When I first started using coupons a little over a year ago, I knew nothing. Zilch. Zero. I assumed that as long as two coupons weren’t exactly the same, I could use as many as I wanted on one item.
That’s why when I found a good deal on diapers, I gathered every single printable, store, and manufacturer’s coupon I could find and plopped down about 12 coupons–to use on one package of diapers.
I’m surprised the cashier didn’t laugh in my face.
In an effort to save you the embarrassment of such a situation, I thought I’d share a little tutorial on coupons. It’s all quite simple, actually.
Here are ‘the rules’:
- You can only use one manufacturer’s coupon per item. You will know a manufacturer’s coupons because “Manufacturer’s Coupon” will be printed on it.
- Most stores will allow you to use a manufacturer’s coupon and a store coupon on the same item. This is called stacking coupons.
- If the coupon value is greater than the item value, you may be able to make money on that item in some cases. In most cases, when stores will not allow an overage you can ask them to reduce the value of the coupon to simply make the item free.
- In most cases, if there is a Buy One Get One Free sale, you can still use one coupon per item.
- If you have a Buy One Get One Free coupon, you can combine that coupon with a Buy One Get One Free sale and get both items for free! (This policy can vary from store to store.)
In the world of money saving blogging, you will discover another language you didn’t know existed.
Coupon Lingo:
- ECB – Extra Care Bucks – CVS “money” printed on receipts to be used like cash in store on your next purchase.
- RR – Register Reward – Walgreen’s “money” printed on receipts to be used like cash in store on your next purchase.
- ESR – Walgreen’s Easy Saver Rebate Program
- ESC – Walgreen’s Easy Saver Coupon
- OOP – Out of Pocket – actual cash paid
- BOGO or B1G1 – Buy One Get One FREE!
- SS – Smart Source insert in Sunday’s paper
- RP- Red Plum insert in Sunday’s paper
- P&G or PG – Procter and Gamble insert in Sunday’s paper
- V – Valassis
- Peelie – Peelable coupon located on packages
- 2/$5 – This means 2 items for $5, can be any combination.
- $1/2 – This means $1 off of 2 items, can be any combination.
- WYB – when you buy
- MIR – Mail In Rebate
- PSA - Prices start at
- mfr – manufacturer’s coupon
- crt – cash register tape
- cat or catalina – a coupon printed at the end of a receipt (often as part of a promotion when you buy certain items.)
- Sunday papers contain three basic sets of coupons: RedPlum, SmartSource, and Procter & Gamble. (Some regions also carry Valassis coupons, but mine does not. These coupons are the same as RedPlum.) Some weeks they carry all, and some just one or two.
- You will discover on this blog and any other money saving blog that other people want to do the work for you when it comes to finding deals and matching the coupons. Therefore, you no longer need to do the ‘coupon hunt’. We will tell you the exact coupon to use on a deal. Sweet, huh?
- For example, a coupon match-up for a sale on Colgate toothpaste at CVS might look like this:
Colgate Sensitive Whitening Toothpaste, $3.99
Get $3.99 ECBs (limit 2)
$1/1 Colgate Sensitive printable
$0.75/1 Colgate Adult or Kids Toothpaste, exp. 5-31-09 (SS 2/22/09)
$0.75/1 Colgate Toothpaste, exp. 4-18-09 (SS 3/29/09)
Moneymaker after coupon and ECBs!
- The highlighted words are a printable coupon that, when clicked on can be printed out right from the comfort of your own home (this one is just an example). Typically, most printables can be printed twice if you hit the back button on your browser if it prints the first time.
- Underneath the printable coupon are two coupons from past Sunday papers. Most coupons are the same nationally, although some more rural regions differ occasionally. Each of these coupons were from a SmartSource insert. The first is from the February 22 insert and the second is from the March 29 insert.
My Organizational Method:
I have that exact same folder! Great site, Kaley!
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i am a MOPS mom and i wanted to tell you i found they sell the syracuse papper at the kwik fill on hary l and it has the national coupons!! this week i bought both the local papper and the syracue and it has many more coupons including one for free cat food!!
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kaleyehret Reply:
May 1st, 2009 at 5:37 pm
That is GREAT news, Sarah!!! Oh wow…I will be sure to spread the word. Thanks so much!
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Kaley I am a newbie and am a bit confused…I have noticed on the different sites I visit to see what the weekly CVS suggested items are, that a manufacturer coupon is used and also an SS and sometimes also one from redplum. Arent these last two considered manufacturer coupons also? I understand only one manufacturer coupon may be used per item purchased…
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kaleyehret Reply:
June 28th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
Myrah,
Good question. You are correct that only one manufacturer’s coupon can be used per item. When several manufacturer’s coupons are listed, it is just a compilation of all the coupons available at this present time to be used on that item. The reason they are all listed is to give you options in case you have already used one or don’t have one.
Does that make sense?
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Thank You ! Yes indeed it does and it has cleared up a lot of doubts….Excellent site!! Keep up the good work…
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So, how do you remember which coupons you have loaded onto your card? I loaded them onto mine, made a trip to Kroger and used my card, but if I didn’t have a visual coupon, I forgot what I had available for me to use? Any tips? Thanks – I’m kinds new.
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kaleyehret Reply:
August 8th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
Hi, Stacy!
Is there any way to print out a list? I am able to print a list when I load Upromise ecoupons. Unfortunately, we don’t have a Kroger, so I am unsure if they provide a list for the other ecoupon sites.
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i was wondering do you know if you use a coupon that’s says like buy 1 toilet bowl freshener and get 1 toilet bowl scrubber free. can you use a coupon for that free item you got ? love your blog by the way i’m from endicott,ny . just found you today heres my site http://angiesangelhelpnetwork.webs.com/ it’s new and im still working on it, but its still excessable to the public if you sing up
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kaleyehret Reply:
September 15th, 2009 at 6:53 am
In my experience, in most cases I have been still able to use a coupon for each item that I bought. In fact, you can also typically use a b1g1 free coupon with a b1g1 free sale to make both items free.
I’ve only had a couple stores give me a hard time about this. I usually just thank them and (if there is another store in the area) attempt to do the purchase at another location instead!
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Can you use 2 coupons when you are purchasing something that is Buy One Get One free???
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kaleyehret Reply:
September 21st, 2009 at 11:44 am
In my experience, most stores will let you use two coupons with a B1G1 deal. I’ve only had a handful of stores not allow me to do so and I haven’t argued with them. But the general consenus amoung couponers is that this practice is allowed.
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Hey, just wanted to say hi and thank you! I was sent over here from Deal Seeking Mom, I think, and am new into the world of couponing… I had my first “real” transaction today! How ironic that I stumbled onto your site and saw the word SYRACUSE. I don’t know which state, but I’m guessing NY, since I’m pretty egocentric and that is where I live. Small world, eh? Awesome site, I’m gonna RSS ya!
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This is a great help. I just started to really get into saving with coupons. I used to cut coupons from the Sunday paper once in a while….But now I have been saving so much money and getting alot of FREE samples..IT’S UNBELIEVABLE!! It is a little time consuming…but all worth it!!!
Thanks for helping.
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“crt – cash register tape, a coupon printed at the end of a receipt”
A “crt” is a cash register tape, but a coupon printed at the end of a receipt is generally known as a “catalina”.
Great website, btw.
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Most of the stores I go to never allow me to use 2 cpns on a B1G1 offer or give both items free when using a B1G1 cpn along with a B1G1 sale so bummer for me
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Hi Kaley! It was nice meeting you at Calvary. I am trying the couponing- I had my hubby get another Sunday paper, and it had NO COUPONS!!! I will try again for that next week!
Cynthia
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