Tip #1
6/25/12
When you shop at Kmart remember that in order for coupons to double you must spend $25 in grocery, household, or drugstore items. This is before manufacturers coupons, of course!
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Tip #2
6/26/12
When shopping for groceries just buy what's on sale! Buy One Get One deals are usually really great and there are other sales too! You don't have to have coupons to save money...you just have to shop sensibly and buy ONLY what's on sale...that is the KEY! Look closely at the tags..if it says ...Save $0.10!!...that's not really a sale!
When you begin you will have to fill your pantry, but after that just make a trip each week to the grocery store and ...once again...buy ONLY what's on sale and buy enough to last several weeks...until it goes on sale again! Then if you want to add coupons you can..they just save a little extra!
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Tip #3
6/27/12
When shopping at Bi-Lo, be sure to take your reusable bags! They take $0.05 off your total for every bag you use! So even more ways to save! There are other stores that do this, so be sure to ask!
Tip #7
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Tip #8
7/2/12
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Tip #4
6/28/12
Clipping all of my coupons out every week, in my opinion, is such a waste of time AND it seems I never use all of the coupons I clip, even though I think I might use this or that.....Try keeping your inserts all together in an accordion file. Label on the front with date and then whenever you see my match-ups, just look for the insert and date. Then, go to that file and clip the coupons you need!! Saves loads of time and there is a lot less mess... which for me, as a mom, the less mess I have to clean, the better! Try this method and let me know what you think! You can also buy the handheld ones for organizing your coupons at the store!
P.S. - I recommend taking file folder to store just in case.....
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Tip #5
Have the kids ever tried to throw things in the cart or you haven't eaten supper and you want those Cheez-its that are over priced this week? Yeah...me too! This is a BIG ONE! Always take cash when you go to the grocery store. That way you have a set budget and won't over spend! The kids may try to throw things in the cart and those Cheez-its are always calling my name, but unless they deserve a reward or just maybe I have a little extra money...I don't buy anything I haven't planned for!! If you buy things that aren't on sale you are not saving and more than likely you don't need it if it's not on the list! Trust me...Cheez-its are not a good diet plan!
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Tip #5
6/29/12
| My favorite cash!! |
| My honey's favorite Cash! |
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Tip #6
6/30/12
Buy One Get One deals are different at drugstores than grocery stores. For example, at CVS if there is a BOGO deal, it means when you buy both you are actually getting one product for free. At Bi-Lo, however BOGO deals mean the item is half off...so you don't have to buy both items to get the sale!! If you only need one... get one! I did this today...there was such a great bunch of deals I couldn't pass up the Mayo that I have jars of at home...$2.79 for one (BOGO deal)...I had a $1.50 catalina that printed last week and a $0.50 Q from Food Lion Savings Booklet...so brand name, big jar for $0.79!!!...if I had had more coupons I would have bought two!
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7/1/12
It's vacation time! I have tried to remember everything to take with me, so I do not have to buy anything once we got here...still forgot a few things, but did okay. So, be sure to make a list of things you need and give yourself plenty of time to pack and then check to see that you have everything! I forgot MY body wash..of all things..I mean I could do without a snack, or even my phone, or laptop..but BODY WASH! Having a blast!...Oh and don't forget the camera! Lots of memories to be made!
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Tip #8
7/2/12
Tip...when you first start couponing you may think you have to get every deal. I did! Well...just like I was told..don't try it...there will be more coupons in a few weeks and there will be more deals! If you go and try for every deal you will get burnt out with couponing....so just take your time....AND stick to your budget!
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Tip #9
7/3/12
When you go on vacation,......look for coupons! Most vacation spots have coupon books for attractions and dining. Just keep your eyes open! I found FREE coupon booklets at convenient stores and at the beach shops.....tons of coupons to be had! So don't think you can't save while on vacation too, because you can!
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Tip #10
7/5/12
Well, yesterday was a busy day! Just a quick tip....I have to run out to CVS today and thought of this one....As soon as you walk in the door at CVS go to the Magic Coupon Machine (it is actually also the price check station)! There are just about always great coupons that are CVS store coupons that you can stack with manufacturer coupons!! I got a $4 off Huggies Pull-ups, a Buy 3 Get 1 Free Hallmark Cards, $3 off any Olay Facial, $6 off any Coppertone Wet 'n Clear...that's approximately $14.50 in savings just in CVS store coupons!
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Tip #11
7/6/12
Here's a little FYI....I had to go to CVS yesterday, because I have some kind of infection under my skin on my foot (I think I stepped on something in the pier?!). So I simply called my doctor, and she called in an antibiotic to the nearest CVS here at the beach! Totally easy! I walked in gave them my insurance and paid the co-pay...then walked right out the door with my meds! I guess there are other drugstores that can do this too, but it was just so easy at one of my favorite places...CVS!
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Tip #12
7/7/12
Home Sweet Home!! Today I would just like to tip those who are like my husband and how I used to be....We stopped at the closest gas station to wash all the salt off the car and after several minutes of waiting for the car wash to start we pulled on through. We had paid and the person in front of us went through the wash with no problem...We couldn't figure it out and my husband was getting upset and just pulled out of the parking lot! Needless to say, I convinced him pretty quickly to go back and get our money back! I used to be the one who would just forget it and go on... embarrassed or just upset, but now I don't throw any money away if I can help it!
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Tip #13
7/8/12
So tired!!!! Tip...don't go to the store when you are hungry, tired, or in a hurry. I promise you will buy things you don't need and spend more money than you want to, if you do! So...don't do it!
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Tip #14
7/10/12
If you start to get overwhelmed or burnt out on coupons............... just take a break! There will be deals out there tomorrow, so just let it go!
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Tip #15
7/11/12
Electronic coupons are the best! For Bi-Lo, go to there site and click on the e-coupons button! (You do need to have the Bi-Lo bonus card!) Just browse through the coupons and add them all or just the ones you think you will use to your card. You can stack manufacturers coupons with these because they are Bi-Lo store coupons!
There are also 2 other great e-coupon sites! Upromise and SavingStar. You can find there links on my site! These work just the way Bi-Lo e-coupons do! Just add all of your grocery store cards to your account on these sites and then add the e-coupons that you want! These will not come off at the register like manufacturer coupons and Bi-LO e-coupons, but in a few days you will have extra savings on your SavingStar account and you can add that to your bank account, or get an Amazon card, etc.
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Tip #16
7/12/12
I thought I might go over some of the abbreviations that I use and that you might see....
SS - this stands for Smart Source...this is the insert you get in the paper
(the date following is the Sunday that it came out)
RP - RedPlum Insert
PG - Proctor and Gamble
FL - Food Lion
WYB - when you buy
BOGO - buy one get one
RA - Rite Aid
ECB - Extra Care Bucks (CVS)
UP - Rite Aid's Rewards Program Bucks
ETS - excludes trial size
MIR - Mail-in Rebate
MFR -manufacturer
OOP - out of pocket
Q - coupon
SQ - store coupon
There are probably lots of other, so if you ever need to know or have other questions just leave a comment!
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Tip #17
7/13/12
I don't really have a couponing tip today....too exhausted!!!! Oh! Here's a tip! DON"T go on vacation the week before you have a busy week!!! I was so tired last Saturday and now I am beyond exhausted!!!!!
It's been a few days since I posted a tip so here it is! Here's a tip I have started using....Plan your meals around the sales! I got a great deal on hot-dogs and pork-chops last week so we are having hot-dogs for supper tonight and we had pork-chops yesterday! Also, this is the time of year for vegetable gardens! You can save tons of money by growing your own food and it is much better! Having chicken, potatoes, okra, tomatoes, and mac 'n' cheese for lunch....(I make bigger lunches because of my hubby's work schedule). If you don't have a garden there are plenty who do who sell or even give away their veggies!
I have been couponing for over a year now. I have seen things change already with coupons!! So, it is always a good idea to get refreshed on couponing from time to time...I do! A great way to do that is to check out YouTube or bloggers that have videos. I have recently watched SouthernSavers.com's new coupon workshops videos! Jenny now has workshops online, so you don't have to leave the comfort of your home to learn policies, tips, and tricks about couponing! It is always good to get reminded about things you have forgotten or learn new things!
Remember on the last post I talked about getting refreshed?? Well I had forgotten about calling and emailing companies to get coupons!!!! Just look what I got in the mail!!!!! All for just the price of a few minutes of time! I just looked on some blogs and selected the diapers (2) sample..it was from Costco which we don't even have! Got a FREE Tyson any frozen fully cooked product coupon and $0.50 off of 2 Bird's Eye coupon just from contacting the company and asking!! Also got the $7 off any Nature Made vitamin by setting up an account with Nature Made and adding the points from the label of all my Nature Made vitamins....this coupon was 500 points!?(I think!) ....All of these coupons will make for some FREE items matched with the right sales!..I have others on the way as well!
Well I was at the grocery store and there were a ton of rebates at the front on a table....for beer...but you didn't have to buy any beer for the rebate. The rebate comes from the company, but it was on meat and poultry products! I think this is probably okay because I don't see how it promotes the beer!!?? Anyway...I bought $12 worth of steak and have sent in the rebate to get $10 back...so $2 for steak!! Pretty good I think! So look for these..you may even be able to go to there websites and find them!
Seriously...it may not look like I did that great to you, but I was really excited to get all of this for under $10!
Just thought of something some of you may not know! You can print TWO of each printable coupon for EACH COMPUTER you have! So if you have 2 computers you can print 4 of each and so on.....HOWEVER you can only print one of each at a time usually.....and some websites do restrict to 1, but coupons.com, redplum.com, couponnetwork.com, smartsource.com, and many other manufacturers allow 2!
Also, Bi-Lo will take competitor coupons from many stores but these coupons DO NOT DOUBLE...but you can stack them with Bi-Lo ecoupons and manufacturer coupons!! Meaning sometimes you will be able to use three coupons on 1 item (this won't happen very often :( but it will happen!)
SavingStar is just another way to save! The cool thing about it is it is extra savings after coupons! For example at Bi-Lo you can use a manufacturer's coupon, a Bi-Lo ecoupon, a competitor coupon and still use the SavingStar coupon all together on one item! SavingStar will not come off at the register, however. These savings are added to your SavingStar account after a few days and once you have reached $5.00 in savings you can either have it sent to your bank account, PayPal, or get an Amazon gift card!
First you must create an account and add your grocery or drugstore loyalty cards to your account. If you do not add the card numbers you will not get the savings!!!! I have Food Lion, Bi-Lo, Lowes Foods, Rite-Aid, and CVS on my account.
Then add the coupons from SavingStar site to your cards (you only have to add them to your account). Then when you go to the store just give the cashier your card to swipe!
Look for an email or check your account in a few days to see the EXTRA savings!!!
Check back every few weeks to see what coupons have been added!
So why not!?...go check it out! SavingStar.com
Just thought I'd throw out this little tip! If you need an item or there is something on sale but you can't seem to find a coupon, look on the product's website...OR look it up on Facebook...chances are you will find a coupon!!!
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Tip #18
7/18/12
It's been a few days since I posted a tip so here it is! Here's a tip I have started using....Plan your meals around the sales! I got a great deal on hot-dogs and pork-chops last week so we are having hot-dogs for supper tonight and we had pork-chops yesterday! Also, this is the time of year for vegetable gardens! You can save tons of money by growing your own food and it is much better! Having chicken, potatoes, okra, tomatoes, and mac 'n' cheese for lunch....(I make bigger lunches because of my hubby's work schedule). If you don't have a garden there are plenty who do who sell or even give away their veggies!
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Tip #19
7/19/12
Here is another way to save!!!
- First go to CouponNetwork YourBucks
- Register only one time!
- Pick the offers you like from YourBucks
- Add to your Savings Wallet and print YourBucks
- Go to the store and buy the products (catalinas should print at register...be sure register has catalina machine and it is working!)
- Pair YourBucks with printable coupons from here and Save Even More!!
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Tip #20
7/20/12
I have been couponing for over a year now. I have seen things change already with coupons!! So, it is always a good idea to get refreshed on couponing from time to time...I do! A great way to do that is to check out YouTube or bloggers that have videos. I have recently watched SouthernSavers.com's new coupon workshops videos! Jenny now has workshops online, so you don't have to leave the comfort of your home to learn policies, tips, and tricks about couponing! It is always good to get reminded about things you have forgotten or learn new things!
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Tip #21
7/21/12
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Tip #22
7/22/12
| This is not the actual rebate just a picture of last years!! |
Well I was at the grocery store and there were a ton of rebates at the front on a table....for beer...but you didn't have to buy any beer for the rebate. The rebate comes from the company, but it was on meat and poultry products! I think this is probably okay because I don't see how it promotes the beer!!?? Anyway...I bought $12 worth of steak and have sent in the rebate to get $10 back...so $2 for steak!! Pretty good I think! So look for these..you may even be able to go to there websites and find them!
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Tip #23
7/25/12
I know I haven't posted the best deals at Bi-Lo yet but I went there today with my momma and just had to snag a few deals...so I wanted to give a few tips and share my quick trip with you! |
| Paid OOP $6.20!!!! Saved $22.62!! |
My tip that I want to share is about my local Bi-Lo....I was at first under the impression that they only doubled $0.60 and lower coupons (like most Bi-Los) and had special promotions where they doubled $0.99 coupons....but I called them and guess what?...... they double $0.99 and lower all the time! Then yesterday I was reading over the policy again to brush up and I thought...hmmm...if they would take Target coupons as a competitor that would be great! I was in there about a year ago before the policy change and they took one target coupon one day and wouldn't take them the next! So, I called them again and guess what?.... they will take Dollar General, Target, Walgreens, Family Dollar, other grocery stores...just about any store I guess! So my tip is......if your not sure ASK!!! Every community is different and the Bi-Lo here is the only one for about 20 miles either way, so I guess with other competition they can decide to do things however they want! (FYI...I have just recently become a full fledged Bi-Loiean because Harris Teeter left.....so I'm still learning about my store!)
There is a Target Q out now that you can print from their site for $0.55 off Sundrop, A&W, 7Up, or Sunkist 2L...I used it today!!! Yay!
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Tip #24
7/26/12
Well I just wanted to fill you in on something I just found out about! Lowes Foods works with a daily deal site called Aisle50....just click on the link and then sign-up! You can ad deals to your loyalty card from Lowes Foods (some deals you pay for now and some are FREE....... like the FREE 2L Sun-Drop I just scored!) and then take it in and get the item, swipe your card and get the deal! Lowes Foods in my area is the only store..but I bet if we all ask.... then other stores will join!
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Tip #25
7/28/12
Just thought of something some of you may not know! You can print TWO of each printable coupon for EACH COMPUTER you have! So if you have 2 computers you can print 4 of each and so on.....HOWEVER you can only print one of each at a time usually.....and some websites do restrict to 1, but coupons.com, redplum.com, couponnetwork.com, smartsource.com, and many other manufacturers allow 2!
Also, Bi-Lo will take competitor coupons from many stores but these coupons DO NOT DOUBLE...but you can stack them with Bi-Lo ecoupons and manufacturer coupons!! Meaning sometimes you will be able to use three coupons on 1 item (this won't happen very often :( but it will happen!)
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Tip #26
8/2/12
SavingStar is just another way to save! The cool thing about it is it is extra savings after coupons! For example at Bi-Lo you can use a manufacturer's coupon, a Bi-Lo ecoupon, a competitor coupon and still use the SavingStar coupon all together on one item! SavingStar will not come off at the register, however. These savings are added to your SavingStar account after a few days and once you have reached $5.00 in savings you can either have it sent to your bank account, PayPal, or get an Amazon gift card!
First you must create an account and add your grocery or drugstore loyalty cards to your account. If you do not add the card numbers you will not get the savings!!!! I have Food Lion, Bi-Lo, Lowes Foods, Rite-Aid, and CVS on my account.
Then add the coupons from SavingStar site to your cards (you only have to add them to your account). Then when you go to the store just give the cashier your card to swipe!
Look for an email or check your account in a few days to see the EXTRA savings!!!
Check back every few weeks to see what coupons have been added!
So why not!?...go check it out! SavingStar.com
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Tip #27
8/8/12
Just thought I'd throw out this little tip! If you need an item or there is something on sale but you can't seem to find a coupon, look on the product's website...OR look it up on Facebook...chances are you will find a coupon!!!
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Tip #28
8/13/12
Just thought I would give you a run down on how I go about my shopping trips each week.
First, I get the weekly newspaper. I get the Charlotte Observer, because it is the biggest city closest to me and it has a lot more and better coupons than my local paper.
Then, I look at the store inserts in the paper or online. I look for the best deals and circle them. Sometimes I refer to other bloggers to get this info. or to compare.
Next, I start looking at the coupons I have in the paper and online at coupons.com or couponnetwork.com.
I match-up the great deals with great coupons if I can. A lot of times I will not find coupons, but great deals are still great......coupons just make them super great!
Most grocery store inserts come on Tuesdays. New sales at grocery stores start on Wednesday morning. So around Tuesday night or Wednesday morning I try to get match-ups done. Same rule applies...great deals are still great even without coupons!
If, I can use coupons of course I do! But not always. The best way to save is just to buy items when they are actually on sale. (Be careful about this...sometimes it may say it's on sale when you're actually only saving $0.08! THIS IS NOT REALLY A SALE!!) So, just keep your eyes open. If you look at the fine print usually you will find where it says how much you will save.
**For example, BOGO sales are the best because you are saving the total price of one item! So, if I buy a bag of chicken nuggets that are originally $7.99 and below that it has a BOGO sticker...then that means I can get 2 bags for $7.99 or 1 bag for $3.99! AND if I have 2 coupons for that item I can use both (if you buy both) and save more!
So, the big idea here is just to buy when it's on sale and buy enough when it's on sale to last for around six weeks. This is the sale cycle in the South. You can't do this with everything, but most things you can! So my advice if you're just starting out is to just buy items when they are on sale and when you get the hang of that......add the coupons!
If you haven't gotten in too deep yet you will notice that this couponing thing is very addictive!!! But who doesn't love to save!
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