Couponing Class - Week 2

Maximizing Your Savings - Part I:

This is a very broad subject, and you must have some knowledge behind you to begin getting the most from sales and coupons, so it will take a few weeks just to hit all the topics that cover this. So let's get started.

Many people will ask me how I manage to get so much off my grocery bill each week. I typically will be able to reduce my bill by 50 percent or more every week. This did not happen overnight. This series is meant to speed up your learning and help you save more in a shorter amount of time. It takes a little while to learn when and what to buy, when to use certain coupons, how to stack coupons, and knowing when a product is at it's lowest price. I would say that if you truly want to save money at the grocery store, you will only get better and better at it each week that you go. You learn a lot as you go along for the most part.

Each store has it's own policy, so you first have to find out what your local store's policy is. Here are a few key questions to ask.

♦Do you accept Manufacturer coupons?
♦Do you accept Manufacturer Internet Printable Coupons?
♦Do you allow someone to stack a store coupon (If applicable) with a manufacturers coupon?
♦Do you double or triple ALL manufacturer coupons? (both insert coupons and Internet coupons) If so, what are the amount caps? Some stores will only double upto 99¢ or 50¢.
♦Do you accept competitor coupons? Be specific, some stores will accept dollar off competitor coupons but not a coupon for a specific product.
♦Do you price match, if so what are the guide lines?

You will want to either speak to a manager or write/email the company directly to get these answers. Never ask a cashier, though many of them are in fact quite knowledgeable, many large companies have trouble communicating their full policies to the front line people. It's best to go straight to the source, so if there is an issue, you will get a lot further, by letting them know you spoke with "so and so" on "such and such" date. If you have emailed the company, print out their response and carry it with you, it's quite difficult for a manager to argue with you, when you are holding their policy in your hands.

I only know of one company that actually has their policy available on line, and that company is Walmart. I have their policy printed and laminated so if there is ever a problem, I can take it out and hand it to the cashier. I have only had to do this on one occassion. You can view their policy HERE. Ginger over at Attention Target Shoppers has the Target Coupon Policy HERE

So now you have learned about how to find coupons, and asking the right questions regarding store policies. Think about what stores you shop at, and go and get their policies. Next week, Maximizing your Savings will Continue with - Stacking coupons, and shopping the sales!


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