................An Extreme Couponer................

Monday, June 27, 2011

Store Coupon Policies

Friday, June 24, 2011

Walgreens is offering up a FREE 4.5×6 Brag Book ($6.99 value!)… (You do have to pay is $2.99 for shipping though). To get started, just head on over here , click on the "get started" or "upload photos" button to create your Brag Book. During checkout, enter the coupon code BRAG, which will leave you to pay just $2.99 for shipping! If you want to save money around Christmas time start planning now...these make perfect little gifts to give grandparents!

*This coupon code is valid for through Saturday, 6/25.

Who are you making your brag book for?

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Daily Deal #1

So those of you who have followed my site/Facebook over the past month know that I LOVE teaching people how to coupon! It is my passion...and I am so grateful to be able to do it! PLEASE ask me any question you have, any time and I will be happy to help you out. I remember clearly how overwhelming couponing can seem, so please don't feel like you're alone! :)

I also wanted to introduce a new feature to my website: "The Daily Deal". I spend everyday checking various websites for good deals/coupons etc...anything to help me save my family some money! Everyday I am going to share one deal I feel is really outstanding. I may highlight a really great printable coupon one day, and a freebie or really great deal online deal the next. I know that there are plenty of blogs out there that regurgitate all of the current deals, and that's not my intention with this website. Please know that any deal I'm sharing is a deal or coupon that I have already chosen to take advantage of and I want to make sure you can get in on it too! :)

Here is the first Deal of the Day:
~~Two Fandango movie Tickets for $12 (Up to a $26 value!)~~ SOLD OUT! That went way too fast!
Cheap movie tickets?? Yes please!! Cars2 comes out this week...so guess what we will be using to see it?
How to get in on this deal:
1. Sign up for a BuyWithMe account here
2. Come back and open this direct link here
3. The deal should pop up and go ahead and buy it! The deal is for "Dallas", but since it is a unique Fandango code that is sent to you, it can be used at any movie theater that uses Fandango (you can find out if your local theater does at http://www.fandango.com/)
4. Once you make the purchase, you should see a $5 credit in your account in the next couple days for another purchase through their site! (I'm saving mine for another great deal like this!)

Here is the find print on this deal:
•Limit 1 voucher per person; limited quantity available.
•Enter your BuyWithMe voucher number at Fandango checkout to receive your tickets.
•Valid for 2 tickets with a value of up to $13 each; all Fandango fees are included in the price of your voucher.
•If two tickets exceed $26 prior to entering your promo code (for IMAX and 3D), you will be responsible for paying the difference in price.
•Cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions.
•Full value of voucher must be used in one transaction, no value will be stored
•Voucher not valid until day after purchase.
•Promotional value expires 09/22/2011.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Sale Cycles

I put together a list of usual sales that happen throughout the year.This may help you plan your shopping trips a little better. :)
(Please remember this is just a "typical" sale cycle chart, and sales may vary by your local store.)

Sale Cycles

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Common Coupon Questions and Answers

Q: “I feel like there are no coupons available for the products I like to buy…any advice?”

A: One thing that will make you more successful in couponing is being open to try new brands. Let’s say, for instance, that you have a favorite type of laundry detergent that you have used for years. You feel a certain amount of “brand loyalty” towards it, but you have noticed there are never any high value coupons for it. Would you be willing to try a different brand if you could get it for super cheap? It is important to be flexible when it comes to the brands you buy, because you will save the most money that way. I have actually discovered some products I LOVE and that I never would have tried if it hadn’t been for couponing. Why not try something new if you can get it for free?

Q: “I only eat organic foods, and there are never coupons for that. Can I still be successful couponing?”

A: Although coupons for organic products are rare, you can still save a lot of money by couponing. Let’s say you usually spend $150/week on groceries (including toiletries, paper products, cleaning supplies etc) for your family. Once you start couponing you will realize that most of the non food items your family uses everyday can be gotten for pennies or even for free. If you no longer are spending $75 a month buying those misc items, then you will realize you are now only spending $75/month total and that you cut your spending by $50. If you only eat organic foods you may never reach that 90% savings level, but you will still find yourself saving a nice amount (and who can complain about that?)

Q: “I have two different coupons for the same item, can I use both of them if the barcodes are different?

A: No, you can’t. All coupons state “one coupon per purchase” and this means you can only use one coupon per item purchased. In order to use a coupon, you also must make sure you meet all conditions the coupon requires. This means if the coupon says “Buy two and save $1.00” then you must buy two to be able to use that one coupon.

Q: “Since most coupons are limited to two prints per computer, can I make copies if I need more?”

A: No. And no. DO NOT COPY COUPONS. It is a big no no! Here is a sample printable coupon:

Do you see those numbers under the scan box thing in the upper right hand area? Those numbers should always be different. If you copy coupons that number will be the same (obviously) and the store will not get reimbursed for the coupon. In my opinion using copied coupons is the same as stealing, so please don’t do it. (Also, each coupon is printed with your IP address on it, so if you copy coupons you will get caught and receive huge fines and/or jail time.)
If you need more printable coupons you may need to get creative. Think about asking friends and family to print them out for you, or see if you can print them from your local library.

Q: “Can I print coupons in black and white, or do they have to be in color?”

A: Black and white coupons are perfectly acceptable, so feel free to print them this way and save your color ink. You can even set the default settings on your printer to print exclusively in black and white.

Q: “At the store today the cashier would only let me use one coupon since they say “one coupon per purchase”. What that correct?”

A: The cashier was incorrect. A “purchase” is defined as one item being bought. Next time a cashier gives you a hard time ask them “Well, how many items am I purchasing?” Obviously if you are purchasing five items you should be able to use five coupons. If a coupon says “One coupon per TRANSACTION” then the only way to use more than one coupon is to buy one item, use the coupon, pay and then do it all over again.

Q: “Every time I go to get the great deals, the shelves are empty and it is so frustrating! Can I do anything about that?”

A: I totally understand the frustration empty shelves can cause. I live in the “land o’ couponers”. Really. There are about a dozen couponers for every regular shopper (okay, well maybe not that many, but it sure feels that way!) I learned long ago not to expect to walk into a store and find the sale items in stock. Instead I take advantage of one of couponing’s most underutilized elements. The rain check. A rain check is a slip of paper the store gives you when a sale item is out of stock. On the rain check the store employee will write down the item you want to buy, the sale price, and the quantity you were trying to buy. You can bring that rain check back in the future and pick up your items for the sale price at your convenience. When using rain checks there are a couple things to remember: 1. In most instances if you are getting a rain check and you are planning to use coupons with it, if your coupons expire before you collect on your rain check, you are usually out of luck. Most stores will not accept expired coupons regardless of whether or not it was their fault for not having enough items in stock. 2. Sometimes between the time you get your rain check and the time you go to use it, newer, BETTER coupons come out, which is great! Also, if you have a rain check you may want to check eBay for better coupons to pair up with it to score an even better deal than you originally anticipated.

If you plan on buying lots of something in a sale, make sure you preorder- you don’t want to be the reason for the empty shelves. Please speak to your store manager before the sale and let them know you are wanting to buy lots of one item so they can place a special order for you. It will make you happy because you will get all of what you need, and it will make them happy because they will not have to deal with grumpy customers all week who are complaining about the empty shelves.

Q: “What is the best way to find out about an upcoming sale?”

A: The best way to find out about upcoming sales is to view the upcoming ads and match ups. You can see the ad scans at the “Iheart” sites. (like Iheartcvs.com, iheartriteaid.com, iheartwags.com etc.) The sooner you are able to find out about a sale the better because you want to have plenty of time to prepare and stock up on extra coupons if you need them.

Q: “Where is the best place to get coupons?”

A: I get about 80% of my coupons from the Sunday paper, and the rest are from the computer. I print coupons from http://www.coupons.com/alink.asp?go=13903xh2010&bid=1193980001 www.redplum.com and www.smartsource.com

Q: How can I get extra coupons for an upcoming sale?

A: If I need more than my usual six copies of each coupon, I usually get them off eBay. Here is what I do:
1. Seach eBay for coupons (like “Purex coupons”)
2. Narrow my search by only looking at sellers who offer a “Buy It Now” price. (When you are buying extra coupons you need them ASAP so waiting for an auction to end will not work.)
3. Find a batch of coupons that is the right price
4. Check out the seller’s rating. (I will only buy from seller’s who have high ratings)
5. Make the purchase via PayPal
6. Wait for your coupons to come in the mail!
There is also the option of using a clipping service. There are many different ones out there. With a clipping service you pay per coupon (usually between .15-.25 cents) and then you pay a flat rate for shipping. Most clipping services also require a minimum purchase as well.
EBay is great if you are looking for several of one kind of coupon (at least ten) and clipping services are nice if you just need a few of several different kinds of coupons.

Q: “How do I go about getting coupons directly from my favorite companies?”

A: In preparation for my episode, I wrote a lot of different companies. When I write to them, I don’t ask for coupons, I usually just let them know I like their products. I use a general letter for all of them, but I always make sure to mention something very specific about a certain one of the companies’ products. Some of the coupons I used in my episode I received because of a complaint (like the diaper ones). If you take time and send feedback (good or bad) to companies, many times they will send you coupons in appreciation.

Q: “I want to start, but it all seems so overwhelming! Where do I even begin?”
A: First off, check out my 8 step Extreme Couponing beginners guide on here. I tried to write a simple, easy to understand step by step guide to get you started! Ask questions! Feel free to stop by my Facebook page www.facebook.com/rebeccadavidsonextremecouponing.com and ask me any questions you may have!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Stock Up Prices

Since I have been asked by several people for my list of "stock up prices", I went ahead and created it for you. This list includes the maximum prices I aim to pay for products. My goal is to "stock up" at this price on enough of these items to last me until the next sale (usually three months worth).

(There is the pdf version towards the bottom that you can print out and stick in your binder)

:)

Baby
Baby Lotion/Wash ($1.00 or less)
Diaper cream (.50 cents or less)
Jumbo pack of diapers name brand ($3.99 or less)
Jumbo pack of diapers Store Brand/generic ($2.50 or less)
Tub of baby wipes-64 ct ($1.00 or less)

Food
BBQ sauce (FREE)
Butter ($1.69/lb or less)
Brownie Mix (.25 cents or less)
Cake mix (FREE)
Can of soup (.50 cents or less)
Canned Veggies (.25 cents or less)
Canned Fruit (.50 cents or less)
Cereal ($1.00 or less)
Chips ($1.00 or less)
Cheese ($2.00/lb or less)
Chicken ($1.59/lb or less)
Crackers ($1.00 or less)
Frosting (FREE)
Frozen Dinners (pizza, dinners etc) (.50 cents or less)
Fruit snacks ($1.00 or less)
Ground beef ($1.99/lb or less)
Grapes (.99/lb or less)
Gum (.30 cents or less)
Hamburger/Hot Dog buns ($1.00)
Hamburger Helper (.50 cents or less)
Ice cream ($2.00 or less)
Ketchup (.50 cents or less)
Koolaid packets (.10 cents or less)
Mayo (.50 cents or less)
Mustard (FREE)
Packages of cookies (1.00 or less)
Packaged mashed potatoes (.50 cents or less)
Pasta (FREE)
Peanut Butter (.50 cents or less)
Powdered drink mix (.50 cents or less)
Salad Dressing ($1.00 or less)
Soda- 12 pack ($1.50 or less)
Sports Drinks (.50 cents or less)
Spaghetti Sauce (.75 cents)
Spices/grinders (FREE)
Strawberries ($1.50/lb or less)
Tortillas ($1.00 or less)
Yogurt (.30/container or less)

Home
Airwick ($1.00 or less)
Batteries AA & AAA 10+ packs ($2.00 or less)
Cat Treats (.50 cents or less)
Cat food (.50 cents/lb or less)
Cleaning supplies-toilet cleaner, soft scrub etc (.50 cents or less)
Dishwashing Detergent-tabs (.50 cents or less)
Dishwashing soap (FREE)
Dryer Sheets ($1.00 or less)
Glade Plug in oil Refills (1.00 or less)
Glade Sense N Spray ($1.00 or less)
Glade Lasting Impressions ($1.00 or less)
Laundry Detergent-32+ load bottles ($2.00 or less)
Plastic wrap ($1.00 or less)
Paper towels (.50 cents/roll or less)
Paper plates/cups (.50 cents or less)
Sandwich Bags ($1.00 or less)
Tin Foil- 75 ft+ ($1.00 or less)
Toilet paper- cheap (FREE)
Toilet paper- nice (.25 cents/roll or less)

Personal care
Shampoo ($1.00 or less)
Bandaids (.50 cents or less)
Bar soap- 2 pack or larger (FREE)
Conditioner ($1.00 or less)
Cough drops (.25 cents or less)
CoverGirl make-up (.50 cents or less)
Floss (FREE)
Liquid soap (.30 cents or less)
Lotion (.75 cents or less)
Men’s deodorant (.25 cents or less)
Men’s body wash (.50 cents or less)
Men’s Fusion Razors ($1.00 or less)
Mouthwash (.50 cents or less)
Pads/Liners (FREE)
Pain Reliever, name brand ($1.00 or less)
Razors ($1.00 or less)
Shaving Cream (.50 cents or less)
Styling Products ($1.00 or less)
Tampons ($1.25 or less)
Toothpaste (.50 cents or less for Crest ProHealth and FREE for other kinds)
Toothbrushes (FREE)
Women’s body wash ($1.00 or less)
Women’s deodorant (.25 cents or less)

Stock Up Prices PDF

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Extreme Couponing 101 Step Eight: Keep things in perspective.

So let me fill you in on how the cycle usually goes for new couponers. When someone first starts couponing, they are absolutely floored by how much they can save and so they start to shop. And they shop and shop and shop and shop! It is not uncommon to talk to a newbie and find out they go to five different stores six times a week trying to get every single deal out there. (Yes, I will admit, I went through that phase.) This is also the phase when a newbie will talk to anyone and everyone about couponing, interested or not (sound familiar yet? ;)

Then after a couple months the next phase will hit…the burn out stage. After shopping and shopping for months, the couponer will eventually become exhausted and have to take a step back for awhile.

Finally, they will slowly come back around, but this time at a much more reasonable pace. They will really evaluate their stockpile and figure out what they need, and how much time they actually want to spend shopping. The last phase is where you want to be.

I would encourage you to do your best and avoid the shopaholic and burnout stages. Realize from the beginning that you don’t need to go after every deal! The deals are always going to be there and if you miss one, odds are it will be back around soon. Even the high value coupons seem to be recycled by the companies.

I can’t stress enough to you, don’t let couponing take over your life! The second you find yourself cancelling plans to go shopping, or if you find your stockpile growing out of control (No, nobody NEEDS 25 packs of toilet paper or 55 toothbrushes) take a break. Spend time with your family. Hang out with friends. Enjoy life!