Coupon FAQ


Starting out
1. Accumulate coupons - Ask friends and family to save their inserts for you or order extras from the  coupon-clipping services below.
2. Get organized - Use a binder, flexible file, box or envelope to keep your coupons organized so you know how to find them. 
3. Stock up - Build a stock of certain items by buying a supply when they are on sale.  Then this stock will tide you over on that item until the next sale (whenever that may be).  This way you never run out and have to pay full price when an item is not on sale.
4. Use coupons wisely - Don't use a coupon just because you have it.  Buying unnecessary items will not save you money!  If your family doesn't need it and it costs you money, don't buy it!
5. Watch the sales - pair coupons with local grocery/drugstore sales to maximize savings (already done for you on this site!).
6. Know the coupon policies at the stores you shop (summarized below).


Other Useful Tips
-When something is buy-one-get-one-free, you can often use 2 coupons
-If coupon says "off any size" maximize your savings by buying the smallest size
-If a store is out of an advertised sale item, get a raincheck to use later
-Plan meals around your stockpile
-Watch for price discrepancies at checkout and make sure all coupons deduct properly
-Try different brands when they are on sale because it saves you money
-Don't shop when you're hungry!
-Make a shopping list of needed items and stick to it
-Remember one store does not have the lowest prices on anything
-Avoid emergency grocery purchases and trips to convenience stores




Common Couponing Abbreviations
MFQ - manufacturer's coupon
TQ - target coupon
ETQ - expired target coupon
IPQ/IPC - internet printable coupon
GC - gift card
BOGO - buy one get one free
WYB - when you buy
OOP - out of pocket
YMMV - your mileage may vary
SCO - self check-out
ESR - easy saver rebate (Walgreens)
SCR - single check rebate (Rite Aid)
RR - Register Reward or Catalina.  Prints out from register, good toward any next purchase.
P&G - Proctor & Gamble coupon insert
V - Valassis coupon inserts
RP - Red Plum coupon insert
SS - SmartSource coupon insert




Store Coupon Policies

Target/Supertarget - accept one TQ and one MFQ per item.  Accepts IPQ's.  Some targets accept ETQ's, but ymmv.  Most will accept anything that scans - old 2-barcode ETQ's will scan, and 1-barcode ETQ's and TQ's will scan until exactly 1 month past their expiration. POLICY HERE.
 
Walgreens - accepts one store coupon and one MFQ per item. Accepts IPQ's. POLICY HERE AND HERE.

Rite Aid - accepts one store coupon and one MFQ per item.  Most Rite Aid's will now accept IPQ's up to $5, but ymmv. POLICY HERE AND HERE.

Walmart/SuperWalmart - accepts MFQ's and IPCs.  Cannot get overage (use a coupon for more than value of the item) at SCO, must go to regular cashier.  If an item rings up for more than shelf price, Walmart policy is to give you $3 off the price the item scans for.  If item is less than $3, you get it free.  One item per $3 discount. POLICY HERE.

Albertsons - accepts MFQ's and IPQ's.  Will combine one store coupon with one MFQ per item.

Kroger (Smith's) - accept MFQ's and IPC's.  If an item scans incorrectly, you get the item free (if under $3.00) or $3 off (if over $3.00).





Target Coupon Generators (host TQ's and ETQ's)
Target.com
A Full Cup
Hot Coupon World (requires free registration)
Organic Grocery Deals

 
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