Crave 2 $ave's Couponing 101

Do not get overwhelmed with coupons, just take it one step at a time. :)

Steps to follow:
1. Buy 4-6 newspapers. Call Daily Herald and ask for "Savvy Shopper Discount", their contact number is 801-375-5103. Cost for 5 newspapers for every Sunday, each month is around $21 dollars. This is a MUST when you are just starting!
2. Organize coupons by category in a binder with baseball card holders to hold clipped coupons OR file unclipped coupon inserts by date from days you received the newspapers.
3. Save EVERY coupon whenever you can. You'll never know when you'll make a profit from items you may never use if you have a coupon for it. If you have no use for these items, donate! Also, remember don't be too picky on brands, but do get the items that you or your family will eat or it'll end up in the trash anyway.
4. Know all the coupon abbreviations like B1G1 Free, MIR, SS, etc. (Coupon Abbreviations are located at the end of this page)
5. Understand how coupons work at Walgreen's, Rite Aid, Target, etc. before shopping the first time (Store Guides are located at the end of this page). Try one store at a time to learn, not at all stores at ONCE!
6. Find deals from websites provided down below and print anything you may need before going to the store. Check on them DAILY if you do not want to miss out any great deals. If you see a printable coupon you want or a valuable coupon, PRINT them ASAP! Good ones always go fast! You may print two from each computer, but do not photocopy. It's against the law!

Websites to find deals...

*http://www.crave2save.blogspot.com/

*www.http://grocerysmarts.com/utah/lists/splashg84cjw.php (See 5 stars...stock up!)

*http://www.hip2save.com/

*http://www.thekrazycouponlady.com/

*http://www.savvyshopperdeals.com/ (See "WOW" deals...stock up!)

*http://www.pinchingyourpennies.com/

*http://www.utahdealdiva.com/

*http://www.athriftymom.com/

*http://www.savvysistershops.com/

7.Do your homework first before going to the store, so plan ahead. Do not purchase things if you do not know if it's a great deal or grab items you may need at the last minute. You'll lose money if you do it this way.

8. Have your coupons ready before you go shopping and at checkout lines.

9. Keep your eyes peeled for any extra coupons you may find at the store (ie. blinkies, tearpads, rebates), but do not go overboard on them. One or two is enough, save the rest for others. You can always buy extra coupons on Ebay or http://www.collectablecoupons.com/

10. Stock up as many items you need. Another thing to remember is TRY not to clear the shelves, save some for others as well.
11. Get a raincheck if the item is out of stock or ask the store employee when these items will be back in stock.
12. Do not get ANGRY at the cashier if they will not take the coupon, just politely say, "I don't need this." You can always try again later with a different cashier. Bring any store policies with you to help you resolve any issues with the cashier.
13. Watch how much you have saved!

NOTES:
-Be sure to watch the expiration dates on coupons, Register Rewards (from Walgreen's), Catalinas (from Smiths), and any rebates.

-Best time to go shopping to grab these great deals is on first day of the sale.
Rite Aid, Walgreen's, and Target-Sunday (I go on Monday morning because of Sabbath)
Smith's, Fresh Market, Buy Low-Wednesday
Ridley's-Tuesday

-Be sure to double check the ads, because there are few deals you find from websites may not occur in your area.

If you need any extra information, please do visit my blog at http://www.crave2save.blogspot.com/. On the left side of my blog, you'll see numerous links provided for you to read and locate any great deals. If you cannot locate something you want or need, please do not hesitate to email me at gotmilkqq@gmail.com or leave comments on my site.

STORE GUIDES

*SMITHS-Catalinas, Promos, eCoupons downloaded to your Rewards card.

(Smith's Catalinas-these will print at checkout along with your receipt)

EXAMPLE-

Buy 10 Participating items-get $4 off at checkout. (ie. Kraft, Nabisco, specific foods)

Buy 3 Kraft products-get $2 Catalina

3 SALTINES-$1.00
3 KRAFT CHEESE-$1.00
3 CHIPS AHOY-$1.50
1 OSCAR MAYER DELI-$1.50
USE 3-$1/1 coupon for Kraft cheese, 3-$.50/1 coupon for Chips Ahoy, 3-.50/1 coupon for Saltines, and 1-$1/1 coupon for Oscar.
GET $4 OFF instantly at checkout cuz you got 10 participating items.
PAY, THEN A $2 CATALINA will print cuz you paid 3 Kraft cheeses.
TOTAL:$2.00
USE your $2 Catalina for your next purchase.

More about eCoupons, go HERE.

*RITE AID-SCR (Single Check Rebates), Up Rewards, $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupon, Wellness Card, Rite Aid Video Value coupons available from http://www.riteaid.com/.

EXAMPLE:
ORAL B TOOTHBRUSH-$2.99
USE $1.00 Manufacturer Coupon AND $0.50 Rite Aid Video Value Coupon
PAY-THEN FILL OUT THE REBATE ON http://www.riteaid.com/ to get your $1.00 SCR(Single Check Rebate) in the mail.
TOTAL=$0.49

EXAMPLE #2:
NIVEA BODY WASH-$3
USE $1.00 Manufacturer Coupon
PAY-THEN GET $3 UP REWARD found on your receipt. (Use this for your next purchase)
TOTAL-$0, you'll profit $1.00 after coupon and Up Reward.

RITE AID TIPS-

-Be sure to sign up for Rite Aid's Wellness card. It's free. Use this card every time you make a purchase. The more points you accumulate, the better your savings will be-like 10% or 20% discount every time you make a purchase. (500 points or more=10%/1,000 points or more=20%) This card is essential if you want to receive Up Rewards (read more about it HERE.)
-You can only use ONE rebate per address , if you want to do the rebate again, use addresses from your parents, friends, or neighbors, but ask them for their permission first before doing it.
-When using $5 off $25 Rite Aid coupon or $5 off $20 Rite Aid Video Value coupon from http://www.riteaid.com/ (you'll have to watch at least 20 commericals in order to get that $5 off $25 coupon), give this coupon first BEFORE any other coupons. If you want to get another $5 off $25 coupon, you can to register with a different email address and watch the commericals again.
-Do NOT request the rebate check until the end of each month so you can buy more things from Rite Aid!
-You can stack manufacturers with Rite Aid ad coupons and Rite Aid Video Value coupons. (may vary by store)
-Save all the receipts for rebates until you get your check in the mail.

*TARGET-Stack Store and Manufacturer coupons, $5 Gift cards

EXAMPLE:
SPECIAL K CEREAL-$2.38
USE $1.00 Manufacturer Coupon PLUS $1.00 Target Coupon.
TOTAL=.38 cents

*BUY LOW- best time to buy produce is on Wednesdays and meats is on Fridays.

*WALGREENS-RR (Register Rewards), sometimes $5 off $25 coupon, Walgreen's monthly coupon booklet found by the ads, and ad coupons found inside Walgreen's ads.

(RR-REGISTER REWARDS-these will print at checkout along with a receipt)

EXAMPLE:
PERT PLUS SHAMPOO-$3.99
USE $1.00 manufacturer coupon FOR PERT PLUS.
PAY, THEN A $3 RR (Register Reward) will print.
TOTAL-$0, make $1.00 profit
Use $3 RR on your next purchase.

WALGREENS TIPS-
- With a Walgreen's RR is you cannot use a "chap stick RR" to pay for another chap stick and have another RR print out. BUT you can use a "toothpaste" RR to pay for chap stick and have another RR print. Think "opposite" when using RRs.
-Walgreen's has a coupon item ratio rule, you can only use as many coupons as you have items. They count RR as coupons. You cannot exceed the number of manufacturer coupons or RRs with the number of items you are purchasing. Example:Buy 4 items with 4 manufacturer coupons. Coupon item ratio is 4 coupons=4 items. If you want to pay with a RR, you would need to add a filler item...something cheap like a pencil or a candy bar. Coupon item ratio will be 5 coupons (4 manufacturer coupons and 1 RR)=5 items. Then everything should go through without any problems.
-An in store or ad coupon do NOT count as a coupon when using coupon item ratio rule… just as a sale price.
-Remember that only one RR will print PER product or unless stated otherwise like "Spend $15, get $5RR. Example: If you want to buy 3 bottles of Pantene shampoo. In order to have $2 RR print for each one, you will need to buy them into 3 separate transactions.
-You cannot pay sales tax with a RR.


COUPON ABBREVIATIONS-

$1.00/1-one dollar off per item
$2.00/1-two dollars off per item
$1.00/2-one dollar off on two items
BOGO or B1G1-Buy One Get One Free
B2G2-Buy Two Get Two Free
B2G1-Buy Two Get One Free
B1G1 50%-Buy One Get One half off
Coupon Insert-Red Plum, Smart Source, Proctor and Gamble, General Mills from Sunday newspapers
RP-Red Plum

SS-Smart Source
PG-Proctor and Gamble
GM-General Mills
RP 1/3-Red Plum insert from Sunday, January 3rd.
PG 12/27-Proctor and Gamble insert from Sunday, December 27th.
SS 7/12-Smart Source insert from Sunday, July 12th.
Couponer-a person who uses coupons
Couponing-(verb) using coupons
Doubler-doubles the coupon. Example: $1.00 coupon, double that=$2.00 off
FAR-Free After Rebate
EXP-expires
FF-Firefox browser
IE-Internet browser
IP-Internet Printables-coupons printed from the Internet
eCoupons-coupons downloaded to your card like Smiths or Albertsons card
MIR-Mail In Rebate
Manufacturer-from company who makes the product or item.
Store coupon-coupon provided from store (will not say manufacturer on it)
MFQ-Manufacturer coupon
OOP-Out of Pocket, total you pay at the checkout.
OYNO-On Your Next Order-you’ll see that on Catalinas that you can use on your next time you shop like cash.
Raincheck-if item is out of stock, you ask for a slip to keep the price up to ? days.
Rebate-refund by mail
RR-Register Rewards at Walgreens only
SCR-Single Check Rebate at Rite Aid only
Stacking-a store coupon plus a manufacturer coupon together.
Stockpile-build your storage
Transaction-purchase
Q-coupon
WAGS-short for Walgreens
WYB-When you Buy
YMMV-Your Mile May Vary, it means it’s up to the store.