Coupon Boot Camp: Lesson 4 The Art Of Couponing

So far I have walked you through some basic steps......Please understand that you will have to create a system that works for you.  What might work for me, may not work for you....Come On Let's Go!

Each Store has a maximum number of coupons that you can use each day (previously discussed), to maximize your best coupons make a detailed shopping list of what it is that you are going to buy.

This will be a helpful list, once you have identified the items, it will be very easy for you to go into the store and pick those things up first.

Next we will focus on quantity purchasing.  If possible always buy the small quantity of items(i.e. no need to buy the family size of rice, grab the smaller bag and save more money).  The same principle applies to condiments as many times you will find that they are on sale more than the larger quantity sizes.

When purchasing multiple quantities of the same item, remember some stores will have a limit as to how many you coupons you can use that will double for the item.

Example:
Lowe's Food will allow you to purchase 5 items, however, only 4 of your coupons will double, the fifth coupon will be for face value only.

When purchasing Buy One Get One Free Items, Harris Teeter will only double, triple or super double 1 coupon only and that is on the item that you are purchasing.  Same rule applies when it is buy 2 get 3 free, you can use your coupons on the items you are purchasing, not on the free items.  On the other hand some stores will take both coupons (buyer beware).

At the end of your shopping experience make sure you get your receipt as well as any pre-printed (Catalina) coupons that your store may give you.  **The pre-printed (Catalina) coupons will not double, triple or super double.  Make sure you double check those Catalina coupons, they may be for a specific amount of your total purchase on your next visit.

If you have a coupon that is for over a $1.00 and it is not Super Double, save that coupon for Wal-Mart, Target and other stores.  **At my local Wal-Mart they would not allow me to use multiply coupons (4 bars of soap = 4 coupons, WRONG, I was only allowed to use 1 coupon.  Then I was told that I would have to get back in line over and over to purchase the rest of the soap** So hoping they will change this policy very soon!

Wal-Greens Drug store will allow you to "stack" coupons.  That means they have a coupon in their store advertisement and you have a manufacture's coupon, you can use both. 

Need a break? Okay until next time....................

Happy Shopping!