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

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$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?