15 Days of Couponing Day 7: eCoupons the Alternate to Clipping

by Briana Carter on March 10, 2009

Day 1: We all have to shop! Why not save money while doing it?
Day 2: The Language of Couponers – Translated!
Day 3: Where Art Thou Coupons?
Day 4: Know Thy Coupon (What does that fine print mean?)
Day 5: When to Use Your Coupons
Day 6: Buy Groceries, Pay for College with Upromise eCoupons
Day 7: eCoupons the Alternate to Clipping
Day 8: Don’t Get Mad, Get a Rain Check
Day 9: Advance Your Couponing Skills with Rebates
Day 10: Stockpiling
Day 11: Organize Your Coupon Stash
Day 12: Surviving the Checkout Lane

No clipping, no printing, no fuss when using eCoupons. Cellfire, Shortcuts, P&G eCoupons, and Upromise eCoupons offer this convenient alternate to paper coupons. Cellfire and Shortcuts are limited to Kroger shoppers (and the whole family of Kroger grocery stores.) While P&G eSavers can be used at Kroger and Safeway stores. Hopefully, more stores will participate in these programs as they become more popular.

Many stores participate in the Upromise eCoupons program and you can read more about how the Upromise eCoupon program works from yesterday’s post: Buy Groceries, Pay for College with Upromise eCoupons.

How it Works

Sign up for an account and register your participating store cards with Shortcuts, Cellfire, and P&G eSavers.
Load the coupons you want. I just go ahead and load all that I’m allowed to be on the safe side. It takes about an hour for it to be loaded on your store loyalty card so don’t wait until the last minute to load ‘em. You will want to check and make sure they are loaded before going out to shop.
Shop at your participating stores with your registered store loyalty card. When you purchase participating items, the amount of the eCoupon will be deducted at checkout.
If you have a problem with your eCoupon being deducted, contact the eCoupon provider with the link provided on their website. You usually have 30 days to report a problem.

eCoupons normally don’t double so sometimes you save more by using a paper coupon. However, eCoupons are a great option for those who don’t want the hassle of clipping, sorting, etc. Even if you don’t want to do coupon match ups, activate your eCoupon savings and if you happen to buy one of the products – YAY for you for unintentionally saving a little dough!

eCoupons & Paper Coupons

eCoupons from Shortcuts, Cellfire, and P&G eSavers are not meant to be used with paper coupons. However, most of the time you will be able to obtain both discounts. Probably even discounts from all four eCoupons places and paper coupons if there is a coupon for the same product available on all.

However, this is not how it is intended. I do know that is very hard to remember which coupons you have loaded on the card as well as values. So maybe your paper coupon is a higher value but you already loaded the eCoupon? What do you do?

These are issues which eCoupon companies/manufacturer/stores need to get a better handle on how to use these without being unethical or violating their rules. Because as we know, improper coupon usage hurts us all. You can read two different opinions about this at Mommysnacks.net and SouthernSavers. Each has a differing view on the opinion – my opinion is I won’t intentionally use both but I can’t remember it all! (Really, it isn’t too hard for me because my main shopping store doesn’t even offer eCoupons!)

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, read yesterday’s edition and stay tuned for tommorrow’s edition.

15 Days of Couponing Day 6: Buy Groceries, Pay for College with Upromise eCoupons

by Briana Carter on March 9, 2009

Day 11: Organize Your Coupon Stash
Day 12: Surviving the Checkout Lane

Yes, you can buy groceries AND save for college. How? With a completely FREE program called Upromise. After signing up for Upromise and linking your store rewards cards like a Kroger Plus Card, Meijer One Card, CVS Extra Care Card, Marsh Fresh Idea Card and more, you will begin earning a small percent on participating items. You can earn in other ways but this is the easiest way and it requires you to do nothing besides buy things as you normally would.

Another way, which is new in the last year is called Upromise eCoupons. For this, you also have to have your store cards linked to your account but you will also want to go into the eCoupon portion each month and activate all of the eCoupons available. I never buy something because it is specifically on the eCoupon list but I go ahead and activate them all just in case I buy something on the list. At least once a month I buy a few items. So I’ve easily collected $10 in my account by making the same purchases as I normally would.

upromisescreenshot 15 Days of Couponing Day 6: Buy Groceries, Pay for College with Upromise eCoupons

Our Savings over the past years

Upromise eCoupons are not taken off your bill at the register but rather credited to your Upromise account. So you can use manufacturer’s coupon along with the eCoupons. A few of my favorite eCoupons right now $1 for buying Huggies, $1.50 for Huggies Supreme, .45 for Little Debbies 100 calorie snacks, .50 for Charmin (we all have to use TP!), and many more.

We’ve had our Upromise account since the first year it started and we’ve accumulated a nice amount from this program by doing nothing extra than our normal spending. Every little bit counts especially when you are saving for college. What is nice about Upromise is you can also set up a 529 plan through Upromise and have your earning go directly into the acount.

If you don’t know about 529 plans, the highlights include:

Earnings are free from federal or state tax.
Qualified withdrawals are free from federal tax
You can use savings from your 529 plan at any accredited college
You maintain control of the account

All of our children have a 529 set up in their name and we add any gift money their receive to their account and a small amount every month. They all have “Age Based Plans” and while they do not have a huge amount of money in their account, it has far outperformed our Simple Retirement Fund Investments. It has actually made money while our personal retirement plans have only lost money!

So maybe you don’t have a child? You can allocate your Upromise earnings to someone else – maybe a grandchild, another relative, or a friend. Here’s one other little trick – Current College student listen up! You can even name YOURSELF as the beneficiary and use it for current college expenses, future college expenses OR student loan payments. If you are in college, you can add money to your own 529 plan and benefit from the tax savings as some states like Indiana even allow a small tax credit for contributing to your account. of course, there are limits so you will want to check with your own financial advisor for more information or read more about it on Upromise.com.

Other ways to earn

Register your debit & credit cards. You will earn $ when shopping at participating retailers
Shop online through their links.
Ask your friends and family to link to your account.
Sign up for the Citibank Upromise Credit Card. You will earn for your purchase. Just make sure to pay it off every month or you will negate your savings with the finance charges.
Check out the Upromise Message boards for creative ways to save and earn with Upromise. Currently, they have a messiest room picture contest. Too bad we just cleaned the kid’s rooms. You can win $150 gift card to Kmart if you have the messiest room.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for Upromise and pay for college.

15 Days of Couponing Day 5: Maximize Your Coupon by Using it at the Right Time!

by Briana Carter on March 8, 2009

Day 11: Organize Your Coupon Stash
Day 12: Surviving the Checkout Lane

Yes, I missed Saturday – We had a very exciting high school basketball game to attend to. I apologize to anyone who was waiting for this!

So now that you know the basics of coupons, when do you use it? One of the biggest complaints about couponing I hear is the items with coupons are more expensive anyway. Usually, they are – regular price. So don’t just use a coupon because you have it or because it is about to expire. Use it when the item is on sale for a low price, there is a CVS Extra Buck Deal, a mail in rebate, or another offer! This is how you can get brand name items cheaper than their generic counterparts.

FREE COUPONS

For example, I had a (3) Free Cheerios coupons, which didn’t expire until 2010 but I was itching to use them. Though, I knew there would be a CVS General Mills Extra Buck deal at some point. Luckily, I save it and was able to completely rock a “Buy $20 of GM products, Get $10 back” with that coupon. So even “Free” Coupons can be maximized even further.

COUPON EXPIRATION

Don’t feel bad about letting other coupons expires. You may be tempted to use that $1/1 coupon just because it expires today but usually when it expires, another one will be coming in the paper! So unless, it is a free coupon or a coupon that makes an item very cheap, don’t use it because it as about to expire.

ROCK BOTTOM PRICES

Use your coupon when the sale price is the lowest possible price. This will maximize your coupon usage. Some track their 30 top items with a spreadsheet. I have my lowest price I will pay for certain items all stored in memory. For example, I never pay more than .25 for a tube of toothpaste. Even that is too much anymore when we have 15 already in our stockpile. If you are not brand specific, almost every week you can find a toothpaste for free at one of the drug stores.

Use sites like mine to find all the hard work of matching up coupons to the best sale prices. See my grocery store deals or drug store deals.

DOUBLES

Use your coupons at stores that double to make your coupons go further. Check your store for details but many stores will double coupons up to .50 – valuable for those lower value coupons!

STACKING

Many stores allow “stacking”. This is the coupon terminology used to associate using a Manufacturer’s Coupon with a Store Coupon. This allows for a deeper discount on a product. You can tell if your coupon is a manufacturer’s or store coupon by looking at the top of the coupon. CVS and Walgreens as well as other stores allow this type of stacking.

15 Days of Couponing Day 4: Know Thy Coupon (What does that fine print mean?)

by Briana Carter on March 6, 2009

In case you run into any problems with your coupons, KNOW what all the “official” language on it means. Many of the problems at the register occur because we don’t read the fine print as many coupons as size or variety specifications.

One Coupon per Purchase

If you buy one bottle of shampoo, you can use one manufacturer’s coupon for that bottle. If you have additional coupons, you have to buy another item to be able to use that coupon. You are not allowed to use two manufacturer’s coupon per item. So if you had 10 coupons and 10 items, this is allowed. I used to think this meant I could only use one coupon per transaction. How far I’ve come! (You can still use (1) manufacturer’s coupon and (1) store coupon at many stores.)

One Coupon per Item Purchased
This is the same as one coupon per purchase but with better language specifically stating one coupon per item purchased.

One Coupon per Customer/Family
This is rare but I have noticed this on some internet coupons or a big coupon like $5/20 purchase. The way around this is to make multiple transactions (if store allows) or multiple trips. YMMV on these types of coupons.

One Coupon per Transaction

You are only allowed one coupon for this item for each transaction. This is to try to limit how many you purchase in a transaction. So, just make a few transactions whether in one trip or multiple trips to get around this.

Do Not Double

Language on a coupon that does not allow doubling. However, if the coupon starts with a 5 will double regardless (if the store allows doubles). If the coupon starts with a 9, it will not double.

15 Days of Couponing Day 3: Where Art Thou Coupons?

by Briana Carter on March 5, 2009

Coupons are lurking everywhere. You just need to learn to sniff them out. My main source of coupons is the Sunday Newspaper. (Subscribe to your discounted subscription through Discounted Newspapers.) You can visit TaylorTown Preview to find out which inserts will be available for the week. I subscribe the newspaper but if I need extra inserts I will buy additional newspapers. Other places to find coupons include:

In Packages/Out of Packages Don’t throw that package away. There may be a coupon inside the box.
Magazines Many magazines have coupons in them scattered throughout the magazine. There is one magazine which has over $30 in coupons every single month – All You magazine. I highly recommend subscribing to this magazine.
In the mail When you sign up for samples, newsletters for a product, many times they will send up a coupon with it.
In Store Brochures Don’t overlook the in store pamplets. Look through them quickly to see if there is coupons in it before passing by.
Doctor’s Office Keep your eye out for coupons at the Doctor’s or Dentist offices.
Newspapers Besides insert coupons, sometimes you can score coupons in Parade Magazine, or in the actual print pages of the newspaper. Keep your eyes open when reading the paper. Or you can be like me and never read any of it and just scan for the coupons.
Blinkies at the Supermarket Many grocery stores have “blinkies”, called that because they blink, near products. These coupons are ones youusually can’t find anywhere else and can be used at any store, not just the store you find them in.
Tearpads Coupons, you can tear off, near a product are called tearpads. These are usually manufacturer’s coupons that can be used at any store.
Peelies Sometimes you will get lucky and there is already a coupon on a product you want to buy.
Product Testing Sites You can receive coupons from product testing sites like She Speaks, Vocalpoint,Pssst from General Mills, and My Blog Spark
Fair/Conventions/Festivals I was at an airshow last summer where they were giving out $5 off coupons for a new dog food! You could score big.
Recycle Bins You can usually find Sunday Coupon inserts right on top without much effort. Always ask the recycle first if it is okay as there may be local ordinances against it.
Coffee Shops/Airports/Other Public Locations Many people just read their Sunday paper and don’t want the inserts. You may be able to score some this way.
Buy Insert Coupons Online You can purchase already clipped coupons on Ebay or other internet sources. You are paying them for the time to clip them/sort them/mail them and not for the actual coupon.
Coupons to Share At the front of my Marsh store, there is a place where you can give or take coupons. Check with your store or maybe suggest they set aside a place where couponers can share.

Search the Bargain Briana Coupon Database for more coupons!

Printable Coupon Sources

Coupons.com – Currently there is a $5 and $3 Huggies printable as well as other valuable coupons. These are reset each month.
Betty Crocker
Box Tops for Education
List of “Bricks” printables available on different manufacturer’s website
Eat Better America Coupons
Pillsbury
Red Plum
Very Best Baking (Nestle)
Smart Source
Family Cents (General Mills)

As you can see there are many places where you can find coupons as long as you keep your eyes open.

Any other places you have found coupons? Any unusual places?

15 Days of Couponing Day 2: The Language of Couponers – Translated!

by Briana Carter on March 4, 2009

by sgrace

15 days of Couponing

B1G1 w/$1/1 q (3-1SS) & ES, earn RR, submit MIR (YMMV)

Look like a foreign language to you? It made my head spin when I first started couponing. You won’t find many abbreviations on here because I try to spell things out clearly so the average coupon user understands. Hopefully, you find that helpful.

In case you run into any of this “code”, here’s a translation list to help you out:

BLINKIES = In-Store Smart Source Coupons. They are called “blinkies” because their little box blinks to get your attention and are near products. Kids are great spotters for these coupons! Note: These coupons usually say “do not double” on them and can be used anywhere manufacturer coupons are accepted. So if you find a blinkie coupon at one store you can take one and use it at another store.

BOGO/B1G1 = Buy One Get One

BTFE – Box Tops for Education (School reward program)

CATALINA = Coupon printed at register after purchased qualifying items. You can use these on another transaction usually at that particular store only. I like to use these ASAP if I’m at a store I don’t normally shop at so I don’t forget about them.

CLFE = Campbell’s Labels for Education (School reward program)

CNP = Coupon Near Product (similar to BLINKIES)

CPN = Coupon

CRT = Customer Receipt Tape. CVS receipt coupons to be used at CVS/pharmacy stores only.

DND = Do not Double (Some coupons have this language)

DOUBLE COUPON = Coupon that a store doubles in value

EB/ECB = ExtraCare Bucks you can use at CVS/pharmacy only.

ES = Easy Saver Rebate program from Walgreens.

FAR = Free After Rebate

FIC = Fresh Idea Card (Marsh)

GC= Gift Card

GM = General Mills (Coupon Insert you will find in the Sunday Papers. These seem to come out every month or so.)

IP or IPQ = Internet Printable coupons

IVC = Instant Value Coupon (Walgreens Store coupon found in monthly Easy Saver Booklet)

K = Kellogg’s (Coupon Insert you will find in the Sunday Papers. These are rare but usually 1-2x a year you will find these.)

MFR = Manufacturer

MIR = Mail in Rebate

OOP = Out of Pocket

OOS = Out of Stock

P&G = Proctor & Gamble (Coupon Insert you will find in the Sunday Papers at least once a month.)

Peelie = Coupon you peel off package. Ethical couponing tip: Please don’t peel off a coupon to use at another store. These are meant for that product only unlike blinkies or tear pads!

PSA = Prices Starting At

Q = coupon

RC = Rain Check

RP= Red Plum (Coupon Insert you will find in the Sunday Papers which you may or may not get depending on your area.)

RR = Register Rewards at Walgreens (Similar to Catalinas)

SCR = Single Check Rebate (This seems to be specific to Rite Aid, which I don’t cover on a normal basis.)

SS= Smart Source (Coupon Insert you will find in the Sunday Papers almost every week.)

STACKING = Using mutiple coupons for one product. Most stores will allow you to stack store coupon and manufacturer coupons. For example, you can stack a CVS/pharmacy CRT with a manufacturer’s coupon. Stacking includes stacking coupons with your MIR to reduce your OOP.

TEAR PAD = A pad of coupons or MIR near a product or on display. These are usually manufacturer’s coupons that you can use at any store which accepts manufacturer’s coupons.

UPC = Universal Product Code

WT = Winetag (Rebate form found on Wine Bottles. Only allowed in certain states. If you have never seen them like me, your state probably doesn’t allow them!)

WYB= When You Buy

YMMV = Your Mileage May Vary (Depends on certain store policies/factors whether the deal will work.)

Some other things you will see:

$1/1, $2/1, $2/2, etc. = This means you will get $1 off 1 product purchased, $2 off 1, $2 off 2, etc.

2/$1, 3/$4, 4/$5, etc. = This means two items costs $1 or .50/each, 3 items costs $4 or $1.33/each, etc. You can just buy unless the offer specifically states you must buy X amount to get the discounted price.

Any other abbreviations I missed, leave me a comment or share so we can all learn!

15 Days of Couponing Day 1: We all have to shop! Why not save money while doing it?

by Briana Carter on March 3, 2009

We all have to shop. Some of us hate it. Others love it. Some get all hot and sweating just walking into a store. Maybe you fall somewhere in the middle.

Before I started couponing, I was a grocery shopping hater and was overwhelemed. Our every 4-6 mega trip was so expensive and time consuming we would just start tossing things into our cart with no regard for the price or plan. Then we would get home and wonder where all the food we purchased was.

Then, in 2006, I started researching how to cut our grocery costs online and I haven’t looked back. I’m not going to lie to you – it does take time and effort. Once you get it all figured out and get a system that works for you in place, you can cut your grocery bill in half or more AND save time. With meal planning, lists, stockpiling items when they are their lowest price, you will find shopping to be a much more rewarding experience.

According to the Coupon Council 89% of shoppers USE coupons. However, those shoppers are only saving around 7%. As a “coupon freak” , I know even the average user can save more by using their coupons effectively with just a little more effort.

Again, I won’t lie to you. Don’t have unrealistic expectations to begin with. You will mess up deals. You will forget your coupons. You will let them expire. This happens to even the hard core couponing queens. However, even with my coupon screw ups, I have more successes and savings than ever.

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, stay tuned for tommorrow’s edition where I give you all the scoop on coupon lingo!

← PREVIOUS ENTRIES

NEXT ENTRIES →