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Learn to Coupon – A “how to” series to help you get started with couponing

Couponing is a great way to save money, get products for cheap or free, and start building a better financial situation for you and your family. However couponing can also be confusing, frustrating and at times intimidating, especially for people who are new to using coupons. Through the Learn to Coupon series you will become more knowledgable about types of coupons, where they are found, and how to use them to get some serious savings!

Get started here and watch for more topics to come, including How to Handle Stores that are not Coupon-Friendly, What is a Catalina, and more.

Learning the Coupon Language
Where Can I Find Coupons?
How to Shop/Coupon at Rite Aid
How to Shop/Coupon at CVS
What is a Good Deal?

Let me know if you have an idea for a topic!

How to shop/coupon at CVS

Make the Most of Your CVS Shopping!

If you’re new to couponing, new to CVS, or just not sure how to make the most of your shopping you’ll definitely want to read this.

Extra Care program
Before you do anything, you’ll want to sign up for an Extra Care card. You can sign up in store or online. If you want your card right away you need to sign up in the store. You will need this card to earn Extra Care Bucks (ECB). Make sure the cashier scans your card at every transaction.

Extra Care Bucks (ECB)
At CVS you can earn ECBs by purchasing products that are part of an Extra Bucks promotion. These promotions typically run on a weekly schedule, but there are also some deals that are month long. For example there may be an Extra Bucks promotion to receive $5 ECB when you spend $15 on select cleaning products. The required purchase to receive the ECB is a pre-coupon total. When you satisfy the purchase requirements your ECB will print at the end of your receipt. Most ECB deals at CVS have a limit which is tracked on your card/receipt

ECB can be used towards your next purchase but have some exclusions including prescriptions, gift cards, postage stamps, etc. The exclusions are printed on the ECB. The value of your ECBs can be adjusted down, however you will not receive any money back. If you purchase total is $4.95 and you have a $5 ECB, they will allow you to use the ECB but you will not receive the $0.05 change.

Green Bag Tag
CVS has a really easy and environmentally friendly way to earn some extra ECB – the Green Bag Tag. This is a little tag shaped like a leaf that you can attach to a reusable bag. Every time you shop at CVS, bring the bag with this tag attached and have them scan it at checkout. For every 4 times your card is scanned, you will earn $1 ECB which prints on the bottom of your receipt. You must also have them scan your Extra Care card to get credit.You can get credit once per day for scanning the tag (i.e. you can’t make 4 trips in one day and have them scan to earn $1). This tag will cost you $0.99, but use it just 4 times and it has already paid for itself!

“Magic” red coupon machine
Most stores have a red machine that you can use to check prices and also print coupons. Whenever you visit CVS, go to the coupon machine and scan your Extra Care card. Coupon offers change from week to week, and not all customers will receive the same offers. Sometimes these coupon coincide with ongoing or upcoming deals.

CVS Coupon Policy
Cvs accepts manufacturer’s coupons, including internet printables. CVS issues in-store coupons for use at CVS only. They do not accpet competitors coupons. You can use one manufacturer’s coupon and one store coupon on each item purchased. If the value of a coupon exceeds the price of the item, they will adjust the coupon down to the item cost.
Hopefully this helps. Still have questions??? Feel free to email me or leave a question in the comments!

What is a “good deal”

When reading couponing blogs, you will undoubtedly come across many “good deals”. The key to couponing is determining what is a good deal for you, and then taking advantage of those deals to save you and your family money.

A good deal isn’t really a good deal if you can’t afford it.

If the price of a house for sale was cut in half, that would be a good deal but you wouldn’t necessarily run out to buy it because it still has a hefty price tag. Apply this mentality to all of your purchases. You may find a good deal on a higher price item such as a TV, but if buying a new TV isn’t in your budget then that isn’t a good deal for you.

Just because it’s expensive doesn’t mean it’s not a good deal.

Similarly, just because an item is high priced even after a deal doesn’t mean it’s not a good deal for you. If you need to buy a car, or a tv, or are planning a vacation you can still find good deals. The actual dollar amount paid may still be high, but it’s all relative to what the “normal” price would be. If you get a $5,000 vacation discounted to $3,500 you’re still spending a lot of money but it is a good deal because you are saving $1,500 on something you would be doing anyway. Again, it is all relative.

A good deal isn’t necessarily a good deal if you don’t need it.

I admit, I’ve fallen into this trap. I’d see a sale in a weekly drug store circular and think “Wow, what a great deal! My favorite body wash is on sale this week and after my coupons it will only cost $0.50 – I better buy as much as I can because it’s such a good deal!” I never stopped to think that I already had 10 of the same item at home from the last time it was on sale, so I ended up spending money on things I didn’t really need. The reality is that even though you are getting a good deal, you are taking money out of your budget for items you don’t need.

Can you actually use the item?

This goes along with the “do you need it” theme. Say there was a sale and you were able to get beans for $0.20 a can. Since it’s a good deal you buy 20 cans, but you only eat beans 3 times a year and they expire in 2 years. At the most, you’ll use 6 cans and the other 14 will expire. You’ve just wasted $2.80 – not a good deal anymore. This isn’t just for food – lots of spices, medicines, even cosmetics and cleaners eventually expire. I only buy quantities that I can expect to use in a reasonable period of time. Stockpiling is great, but if your stockpile far exceeds your actual usage, chances are you will not be able to use everything. I tend to think that 3-6 months stockpile is a good amount (obviously varying for short expiry items). Of course, you can always donate items to food kitchens or shelters, so if you’re inclined to do that you should never have anything that expires!

The moral of the story is, you have to evaluate your budget and determine what you really need. If you need beans and they are on sale that’s a good deal for you. If you’re planning to travel to Paris, saving $1,000 is a good deal for you. Keep in mind that while one person may consider something to be a hot deal, it may not be worth the money for you no matter how low the price.

Where can I find coupons??

Now that you see all the great deals out there you may be thinking to yourself, where do I find all these coupons???? You can’t save the money if you don’t have the coupons, so here are some of the best places to look.

Sunday Newspaper
Every Sunday (with a few exceptions) you can find coupon inserts in your newspaper. The main inserts are Smart Source, Red Plum, and Proctor & Gamble (P&G), but sometimes there are extra insert published by companies like General Mills or Unilever.

There are several places you can get the Sunday paper.
* Home delivery – you can usually opt to get a Sunday subscription only if you do not want the rest of the week
* Stores – grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, Walmart, etc. all sell the newspaper. Be sure to double check that all of the inserts are in the paper when you are buying it. I learned the hard way that sometimes you will find the paper has no inserts when you get it home, so check before you buy!
*Coupon Clipping Services – sometimes you may find you didn’t get a particular coupon you wanted, or you may want multiples of the same coupon. You can buy whole inserts or just specific coupons from many sites like Coupon and Things By DeDe.

I recommend buying a few papers each week, especially if there are coupons you are particularly interested in. You can check Sunday Coupon Preview to find the weekly insert schedule and get a preview of what coupons will be in the inserts. Keep in mind that coupons and coupon values can vary by region, so there is no guarantee you will get the exact same coupons listed. And don’t just clip out the coupons you think you will use and throw the rest away! You never know when there will be a good sale and you might want to try something you wouldn’t normally buy.

Peelies
These coupons are adhered to the actual product at the grocery store. (you need to “peel” it off, thus the name peelie). These are usually manufacturer’s coupons that you can use at any store, but occasionally you may find store peelies as well (Target does this frequently).

Blinkies
These are manufacturer coupons found in coupon machines in the grocery store, usually next to the product they are for. Called blinkies because there is usually a little red blinking light on the machine. These are manufacturer’s coupons and can be redeemed in any store

In Store Booklets
Stores will often have free coupon booklets available. If you see one, make sure to grab a few copies. They sometimes have rare coupons, and can contain both manufacturer and store coupons.

Printable Coupons
These are coupons available online that you can print at home. Online coupons change frequently, so if you see a coupon you might want it’s best to print it before it disappears! The coupons reset at the end of the month, so you need to make sure you print before then as well. Here are a few of my favorites, but there are many others as well.

Coupons.com
SmartSource.com
RedPlum.com
CouponNetwork.com

Many manufacturers will also post printable coupons on their websites, Facebook, or Twitter. It’s always a good idea to check for items you plan to buy. Also be sure to sign up for email newsletters most companies put out. They often will email you coupons for their products.

Magazines
Some magazines also have coupons. Some great examples are All You (which has tons of coupons in every issue!), Parents, and Ladies Home Journal.

Free Samples
You will see a lot of free samples posted on this site. They are great to sign up for because not only do you get to try a product for free, but they usually include a coupon as well!

Product Packaging
Check the packaging before you throw it away. Sometimes they have coupons printed directly on the package, or there may be coupons inside as well.

These are just some of the places to find coupons. There are coupons everywhere, you just need to look for them!

Learning the Coupon Language

Confused by all the acronyms, abbreviations, and terminology relating to coupons? I was too, but you can learn the coupon language. I’ve done my best to compile a list of all the terms I get asked about most frequently, to help you better understand coupons, how they work, and how to save the most money.

BOGO: Buy one, get one. Sometimes BOGO “free” or BOGO “50%” meaning buy one, get one free or buy one get one half off.

B1G1, B2G1: Also buy one get one. The numbers indicate how many of a product you must buy to qualify and the number of products you get when you redeem the coupon or offer. B1G1= Buy one, get one. B2G1= Buy two, get one B2G2= Buy two, get two, etc.

Blinkie: Manufacturer coupons found in coupon machines in the grocery store, usually next to the product they are for. Called blinkies because there is usually a little red blinking light on the machine. These are manufacturer’s couponsand can be redeemed in any store.

Catalina: Catalina coupon machines are located at the cash register and printcoupons that can be used on future purpchases. These can be both manufacturers and store coupons. Some catalinas print based on an advertised promo, i.e. “buy 4 General Mills Cereals, get cataline for one free gallon of milk”.

Coupon Insert: Booklets of coupons found in the Sunday paper, usually Smart Source, Red Plum, General Mills, or Proctor & Gamble,

CRT: Most frequently found at CVS, these are coupons that print on the bottom of your receipt (or at a coupon machine in the store). CRTs can be used only at the store where they were printed.

Double Coupons: Some stores, usually grocery stores, double coupons up to a certain value. If a store doubles coupons up to $0.50 off, any coupon $0.50 or under will be doubled in value. Coupons $0.51 or greater will be worth face value and will not double. Some stores double coupons up to $0.99 off, meaning and coupon $0.99 or under will be doubled in value. A $0.75 coupon will double to $1.50, etc. A VERY limited number of stores double $1 coupons (I wish I could find one near me!).

EX or EXP: Expiration Date

IP: Internet Printable coupons may be printed right from your home computer. Usually limited to 2 prints per computer, download quick and safe printing software to be able to print securely from home.

MIR: Mail in Rebate – A rebate that is submitted by mail, usually by submitting your receipt, proof of purchase, and completed rebate form. A check will typically be mailed to you after submission.

MFR: Manufacturer.

Manufacturer Coupon: Coupons provided by the manufacturer of a specific item. These coupons can be used at any store, and often can be combined with store coupons.

OOP: Out of Pocket – The price you will have to pay for a purchase. Price does not include coupons or other savings.

OYNO: On Your Next Order. Stores often feature promotions where you will receive a coupon for a specific dollar amount off of you next order when you purchase a specific item or satisfy the purchase requirements for a promotion.

Peelie: Manufacturer coupons that are found “stuck” on products in the store (you have to “peel” them off – thus the name peelie). Peelies are not always for the item they are on, so make sure you read the wording carefully!

P&G: Proctor and Gamble, typically referring to the P&G coupon insert that is distributed once a month in the Sunday paper. Some of their products include Pampers, Dawn, Gillette, Downy, Tide, etc.

Rebate: A reimbursement of the amount paid for an item. Sometimes you will be reimbursed all of the purchsae price, and sometimes only a portion (i.e. $5 rebate).

RP: Red Plum, coupon insert in the Sunday paper.

SS: Smart Source, coupon insert in the Sunday paper.

Stacking: Using two promotions or coupons together.

Store Coupon: A store specific coupon that can be used only at the store that provided it. Sometimes these are in newsletters, online, emailed, or found in the weekly circular.

Tear Pad: A pad of manufacturer coupons where you can “tear” off a coupon. These are usually manufactuer’s coupons that can be used at any store.

WYB: When You Buy, for example save $2 wyb 3 means you will save $2 when you purchase 3 of the specified item.

$0.50/1, $1.00/2, etc: fifty cents off one product, one dollar off two products, etc. Indicates the savings you will recieve when you purchase the specified number of products.

There are also other sites where you can learn more about coupons and saving money. Understanding the complexities of coupons can be difficult, but with great sources like Answers.com coupons, you can wind up saving a ton of money.

How to shop/coupon at Rite Aid

Make the Most of Your Rite Aid Shopping!

If you’re new to couponing, new to Rite Aid, or just not sure how to make the most of your shopping you’ll definitely want to read this.

WELLNESS + Program
Before you do anything, you’ll want to sign up for Rite Aid’s Wellness+ rewards program. Go here to apply for your card. You will get a temporary card you can start using right away, and they will send you a permanent card in the mail. There are a few ways to earn points and rewards in this program.

Points
1 point for every dollar spent on non-prescription purchases
25 points for every prescription

Just have them scan your card at check out and the points will automatically be added. Note that you do not earn points for any store coupons or UPR you use to pay for your purchase.

Here’s what your points will earn you:
For every 125 points (up to 375) – receive a one time, 10% off shopping pass
500 points – 10% off all non-prescription purchases everyday
500 points – free health screenings
1000 points – 20% off all non-prescription points purchases everyday

If an item is on sale, you will receive the lower of either the sale price or price using your Wellness+ discount.

You will also get many other perks for being part of this program:
Wellness+ sale pricing throughout the store
10% off all Rite-Aid brand products everyday
24/7 exclusive access to a pharmacist when you call 1-800-Riteaid

When you sign up for the Wellness+ program, you will be able to print a coupon for $5 off $25 purchase and you will also receive an email with 50 bonus coupons.

+Up Rewards

Every week there are different +Up Reward (UPR) sales, which are listed in the weekly circular and online. You need to use your Wellness+ card to get these offers, and the UPR will print on the end of your receipt when you purchase the qualifying items. These UPR are essentially $$ off coupons that can be used toward future purchases (excluding prescriptions, tobacco, alcohol, etc). These have expiration dates and you will NOT be able to use them after they expire (even if it is only a day past expiry). Treat these like cash!

Single Check Rebates:

Single Check Rebate (SCR) is Rite Aid’s monthly rebate program. Go here to register and you will be automatically enrolled and can participate immediately. Each month the monthly SCRs are listed on Rite Aid’s website and they also publish a booklet that is available in stores.L

Anytime you purchase an item that qualifies for a monthly SCR, log on to the website and enter the information from your receipt (or if you prefer, hold onto your receipts and mail them in at the end of the month). You can request your rebate at the end of each month. You can only request your rebate one time each month, so I recommend waiting until the last day of the month to request it so you make sure you don’t accidentally miss anything. If you request it early, you will get no rebate for any other SCR items you purchase for the remainder of the month

These SCRs usually have a limit (typically one per household), so make sure you check the fine print. Qualifying dates can vary as well – sometimes a SCR is good all month long, other times it is good only for a particular week.
Rite Aid Store Coupons

The best part about the rebate is that, even if you use a coupon when paying for the item, you still get back the FULL rebate. Whether it’s $.50 off, $1 off, Free, doesn’t matter – you still get the entire value of the rebate!!

Occasionally Rite Aid has $/$$ purchase coupons, such as $3 off $15 purchase, which may print on your receipt or be available to print online. There are often store coupons that can be found in the weekly circular or online. These coupons can be combined with manufacturer’s coupons to get extra savings! These coupons typically have a limit of one per transaction or one per customer.

Video Values. You earn these coupons by watching various short video clips/commercials, usually 30 seconds – 2 minutes long each. Each video earns you a different coupon, which will be available to print after you watch the video. These are also Rite Aid store coupons and can usually be combined with in-ad coupons and/or manufacturer coupons. These have a limit of one per customer.

Rite Aid also has monthly video values coupons

Rite Aid Coupon Policy

You can read the complete Rite Aid coupon policy here. It’s not a bad idea to print this and take it along with you in case you ever have a problem using a coupon.

One of my favorite things about Rite Aid’s policy is that itclearly states that for a Buy One Get One Free sale, you are allowed to use a Buy One Get One Free coupon to get both items for free! This type of sale/coupon situation happens at Rite Aid fairly often and means lots of free products!!

Hopefully this helps. Still have questions??? Feel free to email me or leave a question in the comments!

Learn to Coupon – A “how to” series to help you get started with couponing

How to shop/coupon at CVS

Make the Most of Your CVS Shopping!

What is a “good deal”

Where can I find coupons??

Learning the Coupon Language

How to shop/coupon at Rite Aid

HOT Printable Coupons

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