Couponing 101: Basic Couponing

1. Sarah White presents
Couponing 101:
Couponing Basics

2. NCH Statistic
NCH Marketing Services, Inc., a coupon
clearing and marketing services company
and a Valassis company
Press release in January 2011, 332 billion
coupons ($484 billion in worth) were
distributed in 2010!
Value shoppers saved $3.7 billion in 2010!

3. Why I use coupons
• To Help My Family
Proverbs 31:18 She sees that her trading is
profitable, and her lamp does not go out at
night. She watches for bargains.
• To Help My Community
Proverbs 31:20 She extends a helping hand to
the poor and opens her arms to the needy.

4. Topics
o Stockpiling vs. Hoarding
o Where to Find Coupons
o Coupon Organization
o Do’s and Don’ts of Couponing
o Understanding Coupon Wording
o Planning With Coupons
o Store Coupon Policies
o Steps to Make a Shopping List
o Photos of my shopping trips
o Tips for Shopping This Week

5. Stockpiling Vs. Hoarding
Stockpiling Hoarding
• Goal is to use coupons • Goal is to get as many
on sale items and stock products as you can
up during that time. regardless if you need
• How many people are in them or not.
my family?
• You have tons of
• How much of this product something that you do not
does my family go
through? need but you continue to
accumulate more.
• How much space do I
have to totally commit to
stockpiling?

6. What are Coupons?
A voucher entitling the holder to a
discount off a particular product.

7. Types of Coupons
• Manufacturer’s Coupons
• Store Coupons

8. Types of Coupons
• Tear Pads
• Blinkies

9. Types of Coupons
• Peelies
• Catalinas

10. Types of Coupons
• Register Rewards

11. Where to find coupons
• Newspaper Reading Eagle

12. Where to find coupons
• Magazines

13. Where to find coupons
• Online
– Manufacturer’s Websites
– Facebook
– Coupons.com
– Redplum.com
– Smartsource.com
– Target.com
– Trade on afullcup.com

14. Where to find coupons
• Neighbors
• Freecycle
• Craigslist
• Mobile Coupons

15. Coupon Organization
• Envelope • Organizer

16. Coupon Organization
• File Box • Coupon Binder

17. Coupon Previews
http://dealseekingmom.com/weekly-coupon-
insert-preview-71011/
Look at what coupons are coming in the
paper.
Lists what inserts in paper each week.

18. Do’s of Couponing
Coupon Etiquette
• Big quantity order through store
• Have coupons organized before
checkout

19. Do’s of Couponing
• Be a coupon fairy / be polite to others
• Donate coupons up to 6 months
expired to US military
http://www.ocpnet.org or Coupons
to Troops hcwsbp@gmail.com

20. Do’s of Couponing
• Ask for a raincheck

21. Don’ts of Couponing
Do not photocopy
printable coupons
(Coupon Fraud)
• www.coupons.com
• www.redplum.com
• www.smartsource.com
• Facebook
• Manufacturers’
Websites

22. Don’ts of Couponing
• Do not be rude to others
• Do not be a shelf clearer!

23. Don’ts of Couponing
• Do not use expired coupons
• Do not steal coupon inserts

24. Understanding Coupon
Wording
• Expiration Date
• Value
• Picture – not important
• Wording – “save on any xyz”
• Fine Print

25. Understanding Coupon
Wording
Limit One Coupon Per
Purchase
You CANNOT use 2 • You CAN use 1
coupons on 1 item coupon per item

26. Understanding Coupon
Wording
• Limit 1 Coupon Per Transaction
Per transaction = Per Checkout at
register

27. Coupon Divas Explain Per Purchase Vs.
Per Transaction
Kitty from Coupon Diva

28. Understanding Coupon
Wording
• Limit one coupon per
person/customer/household.
You can only use one of these coupons.

29. Understanding Coupon
Wording
• Limit of 4 like coupons in the same
transaction
This means you can only purchase and use
up to 4 of the same coupon in one
transaction. If you plan to purchase more
than 4 you will have to make two separate
transactions.

30. Understanding Coupon
Wording
• X dollars off of X
items / multiple
items
$3.00 off any (2)
Clearasil Products

31. Understanding Coupon
Wording
• Size Restrictions
On the purchase of any (1) Sensitive
Shave Gel (EXCLUDES 2.75 oz.)

32. Understanding Coupon
Wording
• Size Restriction
– On any (1) Listerine
Zero Mouthwash 500
mL or larger

33. Plan With Coupons
Rules of Thumb:
 You cannot stack manufacturer coupons anywhere
 Many stores will not allow a coupon on the Free item
in a BOGO sale
 All stores have register line limits, keep it to a
reasonable number of items per transaction or break
the transaction up into multiple transactions.
 Some stores have limits on the number of coupons
in a transaction. Don’t be afraid to break up your
purchases into smaller transactions to stay within
the store’s coupon policy.

34. Plan With Coupons
Coupon Matchups on Blogs
http://www.couponmom.com
http://www.afullcup.com
http://www.momsneedtoknow.com
http://hip2save.com
http://www.forthemommas.com

35. Plan With Coupons / Coupon
Matchups
• Product: Breakstone’s Cottage Cheese
• Price: Price on sale is $2.50
• Insert: This is where you will find the coupon. The SS
stands for Smart Source and you can find it in the May
22nd, 2011 insert.
• Expiration Date: This is the date the coupon expires.
• Price after coupon: This is the price you will pay after
coupon

36. Plan With Coupons / Coupon
Matchups
• An example with a printable coupon:
• Product: San Giorgio Pasta
• Price: Price on sale is $1.00
• Printable Coupon: This is a coupon you will print online.
• Price after coupon: This is the price you will pay after coupon

37. Plan With Coupons/ Coupon
Matchups
Stonyfield Organic Milk Half Gallon – $3.49
Use $0.50/1 Stonyfield Organic Milk printable
or use $1.50/1 Stonyfield Organic Milk printable
or use $1/1 Stonyfield Organic Milk Half Gallon
printable
or use $0.50/1 Stonyfield Organic Milk Half Gallon
printable
as low as $1.99 after coupon
This shows a coupon matchup with multiple coupon
options. This type of matchup is not suggesting you use all
of the coupons. The OR USE means you may choose one of
the coupons. The as low as is the lowest price you would
pay. You would pay this amount if you used the highest
value coupon.

38. Plan With Coupons
Remember:
Almost every item will go on sale every 6-
8 weeks or 12 weeks at the most

39. Steps to Make a Shopping List
1. Have your coupons organized.
2. Browse through the Sunday flyers circling items
that are on sale and you have a coupon for.
3. Go to the Coupon Matchup sites to see what good
deals are available at the store.
4. Go to Forums like A Full Cup and Coupon Mom to
see what deals other shoppers have found.
5. Write a detailed list including the $ coupons you
want to use, gather coupons, grab your loyalty
card and wallet and go shopping.

40. Store Coupon Policy
Giant
Doubles
to $.50
$.50 coupon
becomes
$1.00
$.75 coupon
becomes
$1.00

41. Store Coupon Policy
Manufacturer and Store Coupons:
1. Coupons are redeemable only by a customer purchasing the specific
brands and product(s) stated on the coupon, with the face value of the
coupon deducted from the retail or club card price.
2. Coupons must be for products sold at Weis Markets and coupons must
be presented at the time of the transaction.
3. Coupons are subject to advertised offer limitations and all other
limitations and restrictions on coupon.
4. Coupons cannot be applied against the item received in any offer
where a customer buys one or more items to get one or more items free.
5. Coupons amount may be reduced so that any combined discounts and
coupons do not exceed the value of the item.
6. Coupons have no cash value.
7. Accepted coupons must be manufacturer or Weis Markets store issued
coupons for specific items only.
8. Weis Markets will accept valid manufacturer coupons that display
another retailer’s logo or name only if such coupon is for a specific item.

42. Store Coupon Policy
9. Weis Markets will accept valid Catalina manufacturer coupon that is
issued to a customer by another retailer only if such coupon is for a
specific item.
10. The coupons must have an expiration date.
11. Coupons are void if they appear distorted or blurry, are altered in any
way or copied.
12. The transaction amount may not fall below zero value, or go negative,
meaning we will not give the customer money back.
13. All sales taxes are paid by the customer at the full value of the item.
14. All bottle deposits on the purchased and free items are paid by the
customer.
15. Weis Markets reserves the right to refuse any coupons at its
discretion.

43. Store Coupon Policy
Internet Printed Coupons:
1. Weis Markets gladly accepts internet printed coupons. The same
manufacturer and store coupon rules above apply to all internetprinted
coupons.
2. Internet printed coupons must scan at the registers.
3. Internet printed coupons must have serial numbers and follow an industry-
standard format.
4. Manufacturer internet printed coupons must clearly indicate that they are a
manufacturer coupon and have a valid manufacture address on the printed
coupon.
5. Weis Markets will not accept “Free Product” Internet printed Manufacturer
coupons.
6. Weis Markets will accept “BOGO” Internet printed Manufacturer coupons.
7. Weis Markets will accept internet coupons up to a $10.00 limit.

44. Store Coupon Policy
Double Coupons:
1. Check with the local store regarding “Double Coupon” advertised
promotions where customers will receive double the coupons face value
off the regular or club card price up to the advertised limit. Not all
locations offer double coupon promotions. Limitations and restrictions
for double coupon promotions may change at any time. Changes will be
posted in the store. Please see your local stores for details.
2. Weis Markets does not allow a customer to redeem two or more
manufactures coupons against the same item in a single transaction.
3. If a customer presents two coupons for the same item in a single
transaction, Weis Markets will only accept the first coupon to be applied
in the system.
4. Weis Markets will double up to four of the same alike coupons as long
as the customer purchased the items to go along with the coupons. Upon
the purchase of the fifth like item, the coupon will be redeemed for face
value and will not be doubled.

45. Store Coupon Policy
Our registers are set to allow 1 CVS coupon and 1 manufacturer
coupon per item. Free coupons or “offers at the register” (OAR’s)
are unearned and issued to you as a valued member of the
CVS/pharmacy ExtraCare program. These coupons take the form
of “open ended” coupons such as $3 off $15 or a certain dollar
amount off a specific item. In any given transaction our registers
will allow only one “open ended” coupon per transaction. CVS
Extra Buck coupons are earned when you make a qualifying
purchase. These print out instantly at the register upon reaching
the threshold for the offer. You can use more than one Extra Buck
coupon provided the purchase threshold has been met for each
offer amount on a per-transaction basis.
In the case where a particular item is on sale for “buy one get one
free” (BOGO), you are only allowed to use one manufacturer’s
BOGO coupon. For instance, if Revlon lipstick is on sale for
BOGO, you can use one manufacturer’s BOGO coupon. You would
get both items free and pay any applicable tax. We reserve the
right to limit quantities after the first purchase..

46. Store Coupon Policy
CVS/pharmacy does accept manufacturers’ coupons that have
been obtained from manufacturer sponsored and/or authorized
Web sites. The coupon should be complete and contain a bar
code that can be scanned at the register. If the coupon does not
scan, the cashier should politely inform you that we cannot accept
your coupon. We do not allow manual overrides at the register for
coupons printed from the Internet. CVS/pharmacy will not accept
offers printed from unauthorized Internet postings or
reproductions, copies, or facsimiles.
We do not accept competitors’ coupons for front store items. We
feel that our sales and ExtraCare program are comparable if not
better than any sales or coupons offered by our competitors. We
also do not accept any expired coupons, CVS or otherwise. We do
not “double” or “triple” coupons.

47. Store Coupon Policy
Rite Aid gladly accepts the following coupon types as detailed in the
coupon acceptance guidelines listed below:
COUPON TYPES:
Manufacturer Coupons
• Manufacturer coupons are found in newspapers, magazines and even
affixed to products. The UPC on these coupons begins with a “5.”
Rite Aid Manufacturer Coupons
• Rite Aid Manufacturer coupons generally appear in our weekly
circular, on our website and are sent to customers via email.
• These coupons are labeled “manufacturer coupon” and have a UPC
that begins with “49.”
Rite Aid Valuable Coupons
• Rite Aid coupons are labeled “Valuable Coupon” and have a UPC that
begins with “48.”

48. Store Coupon Policy
Internet/Print at Home coupons
• Rite Aid will accept internet / print at home coupons up to the
equivalent value of $5.00 off.
• A Rite Aid coupon (with the Rite Aid logo) is NOT considered an
internet coupon (even if printed off the internet) and
is therefore not subject to the $5.00 maximum.
+UP Reward Coupons
• +UP Reward coupons are special coupons earned by a
customer in a prior purchase that can be used for any
nonprescription purchase with a small number of exclusions
that are listed on the +UP coupon. Multiple +UP coupons
can be used (subject to the printed exclusions) up to the
amount of purchase before sales tax.

49. Store Coupon Policy
Buy One, Get One Free
• Rite Aid accepts Buy One, Get One Free coupons, however only one
coupon can be used for each pair of items purchased. A customer can use
one “cents off” coupon in conjunction with the item they are purchasing
on a Buy One, Get One Free promotion (or with a Buy One Get One Free
coupon), although the value of the cents off coupon cannot exceed the
selling price of the item.
• Buy One Get One Free coupons cannot be used in conjunction with a Buy
One Get One Free promotion.
Total Purchase Coupons
• Rite Aid may feature total purchase coupons which discount the total
purchase amount based upon meeting specific requirements. For
example, $5 off a $25 purchase price threshold coupon.
• These coupons are accepted under the following conditions:
– The coupon is valid and in date; only one total purchase coupon per
transaction.
– Total purchase equals or exceeds $25 before tax (before any coupons
are applied).
– Coupons for individual items can also be used including another “48”
coupon that is tied to an item in the transaction. Provided the total of
items purchased is equal to or greater than the purchase requirement,
other coupons can be used in conjunction with the total purchase
coupon.

50. Store Coupon Policy
General Guidelines:
 Coupons must be valid and in date; Coupons cannot be exchanged for cash.
 Register will validate coupon through scanning or keyed entry of the coupon
UPC number.
 In the event that any item’s selling price is less than the value of the coupon,
Rite Aid will 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 allowed.
 When making a return for a product that had a coupon attached, Rite Aid
cannot refund cash for the value of the coupon and cannot return the coupon
that was used.
 Rite Aid reserves the right to not accept any coupon where the validity or the
coupon cannot be established.
Multiple Coupons
 More than one coupon can be used on the purchase of a single item under the
following conditions:
 All coupons match the item being purchased.
 The total of the coupons is equal to or less than the selling price of the item
before sales tax.
 No more than one “48” Rite Aid Valuable coupon, one “49” Rite Aid
Manufacturer coupon, and one “5” Manufacturer coupon can be used on a
single item.
 Rite Aid may accept up to 4 identical coupons for the same number of
qualifying items as long as there is sufficient stock to satisfy other customers
within the store manager’s sole discretion.

51. Store Coupon Policy
Coupons are a great way to save even more when shopping with us, and
it's easy to use them at our stores. When accepting coupons, we follow
the guidelines below.
Manufacturer and Target Coupons:
 Target accepts one Manufacturer Coupon and one Target Coupon for
the same item (unless prohibited by either coupon).
 Item purchased must match the coupon description (brand, size,
quantity, color, flavor, etc.).
 Coupon amount may be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item
after other discounts or coupons are applied.
 We can't give cash back if the face value of a coupon is greater than
the purchase value of the item.
 All valid coupons should be presented to the cashier during checkout.
 All applicable sales taxes are paid by the guest at the full value of the
item.
 These guidelines apply to all coupons accepted at Target (Color
Checkout Coupons, Internet Coupons, Mobile Coupons, Mailed
Coupons, Coupons from Newspapers and Magazines, etc.).

52. Store Coupon Policy
Internet (Print-at-Home) Coupons:
 We gladly accept valid internet coupons that contain a clear
and scannable bar code.
 We do not accept internet coupons for free items with no
purchase requirements.
Mobile Coupons:
 Guests can receive Target Mobile Coupons by signing up for
Text Alerts at Target.com/mobile or by texting COUPONS to
827438 (TARGET).
 Message and data rates may apply. See site for full details.
 To redeem, simply show your coupon barcode to the
cashier. With one simple scan, all applicable coupons are
applied.

53. Store Coupon Policy
Buy One Get One Free Coupons (BOGO):
 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.
 A second cents-off coupon of the same type cannot be
redeemed towards the purchase price of the first item.
 If a Target BOGO coupon is used, one additional
manufacturer coupon may be used on the first item
 If a Manufacturer BOGO coupon is used, one additional
Target coupon may be used on the first item.

54. Store Coupon Policy
Exclusions:
• Coupons are void if copied, scanned, transferred,
purchased, sold, prohibited by law, or appear altered in
any way.
• We can't accept coupons from other retailers, or coupons
for products not carried in our stores.
• Some items may not be available at all stores.
• We do not accept expired coupons.

55. Store Coupon Policy
We gladly accept the following types of coupons*
 Print-at-home internet coupons
– Must be legible
– Must have “Manufacturer Coupon” printed on them
– Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
– Must have a valid expiration date
– Must have a scannable bar code
– Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons with a specified price
– Are acceptable in black and white or color
– May not be duplicated
 Manufacturers’ coupons
– For dollar/cents off
– For free items (except those printed off the Internet)
– Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons
– Must have “Manufacturer Coupon” printed on them
– Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
– Must have a valid expiration date
– Must have a scannable bar code
– May not be duplicated

56. Store Coupon Policy
 Competitors’ coupons
• A specific item for a specified price, for example, $2.99
• Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons for items with a specified price
• Have a valid expiration date
• Are acceptable in black and white
 Soft drink container caps
 Checkout coupons (“Catalinas”)
• Printed at our competitors’ registers for dollar/cents off on a specific item
• Must have “Manufacturer Coupon” with specific item requirements printed
on them
• Must have a valid remit address for the manufacturer
• Must have a valid expiration date
• Must have a scannable bar code
• Are acceptable in black and white
• May not be duplicated

57. Store Coupon Policy
We DO NOT accept the following coupons:
 Checkout coupons
– Dollars/cents off the entire basket purchase
– Percentage off the entire basket purchase
 Print-at-home Internet coupons that require no
purchase
 Competitors’ coupons
– Dollars/cents off at a specific retailer
– Percentage off
– Buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupons without
a specified price
– Double- or triple-value coupons

58. Store Coupon Policy
*The following are guidelines and limitations:
 We only accepts coupons for merchandise that we sell.
 Coupons must be presented at the time of purchase.
 Only one coupon per item.
 Item purchased must be identical to the coupon (size, quantity, brand,
flavor, color, etc).
 There is no limit on the number of coupons per transaction.
 Coupons must have an expiration date and be redeemed prior to
expiration.
 If coupon value exceeds the price of the item, the excess may be given
to the customer as cash or applied toward the basket purchase.
 WIC or SNAP items purchased in a WIC or SNAP transaction are
ineligible for cash back or application to the basket purchase.
 Great Value, Marketside, Equate, Parents Choice, and World Table
coupons have no cash value and are ineligible for cash back or
application to the basket purchase.
 The system will prompt for supervisor verification for:
– 40 coupons per transaction.
– A coupon of $20 or greater on one item
– $50 or more in coupons in one transaction

59. Shopping Trip
Walmart paid me $2.50 to purchase these
items! This was 1 transaction.

60. Shopping Trip
My total OOP (Out of Pocket) was $1.51
I completed 3 transactions

61. Shopping Trip
Total Before Savings $121.10 I completed 5 transactions.
Total savings $68.85
Total OOP= $52.52 for 54 items
Savings of 57%

62. Tips for Shopping This Week
Until Saturday, August 6th if you spend
$50.00, you can earn 50 extra gas points.
On the first page of the flyer is the
coupon. Currently, I am at $1.50/ gallon in
savings!

63. Tips for Shopping This Week
Until Saturday,
August 6th, you can
earn a FREE
Backpack and
lunch tote with a
purchase of $15.00
or more!(limit 1)

64. Tips for Shopping This Week
Until Saturday, August 6th, you can buy
$.01 rulers, $.01 box of crayons, $.10
pack of 10 pencils, pack of 4 glue sticks
$.50.

65. Tips for Shopping This Week
3 notebooks = $1.50
2 packs glue = $1.00
4 packs crayons = $.04
4 rulers = $.04
4 packs pencils = $.40
Total OOP w/ tax= $3.15
regularly w/ tax $24.62
I saved 88.3%!

66. Tips for Shopping This Week
 Take the $1.00 off 1 Cascade coupon from
the 7-31 P & G and buy 1 Trial Size
Cascade (3 gels)($.97).
 Take the $1.00 off 1 Degree coupon from
the 7-31 P & G and buy 1 trial/travel sized
Degree deodorant ($.97).
 Take the $1.00 off 1Tide coupon from the
7-31 P &G and buy the Travel sized Tide
($.97). Walmart will pay you $.09!!!!

67. Tips for Shopping This Week

68. Tips for Shopping This Week

69. Tips for Shopping This Week
Until Saturday August $20.12
6th, buy 1 Oramoist Dry $10.00
Mouth Piece ($6.99), 4 $ 6.00
Crest Mouthwash 1L
($20.00) use (4) $2.00 $ 1.50
Crest coupons from the - $ 5.00
7-31 P & G. Pay $20.12 - $2.38 ($2.38 MM –
OOP. Get $5.00 +UP moneymaker) or about
Reward. Get $10.00 SCR $1.84 with cost of
for Crest and $6.00 SCR envelope & stamp for
Oramoist. Plus $1.50 MIR
MIR for Oramoist.

70. Happy Shopping
 Remember to subscribe to the Reading Eagle
to obtain the coupon inserts weekly!
 Get organized!
 Get saving!
 Donate expired or unwanted coupons!

71. Reading Eagle New
Subscribers
For new subscribers:
The first 13 weeks will be $16.25
(Regularly priced at $22.75)
If interested come see me.

72. Thanks to the Following People
o Kitty from Coupon Divas
o Perfectharmony on slideshare
o Shannon founder of For the Mommas
o Melissa Van Kleeck user on AFullCup.com
o 1217topher user on AFullCup.com
o WishfulThinking user on AFullCup.com
o Pastorial staff for letting me teach the class
at the church