, etc listed on the coupon. If it says “10oz” you may only use it on the 10oz size of that product. If it says “30ct or larger” you may use it on the 30 count of that product or any count size larger than 30, but not the 15 count product.
2. Some coupons are $X off of a product. Some are a $X off TWO products (or three or more). Make sure you get how many products the coupon states it is good for. You cannot use a $1/2 Shampoos when you have only purchased 1.
3. Only one manufacturer coupon allowed per item purchased. (More on stacking manufacturer coupons with store coupons and purchase vs. transaction later.) If you buy ONE pack of toilet paper you can not use TWO $1 off pack of toilet paper coupons.
4. Learn your store’s coupon policy (more on that later)
Other types of coupons:
IP – internet printables
Peelies – coupons found on the product package at the store
Tearpads – coupons on a pad located on a display or near a product in the store
Blinkies – coupons in the little in-store dispensers that “blink”
Catalina – a coupon that prints at the register from the Catalina machine (Wal-
CRT – a coupon that prints at the end of your receipt (CVS has these)
Where to get coupons:
Sunday Newspaper Inserts (Did you know you can buy extra copies at the Dollar Tree for only $1! One coupon from the Sunday Paper can easily pay for the WHOLE paper!)
Legitimate Coupon Sites on the Internet
Product or Manufacturer Websites
Mailed to you directly from the Manufacturer or the Store (more on how to get
these sent to you later)
More sources for coupons as we continue…
A Brief Course on Couponing Lingo
BOGO, B1G1 – Buy one get one free
OOP – out of pocket
MQ – manufacturer coupon
MIR – mail in rebate
Q – short for coupon
P&G, RP, SS, GM – abbreviations for the different Sunday coupon inserts – Proctor & Gamble, Red Plum, Smart Source and General Mills
RR – “register rewards” at Wal-Green’s
ECB – “Extra Care Bucks” at CVS
WYB – “when you buy” (for example, “get a free hairspray wyb shampoo”
Follow Me!