Coupons 101: 2012

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Get Your Sunday Paper for 8/12/12!

What coupons will be available on 8/12/12?

It looks like there will be two inserts this week! One SmartSource and one RedPlum! Here are the details, but please remember that coupons can be regional and amounts may vary:

::SmartSource Insert (week of 8/12/2012)

Air Wick $1/1 Freshmatic Ultra refill excludes free item packs (9/9/12)
Air Wick $2/1 Freshmatic starter kit excludes free item packs (9/9/12)
Barilla $1/1 microwaveable meal (10/6/12)
Barilla $1/1 microwaveable meal (11/3/12)
Biore Buy any pore strip, get cleanser free up to $7 ets (9/30/120
Buddig $.75/4 original 2oz packages (11/30/12)
Cheer $2/1 detergent ets (9/30/12)
Clairol $2/1 Nice ‘n Easy or Natural Instincts ets (9/30/12)
Clairol $3/1 Natural Instincts or Nice ‘n Easy non-permanent hair color products ets (9/30/12)
Claritin $2/1 Children’s Syrup 4oz (9/9/12)
Claritin $3/1 Children’s Chewables 20ct+ (9/9/12)
Claritin $3/1 Children’s syrup 4oz (8/19/12)
Colgate $.40/1 adult or kids toothbrush excluding Plus and Extra Clean (9/1/12)
Colgate $.75/1 Max Fresh, Total, Optic White or Sensitive toothpaste 4oz+ (9/1/12)
Cottonelle $.50/2 flushable moist wipes ets (9/23/12)
Cottonelle $.50/2 toilet paper 4pks or $.50/1 toilet paper 9pk+ (9/23/12)
Daisy $.45/1 cottage cheese (10/6/12)
Dannon $.50/3 Oikos 5.3oz cups or $.50/1 Oikos multipack (9/30/12)
Depend $1/1 Guards for Men (9/22/12)
Depend $1/1 product (9/22/12)
Depend $1/1 Real Fit or Silhouette product (9/22/12)
Era $.50/1 detergent ets (9/30/12)
Frigo $.55/1 Cheese Heads 10oz+ (10/31/12)
Gain $.40/1 detergent or fabric softener ets (9/30/12)
Gain $1/2 detergents or fabric softeners ets (9/30/12)
Huggies $.50/1 baby wipes 56ct+ (9/8/12)
Huggies $1.50/1 diapers (9/8/12)
Huggies $1.50/1 Little Movers, Little Snugglers or Overnites diapers (9/8/12)
Irish Spring $.50/1 multi-bar pack 3pk+ or body wash excluding 2.5oz size (9/1/12)
Ken’s $1/1 16oz dressing (9/30/12)
Kleenex $.50/3 boxes 50ct+ or $.50/1 bundle pack ets (9/23/12)
Kleenex $1/2 hand towels (9/30/12)
Kotex $1.50/2 Natural Balance pads (9/22/12)
Kotex $1/1 U product ets (9/22/12)
Kotex $1/2 Natural Balance liners 33ct+ (9/22/12)
Kotex $1/2 Natural Balance tampons (9/22/12)
Lance $.55/1 Cracker Home Pack 8ct+ (9/30/12)
Lance $.75/1 Cracker Creations (9/30/12)
Method $.75/1 Mickey or Minnie hand wash (12/31/12)
Method $1/1 cleaning spray (12/31/12)
Mission $1.50 off 2 tortillas bags AND 2 one dozen carton of eggs (12/31/12)
Nestle $.75/1 Toll House refrigerated cookie dough (10/31/12)
Odwalla $.55/1 12floz+ beverage (11/30/12)
Odwalla $.55/2 6.75floz smoothies for kids (11/30/12)
Odwalla $.55/2 bars (11/30/12)
Old Wisconsin $1/2 4oz+ snack bites (11/30/12)
Oroweat $.55/1 Healthfull sprouted grains or 45 calories per slice bread (11/12/12)
Oroweat $.55/1 low sodium bread (11/12/12)
Poise $1.50/1 Hourglass pads (9/22/12)
Poise $1/1 body cooling towelettes, feminine wash or panty fresheners ets (9/22/12)
Poise $1/1 product (9/22/12)
Poise $2/1 personal lubricant or roll-on cooling gel ets (9/22/12)
Post-it $1/1 Super Sticky Notes $5+ purchase (9/16/12)
Post-it $2/1 label product $5+ purchase (9/16/12)
Post-it $2/1 note dispenser $5+ purchase (9/16/12)
Post-it $2/1 tab, flag or pocket product $5 purchase (9/16/12)
Precious $1/1 Galbani cheese dnd (11/30/12)
Pull-Ups $2/1 training pants jumbo pack+ (9/8/12)
Reese’s/Kit Kat $1/3 snack size bags 9-22oz (9/16/12)
Reese’s/Kit Kat/Hershey’s $1/3 Hershey’s Miniatures, Reese’s Miniatures, Kit Kat Miniatures or Hershey’s Kisses bags 8.5oz+ (9/16/12)
Schick $2/1 Intuition razor or refill (9/22/12)
Schick $2/1 Quattro for Women disposable razor pack (9/23/12)
Scotch-Brite $.50/1 botanical disinfecting wipes (9/30/12)
Scotch-Brite $.75/1 heavy duty, non-scratch, delicate care or greener clean scrub sponge and scour pad multi-packs or dishwands (9/30/12)
Scott $.50/1 Naturals flushable wipes tub or refill (9/16/12)
Scott $.75/4+ towels rolls (9/16/12)
Scott $1/12+ Extra Soft bath tissue rolls (9/16/12)
Seattle’s Best $1/1 12oz coffee bag (10/13/12)
Skintimate $.55/1 shave gel excludes 2.75oz (9/23/12)
Softsoap $.35/1 liquid hand soap 8oz+ (9/1/12)
Softsoap $.50/1 body wash or bar soap 2pk+ (9/1/12)
Softsoap $.50/1 liquid hand soap refill 28oz+ (9/1/12)
Speed Stick $1/1 regular or Lady excluding 2oz, 1.4oz and 0.5oz sizes (9/1/12)
Sunsweet $1/1 Juicers dnd (10/14/12)
TreSemme $3/1 styling product with purchase of shampoo or conditioner ets (9/9/12)
Trident/Stride $1/3 multipacks, pouches or bottles (10/5/12)
Ultra Palmolive $.25/1 dish liquid (9/1/12)
V8 $1/2 Splash 64oz+ (9/23/12)
Ziploc $1/2 bags (9/22/12)
Ziploc $1/2 containers (9/22/12)
Ziploc $1/2 slider bags (9/22/12)

:: Redplum Insert (week of 8/12/2012)

Beringer Wine $1/1 750ml or 1.5l bottle dnd Valid in CA or NV (9/9/12)
Chateau St. Jean Wine $1/1 750ml bottle dnd Valid in CA or NV (9/9/12)
Covergirl $1/1 face product ets (9/30/12)
Covergirl $5/2 LashBlast mascaras ets (9/30/12)
Garnier $2/1 moisturizer (11/12/12)
Gillette $1/1 disposable razor ets (9/30/12)
Gillette $4/1 Fusion ProGlide razor excludes Styler and trial (9/30/12)
Good’n Natural Free bar up to $1.29 (9/15/12)
L’Oreal $.25/1 Vive Pro shampoo or conditioner (10/7/12)
L’Oreal $.75/1 Studio Line styling product (10/7/12)
L’Oreal $1/1 Colour Riche nail product (10/7/12)
L’Oreal $1/1 haircolor product (10/7/12)
L’Oreal $1/1 Paris lip product (10/7/12)
L’Oreal $3/1 Elnett 100oz hairspray ets (10/7/12)
L’Oreal $4/2 haircolor products (10/7/12)
Nivea $1/1 hand or body lotion 1.7-13.5floz (9/9/12)
Nivea $2/1 Q10 skin firming product 2.5-13.5floz (9/9/12)
Nivea for Men $1/1 body lotion 13.5floz (9/9/12)
Senokot $2/1 regular or S tablets (3/31/13)
Snuggle $.50/1 fabric softener liquid or dryer sheets (9/23/12)
Sparkle $.50/1 package 2 giant roll+ (9/22/12)
Superpretzel $.50/1 soft pretzel item (9/29/12)
Swiffer $1/1 Duster 6ct, Dry Cloths 32ct, Wet Cloths 24ct or WetJet pads 17ct+ ets (9/30/12)
Swiffer $1/1 Sweeper starter kit or Dusters Extender starter kit ets (9/30/12)
Venus $4/1 refillable razor ets (9/30/12)
Whiskas $1/1 dry cat food TARGET COUPON (10/13/12)
Whiskas $1/1 wet cat food 10-24ct TARGET COUPON (10/13/12)
Wisk $2/1 laundry detergent 45oz+ (9/23/12)

Good luck, and happy couponing!

~Amy

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Target Mobile Coupons

Found another coupon source for those of you with smart phones! Target mobile coupons!!

I just signed up this morning!! Got my text and I'm already planning on using the photo lab coupon and the frozen chicken (meat!) coupon! Store coupons are awesome for stacking, and Target is a great place to learn how to stack!

For more information on how to get the mobile coupons on your phone, check out this YouTube video of how to coupon at Target... how to sign up specifically for the mobile coupons is located at the 4:27 mark. Thanks to Grocery Coupon Network for providing!

To see the video and learn "how to:" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU-tFRmsEEE&feature=g-user-u&context=G224b87bUCGXQYbcTJ33bJ-Mbyc_dj-qLWNRgDf99MRcJrcnpaA3c

As always, good luck, and happy couponing!

~Amy

If you are interested in getting automatically updated everytime we post here, follow us by "joining" or you can click the link below:

http://www.google.com/friendconnect/signin/home?st=e%3DAOG8GaDTk4nzf1ExVfRoJHqyn8wrAzr8W2FMP79TyIgnACGWjfGfyXA%252B6cAuDiv1NMrhWnhAU9gkAPwgVgX3Q7unv17w5Sj0bK31RD9vWmSgGPqvEalET6nVhHRT%252BzzXRZw%252FygTlek9cVXQFjhvhE81oZlg7uSqT%252BXb6x00inmZUY2Dqqr46SJfp0AiPshiE67kuysQqe7MQujQ8HoiYAEs69fdGKaDa11cTAwLQsZb7A8yBQIHF68%252FThWiBnvIpYskiAZCjRXDfWyr03nf5FCxJk31%252Fsrs6YQRs7lBArn6hiPYKOKH1%252FZ8xsbZVIoaaq7%252FZRnHa5NFt%26c%3Dpeoplesense&psinvite=&subscribeOnSignin=1

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Store Coupons vs. Manufacturer's Coupons What's the diffference?

Store coupons vs. Manufacturer's coupons...

What's the difference? How do they work?

First, let's cover manufacturer's coupons...

Manufacturer's coupons generally look something like this:

This is an example of a manufacturer coupon for Ken's dressing.

Where can you get them? In your newspaper, out of "blinkies" or pads at your grocery store located near the product, on coupon databases online, in/on products you are/have purchased, by "liking" facebook pages, any many, many more places! Manufacturer coupons are everywhere... and that's a WONDERFUL thing! Check out "Where to Find Online Coupons" for some ideas, too!

Manufacturer Coupons:

Will have the words "manufacturer coupon" written on them. They also have the information in the "fine print" as to where the store you redeem them at needs to return them for credit.

Have an expiration date. You must use the coupon by/on the expiration date.

List what specific item(s) must be purchased. They may also list an amount (e.g., buy 2, get $1 off, etc.). They might list what size product must be purchased (e.g. 16 oz bottle, not valid on trial/travel size, etc.). On the other hand, the coupon may NOT list these specifics (e.g., good on any size or flavor, 25% off any purchase of XYZ brand product). These are the best kind!!

Generally, you may use one coupon per item purchased. That means if you purchase five bottles of Garnier shampoo, you may use five $1 off coupons -- one for each bottle. There are exceptions to this rule, though: e.g., your coupon says $1 off two bottles, your store only allows four like coupons per transaction, etc.

Sometimes a manufacturer coupon will say "available/redeemable at Wal*Mart." You do NOT have to purchase the item at Wal*Mart. A manufacturer coupon may be used at ANY store that honors coupons.

May be combined with STORE COUPONS to provide additional savings. You are generally allowed to use one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon PER ITEM. This is referred to as "stacking." Stacking maximizes the dollar amount you can receive off of an item. Stacking is AWESOME!

Now, let's cover store coupons.

Store coupons come in different shapes and sizes, but might look something like this:

These are examples of store coupons from Walgreens.

Where can you get them? In store flyers, in newspapers, in the mail, online, by liking Facebook pages, through company loyalty cards, in the monthly "coupon booklets" at the front of the store, etc. There are many places to find store coupons.

Store Coupons:

May or may not have the words "store coupon" written on them.

Will most likely say the name of the store they are honored at. They generally cannot be used at a different store -- unless your store specifically states that they honor competitor's coupons.

Have an expiration date. You must use the coupon by/on the expiration date.

List what specific item(s) must be purchased. They may also list an amount (e.g., buy 2, get $1 off, etc.). They might list what size product must be purchased (e.g. 16 oz bottle, not valid on trial/travel size, etc.). On the other hand, the coupon may NOT list these specifics (e.g., good on any size or flavor, 25% off any purchase of XYZ brand product). These are the best kind!!

Generally, you may use one coupon per item purchased. That means if you purchase five bottles of Garnier shampoo, you may use five $1 off coupons -- one for each bottle. There are exceptions to this rule, though: e.g., your coupon says $1 off two bottles, your store only allows four like coupons per transaction, etc.

May be combined with MANUFACTURER COUPONS to provide additional savings. You are generally allowed to use one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon PER ITEM. This is referred to as "stacking." Stacking maximizes the dollar amount you can receive off of an item. Did I mention that stacking is AWESOME?!?

I hope this has helped you to learn more about manufacturer vs. store coupons. Feel free to post any questions or comments.

Happy couponing!

~Amy

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

NEW! Online Red Plum Ebook Coupons!!!

Head on over to http://ebook.redplum.com to sign up and get awesome RedPlum coupons online!! It seems, so far, there is a new one published weekly!

From what I have heard, so far, it's the same as what is printed in the newspaper!

SCORE!! :)

Enjoy!

~Amy

BOGO?! What's That? How to use BOGO for FREE and Cheap Stuff

BOGO?! What's a BOGO?

Yes, by now you have learned a whole bunch of new couponing acronyms... but BOGO is probably going to be one of your favorites!

BOGO stands for Buy One, Get One...  half off, for 1 cent, or free.

In the particular example I'm going to show you for this week's lesson (which you will be able to use at CVS starting on 5/20), it's going to be Buy One, Get One FREE!

Ready to learn? Here we go...

1.  Go to the following link:

http://www.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=15493&zid=yn07&nid=10&bid=05161405073cd222d8a20318

2. Type in zip code 30303 at the top left.

3. Click on Beverages, and look for Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Drink (or just search through for other cool coupons and check it off when you find it).

4. When ready, print. You will be able to print two copies.

5. Sources say that next week, CVS will be having a Buy One Get One Free sale on Ocean Spray juice starting 5/20/12! AWESOME! Off to CVS we will go!

6. When you go to the store, pick up two bottles. Make sure that you follow the rules on the coupon, which reads: Buy one (any) 64 oz. Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice Drink, Get One 64 oz. Ocean Spray Cherry Juice Drink FREE (Redemable at Walmart). That means you have to get one cherry, one form of cranberry.

7. As you can see, at the top of the coupon, it reads "Manufacturer's Coupon." This means that you can use it ANYWHERE THAT ACCEPTS COUPONS. You do NOT have to use it at Walmart! Keep this in mind for all other coupons, too. If your coupon reads "manufacturer's coupon," it can be used anywhere. "Store" coupons must be used in the store they are from, and are labeled "Store Coupon."

8. Bring both bottles of juice to the cashier. Of course you brought your green bag tag, and your CVS card. Also your green bag.  When you cash out, give the cashier the BOGO coupon. You will pay nothing!!

Wait! How did that work?

One bottle will be FREE from the BOGO store sale and the other from the coupon.

In other words, the coupon paid for ONE bottle of juice. CVS is paying for the other bottle.

Pretty sweet deal, huh? THIS is how to make the best of your BOGO coupons!

Hope this works well for you. Please feel free to post any comments or questions!

Good luck, and happy couponing!

~Amy

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Using and Earning CVS ExtraBucks Part II aka "How'd you DO that?"

A Lesson on How to Use Those CVS ExtraBucks... otherwise known as "How'd you DO that?" A question I get frequently. For this lesson, I will try to keep it as simple as possible... Ready! Let's GO!

Okay, you have your CVS card in hand, your Green Bag Tag, and your ExtraCare Bucks (if you have any left over from last week) in hand, and you are getting ready to head off for shopping! (See CVS Part I for more information if you aren't familiar with this procedure yet.)

3. Before you leave the house, when you get your CVS flyer, look for items that will give you ExtraCare Bucks ("ECBs"). In your weekly flyer you will see examples like the following:

Note that this ad says the "price with card" is $5.99. It also states that you will received $2.00 in ExtraBucks back for your next purchase. Additionally, CVS is also good at noting items that have current coupons in this week's Sunday paper. That it shown with the little pair of scissors and the --$2.00. Nice of them to show you that!!

TIP: If you didn't get this week's paper (but, of course you did!), you can also go into your coupon archives or check out other sites (such as Coupon Divas, which I link to each week) for other ideas on finding great coupon matchups. If you don't have one on hand, you may also check out my Internet Coupons and where to find them and see if you can find one online to print as well!

4. Find the correct coupon and clip it from the paper. The one I used looks like this:

5. When you go into CVS, check out the Coupon Machine and see if there are any new coupons for you. Remember, scan your card until it says, "No more coupons. Please try again tomorrow!"

TIP: There are usually TWO per store. Sometimes the one in the front of the store isn't working, although this rarely happens. For example, it might be out of paper. If you run into this, try the one in the BACK of the store, which gets used less often!

6. Now find the correct item you were originally looking for. Be sure it matches your coupon. Also, make sure that the items have the tags stating that it gives back the "ExtraBucks." They will look like this:

Note: It reads much like the ad: Price $5.99 with card. $2.00 ExtraBucks given. IF IT DOES NOT, AND YOU FEEL IT SHOULD, CHECK WITH AN EMPLOYEE! They do not mention the coupon here, though.

Awesome, we found our item! Grab one!

7. The first time you do this, you might experience some out-of-pocket expenses ("OOP") to get you started. In this particular case, it would be $3.99. (Don't worry, you'll get half of that back!)

BUT, once you get started, you will have ExtraBucks to be able to pay for these items with little to no actual money exchanged.

8. So, checking my CVS ExtraBuck envelope, I see that I have a $3.00 ECB and a $4.98 ECB I can use.

NOTE: If you had a $3 and a $1 ECB, you COULD use that instead... more than 1 ECB may be used per transaction!! However, they do NOT give you cash back from any "overages" on the ECBs. It's use it all or lose them.

My cost right now will be $3.99 ($5.99 for the item, less $2.00 in the coupon). Here is what an ECB looks like:

Hmmm... My best option today is to use the $4.98 ECB. BUT, I don't want to lose that extra $1, so I need to pick up a "filler" item for $1. That's easy enough.

I've noticed that the Emerald Nuts snacks are on sale for 10 for $10. Awesome! I love those, and my nutritionist wants me to add more to my diet. Perfect! Let's grab that, too.

8. So, let's head to the register with these two items: trail mix and toothbrush. The friendly lady rings me up. I give her my CVS card, and naturally, I brought my reusable bag (or large purse) so I can also use my "Green Bag Tag." She scans that, too, along with my items.

The total comes out to be:

Emerald Nuts -- $1.00
Colgate Sonic -- $5.99 Saved $2.30

Used:

Used 1 Coupon -- - $2.00 (Colgate)
Used 1 CVS Coupon (ExtraCare Bucks) -- - $4.98

TOTAL: .01

Yes, I paid 1 penny for these items! 1 cent was the only CASH that transferred between me and the cashier. :) All by only using my coupon and ECB! AND, I earned another $2.00 in ECBs to pay for something else later!! NOTE: "Later" to CVS means any other transaction... which means, I could turn around, go back into the store, and buy something else IMMEDIATELY!

ONE PENNY! What a great deal! Take a look at the receipt and see for yourself!

As you can see, it takes a SMALL amount of simple math work, but is WELL worth it. Bring a calculator if you need it. I do it all the time.

This particular item is going to be donated to Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, along with some of my other hoard I have been collecting. For more information about Pine Ridge, you can view here: http://friendsofpineridgereservation.org/

Again, I encourage you, even if you do not need the item yourself, and if it is FREE (or in this case one penny), after you build your own stockpile, consider donating to whatever charity that is close to your own heart. Not only is it good for your community, but it warms your heart to know that you are helping those less fortunate in a way that does NOT break your budget.

I hope this helped everyone, and please, if you have any questions, don't hesitate to comment below. I look forward to hearing from everyone and seeing how this program works for you! Let me know about your "brags!"

Hugs to everyone.

Amy aka Sweet Savings

CVS ExtraBucks... Where to Get 'Em and How to Earn 'Em - PART I

Extra Care Bucks at CVS is one of my favorite programs! Today's post will be how to earn Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) which we can use to get free/severely discounted products. In the next blog, I'm going to walk you through step-by-step and show you how to USE them... But first things first! :) Hope you have fun!

1. You will need to get yourself a CVS card. If you don't already have one, next time you go to the store, request one at the register. You will need to fill out a quick form, and then you get a key ring tag and a regular card. I highly reccommend that you use your "Coupons Only Email" that we created in Coupons 101 Part Two.

2. Every time you go to CVS, be sure to stop by the Coupon Machine and scan it. Little coupons will print out. Continue trying to scan until the screen reads: "No More Coupons for Today; Try Again Tomorrow." The coupon machine looks like this, and it can also be used as a price checker:

The ExtraCare Coupons the machine will print look like this:

Sometimes, the coupon is for a dollar amount or percentage off off any (e.g., $4 off a purchase of $20 or more; 30% off your total purchase; $1 off any deodorant, etc.). Other times, it will be for a dollar amount off of a particular item, as pictured above -- $1 off Belvita Breakfast Biscuits.

TIP: About a third of the time, in my experience, if it is for a particular item, the coupon will cover the ENTIRE COST OF THE ITEM -- meaning you get it for FREE!! That's right, Belvita Breakfast Biscuits cost $.99 -- making this a free item for me to try!

Did I mention that I LOVE FREE?!? So, be on the lookout for these coupons. Even if its something you might not normally buy, you might be able to get some freebies out of it. I always check the price of the item in the store just to see if it will be a "freebie." I have discovered several items in the past few months that I LOVE that I might never have tried if I didn't get it as a free sample.

GOOD KARMA TIP: Additionally, sometimes the items are things I might not need or want. However, I will DONATE them to a food pantry/other charity. Seriously, if it costs you NOTHING, try to remember that there are people out there who need food, toiletries, and other items. Please consider getting these FREE things -- even if you don't want them -- and donating them. There are many people out there in need.

3. Get yourself a "Green Bag Tag" and always bring it with you to CVS along with your CVS card. I attached it to my key chain. Bring a reusable shopping bag, or an oversized purse with you too. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BUY A REUSABLE BAG FROM CVS. ANY REUSUABLE BAG WILL WORK FOR THIS PROGRAM. This little gizmo earns you 1 free ExtraBuck for every four uses. And hey, recycling is AWESOME for the environment. Half the time, the cashier will try to give you a plastic bag, anyway, LOL. But, let's keep our landfills as free of plastic as we can... and that $1 in ExtraBucks can add up and also come in handy! Free "money" is always good!

TIP: You can use your Green Bag Tag once per day, but ONLY once per day!

Now that you have a little information on the basics of the program, see Part II, where I will walk you through step-by-step through using your ExtraBucks and how they can get you free or severely reduced products!

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Internet Coupons Where to Find and How to Print

Updated: April 1, 2012

Today’s topic… INTERNET COUPONS! Just another great way to obtain coupons right from home, with no newpaper buying necessary! The best part… you don’t have to leave your house, you can do it in your jammies, and it works at 3 a.m. when you just can’t sleep! Tee hee.

On the first of every month, all of the major suppliers of coupons reset their coupon databases. So, stop by and check them out to see what you are interested in! BE SURE TO CHECK AND PRINT EARLY IN THE MONTH BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE GOOD ONES GO FAST! Be sure to check at the LAST DAY of the month, too to see if there are ones there that you would like a last print on before they change them for the next month!

YOU ONLY GET TWO PRINTS OF EACH COUPON! Unless you can use a printer at a friend’s, your parents’, or even at work… then you can get more. But, typically, you only get two.

Also, some of the websites I’ve been referring you to will have a link to print an internet coupon. It usually leads you to one of these places, which are major sources of internet coupons:

Bricks aka Coupons.com:

http://www.coupons.com/couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=13306&zid=iq37&nid=10&bid=033107035836222ce7e20315

Catalina:

http://www.couponnetwork.com/

SmartSource:

http://www.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=MKRU3JAAR6CCY

RedPlum:

http://www.redplum.com/coupons.aspx?t1id=1118&t2id=1118&t1=grocery&t2=&view=all

RedPlum eBook:
http://ebook.redplum.com

Proctor & Gamble:

http://pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/pg-brandsaver-samples-coupons.jsp

Mambo Sprouts:
http://print.coupons.com/Couponweb/Offers.aspx?pid=15046&zid=uw18&nid=10

Cellfire:
http://www.cellfire.com/affiliate/fullpage.php?cf_tlc=dgs

Savingstar:
https://savingstar.com/?utm_campaign=mysavingsmedia&utm_source=affiliates&utm_content=CD1629

Target's Coupon Site:
http://coupons.target.com/

Recommendation: At times, you will find internet coupons to be "regional." So, you might need to change the zip code you are searching in to locate the one you want. Usually, the person posting will list what zip code they found it in. Yes, the coupon will still be valid when you use it locally. It just won't show up if you type in your own zip code.

Yes, you will have to "download" the coupon printer software. It's perfectly normal and okay to do so. Don't worry. You will not be able to print internet coupons without it.

Additionally, you can find internet coupons on company websites, Facebook sites, and other coupon blog sites such as coupondivas.com, etc, that I have recommended before.

So, ladies and gentlemen, start your printers!! But more than anything... Enjoy!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

FREEBIES!

Free Samples! Great stuff, those free samples! I (heart) samples!

Here is a pic of what I received this week in samples...

This week only I received samples and coupons for Eucerin lotion, Garnier 2-in-1 shampoo, 6 single-serve Taster's Choice instant coffee, Purex, MegaRed Krill Oil, LaCoste cologne for men, and 3 Buy One Get One Free Yankee Candle coupons! And there are still more I signed up for that are coming!

Getting free samples in the mail makes going to your mailbox a lot more fun every day! I look forward to going to the mailbox to find out what might be in there besides those nasty bills.

Also, samples usually come with high-value coupons, to boot! How can you go wrong? AND, you get to try out free product to see if you like it. If nothing else, you can donate your sample to charity.

But, where do you find samples? I have a few suggestions for places to check when you're just surfing the net:

http://coupondivas.com/free-stuff.html

http://instoresnow.walmart.com/In-Stores-Now-Free-Samples-and-Savings.aspx

http://www.mavenofsavin.com/category/freebies

http://thekrazycouponlady.com/freebies/

https://pgeverydaysolutions.com/pgeds/brandsampler.jsp?site_source=en_us

http://www.bluegrasssavers.com/category/freebies/

Sometimes these places require you to "like" companies on Facbeook -- Use your Coupon-Only Facebook address. Also, they usually ask you to provide an email address -- This is where your "coupon only" email address comes in handy (See Couponing 101 -- Part Two).

Good luck, and happy sampling!! :)

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Couponing 101 -- Part Two

How to Begin Couponing -- Part II

If you've stuck with me through Part One, you're probably ready for Part Two.

My next recommendations:

1. Get yourself a separate email account for JUST couponing (or junk mail). Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo, (Mom, add it to your AOL), Comcast, wherever... it doesn't matter. BUT, it *will* keep your regular inbox from being inundated with stuff you may not be interested in reading right away (or maybe never). You can get really valuable updates, coupons, etc. from companies this way, though. However, since it's separate, you will still be able to read your regular emails and won't miss the notes from Great Aunt Gert, either. :)

2. It might be worthwhile to get a separate facebook with the above email account, too. Often really good coupons can be had by "liking" a particular product on Facebook. But then when that company posts things, it shows up in your news feed... I try to keep my friends separate from my coupons on FB. I only check the coupon FB when I have time and am looking for "deals." I check my regular FB regularly to keep in touch with my friends.

3. If a store offers one, get one of those little key chain cards!! Rite Aid, CVS (and get a Green-Bag Tag from CVS, too. Spend the $1. It's totally worth it! Trust me! We'll talk about that more later.), Stop and Shop, Shaws', etc. I even have one from Godiva (it gives me one free chocolate from their store case a month... yum!). USE YOUR NEW "COUPONING EMAIL" WHEN SIGNING UP FOR THESE. Keeps your inbox uncluttered.

4. Wednesday is grocery flyer day. This is when you should most likely get some sale flyers in the mail usually from the grocery stores. It will give you an idea of what food is on sale this week so you can plan your menu -- or plan to stock up, based on your needs. Look them over. If you are planning on shopping at WalMart and price-matching -- SAVE THEM.

Shaws' sales run from Friday to Thursday
Hannaford sales run from Sunday to Saturday
Trucchi's sales run from Sunday to Saturday
Stop and Shop sales run from Friday through Thursday

You don't need to memorize this, they are written on the bottom of the flyers. It's just good to know.

Okay. Recap:

Lesson 1 -- Brand loyalty is usually bad, unless you HAVE to have a specific brand. You might shop in different places than you used to. As you go along you will learn store policies. Buy one paper on Sunday.

Lesson 2: Create a new email account for couponing. Probably create a separate Facebook, too -- Use these only when you want or need to. Get those little key chain cards. Look over flyers, save if you are shopping at Walmart.

Still with me? Good. That wasn't so hard, was it?

Talk to you more a little later this week! Sunday's coming! You excited yet? I am PSYCHED!

Couponing 101 -- Part One (Updated)

How to Begin Couponing 101 -- Part One

1. Unless you have an allergy or REALLY, REALLY dislike something... you no longer have brand loyalty. Let's face it... do you really CARE if you are using Suave or Arm & Hammer deodorant? Colgate? Crest? If it meant that you could get your deodorant for FREE or pennies would it make a difference then? These are decisions you need to make. I find, I don't care. All of the items we're going to purchase are NAME-BRAND. Nothing is store-brand. ***Additionally, if it's a FREE item, you might consider just getting it and donating it to a charity -- or a friend or family member in need.***

2. You might be shopping in a couple different places than you used to shop. I didn't realize how much I LOVED CVS until I began couponing. I used to HATE Target, but now I will frequent there. You must also consider gas, too... I like Middleboro because it has a CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Hannaford, what was a Stop and Shop all right there. I think it's a Trucchis(?) now. Also Walmart is just down the street, too.

3. You'll get to know the policies of the stores you frequent:

Walmart will price-match any store. BRING FLYER.
Trucchi's, Stop and Shop, and Shaws' double your coupons up to 99 cents.
CVS, Walgreens, and Rite-Aid have deals where you get "Extra Bucks" or "Register Rewards" for purchasing certain items (aka FREE MONEY to spend on other items!)
Target has their own store-coupons that you can use with manufacturer coupons so you can STACK for bigger savings. They also offer gift cards for purchasing certain combinations of items.

Sounds like a lot, I know. But, really, it isn't. There are a bunch of websites that do all the work for you, actually!! :)

My recommendations are www.coupondivas.com and also www.thekrazycouponlady.com
A good friend recommends http://www.mavenofsavin.com/

4. On Sunday, in the morning, go buy a newspaper that has coupons in it. I like the Boston Herald because it is only $2. Remember, we're trying to go CHEAP here! CHECK your newspaper before you buy it to make sure it has the coupons in it!! Last week, I had to snag a Red Plum coupon flyer out of another paper because it wasn't IN the paper I had picked up... Sneaky newspaper people. Grrr...

Now, click on the link below to read Part Two and continue learning the basics!! Not too much more to go! Hang in there! Click the link below to see Part II for some advanced tips: http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=985548253119896827#editor/target=post;postID=307729806001591819

Coupons 101

Sunday, August 12, 2012

CVS Deals of the Week for 8/12-8/18/12