Inexpensively Frugal Blog Network » Art of Couponing

Ethical Couponing

Heather Sokol — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 02:34:02 +0000

When you first learn how easy it is to get things for free or bring home a cart of groceries for next to nothing, you may feel like you are getting away with something. The only thing you are getting away with is shopping smart. At Inexpensively, we strive to find the best deal available, but we will only report legitimate offers and encourage responsible couponing. When couponing rules are circumvented, it leads to companies ending the promotions that we count on to live our lives for less.

There are steps you can take to maintain the integrity of your coupon usage and ensure that more deals are always around the corner:

Do not use photo-copied coupons. Only original coupons clipped or printed from reputable sources are valid.
Never buy printable coupons from third party sources; you have no way to verify their legitimacy.
Read all restrictions. If a coupon says one per household, you may not use one for each child. If the coupon reads “one per visit,” you must visit the store multiple times—even if it is in the same day—to redeem multiples of that coupon.
Use coupons only on the product indicated. There are brand, type and size restrictions listed on most coupons.
Pay attention to limits. You may only use 1 manufacturer coupon and 1 store coupon per item. Some stores impose additional limits on coupon acceptance and/or doubling.
Be sure to use coupons before their expiration date. Some stores may have policies allowing expired coupon acceptance, but check with the store manager. A coupon redeemed past its expiration date means the store may not be reimbursed for the coupon.

It is important to practice ethical couponing as coupon fraud and misredemption affect consumer pricing for everyone. Any lost revenues will be reflected in price increases with fewer and less beneficial promotions. Stores that are victims of coupon fraud will also tighten their coupon policies and altogether cease promotions that are valuable to smart shoppers. We will continue to share the best coupons and offers as they become available, knowing that our community will use them responsibly.

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Art of Couponing: Store Coupons

Heather Sokol — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:51:36 +0000

Some stores offer their own coupons, in addition to the acceptance of manufacturer’s coupons, either in their ad or through the company’s website. The most notable include CVS ExtraCare Bucks (ECB), Meijer Mealbox and Food Lion Internet Printable (FLIP) coupons. Store coupons can be used in conjunction with brand coupons. They are a great way to increase your savings because they work as a discount rather than a reimbursed coupon. As long as you follow the rules for purchase with each coupon, they can be combined for greater savings.

For example, if you have a coupon for $.75 off 1 item and your store releases its own coupon for $.25 off that same item, you should use both coupons together to save $1 on your purchase. CVS ECB work a little differently, since they have a rebate element to them as well. ECB print at the bottom of your receipt when you purchase required items. You can use ECB along with manufacturer’s coupons, but we will cover those details separately as the Art of Couponing series continues.

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Art of Couponing: Stocking Up

Heather Sokol — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 14:12:05 +0000

The key to big long term savings is buying the items you need when they are on sale before you need them. This means taking advantage of each sale as much as you can with as many coupons as you have available. You will begin to create a “stockpile” of products you use on a regular basis so that you will never need to purchase an item at full price again.

As long as you follow the rules for purchase with each coupon, you can use more than one of the exact same coupon. For example, if you have a coupon for $1/1 product X, you may use 1 coupon for each product X you buy. If the coupon is for $1/2 product X, you may use 1 coupon for every 2 products you buy. There are no limits to the number of coupons you can use to stock up on your favorites. However, each store will set its own limits on coupon use, such as only doubling 1 like coupon per visit or limiting the number of like coupons you can use at one time. Talk to the manager at the stores you frequent for their guidelines.

When your stockpile begins to grow, the problem is no longer how to afford the food you need but where to put it. Having too much food is a problem many people would never even dream of. If you are purchasing multiples each week when the items are on sale, you may actually run into this.

First, donate what you won’t use! There are so many people hungry and it doesn’t have to be that way. Second, many perishable items are freezable so you can store them longer—bread, meat, cheese and butter, to name a few. Third, convert a linen closet to an extras pantry or use storage totes for canned goods. Linens can easily be stored in the rooms they will be used—slip tablecloths in a kitchen drawer, keep towels in the bathroom, and store your extra sheets under the mattress they will be used on.

Shop smart, then get creative to keep your shelves stocked inexpensively.

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Art of Couponing: Matching Coupons

Heather Sokol — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:41:21 +0000

To maximize your grocery spending, you have to do more than just use coupons at the store. You need to store your coupons to use at the best possible time. Matching your coupon to a sale price will result in the greatest possible savings. In addition to tips, ideas and deal alerts, the Inexpensively network connects frugal bloggers in communities around the country to create store lists each week, matching the sale ads to the current coupons available.

There is little work involved for you—simply clip the coupons and purchase the products listed! Our store lists are available in a select number of states right now, but as our network grows we will be bringing deals to communities across the nation. If you follow our system for a month or two, you will start to notice your grocery bill dropping, even as you are sharing more with others. It may take a few months for you to save 50%, but you will notice significant savings as you go. The key to saving big is buying the items you use regularly when they are on sale, not just when you need them.

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Art of Couponing: Coupon Storage

Heather Sokol — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 14:41:06 +0000

You have probably seen the envelope-style coupon organizers the stores sell. You will need something larger for the coupons you will begin to amass as you clip and file multiple coupons each week. There are many ways to organize your coupons. One simple way is to date a file folder and slip the inserts into it each week. You will simply clip the coupon when you are ready to use. The weekly deals listed on this site will always have the date the coupon was released for your convenience.

The second storage system is a traveling file. The advantage to this one is that it is easily carried to the store with you so that you do not miss in-store specials or deals you missed in your planning. The coupons can be filed one of two ways—categorically or alphabetically. We recommend alphabetically by brand as trying to navigate endless categories can get confusing. There are many items you can use that you probably already have around the house—a recipe box, a baby wipes container, index card file, photo storage box, or a shoebox size storage tote. Be sure to get something that latches securely shut.

The third filing system is a little more complex, but is beneficial for those who need visualization. The binder system is a bit more costly and time consuming to set up, but you will enjoy the ongoing benefits. First, get a zippered (this is key—we don’t want our coupons flying!) binder, divider tabs (blank for categorical filing, A-Z for alphabetical) and several baseball card protective sheets. File your clipped coupons in the slots. Several identical coupons will fit in each pocket. The biggest advantage to this filing system is that you can see each coupon at a glance rather than flip through a stack.

There is no right or wrong way to file as long as you get to the coupon you need when you need it.

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Art of Couponing: Coupon Types

Heather Sokol — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 13:53:59 +0000

Manufacturers print out coupons to get you to purchase their products. These can be found in many forms, but are generally for cents off a product. They can be found in a variety of places, but your local newspaper is still the number one source for coupons. Our database displays all current coupons from the weekly paper (we get the Indianapolis Star) as well as All You Magazine. We also supply,for your convenience, links to printable coupons on the web.

Larger cities will have the biggest sets of coupons. Other papers will have the inserts, but they will be smaller or for different amounts. However, smaller town newspapers are often cheaper. We recommend getting at least 3 copies of the Sunday paper each week either by subscription, purchasing at the store, or collecting inserts from friends and family. Exclusive newspaper subscription discounts are available or you can check your Dollar Tree to save each week.

Coupon slicks are inserted into the Sunday paper each week. Valassis/Red Plum and Smart Source each print an insert every Sunday, with the exception of the Sunday following major holidays. Proctor & Gamble inserts a coupon magazine on the first Sunday of most months. Kraft will occasionally have an insert, though this has more recently been a part of the Smart Source insert. Kroger will have its own coupon insert on occasion as well, though these coupons are from the manufacturer’s and can be used at any store.

Coupons can also be found on or in packages, in “Blinky” machines at the grocery store, in popular magazines (family or women oriented magazines are the most likely), in the mail directly from manufacturer’s or as part of a savings magazine or mailer. Magazines are often a great source of coupons. Keep an eye out in the magazines you read for ads that contain coupons. All You Magazine generally includes 10-15 coupons of decent value. This is often well worth the $1.97 price even if you never read the articles.

Coupons printed or requested from the Internet can be a bounty of savings, if you know where to look. While coupons can be found on many sites on the world wide web, it is important to verify the legitimacy of such coupons by printing only from reputable websites. Please check with your individual store for full details before printing your coupons through the sites we have verified. Store policies vary widely on acceptance of internet printed coupons. Talk to the manager at the stores you frequent for their guidelines.

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The ABCs of Couponing

Heather Sokol — Sun, 06 Jun 2004 20:48:58 +0000

Always check for clearance items throughout the store. You can get incredible deals when you use a coupon on the discounted price.

Brand names are often cheaper than generic foods when you use a coupon. Don’t be afraid to go for the name brand items.

Catalina coupons will be printed when you are finished checking out at most stores. These can be very valuable, and are often for money off your next shopping trip not necessarily a particular product. Don’t overlook them.

Double and Triple Coupons: Many stores will offer double or triple coupons every day and some will have higher value double/triple coupon bonus days. Be on the lookout!

Expired coupons do have value. Believe it or not, many states allow shoppers to use expired coupons and military families can use them overseas for up to six months. Please find someone who can use your coupons and pass them on.

Fast cashiers make the checkout process easier. Long-time cashiers, typically, hate coupons. Look for a young cashier, preferably male.

Great things come in small packages. Smaller sizes are often the better buy with coupons. If a coupon states “good on any size,” buy the smallest size unless the larger size is on sale. These types of coupons often allow you to get many travel-sized items for free.

Higher priced stores often have the best sales and coupon policies. Be sure to investigate each store’s policies before deciding where you will shop.

Invest the time. Saving money takes some time and effort. Set aside a little time each week (maybe even while watching television) to prepare for your shopping trip.

Junk mail can often include hidden treasures. Be sure to go through the mailings for great coupons on groceries, dining and entertainment. Coupons can also be found on or in the packages of products.

Know your storage and fridge space. It doesn’t save money to buy 25 yogurts if you only have room for 10.

Lots of coupons are the key to your savings. Buy more than one paper each week, especially when the coupons are good. Trade for what you need or keep them all; you never know when something will be free with that coupon. Don’t forget to ask friends and family for their unused coupons.

Match coupons to sale items for the best buys. Examine weekly store ads before you shop—have your coupons and your calculator ready while you do this. Separate the coupons that you will use at each store.

Never go into a store without your coupons. You never know when and where you will find a great deal!

Organization is important. Find a system that works for you and spend the time to keep it going.

Plan your route. If you shop more than one store in a week, be sure to map your route to save money on gas as well. When you have something to mail, skip the extra trip to the post office- a lot of grocery stores will sell stamps too!

Questions are only stupid when they go unasked. Be sure to talk to customer service personnel about the store limits and policies. If a cashier is unfamiliar with a policy you will be able to direct her to someone who knows.

Rebates can save a lot of money, but don’t fall into the trap of buying something you don’t need just for a rebate. Watch for rebates or special offers on products you already buy.

Share your savings. Pass on the savings by donating your unwanted deals to your local food bank. Also, share your new found knowledge with those who need it.

Take full advantage of every sale. Collect as many multiple coupons as you can for anything you know you’ll use. When it is on sale buy as many as you can to last until the next sale!

Using a coupon just because you have it is NOT wise. Use only the coupons for items you would buy anyway, unless it will make the product free. Accept that you will not use every coupon and don’t worry if a coupon expires—there will always be more coupons.

Variety is the spice of life. Don’t be loyal to one brand just because it is what your mother used! There are times when you really like a particular brand and that is fine. By all means, go ahead and treat yourself to that brand. Just be sure to give other brands a try because you may end up liking them better at a lower cost.

Write your name in ink somewhere prominent in your coupon binder or box. Put your phone number there as well. You will be glad you did the first time you leave it in the cart!

Yank those coupons from the red blinky machines at the store. Also be sure to keep your eye out for tearpads and coupons attached to products. The tear pad and blinky coupons can be saved for a sale!

Zero—the cost of many of your groceries when you master the art of couponing!

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