Coupons 101

Ok, I'll admit it.  I 'heart' coupons.  In fact, I'm probably a little fanatical about coupons.  Even my kids know to ask if I have a coupon for some item they'd like me to buy for them.  Coupons are great because they save money, and hey, they are just FUN!  (I know...I'm a little crazy!-)  But you do need to know how to use them in order to really get a good deal and to not just buy something you don't really need.

Here are the basics you need to know about coupons:

1. Types of coupons
2. Where to find coupons
3. Store Coupon Policies

First we'll cover the different types of coupons (and a little bit of where to find them):

• Manufacturer Coupons-- These are the most common.  Usually found in newspapers, magazines, and online.  These coupons can sometimes be "doubled."
• Store Coupons--  Offered by your local store.  Sometimes they come with the newspaper (like Target's) or, if you have a shopping card at King Sooper's or Safeway, you will be mailed special store coupons.
• Internet Coupons--  Some websites allow you to print off coupons.  Usually these are a digital form of manufacturer coupons and often you can only print off one of each coupon.
• Digital Coupons-- Companies like Kroger (King Sooper's) and Safeway, as well as other companies like Cell Fire,  allow you to download coupons directly to your store card and/or cell phone.  Using your card at checkout, the coupons are automatically deducted when your couponed item is scanned.  While you can only download one coupon per item, you are allowed to use a manufacturer coupon on top of it...meaning double savings!
• "Peelies"-- These are the coupons that come attached to a product you purchase.  You can either use it then or save it for a later purchase.
• "Catalinas"-- These are the printed coupons that are handed to you with your receipt.  Some are junk, but pay close attention to these as sometimes there are great deals such as "Save $3 on your next purchase."  Lately, I've noticed catalinas printed off at King Sooper's that inform you of upcoming promotions.  (For example, "Buy 4 Kleenex, save $1 on your next order"  with the promotional dates.)  I've started saving these in my coupon folder so I can really know when there are special deals happening.

Where to find coupons:
I get most of my coupons in the newspaper.  We were able to get a great deal on the Denver Post (liberal newspaper, I know, but they have good deals) where we pay $4.17/month for a daily delivery.  The coupons usually come in Sunday's edition, but I often get extra "leftover" coupons in my Wednesday or Thursday papers.  Extra coupons = extra savings!  Just remember to recycle your finished paper!

You can also find coupons in magazines, store mailers, and online.  The Grocery Game website now has a great site that leads you to several online coupon resources, including Cell Fire.

Store Policies
The best thing to do is to check out the store's website and/or call customer service.  Some clerks are easier than others with coupons.  I try to be completely honest with my coupons, but there is one clerk at King Sooper's that questions EVERY coupon (even though I buy the correct item) so I avoid her (since I usually have 10+ coupons.

King Soopers and Safeway "double" your coupons up to a dollar.  This means that if your coupon is for 50 cents off, they'll give you an extra 50 cents discount.  25 cents off, they'll give you 25 cents additional discount.  75 cents off, they'll give you 25 cents extra.

Whew!  Sorry for the novel of a post, but hopefully this helps.  If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me.  Please don't feel overwhelmed by this massive explanation.  Start out slowly and soon you'll become a coupon queen!