If you have a coupon for a product, you just take it to the store, buy the product and use the coupon.  Seems simple enough.  But, with a little planning and patience, you can really maximize the value of your coupons.  I have a few tips to get you started.

1. Wait for a sale. You could just run out to the store and use all your coupons when you get them, but you will save a lot more if you wait until the product goes on sale.
Example: I printed a coupon for Hillshire Farms smoked sausage.  If I had used the coupon right away, I would have got a package for around $3.39.  Instead, I saved the coupon for a sale:

(2) Hillshire farm smoked sausages BOGO $4.49
– (1) .55/1 Hillshire farm smoked sausage coupon
= $1.70 each after doubled coupons

2. Use coupons under $1 value at a store that doubles coupons.  Tops Markets and Wegmans will double coupons under $1. Up to 4 like coupons will double per transaction.  As a result, a 75 cent coupon is worth up to $1.50 off at Tops Markets and Wegmans.  If you can find a good sale, you can really score some pretty good deals with doubled coupons.
Example:  If Wegmans has Pampers wipes on sale for $1.79 and there is a printable coupon for .75/1 Pampers wipes.

(1) Pampers Wipes 60ct $1.79
– (1) .75/1 Pampers Wipes ($1.50 off after doubles)
= 29 cents after doubled coupon!

3. Stacking Coupons.  Most stores will allow you to use one manufacturer coupon and one store coupon per item.Tops Markets and Wegmans both offer e-coupons on their websites.

4. Buy 1 Get 1 Free Coupons.  Some stores  will allow you to use a Buy 1 Get 1 Free coupon along with a Buy 1 Get 1 Free sale.  In this case, you will get both items FREE.  If you have a store BOGO coupon, you can also pair that with a manufacturer’s BOGO coupon to get both items FREE.  Be sure to check the store coupon policy before you shop.

5. FREE Product Coupons.  When you get a coupon for a FREE product, pair it with a Buy 1 Get 1 sale or drug store deal.
Example: I won a coupon for a FREE Mars Candy Bar from the Mars Candy Instant Win Game earlier this year.  These were FREE after Extra Care Bucks at CVS so I made money on this deal:

(1) Snickers Peanut Butter Candy Bar .75
– (1) FREE Mars Candy Bar Coupon
= FREE, PLUS I received an Extra Care Buck coupon for 75 cents that I can use on a future purchase at CVS
In this scenario, you could also buy 2 and they would both be FREE (instead of a moneymaker).  One FREE with the coupon and one FREE after Extra Care Bucks.

6. Tops Markets Dollar Doublers.  When Tops Markets offers dollar doubler coupons, that is a great time to redeem your dollar value coupons since each $1 coupon will be worth $2 at Tops (maximum 4 coupons per transaction with $15 purchase).  Some Wegmans stores will also accept Tops Dollar Doubler coupons!  Call ahead to see if your store is participating.

7. Drug Store Deals: Drug stores are a great place to get cheap health and beauty care items.  Many drug stores have special programs that offer a store coupon for use on a future purchase (CVS = Extra Care Bucks; Rite Aid = UP+ rewards; Walgreens = Register Rewards).  When they offer a program like this, you can often turn it into a moneymaker if you have the right coupons.
Example: I received Crest Pro-Health Clinical coupons in the mail.  I used the coupons at CVS when they were offering a $3 Extra Care Buck and I actually made money on the deal:

(1) Crest Pro-Health Clinical Mouthwash 473ml $5.49
– (1) $3/1 Crest Pro-Health Clinical Mouthwash Vocalpoint coupon
– (1) $1/1 Mouthwash CVS store coupon (Printed at the CVS coupon machine last week.  I held onto it in hopes of a sale.  Score!)
= $1.49 Out Of Pocket, PLUS I received a $3 Extra Care Buck to use on a future purchase at CVS

Do you have any questions?What topics would you like me to cover in the future?

I hope you enjoyed this session of Couponing 101.  

CLICK HERE for more Couponing 101 and Frugal Tips!

Happy Couponing!

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