Effective CouPAWning (For you, your family, your pets and your rescues)

Overview  Before you start  Knowing What You Need  Checking The Flyers/Ads For Weekly Deals  Attaining Your Coupons  Types of Coupons  Components of Coupons  Clipping and Organizing Your Coupons  Where To Shop (Coupon Polices/Tips)  How To Shop  Know “What’s a good deal?” before you shop  Expired Coupons

BEFORE YOU START Scissors Paper Cutter Coupon Organizer / Binder PatienceTime

KNOW What You Need KNOW what items you currently use (brands, sizes) Keep a list of items you currently use (in case you can’t do the shopping) Keep track of items you are running low on or have depleted

Check the Flyers/Ads for Weekly Deals (WHAT is on Sale / WHERE are the Sales?) Sign up for “ alerts” from your main retailers on upcoming weekly specials (usually receive on THURSDAYS) Check the white plastic bag (i.e. Door Store or RedPlum) at the bottom of your driveway on SATURDAYS (There ARE usually coupons inside) Go online to retailers’ websites View ads in the SUNDAY paper

ATTAINING YOUR COUPONS

Methods for Attaining Coupons 1.) Hard Coupons 2.) Downloadable to Shopper Card 3.) / Digital / Online

Hard Coupons (Paper) - Local Newspaper (Redplum, Smart Source, P&G) -eBay (purchase hard coupons from other couponers) -Mailed coupons from retailers -Mailed coupons from third party based on purchases (dunnhumby) -Reach Magazine -Entertainment Book/Local Coupon Book

Tips For Buying Your Local Paper Before purchasing your newspapers at a retailer, check the Redplum ad Before purchasing your newspapers at a retailer, check the Redplum ad The front cover will usually say $__ in coupons inside The front cover will usually say $__ in coupons inside Take one paper at the retailer and check it thoroughly (can use a closed lane to spread newspaper out to search) Take one paper at the retailer and check it thoroughly (can use a closed lane to spread newspaper out to search) Weigh the cost of buying the paper versus the number and quality of coupons you need! Weigh the cost of buying the paper versus the number and quality of coupons you need! If buying multiple copies, check EACH newspaper to ensure all coupon inserts are inside (people DO steal them!) If buying multiple copies, check EACH newspaper to ensure all coupon inserts are inside (people DO steal them!)

Coupon$ Inside the Newspaper Redplum Coupons (1-2 inserts) Smart Source Coupons (1-2 inserts) This is also the insert inside the Redplum flyer at the bottom of your driveway Procter & Gamble Coupons (inserted during the LAST SUNDAY of the month); other small P&G inserts randomly

Hard Coupons (In-Store) Blinkies (dispensers in aisles) Tear Pads Hang Tags Peel Offs Catalina Coupons (coupons dispensed upon check-out based on your purchase)

Downloadable to Shopper Card Each week, coupons can be downloaded from retailers’ websites to your shopper card. Upon checkout, coupons downloaded will be automatically applied to items purchased. (NOTE…downloadable coupons will “replace” paper coupons if both are used in the same transaction.)

/ Digital / Online Coupons Signing up on retailers’ sites will allow you to receive updates, specials and coupons Signing up on retailers’ sites will allow you to receive updates, specials and coupons Retailers’ website can offer coupons on the main page Retailers’ website can offer coupons on the main page Groupon / Living Social offer deals when purchased online Groupon / Living Social offer deals when purchased online Online coupons on coupon sites (be careful of spam sites) Online coupons on coupon sites (be careful of spam sites)

Types of Coupons Manufacturer Coupons - Directly from the manufacturer and usually can be doubled (varies by store) up to $1.00 (unless stated otherwise) - If doubled, the retailer pays for the doubling portion Store Coupons - Directly from store and are not doubled - Most store coupons will allow a manufacturer’s coupon “stacked” with it (see terms on coupon)

Components of a Coupon - Coupon Type (Manufacturer’s or Store) - Expiration Date - Coupon Information (product description and details) - Terms for Coupon (Limits or combination policy) - Bar Code (be sure to keep intact or scanning is difficult)

Clipping and Organizing If clipping multiple copies, a paper cutter saves time If clipping multiple copies, a paper cutter saves time Be sure to check the reverse side of your coupons on the page before clipping to ensure others are not damaged Be sure to check the reverse side of your coupons on the page before clipping to ensure others are not damaged ONLY clip what you (or friends/family) need ONLY clip what you (or friends/family) need When organizing clipped coupons, file “like coupons” together to ensure categories are easily identified When organizing clipped coupons, file “like coupons” together to ensure categories are easily identified Place the coupons in chronological order within each category with the coupons expiring soonest up front Place the coupons in chronological order within each category with the coupons expiring soonest up front Determine which categories make the most sense for you, your family or your rescues Determine which categories make the most sense for you, your family or your rescues

Coupon Policies Among 6 Retailers Retailer Limits5 per cust per day No limit; follows policy on coupon 4 per cust per day No limit; follows policy on coupon Double?Up to $1.00 (thru 2/28) Yes (see details below) No Tax Exempt Policy 501 © 3 Need CCE and go to cust serv desk Need Tax ID number: fill out form each trip Need CCE or GSTEC (very strict) Need Tax ID number Need CCE and take to cust serv desk Need photo ID: Proof of Tax ID; will issue card CCE =Consumer Certificate of Exemption GSTEC = General Sales Tax Exemption Certificate * Meijer changes doubling policy each week; check weekly ad (sometimes will only double first two like coupons)

How to Shop…Time is $ Pre-plan your trip (especially if going to multiple stores) Coupons – never leave home without them Bring your lists into the store Never shop hungry Stock up on GREAT DEALS! Never buy something just because it’s on sale! (Especially if you’ll never use it!) Know your coupon policies ahead of time Scope out a friendly cashier Inform cashier of coupons up front Inform customers behind you in line that you have coupons SMILE (can’t hurt if a coupon is questionable)

Know your pricing -Familiarize yourself with the price of many of the products you buy regularly -When looking through the ads, recognize a good sale when you see one -Just because it’s “on sale,” doesn’t mean it’s not less expensive at another retailer -Compare your “staple” items among the stores (see handout) - Take coupon policy into consideration when comparing prices

Coupons Expired? While most retailers will NOT accept expired coupons, they can still help our troops! Check with your local organizations on how you can help them save! Most organizations allow the military to use after 6 months!

THANK YOU! HAPPY CLIPPING, $HOPPING AND $AVING!