Coupon Tutorial - Foundations

This is my first attempt at putting into words the process I go through when I grocery shop, so this may be commented on and edited over time...
Recently my record savings was $128 and I spent $214.  That's 67% off my groceries/non-grocery items! 




I know I could save more by not buying my cleaning and bathroom products at Kroger, but I do this out of convenience and my well being to be able to stay out of Walmart :) 

On we go - this is long, but take time to digest it!  I hope it helps and feel free to comment on what I can be doing better!






COUPON TUTORIAL

1)  Buy a coupon organizer and organize them all by month.  I sometimes ignore the month rule when organizing my coupons if I know I can double certain coupons together.  
For example: If I have a coupon for a FREE Degree deodorant from Kroger that expires in March and I also have a manufacturing coupon for 50¢ off 1 Degree deodorant (doubles to $1) that expires in April, I will put both of them back to back in the March slot so I can use them together and make $1 on that grocery visit! 

2)  Have someone save the Sunday paper coupons for you or get the Sunday paper yourself.  I have my dad & his fiance save them for me and pick them up when I can.  However, you can survive and save tons of money without these coupons.  It's just an added bonus ;)
NOTE: Never throw away a coupon because it’s a duplicate.  You never know
when you will need to go back to the grocery for that item!

3)  Print coupons off online!!
coupons.com
smartsource.com
redplum.com 
valpak.com

4) Add online coupons to your Grocery Card:
cellfire.com
shortcuts.com
pgesaver.com - sadly you cannot use this for Kroger cards anymore :(

5)  Get the store layout and what each isle carries from the grocery you regularly go to.  I have created a Grocery List Template Word document listing what items are in each isle.  I edit this before each grocery list, but do not save it so that I can keep my template.  When editing, I list the quantity & brand that I need to satisfy the coupon.  I can send you a "before template" and "after grocery list."  Just email me for it: lindseycoplin@gmail.com

Here is how I code so I can know how much I will save on a "brand name" item vs. buying "store brand" to see which is the best deal.  I am not brand loyal on most things.

C$1 for printed coupons - It could look like this if I have a coupon for 40¢ (I go ahead and double it on paper) C80¢
SC$1 for shortcuts.com card coupons - these do not double
Cell$1 for cellfire.com card coupons - these do not double

NOTE: If I have a multiple coupons for similar items (i.e. for different brands of coffee) I list the brand "C$1" or whatever the coupon discount is for all on the same line.  It helps me get the best deal between brands and stay focused instead of having to constantly browse through my coupons.
Example: Say I have a coupon for 2 different brands of coffee (again, I'm not brand loyal).  I have a $1 off Starbucks coffee and a 25¢ (doubled is 50¢) for Folgers.  Folgers (27.8 oz tub) is $5.99 and Starbucks (12 oz bag) is $8.99 for much less quantity of coffee.  So, I can assess that I am going to buy the Folgers for $5.49 and not use the Starbucks coupon for now.  It's usually more expensive anyway, but sometimes I splurge if Folgers isn't on sale and Starbucks is :)
I hope this makes sense.  I'm just saying I take options for similar items b/c something might be on sale that I didn't realize, which does sway my decision ;) 

4) Get the entertainment book!  You can save $5 (for spending $75) at
Kroger every month if you shop in bulk like me.  Also included is another $5 off of $50 spent at Kroger.  It cost about $20 for the book (annual renewal) and we use more than just the $65 in savings at Kroger. I try to make 2 grocery trips a month (one big one and another smaller one for bread, milk, etc). 
NOTE: To make sure I use these coupons I clip them and put one in each month in the coupon organizer.


Stemming off of this, let me tell you why I shop at KROGER:

• They double coupons under 55 ¢. NOTE: those 55 ¢ coupons are actually $1.10 off and are worth more than the $1 coupons.
• They have great sales.  I ALWAYS look at the weekly ads before going.  You can find those online here: (http://services.kroger.com/mapquest/storesearchadvanced.aspx)
• They send you personalized coupons based on what you normally buy.  This may be from signing up for the Kroger plus card, but if you are not getting them – call the store!
• They send you coupons periodically pertaining to the season (ie football time – chips, salsa, etc).
• Gas savings: 10 cents off per gallon for every $100 you spend there.  Luke and I pump at the same time so we can get the 10 cents off for the both of us - yes, probably not supposed to do that but we beat the system ;)
• Manager's Special in the Meat Isle!  It is mostly meat that is about to expire, but can be frozen.

Example on Cheerios – I bought 2 boxes: 1 Yogurt burst and 1 Honey Nut

1) I checked the ad – they were on sale for $1.77 a box.
2) I checked my coupons – I had printed out two.  One was I save 75¢
on 1 box of Cheerios.  The other was I buy 2 and get $1 off.
3) I had added a coupon from shortcuts.com to my Kroger card for 75¢
TOTAL SPENT:
$1.04 for 2 boxes of Cheerios!!
(and Cheerios are normally over $3 a box)

NOTE: I always take advantage if toothpaste and small items are
on sale because more than likely there is a coupon out there for them
both printable and online coupons added to your card.  I have made money off of stuff
like this.


To sum up my grocery shopping - PREPARATION is KEY.  Here are my steps:

1. Open Grocery List Template in Word document form.
2. Check Kroger Ad & unadvertised deals at Kroger on southernsavers.com (checking the ad will help me when I browse my coupons which coupons to go ahead and use).  I write the items I want to take advantage of on my Grocery List Template.
3. Browse clipped coupons and add the Quantity and Brand and coupon amount as instructed on Grocery List Template.
4. Browse online coupons added to card and add savings to your Grocery List Template if you item is already listed or add Quantity and Brand and coupon amount to the Grocery List Template.

OTHER SHOPPING
Clothes/electronics use these website:

• Check Entertainment book for online codes.
• http://www.retailmenot.com/ - check for online codes
• currentcodes.com – check for online codes
• http://www.pricegrabber.com/ - checks multiple websites for lowest bottomline price.  I believe Google does this now too.

Eating out and recreational activities:

• Check Entertainment book - if you are a member you should take advantage of their repeat printable coupons (I use Dan West coupons often) online at entertainmentbook.com
• http://mem-cc.memphis-forless.com/
• http://www.restaurant.com/ - sometimes runs deals by using a coupon code – I’ve gotten 80% off before, which translates to CHEAP!

Other resources:

• http://www.faithfulprovisions.com/
• http://www.moneysavingmom.com/
• http://sensetosave.com/
• http://www.southernsavers.com/ - last but not least MY FAVORITE