How to coupon.Learn how to coupon like Extreme Couponing. First and foremost, No-one , and I mean NO-ONE needs 100 containers of mustard. Not unless you are running a soup kitchen or a restaurant. But why not stock up and a couple if you have the coupons and the price is FREE or close to it?
The advice I give to everyone is - "if you take only what you need for the next couple months, you are being a responsible
coupon'r." It's never fun to get to the grocer and find that every item on your coupon list is gone... wiped out... MIA!
To be fair to other shoppers and coupon'rs for that matter, take only what you need. Your "stockpile" from one shopping trip, should never contain more than 4-5 of the same item.Now, on to the "
how to":
Stock up on the Sunday paper - every week. Never steal, but invest enough to have 3-4 copies of the same coupon. So, if you need 3-4 copies, you're gonna need 3-4 papers.
On my blog I match up coupons from the current paper - to as far back as 4 months ago, depending on the expiration date of the coupon. So, when viewing my
match ups, make sure you look towards the end of the item to see which Coupon Insert the coupon came from
( example: SS 2/12/2013 $1/2 exp 4/26/2013)
The Breakdown:
SS = Smart Source2/12/2013 = is the date of the insert or the paper it came in1/2 = $1.00 off when you buy 2 or "wyb"exp 4/26/2013= expiration date of 4/26/2013 for this particular coupon.When organizing your coupons, you have many choices, here is my favorite.
Once you get your first coupon insert booklet:
Browse through the coupons
Get a Plastic Cover sheet - that fits into a trapper keeper folder
On a blank sheet of paper, go through and write down every coupon in that insert like this:
Redplum Insert from 3/12/12general mills 1/1 exp 5/11/2012smithfiled bacon 1/2 exp 4/20/2012etc...Once you have everything written down - put your coupon insert booklet into the plastic cover sleeve and the on the top - put your list.
Now you have everything nicely labeled - that is inside of that particular coupon insert booklet.
Now that you have your coupons labeled - in the cover sheet - you can easily find them when looking at my blog, couponmemo.blogspot.com to find your sales / coupon
match ups.
Coupon LingoSunday inserts:
P&G = Procter & Gamble Sunday insert
RP = RedPlum Sunday insert
SS = SmartSource Sunday insert
Coupon lingo:
$1/1, $1/2: One dollar off one item, one dollar off two items, etc.
2/$1, 3/$2: Two items for one dollar, three items for two dollars, etc.
B1G1: Buy one item get one item free
B2G1: Buy two items get one item free
Beep: Sometimes the register will beep when a coupon is scanned to indicate that the cashier need to take an action, like entering a price.
Blinkies: Grocery/drugstore coupon dispensers with blinking lights
Catalina: Catalina coupon, prints from a separate machine when your receipt prints
CRT: Cash register tape, usually used when referring to CVS coupons that print with receipt
DND: Do not double
Ea.: Each
ECBs: ExtraCare Bucks, CVS loyalty rewards system
ETS: Excludes trial size
Exp.: Expires
GC: Gift card
IVC: Instant Value Coupon, Walgreen's' store coupons found in ads and monthly booklet
MIR: Mail-in rebate
NLA: No longer available
OYNO: On your next order
OOP: Out of pocket
OOS: Out of stock
Peelie: Peel-off coupon found on product packaging
PSA: Prices starting at
R: Regional coupon, will be listed after insert date as applicable
RRs: Register Rewards, Walgreen's' Catalina coupons
Q: Coupon
SCR: Single Check Rebate, Rite Aid monthly rebates program
Stacking: Using both a manufacturer's coupon and a store coupon on one item
UPC: Universal product code, bar code
Tare pad: Pad of coupons attached to a display, shelf, or refrigerator door.
+UP Reward: Rite Aid reward program
WYB: When you buy
YMMV: Your mileage (or manager) may vary, meaning some stores might give you a deal but others might not
