Tips for Having a Smooth and Successful Shopping Trip
Alright Facebook friends, you asked for it! Here is my video sharing my tips for having a smooth and successful shopping trip.
If you cannot see the video, CLICK HERE.
Sorry, the lighting is terrible. And I speak softly so you might need to turn up your volume.
I’m not ashamed to admit that if you post a comment making fun of me, I will delete your comment and ban you from this website. Kidding! Sort of…..
Who wants to count how many times I say “um”? I need to work on that….
Do you have any tips for having a smooth shopping trip?
38 Comments
Lena
Great job on the video! I love your site.
Ally
Another thing the cashiers like is separating BOGO and Free coupons from cents off coupons. I did this recently at my Kroger and he actually asked me for the prices (which I had written in next to the items on my list). It’s really great when your stores get to know you and trust you, and this made it easier for him instead of going back and forth. Love the tips, thanks!
Stephanie
@Ally, Yes, another great tip!
Steve Spence
I’m hard of hearing. My speakers were all the way up, my sound card was all the way up and I still couldn’t understand a word you spoke. Annunciating words more disticnctly for us older folks would be great. I listened to you for maybe 15 seconds and decided that there wasn’t any way I was going to understand anything you were saying. From the comments left, I see that others hear and understand you much better than I did, but I’ll bet there are others, like me, who are hearing impaired and are just as frustrated as me.
Stephanie
@Steve Spence, I’m sorry you had trouble hearing me. I speak very softly and was afraid this would be a problem. I will definitely try to speak louder in future videos.
Corinne Johnson
Just yesterday, I paid at CVS, wondered why my total was so high and THEN realized I’d forgotten to use the Extrabucks that I had brought. Thanks for mentioning this; I still got good deals, but I could have done better, and I was frustrated with myself all day for not being more organized. But, that’s how you learn.
Maybe someone else will avoid this mistake thanks to your post.
Stephanie
@Corinne Johnson, Hate when that happens – I’ve made mistakes like that TONS of times!
Abbey
Hi, I am a beginning couponer and I loved your video, although I need to ask…what are filler items?
Stephanie
@Abbey, Fillers are just cheap extra items you buy to make your coupon to item ratio even out. Walgreens does not allow you to use more manufacturer coupons than items purchased. Register Rewards are considered manufacturer’s coupons. So if you buy 1 item and want to use a manufacturers $1 off coupon AND a register reward, you’ll have more coupons than items. That’s when you buy a cheap “filler” in order to be able to use both your coupons. Kind of a pain and costs extra, but that’s just how Walgreens works currently. Hopefully they will change their system someday.
Natalie
Thank you so much for sharing all your tips and matchups on this wonderful website! I also love the newsletter! We appreciate all your hard work!
P.S. Love the video! Nice job 🙂
Stephanie
@Natalie, Thank you!! 🙂
Lena
Thanks for the great video and I LOVE your website! I visit it everyday and it has helped me learn a lot about couponing. Thanks so much!
Stephanie
@Lena, Thank you! 🙂
SHolden
What is a filler item? This is the first time I’ve heard of this term.
I’ve always used coupons when grocery shopping, but it’s hard to learn a different way when attempting to start a stockpile on items that do not have many coupons. Any tips?
Thanks!
Sara
Lena
@SHolden, Filler items would be for a store like Walgreens. You can’t have more coupons than items (see Walgreens 101 under Store Deals). Sometimes you have to buy a cheap 35cent candy or something else so you end up purchasing more items than coupons. Hope that makes sense.
Stephanie
@SHolden, It is just a cheap extra item you buy to make you coupon to item ratio even out. Walgreens does not allow you to use more manufacturer coupons than items purchased. Register Rewards are considered manufacturer’s coupons. So if you buy 1 item and want to use a manufacturers $1 off coupon AND a register reward, you’ll have more coupons than items. That’s when you buy a cheap “filler” in order to be able to use both your coupons. Kind of a pain and costs extra, but that’s just how Walgreens works currently. Hopefully they will change their system someday.
Sarah
I’m a beauty advisor at walgreens, and I have to say these are all great tips! The only other thing I would recomend, is at Walgreens stepping over to cosmetics to do your transactions! Most of us keep additional coupons behind the counter for our customers, and it makes the transactions a lot less stressful for everyone when there is no worry about the line being held up.
Stephanie
@Sarah, Thanks for the tip! I’ve always had wonderful experiences when checking out at the beauty counter!
Christina
I’m still very new at couponing. I went to walmart and spent $2.84 when I would have regularly would have spent like $10 lol! I was super excited especially since it was my first coupon experience hehe. Ill get better i hope.. Thank you for your website, I visit at least once a day 🙂 it’s very helpful for beginners 🙂
Stephanie
@Christina, That’s great! And yes, you’ll only get better with time! 🙂
ubankit
Nice job on the video, did it require more than one take?
I’d much rather hear “ummm”, than “you know” or “absolutely”.
I think that being prepared is the most important item on the list, I
know for myself I end up spending way more when I “wing” it or try
to remember deals that I haven’t written down.
I like your website and scenarios, both are easy to read & understand.
Stephanie
@ubankit, Thank you! Yes, it took a few takes, mainly because I didn’t have a script to follow, lol.
Tina W.
Do you have any tips for having a smooth shopping trip?
Leave the kids at home! 🙂 Shopping and couponing works so much better and smoother when I’m out shopping by myself.
Stephanie
@Tina W., That’s a great tip! How could I have forgotten that one!!
Karin D
Great info! you did great! Thanks!
Stephanie
@Karin D, Thank you!
tanyetta
You did a GREAT job and Thank YOU for posting the video. You are helping a lot of people! No stopping now! MORE VIDEOS PLEASE 🙂
Stephanie
@tanyetta, Thank you so much!! 🙂
R.J. from Extremely Normal Couponing
Great job! Cashiers love it when they see I am organized and have everything planned… it helps to break the ice because some cashiers hate couponers because it seems like more work to them, so being organized starts you off on the right foot.
Stephanie
@R.J. from Extremely Normal Couponing, I agree!!
mara
Thanks! I think you did a great job 🙂
Stephanie
@mara, Thank you! 🙂
Jennifer
Thank you so much for your tips!! I come to your website MULTIPLE times a day…. Think Im addicted to couponing!! While Im new at it, Im averaging over 54% in my savings!! Can you tell me how I can find the best deals in my area for using my coupons? Im in Phoenix, AZ. And finding grocery sale items is a little more difficult if they are not on the add for the week!!!
Stephanie
@Jennifer, Thank you! 54% savings is great! I suggest finding a blog in your area that posts coupon matchups for your local store. Just google your stores’ name along with “coupon matchups” and you should be able to find some. 🙂
Darcy@Somewhatmuddledmusings 3345 /2011/01/home-made-laundry-detergent-and-softener/
Thanks for all the tips!
I also go ahead and bag the Mega 10 items into separate bags so that once I’ve counted and they are ten, I can put them in a bag in the cart and not keep having to recount or get frustrated when piles fall on top of each other.
Stephanie
@Darcy@Somewhatmuddledmusings 3345 /2011/01/home-made-laundry-detergent-and-softener/, That is a GREAT tip! I may start doing that since I’ve started bringing my own reusable bags!
Tammy
You did a great job. 🙂 It was very helpful.
Stephanie
@Tammy, Thank you! 🙂