Editor’s Blog
“I’ve dedicated years to getting deals for myself and my family. I love the thrill of the chase and finding ways to get something for less. Check this blog often. I’ll highlight the top coupons, coupon codes and deals. I’m also posting highlights on Twitter throughout the day. Oh and please email me if you have any hot coupon tips!”
- Marnie Moore
Proctor & Gamble Brandsaver 7/5/2009, and eSaver!
This weekend, there is only one coupon insert from Proctor and Gamble. Find our preview here. Normally, there are no coupon inserts published on a holiday weekend, so we are lucky this time. We have a bonus! Thanks P&G!
In select areas, you can also benefit from P&G eSaver coupons. These are coupons that are electronically loaded onto your store loyalty card. Right now, stores that are participating include Carr’s, City Market, Dillons, Dominick’s, Fry’s, Genuardi’s, JC, King Soopers, Kroger, Pavilions, QFC, Ralphs, Randall’s, Safeway, Smith’s, Tom Thumb, and Vons. Register for the eSaver program, and then load coupons for one retailer at a time. This is a great deal.
UPromise has featured coupons that can be loaded onto loyalty cards for several years now. The same stores listed above also participate in other online programs for loading loyalty cards. This is smart! Hopefully other stores will soon follow.
Have a safe and happy 4th of July!
Get Free Gifts Through Birthday Clubs
There are a few different venues that will give your kids a little present on their birthday when you sign them up. They might get a free gift card, a free meal or even free toys.
Some of these clubs require quite a bit of advanced notice, so make sure that you sign up early, approximately three months before your child’s birthday.
Here are the current offers.
Register up to six children for the birthday mailer, which besides coupons and gifts, you will get party planning information.
My kids love this club because they get their own gift cars for anything in the store with no minimum purchase. The gift cards are usually for $1, but we have gotten $5 ones in the past.
The Baskin-Robbins birthday club is a fun one because you get…what else…free ice cream! They will also send you coupons throughout the year.
Who says kids have to have all of the fun. You can register your birthday for free ice cream, no matter what your age!
This retailer will give you coupons both on your own birthday and on your child’s birthday. So you can both look nice whether you are going out to dinner for yours or celebrating at home for theirs.
Sonic is a great place for treats for kids. And I really love those sarcastic commercials. Sign the kids up for the Sonic birthday club.
Pets deserve birthdays too! Get them a treat through the Petmart birthday club. Don’t you throw birthday parties for your pets?
Sign up your cat in this feline birthday club. It is just one more way to reassure your cat that it is royalty.
Bob Evans will send you a coupon for a free kids meal on your child’s birthday. Free kids meals can be lifesavers when you are on your way home from sports or day camp and the kids are starving.
Get a free three-scoop sundae plus other birthday offers when you sign up. Do you think they will let you have one with that little face made out of Reeses Pieces?
Become and Arby’s Extras Member and you’ll get coupons year round, plus an extra treat on your birthday. I’m not sure what it is, but it has to be yummy!
Sweet Rewards members get a special treat on their birthday. I wonder if the coupon also entitles you to go straight to the front of the line, since our Brusters is always busy.
What Are The Different Kinds of Coupons (and Where Can You Find Them)
When I first started clipping coupons, the whole thing was pretty easy. You got your coupons from the Sunday inserts and occasionally cut them from a magazine. Today, things are a lot different, and there are multiple sources and types of coupons that you can use. You can often combine some of these coupons as well.
Here is a breakdown of the different kinds of coupons and where you can find them.
Blinkies: These are coupons that come out of a little machine that is attached to a shelf. They have little lights on them that blink. When a coupon is pulled out of the machine, another one takes its place. These coupons usually can’t be doubled.
Booklets: Often mailed to your home when you sign up, these booklets will often contain a number of coupons for different products by a manufacturer. They may also contain recipes and other product information.
Catalina Coupons: These coupons print out from a machine that is attached to the cash register at the grocery store after you pay for your purchase. They are often prompted by the purchases you make, and can be an incentive to try a different brand. Catalina coupons may also be announced in a sales flyer, such as getting money off when you buy a certain combination of items. They can generally be used for that specific store only on a future order.
Hangtags (winetags): These coupons are attached by a string or a cord around the neck of a bottle. They are usually associated with wine, but I have found hang tags on bottles of corn syrup and other products.
Magazines: Coupons can also be found in popular magazines. The magazine, All You, is famous for the number of coupons to be had each month.
Mailed: Mailed coupons are sent in the mail to your home after you sign up for them, usually on a website (coupon booklets are often sent in the mail, too) or contact the product manufacturer by phone. Many mailed coupons are high value coupons, such as coupons for free products.
Packages: Manufacturers often put coupons into their packages for future purchases. The coupon will be advertised on the box. Some common product types that do this are boxed cereals and prepared foods.
Peelies: Peelies are coupons that are attached to a box or container of a product and can be peeled right off in order to use the coupon right away.
Printables: Printable coupons can be printed off of the internet using your own computer. You can find these coupons at manufacturer websites, store websites (such as Target), SmartSource, RedPlum and Coupons.com. Depending on the site and your computer, you may need to download special software in order to get the coupons to print, and these sites are not always Mac compatible.
Sunday Inserts: These are the collections of coupon pages that often appear in the Sunday paper near the comics. There are three main publishers of these Sunday inserts: Smart Source (SS), Red Plum/Vlassis (RP) and P&G BrandSaver (PG). The coupons are regional, meaning that different areas will get different coupons or different amounts off for the same products, depending on the market.
Tearpad: Tearpads are coupons that are usually attached to the shelf near a product in the form of a pad. You can tear off the coupon from the pad and use it right away.
Five Questions to Ask Before Using Grocery Coupons
Using coupons the right way can save you money
1. Even after using the coupon, will your usual brand or the store brand be less expensive?
Check the unit prices and bring a calculator if you aren’t great at doing quick sums in your head (I used to be before having three distracting kids). Many times the store brand is cheaper, even after applying a coupon to another brand.
2. Is the item likely to go on sale soon?
There is nothing better than combining a coupon with a loss leader sale. Sales on grocery items tend to come around on a regular basis, depending on the item. If you keep a price book, you should no if a product is likely to go on sale before your coupon expires.
3. Can you use the item or items before they go bad?
Some coupons require you to purchase multiple copies of the same product or products in combination. If you live alone, do your really need three large jars of mayonnaise, for example?
4. Does the deal require a lot of driving or effort on your part to use the coupon?
If the coupon is only good at Target, but the nearest Target is a 20 minute drive, it might be better to pay a few extra cents at the store just around the corner. If you spend more money in gas than the coupon is worth, then you have lost out.
5. Are there any special promotions coming up when the coupon might be worth more?
Some examples of coupons being worth more later include double or triple coupon days, or in combination with other coupons (buy three General Mills products and get an extra $4 off)? There may also be clearance deals coming up. Have a coupon for plastic wrap? Use it right after Christmas when Red and green plastic wrap gets put on the clearance rack.
Twitter Weekly Updates for 2009-06-28
- Einstein Bros Bagles: B1G1 Free lunch or salad printable coupon: http://bit.ly/EVjaM #
- Amazon.com: 10 free patriotic music downloads! Go to Amazon. Search: Documentary Recordings Presents- Patriotic Music - Amazon Sampler #
- Free Samples from Quality Health. http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/712/ #
- Huggies and Pampers: Recent changes give you less diapers per pack, so check the shelves for older packages that contain more diapers #
- Walmart: Free Miracle Whip. On sale for $2. Use $2/1 tearpad coupon. #
- Giant: Oscar Mayer Franks B1G1 Combine with Free coupon from mail for two free packages! #
- Target: Edy’s Ice cream Cups. Use $1/1 Target coupon. Total: $.19 each. #
- Harris Teeter is doubling coupons up to $1.98. Good through 6/30. #
- Free 1-year subscription to Kiplingers Magazine! http://www.freebizmag.com/emailkiplinger01welcome.htm #
- 30% Off Watchman DVD with this link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5763/ #
- Target: Peelies spotted. $3/2 Pantene. Combine with $1/1 Redplum coupons this Sunday for total $5 off 2! #
- Free sample of Goodnights Boxers: http://bit.ly/QIJKo #
- The Glidden National Paint Giveaway. Free paint! Starting June 25 http://bit.ly/45HXZ #
- Will go fast! Free 2 year subscription to Parents Magazine! http://bit.ly/vbnCv #
- 50% Off Lucy Brand Jeans: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5747/ #
- Drugstore.com: Buy 1 Clariol Hair Color, Get 1 Free! Use link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5740/ #
- ToysRUs has amazing clearance items! High School Musical and Hannah Montana Toys, bubble bath, Neopets. Most priced for $.90 to $1.90! #
- Arbys: Get a free roast beef sandwich with any drink purchase, Wed, 6/24 only. #
- Borders: 25% Off one item today and tomorrow only! http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5737/ #
- Rockport: 15% off with link http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5721/ #
- Puritan’s Pride: Combine 20 Percent off deal (TAP20PT) w/ Buy 1 Get 1 Deal or free shipping. See link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5718/ #
- GNC: Free water bottle with purchase. http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5709/ #
- Printable coupon: $1/2 Carnation Instant Breakfast http://www.carnationbreakfastessentials.com #
- $20 off $50 at Shoebuy.com when you pay with PayPal plus Free Shipping Use link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5720/ #
- Meijer: Skippy PB. Use$0.40/1 coupon, doubles to final price $0.54. Plus Buy 2 Skippy Natural PB and Get a $1 Catalina coupon! #
- Free 2009 Entertainment Book when you buy the 2010 Entertainment book. Use link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5487/ #
- Walgreens: Cheap Band-Aids. Use $1/1 coupon from Red Plum insert (4/26) $.50 final cost. #
- Rite-Aid: Free Mentos Gum. Use $1/1 coupon from Smart Source insert (5/3) #
- Save 20% off one item at Barnes & Noble.com. Use code D3A7V3V and link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5689/ #
- Free sample of Yoplait Whips Yogurt. New Betty Crocker Subscribers only. http://freewhips.yoplait.com/YoplaitCoupFY10/Default.aspx #
- Just added 10!!! Toys R Us embedded coupon links! http://bit.ly/AYmeh #
- Restaurant.com: $25 gift certificates for $2 is back. Code DISH and this link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5675/ Discount at checkout. #
- Walgreens: Unadvertised Deal spotted. 12-inch Red Baron pizza for $1.99 (normally $4.99) #
- Fashion Bug Free shipping code. Use 776277808 and link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5665/ #
Sunday Insert Coupons, and Freebies From Walmart
We have two inserts in the newspaper this weekend, a Smart Source and a Red Plum. Look for a coupon for free Ideal sweetener. This is a new product, and a great way to introduce it.
Next weekend is the July 4 holiday. There will only be one insert on that day, a Proctor and Gamble Brandsaver. This is unusual, inserts are usually not published over holidays.
We’re noticing a trend in stores to help you use more coupons - and come into their store to do it. Walmart this week has many free samples on their website to register for. Visit Walmart.com and find free samples of Playtex Gentle Glide, Kotex, Aveeno, Scott products, and Sun Crystals. Walmart also has links to printable coupons. Some of these take you off site to the manufacturers website. These tie into sales and rollbacks at Walmart. Find printable coupons this week on Walmart.com for Alexia, Hungry Man, Biz, and other products.
Target pioneered the practice of featuring their own coupons and those of manufacturers on their website. Now other stores are following suit. This can only be good for the shopper. By finding ways to encourage you to shop at their stores, and save money with coupons, it is a win win situation.
Find our current inserts here. You can download the list, and take it with you to the store. You don’t have to clip the coupons, just take the insert and refer to the list to find what you need. And as for printables, be sure to check our list of printable coupons which is always being updated. You will find many great values here!
Twitter Updates for 2009-06-25
- Target: Edy’s Ice cream Cups. Use $1/1 Target coupon. Total: $.19 each. #
- Harris Teeter is doubling coupons up to $1.98. Good through 6/30. #
- Free 1-year subscription to Kiplingers Magazine! http://www.freebizmag.com/emailkiplinger01welcome.htm #
- 30% Off Watchman DVD with this link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5763/ #
- Target: Peelies spotted. $3/2 Pantene. Combine with $1/1 Redplum coupons this Sunday for total $5 off 2! #
- Free sample of Goodnights Boxers: http://bit.ly/QIJKo #
- The Glidden National Paint Giveaway. Free paint! Starting June 25 http://bit.ly/45HXZ #
- Will go fast! Free 2 year subscription to Parents Magazine! http://bit.ly/vbnCv #
- 50% Off Lucy Brand Jeans: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5747/ #
What to Do If Your Store Doesn’t Double or Triple Coupons
If your favorite grocery store does not double or triple coupons, then is it still worth doing all of that clipping? How can you get free items without doubling or tripling? Read on, I have some solutions.
First, be sure that your store really doesn’t double or triple coupons. Sometimes stores will double or triple on certain days, or they will offer coupons in their mailed flyers (but not their in-store flyers) that contain coupons that will allow you to double or triple manufacturer coupons.
Shop stores that have other offers, such as allowing you to combine manufacturer coupons or give you register rewards or rebates. Some stores that do this include Target and Meijer.
Pay more attention to loss leader sales. These are items that the store discounts heavily in order to get you in to the store (they are hoping that you will do all of your shopping there). Often combining a coupon with a loss leader will lead to free items.
Look for coupons that have a high face value. Since you don’t have to worry about doubling or tripling up to a certain amount, a high value coupon becomes even more valuable. Look for coupons that are $1 or more off (for people who have stores that double or triple up to $.99, a $.75 coupon is more valuable.
Focus on purchasing items that you would buy anyway. Even $.50 off something that you normally buy is another $.50 in your pocket.
Contact the store manager or headquarters to respectfully ask for a coupon policy change to allow for doubles or triples. You just might get what you ask for!
Twitter Updates for 2009-06-24
- Drugstore.com: Buy 1 Clariol Hair Color, Get 1 Free! Use link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5740/ #
- ToysRUs has amazing clearance items! High School Musical and Hannah Montana Toys, bubble bath, Neopets. Most priced for $.90 to $1.90! #
- Arbys: Get a free roast beef sandwich with any drink purchase, Wed, 6/24 only. #
- Borders: 25% Off one item today and tomorrow only! http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5737/ #
- Rockport: 15% off with link http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5721/ #
- Puritan’s Pride: Combine 20 Percent off deal (TAP20PT) w/ Buy 1 Get 1 Deal or free shipping. See link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5718/ #
- GNC: Free water bottle with purchase. http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5709/ #
Twitter Updates for 2009-06-24
- Drugstore.com: Buy 1 Clariol Hair Color, Get 1 Free! Use link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5740/ #
- ToysRUs has amazing clearance items! High School Musical and Hannah Montana Toys, bubble bath, Neopets. Most priced for $.90 to $1.90! #
- Arbys: Get a free roast beef sandwich with any drink purchase, Wed, 6/24 only. #
- Borders: 25% Off one item today and tomorrow only! http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5737/ #
- Rockport: 15% off with link http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5721/ #
- Puritan’s Pride: Combine 20 Percent off deal (TAP20PT) w/ Buy 1 Get 1 Deal or free shipping. See link: http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5718/ #
- GNC: Free water bottle with purchase. http://www.freecoupons.com/goto/5709/ #
