Coupon-ology: Gather Coupons – Part 3g of 5

May 30, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

As I sorted through the mail today, I found a Savings Are Stocking Up At Publix coupon booklet which brought a smile to my face. Gathering coupons takes work to find the sources. But once the coupons begin coming, I just need to keep up with the organization.

I spent this morning updating my coupon binder. Though it took me longer than usual (due to a pulled muscle in my mid-back), I welcomed the new coupon booklet as the entire booklet gets filed in my Publix slot with no clipping, organizing, or sorting. 😀

If you are looking for more coupons, enter the Coupon Binder Giveaway. Besides a new binder, the winner will receive numerous gift cards, movie tickets, coupons, coupon inserts, and a printer with supplies. The giveaway ends on June 14, 2013, so enter before it slips your mind.

In gathering coupons, let’s press on in our Coupon-ology series. Hopefully, you will find coupons in other places as well, but in this series, I am focusing on the main places coupons are found. The sources covered thus far are newspapers, magazines, printable coupon databases, manufacturers, direct mail, and stores. For the last topic, I turn to electronic coupons.

Part 3f: Electronic Coupons

These coupons are loaded to a loyalty card or accessed through your phone number. The electronic coupons, also known as eCoupons or digital coupons, require no clipping, printing, or sorting.

They are manufacturer coupons that can be stacked with store coupons. However, you should not use an eCoupon with a paper manufacturer’s coupon on the same item as the limit is one manufacturer’s coupon per item. The exception to this standard is if the store allows stacking a manufacturer’s eCoupon with a manufacturer’s paper coupon.

To find eCoupons, start with these reputable sources:

Grocery Stores

Both Bi-Lo and Publix offer eCoupons through their websites. I registered initial and now log in, load the coupons, and then shop. At checkout, my Bi-Lo loyalty card takes off the available coupons, and at Publix, I enter my phone number on the keypad.

Cellfire

This service allows you to register your loyalty cards. Then you load coupons directly to the store you choose. This service has coupons for entertainment, restaurants, shopping, and groceries. There are lots of great savings available through Cellfire.

P&G Shopper Card Coupons

For those who shop at Kroger, you can load Proctor and Gamble coupons directly to your shopper card. P & G may load to other stores, but none are in my area for me to report to you. I do know that Kroger cards work with this program.

If you don’t shop at Kroger, you can still register and print P & G coupons from their site.

Shortcuts

Another resource for eCoupons is Shortcuts. Check their website to see if your stores participate. Just load the coupons to your loyalty card, and swipe your card at checkout for redemption.

Upromise

Where the other programs listed are ways to save immediately at checkout, Upromise is deferred savings for college expenses. For Upromise, you sign up, register your store’s loyalty cards, load the coupons, swipe the card at checkout, and the amount of the coupon is deposited into your account. You can then check the balance of your account through the Upromise website.

Regarding eCoupons, I am careful about what I load on my card. At present, I use only the Bi-Lo and Publix eCoupons. My reasoning is to save time and confusion.

If I load multiple coupons at different amounts off, I cannot choose which coupon gets used. Also, the eCoupon is only for one item. If I load a coupon for $.50 off and purchase 4 items, the total savings is $.50 off. These coupons do not multiply based on the number purchased.

As you gather coupons, eCoupons is another source. Taking it slowly, I have gradually learned the ins and outs of using coupons. In trying different options, I have found what works best for me. I present these options for your benefit, not to suggest that you use them all.

I live in a world of reality, and time is precious. In using time wisely, I concentrate on getting my coupons from newspapers, printable coupon databases, eCoupons loaded directly from my grocery stores’ websites prior to shopping, stores while shopping, and whatever coupons come through direct mail.

As you find what coupons you routinely use and where you find them, you can focus on gathering coupons from those sources. My coupon journey has evolved over the years, and I love learning new ways to save. Enjoy gathering those coupons, and happy savings!

Question: Do your grocery stores offer eCoupons?

Coupon-ology: Gather Coupons – Part 3f of 5

May 23, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

With my coupons organized, I finally made it out to the grocery store. I chose a great week as a few cuts of meat that our family consumes were on sale. I stocked up to the tune of $85 at Bi-Lo alone. I was over-budget for the week, but under-budget for the month as I had not been shopping in 3 weeks.

Even with the break, our pantry, freezer, and refrigerator were still doing well. We did shop for eggs, bread, milk, and fruit within those 3 weeks, but I turned to my stockpile for the staples. By using coupons and sales, I continue to stockpile, so I do not need to run to the store every week.

Continuing our Coupon-ology series, we are gathering coupons. The sources covered thus far are newspapers, magazines, printable coupon databases, manufacturers, and direct mail. Today, we move to stores. Strategically placed throughout some stores, you can find both store and manufacturer coupons.

Part 3f: Stores

Keeping our eyes open, we find coupons in stores at these locations:

Entrance

Checking the stands and displays, we find flyers and booklets. Walgreens displays their monthly coupon booklets at the front of each store. The coupons are valid all month long with a new book available next month.

Front of the Store

The weekly circulars at Publix often have store coupons. These circulars are usually located at the front of the store or near the registers.

Customer Service

When we visit Publix, we stop by customer service requesting coupons before beginning our shopping trip. Almost always, we are rewarded for our request.

Pharmacy

Displays often carry literature on products. I have found high-value coupons from pharmacy brochures.

Blinkies

These are the little machines with red blinking lights by products throughout the store. My children love to look and acquire these coupons.

Peelies

These are coupons attached to the package on products.

Coupon Machine

At CVS, you can scan your Extra Care card to receive coupons to use on your current visit.

Receipt

Some stores print coupons at the bottom of your receipt. At CVS, the Extra Bucks you earn print on the bottom of your receipt.

Catalinas

These coupons print from a separate printer at checkout. Usually they are printed on white paper with red borders. Sometimes these offers are coupons, and other times, they are rewards for completing a promotion. For example, I earned $3 off my next purchase at Bi-Lo by purchasing 3 boxes of cereal in one transaction.

By checking your surroundings while shopping, you may pick up a few more coupons to help you save money. In using time wisely, I focus on the shopping while my children hunt for coupons. This arrangement is a win-win for our entire family. Happy gathering!

Question: Where else in stores do you find coupons?

Coupon-ology: Gather Coupons – Part 3e of 5

May 16, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

On Monday, I cleared my day and focused on my coupon binders. I got all the coupons cut and organized.

Then on Tuesday, I received more newspapers, but I’m already making progress on this stack. Yay!

In our Coupon-ology series, we started with purging and organizing.

Having those done, we moved on to gathering coupons from newspapers, magazines, printable coupon databases, and manufacturers. Another source of coupons comes from direct mail.

Part 3e: Direct Mail

Good mail is not a thing of the past. I enjoy getting coupon surprises in the mail from multiple sources. Some resources for getting coupons via direct mail include:

Freebies and Samples

When I sign up or request a free item or sample, the company usually includes a coupon along with the sample item. Sometimes I have to hunt for the coupon in the midst of the packaging, but most of the time it is there.

Mailers and Advertisements

These are the packages of coupons for local establishments (e.g., Valpak). These coupons are usually for services and restaurants, but sometimes I find a coupon gem within the package.

Phone Book

Though not obsolete yet, the phone book has a section of coupons. I have found coupons for free or very inexpensive items from the phone book. I tear out the coupons and file them with my restaurant and entertainment coupons for when I’m looking for a discount.

Loyalty Programs

By signing up with loyalty programs at your local grocery stores, you may find surprises coming in your mailbox. I enjoy the store coupon booklets and special promotions delivered to my mailbox.

With lots of junk mail delivered to our home, I sort through the freebies, samples, mailers and advertisements, phonebooks, and loyalty programs to find the coupons our family might use. My favorites are the coupons from the freebies and samples as some of the products are so new that coupons are not yet available through other sources.

As you gather coupons, try not to overlook the value in the direct mail approach. Personally, I rarely turn away a coupon. In saving my family money, I gather responsibly from many sources with direct mail being one. Next week, I’ll share ways to find coupons through local stores. Happy coupon gathering!

Question: Do you find coupons in your mailbox?

Coupon-ology: Gather Coupons – Part 3d of 5

May 9, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Really thought I would have made some progress on my coupon organization since last week, but no progress.

We have enjoyed the outdoors and kept the house clean, so progress is made – just not with the newspaper inserts and coupon filing. When I get to my coupons – hopefully early this week, I will file the coupons I have gathered, and there are a lot.

In our Coupon-ology series, we are compiling ways to gather our coupons in Part 3. Having looked at newspapers in part 3a, magazines in part 3b, and printable coupon databases in part 3c, I turn to manufacturers in part 3d.

Part 3d: Manufacturers

Marketing departments across the world are vying for your hard earned dollars. They spend hours developing advertisements and strategies to make their products seem necessary to your family’s existence. They want you to need their products, so they create promotions and coupons to make their products luring and easy for you to purchase.

If you use an abundance of product from a manufacturer, then you will want additional coupons from what you find in the newspaper inserts. For example, I have used Huggies diapers exclusively for more than 8 years with 2 children in diapers/pull-ups for multiple years. Exhausting the coupons received in the newspaper, I turn to these strategies for finding more manufacturer coupons:

1. Manufacturer Website

Visiting the manufacturer’s website and locating the coupon or promotional page provides information on where to find additional coupon savings.

2. Manufacturer Newsletters

In addition to informing e-mail subscribers to news and product information, manufacturers include coupons and additional promotions for their valued customers. Using my junk e-mail account provides room for lots of savings without cluttering my personal inbox with coupons, news, samples, and promotions.

3. Manufacturer Social Media Accounts

Keeping a junk Facebook and Twitter account, I can “like” and “follow” my favorite manufacturers and gain special discounts and coupons as a fan.

4. Contact Manufacturers

Sending an e-mail via their website’s contact page or placing a call to request coupons, thank them, or offer a suggestion for improvement usually nets you one or more high-value coupons. If you report a problem with a product, you will usually get those coupons as well.

5. Check Product Packaging

Some manufacturers (e.g., Dannon yogurt) add coupons inside their packaging. So, before you toss that cardboard covering, take a peek inside to check for coupons.

With manufacturers generously providing coupons and promotions to save you money, they desire to keep you as a paying customer. What they don’t know is how smart you are, and how you will combine their coupons with sales and promotions to get their products for more than 50% off. But we still want those coupons. 🙂

In gathering coupons, the manufacturer needs you to purchase their products, so take advantage of their generosity in providing coupons. Keep gathering and organizing to save your family’s resources while providing nourishment. Happy gathering!

Question: Where do you find additional manufacturer coupons?

Coupon-ology: Gather Coupons – Part 3c of 5

May 2, 2013 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My coupons are currently in disarray. I have about 3 – 4 weeks of inserts of which I need to sort, clip, and organize. Sometimes gathering the coupons is the easy part. It is the organizing that takes the time and energy. 😉

In investing in coupons, our family saves lots of money. Currently, our year-to-date savings percentage is 60.73%.

A good chunk of those savings is due to honing in on buy one, get one free offers matched with coupons. In using time wisely to organize my coupons, I can more efficiently save money and feed my family.

In our Coupon-ology series, we started with purge coupons in part 1, moved to organize coupons in part 2, and continue with gather coupons in Part 3. Thus far, we considered gathering from newspapers and magazines. Today, we look at printable coupon databases.

Part 3c: Printable Coupon Databases

When speaking of printable coupons, the basics needed to gain these gems are an electronic device (computer, laptop, tablet, etc.), Internet connection, and working printer with paper and ink/toner.

The first time you access a printable coupon database, you will need to download their coupon driver. This program communicates to the database limiting the number of prints to keep someone from printing all the available coupons.

1. The Printable Coupon Databases

Some of my highest-valued coupons are retrieved from printable coupon databases.

The four main printable coupon databases are:

2. Getting the Coupons

You should never pay for a printable coupon. You can print directly from these sites, so you need not go through a series of survey questions, sign up for a free subscription, or participate in a program to print.

Some companies or sites want additional information from you before linking to the main coupon database. If you get directed to such a site, just check the four main databases directly, and you are sure to find what you need without giving out your information.

When I create my grocery list, Jenny Martin includes a link to the printable coupon database for the needed coupon. Now, she uses the coupon databases’ affiliate program and gets paid for promoting their coupons, but Jenny only links if the product is a good deal.

Affiliate marketing is a way that bloggers earn money without readers incurring a fee. I happily print coupons from Southern Savers to support Jenny while printing the coupons I need from the main coupon databases. Jenny has proved herself trustworthy which is why I use Southern Savers to create my weekly grocery lists.

3. Printing the Coupons

When you access the printable coupon database, a chart of pictures with coupon values will meet you. Just check the boxes on the coupons you want, and click print selected coupons.

Having printed numerous coupons, here a few of my tips:

1. Print in multiples of 3

If the coupon does not have advertising on it, then 3 coupons will print per page. To save on paper, I try to find coupons in groups of 3 to get the most from the print.

2. Print each coupon twice

When accessing the databases, I print all the coupons I want. Then I go back to the home page, select those coupons again, and print again. If I go back to look for them a third time, I will find them on the last page with a notification that my print limit has been reached.

Printing twice is great for stockpiling when combining sales and coupons. You can purchase more products at that rock bottom price.

Shortcut: If an individual coupon link is provided in a post or on Southern Savers for one product, I can print the coupon and then select the back space button a time or two. A second coupon will then print. If I keep hitting the back button, I will eventually be told that I have reached my print limit.

DO NOT hit your back button with SmartSource. This database will count that as your second print without printing. For SmartSource, you will need to go back to the database or the original link to print your second coupon.

Believe me, I have lost a number of prints trying to find a way to get SmartSource to reprint without going back. I would rather save you from the frustrations I have had. 🙂

If you do not get your second print, it is NOT permissible to copy the coupon. One should NEVER copy or duplicate coupons. If you need more printable coupons, then use another computer, ask a friend to print, try your library, or contact the manufacturer. But do not copy the coupons as dishonesty hurts the manufacturer, the stores, and ultimately – couponers.

3. Print early

These databases have a limited number of prints available. Once they are gone, the database will indicate you have already exceeded the number of prints allowed. This is not saying that you printed the coupon, it is just a standard message when all the prints have been claimed.

New coupons are released throughout the month with the majority released on the first. If you are looking for a coupon, checking on the first or second day of the month is more beneficial than the end of the month as the available coupon prints decrease.

I try to make out my grocery list by the day the sales begin, so I can print the coupons I need. Then when I get to the store, I will have my coupons in my envelope.

Printable coupon databases are a fabulous resource, especially for those who do not get the coupon inserts from the Sunday newspaper. Even with the newspaper coupons, I sometimes find the printable coupons more valuable.

In gathering coupons, using the coupon databases will take some time to setup and print, but the effort may be worth it to you. With so many options for gathering coupons, your coupon binder will quickly become your savings partner. I just need to help out my partners by getting them organized. 😉 Happy coupon finding!

Question: What tips do you have for printing coupons?