15 Days of Couponing Day 14: Ten Commandments of Couponing

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Stores and manufacturer’s give us such great deals there is not reason to abuse the system. I encourage everyone to follow these “commandments” when it comes to couponing. We play within the rules and it makes it easier for everyone. When people start abusing the system, stores and manufacturers cut back or give the honest couponers a hard time!

  1. Thou Shall Not Used Expired Coupons. Unless it is your stores policy to accept them. Sometimes they will not beep even with expired.
  2. Thou Shall Use the Coupon for the Item is intended.
  3. Thous Shall understand the requirements & restrictions on the coupon. Read the coupon language carefully. Sometimes there is a certain number you have to purchase or a specific variety is only included on the coupon.
  4. Thou Shall Not Decode the Coupon to misuse the coupon.
  5. Thou Shall Not Alter Coupons.
  6. Thous Shall Not Make Copies of Printable Coupons. Making copies of printable coupons is a big “no no”.
  7. Thou Shall Not Clear the Shelves.
  8. Thou Shall Question Any FREE coupon items for legitimacy. The old adage, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
  9. Thou Shall Not Misuse the Self Checkout System.
  10. Thou Shall Use Your Couponing Powers for Good Only!

The 15 Days of Couponing will guide you through the art of couponing. It is a skill that you can learn and maximize to the full potential to help your family and help others. So if you are interested in cutting your grocery budget in half or more, check out the 15 Days of Couponing Series!

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comments { 16 Comments }
  • Kari Fischer - October 19, 2009 @ 12:17 pm 1

    Thank you for posting these! I think it’s really important to play by the rules and to play fair! Nothing urks me more than to go to the store to cash in on a good deal only to find that a few greedy couponers have cleaned out the shelves with their stock of 15 coupons! It’s not the way it’s supposed to be and if we’re not careful they could always cut out coupons althogether! That would be horrible!!!

  • Maggie - October 19, 2009 @ 1:08 pm 2

    I agree except for clearing off the shelves. I will do thism but only if an item is free and I have enough coupons for whatever is left. Usually there is still plenty. Others are almost always able to get rain checks (and I have gotten many myself). Sometimes you can actually score a better deal with a rain check later when a better coupon comes up.

  • jamie - October 19, 2009 @ 10:36 pm 3

    Hey! I did one of these too! I totally agree with you- here’s my 10 commandments:
    http://chattanoogacheapskate.com/2009/07/18/the-10-commandments-of-couponing/

  • Crystal The Coupon Momma - May 16, 2010 @ 12:20 am 4

    I Love this im going to post it with a link back to your site.
    .-= Crystal The Coupon Momma´s last blog ..$1/1 Nestle Drumstick Frozen Dessert =-.

  • Sarah - January 07, 2011 @ 8:24 pm 5

    Maybe someone should tell the “Extreme Couponers” on TLC some of these commandments… they really are making the rest of responsible couponers look KRAZY and terrible :(

  • Joe - January 16, 2011 @ 8:40 am 6

    This is really stupid!

    • Briana Carter - January 16, 2011 @ 9:53 am 6.1

      Can you can you please explain why instead of just throwing out words like that? Thanks, Briana

  • Ashley - April 07, 2011 @ 4:40 pm 7

    Im a newbie and just wondering about coping internet coupons, if it allows me to print more i can? Or is this rule so u dont take the coupon to a copy machine ?

    Thank you
    ashley

    • Briana Carter - April 07, 2011 @ 6:27 pm 7.1

      Yes, if it allows you to print more it is okay! Usually bricks, smartsource, and coupons.com will allow you up to 2 prints of a coupon! :)

      • Ashley - April 08, 2011 @ 11:59 am

        Thank you :)

    • Briana Carter - April 07, 2011 @ 6:27 pm 7.2

      Yes, if it allows you to print more it is okay! Usually bricks, smartsource, and coupons.com will allow you up to 2 prints of a coupon! :)

  • mary - April 08, 2011 @ 2:16 pm 8

    Question: If I have a B1G1 coupon for deodorant and an aditional $ off Q for that deodorant, can I use both Qs on 2 items(BOGO goes on 1st item, $ off goes on 2nd)? Or is this a store by store policy? Thanks!!!

  • Jennie - July 24, 2011 @ 8:39 pm 9

    I agree that you should not ‘clear the shelves’. That has already been a rule of mine.

    Now, if you are buying the last two… I guess thats too bad for the next person. No one needs 30 two litres of diet coke :P

  • Beth Anne - December 21, 2011 @ 3:05 am 10

    I love this! Can I share it on my blog?

    • BargainBriana: Kilah - December 21, 2011 @ 3:19 pm 10.1

      Sure, please just be sure to thank BargainBriana and link to this post! OR you can share via Facebook or Twitter. We appreciate it!

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