How do YOU coupon?

Ok, I'm lazy when it comes to "blogging". I know this to be VERY true.... oh well. I've been a busy momma with the summer quickly upon us. The pool, work, my kiddos and lots of coupon workshops have kept me far away from the blog world. I've still been couponing away and trying to grab the deals when I can. My stockpile has been so nice that I haven't had to do much shopping over the past few months.

Coupon Workshops have been so popular lately because of all the hype on TLC. I thought that I would share my thoughts on some of the things that I think we all need to remember when we are couponing. These are things that I teach and try to enforce when I am helping out "new" couponers.....

1. Honesty- This is something that management at Walmart, CVS and Rite Aid have approached me about frequently. We are ALL looking for a "sweet" deal, but at what cost? Coupons have certain "rules" and if the rules aren't being followed, the retailer is not getting reimbursed by the manufacturer and the store ends up losing money. This makes "couponers" look bad and eventually we will all miss out on the deals. Please be aware of the wording on your coupons. If the coupon states: " $1 off two items" or " $1 off a certain size item", then use that coupon on two items or the appropriate sized item as stated. Does this make sense?

2. Appropriate price matching- This is a sticky subject with some couponers. I will tell you how I feel about this (because I do it all the time)... Price matching is a great thing for us in Southwest Virginia. Mainly because we don't have the availability of all the great stores that are in a more populated area. Walmart's policy states that they will price match any ad. GREAT! Right? Well, here's the deal... if you are price matching an ad for a store like CVS, Rite Aid or Walgreen's, the read those ads well. If the ad states a "cheap" price after ECB's, Up+Reward's or RR, no problem. But if the price is listed after the ECB's, Up+Reward's and RR's and also listed is the Manufacturer coupon price, the you need to price match BEFORE the coupon price. Example: If razors are on sale at CVS for $8.97 this week and you get $4 in ECB's when you purchase one, that would make the price $4.97 in the ad.... BUT if the ad has it listed as :

Razor... $8.97

-$4.00 manufac. coupon in most Sunday papers

-$4.00 Extra Care Bucks

------------------------------

$0.97 after coupons and ECB's

This is when you have to do the math for the cashier. Price match the price before the coupon is listed because you are going to be using that coupon, right????? So you would pay $0.97 for the razor instead of getting the razor for "free" and getting $3.03 in overage. this is considered appropriate price matching. Please be honest with this. IT IS A PROBLEM AND IT IS FRAUD.

On the some topic, if you are price matching, price match the same item (size and quantity) to the ad. Don't try to sneek a bigger size past the cashier. This things will catch up with us and ruin couponing all together.

3. Correct number of coupons with your transaction- Always try to count your coupons and have them ready before you check out. If you are purchasing 10 deos, then use 10 coupons, not 15.... again, it's coupon fraud.

I'm posting this because I have had feedback from several different people about coupons being used inappropriately. Coupon fraud is a jailable offense and has serious consequences. Please be mindful and honest when you are couponing. If it doesn't feel "right" when you are couponing, then it probably isn't.

Now, on to the fun stuff..... How are you guys doing with your stockpiles?? What are your meals looking like now? How much are you saving?

Bristol Herald papers... update.

I received an email from Bristol Herald's single copy manager the other day. Looks like the BHC has expanded their coverage to the Kingsport area. Three new Food City's will have the BHC on Sundays. Food City in Colonial Heights, Food City on Eastman Road and Food City in Weber City are the three newest locations. Be sure to stop by and pick up a few copies on Sunday mornings.

I have also talked to Chris Dorton, the circulation manager, about all of our issues with the amount of Bristol Herald papers that we get in our area. He assured me that he is working on all of the issues and they hope to remedy the problems soon. If you are having any issues you can always drop him a KIND email and he does listen to us. He is doing a great job trying to get more coupons to us. cdorton@bristolnews.com

Free or Cheap Dove Men's Deodorant...

All you new couponers need to head on over to CVS. CVS has the Dove men's deodorant for $.99 each until tomorrow night. What a great price!!! Even better if you have the $1/1 coupon from the 3/27 rp. CVS in Big Stone Gap has tons available, so hurry up and get yours!!

Brag Spot time.....

Sooooo, I'm back!!! I've been so busy with life, life and more life that blogging has taken a back seat for a while. I wanted to post this brag blog because I have had some AWESOME experiences with Walmart lately and the word is getting out that they are really coming along with coupons. Angie (a workshop graduate) sent me these pictures today... her Walmart trip was uh-mazing. Here's the breakdown of what she walked out with:

* 21 Nivea bodywashes

* 12 Dove deodorants

* 8 travel size Dove bodywashes

* 1 Glade candle

Her total before coupons was $73.42 and after coupons Walmart paid her $0.41!! The best thing is that Walmart in Norton doesn't give you a hard time AT ALL about using your coupons and getting overage. Thanks so much for sharing the pictures Angie!! You did AWESOME!!!

Personal experience with the new Walmart Policy....

So, I've heard a ton of complaints about how Walmart "treats ya like a criminal" or "gives me such a hard time about my coupons" or even "tells me I have no idea what I'm doing with my coupons". Well, this is my personal experience with Walmart in Norton from Monday 3/21. I went in to pricematch the Kroger ad and bought 65 Powerade, 2 bags of Gordon's Fishsticks, 2 Dannon Yogurt tubs, produce and several other things. While I was checking out, the cashier was chatting with another cashier and I overheard them say, "what do you think about all that stuff we can do with that NEW coupon policy?". Imagine my surprise!!!!! So I asked them if they had actually seen the newest policy that came out on 3/16 and they both looked at me and said, "Uh, yes..... look..." and they pulled out LAMINATED COPIES WITH PICTURE DIAGRAMS of the newest coupon policy!!!!!! OH MY! The policies clearly stated everything that the new policy covers in very simple terms for the cashiers, so there are no questions. Here are a few of my favorite parts that the cashiers discussed with me:

* They will now pricematch BOGO ads as long as the price is stated under the BOGO ad. (Example: Ingles ad will say BOGO SAVE $1.00 on 2. Rite Aid ads say Buy One Get the Second One Free... no price listed)

* They will gladly give you money back on your basket purchases if you have used coupons and have overage... no questions asked.

* They will pricematch any ad even if you have left your ad at home. (This worries me a little that people will abuse this.)

* The CSM's understand that they can override transactions if you have more than 40 coupons and more than $50 in coupons.

Soooooo..... be patient, be kind and be EXCITED!!!! If you have a cashier that is hesitant, be understanding and kindly ask them to get the register coupon policy. Walmart in BSG may or may not be on the same page with all these changes, so be extra patient with them. ;)

Let me know how your recent experience has been with Walmart. Most of you know that I avoid them like the plague, but now I'm excited to go and pricematch them like crazy!!!!!

Kroger has a new coupon policy!

Effective immediately, Kroger has officially changed their coupon policy. Go here to read all about it. The short of it: No more stacking eCoupons with a manufacter coupon. And, they have changed it in their system.

Walmart run!

So I figured I would try out the NEW coupon policy @ Walmart. My trip went really well and I didn't even have to use my policy! I purchased all of this stuff for $3.53 oop after my coupons. Woohoo!! My total before coupons was $27, so a pretty good trip in my opinion.