Couponing 101: Lingo and Planning Your Shopping Trip

Okay, now that we have learned everything about setting up for couponing and where to find coupons, we are ready to get to the good part!

First lets talk lingo.

$2.00/1, $0.50/2

Two dollars off of one product, Fifty cents off two products, ect…

BOGO or B1G1

Buy one get one. Sometimes it may say B1G2 (buy one get two).

Extra Bucks

CVS rewards system to use on your next purchase. 1000 Pts=1.00

One Coupon Per Purchase

Only One coupon can be used per item. This means you cannot use one coupon to cover 3 different items.

One Coupon Per Transaction.

Only one coupon can be used for each transaction. For example, if you have 3 of the same coupons, you may need to break up your purchases into 3 different transactions.

Inserts

Coupons books that come in the Sunday newspaper.

SS

Smart Source inserts that come in the newspaper.

RP

Red Plum, another insert that comes in the sunday newspaper.

P&G

Proctor and Gamble, another insert that comes in the sunday newspaper (Comes only once a month, usually the first sunday of the month. They expire at the end of the month and are usually really good coupons).

Stacking

Combining a store coupon and a manufacture coupon on one item. Some stores allow this. Check with your stores policy. Only one manufacture coupon can be used on one item.

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Now, how to use coupons…

First things first, make sure you read your stores coupon policy. Its a good idea to visit their website (or store manager) and have a copy on hand for checking out (more on that next time). Having this, can save a ton of trouble in the stores.

I have people tell me all the time, “I thought you could only use one coupon for an item.” Unless store policy says other wise or the coupon says “only one coupon per transaction, per day”, you can use as many coupons as you have. For example if you have 3 coupons for shampoo, you can buy 3 shampoos and use all 3 coupons. However, only one coupon can be used on a single item.

If your coupon is a BOGO, this coupon covers both products and cannot be combined with another coupon on these two products (you can use two coupons on four items, three on six, ect…).

Now, pull out your store ads, coupon match-up websites, and your binder… we are now getting to the “work”.

The first thing I like to do is reference coupon match up websites. Please note that you have to double check prices, but most of the time they are right. My all time favorite match-up site is thekrazycouponlady.com. You can also google “store name” Match-ups and usually pages, upon pages, will come up. Also, any deals that I score (and have time to write about) I will post on here. Looking up the match-ups can save a ton of time! Always make sure to double check prices and if you have the coupons.

Then, pull out those ads! Usually the first page is the best deals (not always, though). See what coupons you have and calculate total price with coupons. Also note, that most of the time, smaller sizes are usually the best deals when combined with coupons. This process can take time and be pretty monotonous.

Make sure to look for any store coupons that you have (ex. $5.00 off 25.00 purchase). Stacking these coupons with manufacturer coupons can save you even more money.

Don’t forget to calculate your savings with the mobile coupons/rebates (target, ibotta, checkout 51, ect…).

Also, look for printable coupons on coupons.com.

Make sure to write everything down! It is easy to get overwhelmed in the store and forget. I use a spreadsheet to write everything down.

To Download click here ->Couponing Shopping Trip Spreadsheet

Thats it for now. Pretty much all the basics of couponing! Trust me, it is not as hard as it seems. :)

Next: Shopping and Checkout

Couponing 101 Series:

1. Changing Your Attitude.
2. Couponing Methods.
3. Where to Find Coupons.
4. Lingo and Planning You Shopping Trip
5. Shopping and Checkout.
6. Stocking Up and Keeping Sane.