Targets NEW Coupon Policy

Target's NEW Coupon Policy effective June 2011

You can see the whole policy here.

Here is the biggest change:

· BOGO coupons cannot be combined (i.e. you cannot use two BOGO coupons on two items and get both for free). Unless stated otherwise on the coupon, the use of one Buy One Get One Free coupon requires that two of the valid items are presented at checkout of which one item will be charged to the guest and the 2nd item will be discounted by its full retail price. (this has been the policy at most stores. I have never stacked two BOGO coupons to get two items free...)

· A second cents-off coupon of the same type cannot be redeemed towards the purchase price of the first item. (this is the big bummer, when purchasing two items for a BOGO coupon you cannot use a "cents off" coupon on the the non-free item)

o If a Target BOGO coupon is used, one additional manufacturer coupon may be used on the first item. (if your BOGO coupon is a Target coupon you can still use a manufacturer's "Cents off" coupon)

o If a Manufacturer BOGO coupon is used, one additional Target coupon maybe use on the first item. if your BOGO coupon is a manufacturer coupon you can still also use a "cents off" Target coupon)

Piggly Wiggly Coupon Policy

There are Piggly Wiggly stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, North Caroline, Oklahoma, South Caronline, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Their stores are individually owned and operated so their coupon policy can vary from store to store. Here is a general outline but check with your local store for their variation in policy.


PIGGLY WIGGLY COUPON POLICY (5/2/11)

Some stores double coupons up to 99c! (Some stores may limit the number of "like" coupons)

INTERNET COUPONS

• $2.00 maximum face value
• No "free" items
• No "percent off" coupons
• Buy one get one free coupons allowed up to a $2.00 maximum value

MANUFACTURER COUPONS

• Coupon must have an expiration date and must be used within the stated time frame. Expired coupons will not be accepted
• Coupon must be legible with a scannable bar code (UPC) and a remittable manufacturer's address
• Coupon value can not exceed the value of the product

AD FLYER STORE COUPONS

• Available in our Weekly Ad flyer
  

COMBINING STORE AND MANUFACTURER COUPONS

• Customers may combine one store coupon with one manufacturer coupon on the same item

Please Note
Coupon rules may vary since the vast majority of our Piggly Wiggly stores are independently owned and operated. Therefore, please contact your local store with any questions on coupon policy variations.

Rite-Aid's new coupon policy - OUCH!

Rite-Aid's new, tougher coupon policy...

Here are the most notable changes and what it means for couponers:

• Rite Aid will accept printable coupons up to $5 off (which I have rarely seen a printable coupon for MORE than that so shouldn't be too much of an issue)
  
• Customers can use one cents off coupon with a buy one, get one free coupon (meaning you can use a coupon on the item you buy in order to get one free with coupon)
  
• Customers can use just one cents off coupon per BOGO promotion (you CAN'T use a coupon on the FREE item if it's a buy one get one free sale)
  
• BOGO coupons can not be used on a BOGO promotion (no more getting both for FREE with a BOGO coupon and a BOGO sale)
  
• Rite Aid will only accept up to 4 identical coupons for items as long as there is enough stock to satisfy other customers (which means limit four unless there's not a lot, then they can limit you to 3 or less)

Print the policy here to keep with you.

What's your thoughts?

Walmart's NEW Ad Match Policy

Here is Walmart's new ad-match policy:

We gladly match the price in the following types of ads:*

• Buy one, get one free ads with a specified price
  • Example: Buy one for $2.49, get one free (BOGO)
    
• Competitors' ads that feature a specific item for a specified price.
  
• Preferred shopping card prices for specific items that are in a printed ad.
  
• For fresh produce and meat items when the price is offered in the same unit type (lb. for lb.; each for each)

*The following are guidelines and limitations:

• We will match any local competitor's advertised price.
• We do not require customers to have the ad with them to honor a competitor's ad.
• Items purchased must be identical to the ad (size, quantity, brand, flavor, color, etc.)

We DO NOT match the price in the following types of competitor ads:

• Items that require a separate purchase to get the ad price
  • example: "Buy [item A] to get [item B] for $C"
• Items with no actual price that require a purchase to get free product
  • example: "Buy both [items A & B] to get [item C] for free"
• Items that require a purchase to get a competitors' gift card
  • example: "Buy [item A] to get a $B gift card
• Buy one, get one free (BOGO) ads with no actual price given
• Going out of business or closeout prices
• Percentage off
  • example: "All mascara, 40% off"
• Competitors' private label price promotions

We do not honor:

• Ads when the actual price for items cannot be determined.
• Internet pricing
• Misprinted ad prices of other retailers
• "Going out of business" sales or "close out" prices

You can download a printable copy directly from Walmart's site here.

Don't forget about their new coupon policy too.

NEW Publix Coupon Policy beginning May 2011

Publix is rolling out a new coupon policy that is set to be "official" on May 23rd. I've read over it and nothing major is changing. It's really going to make things easier because it spells out everything from a corporate level so there is nothing left up to interpretation by the stores.

Notable points:
Each store will post a list of grocery competitors within a 5 mile radius. These will be the only stores that competitor coupons will be accepted from.

The new policy gives the stores the right to limit quantities to prevent "shelf clearing". Which is good for everyone.

They will still allow "stacking" coupons.

They will still allow "overage". And you can receive money back if your coupon total is higher than your product total.

I have updated the Getting Started at Publix post with the new coupon policy info.

Kmart's Coupon Policy

• Kmart accepts all manufacturer coupons (from inserts, magazines, tearpads, peelies, blinkies, etc.)

• Kmart accepts print-at-home (internet printables or IPs) with these exceptions (see press release on printable coupons here):-Kmart can only accept print-at-home coupons if they scan properly at checkout.
  -Kmart will not accept coupons for more than about 75% of a product’s value.
  -Coupons will be rejected if they appear distorted or blurry, altered in any way, or are obvious duplicates.
  -Kmart will not accept ” FREE product” (no purchase required) print-at-home coupons.
• Does not match competitors ads or prices
• Does not take other stores in-store coupons
   

Walmarts NEW Coupon Policy!!

WOW!  Walmart is finally catching on!  They have released a NEW coupon policy that is FANTASTIC.  Now, if the stores will just abide by it.

I would definitely print a copy of this to take with me on a coupon trip to Walmart!

You can read and print the policy here.

Here are the BEST changes:

Getting Started at Kroger - Coupon Policy and Tips

Getting started at Kroger

In order to get the most for your money at Kroger stores, you first need to acquire a Kroger Plus Shopper's Card at your store's customer service desk. You must have this card in order to get the sale price of the weekly ad items. Once you've got one, go to this page and register it online for valuable e-coupons, home mailings,  a Upromise link to purchases, etc. Also, using your Kroger card has the potential to save you money on gas (in certain states)

I scoured Kroger's website for an official coupon policy but couldn't find one.  All I could find was their policy on internet printable coupons which is as follows:

Effective November 2007, all Kroger divisions accept industry-standard, secure print-at-home coupons. We recently partnered with Coupons Inc., the industry leader in print-at-home coupons, to offer print-at-home coupons on Kroger.com and all of our store banner websites. You may also find coupons on brand websites and legitimate coupon websites like Coupons.com. Help us make your shopping experience a pleasant one by keeping in mind these simple rules for using Print-At-Home coupons.

We can only accept print-at-home coupons if they scan properly at checkout. Legitimate printable coupons are delivered using special software designed to print a properly rendered barcode on the coupon and limit the number of coupons printed.

We will generally not accept "FREE product" (no purchase required) print-at-home coupons. It is currently an industry practice not to produce print-at-home manufacturer's coupons for free product. Buy-one-get-one-free coupons and other values that have a purchase requirement are acceptable.

We will usually not accept coupons for more than about 75% of a product's value. For example, a $2 off coupon will be acceptable for a product that normally sells for $5 or more, but a $2 off printable coupon for a product that sells for $2.25 is unlikely to be legitimate. If there are exceptions, we are usually provided advance notice by the manufacturer.

Coupons will be rejected if they appear distorted or blurry, altered in any way, or are obvious duplicates. You should always print the coupon yourself directly from the website or email that is offering it. Only then can you ensure you are printing a legitimate coupon.

Here's what else  I do know about Kroger:

• Their BOGO sale items ring up at half-price
• You can stack store and manufacturer coupons
• They do not promote overages, but overages from coupon usage are absorbed into your total
• They do NOT accept a competitor's store/Catalina coupons (You can't use a Walgreens Catalina or a Target store coupon at a Kroger store)
• There are no limits on the number of coupons you can use
• The weekly ads vary by region, starting either on Sunday or Monday
• Coupons up to 50c are doubled at the register

I've never shopped at Kroger, so if you have anything else to add to this, please let me know!

Family Dollar Coupon Policy and Tips

Thanks to Just Trying To Save Money for the Family Dollar Coupon Policy Explanation and bringing us the weekly Family Dollar deals!

Coupon Policy:
Family Dollar accepts manufacturer coupons, internet printable coupons and Family Dollar store coupons. You can also combine a manufacturer coupon with a Family Dollar coupon as long as they are used for the items listed on the coupons and that neither coupon states that it can not be combined with other offers. Family Dollar does not accept coupons for FREE items only unless it is B1G1 FREE coupon. Family Dollar will not offer cash back on coupons and all coupons must have a valid expiration date. Family Dollar does not accept competitor's coupons.

You can read the entire coupon policy from Family Dollar here.

Be a Better Couponer part 3 - Handling Coupon Rejection

If you are following the Be A Better Couponer portion of the New Year's Resolution Series, here is part 3 - Handling Coupon Rejection!

If you use coupons, you will eventually have a cashier who will resist you. It may be over a trial-sized item, it may be over the cashier’s ability to read and comprehend, it may be over a store policy, it may be over coupon overage.  Other times, it just won’t be worth the hassle or time it takes to argue for your coupons, or maybe you’ll encounter a cashier that won’t budge.  I used to be a little shy when it comes to things like this, but I have learned to stand up for myself since I’ve been couponing.  You just don’t get between a woman and her coupons!
I know it’s intimidating to be questioned about your coupons, especially when there are people in line behind you and you’re not sure what to say.   The best thing is when everything works flawlessly, but we all know that doesn’t always happen.  I hope this guide helps you learn to stand your ground when a cashier wrongly denies a particular coupon.  We’ll talk about one general rule and some specific examples of just what to say to make cashiers undestand why you should be allowed to use your coupons.  This will help make your coupon usage as stress-free as possible.

• The first rule is to say as little as possible.

Silence is a powerful tool. If the coupon beeps, say nothing until you are spoken to, even if you know what is wrong.  Your job at that moment is to stand there with an expression of mild interest on your face, but nothing more than that.  You are projecting to the cashier that you are confident that, whatever is wrong, s/he can fix it.  People appreciate that show of faith, even if they don’t realize what you’re doing.  When they start muttering about how it’s not working, or looking around beeechingly, trying to figure out what’s gone wrong…  still! Say nothing!
This was hard for me to learn, but it has been a valuable tool.  I get my way in many more situations (and not just coupon-related) than I used to, based on this simple rule.  My nature is to be helpful, and tell the person what is wrong.  The thing is, they don’t really want to know what’s wrong, they just want it to not be happening.  For example, a coupon beeps because it’s for $1 off a $.97 item. I know that it’s beeping because there’s overage. If I say that, then there is a much higher chance that when they fix the problem, they will do so by adjusting the coupon down. I don’t want them to do that.  Silence makes people faintly uneasy and it becomes easier to just hit the override button (which is what they should be doing anyway) than it is to question it.
Another very important reason that this is effective is simply that if you have a ready explanation for every single situation and you start telling the cashier how to do his or her job, you end up looking guilty, or like you’re trying to get them to do things they shouldn’t.  Then they’re just going to be even more watchful about the next coupon.
I feel sneaky and manipulative telling you this, but  it’s a trick I adapted from a friend and it works really, really well.  Act innocent, say as little as possible.
That rule out of the way, let’s move on to the most common things that cashiers might say or do to reject a coupon.

• “I can only accept one of these coupons because it says right here, “one coupon per purchase.”

This is probably the most common thing you will encounter–say, you have bought three boxes of cereal, and the three identical coupons you have say “one coupon per purchase.” I didn’t know what to say to this at first, and I always lost the argument when I tried to explain it to them.  Not anymore! The trick to this one is to physically touch each box of cereal as you tell them, “Yes, and this is a purchase, and this is a purchase, and this is a purchase…”  You can then add that if they meant that you could only use one, period, it would say “one per transaction”, but it doesn’t.  Knock on wood, but I have won every argument about this so far now that I can explain it this way.  If they still argue–cheerfully agree, and then split your one simple transaction up into three transactions, using one coupon per transaction. Stating your intent might be enough, because when you put it that way, it sounds ridiculous.  There are some situations in which this won’t work (say, if you have to buy a certain number for a specific promotion), so in that case, talk to a manager and explain it the way you just did to the cashier who wouldn’t listen (or is likely just afraid to do it wrong).

• “This coupon is not valid because it’s not meant for trial-sized items.”

“The coupon says ANY.”  Some coupons aren’t valid for trial items, but hopefully, you’ve already checked yours for the “excludes trial sizes” disclaimer.  If you think about it… a coupon is an invitation to try a particular type of merchandise.  Getting a trial free may not be what a manufacturer would prefer, but I would think that they would rather you try out their product than not try out their product, if it came right down to it.
On that note, there is a difference between “trial” and “travel”.  A good example of this is the Johnson & Johnson First Aid To Go kits that sell for about a dollar in most stores.  They’re located in the travel/trial section, but they’re not trial items.  Seriously, think about it. What are you supposed to be trying out?  Whether or not you like your band-aids to come in a convenient white box? This argument may help in a pinch.  Incidentally, Johnson & Johnson confirmed that they consider this item a travel item and not a trial, so if your coupon says “excludes trial items”… you can still use them on these box.  And for what it’s worth, everyone loves them because they’re just so darned cute.

• “But that would make this item FREE.”

“No, I am paying for it with a coupon.”  Actually, this one can be used in a variety of situations.  It is really important to remember that coupons are just like cash in many ways.  The stores aren’t giving you discounts because you happen to have a piece of paper with you. The manufacturer is giving you this discount in order to get you to buy their product. The store is reimbursed for the full face value of the coupon, plus eight cents or so.  It says so right there on the coupon.  So ironically, you could say that they are making more money off couponers than non-couponers.  If you drill this into your brain–that you are PAYING with a coupon, not just spending less money because of using a coupon–it will also help you feel less like you are robbing them blind when you walk out of there with bags of merchandise and a receipt totaling $.47. (As hard as it may be, you should try to avoid snarky comments, like “why else would I be buying it?” or “DUH.” They really hate that.)

• “We can’t accept a coupon for more than the product is worth.”

There are too many variables for this one to give just one answer.  Know the coupon policy for the store you’re at.  Some stores have corporate policies that direct them to do certain things. For example, at CVS, the coupon always beeps if there’s overage, and they will adjust it down.  (At my store, they always ask permission.)  That’s what they want to happen, so if a rogue cashier gives you a denial, request to speak to a manager or call corporate while you’re still standing there.  Many stores will want to adjust the coupon down to the purchase price of the item. I personally feel this is straight-up coupon fraud on the part of the stores, but I never argue it. Overage is a privilege, not a right.  (Having said that, if it was really good overage and I knew that it would usually work, I would possibly request that the items be removed from my order if they started hassling me over it.   Walmart gives me overage 95% of the time–there’s something to be said for minimum wage drones who hate their jobs–so I’d really just rather buy it some other time, especially if I was purchasing multiple items.

• “We don’t accept internet coupons/photocopies.”

Okay, some stores don’t, as a matter of corporate policy. Some stores have a policy of not accepting them, but individual stores override that decree.  So, you need to know what you’re dealing with.  Walmart, for example, DOES accept internet coupons, as a matter of corporate policy, but a couple of cashiers at my store were taught in their training not to accept them.  Ask for a manager.  Say, “Walmart corporate policy is to accept internet coupons.”  If that doesn’t sway them… call corporate.

• “You can’t MAKE money using coupons! Stores won’t pay you to take stuff home, no matter what Oprah says!”

Smile and nod, cause they won’t like you any better if you burst their bubble…
(This actually happened to me, including the Oprah reference. I was checking out with an order that I was making a profit on at the time.)

• “You can’t use this coupon and I am not going to change my mind no matter what you say.”

(I’m paraphrasing, but you get the idea.)   If you have a cashier who refuses to back down and you don’t feel like the hassle of calling a higher authority (perhaps, as in the case that prompted this post, you are at Walmart, in another town, and you know that this won’t even be an issue in another store anyway, and you have a cart full of frozen food products that have already been in your buggy too long while you waited in the slowest lines ever), then my favorite thing to say is simply, “That’s fine. I will be happy to spend that money somewhere else,” and remove those items from the transaction. (If you are more hard-core about it, leave everything there, not just the items that you’re being harassed over.)
Then, go home and email or call corporate or the store management if you’ve got a case.  You may at least get an apology out of it, and possibly some other sort of compensation… and with any luck, the store will be better prepared next time.

This post was written for me last year by Kisha at More Than A Little.

Food Lion Coupon Policy

I'm excited to be bringing you Food Lion deals courtesy of A Frugal Chick!

But before I bring you the deals, you need to know Food Lion's coupon policy!  So, again, thanks to A Frugal Chick, here is Food Lion's coupon policy:

I have had many readers and coupon class attendees tell me that they have had a hard time using coupons at Food Lion.  And while Food Lion doesn’t double or triple coupons, occasionally they have good deals that make a stop by your local store worth it.  So I wanted to post their coupon policy for your reference:

They do not take expired or competitors coupons.

They do accept manufacturer’s coupons, internet coupons, and  catalina checkout coupons.

They do not give cash back.

You can not coupon stack and they will take a maximum of ten coupons for the same type of item.

They do not accept internet coupons that appear to be fradulent or FREE coupons (meaning the coupon is specifically for a free item).

To see their actual coupon policy, click here.

 View Food Lion deals here.

No expiration date coupons

I'm sure you've come across a coupon that says "no expiration date".  Have you ever wonder if it really means no expiration date?  Well, I can tell you it does.  No register beeps, no questions asked.  Really, no expiration date!

My mom was a couponer.  When I got married, she gave me a handful of coupons she had been hanging on to that had no expiration dates.  Mostly General Mills and Kelloggs cereals, Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines cake mixes and frostings.  I've wondered recently just exactly how old these coupons are.  If you've been a reader of my blog for long you know my mom is not around for me to ask her about these coupons.  I'm sure she would be proud of my coupon blog and money saving achievements.

This coupon is one of the ones she had given me.  I was trying to figure out exactly how old it was.  It looks like it might have been cut out of a magazine.  When I turned it over there was some writing that looked like the bottom part of an article.  I tried to take a picture but it's too blurry to make anything out.  But what I found at the very bottom was a date....1986!  This coupon came out of a magazine from 1986!  So I put it to the test.  I used it last week at Winn-Dixie....and it worked!  A coupon that was 24 years old (almost as old as I am!) still worked!

So see....never throw away a coupon especially if it doesn't have an expiration date!

Family Dollar Coupon Policy

Here is Family Dollar's corporate coupon policy:

Family Dollar Stores, Inc. Coupon Policy
Family Dollar accepts Manufacturer’s and Family Dollar issued coupons (including internet coupons) that meet these requirements:

    Coupons must be original (no photocopies)

Coupons must have a scan-able barcode or valid promotion code

    Coupons must have a printed expiration date

    Coupons can be redeemed only for items sold at Family Dollar, and can be redeemed only for the exact same item (package weight, size, etc.)

   Coupons for free items are only accepted if a purchase is required to get one free

Maximum of two coupons per item. One coupon must be a Manufacturer’s Coupon and the second coupon must be a Family Dollar Coupon as long as neither coupon states that it is not valid with other coupons

Family Dollar will NOT accept coupons that:

  Are from other retailers

Are expired
   Are internet coupons without a scan-able barcode and/or promotion code
  Contain the combination of an invalid barcode that won’t scan and promotion code that the register will not accept
 Are for “free” items, unless a purchase is required (i.e. Buy one get one free is acceptable)
  Do not have a “remit to” address on the coupon

In addition:
“Cash Back” will not be issued if the value of the coupon is greater than the purchase price of the item.  (Absorb your overage)

Getting Started at Rite-Aid

Need help getting started at Rite-Aid?  Check out these helpful links courtesy of Couponing to be Debt Free:

If you are new to shopping at Rite Aid, read my tips here.  

Don’t forget about the video values program where you can earn coupons by watching videos. After you earn 20 video credits, you will earn a coupon for $5.00 off a $20.00 purchase. There is also a coupon for $5.00 off $25.00 purchase here.  

Rite Aid's corporate coupon policy is available here.

(always handy to have with you in case you encounter a "misinformed" cashier!)

Walgreens new corporate coupon policy!

If you've been a couponer long you know that a source of stress at Walgreens has been their lack of a company-wide coupon policy.  What coupons you can and can't use and how you can use them vary depending on the cashier you get and the manager on duty.  With no policy to go by, whatever the store manager decides is as good as law.

Well, now that has changed!  Walgreens NOW has a COMPANY COUPON POLICY that all stores must abide by.  I would recommend printing it and keeping it with you.  Chances are, you could know more about it than the cashier checking you out (it happens.)

Here is the page on Walgreens website with the policy.  (I've also copy and pasted it below)  You can also check out Getting Started at Walgreens for more tips on shopping at Walgreens.




As a customer-focused retailer, Walgreens encourages the use of coupons by our customers in our retail stores, in accordance with the following guidelines.

Guidelines:

General 

• All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier at the time of checkout.
• Walgreens does not accept expired coupons.
• Coupons and their face value cannot be exchanged for cash or gift cards.
• Competitor coupons are not accepted at Walgreens.
• Walgreens cannot accept coupons for items not carried in our stores.
• The number of manufacturer coupons, including Register Rewards^TM manufacturer coupons, may not exceed the number of items in the transaction. The total value of the coupons may not exceed the value of the transaction. Sales tax must be paid, if required by state law.
• Any coupon offer not covered in these guidelines will be accepted at the discretion of Walgreens management.

Sale Items 

• Walgreens will accept manufacturer coupons for an item that is on sale.
• In the event that any item's selling price is less than the value of the coupon, Walgreens will only accept the coupon in exchange for the selling price of the item. Coupon redemption can never exceed the selling price of an item and no cash back is ever provided in exchange for any coupons.

Multiple Coupons 

• When purchasing a single item, Walgreens accepts one manufacturer coupon and applicable Walgreens coupon(s) for the purchase of a single item, unless prohibited by either coupon offer.
• The coupon amount must be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied. (For example, a $5.00 coupon for a $4.99 item will result in a $4.99 coupon value).
• When purchasing multiple items, Walgreens accepts multiple identical coupons for multiple qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers, unless a limit is specified. Management reserves the right to limit the quantity of items purchased.

Buy One, Get One Free Coupons 

• When items are featured in a Buy One, Get One Free promotion, up to two coupons can be used against the items being purchased, as long as the net price does not go below zero for the items being purchased.
• Sales tax must be paid for any Buy One, Get One Free coupon offers, if required by applicable state laws.

Internet/Print at Home Coupons 

• Walgreens accepts valid internet/print at home coupons.

Register Rewards^TM coupons 

Earning Register Rewards^TM

• Register Rewards^TM will only print for in-stock merchandise during the promotional period.
• Register Rewards^TM can only be earned for eligible items. No substitutions.
• There is a limit of one Register Rewards^TM (RR) printed per offer per customer per transaction.
• Customers redeeming a Register Rewards^TM against the same offer may not receive another RR.

Redeeming Register Rewards^TM

• Customers redeeming a Register Rewards^TM against the same offer may not receive another RR.
• Refer to Register Rewards^TM coupon for expiration date.
• The RR coupon value cannot exceed the total purchase amount. No cash back and no cash value for RR coupon.
• The number of manufacturer coupons, including RR manufacturer coupons, must not exceed the number of items in the transaction.
• Register Rewards^TM must be forfeited if the qualifying merchandise is returned.
• Register Rewards^TM cannot be used toward the purchase of gift cards and pre-paid cards.
• Register Rewards^TM can be redeemed for eligible items only. Ineligible items include but are not limited to:
• • Prescriptions
  • Tobacco products
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Dairy products
  • Lottery tickets
  • Money orders/transfers
  • Transportation passes
  • Special event/entertainment tickets or passes
  • Postage stamps
  • Gift cards/phone cards/prepaid/Green Dot^TM cards
  • Prescription Savings Club" memberships
  • Health care services, including immunizations
  • Any items prohibited by law

Tell Wal-Mart how you really feel

I really enjoyed this article from A Thrifty Mom.  She explains why she doesn't shop at or blog about Wal-Mart very much.  And I completely agree with her reasons.

One, is that you really can find better deals.  Now, if you took your shopping list to Wal-Mart and bought your items and then bought identical items at Winn-Dixie and Publix with NO sales and NO coupons, yes, Wal-Mart would be cheaper.  But if you have coupons for everything on your list (that double up to 50c at WD and Publix) and took advantage of BOGO deals at either of the stores you could easily save 50% over what you would pay at Wal-Mart.  Now that's not to say Wal-Mart doesn't occasionally have a good deal.  (I'm a fan of Couponing to Disney's Under $1 Deals at Wal-Mart list)  But I don't do BIG shopping trips there anymore.  I save that for Winn-Dixie.

The other reason why I don't shop Wal-Mart often is because of the general feeling most employees have toward coupons and coupon users.  I recently blogged about my not-so-pleasant trip to Wal-Mart.  Unfortunately, here and many other places this is not the exception but the norm.

Well, apparently, Wal-Mart has picked up on these two points.  And they have provided a (short) survey to find out how you feel!  It asks your level of coupon usage, if you've ever used coupons at Wal-Mart and how using coupons at Wal-Mart made you feel.  And boy, their answer options sure do get it right!  They covered allllllllll the negative experiences I've ever had with using coupons at Wal-Mart.

So make your voice heard and tell Wal-Mart how you really feel!

Getting Started at Target

Thanks to Student Saving Bucks for this Getting Started tutorial for getting the best deals at Target!

Coupon Policy: First off, Target does have a coupon policy. It is posted on their website here. I will point out some important point from their coupon policy:

• Target accepts one manufacturer coupon and one Target coupon for the same item (unless prohibited)
• We gladly accept valid internet coupons
• We accept two kinds of coupons: Target-issued coupons and manufacturer-issued. 
• Coupon amount may be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied.

Target Coupons:  By visiting the Target website and clicking "coupons" you will see an array of Target coupons available to print. There are print limitations and some you will only be able to print a few times. There is no set time when new coupons will be added, or removed. The hotter the coupon, the faster it goes, it seems. So check the coupon page often and print what you will use in case they get taken off the next day!

You CAN use (1) Manufacturer coupon & (1) Target coupon per item, per the coupon policy.

Target Coupons in Sunday Coupon Inserts & Mailers: Although it seems that they are regional, target does release Target coupons in some Sunday Coupon Inserts. Many time, they release Gift Card Coupons; In order to get the Gift Card, you must present the coupon, as it is not a "store Gift Card Promo". Target also releases "Target Coupon Mailers" which are sent to your home via mail. There is no "for sure" way to get these, they seem to randomly be sent out.

Trial Size Items: Target has a very big travel section with many products. You should be allowed to use a manufacturer or target coupon as long as the coupon does not exclude trial size items. Although coupon may not exclude trial size items, a store and/or its managers might not let you use them for these items. So its a YMMV (your manager may vary) thing.

• For example. Coupons used for Trial Size Items should be adjusted down if the price of the item exceeds the coupon. ($1/1 Coupon for Tide; Buy (1) Tide (Trial Size) $0.99 - Coupon should be adjusted down to $0.99 per the Target coupon policy.

Gift Card Promotions: Target has some great gift card promotions. In almost every Ad, you will have at least one. There are frequently GC Promos for diapers, an array of food items, vacuums, DVDs/Blu-Rays and video games. Many times you will find that when pairing the right coupons and GC Promos, you will have Money Makers. These are deals in which you are literally paid to shop. 

Temporary Price Cuts (TPC) & Clearance: I can't stress this enough. Always have your coupons with you. You NEVER know what you will find on clearance or TPC at the store. This is where many good deals are found as well.
  
Weekly Deals: There are many blogs online that will provide the Target Ad with Coupon Match-ups to make it easier for you guys to find deals and prepare your shopping lists! Mine is one of them so make sure you stop by. :)  

I hope this little "101" will help some of you get started or just be prepared. I suggest you print out the coupon policy and ALWAYS have it with you.

Getting Started At Kroger

I do not have a Kroger to shop at.  But Lisa, the Not-So-Desperate-Housewife, does.  And she has generously provided us with a "Getting Started At Kroger" tutorial for any who are interested in checking out their local Kroger!

Getting Started at Kroger

In order to get the most for your money at Kroger stores, you first need to acquire a Kroger Plus Shopper's Card at your store's customer service desk. You must have this card in order to get the sale price of the weekly ad items. Once you've got one, go to this page and register it online for valuable e-coupons, home mailings,  a Upromise link to purchases, etc. Also, using your Kroger card has the potential to save you money on gas (in certain states; not Alabama, though. BOO!).

Kroger does not necessarily have an "official" coupon policy, but the following list should get you started.

• They do accept most internet coupons (unless otherwise noted in your store)
• Their BOGO sale items ring up at half-price
• You can stack store and manufacturer coupons
• They do not promote overages, but overages from coupon usage are absorbed into your total
• They do NOT accept a competitor's store/Catalina coupons (You can't use a Walgreens Catalina at a Kroger store)
• There are no limits on the number of coupons you can use
• The weekly ads vary by region, starting either on Sunday or Monday
• Coupons up to 50c are doubled at the register

I've read on some sites that using reusable bags gets you 3c per bag on your total. I've double-check my receipts from the last few trips where I know I have used my own shopping bags, and I don't see any kind of credit. (As a matter of fact, one of the cashier's game me flack for using bags I had purchased at Winn-Dixie at the Kroger, but that's another story for another time.) I would suggest asking your local store manager if this is a policy in your store or calling the customer service hotline at 1-866-221-4141.

 

Thanks, Lisa, for sharing your knowledge with us!

Getting Started at CVS

Here's a few things you need to know about CVS if you've never "coupon shopped" there before.

Getting started at CVS:

• You need an Extra Care card to get advertised prices.  They are free and you can apply in store.  You will need to have this scanned every time you make a purchase (prescriptions included!)  

• You can stack Manufacturer coupons with CVS store coupons.

• CVS store coupons come in the form of a CRT (cash register tape - prints at the end of your receipt), or you may get sent some by e-mail (if you provide your e-mail when you sign up for your Extra Care card) and stores now have a "coupon center" which is a price checker machine that will print coupons if you scan your Extra Care card!  Don't just stop at one scan.  I can usually get coupons from two scans a day.  Some days I get lucky and get coupons on my third scan!

• CVS has Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) - These come in the form of quaterly ECBs which is 2% of all your purchases for the quarter and $1 for every 2 prescriptions filled.  Extra Care Bucks also come from weekly deals.  Items that generate ECBs will be listed in the ad.  You can use coupons on ECB sales.  This sometimes results in products for free or even a profit.  For example, if they put toothpaste on sale for $3 with $3 ECBs back, that's FREE toothpaste!  But if you had a $1 off coupon or that toothpaste, you would pay $2 for the toothpaste, but get $3 ECBs back!  You just made $1 because you got back $1 ECB more than you spent!  Extra Care Bucks print at the end of your receipt when you purchase the appropriate items.

• ECBs you earn can be used like cash toward your purchase.  But you cannot apply them towards the sales tax on your purchase.  So if I had a $3 ECB and a $4 ECB and my total was $7.22, I'll ask for my subtotal.  Because if my subtotal is only $6.50, I don't want to use $7 ECBs.  I will lose 50c.  I would use my $4 ECB and pay $3.22 out of my pocket.  ECBs have to be used in their whole amount towards your subtotal.  You will not get change back on ECBs.   See the bottom of your ECB for restrictions (like not being able to use them on prescriptions, tobacco and alcohol.

• All ECB deals listed are limit one per card when listed on the blog unless otherwise specified

• Use your reusable bag and Green Bag Tag to earn more ECBs!!   Learn more here. 

• CVS does not double coupons, ad match or accept competitor's coupons.

Couponing 101 - Part 3: Knowing and Understanding Store's Coupon Policies

Knowing and Understanding your Store’s Coupon Policy

Each store’s coupon policy can be found online at the stores website.  It’s a good idea to print a copy and keep with you because sometimes you will run into a cashier (or even a manager!) that doesn’t know their own stores policy.

Here are some highlights (in addition to things we’ve already discussed like stacking & using two coupons on BOGO deals):

Publix

·       You do not have to buy 2 BOGO items to get the sale price.  Each item rings up half price.

·       Publix accepts competitor’s coupons.  You can use other store coupons.

·       They double manufacturer coupons up to and including 50c.

Winn-Dixie

·       You have to buy BOTH items in a BOGO deal to get the deal.  The first item rings up full price, the second rings up free.  If you only buy one you still pay full price.

·       They double manufacturer coupons up to and including 50c.

·       No competitors coupons

Food Giant

·       Doubles coupons up 90c only on Mondays.

·       Will match any stores advertised price (on Tuesday – Sunday only, not on double coupon Monday).  You must have the actual ad for the price match.

·       No competitors coupons

Wal-Mart

·       Will match any stores advertised price when presented with the current ad.

·       No double coupons, no competitors coupons

Target

·       Will price match but you have to do it at the Customer Service desk.  You can either check out at customer service if your order is small.  Or you can take your receipt and ad to the customer service desk after you check out and they will adjust the price and give you the difference.

·       No competitor coupons, no double coupons


More on coupon policies here. 

Understanding Coupon Fraud