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Coupon Basics: What Every Couponer Needs to Know
Have you ever used a coupon before? I remember what it was like the first time I used a coupon – I was very nervous! Would the cashier refuse it? When do I give them the coupon? Am I doing this right?
Sometimes I forget that a lot of my readers are brand new couponers! Here are some coupon basics that will hopefully ease the coupon panic on your first couponing trip!
A manufacturer’s coupon is a piece of paper with a discount for a specified product printed on it. The coupon can be used at most stores that carry the specified product. To receive your discount you must purchase the product and give the cashier the coupon. The cashier will scan the coupon and the coupon amount will be deducted from your purchase. You then pay for the remainder of the purchase.
Coupons may only be used once. You may not buy ten boxes of cereal and scan the coupon for $1 off cereal ten times. The store will only be reimbursed for the single coupon you scanned – they will then lose $9 for the nine additional times you scanned the coupon.
You may use one coupon per indicated items purchased. If you have two coupons to save $1 on one box of cereal, you can buy two boxes and use both coupons. The coupon will say “one coupon per purchase.” This means you may not use both $1 coupons on one box. If you purchase two boxes then you may use two coupons. Learn more about this here.
You may not use two coupons on one item. You may not buy one package of diapers and use ten coupons on it. You may only use one of your coupons on the diapers. You may, however, use one store coupon and one manufacturer coupon on one item.
Coupons may not be copied. Copying coupons is illegal. You can obtain multiples of coupons in legal ways like buying multiple newspapers.
Read the wording of the coupon and ignore the picture! Manufacturer’s usually put a picture of their most expensive product on the coupon to make you think that is what you have to buy. If you actually read the terms of the coupon, it will usually say “save on ANY brand xyz product.” That means you can buy even the least expensive product and still save with the coupon! Learn more abut how to read your coupons here.
You can use a coupon on an item that is on sale or clearance too! Occasionally I will have a store clerk tell me otherwise, but it is usually cleared up with a chat with a manager or a call to corporate.
If a product rings up higher than advertised or they miss one of your coupons, let them know! I always read over my receipt before I leave the store to make sure everything is correct. Any mistakes over $1 are pointed out to customer service. You may be thinking that $1 does not seem like much, but let me put it in perspective. If you visit 3 stores per week and each store overcharges you “just $1” at each visit then you are being overcharged $156 per year (that’s 3 weeks worth of groceries for some people!). It is usually more than $1 though, and rarely takes more than a minute at customer service.
Stand up for yourself! If you are using coupons correctly then shop with confidence. Many times the cashiers are just misinformed. Be calm and confident when you explain why you CAN use the coupon. If the cashier still doesn’t accept it, ask nicely to speak to a manager. It is your money and you should not feel bad about being a smart shopper!
456 Comments
Brittanie Coryell
How do people put coupons together and spend like 5 dollars?
Melinda carroll
How dovu get more than one thing like 50 things of shampoo how is that???
elainer marmolejos
hey are the ads for coupons on this site legit…. love this site by the way I’m just starting today. finally found a helpful site. 🙂
katie
if there is a buy one get one free sale can you still use 2 coupons or can you only use one
Cynthia
Hi.. I’m planning on my first trip to the store with couponing. The store has a sale of buy 6 save $3 can I go ahead and use the coupons with that store sale?
Elizabeth Layton
I have recently run into some terrible financial situation and sometimes I have to choose between buying food or putting gas in my car . I thought about couponing to help save some money. How much could you actually save by doing this? How has this method really helped out in the long term? I would really love some insight ! Please help
Tammy Ledger via Facebook
Tori Roeder
Chenea Foster via Facebook
This is a nice read. Thanks!
Shelley Zurek via Facebook
It’s funny I do feel that way too sometimes with dicey coupons. I never knew others did too.
Maly Phommavong via Facebook
Thank you
Toni Herrbach Anderson via Facebook
This is great! Thank you!
Heather Hernandez via Facebook
Perfect for newbies!
Amee Merklin Cantagallo via Facebook
thanks for the tips!
Jill Keogh Craft via Facebook
Thanks for the helpful tips!
Heather Hernandez via Facebook
I use coupons EVERY WEEK and I save so much money! Thanks for welcoming new couponers!
Melissa Jennings via Facebook
Thanks! Great tips!
Jen Thrifty Nwmom via Facebook
Great to start with the basics!
Briana Carter via Facebook
Great tips!!!
Jill Keogh Craft via Facebook
Thanks for sharing your secrets and tips!
Sarah
i would like to ask a question about some of my coupons actually i have some gerber coupons that i received in the mail and i just went to food lion but didn’t use them out of fear that i didnt understand them correctly .. the coupon says specifically on the back ; (limit one coupon per specified item(S) purchased. save up to a $1.00 on any three Gerber products. now my thinking on this is that i can use a coupon for every three products that i buy .. would that be a correct way to use the product? or may i only use one per purchase period?
Meagan
That means you may use one coupon per every 3 items you buy. 🙂 If it was per purchase, period, it would say “per transaction.” Hope this helps. Good luck!
Nydia
The coupon will say “one coupon per purchase.” I thought when the coupon says this it meant that if you have multiples you could only use one in each purchase… So I was wrong? Even if it says “one coupon per purchase” you can use 2 in one transaction? I’m new to this, and I’m always wondering how many coupons can be used in each transaction?
Meagan
Hi Nydia! The “one coupon per purchase” means one coupon per item that you buy. So if you have (4) $1/1 coupons and you buy 4 items, you may use all 4 coupons. If you have (2) $1/2 coupons and you buy 4 items, you may use both coupons. Some coupons do have a limit per transaction, and those coupons will say “limit x per transaction.” I hope this helps!
Kappy
Don’t hold up the checkout line when you can’t find your e-coupon on your i-phone! If you have a problem with a coupon, please be considerate and step aside, then ask for a manager or customer service.
Megan
HI. I can’t thank you enough for compiling all of this information. It’s a huge help. I have a couple beginner questions that I can’t find answered on your site:
1. Can you use two manufacturer’s coupons on B1G1 or B1G1 for 50% off sales? Technically you’re buying two products.
2. Sometimes Walgreens offers $5 if you spend $20 on certain items. Is that $20 before applying coupons, or the final total after all coupons?
Thank you!
Meagan
Hi Megan! So glad you find the information useful! 🙂 To answer your questions:
1. Yes, if you are purchasing two items that are part of a B1G1 sale, you may still use one manufacturer’s coupon per item (even if one of them is free with the store sale). There *are* exceptions to this rule at specific stores, though. For example, Target will not allow a coupon on any free items from a store promo or sale. Always just double check the coupon policy before shopping, as many policies have been tightened up over the past couple years. We are seeing regulations and rules in store coupon policies that never used to exist.
2. It depends on the promotion. Register Rewards and Balance Rewards Points will trigger with the total before you apply coupons, so you can get your out of pocket down very low and still get your reward as long as it was above the minimum dollar amount. Other promos (like gift cards or specific $5 off coupons) require the dollar amount after all coupons. This is pretty rare, but just check the promo for the fine print to be sure.
Good luck!!
Megan
I have a question I have been trying to get into using coupons and I am just frustrated and overwhelmed. The last trip I bought yogurt and the coupons said 60 cents off when you buy 8. So I bought 8. It took 60 off one not each one. This is just an example. But is that how that coupon was supposed to work?.
Meagan
Yes. That is how it is supposed to work. The coupon value comes off the number of products required to purchase. So if it’s $.60 off 8, it only comes off once when you buy 8. If it’s $.50 off 2, you must buy 2 products to get the $.50 off. I hope that helps!
Gina, Florida
Hello everyone!!
After 3 weeks of cutting; clipping and matching coupons, I made my first “newbie” trip to Walgreens today. WOW ! Let me share it with you. I saved an average of 75% on my purchases, BUT the best high was the 99% savings on one of the purchases…;) Not too shabby for a rookie that just started 3 weeks ago! From my first foray I can assure ANBODY can do it just be positive in yourself and have a persuasive outlook. It IS so well worth the time and effort to do it. I am thrilled to have found Stephanie’s website and the guidance she offers.
Meagan
So happy to hear of your awesome savings, Gina! Congrats!! 🙂
Shabella
I have a coupon that says buy 2 save a $1 can I buy 3 and use 2 coupons?
Meagan
No, but you can buy 4 and use 2 coupons. You must buy 2 products in order to get $1 off, so if you want to use 2 coupons you must buy 4 products.
kylee
if you can only use 1 coupon per item then how do the people on TLC get like $700 worth of stuff and spend under $30 ????
Kaitlyn R.
Hello Stephanie! My name is Kaitlyn and I’m twelve, soon to be thirteen. My mom and I watch “Extreme Couponing” a lot and were wondering on how we could coupon ourselves. I go to a private school, which is a lot of money each moth, and my mom is the only one who can work in my family. I just wanted to thank you for making this blog! It has helped both of us understand couponing a lot better!
With thanks,
Kaitlyn.
Meagan
So glad it’s helped you and your mother! Thanks for reading Couponing 101!
Melissa
How many manufacturer coupons can I use in one item? I’m a beginner and a newly wed trying to pay off bills!!! I went to target and the cashier said I can only use 1 manufacturer coupon per 1 item. The coupon state 4 like coupons per household per item? where Can I find the coupon vocab?? please help
Meagan
Yes, the cashier is correct. It’s one manufacturer’s coupon per item. So if you have (3) $1/1 coupons, you can buy 3 items and use all 3. If you have (2) $1/2 coupons, you can buy 4 items and use both coupons. If the coupon specifically states a limit of like coupons per transaction, that’s an additional limit you have to abide by. Most coupons don’t say that, but some do these days. I recommend starting here for all your beginner resources, including lingo: https://www.couponing101.com/getting-started
Hope
Hey! I was wondering if you could Email me more information on the math aspect of couponing it’s not really clicking in my head on how to do it exactly. I’ve been trying to figured it out for a week haha. Thank you.
betty
how can i know when the couple can be double ?
i have like .25cents off a soap that cost $2 how can i double in order to be $1.50
omolara
i am a mother of two college ( international status) student . i visit the US often , i want to know if i can also shop using coupons
Meagan
You won’t be able to use U.S. coupons internationally. If you come back to the U.S., you can definitely coupon while you’re here in the U.S.
Sheila Hall
I have not used coupons before. I have watched it on T.V. but I don’t need to stock pile, there are only three of us. Two of us are Senior’s We only want to cut down on groceries. Here comes a crazy question!
Can a coupon be used if an item is not on sale? If a coupon is not marked with a certain store’s name such as ” Kroger,” can it be used at any store?
Thank You,
Sheila
[email protected]
Meagan
Hi Sheila,
Yes. A coupon can be used on an item even if it’s not on sale. That’s just how you save the most money. And yes, a manufacturer’s coupon can be used at any store where the item can be purchased, as long as that store accepts coupons.
Good luck!
Amber Sally
I was wondering how do you buy more than one copy of a newspaper? do you have to call the newspaper company or what? Thanks.
Meagan
You just let the newspaper company know. Whoever you get your subscription from, you can ask them to sign you up for two. Or you can buy the Sunday paper each Sunday (as many copies as you’d like).
Samantha
I am just starting out, trying to do some couponing for the first time. I am confused about double/triple couponing, and the “one coupon per item” rule…I know that Kroger, where I usually shop, will double coupons. If the coupon says one coupon per item, does that mean I can only use one coupon per item, or since the store will double coupons, that they will let me use more than one coupon on one item…? OR does that mean that if the coupon is for 50 cents off one item and the coupon states one coupon per item, the store will take 1 dollar off the single item? And if that is the case, do they automatically double that coupon? Or do you have to ask them to?
Samantha
Nevermind! I just found your page with all the information I needed on double couponing!! It makes muchhhhh more sense now! Thank you so much! This blog is fantastic!!!
Meagan
You’re welcome! 🙂
angelina
I have a coupon 1 off in knorr and said 2 coupon per purchuse per shopping trip what is that mean..
Meagan
That means you may only use 2 of those coupons per shopping trip. So if it’s $1/1 Knorr, then you may only buy 2 Knorr products and use 2 coupons.
Lindsay
I’ve wanted to learn how to coupon the correct way, but never really had the patience! But now that I’m unemployed and my husband is the only one bringing in money, I’m wanting to learn how to save us money on our grocery bill but still have the same things we enjoy to buy! I don’t have a printer at home and was wondering if there are any websites that have coupons you don’t have to print! If you can just download them on you iPad or what have you! Thank you! This website is very informative!!!
Becca
Hey I was wondering, if I get two of the same inserts with the same coupons in them. I can cut out the same coupons from each and all of them right?
Meagan
Yes! 🙂
Becca
Hey I was wondering if I printed coupons out but they are in black & white ink not colored, am I gonna get into problems because people think that I copied them?
Meagan
It really just depends on the store and cashier. They should know how to read the coupon and know that it’s not a copy, but yes – sometimes you will run into problems with black and white coupons, unfortunately. 🙁
Cheryl Culver
Thanks for your tips
Meagan
You’re welcome! 🙂
serena
Hi this is my first time trying couponing,, im very excited and is struggling to support two houses holds…i just clipped 18 stacks of coupons from the paper Redplun.com. Alot of the coupons says”Limit 1 coupon per purchase and maximum of 2 identical coupons allowed in he same shopping trip. ACME DOUBLES coupons… How do i use the coupons correctly and save alot of money like the people i see on “Extreme couponing” ??? please help
by the way i live in philadelphia pa
Meagan
Hi Serena, I sent you an e-mail in response. Good luck on your savings adventure!
shannon
Hi, I have a coupon lingo question. I’m looking at some coupons that say “save 50 cents when you buy 2 bags…” Does that mean that I get 50 cents off each bag or 25?
Meagan
It means you get 25¢ off each bag. You must buy 2 bags in order to save 50¢.
Carolyn Mack
This is great stuff, I have never coupon’d before, but your explanations are really helping me to understand it. Your definitions are .really easy to understand and follow.
Thank You for such a great website,
Carolyn Mack
Meagan
So glad it’s helpful to you! 🙂
Lora
I am real new to this,so new I haven’t even gone to the store yet with coupons,I am nervous and scared that I don’t and won’t be able to understand how this works..They make it look so easy on the show extreme couponing..Does anyone have and tips for me..I have a family of 5 and spend $300 dollars if not more 2x’s a month and I am a stay at home mom…………..PLZ HELP
Brittney
I am the same way. I haven’t even’t used a coupon yet. I spend a lot in groceries each month. My husband and I are trying to save money for a new car. So it it important we cut our spending habits, but without cutting out the things we need. Mostly I am scared to be judged by the other shoppers, and what if the cashier doesn’t accept my coupons, then the people behind me will all be watching. Too nervous to start using coupons. How can I be confident in my shopping with coupons?
Georgia
Hi Everyone!
My name is Georgia! I really want to start couponing and hope for my first big shopping trip to be a success! I am 13 and don’t really know where to go, but this site has helped me! Thanks so much! I just really want my dad to take a break on his labor work but keep some more money for my family (6). I took a look at TLC’s show. I didn’t believe a thing on it and I wanted to know the truth! So here it is: Couponing 101, the Truth of Couponing! Thanks!
Sincerely,
Georgia <3
Meagan
Glad you enjoy the site, Georgia! Good luck!
angel
Hi (: im soo excited to have actually started , but i am very stupid new to this ,and im finding myself with a whole lot of questions…# 1…can u give me a good web site for printable coupons?.
# 2……how many should i print?
# 3……how many manufacture coupons can i use per item?
# 4…….how many store coupons can i use per item?
Thank you….Angel.
Meagan
Hi Angel. Glad to have you! To answer your question: 1. You can check out our recommended printable coupon sites here. 2. You can print a limit of 2 coupons per computer. Print how many you need for the deal you’re grabbing. 3. You can only use one manufacturer coupon per item. If it’s $1/1, then you buy one product. If it’s $1/2, then you buy two products. 4. One store coupon per item, as well. Also check for limits per transaction on store coupons. I hope this helps. Check out our Beginner’s Section for more detailed info. Good luck!
Silvia
I would like to know what store is the best to buy and coupon at with the least amount to pay at the end that provides everything in store like food, beauty, bathing.
Meagan
Usually your local grocery store is the best for food, and your local drug stores are the best for personal and household products. Target and Walmart are great catch-all stores, and have become more coupon-friendly over the past year or so. You can score great deals at any store, really!
Madison
So if mustard is on sale for $1.00 and I have a $.50 off coupon, how do I know if the coupon will double? And if I want 25 bottles of mustard, do I have to have 25 coupons?
Meagan
You have to check with the store you’re shopping at to see if they double coupons. I would ask the manager on duty or look up their coupon policy on the Internet. Yes, if you want 25 bottles of mustard you will need 25 coupons. I highly recommend not clearing the shelves by buying that much, though. Coupon etiquette is to leave enough for all couponers to get the deal, too. 🙂
REnee
I am new to all of this (well kinda) I started couponing a month ago and ive saved alot.. im still kinda learning and I have already started my own binder.
Meagan
Congrats on your savings! And welcome to the couponing world! 🙂
Milli
I love this!! I am new to the point where I have only used 3 coupons in my WHOLE life. Im so scared to try this but we need to do it. My BIGGEST problem is I have a learning disability when it comes to math (dyscalculia) so I am afraid that will really screw me up!!
Amanda Scaffardi
I am new to couponing and I need some ideas for an easy and efficient way to organize my coupons. I am using the binder method but I don’t know which coupons to put with which.
Meagan
Hi Amanda! 🙂 You may find this helpful – https://www.couponing101.com/how-to-organize-coupons/
Judishea spence
Hi im new to this and I have three kids and one on the way and trying to save with pampers and everything else I need alotof help my husband think I can’t do it because I live in nyc
Meagan
Hi! Welcome! I recommend starting at the Beginner’s Page, which has a lot of resources that can help you out as you get started! Good luck!
lila
what does limit of 4 like coupons per household per day mean
Meagan
That would mean exactly what it says. You can only buy 4 identical items and use a coupon on each item once per day per household. So if you had 8 identical coupons, your family would have to go on two different days to use them all.
Alisha
with double coupons…if you have a manufacturers coupon and it doubles then you have a store coupon will they double that one too?? basically if you have 2 coupons for the same item in a store that will double your coupon can you double both coupons on the one item??
Meagan
Store coupons will not double. Only manufacturer’s coupons. Hope this helps!
Linda
Okay so I am a beginner couponer and I haven’t even tried to coupon get but my mother in law tried to coupon too and she went to Walgreens and they said that she can’t even more than 4 coupons for the same item! How come in extreme couponing they can use so much coupons?
keya
I am new to the couponing business and really want help to make sure that my first trip to the store is a success! please help
Nicky
I wanted to start by saying I love this website!!! I am learning a lot here 🙂 I started couponing about a year ago and I still can’t get it down to a fine art 🙁 I still end up spending 160-250 ( depending on what items I need that week) in a single shopping trip. In my small town I only have walmart and ingles who take coupons here. Ingles doubles but only up to 50 cents. Do you have a specific website you go to for finding the lowest possible price to match at walmart? Coupon mom website has a price match tool but is kind of overwhelming to use 🙁 thanks for all the info!
Lauren Hargraves
Well i think what it actually says is “no other coupon may be used with this coupon” in that sense they mean no other MQ? or store coupons as well?
Meagan
I’m not sure on that wording. I’ve never seen a coupon with that wording. But I do know that when it simply says one coupon per purchase, that you’re totally fine. That just means one coupon per item purchased. Good luck!
Lauren Hargraves
Quick question… If the coupon says “CANNOT BE PAIRED WITH OTHER COUPONS”.. obviously you can’t “stack” coupons on that particular item… but if it says “LIMIT ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE” & does not specifically say cannot be paired with other coupons, can you use the store coupon with those or not?
Thanks so much! Can’t wait for my first shopping trip!
Meagan
Yes, the limit one coupon per purchase is just talking about manufacturer’s coupons, so you’re fine to stack those with a store coupon. Honestly, I’ve never seen a couple that said “can not be paired with other coupons” so that’s a mystery to me as to what that means! 😉
Ashley
Hi Stephanie I recently started couponing and I’m trying to figure this whole thing out, but i feel like im failing miserably…lol
I live in a tiny town we only have Brookshires and Davids it seems like they are overly price.
Any advice?
and do you go to the store the day before your shopping trip to get prices and aisle location?
Stephanie
It stinks if those are your only options, but you can still save by using coupons – it’s probably even more important to find savings if you shop at an overpriced store. I have only a brookshires and walmart in my town so I usually shop at Walmart or a better store in a nearby city when I am out there running other errands. And I do not scout the stores prior to my trips.
Cherie
What stores allow you to use a manufacturer coupon and a store coupon?? I’m new to this but I have checked the coupon policy at WalMart, Kroger, and Randalls. They all say “1 coupon per item”. Am I not reading it right?
Meagan
1 coupon per item is usually referring to manufacturer’s coupons. Walmart does not have store coupons. I would ask the managers of Kroger and Randalls if they offer store coupons and if you’re allowed to stack with manufacturer coupons. It’s always just best to ask to know for sure.
nikki
can u post some shopping video”s on youtube?
nikki
if i had a coupon that said buy 3 boxes of cereal with a 50cent coupon off ,is that a good deal or not? most coupons i have i have to buy more then one item to use the coupon…
Meagan
It just depends. You won’t always save tons of money simply using coupons. You have to maximize your savings by stacking coupons with great sales. You can also save more if your grocery store doubles/triples coupons, or by stacking manufacturer’s coupons with store coupons. Good luck!
Terasa
So, I recently got some high dollar coupons out of a few boxes of Tampax Radiant Tampons. They are for $3 off 18ct or higher. Can I use that coupon out of the box with a $1 off coupon from the Sunday paper?
Thanks!
Meagan
No – you’ll have to choose one or the other. They are both manufacturer’s coupons, and there’s a limit of 1 manufacturer’s coupon per item. 🙂
Terasa
Great Post!
I am a stay at home mother with 3 year old twin boys. My husband lost his job last year and he had to accept a job making about 40% less than what we were making. So I have been trying to find ways to save us money.
I read through this site thoroughly and after a lot of homework and coupon clipping I tried it out for the first time last night.
I picked up $315 in groceries and household products and only paid $111 dollars! A 65% savings!
I actually should have only paid $75 but I made the mistake of not calling in advance to check their coupon policy and they recently changed their policy to where they do not triple coupons anymore but I’m still happy with my savings!
Meagan
Great! So glad to hear about your couponing success! 🙂
erica
i have a coupon that say $1.00 off when you buy two tide pods pck can i combine that with another identical coupon like that.
and what about if i use that $1.00 off coupon when u buy two tide pods and combine it with 2 coupon that says .50 off when you buy 1 tide pod
Meagan
You can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item. So if you use the $1/2 Tide Pods, that counts towards 2 items and no other manufacturer’s coupons can be used with it. In order to use (2) $1/2 coupons, you’d have to buy 4 items. In order to use the $1/2 and $.50/1 coupons, you’d have to buy 3 items. Does that make sense?
Carrie
I am new to all this. I believe this was the site I was on yesterday that had a place you could go to and enter a list and it compared prices in the stores for you to print off. If so could someone please help me to find it. Thank you..
christalle
hi Stephanie…my and my sister-in-law are new with couponing…i just want to ask if the printable coupons from walmart.com/target.com are store coupon or manufacturer’s coupon…thanks!
Meagan
Hi Christalle! Welcome to the world of couponing and to this site! Thanks for following along. Most of the ones on walmart.com are manufacturer’s coupons. The ones on Target’s site are a mixture of both. Some are store coupons and some are manufacturer’s coupons. You can tell when you print them out.
Kayla
I absolutely love this site! I have been couponing for a while now, but no where close to this point. I do have a question about how to use coupons. If I have a coupon that says buy item A and get item B free, can I use a coupon to buy item A and still use the BOGO coupon?
Meagan
Hi Kayla! So glad you enjoy the site! In my opinion – no. I believe the coupon is for both products and that you shouldn’t use another coupon on either item. But this issue is debatable and not everyone agrees with me. 🙂 https://www.couponing101.com/stacking-b1g1-coupons-and-11-coupons/
Jessica
Hi, I’m contemplating to start using coupons because our budget’s been so tight over the last 3 months. I just wanted to thank you for your website and the realistic view and tips you give us. I’ve never used coupons before and am nervous about it. Just like you mentioned in your first paragraph. I’ve also seen the Extreme Couponing show and am glad that you give us a realistic perspective of things. I find a lot of those people buy things just to buy things. I’m one of those people who don’t believe in buying if I can’t use it or donate it. And I also don’t think it’s real to expect to pay $0.99 for a cart full of stuff because as you say… my time with my family is important. I look forward to reading the rest of the tips you’ve got and might venture out this week for a couple of things.
Meagan
You’re very welcome! Thanks for visiting our site, Jessica! Good luck on your couponing adventure! So glad to have you in our little couponing community. 🙂
nereida
i am new to this where do i start i am going through some tuff time and it wouldnt hurt to save some money on food makeup kids and then some. please let me know where can i start.
Meagan
Hi Nereida. Sorry to hear about the difficult times you’re going through right now. I recommend starting in the Beginner’s Section. There are a lot of resources for you there. Good luck! https://www.couponing101.com/getting-started/
ginggang
is the TV show Extreme Couponing on TLC a real-case scenario or are they just faking couponing? how did they come out of the stores with more than a thousand in purchases paying only a very minimal amount? I’m really interested in starting but don’t know how. Can you please help me out like say, how do i find coupons aside from news papers?
thank you!
Meagan
The Extreme Couponing Show is extremely exaggerated and not realistic in the slightest. If you want to buy 1000 bottles of mustard just to say you saved hundreds of dollars, that’s fine. But who needs 1000 bottles of mustard? And they’re not showing how many papers that person had to buy to get 1000 mustard coupons to use. Or that they had to call ahead to the store to get permission to buy that many and make sure they had that many in stock. Things like that. You can save 50% or more on your grocery bill very easily with couponing, though. You will have a nice, well-rounded, normal-looking grocery cart. 😉 You can also get most of your personal hygiene and cleaning items for free or close-to-free at the drug stores (CVS and Walgreens). I recommend starting with the beginners section to learn all the ropes. There are many places to find coupons: printable coupons, magazines, newspapers, inside the stores on aisles and in booklets, home mailers, and more. Start here: https://www.couponing101.com/getting-started/ That has everything you need to know to get started. Good luck!
Alejandra
HI, first Im sorry for my English :{
second thank you for all your work to help people to save $$$
i have some questions i have star to use coupons :}
the coupons in target website are all target coupons >? or some are manufactures coupons ?
where i can find store coupons >?
Thank you !:}
Meagan
Hi Alejandra! Some of the coupons are manufacturer’s and other coupons are store coupons. The only way to tell is when you print them. Hope that helps!
Alejandra
very thank you ! i will print some and see..
🙂
Jessie
As an ex-retail worker, if we seem annoyed it is usually because the couponers we usually deal with don’t know what they are doing and take a long time (which gets us in trouble) or they have tried to scam us in the past. We appreciate the couponers who know what they are doing and are organized. If you are organized and polite we usually will help you more often then not and most of us get as excited as you to see your great deals!
Renee
Hello!! So i am so very excited to get this all started. Almost overly anxious. that makes this question all the more imporant, how long of stockpiling coupons before im ready to begin? i mean how do i know when i have enouugh coupons to start saving? Also I am on a very very tight food budget. So tight that i only eat once a day most of the time. So that there is always enough for the kids and still end up at the food bank Anyways, ( sorry. told u i wwas anxious). How will i go about stockpiling and still getting everything we need in the begining? Thank u soooo much! i ruely believe this will help us enjoy more meals together without worrying of running out. Bless You
Meagan
You can start couponing right away by utilizing the printable coupons on the Internet. After about a month of collecting coupons, you’ll have a nice little stash of coupons to begin getting some serious savings and stockpiling your items.
I suggest buying your basics of what you need within a designated budget, and then having a small amount for “stockpiling” ahead with coupons. Over time, you’ll slowly build a nice stockpile, and all you’ll have to buy each week is your stockpiling items for the future. 🙂 Hope this helps! Good luck!
Ronda
all i have to say is stephanie you have an insane amount of patience i just read this entire thread and so many people ask the same thing over and over and you ALWAYS replied. i appreciate this post very much and the one about unrealistic expectations i just decided to start couponing today and i cant wait to try this stuff. if anyone has any additional pointers id love to hear them im going to do my first trip on sunday, thank you for your time and patience stephanie
Meagan
Thank you for your compliments. 🙂 Good luck with your savings, Ronda!
dany06
I want to make sure that I have point number 2 (You may use one coupon per indicated items purchased) understood correctly. From past experiences, where I live they take 1 per purchase to mean the entire purchase and not the individual item purchased. Below I give examples. So are they wrong or am I just confused?
I live in a little hick town and I have always been told that you cant use multiple coupons on multiple items of the same thing. For example I have two coupons for $1 off a box of cereal. The coupon states one coupon per purchase. They have always told me that even if I have two boxes of cereal that only 1 coupon can be used. In order to receive the benefits of the coupons on both boxes of cereal, each box of cereal would have to be rung up separately.
Also, what about fast food restaurant coupons? Usually restaurants have several coupons on different items I want to purchase (especially during breakfast hours). I have always been told locally, that in order to use a coupon that states 1 coupon per purchase, even for different items, that one and only one coupon can be used. In order to use the other coupon, I would have to put the order on another ticket.
Stephanie
For the cereal coupons – you absolutely should be able to buy 2 boxes and use 2 coupons. If the manufacturer wanted them rung up separately, they would have worded it “one per transaction”. 😉
Fast food coupons are a little different. They usually only allow one offer/coupon per visit.
Brandi
I sooo want to start couponing!!! I haven’t started yet because I am still trying to figure out how to even get both manufacturer coupons and store coupons… my goal is to save 100% or as close to that as i can by stacking coupons and starting a stockpile. How do i do that??? can anyone help me!!
Brittany B.
I’m trying to get into couponing to save as much money as possible, we are a low income family with a baby on the way. This would end up being some source of paying rent for us. I’m confused to how some people accually do manage to save 90-100%?
Stephanie
Most people only save 90-100% on occasional shopping trips. They still have to buy meat, produce, etc. which will offset the percentage for their total savings.
susana
i have never used coupons,this will be the my first time i want to save $$$i have 4 kids & 3 dogs i need to save as much as i can i hope i learn alot from this.
krista
So if I have different coupons from different places, like a coupon out of the paper for an item, and a coupon from say for example, “coupons.com” for the same item, can you use both coupon on that single item?
Stephanie
If they are both manufacturer’s coupons, you can only use one. Even if they come from different sources, you can only use 1 manufacturer coupon per item.
Joyce
I am realatively new to couponing, I have used them before on many products but only save a few dollars at a time. I am very much in need of saving more. I am a single mom of three girls, and I have trouble making my paycheck stretch from week to week. I got online this morning to try to find some coupons for things i would be buying today and became so frusterated at trying to locate usable coupons online. I finally gave up and went to the store. I used one coupon for toilet paper that I found on the package and ended up spending 100.00 dollars on things I needed…. I want to learn how to do this so desperately…. I would appreciate any advice you may be able to give me…
Emma
Can any online coupon be used for any store?
How do you cut the price down to a low amount of money?
Stephanie
Are you referring to ecoupons? If so, no they can’t. Some stores (like Walmart) do not accept ecoupons. Usually you load them to a specific store card (like Kroger or Safeway) and then they can only be at that specific store.
Carl
So I haven’t started couponing yet, but I was wondering, is it better to go to an actual cashier, or to a self-check out?
Can you scan MQ’s or any Q that was printed, rather than cut out, at a self-check out?
Also, if you give them your phone number instead of scanning your customer rewards card, for sites like SavingStar, does it still work? Or do you have to scan the card itself?
Stephanie
It is really just a matter of preference. I prefer cashiers because I usually end up needing someone to come over and approve a coupon anyway, but some people prefer self-checkout.
I’m not entirely sure what you’re asking, but you can use any coupons at self-checkout that you can use with a cashier.
I’m not really sure. I would think that it would still work with just your phone number, but I’m not positive.
Steven
I just found this website an hour ago and I’ve already learned so much. It is great to find all of these helpful tips. I’m also learning more by reading the questions. Glad I stumbled across this. I’ve recently started shopping at Meijer because thier sales are amazing and I’ve started using coupons for the sales. I’ve also found that if you want to try something new for you, your family, or your pet, email the manufacture like Blue Buffalo pet food and ask if they can send you a coupon so you can try thier product they will usually send you a coupon.
Julie
Wow thanks for the tips ,just starting out and need all the help I can get. I am on a fixed income due to an on the job injury. I was only 34 and I didn’t start working until my daughter who is now 15 started school I receive only $462 a month. Just saving on the basics are helpful.
Erika
if i have a coupon like this: save $.60 when you buy three, does this mean that if i buy three items each item will be taken off $.60, or $.60 will be taken off the total of the three items?
sabrina
It is 0.60 off the total of three, not 0.60 off each if you buy 3. Hope that helps. 🙂
irene
hi just to let you know i did my first shopping with coupons didnt have many but with my shopping i saved 60 percent just with my coupons and store deal i was happy but got alot to learn..
becky
I was wondering what is a “free homemailer”? How would I get those?
Stephanie
Homemailers are coupons or coupon booklets that companies will send to your mail box. They are offered randomly, so watch for me to post them here on Couponing 101. 🙂
becky
will do, thx. and thx for your site, I really like it.
Liza Knight
i want to start couponing but im nervous and dont know where to start. i live in columbus indiana and im not sure how to get other coupons without buying multiple newspapers (which i dont have the money for). if you could help me get started i would appreciate it 🙂
Stephanie
Check out these 11 Free Ways to Get More Coupons: https://www.couponing101.com/2011/10/11-free-ways-to-get-more-coupons.html
Keyona
OK this is what i was told, i could use a coupon for a different product: for example i had a coupon for crest mouthwash and i would be able to use it for crest toothpaste. because it had the same first 5 or 6 numbers on the coupon and upc for the product… is this really true?
Stephanie
NO. That is coupon decoding. You should not rely on the bar code to tell you what to buy. The bar code is simply there to make coupon redemption faster and easier. You always always always go by what the coupon SAYS. If it says “crest mouthwash” then that is what you buy. If it says 6 oz or larger then that is what you must buy, regardless of whether the bar code will allow a different size or variety go through. https://www.couponing101.com/2009/10/anatomy-of-a-coupon-how-to-read-coupons.html
Cemmie
I love to coupon, been doing it for years. I feel though that I’m hindered by the “math”. Like how to get stuff “free”, like toothpaste etc… any suggestions?
Shabina
i am a beginner and i need a little help on how to start gathering my coupons any ideas
Jen
The sunday paper ALWAYS has great coupons. You can go to diners, laundry mats, public libraries or wherever you can browse the daily paper for free and just look through it until you find the coupons inside. Some stores only have to show the newspapers the leftover newspapers and they they throw them, with the coupons inside!! So you can go dumpster diving, or you can make friends with a store manager and ask them if you can have the coupons before they throw them out. Or you can go online and you can print free coupons from a lot of different sites.
Hope this helps!
Good Luck
Renee M
Hi- Ok I am like many of you–I am new at this and WOW it can be confusing! I have a question – I hope its not an odd one- on buy one get one free (store sale) Can you use two coupons for the products or are you only allowed one? Thanks Guys and Good Luck in you couponing venture. 😉
Stephanie
It depends on the store policy, but some will allow you to use a coupon on the “free” product too.
rhonda
there are a couple of sites that I went on to print coupons and it wants me to install a coupon printer/software on my computer? why do they want that and should I do it?
Stephanie
Yes, you need to install the printer. Printers from coupons.com and other major coupon sites are safe and it’s the only way you’re going to be able to print coupons. This allows them to control how many coupons you print.
Shasha
Hey,
i’m a college student and the last time i bought the newspapers for coupons. im sure the price is higher. but do you know of any ways where i can get recycled newspapers? honestly wouldnt even know where to go to get 0ld sales papers. any help would be great.
Richie
What does it mean when you have a coupon for $1.00 off of something when you buy two of them? Does that mean $1.00 off each item or $1.00 off both of them combined?
Florence Olive
Hi…so I live in Federal Way, WA. and my sister and I are still pretty new at this couponing gig, lol. I actually spend almost half of the day with her talking about where to find the best deals and how to strategically shop at our favorite stores, but sometimes we seem to end up (or I would think we do haha) miscalculating our shopping list once we’re at the store haha….so we had a situation at one of the Target stores….they had a store promotion on the women’s quattro razor’s, which were on sale for $5.36…if you bought that, you get a free Skintimate shaving gel….FREE! so my sis and I had coupons for $4 off any two….when the cashier rang me up….I carefully looked at the screen to make sure she wasn’t charging me for the shaving creams bcus they should be free of charge….weeeeeell, the lead or whoever she was, said I couldn’t get those shaving gels free due to the fact that I was using coupons. Well before we even checked out, we got a second opion from a floor worker and she told us that with each purchase we we were entitled to the free shaving gel. So I, of course, told the floor lead or whoever, what my sis and I were told and she said no…we couldn’t do it that way and get them free cus of the coupons. Is that true or not?? cus I was not only getn agitated and mad haha…but I truly felt like we were RIGHT! lol…so i used my $4 off coupon on any two razors and still got 2 FREE but i kept telling the girl there i shud have walked away with 4 FREE shaving gel….so was i right or wrong? lol…even if there are promotion deals to get something free after….u can still use coupons and still get that other item for free of charge, right? if that made any sense hahahaha…and pls don’t judge me lol….like i said, I’M STILL A NEWBIE TO THE COUPON GAME!!! LOL….thnx a bunch =]
vanessa fredrickson
i am having problems with the people at rite aid. can you please review their coupon policy and explian it to me. thanks vanessa
Amanda
Hi,
I am still pretty new to the whole couponing thing. I am 2 months in and I am very pleased with the fact that on average I am saving 80% or better on my grocery bill every week 🙂 Love watching the savings add up!!
Anyway I was confused with the B1G1 sales. Can you use coupons on the item that is free also??
Thanks so much and I love your site, its so helpful!!!
Amanda
tessie webb
I live in a very small town in KY. We have a super Walmart and Kroger’s and aside from one discount market and some dollar stores that’s it. Niether Kroger’s nor Walmart offers double coupons. Kroger’s offers a few in store coupons but invariably they aren’t for things I buy. They do offer discounts on 10 items of certain products sometimes but again those are usually for something I don’t or can’t use plus I have no storage space in my apartment. Do you have any suggestions how i can save enough to make the effort worth it?
Jennifer@A Blog of My Very Own!
I have the same problem Tessie. Our stores here don’t double. And I have trouble finding products I use in the Sunday coupons; usually not even enough to offset the cost of the paper. In order to get good deals, do I have to start using products I wouldn’t ordinarily use?
becky
Hi, this is for Tessie and Jennifer both.Tessie I live in Western Ky and we have a Super Walmart and one small grocery store besides the Dollar type stores that have popped up all over. I drive to Paducah to one of the Kroger stores there. My Kroger that I shop at does double. You can check the Kroger coupon policy online. I buy the Louisville Sunday paper and it costs $2. I receive emails from a couple of sites that show the upcoming Sunday’s inserts and I am able to see what the coupons are that will be offered. With my doubling ability I can see if it will even pay me my money back to buy the paper. I also check my paper in the store before I buy it to see that I do have all the coupon inserts that were to come in that Sunday’s paper. Jennifer it won’t help to buy products that you won’t use because you won’t get coupons from them and it isn’t a deal if it’s not the stuff you want or use. I know I was/am a little product loyal and I am trying to break myself of that and try some different products. Especially when I have a coupon and then a sale along with it, I don’t mind trying something different. Some things I find I like as well as or better, and some I am going to stay with what I liked. My biggest is the smell of cleaners and deodorants and shampoo’s. I’m a little sensitive to smells so I can’t play around to much with that kind of thing. I’m new to this site so I hope I haven’t repeated something that you girls already knew.
rosie
how do you know if a coupon will double? does it depend on the amount of coupon, and/ or the store? I know some coupon will say -“do not double”. but what about the rest?
Cathie
Each store has a different policy. Either look online or ask at the service desk for the policy. My Stop and shop doubles any coupon that is $.5o or less. The policy say it doubles any coupon up to $1 but it means $.5o cents or less. $.75 coupons don’t double. Unless a coupon says “do not double” it should double as per the store policy but not alway. Some “Egglands” coupons will not double and my store won’t double them even though they don’t say “do not double”.
Pammy
Please add a printer friendly button to your site. I just wasted half of a package of paper when I went to print out your tips. It printed out pages and pages of comments!
Stephanie
Oh no! There is a printer icon at the bottom of each post (before the comments) that you can use to print the post.
Lydia
Okay I have some questions that I can’t seem to find the answer to ANYWHERE!
I’m VERY new to couponing. I’ve printed a couple out, but have only saved like 5 or 6 dollars here and there.
1. My first question is how does the “store discounts” work. For example, I’ve seen it on Extreme Couponing that after the items are scanned, they swipe like a membership card or whatever to the store and all of the “store discounts” are taken into effect.
2.Okay so I understand that you cannot use 2 of the same coupons for the same product right? ex. If I have a $1 off of 1 digornio pizza that costs say 7 buck, I cant print out 7 coupons and get that pizza for free, right? BUT what If I have a coupon that is like $1 off of every 4 digornio pizzas, can I print out like X number of coupons and get that much money off of it? Also, in that case is it $1 off EACH of 4, or the total cost?
3.Besides sunday papers, and online coupons, where (in your opinion) is the best place to grocery shop? Around my area I have a Wal Mart, Publix, Winn Dixie, Walgreens, Target, and maybe some other places im not aware off.
Your help is GREATLY appreciated. I’ve been trying to start couponing but for some reason I’m just not saving as much as I thought I should be..
Thank you again!!!!
Stephanie
1. Most stores, like Kroger or Tom Thumb, only offer their advertised sale prices if you have a loyalty card (these are free). Most of the time if you look in the ad you’ll see something like “$2.99 with Kroger Rewards Card”. You want to make sure to use your loyalty card every time you shop or you could even be missing out on the sale prices!
2. You can only use 1 coupon per item. So if you print 7 coupons for $1 off 1 Digiorno pizza, you could only use 1 per pizza. You could buy 7 pizzas though and use all 7 coupons. If the coupon is for $1/4 pizzas, they you will save $1 TOTAL, not per pizza. And you can only use 1 $1/4 coupon per 4 pizzas you buy.
3. It depends on which store you prefer. https://www.couponing101.com/2011/01/whats-the-best-store-to-start-couponing-at.html
Kishia
@Mary- I don’t bother with online coupons much- just do the Wed/Sun papers!
Mary
I’m pretty sure I understand this concept —– but after 2 hrs on-line I’ve yet to have a coupon print yet site may say, sorry you’ve already printed a coupon. I am not able to get high speed internet and must use air card modem. I’m getting too discouraged. I’ve filled out bunches of registration/email info, but not one coupon even though I’ve downloaded their required programs.
Frustrated.
Raven Moon
Was wondering if I can use coupons at the self check out? Only two in my household and I haven’t even started yet. I’m getting things together today to start my stockpile. I am a 100% disabled combat vet so I live on a fixed income. With it being just the two of us with a few pets I normally don’t need to buy a whole lot. So Just wondering about the self checkout thing. Thanks
Raven
Cathie
You should be able to use your coupons at the self checkout. There is usually a prompt at the end of your order for coupons. I self checkout at Stop and shop all the time and always have coupons. Just be sure that your coupons haven’t expired and are for the correct items.
sarah
So if the coupon has a limit posted (limit 2)does that mean i have to have 2 of these coupons to get the sale price or can I use the 1 coupon for both items?
Stephanie
A coupon can only be used once – so you can’t use 1 coupon twice.
If it says limit 2, that doesn’t mean you have to buy 2, but that you can buy up to 2. The exception is if I list a scenario that says you have to buy 2 items and use 2 coupons to get the final price.
karen payne
I have been stalking your site for weeks now and got enough nerve to shop alittle yesterday. Ran into some snags. Will not double internet coupons?!! That was horrendous for me.. Also cannot use more than 2 of the same coupons per trans. So next time I will divide into transactions with my 14 year old with me!! I find great deals with my coupons at value center and oakridge but they won’t double internet or even take internet altogether!! Any recommendations? Kroger is my only other option here in hazel park, mi.
Bonnie
I just learned today that you can go online and find places to send your expired coupons to and the Commisaries and PC will accept them for up to six month past their due dates for the people in service. Do you know what that website would be?
Love this website of yours. Keep up the good work for us beginners.
Marissa Baca
Thank you so much. This makes me feel very confident that I will do fine.
L Webb
I am so very glad you are here! I love this site. We have been spending about $200.00 to $400.00 per week at the g store for just TWO people and the animals. Sometimes that amount does not even include meat products. I am new to all this and would appreciate any input that would be helpful to beginning my new saving adventure. I hope to goto Ireland next summer with all the savings I will have 🙂
Samantha
Hi, I am 16 and I just got my first job. I just got my driver’s license as well. I have always wanted to do couponing. I am so glad you put this out. I just have a few questions. I would be really thankful if you could take out some of your time to help me.
1.) What is the difference between store coupons & manufacturer’s coupons?
2.) Where can i get more coupons?
3.) Are you aloud to print coupons in black in white or do they have to be in color?
4.) Is there a limit of coupons you can use in a purchase?
5.) If i have a coupon (For Example, Like kroger’s your aloud to put coupons on your Kroger plus card) Could i use that coupon with a store or a manufacturer’s coupon?
6.) Do the coupons have to be for that certain store?
T
Hi Samantha,
I am not an expert by any means to couponing, but I do know the answers to some of the questions that you have! 😉
1. The difference between a Store coupon and Manufacture coupon is basically who issues the coupon. The coupons will say at that top what type of coupon they are.
2. The easiest way to get coupons is online, there are a million places to find them and they are free but limited to how many you can print. Also, try asking friends and neighbor that receive the weekly papers to save their inserts for you.
3. Coupons can be printed in black and white, there is no reason to waste ink on color coupons.
4. There are limits to the coupons that you can use per purchase, this usually depends on the coupon and the stores policy. I have found that a general rule for the stores is 3 like coupons. Also, the stores policy always trumps what the coupon says.
5. If you have a store coupon and a manufacture coupon you can combine them. Kroger is a little tricky though because the coupons that are added to your card are not doubled and do not combine with manufacture coupons. I personally have found that the best place to combine coupons is at Target.
6. The only time a coupon has to be for a specific store is when it says so. Most stores do accept coupons, its just a matter of finding the best deal.
shy
Can I use 2 coupons on a single item if they are for different amounts?
Stephanie
No, the amount of the coupon does not matter. One manufacturer coupon per item.
evelyn
I’m so glad I’ve stumbled upon your fantastic website :0
Melanie
I’m just getting into couponing and I LOVE this website! I have a question though. If you have a B1G1 coupon can you use a $ off coupon along with it to make the original price cheaper? For instance this week there is a coupon for $3 off a Herbal or Aussie styler when you purchase one Herbal or Aussie product, but I also have a coupon for $1 off ONE Herbal Essence or Aussie product. Since I’m purchasing 2 products, can I use both coupons?
Cathie
That particular coupon is worded strangely. I was only able to use it if I bought 2 Herbal Essence products. Therefore the B1G1 would not be able to be used with it.
rmoore
Does anyone know of any good sites for diapers or wipes coupons. Soon to be father.
Maria
I don’t understand about how many items a store limits to be doubled. At my Kroger, they only allow maybe 4 of the same product to be doubled. One time, they had Heinz Ketchup on sale for 1.99. I used 4 coupons for $1. How do people use alot more than that? Are there certain stores that are unlimited on how many coupons they accept on one product? Or do they have to use separate transactions?
Stephanie
@Maria, Well, they may limit how many coupons will double, but they probably won’t limit how many coupons you use. For instance, if I have 10 $0.50/1 Heinz coupons, I can go to Kroger and use all 10, but only the first 3 will double to $1. They will still accept the other 7 at face value of $0.50.
Manda
I Just started couponing mid-june, and I just added up my savings $312 already! It may not sound like much but I have a family of 8 including my family of 3 kids, and my mother, brothers. I usually come out of the stores with a 50 percent savings with my original cost (before coupons) being around $100, but I love seeing how much I saved, every little bit counts and the extra money goes to having some summer fun. Happy Couponing 🙂
Stephanie
@Manda, That’s great!!
Amanda
i am fairly new to the world of couponing but i love it. i am 17 years old and live with my mother, father, and 2 younger brothers. my father is unemployed and my mother works constantly to make ends meet. i would love to know about any other ways to collect coupons than the sunday paper or the most common coupon sites. i also have a question. if a am checking out of a grocery store and all my items are rung up, do i let the cashier scan my store bonus card first or my coupons? any advice will be appreciated. thanks!
Amanda
Stephanie
@Amanda, As far as places to get coupons, there are several places. Look in the store for peelies, blinkies, tearpads, and coupon booklets. Don’t just think of grocery stores either – I often find great coupons in gas stations and pet stores too! You can also try emailing the manufacturer of your favorite products to see if they will send you coupons.
For the store card – yes, you want to have them scan the store card first, especially if your store doubles coupons (they may not double if you don’t scan your card first).
Ivy
I am having a real hard time with this couponing thing not becuase I cant find coupons but because I cant seem to find coupons for things I actually need and use in my household. I end up throwing out a lot of coupons becuase it would simply be a waiste of money for me to buy something I dont use just beacasue I get a great deal on it. What do you suggest I do? I regularly visit Hotcouponworld.com and some other sites but they all seem to reflect whatever comes up on coupons.com. My sunday paper comes in handy from time to time but not much.
Stephanie
@Ivy, Watch for my coupon rounds, I post them almost daily with the latest coupons. I find a wide variety of coupons – you would probably find a few you can use. I’m pretty selective about the coupons I use lately and I still find several I can use. You can always try emailing the manufacturers of the products you do use to see if they will send you coupons. 🙂
Ashley
I don’t actually remember the first time I used a coupon, but my mother does. I was probably about 3 and my mom was pushing my through the grocery store in the cart. I asked her if I could have some sort of treat and she said, “No, not today.” To which I responded, “But I have a coupon,” and I pulled a coupon out of my little pocket and handed it to her. Sure enough it was for the right item. My mom said it was so cute she had to get it for me.
Stephanie
@Ashley, Oh, how CUTE!! My kids always tell me we can go to Chuck E. Cheese because they find those coupons in the paper, lol!
kathy
Can you use a coupon, for ex that is oscar mayer with fruit lunchable to buy an oscar mayer without fruit. I get confused about which coupons I can use with all the varieties of one product
Stephanie
@kathy, No, you can only use the coupon on the variety specified on the coupon.
Traci
I too am just starting out with using coupons. Ive used them several times, but never when doing anything other than fast food and cigarettes (yes I know, nasty habbit). I did read that you can use a coupon on products on sale, I was wondering if that includes cigarettes? I get coupons in the mail from the manufacture for camel cigarettes, and recently have been told by our local Speedway that we are not allowed to use them with cigarettes that have the “1$ off” or “75cents off” packaging, now before we were allowed to use them..Ive never been the one to actually try to buy them, it has been my husband, but hes tried twice now, and has been told both times that they are not allowed to do that anymore, but wont say why or who tells them that. (the second time he tried it was the store manager that told him) Any help would be great (:
Stephanie
@Traci, I’m sorry, I really don’t know. I’m sure there are more restrictions on cigarette coupons though.
Crystal
I have been couponing for about 2 months now, but one thing still confuses me every time! If you have a “Get $1 off 2 boxes of cereal” can you use 2 of those “Get $1 off 2” coupons on just those 2 boxes, or do you have to buy 4 boxes? This one confuses me every single time!
Stephanie
@Crystal, No, the $1/2 coupon applies to BOTH boxes of cereal, so you cannot use another coupon on either of the boxes.
Dustie
I loved your artical so much, i shared it on my blog!!!! http://happierthenabirdwithafrenchfry.blogspot.com/
I am so new to couponing, I clipped my first coupon this last Wednesday, and bought my first 10 papers today!!
Mica
I was just wondering if anyone knew what this means and what in the world are the limitations to such a coupon? DND5- Coupon states Do not Double, but barcode starts with a 5. I know the barcode is pretty much the rules to the coupon but why would they do that? and what do you go by, the coupon, or the barcode on the coupon?
Thanks
Mica
Stephanie
@Mica, You always go by the wording on the coupon – not the barcode. However, the “do not double” is not instructions for you. It is directed to the retailer to prevent them from submitting for double the coupon value.
Emiy
someone please help me i think i learn more one on one if you think you can help me out please do email me back asap thanks Emma 🙂
Jess
Hello! I am in love with the idea of how much money can be saved on grocery shopping by couponing. That being said I haven’t tried it yet…. I can’t seem to figure out where (other than the Sunday paper)everyone is getting these coupons! Can anyone help me? I mean I think I have the basic concept down, it’s just getting the resources now… I would be very interested in giving it a try, if I can figure out where to go from here…HELP!
Stephanie
@Jess, Printable coupons are very popular, also I like free homemailers and coupons you find in the store like blinkies and peelies.
Cathie
Love this site. Although I have always used coupons, what I didn’t appreciate was how much I could save at CVS. Already saved over 66% of my last shopping trip and that included 2 Rx items with no discounts. The matchups are a great resource.
Stephanie
@Cathie, Great job!!
Amber
I LOVE this website.
Reading this helped, my mom discouraged me from getting to involved with couponing, because none of the stores where i live double coupons. So..
Lol. I’m 14, but i was amazed at how much money my family could save! So thats why i just spent maybe, 15 minutes thinking and clipping coupons from my sunday paper.
I know. 14! Wow. 😛
Haha. anyway. love this site. thanks for all the amazing tips! 🙂
Wish me luck! 😀
Stephanie
@Amber, You can still save money if your store doesn’t double – don’t let that discourage you!! Just look for the higher value coupons and you will still get great savings. 🙂
tina
i’m so excited to have found this website. i was stressing b/c i just couldn’t figure out how to imitate the extreme couponers. i’m beginning this as we speak, so thanks for this great site. i’m going to go through it step by step 🙂
saydel
i dont understand how i can save in one product if i can use the cupon one time only
Lydia Buck
thanks it was great to read some instruction on couponing but I would really love it if someone could teach me how to do couponing as good as the extreme couponers
Porsche' Robey
Thank you so much for this site first of all:) just wanna let yall know that I started collecting my coupons a couple of weeks ago and today finally got the supplies and started my binder. 🙂 I already had an idea of how I wanted it and got a few extra tips from u. My family and I live in the Waco area so we don’t have a Kroger close. Which makes me sad bc I LOVE Kroger. But my husband and I will be driving to Bryan Texas to shop at the Kroger there. How many shopping trips do u normally make in a month? And even if we can only go to Kroger once a month and do our other shopping at Walmart or HEB that will be fine I suppose. Again thanks for all of the great tips and advice. 🙂 ill keep yall updated.
Stephanie
I am just getting started on couponing. We live in a small town with not many coupons in our paper. Where do I get the coupons from? If you have any tips for me, that would be great. Thanks
Stephanie
@Stephanie, I would stick with printable coupons and homemailers. 🙂
Amber
okay…I’m taking a stab at this whole couponing game. I’ve been studying and watching sales/deals posted from several different blogs and the only thing that I can’t seem to figure out is the $1/5 or the $1.00 of when you buy two….Is this coupong $1.00 off the total cost of the 2 (or 5) items or $1.00 off of each item when you buy 2 (or 5).
Help!
Stephanie
@Amber, If it’s $1/2 that means you save $1 off 2 items (not $1 off each item). 🙂
Andi
I was just wondering…I’m trying to get started in the whole couponing thing and I wanted to know, do you find sales and then look for the matching coupons, or do you find coupons that you would use and then look for the sales? Just a little confused on how to go about starting!! Thanks
Stephanie
@Andi, That is a great question! I find sales and look for the matching coupons typically.
Erin
I am very new to couponing. I haven’t even started yet b/c already i am discouraged. I have found the same coupons for the same products over and over again. My Sunday paper just had the circulars for the stores in it. (of course i didn’t know that and bought 5 hoping to double up on coupons.) Is there a website that I can go to and get coupons for things I use like Bounty and Scott, Kelloggs, Kraft ect and not have to download a toolbar? (I know on some you have to download there printing program that is fine just not the toolbar.) I don’t know where to get the coupons i need in the quantities i need to really get that 50% savings.
OBTW thankyou so much for this post. I seriously did not know that saving 98% was not a realistic thing that you could do. I was really looking forward to spending like $10-$20 on $500 worth of groceries. Thankyou for cluing me in and thanks for the help in advance.
Stephanie
@Erin, Sorry about no coupons in your paper, there were no coupons on Memorial day weekend. Make sure to read the Sunday Coupon Preview so you’ll know which coupons to expect each week (https://www.couponing101.com/category/coupon-preview). And you have to be patient and wait for the coupons you need – they won’t be available every week. Most printable coupon sites will require you to download a coupon printer because that is how they limit you to printing 1-2 coupons per computer.
krista mitchell
i was wondering about a bogo coupon can i use a bogo for say a candy bar and use .50 coupon for the other candy bar….and how does that work i’ve read that you can but i guess i just dont understand it
krista
Stephanie
@krista mitchell, If you have a bogo and a $0.50 coupon then you need to buy 3 candy bars: https://www.couponing101.com/2010/05/stacking-b1g1-coupons-and-11-coupons.html
tracey
i have a question, if i have a coupon for 5o cents off any 2 chef boyardee products can i get 2 cans and use both coupons?
Stephanie
@tracey, I’m not entirely sure what you’re asking, but if you have a $1/2 chef boyardee coupon then you can buy 2 chef boyardee and use that one coupon.
Kat
Thanks so much for intro info!!
Used coupons sporadically before but was inspired to actively look for them after watching Whackos-R-Us. I may be between jobs and living off my Army Reserve pay but really?!? Who hordes 97 bags of croutons?!
I’m totally down for tips to avoid paying full price but not into food hoarding or losing my life to these things. lol!
Thanks for simple intro info!
Daisy
Hi, I’m a newbie. I’ve noticed it says above that you can use both $off coupon and BOGO coupon together. But what if they are both manufacturer’s coupon? I thought limit at least 1 manufacturer coupon per purchase?
Stephanie
@Daisy, I have some thoughts on this here: https://www.couponing101.com/2010/05/stacking-b1g1-coupons-and-11-coupons.html
Karen
I have been watching the extreme couponing on TLC. I have one question. I am seeing the people in the episodes buying 250 cokes and 150 packages of meat. The are using in store coupons and manufactured coupons when the item goes on sell in order to stack the savings, How are they getting that many coupons for those items. I cant believe they are finding that many coupons. Are they downloading them and printing them out. I thought there were limits on how many you could print at a time an on a certain computer. Please let me know how they are doing this. I really don’t want to go to that extreme but I do want to be able to buy several when I find a good sell.
Stephanie
@Karen, I don’t know how they are getting a lot of printables unless they have a TON of computers or are asking their friends and family for them. To get multiple insert coupons is pretty easy though – dumpster diving, clipping services, and asking friends are a way to get multiples fast.
Lee
@Stephanie, Hi Karen-Stephanie.
What is the limit for use of internet/ecoupons per item? Can I print 5 coupons? I frequent Kroger,Walgreens and CVS
Stephanie
@Lee, You can only use 1 of each eCoupon but most printable coupons can be printed twice (most stores will allow you to use as many as you have).
Jennifer Perry
Hi ! Love how you put it is our language 🙂 I am new to this , matter of fact i have not used any coupons yet , ive just cut some out and put them in envlopes so that when i go , i will have them ..U did answer on of the questions i did have about when to give the coupons so thanks ! I am so nervous though and excite , i so wish i had someone who uses them to join me on my first trip on using them !!!
Nomeika "Bridget"
I am a mother of 4 boys (one with special needs) there fore, I am a stay at home mom. My husband’s job(he has now)Really sucks, in terms money. He lost his job when the economy when south, he just resent got a new job as a cashier/store clerk.(working towards management) We have been fighting just to stay above water. Then I watched the extreme couponing show on TLC and I knew I could do it. I have OCD and I am Extremely organized, I have to be with 4 kids.
I have been save a lot of coupons, A LOT OF COUPONS. and I have read a lot of post and web sites all about couponing. I have already save a ton of money. I have taught my friends and family(pretty much everyone i know how to coupon. I don’t know where I would be if I would not of watched that show!
Bertha
There is a lot of coupons that i can’t find like coupons on hamburger helpers and toilet paper like angel soft and Ketchup so on can some one help me
GLORIA
Hi thanks for the info. I’ve been using coupons for years but stopped when my mother took over the grocery shopping. It took the tlc show to prov to her that its worth the time to be organized and to use coupons .
rainey
I’m a Newbe at couponing & today was my first time out. My wife just shook her head at me when we checked out at RiteAid. We invested 21.00 into the first outing and we got 85.00 in Products. I was like a little kid in a candy store. Our cashier was super she helped me all the way through my first timeout. I told her about your web sight & how we couldn’t have done it without it. Now I feel like I will be able to reach my goal of helping others by sharing what I’ve learned & by giving freely what has been given me.
For that I just want to say THANK YOU.
Stephanie
@rainey, That’s great!!
Tami
What printer do you use? Which printers are the best for IPs?
alexandra
@Tami,
I use an Hp 2500 works really good and it was very inexpensive at Walmart I think I paid $45! I only use it mostly for printing coupons so you really dont need to go all fancy just make sure you have ink 😉 color ink also so they dont think your coping coupons
Stephanie
@Tami, I think any printer is fine. I used to have a really cheap HP printer and that was fine. Now I have a big Canon printer that I paid way more for and I can’t stand it!! Goes to show that more $$ does not always mean better quality!
Ebony Walton
I am a college student new to couponing, and I am desperately trying to save money.
How does “Double Couponing” work? What stores are popular for “double couponing”?
Thank you!!
alexandra
@Ebony Walton,
go to coupons.com or smartsource.com or redplum.com they have really good coupons also look in the sunday paper! lots of good coupons also! and you can always go to the manufacturer website and sign up and usually they’ll let you print out coupons!
Good luck
alexandra
@alexandra,
Ebony you can usually google your area and just put stores that double coupons! I live in VA and a lot of stores do it here up to 99 cents! Kroger, Shoppers, Giant, Bloom and bloom once a month does double coupons up to $1.98!
Steffanie Martinez
How do I get coupons on things I need to buy. When I go to a website, it directs me somewhere else then somewhere else. Finding coupons is not that easy. Please help!
alexandra
@Steffanie Martinez,
go to coupons.com or smartsource.com or redplum.com they have really good coupons also look in the sunday paper! lots of good coupons also! and you can always go to the manufacturer website and sign up and usually they’ll let you print out coupons!
Good luck
Alexandra
Hello! I live in VA and a lot of stores double coupons here but I have noticed that their prices are wayyy up then regular stores! could this be why theyre doubling coupons?
another question??!! i seen that at my local bloom they have ecoupons! what is that?? can add my manufactuer coupons to the ecoupons? im new to this its very confusing! any advice helps! thanks 😉
Stephanie
@Alexandra, eCoupons are coupons that are electronically loaded to your shopping card and automatically deduct at checkout. You cannot combine them with your paper coupons though because they are both manufacturers coupons.
Alexandra
@Stephanie,
awww thank you stephanie now im sad lol
Brooke Nail
I am new to this and I have a few questions. In a store will they take as many coupons as you give them as long as they are one per product, correct? Unless the store doubles coupons? I’m confused
Stephanie
@Brooke Nail, Yes, the store will take as many coupons as you have as long as they are used properly (one per purchase, no expireds, etc.). Some stores that double coupons will only double a specific number per transaction. For instance, our Tom Thumb will only double 1 like coupon per transaction. So, if I have four $0.50/1 Chex cereal coupons, only the first one will double. They will accept the others, they just won’t double them.
Jeanne
I am just starting at couponing. I am sophomore in college and money is tight between books, school supplies, and general fees. After having to abandon my meal plan, I took up the idea of couponing. Your advice and information really helped me grasp the ideas and concepts of couponing. Thanks!
Amanda
Are there any other websites besides coupon bug that will load coupons directly to a safeway, albertsons, or other store card?
Stephanie
@Amanda, cellfire, shortcuts, p&g esaver, kroger and upromise: https://www.couponing101.com/coupons
Jay
Your site is AMAZING!! I’m a recent college grad and saving money is totally necessary for me. I have a question about the whole “you can’t use 2 coupons on one item”
Let’s say I have a coupon for $.50 off 1 box of Post brand cereal and I have another coupon for $1 off when you purchase any 3 Post cereals…
Would I be able to use them both and buy 3 boxes (getting $.50 off the 1st box and $1 off the total cost of the 3 boxes) since one coupon applies to a single item and the other coupon applies to a trio?
Thanks =)
Stephanie
@Jay, No because the $1 off 3 applies to all three cereals. Using the $0.50 coupon on one of those boxes would be stacking 2 coupons.
Jay
@Stephanie, Oh ok! I guess that makes sense =). Thanks for answering! Hooray for coupons!
JennyCakes
<So I think we need to have a newbie forum on here, love this site but I can have such stage fright! My last (and first couponing outing!) Target trip was great. I bought everything on clearance or with a coupon and on sale. Until I got in line and some cashier (not mine) was talking about those "crazy coupon ladies"…so I was looking at my cashier and she was laughing at the story that other cashier was telling! I was so annoyed I didn't check her scanning and she missed two of my coupons because she was too busy laughing at me trying to save money. Well I will laugh at her when she pays full price for anything!!!
alexandra
@JennyCakes,
wow! some people are just so rude! I love extreme couponing but it is def giving couponers a bad look! I buy what I need and thats it! Im not hoarding my house with 100 rolls of TP thats just insane! If I was that gifted and had so much time on my hands believe me I would use my skills for good like donate all those things but hey thats just me 😉
Lee
hello again..yet another newbie question..:)
What is the benefit in paying companies such as coupon clipper for coupons if I am trying to save money?
Stephanie
@Lee, Sometimes it is a good deal, sometimes not. If you buy diapers every week and need diaper coupons, paying $1 for $10 in diaper coupons is still a $9 savings on something you buy all the time.
Lee
Hi Stephanie, Let me first say thank for sharing your knowledge to help others. It is truly appreciated.
As a brand-newbie, I am still trying to wrap my head around how to get the most savings out of a single coupon; especially after reading the rule – You may not use two coupons on one item.
For example, I would like to try the Downy liquid fabric softener. I have a Manufacturer coupon for:
$1.00 off One Downy Liquid Fabric Softener-Limit One Coupon Per Purchase-Limit of 4 like coupons in same shopping trip.
I understand that I can wait until I find it on sale in the store and possibly combine it with a store coupon but it seems that I only have a savings benefit on a single bottle. How are people purchasing ten and twenty bottles of detergent with just two coupons?
Stephanie
@Lee, Well, they buy 10 or 20 because they have 10 or 20 coupons. Not all coupons limit you to 4 per transaction.
Melissa
Question here in my city. king Soopers has those Gillete body washes for 2.99 if you buy 10. I also have (4) $2.00 off coupons and (3) B1G1 coupons. Can I use these 7 coupons for the 10 body washes for a low price? I am very confused on the math. Also I think my KS will double the coupon they doubled one of mine the other day. Any help is great help. I am new to couponing with 6 people and 4 pets to feed. Im going broke. Also would love more help on how to do this at a bigger level with food. Thanks
Stephanie
@Melissa, Yes, you can use all of those coupons. Some stores do double, but not very many will double coupons that are over $1.
Sharonda
I just watched Extreme Couponing on t.v. it was great! I would love to use coupons to get free stuff. Or get over 1,000 dollars worth of food and just pay $24.00. How do you get started? I’ve used coupons before but not as much as they did. Can you help?
taylor
hi, Im getting ready to start couponing but was wondering when it says in the fine print, “may not be joined to other offers” does this mean that I cant use this coupon if the product is on sale? Thanks
Stephanie
@taylor, It just means you cannot use another coupon on that item.
Liz
hello, I would like to ask how or where I can get more than 1 coupon because in the little tiny town I live there is not a sunday paper so there is not way to get them.
Stephanie
@Liz, Printable coupons may be your best bet. I post a weekly coupon roundup and you can also find printable coupons here: https://www.couponing101.com/coupons
anita
hello, i was wondering why do people have to get 100 of the same product in order to save? or is that a preference? thanks!
Stephanie
@anita, You don’t have to get that many to save. On the show Extreme Couponing they buy that many to create a “wow” factor.
Mar
I got the Pepsicom insert from my paper last week but I have a question with regard to a coupon that comes from this insert. It may be a stupid question but I am still learning and I am afraid to make a mistake. What does this coupon means “$2/3 Quaker Oatmeal Squares, Cap’n Crunch Cereal (12-24 oz), or Tropicana Pure ”
Do I have to all 3 items from the list that the coupon shows in order to get $2 off (Quaker oatmeal, cap’n crunch cereal, or tropicana) OR I just need to choose one item from the 3 items that the coupon shows ( for example- tropicana juice) to get $2 off. Is so confusing !!! I need to get this because I have 3 coupons like this and I do not want to miss the deals for this week. Thanks
[Reply]
Missy
First I want to say thank you for the insightful website. I am new to this and eager to learn all I can. My question may sound stupid but I am new to this so here goes. If I have a coupon that states save $1 off two boxes of cereal could I use two $1 coupons and buy only the 2 boxes of cereal?
Stephanie
@Missy, No, you can only apply 1 coupon to each item. A $1/2 coupon applies to both items so you cannot use another one. https://www.couponing101.com/2011/04/couponing-101-limit-one-coupon-per-item.html
Carol Grant
Stephanie,
I love your site and have started clipping coupons this week. Here is my question. I buy groceries for a family of seven (my son is unemployed so I help them with food) The largest part of my grocery list includes meat and fresh produce. I rarely use boxed products like hamburger helper because of my sensitivity to food additives. How do I find coupons for fresh produce and meats besides the store sales? I would love any insight you have for this. Thanks in advance.
Carol
Stephanie
@Carol Grant, I have a few tips for this here: https://www.couponing101.com/2010/06/teach-a-woman-how-to-fish-for-nutritious-deals.html
Katrina Musselman
Can you stack Q’s with a Manufactures Q and a store Q on 1 item???
Stephanie
@Katrina Musselman, Yes, you can use 1 store coupon and 1 manufacturer’s coupon per item. https://www.couponing101.com/2011/04/couponing-101-limit-one-coupon-per-item.html
Ann Golightly
You said you can use 1 coupon per item but can you stack coupons if you have a manufactures coupon and then the store you are at has an in store coupon for the same product can you stack those 2 together?
Stephanie
@Ann Golightly, Yes, you can use 1 store coupon and 1 manufacturer’s coupon per item. https://www.couponing101.com/2011/04/couponing-101-limit-one-coupon-per-item.html
Katrina Musselman
I officially have clipped my first bunch Q’s. Cross checking the sales and making a list. (checking it twice.)
We ordered home delivery of the Sunday paper JUST for the Q’s. I need to get a binder to stay organized. Now going to the market with a 2 year old, a 5 month old and a stack of Q’s ready to use should be interesting.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR TIPS AND TRICKS!!
Katrina, 27
Marana, AZ
dANIELLE
Silly question but i can’t find the answer anywhere. I have never used coupons before but would love to start. I see the coupons that say $1.00 off 2 so does that mean you buy 2 things for$4.00 a piece and instead of paying $8.00 your paying $7.00 cause that doesn’t seem like a good savings. or is it $1.00 off this one and this one for $2.00 off?
Stephanie
@dANIELLE, It means you save $1 total. So if your items are $4 each then you will pay $7 for 2.
Mar
HI stephanie,
I am trying to learn everything that i need to start using coupons because I do not work and my husband check is not enough for our family. What does it means when a coupon states for example ” $1.oo off of any (2)” and it shows the picture of 3 or 4 cereals. Does it means that i have to buy 2 cereals from the 4 that the coupon is showing? Thanks for answering my question. I have a lot of coupons that state this exactly thing. Is so confusing for me because I am just starting. ALso do you recommend me to wait a few weeks until i have a pile of coupons or to go to the store and use all the coupons that i currently have? Thank you for your help.
Stephanie
@Mar, It depends on what the coupon says (I usually ignore the picture). If it says off ANY cereal then you can buy ANY. If it gives you a list of which ones you can buy then stick to those. I recommend you use your coupons immediately BUT only use them on sale items or products you would already be buying.
Rebecca
Hi! I have just really become interested in couponing through a friend. I know nothing about it. I am going to work my way through this website as I don’t really “get” how it all works with clipping, scanning, combining etc:) I am a stay at home mother of 8 kids. 3 of which still wear pull ups at night (this is hereditary issue ), and 1 in diapers full time. (I do use some cloth, but the laundry around here is crazy). With that factored in, does anyone know what I could reasonably expect to make as a goal to feed a family of 10 and then include all other items such as laundry detergent, soap, tp etc. I don’t really have a seperate budget for all of the household categories. I will only be able to start with the basics and hope to get better at it as I go. Right now I would say we average around $1200 a month, which puts us at about $300 a week for 10 people including the dipes, pullups, paper products, laundry etc. I can’t imagine we could cut it in half, but wow that would be amazing!! (sorry this is so long!)
Stephanie
@Rebecca, Hm, I can’t really tell you an ideal budget because there are many factors – how much you cook from scratch, where you live, etc. I say, start by trying to reduce by 10% and go from there. 🙂
Jessie
@Rebecca,
Rebecca,
My sister-in-law is delivering her 8th child next month. She has a website that may give you some tips. She’s very frugal and organized. She amazes me! Here is the link to her website: http://www.myblessedhome.net/
Hope this helps!
Dustin
Im trying to start couponing but it seems stressful and almost not worth it. How can a .40 off when you buy two of something save me money. And from all the printable coupon sites im finding they are all the same coupon and when i print them off from seperate sites they all have the same barcode number. I live in a small city i have an IGA, Smiths, Albertsons, CVS, Walgreens, Target and Walmart its verry hard to find coupons that save a significant amount…any help?
Stephanie
@Dustin, Well, not EVERY coupon will give you a lot of savings. You have to wait for a good sale. CVS, Walgreens and Target are all great couponing stores. Just be patient and watch for high value coupons to pair with good sales and you’ll see it’s not so hard. 🙂
Heather S
I’m so new at this. I’m wondering, if you buy two boxes of cereal and you use one coupon that’s $1/2, can you use two of those coupons?
Stephanie
@Heather S, No, you can only use 1 coupon per item. The $1/2 coupon applies to both items. https://www.couponing101.com/2011/04/couponing-101-limit-one-coupon-per-item.html
Jessi Butti
I just started couponing this last week. I was very nervous to use my first coupons. With your site it gave me some great ideas of what to buy at the right price, and I even got some products free. I was able to get $125 of groceries and products for just $64. I couldn’t believe it! My husband was so excited as well and is going to help get everything organized so that we can keep saving. Thanks for such a great site! I can’t wait to learn more.
Stephanie
@Jessi Butti, Yay! That’s great!!!
Kristin
Just found your site, liking it. Question: When the store offers BOGO can I use two coupons? I’m thinking yes since both items are scanned. Got my first FREE items this week with the Nivea Soap. Wal-Mart had it the cheapest at $3.00 and my coupon was for $3.00!! Used all four coupons. I’m getting better at this! 🙂
Stephanie
@Kristin, Most stores will allow you to use a coupon on the “free” item since you are still purchasing it even though the selling price is $0.
Jessica B.
Can you print multiples of the online printable coupons? I do all of my shopping at Target (and am new to couponing) and was wondering if stores will accept multiples of the online printable coupons, or if they only take multiple of the “cut-out” coupons.
Stephanie
@Jessica B., Most printable coupon sites will only allow you to print 2 of each coupon. You should have no problem redeeming multiples as long as they aren’t copied (copying is illegal).
Christy
I was just reading through your site, which is amazing! I have recently started trying to use coupons, but I seem to be hung up on some things. Are all coupon websites the same? I mean I go to one site for coupons and another site has the exact same coupons?? Also how do you save money when most coupons require you buy two boxes of something. So I am suppose too spend 6.00 to save .50, when i could just buy one box at 3.00! A little confused, could you please help!! Thanks!
Stephanie
@Christy, Yes, a lot of printable coupon sites have the same coupons. I post a coupon roundup almost every day with the newest coupons. The really good ones usually are only available for a short time. And not EVERY coupon will give you a lot of savings. You have to wait for a good sale. Saving $0.50 off a $4 item isn’t that great, so wait until that $4 item goes on sale for $2 then use your coupon (hopefully at a store that doubles) and you’ll get a much better deal. 🙂
Diana
Something was on sale for 99 cents I had a dollar off was told I could not use it ??
Stephanie
@Diana, Most stores will allow you to do this, but will adjust the $1 coupon down to $0.99.
Natalie
I want to know, how people has binders of coupons if coupons expire so quickly? wont the coupons be useless after a while?
Stephanie
@Natalie, You add new coupons to it weekly and pull out the expired ones every so often. Letting coupons expire is okay, if I used every coupon I clipped, I would go broke!
Tressa
On the same topic of cereals….I have to buy 6 to get the $10 deal and the free milk, I have 2 $1/3 coupons to use, can I also use coupons for individual cereals that are part of the 6? I have a Rice Krispies coupon and Rice Krispies is Kellogg’s so it falls under the 6 I need category. Can I use that coupon in addition to the $1/3 I’m already using?
Tressa
I have a question. My local Pick N Save is advertising buying any 6 Kellog’s cereal and you get an instant $10 back at checkout plus a coupon for 2 free gallons of milk for future purchase. I got all excited thinking I can use the Kellog’s coupons $/3 and really make a deal, but the add in the paper says “Buy any 6 at regular price” does that mean I can’t use the coupon or is it just saying I can’t buy any that are on sale at the store??
Stephanie
@Tressa, You can still use the coupons. I think it just means you can’t buy any that are on clearance.
Brenda
Hello!
So I just started getting coupons together yesterday and I am a little lost! I know that if I have 10 coupons I can get 10 products and use them and our store doubles (almost) all coupons but how do all of the other coupons work? I have heard of like 3 different kinds. Manufacture, store and ?? Please help me out! I am on state help and I have 2 kids I want to do this so I dont have to have help from the state and so I can teach my family how to be great shoppers too!
Thank you so much!
Brenda in AZ
Stephanie
@Brenda, There are only 2 types – manufacturer’s and store coupons.
Tressa
I just started and just printed off a bunch of coupons and a thought just occurred to me. I’m sure it’s a dumb question. But, how do they know that the coupons I printed from my printer aren’t copied? And do they have to be printed in color? But even color prints can be copied in color. So I’m confused and now afraid that I’ll be accused of copying coupons at the checkout lane! Help!
Stephanie
@Tressa, Most printable coupon sites use a software that will prevent your computer from printing more than 2 coupons. Most printable coupons also have various things on them that will tell on you if you copy the coupon (dots show up in the background or the word VOID might appear if you copy it).
Katie
I love this site!!! My family eats tons of food for a family of three! I haven’t tried couponing yet, but now I am REALLY excited to start. I want to go to the store right now!!!
Robyn
What do you do about the stores that do not want to take printed coupons? Thanks.
Stephanie
@Robyn, Most stores will take printable coupons but some will not. If they don’t, just take advantage of other coupon sources and save your printable coupons to use at a store that will accept them.
tanya
Can you use a coupon that has more of a discount than the products price examlpe: if a product is say 95 cents and the coupon is for a dollar off?
Stephanie
@tanya, It depends on the store. Some stores will allow you to either use the coupon and get the overage or they will adjust the coupon down to the price of the item. Check with your store’s coupon policy.
Gina
Hello! I absolutely love your blog and am sooo happy I found this. I have always used coupons but usually only like 1 or 2 at a time because I was always wanted to make sure I wouldnt have any problems when I was rung out. I want to start couponing because I like to save as much money as I possibly can, and if I dont have to pay full price on products that I’m already going to buy then I figured I really dont have anything to loose.
Like many other people on here, I am new to couponing as well and I know that some stores around where I live will not accept printable coupons. Do you know of any mass merchandise stores such as walmart or kmart that accept printable coupons? I am also very confused on when coupons are able to be doubled, and if so how many of them are able to be doubled. I want to be good at this with some time and practice, hopefully I can get the hang of it. Thank you for all of your tips and helpful information, it is very much appreciated!!
Stephanie
@Gina, I know Walmart and Target accept printable coupons, it’s in their coupon policies (https://www.couponing101.com/2011/03/new-walmart-official-coupon-policy.html and https://www.couponing101.com/2009/11/target-coupon-and-price-matching-policies-and-new-printable-coupon-system.html).
For double coupons, you need to find out which stores near you will double (just call and ask them). You can read more about doubling coupons here: https://www.couponing101.com/2010/04/what-does-doubling-coupons-mean.html
Lorraine
Okay so I want to start saving some money. I have no idea where to start and have no idea what I am doing!!!!
For example I am looking at buying some pampers diapers. Kroger has a sale $8.99 for abox. I have several manufacturer coupons for this item. Which I believe I can only use 1? This is where I a confused because the coupon says
” LIMIT ONE COUPON PER PURCHASE of products and quantties stated. LIMIT OF 4 LIKE COUPONS in same shopping trip.”
If I can only use one coupon why does it say I can use 4 coupons?
How do people get 97% savings on these items???
Stephanie
@Lorraine, Hi, a purchase basically means items or group of items. So, if it’s $1 off 1 then each package of diapers is a purchase. (If it were $1 off 2 then each 2 packs is a purchase). So the coupon is just saying you can only use 1 coupon per package and only 4 of that type of coupon TOTAL (instead of say 20).
Marissa
I thought I saw the answer to this before, but now that I need the answer, I can’t find it….
Are the ecoupons that I load onto my Kroger card, considered store coupons? or Manufacturer’s coupons? Meaning, can I stack a loaded coupon for .30 off biscuits with a clipped coupon for .30 off biscuits??
Your site has been a huge help to me! Made my first couponing trip last week and totaled out with $35.70 savings!!!
Stephanie
@Marissa, They are considered manufacturer’s coupons and should not be stacked with paper coupons. 🙂 And yay for your savings!!
Debbie
Thanks so much for this website! I haven’t started using coupons, yet. I was up the other night, unable to sleep, and I saw a trailer for the new show on TLC (Extreme Couponing). I thought “Whoa! I should do that!” Then I saw how crazy it all looked. I’m in the Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University classes right now and am really interested in saving $$$. So, after the initial shock of the TLC craziness…. I decided to forge on. Two days of looking at ads and clipping coupons…. I’m not so sure anymore. That is, until I stumbled upon your website! I am now reassured that I can save money without looking like an obsessed hoarder! Thanks, Deb
Leana
I think couponing is awesome, BUT, as a former cashier @ a drug store I have to say that it does sometimes keep employees from giving equal service to other customers. Who get angry. Some stores ( think three letter name) think EVERY aspect of running the store can be handled by only 2 people & lord help you if you can’t. Just take a breath and think of the stress 7 carts for one customer can cause for the UNDERPAID & OVERWORKED cashier & 1 key carrier . They will be way less annoyed if you give them a heads up when you walk in the door. Most will be happy to correct any mistake esp. if you don’t hold up the line while you go over your bill.
Molly
Hey, Stephanie! Can you explain how a B1G1 coupon might work with a B1G1 offer? I’ve racked my brain on this one…
Thanks again!
Stephanie
@Molly, Yes, you would be able to get 2 free!
Product A $2
Product B $2
– B1G1 coupon (-$2)
– B1G1 sale (-$2)
= $0
🙂
Jennifer
I’m new to this! I hope i can get the hang of it! Thanks for your info.!
Vanessa
I really found this blog very interesting and I am very excited on learning how to use coupons. However, today I did what this blog said and used two toothpaste coupons on two toothpastes at wal-greens and they only validated one. The manager told me I could only use one coupon for toothpaste for the whole purchase. I explained to him that I had two toothpastes therefore two purchases and that’s why I could use both coupons and he didn’t accept both only one. I was totally bummed. What do I do in this situation? Did I do this right?
Stephanie
@Vanessa, You should have been able to use both. Each toothpaste is a purchase, so using 2 coupons on 2 toothpastes is using 1 coupon per purchase.
Michelle
I have used coupons here and there, mostly from Better Homes and Gardens magazines. I love to save money when I can, its an adrenaline rush to me. I recently saw the TLC show, Extreme Couponing, and OMG! I am in love! I want to know how they get all of those coupons and deals; I want their secrets!
Jenn
I use coupons every time I walk in a store, but sometimes buying the store brand is still cheaper. I want to figure out how to use a bunch of coupons and only spend 1/2 my budget instead of always spending a fotune. I have 3 kids and they eat ALOT. I average about $200.00 a wk on groceries and toiletries. Any suggestions how I can save even more $$$$???
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog)
Oh, I see. To use two coupons for one item one must be the store coupon. Got it! Thanks for clarifying that. 🙂
I’m wondering, though, can you use two different coupons for one items if they are completely different coupons? e.g., one for .25 cents off and another for .35 cents off? Wishful thinking, I’m sure. 😀
Stephanie
@J3nn (Jenn’s Menu and Lifestyle Blog), No, sorry. Limit ONE coupon per item – no matter what the value is or where the coupon came from (aside from store coupons of course).
Debbie
Hi! I am not new to using coupons but I certainly had no idea that I could be saving even more! I am inspiried by what I’ve read on this blog. Thanks! Anyway, my question is where do you get all these great coupons? I clip from my sunday paper and do get some online but it seems to me that over the last several years that the newpaper coupons have dwindled! I’m hoping someone can put me onto the “goldmine” of coupons! Thanks!
Stephanie
@Debbie, I get all my coupons either from the newspaper or online printables. Just watch the printable coupon roundups I post because there are usually 1-2 awesome coupons every day!
Demetria monroe
hi my name is demetria and i would love to know how couponing works so that i can get more for my money
Linda
It seems almost all coupons you have to purchase 2 or 3 of that product to be able to use the coupon. It is just my husband and I. I really don’t need 2 or 3 of a product. Can you just buy 1 of a product and instead of $1 off I will get 50 cents off? Also why is their 2 bar codes and 2 different numbers on coupons? Linda
Stephanie
@Linda, No, you have to buy what is specified on the coupon. You can try and wait for a coupon that is just off one product, or if it’s a product that won’t go bad, you can go ahead and buy the multiples and save them.
Jessica
Stephanie, I’m having trouble finding any grocery or drug stores in the area that have double or triple coupon days. I’ve tried Walgreens, Sams (who says they don’t accept ANY outside coupons), CVS, Albertson’s, United, and all say they don’t do it. Have any suggestions?
Stephanie
@Jessica, CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and other drug stores or superstores do not double coupons. This is usually a promotion only found at grocery stores. Some areas of the country have NO stores that double, so you might be in that area.
Kristin
First, thank you for all of your tips. I am excited about saving some serious cash.
I was wondering if you can combine a ‘cents off’ coupon and a ‘buy one, get one’ coupon. I would think you can since they are scanning two items.
Stephanie
@Kristin, That is up for debate. Check out this post here: https://www.couponing101.com/2010/05/stacking-b1g1-coupons-and-11-coupons.html 🙂
Tiffany
I just started couponing; however, I noticed that every time I use an online coupon that I print from my computer, Wal-mart registers don’t recognize them. It shows up as invalid. So far, the cashiers have manually over-ridden the register, but it takes several minutes. Is it common to have this happen with coupons that you print yourself? Also, thanks so much for your work on this site. Every little bit that can be saved certainly helps!
Stephanie
@Tiffany, I have occasionally had internet printables beep at Walmart, but typically they scan fine. I’m not sure why you would be having it happen so often.
Tara
LOVE this blog! I am new to couponing and your information has helped me a TON!
Keep it up!
LOVE the Target coupon portion!
Jolyn
First, I’m just going to chime in like everyone else and say I love this website and I definately appreciate the time that you are taking to teach us “couponing”. Thank you.
Now for my question(s). The free bucks that you get from CVS and Walgreens (I think from both?) how are they used? Do you have to wait until you have a certain amount and how do you know how much you have? This portion of it is very confusing to me.
I see where people have said, this item was $10, I had a $5 coupon and then my free bucks made the item free. How did they use it?
Stephanie
@Jolyn, The ECBs and Register Rewards print out like coupons. You save and use them just like your other coupons. You don’t have to save up to a certain amount, and you keep track of them yourself (as in, you lose them and they are gone).
Migadeen
I happened upon your site last night and am hooked. I, like others have mentioned, recently became turned onto the idea of couponing. Although I didn’t see the TLC show, I heard about it. I feel like when I have used coupons in the past I end up spending more at the grocery store, I am thinking that is because I have not been using them correctly. There are a few things that have been running through my mind after looking at most of the information that you have for the beginner – 1st, you talk about “stock piling” something about this is not clicking – if you can’t use more than one coupon from the manufacturer on one item why do you keep so many? 2nd, I watched the coupon binder video and am wondering how you keep track of ones that are going to expire?
Thanks!
Stephanie
@Migadeen, I have a post coming up soon that talks about stockpiling, but basically you buy a lot of the things you know you will use when they are at their lowest price. You CAN use more than one coupon! If you have 4 coupons for $1 off 1 box of pasta, you can buy 4 boxes and use all 4 coupons!
For my binder, I don’t keep track of expirations. I go through it about once a month and pull out the coupons that have expired. If there is a really great coupon that I want to make sure I’ll use, I keep it in a different spot so that I don’t accidentally let it expire.
Susan Darnell
Love this site, it is so helpful.
ebone
where can i find manufacture coupons
Shawn
I just found couponing 101 today. 01-21-2011. I’m learning many so many new things. This is a wonderful site!
Coleen
okay so…another question for you about stacking coupons!! so if i had a coupon for $1 off 2 of an item and a $.30 off 1 of the same item..as long as i bought 2 items, could i use both coupons??
Stephanie
@Coleen, No. The $1/2 coupon is attaching to both items. It would be just as if you had (2) $0.50/1 coupons. You can only use 1 coupon per item, even if that coupon also attaches to another item.
Lynne
One of our local grocery stores, SuperS, refused to honor computer generated coupons. The checker said that the home office set the policy. I emailed the home office about it, but haven’t heard anything back. Any other ideas? I told the clerk that if I couldn’t use my coupons, I didn’t want the product and would purchase it elsewhere.
Stephanie
@Lynne, Lynne, ask to see a written copy of the coupon policy next time. They should be able to provide one if this is indeed their policy.
TyTy
2011 Resolution…..Save money!!!
Found this site and added it to my favorites. I am in Phoenix, AZ and plan to save lots of $$$ this year.
This doesn’t have to do with groceries, but it is savings and a lot of people don’t really think about it. I got a $30.00 Rebate from my gas company because I bought a new dryer that was on their “energy saving” program. It was $328.00 on sale for $299.00 and an extra $30.00 from my utility company. Plus I put my old dryer at the end of the driveway and sold it for $30.00 (the motor, drum and outside was still good – the circuit board shorted out)
Happy Saving 🙂
Stephanie
@TyTy, That’s great – saving money in all areas of life (not just groceries) is something that can be hard to learn! You did great saving on your new dryer!
Margie
I also saw in the CVS ad if you spend $20 on Pepsi products that you get back $10 in ECB and they have their Charmin on sale for 9.99 this week which would essentially make the toilet paper free. Unfortunately, none of my family drinks Pepsi so I don’t think it would be a good deal for us even to get the TP free.
Scott Andrew
Hi. I’m watching a couponing show right now and a woman just paid 2.64 for 635 dollars of groceries. I ran to my circulars, but I can’t figure out how she did it. Nothing looks like THAT great of a deal. She said (on the show) that she hadn’t paid for toothpaste for 30 years.
Maybe it’s in conjunction with their daily deals and your shoppers card, huh? It fries my brain. I’d love to go crazy and donate a bunch of non-perishbles. I’ll keep reading. Maybe the answer it out there….
Margie
@Scott Andrew,
I’m still very new to this but so far getting toothpaste free has been the easist. I’m still trying to figure out the toilet paper free..since we are a family of 5 it seems like we got through too much toilet paper..This is how I did the free toothpaste and I hope it helps and I can make it easy to understand.
Kroger this week had it for $1. I had a .50 coupon which my local Kroger doubled. I had 3 of the .50 coupons so I got 3 tubes for free.. I also noticed my local Dollar General has Colgate on sale for $1 this week and there was a 1/$1 coupon in my newspaper so I plan on getting more free this week.
kimberly pierce
Some stores like Wal-Mart will not allow you to use a Manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon on a product. Any suggestions? Anyone have any suggestions for finding coupons for fresh fruit or vegetables or store brands? THANX
olivia
Stephanie-
hi,its my first time with couponing and i just wanted to ask you ”if i could use double coupon on just one product?”
I hope to see that you have replied, thanks for your time.
-olivia
Stephanie
@olivia, I am not sure what you mean? In order for a coupon to double, you must use it at a store that doubles coupons. I explain how doubling coupons works here: https://www.couponing101.com/2010/04/what-does-doubling-coupons-mean.html
Marie A Celestin
This is an awesome sight. Thanks!!!!!
kaity
im new at couponing, like many other people. im trying to learn as much as possable about couponing for my family (mom,brother, one dog). im only a junior in high school but my family gets lil to no income per week. My mother lost her job and were living on child support from my father. which is not very much to live on . I am trying my best for my family to figure out ways to save money. when i found out about couponing from watching tv, i knew i had to check out what its about. anyone who has any secrets to help me out i would apreciate it if u would help me out on learning more about couponing so i can help my mom start saving money.
Stephanie
@kaity, I recommend starting here: https://www.couponing101.com/getting-started
Darlene
@Stephanie, It seems the Lord is using you to help others. Thank you for all your help. God Bless You
Kristin
hello, im pretty new to this whole couponing thing. but i was wondering what websites are good to get coupons from and other than websites and newspapers where can i get coupons?
Stephanie
@Kristin, Here is a list of coupon sources: https://www.couponing101.com/2008/07/coupon-sources.html
MrMcmigedy
Can you use 1 coupon on 1 box of cereal and have another coupon for another box of cearal and still save?
Stephanie
@MrMcmigedy, Yes! If you have 2 coupons for $1 off 1 box of cereal, you can buy 2 boxes of cereal and use 1 coupon for each box! If the coupon is for $1 off 2 boxes then you need to buy 2 boxes per coupon. 🙂
Catherine
I am having great success with couponing and we are thrilled with the savings I regularly achieve now.
However, my biggest struggle is knowing what is truly a store coupon and what isn’t. Originally I thought anything that didn’t start with a 5 or 9 was a store coupon. However, with so many IPs and even ones coming in SS lately having specific stores on them, does that make them a store or manufacturer???
It’s a big savings to know this because Publix lets us stack a manufacturer, store, and even competitor coupon on one item (on top of their own sale price!!). I’m brain dead at this point reading everything I can find to verify how I can know what is what….
Please help =)
Stephanie
@Catherine, I know what you mean! Seems like coupons are getting trickier to read!
Manufacturer’s coupons will say “Manufacturer’s Coupon” on the coupon somewhere, usually at the top by the expiration date. Store coupons will either say “Store Coupon” or the store name like: “Kroger Coupon”.
Sometimes manufacturer’s coupons will have a store logo somewhere on it, but unless it specifically says “redeemable only at this store” then you should be able to use it anywhere. Though some stores may make a fuss about you using a coupon with another stores logo on it.
There is one exception to this rule: catalinas. The coupons that print at the registers ARE manufacturer’s coupons, BUT you can only use them at the store you got them from.
Chawaila
Ok I know this may seem to be a dumb question and I’m sorry I’m new at this…. But I took my coupons with me to Walmart 2 days ago and my copy of their coupon policy and the manager said that the manufacturer coupons with the Target Logo could not be used in a Walmart and I should him the policy and the fact that it didn’t say redeemable only at Target and he still refused to take them was I wrong or right can you still use these at different stores or if it has the store logo can it only be used there? I’m very confused. And also my mom wants to know and me too of course does valid in store only on a IP coupon mean at that store only or the coupon can’t be used for shopping online?
Meagan
Hi Chawaila!
You were correct in that as long as they are manufacturer’s coupons, you should be able to use them at any store. They will scan in just fine. It doesn’t matter that there is a Target logo on it. It would have to say “Target web coupon” or “Target store coupon” or say “redeemable ONLY at Target” for you to NOT be able to use it at Walmart.
Valid in-store only just means you can not use it online. 🙂
Hope that helps!
Meagan
Moarjorie
Hi, I’ve just recently been married and I want to do coupons. My sister does it and really really well. However, I can’t convince my husband that I need more than just one news paper for it and everything else. He thinks it’s crazy and not worth purchasing more than one paper. Is there a way that I can have a beginners luck and have an awesome deal to “prove” him otherwise?
Stephanie
@Moarjorie, Husbands seem to be the hardest to convince! I suggest starting with all the free sources for coupons first if your husband is skeptical of buying a newspaper.
Catherine
@Moarjorie, I subscribe to 4 each week for all the B1G1 deals I don’t want to get by me! =)
My husband was skeptical at first, but decided it was worth supporting for all the savings. We both agreed to buy a three month subscription to the paper and “prove” it to work or not. By the 2nd week of watching the bank account grow instead of shrink, he was sold!
Perhaps you could challenge your husband to a time period challenge! If you don’t save more than the cost of the subscription, don’t renew and cook him his favorite dinner. If you do (and you will) you get supported on your multiple paper subscriptions and splurge on an item you have been wanting – or better yet (to me) eat out that night!
Julie
I started couponing for the first time ever about 4 months ago. I still don’t feel like I’ve got it down all the way. I look at several coupon blogs, print as many Internet coupons as I can for things that I know I’ll buy and use, try and match up coupons with the best deals, and I almost always leave the store(s) feeling like I spent more than I should have. To this day, my best deal happened in early June when I got $76 worth of products and paid $40 OOP. I thought I would get better and better from then on, but it’s the opposite. Now I’m saving maybe $10 a week. I’m a newlywed, so I only buy for me and my husband – we have no kids or pets yet. We end up spending about $40-$50/week in groceries and household goods, but for a family of 2 I feel like I should be doing much better. Any suggestions on how to use coupons more efficiently and see my OOP expense go down? I would love to get our budget down to about $30/wk. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
Stephanie
@Julie, Hi Julie. I completely understand your frustrations. There are a couple things to watch – try to branch out and try new things and not be brand loyal to too many items. Also, try to plan your meals around what’s on sale versus your shopping list around your meal plan. Even if the price is amazing – don’t buy anything you don’t want or need. I hope this helps you and keep trying! 🙂
Heather
Ok so I have a question. If I have a coupon for buy 6 yoplait get .50 off. Can I use 6? 1 for each and get 3.00 off??
Stephanie
@Heather, No, you can only use 1 coupon per item – and that coupon applies to all 6 items. So, you could only use one 60¢/6 coupon per 6 yogurts you purchase.
Margie
@Stephanie,
Ok, yesterday at Kroger I had 3 coupons for 1/.50 Colgate toothpaste. The store doubled it and I got the toothpaste free..all 3 of them. Are you saying that I should’ve only used 1 coupon and gotten only 1 tube free? I’m not sure I understood your answer.
CouponKid
@Margie,
@Margie. No! You did it just right! You always want to maximize your savings the best you can, and since you got the toothpaste for free, you did just that. Next time this deal (or one similar to it) comes around don’t go for just 3, go for 30. Then you wont have to purchase toothpaste again for a long time, or you can donate it out, whichever you want.
My philosophy is, if you can get it for free, why only get 1,2,or3. Why not get 30, 50, or 100. I can always store products or donate them. Hope this helps
Darlene
@Margie, If I have 3 coupons for toothpaste 1/.50 and it is doubled, getting 3 free how could you get 30. Would I need a coupon for every 3 purchased. I have really learned a lot from all the Q&A, but I sure have a lot more to learn.
Christine
@Darlene, yes, you would need however many coupons it would take to get 30 for free.
kim
I am new to couponing and have a question for all you professionals! 😀 Is it legal to use a buy one get one free coupon with another coupon for the same product for a dollar off of one? I am really unclear on this. I have a coupon for buy one deoderant get a body wash free and a coupon for $2 off the deoderant. Can I use both coupons for the deoderant and the bodywash?
Eustace Duffus
Please explain how the following work. Why each pack cost 63 cents?
Nabisco 100 Calorie Snacks $2.50 (Buy 4)
– (2) B1G1 Free Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs Printable Coupon AND
– (1) B3G1 Free Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs Target Printable Coupon
= 63¢ ea.
Stephanie
@Eustace Duffus,
Each pack is $2.50, if you buy 4 then that = $10
– two buy 1 get 1 free coupons (- $5)
– one buy 3 get 1 free target coupon (- $2.50)
= $2.50 which = 63 cents per package
Monica
After recent months I have no choice but to find ways to save. I appreciate the post because all of this can sound like a foreign language to me.
Kate
Thanks for the info.
Kate
HI
Great posts! I too am learnign this coupon game. Yes, game. My family is all involved trying to beat each other on bargains. How does one have a $200 bill and end up paying $3.00 after they are done as shown on a couple tv shows I have seen? I have been diligent in trying to get coupons on line, in stores, from newspapers and do not come near to this kind of savings. Help,…
Stephanie
@Kate, It takes time and practice! Once you get a nice collection of coupons and get the hang of finding the best deals, you will start to see consistent high savings!
Kate
Well, if you have a lot of coupons..while you are waiting for a good sale to use them, won’t they expire? How do you keep up with the favorite stores, their sales, and the coupon exp. dates?
Stephanie
@Kate, It is okay to let coupons expire. If there is a product you planning on buying anyway, use the coupon, don’t let it go to waste because you are saving it for a sale.
Ali
I am really nervous about my first shopping trip with coupons today. I have printed many coupons and looked at the sales ads and think I am just going to venture to Krogers first and then read more tips today before I do more shopping and go to Walmart. My big questions is reading how everyone saves at CVS and Walgreens. I am curious how that happens and what all it entails. I have never thought of shopping really there becuase they seem so much higher than other places, but it seems that is where you get really good deals. Do you go there and get their store ads or is there a place you can get them online before you venture out? I am still learning the lingo, but I do have the list of abbreviations handy and catching on. 😀 I am already on a roll with all this and know it will benefit me and my family in the long run. I just wish I would have done this much sooner, but better now than never right? I apologize for the long post.
Stephanie
@Ali, You are right – better to start couponing now than never! 🙂
If you are interested in playing the “drugstore game”, be sure to check out my CVS 101 and Walgreens 101 posts. I also post the best deals for CVS and Walgreens every week. Once you get started and learn the ropes, you will find that you can get all of your toiletries and even food occassionally for FREE!
NancyE
I absolutely love CVS. I started there cause it seemed less crowded than say a Walmart. If I was gonna be intimidated I guess I wanted less people to see.
I had a great CVS trip yesterday. I had 20 coupons for Skintiment Shave Gel, plus 10 CVS coupons for the same. This product was on sale right before then end of Aug and they were out of stock. I got a rain check. Yesterday they finally got it in. So I went and the manager got me 20 cans from the back of the store so not to take ll of his off the shelf. Normally this product is 3.49-on sale when I got my rain check for 1.99. Price before rain check would have been $69.80. With rain check it was $39.80. The he took off the CVS coupons-now total was 29.80, the he took my 20 coupons off (well actually he took 22 off but would not add the $2 back so I got 20 cans of shaving gel for my 4 girls for under $10! So hopefully with 4 girls we will be good till the next sale cycle. Cause I sure don’t want to pay full price for it
iamtheworkingpoor
I just read all of the comments from new coupon users who were nervous in line. I work in a store and wanted to assure you that you have every right to save as much money as you can. We are there to be quick, professional, and efficient and to make sure your shopping experience is a positive one. If anyone rolls their eyes or is rude to you because you have coupons they are in the wrong job. Some people I have seen act as if you are taking money from their pocket when you get a deal with a coupon. This is very silly behavior on their part. The stores put items on sale because they got a deal on the products and they get reimbursed for every manufacturers coupon that you use. Please don’t let a few ignorant people intimidate you.
April
@iamtheworkingpoor,
Thank you so much for your post! Your advice gives me a lot more confidence to use coupons without the guilt or shame a few scary shopping trips and a few rude clerks burdened me with. I hope your wonderful attitude will inspire all of the people you work with!
Thanks!
Jenn
@iamtheworkingpoor,
You are absolutely right. I used to cashier at both Walmart and Rite Aid (some good deals and rebate bucks to be had at RA too, btw) and I for one was always HAPPY for the customers who took full advantage of the price matching and coupons. When I worked at RA we regularly had a woman come in who was so effective with her couponing that she would get money BACK (after spending nothing), plus rack up rebate cash! I was always happy to celebrate with her. Cashiers need to remember that it’s getting good deals that will keep people coming back to their store. They should be happy any time you are saving money in their store.
Stephanie
@Jenn, That is a great attitude! I wish there were more cashiers like you!
Esther
@Stephanie, I have been a suprevisor in a grocery store for 15 years. When ever a customer starts out saying “you’re gonna kill me for all my coupons” I have always shown them that I not only is italright but I am truely excited that they are using them. I let them know what their card savings was, and what they saved with the addition of the coupns, Our reciepts also show the percentage which I am always excited to show them. The TLC has made me much more aware of the importance of my accuracy in scanning the coupons and the emotional investment of my customers. They seem to seek me out asking if I would check them out because of the number of coupons they have. We have a ball!
Rodentia
@iamtheworkingpoor,
Thank you so much for your comment about customer service people. Having worked in retail in never ceases to amaze me how many people working with me HATED their job, and hated the customers. HELLO did you not know what you were getting into when you applied? It’s nice to see someone else take pride in their work.
audrey
Oh okay. I can imagine with all the other deals you post you are pretty busy. I am gonna call that store tomorrow though and find out if they double. If not, its not worth the drive.
audrey
Hey, I am new to this but just had to come say THANKS!!!! after a fairly successful shopping trip this weekend. I went to 3 stores to get just the really cheap deals and just wanted to share how much I saved just in case any other newbies come across this and might need more persuading that this works! At CVS I got $48.77 worth of stuff for $30.84, saving 37%. At Walgreens the total was $52.95, I spent $35.46, saving 33%. And at Walmart I only went in for a few things worth $24.96, I only paid $12.67! Saved 49% there! And, thats not including the $12 in RR from Walgreens and $18 in ECBs from CVS!! I am still shocked! I did make a few rookie mistakes though. I forgot to use a peelie and walked out without one RR. Lol- I was in too much of a hurry to get home and show my bf the .34 cent steaks I got!
Anyway I did have some questions for ya: are you not doing Brookshires anymore? I didnt see a recent post. Also, the closest one to me is in Robinson, anyone know if that location doubles coupons?
Thanks again, if it wasn’t for this blog and a few others, I would still be a chronic overspender! 😉
Audrey
Stephanie
@audrey, Glad to hear how much you’re saving!
I have decided that due to time constraints, I’m not going to post Brookshire’s deals unless they are really good.
Megan
@audrey, what is a peelie and what is RR and what is ECB’s? I’m new and still learning the lingo. Actually today is my first day of research, and I’m preparing for my first trip tomorrow… after I take all the coupons out of my mom’s newspaper!!!
Gillian
Thanks so much! I have used some coupons…random ones I find from time to time…and I never really know whether they are going to be accepted until I try to use them. This really puts it in “layman’s terms”! Thanks! I literally just decided to look into this couponing thing today and I think your site’s going to be a BIG help.
jean gibson
Thank you for sharing.
I will share with my friends.
You are a blessing to us.
Natalie
Hi Stephanie,
Thank you for sharing your website. It’s the answer to my prayer..:)
I have a question, are the internet printable coupons doubled or tripled at stores like Kroger or Randalls? I tried to print some IP coupons and I see on the top of the coupons said DO NOT DOUBLE OR TRIPLE. I hope you can help me with this.
Thank you so much.
Stephanie
@Natalie, Most internet printables do say that. However, if your store automatically doubles or triples coupons then they will still double/triple the IPs(take a look at the coupon bar code first: if the code starts with a 5 then it will still double/triple; if the code starts with a 9 then it won’t).
Ali
@Stephanie,
Thanks SO much for your answer on this question. It was one I had and was going to ask but glad to see someone else did. 😀 I am new to this whole couponing thing and about to head out now for my first trip to Krogers and see how it goes. I am sure I am not going to save as much as I can, but anything is good right now. 😀 I will continue reading tips and such today when I get home to hopefully do even better on my next trip shopping.
Megan
@Stephanie, ok, I got lost at the doubling/tripling of coupons… I saw the other day at kroger they have a sign outside that says double/triple coupons… what exactly does that mean and how does it work?
Stephanie
@Megan, I wrote a post all about doubling coupons here: https://www.couponing101.com/2010/04/what-does-doubling-coupons-mean.html
Megan
@Stephanie, what are IP coupons?
Stephanie
@Megan, IP stands for Internet Printable. 🙂
Shirley Bowman
I enjoyed buying groceries before I felt I needed a Master’s Degree in Couponing to write my grocery list! Recently I notice that what appears to be a Manufacturer’s Coupon sometimes has a Target Logo printed on it! Is this coupon to be used at Target only, or can I use it at any major grocery ‘outlet.’ The suggestion of checking out all items purchased BEFORE LEAVING A STORE I find rediculous. Check four bags of groceries, and possibly getting into an argument? This seems to get rediculous! PS I don’t even know what a Gravatar IS, and I’ve been at computers for over twenty years!!
Stephanie
Shirley,
A manufacturer’s coupon with a Target logo can be used anywhere unless the coupon specifically says it can only be used at Target.
Checking over your receipt before leaving the store is always a good idea. I find a price or coupon mistake nearly every single time I go to the store. Stores are usually more than happy to correct the mistake. Even when I have an overflowing cart of groceries, this only takes a minute or two.
A gravatar is a picture that is tied to your email address. You create an account with gravatar (free and only takes a minute) and upload a picture of your choosing. Then, when you comment on blogs, your picture will appear instead of the “mystery man” pic.
-Stephanie
anne
i had a coupon that was 55cents off a reeses cup. then i also had a buy 1 get 1 free coupon. it was double coupon day at this store. the price for the reeses cup was 89 cents. i think i should have gotten 2 for free. am i correct?
Stephanie
Anne,
That is debatable. Some people say a B1G1 coupon is like a $$/2 product, and since you can only use one coupon per item, using a B1G1 Q in addition to another coupon would be considered stacking. Others say that a B1G1 Q is a coupon only for the “free” item and that buying another item is just a stipulation. Therefore it would be okay to use another coupon on the item that is not free. So, really, I’ll leave it up to you to determine if you should be able to use both coupons or not. 🙂
– Stephanie
Katie
@Stephanie,
Hi Stephanie,
I know this thread is pretty old, and I’m sorry if you have answered this question somewhere else on the site, but what if I have a store coupon that is B1G1 and a manufacture’s coupon for an amount off? Can I still use the manufacturer’s coupon in addition to the B1G1 store coupon? Also, could I use two manufacture’s coupons since I’m technically buying two items? Thanks for the great website and help, my husband and I are slowly getting the hang of the coupons. I must say though, the best advise I have gotten is to leave the kids at home… We SO need a babysitter for our 13 month old! =)
Stephanie
Alishia,
Stores will scrutinize your printables whether they are in black & white OR color. Coupons make it pretty easy to tell if they have been copied or not though. The coupon printing companies put all kinds of verification on there like unique codes and special ink that won’t show up if copied. There is nothing wrong with printing in b&w, some coupons even read: This coupon may appear in color or black & white. If a store questions the legitimacy of the coupon – you can point out any of those factors on the coupon to show them that it could not have been copied.
-Stephanie
Rikki
I’m very new to this couponing bit, but one thing I’m curious about is: What is copying coupons? I thought there were sites you could print coupons off of. Are you saying those are illegal? Please explain.
Love the site so far! Thanks for all the tips! We have lost over 20k in work in the past 2 yrs and just bought a home prior to losing hours… plus pregnant w/ #4 so any advice in the savings department would be just lovely!
Meagan
You can print coupons from your computer. That is completely fine. You just don’t want to take a coupon and make a copy of it on a copying machine. Does that make sense?
Alishia
We have a laser black and white printer. I am afraid if I print off all of my coupons online in black and white then the stores might think I copied them. Do you always print your coupons in color? Are there any stores that are better than others on taking coupons. I get freaked out about these things. Thanks.
.-= Alishia´s last blog ..A new addition to the Boscos =-.
Ammie
Thank you thank you thank you for posting this. I am exactly the picture you described above. I have no CLUE about what legitimately counts as a coupon or the difference, but you really cleared that up for me. Now to tackle the “double coupons” thing.
Megan
@Ammie, this is such a helpful website!!! Thank you so much!!! I’m just getting started and this was the perfect website to find to learn the lingo and the tricks of couponing!!! I can’t wait for my first trip to the store!!!… so I can stick it to those stores for all the times I’ve paid full price for everything 🙂
Leigh
What if I buy one box of cereal and I have a $1 off and .50 off coupons. Can I use them both?
AmyLoves
Hi, Leigh! If you have one box of cereal, you can only use one coupon on it.
The only exception is if you are at a store (Target, for example) that has *store* coupons, meaning they are store-specific and made by that store. Then, you can “stack” the store coupon with a regular manufacturer coupon.
But, you cannot use 2 manufacturer coupons on 1 item.
– Amy
Miriam
@AmyLoves,
How do you know what stores accept their coupons and manufacture coupons at the same time? Do you just ask?
Amy
@Miriam, Yes, you can always ask at customer service to see if they allow the “stacking” of a store coupon with a manufacturer’s coupon. CS should have a copy of their coupon policy available, or you could check online. Many grocery stores have their coupon policy available on their website. A good rule of thumb is to print it out and take it with you each time you shop. It is also a good idea to “review” your store’s coupon policy every few months to check for possible changes. (For example, one of my local stores has changed their policy THREE times since January! This is not typical, though, but it shows how checking the policy can keep you up to speed on anything new.)
HTH!
-Amy
Tauna
This is SO helpful. I am going on my first grocery trips using coupons at Albertson’s and Safeway tomorrow and I’m totally stressed out and feeling silly about it. I’m glad to know I’m not alone though. I really appreciate the information on when to give the cashier the coupons. I couldn’t find that tidbit anywhere else!
Thanks again!
coupon kim
What a great post! I wish I had come across something like this when I started. Very clear cut, and straight forward!
coupon kim’s last blog post..Walgreens Weekly Deals 5/24 – 5/30
Shanna
Great tips! Thanks for sharing and recognizing that not all your readers are veteran couponers. 🙂 I still can’t figure out how to make the most of the drug store coupons, but then again, I can’t come up with a quarter of the deals most coupon/frugal bloggers blog about. How to pay less than $1 for over $50 or more for stuff – how? And consistently, really?
I think the last time I went shopping I saved about $40. Most of that was from buying the Kroger brand items that were on sale – not much in MQ {yes, I’m learning the lingo – finally}. Then I realized later that shortcuts.com and cellfire.com coupons don’t go together. Meaning, if I buy an item and have a coupon from both accounts loaded to my Kroger card… only the higher coupon would be used – it is so confusing.
Anyway, thanks again, sorry for the long comment.
Shanna’s last blog post..A Break from the Rain
Rena
@Shanna,
I have a hard time too. Although I agree, I do save my family money but even with a coupon for every item on my list no matter how large or small I can’t seem to get more than a 30% discount. I am determined to do it. It is a challenge I have taken on. I love looking at flyers and seeing what I have in my binder to save. I do watch Extreme Couponing but DO NOT want that. It would just be nice to get a little more discount. We have 6 children and 2 of them although in college still come home weekends and vacations.
Stephanie
Kathleen,
Those catalina coupons are definitely confusing! Is it a man. Q or a store Q? I’ve found that it is a manufacturer’s coupon BUT it can only be redeemed at the store you received it from. The manufacturer will only reimburse the store that the coupon was intended to be used at. I sure wish it was different sometimes!
Claire,
I agree – Target still stresses me out! Every time one of my coupons beep I turn bright red! I absolutely hate dealing with it, but it definitely pays off!
Becky
@Stephanie, I recently learned that walmart has started taking all coupons that print at the register of other stores. they do not take specific store coupons for other stores like the ones that come in the sunday paper but they will take a coupon printed from the register ie Giant eagle that says Giant Eagle on the coupon.
Claire
I’ve been doing this for a year now, and the only downside is you get way tense when the cashier starts to scan the coupons, because you want all of them to be scanned properly and want to avoid the hassle of arguing over a couple of dollars. When you’ve gone through the trouble of gathering coupons and sorting your list, you sure want your effort to pay off! I’ve had the most trouble at Target with this.
I love how at Kroger they take time to carefully scan them one by one.
I hope I can get over the anxiety soon….:)
Kathleen
Hi, thanks for your post and your site!
I have a question… a few weeks ago I purchased some feminine products at Walgreens and got a catalina for $1.50 off playtex with the words…redeem at Walgreens.
I wanted to use this with the Target deal of buying 2 boxes playtex, get a $5 gc, but the cashier refused the coupon because it said redeem at Walgreens. I explained that is was a mfq catalina but she said she works in the cash office and this is a Q they will not take.
Did I misunderstand or is the cashier wrong?
Thanks and thanks for all you do! I have only be couponing for 4 weeks and feel like a pro because I found your site 🙂
~Kathleen,
Central FL
Ashley
This is a really old message, but I see this all the at the grocery store where I work. While yes, it prints out from Catalina from the manufacturer, if it says ‘Redeem only at” or something similar, you can only redeem there. A lot of times companies work out deals with the manufacturer to carry that promotion and it’s a way to get repeat business as well. If I was to turn in a coupon at my company with a Redeem only at Walgreens on it, I would not be reimbursed any money.
Stephanie
Hi Sheila,
Yes, I let them ring up all of my items and tell me my total. Then I hand over my big stack of coupons and watch to make sure none stick together, fall, or don’t scan. I usually count my coupons before I go up to the register then count the number of coupons that were rung up on the receipt. If the 2 numbers match then all is good!
Sheila Capell
I loved this post, thanks so much. I am brand new to this, just about one week in, and I’ve already had to speak with an LOD…and I even asked to call corporate right there in the store…I was shaking though, and still get scared sometimes that they are going to reject my hard work…b/c it really is work huh?? Anyways, I love your blog, thanks for all your help. I was wondering, do you ring everything up and then just give the cashier a stack of coupons? And do you have a system to quickly double check your receipt at the end?
THANKS!
Sheila
sheilacapell(at)hotmail(dot)com
Billie
@Sheila Capell,
Sheila,
This site is like a breath of fresh air! I am just earning how to do this and I found you site, thank you so much . I am excited about getting started but also scared at the same time. Wish me luck! 🙂
Billie
Billie
@Billie,
I’m sorry, the post I just wrote was meant for Stephanie. Like I said, “I am new to this”, :).
Billie
Stephanie
@Billie, Good luck getting started and I hope you enjoy couponing! 🙂
charolette moore
so i am thinking about starting couponing so can you use the coupons that you print out of the internet at stores?
thank you
Meagan
Yes, you can! 🙂
Debbie
@Sheila Capell, I am new to couponing and I LOVE this site. Thank you very much for sharing.
Laura
I am really new to this. I don’t want to sound dumb, but, what is an LOD?