The Basics: Freebies, Freebies, Freebies

Before I discovered the world of coupons, deals, and freebies, I was reluctant to sign up for any FREEbies and FREE samples!  I just didn't know much about it.  Would I get charged a fee?  What information should I give and what should I avoid?  But if you are cautious, FREEbies and FREE samples can be a wonderul thing!  Here are a few tips so that you can take full advantage!

::Create a "Junk" Email Account:  The majority of FREE samples and FREEbies require your email address.  And when you do, you will get spam.  Create a second account, a FREEbies account.  Use this address when you sign up for FREEbies, newsletters, and such so that your regular email address doesn't get bombarded with spam.

::Provide Only the Necessary Information:  Of course they need your name and address.  They will also want your email address for advertising.  But your phone number, children's names and ages, etc.  For most things, it just isn't necessary.  Use your judgement.  As far as most companies know, my phone number is 555-555-5555. 

::No Credit Cards: Don't sign up for FREEbies that require a credit card. Most likely if they ask for your credit card information, it's a FREE trial. If you don't remember to cancel, your card will be charged.  I avoid these because I never seem to remember to cancel.

Freebies are a great way to try a new product, get some great coupons (these often come with freebies), or something to donate!  It's always fun to open up your mailbox and see it overflowing with freebies (and not bills).  Don't be afraid of freebies, just use your judgement!

The Basics: Look Up, Look Down!!

Went shopping for a new brush this week and I noticed something.  The most expensive brushes were smack dab in the middle of the aisle.  Right at eye level.  Imagine that.  Look down a little and the brushes cost about $5 less.  Look up, same thing!  Don't be fooled when you're at the grocery store!  The plan is to get you to spend more so each product is placed strategically.  The best deals are often in the nooks and crannies of the stores.  The top shelves and the bottom shelves.  As you shop, be aware of this so that you don't spend more than you need to!

The Basics: Stockpiling

When you hear the word stockpile, what image do you see?  Do you see a closet filled with health and beauty supplies?  Or do you picture an extra room dedicated to groceries? 

What stockpiling is.....  Stockpiling is purchasing multiples of an item when you can get them for FREE, close to FREE or at a very low price by combining coupons, sales, and promotions.  When you can get toothpaste for FREE, why get just one.  Buy several to last you until the next sale pops up.

What stockpiling shouldn't be......

*Clearing the shelves to get your own personal stockpile of a product. When I say clearning the shelves, I don't mean grabbing the last two or three bottles of shampoo. Clearing the shelves would be grabbing 10 bottles when there are only 10 bottles available. Don't worry, there will be another sale to build your stockpile with.

*Purchasing more than you can use in a three year period. I aim to keep around a six month stockpile, meaning I have enough of the product to last 6 months. There will be another sale, another opportunity to pick up the item so, in my opinion, there really is no need to have a stockpile of more than a year.

How to start building your stockpile.....
*Figure out what your family uses on a regular basis.  Take a mental or written inventory of products, from toiletries to groceries.

*Purchase multiples of the Sunday paper and start looking for sales.  You will get the best deals when you combine coupons, sales, and promtions.  And with multiple papers, you'll be able to purchase more with coupons when it goes on sale.

*Start slowly.  You will not be able to build a large stockpile overnight.  If you tried, your pantry would include pasta with no sauce, peanut butter with no bread, or you would spend a fortune buying stockpile items as well as the items you need for the week.  You still need to stay within your budget so pick a couple of items (instead of 5 or 6) to stockpile each week. 


Where can I put all of this stuff?
This is where you might have to get creative.  Before we moved, we lived in a very small, two bedroom apartment.  But I still managed to maintain a decent stockpile.  We turned our spare bathroom into a stockpile room.  We were still able to use the toilet in the sink but we also had a small shelving unit that help our toiletries (and this was a small bathroom).  Use the space beneath your bed or high up on shelves. 

I've got my stockpile, now what?  Use it!  We lovingly call it our store!  As in, "I'm heading downstairs to the store to get........"  When I plan my meals for the week, I plan it largely around what we already have. 

Are you new to couponing?  Or need a refresher?  Be sure to check out the rest of The Basics series!

The Basics: Look for Clearance and Markdowns

One of my favorite things about shopping......clearance and markdowns!  I absolutely love finding an unexpected deal!!  Here are a few tips on taking advantage of clearance deals:

*Get to Know the Clearance at YOUR Store:  Each store is different so get to know the stores you shop at.

  ::Location: Most stores place clearance on endcaps but you can often find it mixed in with regular priced items on the shelf.  At my local Meijer, they have clearance shelves located near the pop deposit room.  I always check that before I start shopping.  They also have it scattered throughout the store so I look for it as I walk through.

::Clearance Stickers/Labels:  Figure out how your local stores mark clearance.  Meijer uses orange stickers and labels.  Target uses red and Rite Aid uses yellow.  As you walk through the aisles, look for these stickers and labels.

::Markdown Dates:  Some stores mark down clearance on specific days.  Target is known for this - mark downs in certain areas on certain days.  Ask an employee for a little inside information.

*Bring Your Coupons:  You can use coupons on clearance items to get an even better deal.  A year or so ago, I found Nivea for Men on clearance for $2.84.  I had a coupon in my binder for $3/1 Nivea Body Wash = FREE body wash. 

*Save on Staples:  My favorite clearance items - meat, dairy, and produce!  There are very few coupons for these items so when I can find them on clearance.....whoo-hoo!!  Recently I've gotten a gallon of milk for $1, beef for $1.75/lb, and peppers for $.75/lb.  Most of these items are on clearance because they are close to the sell by date.  If you won't be able to use it before it goes bad, freeze it!  You'd be amazed at what you can freeze!

*Holiday Markdowns:  When is the best time to buy Easter baskets and Christmas wrapping paper - the day or week after the holiday!  I picked up a couple things last week for the girls' Easter baskets next year! 

Do you have any tips on saving with clearance and markdown items?

The Basics: Combine, Combine, Combine

Most of the non-couponing world looks at a coupon for $.25 and wonders how clipping a $.25 coupon for a $150 grocery bill is worth it.  Many people feel like they actually spend more when they use coupons because they buy things they don't normally buy.  But saving money at the grocery store is more than just using coupons.  It's about combining as many ways to save as possible - coupons + sales + promotions.  Using a coupon is good.  Waiting for a sale to use the coupon is great.  Using a coupon with a sale and a store promotion....even better!

Here's an example of a how to combine, combine, combine:

Buy (3) Hormel Compleats for Kids, on sale for $1.50 each
Use (3) $1/1 Hormel manufacturer's coupons
Use $1/3 Hormel Meijer coupon
Get  a FREE gallon of Meijer milk when you buy 3 Hormel Compleats for Kids
Final Cost: $.50 for (3) Hormel and a gallon of milk!!

In this scenario, I was able to combine a sale with a manufacturer's coupon, store coupon, and a promotion!  Do this with the majority of your grocery list and you are saving more than just $.25!  You will be making a very large dent in your grocery budget!!

The Basics: Try Something New!!

Before I started using coupons and paying attention to sales, I always bought Jif peanut butter, Special K Bars, and Heinz ketchup.  That's what I grew up eating so that's what I bought......regardless of the price. 

As I started using coupons and began realizing that I could get things for FREE or close to FREE, I began trying other things.  If I can pick up Skippy peanut butter for $.50, why wouldn't I?  So I did......and guess what, we really like Skippy peanut butter!  Hunt's Ketchup for $.25.....of course I'm going to give it a try. 

If you are looking to save even more, try something new when you can find a great deal.  The more products - similar products - you have on your "to buy" list, the more you will save.  If you are only willing to buy Jif peanut butter, you have to wait for a sale.  If you are willing to buy Jif AND Skippy, you can look for either of them to go on sale.   Add Peter Pan to the list and it won't be hard to find a deal when you need one!

I'm not saying we aren't brand loyal on some things but if there's a great deal, I'm always willing to try it.  Sometimes it turns out great and other times the extras get thrown in our donation box.

The Basics: Name Brand vs Store Brand

Before I began using coupons regularly, I thought that, in most cases, the best deal was the store brand.  Now, if you open up my cupboard or look in my fridge, you will see very few store brand items.  Between coupons and promotions, I am often able to get the name brand product for less.  Here are a few examples:

Meijer Brand Pickles vs. Vlasic Pickles
Meijer Brand Pickles, $1.50 on price drop
Vlasic Pickles, $1.67 on sale
 -Buy 3, Use (3) $.55/1 Vlasic printables and (1) $1/3 Vlasic Meijer printable = $.78 each!!
Price difference: $.72 each!!

Meijer Steamables vs. Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables
Meijer Steamables, $1 on sale last week
Birds Eye Steamfresh Vegetables, $.89 on sale
 -Buy 3 and Use $1/3 coupon = $.56 each!!
Price difference: $.44 each!!

Meijer Brand Whole Grain Pasta vs. Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta
Meijer Brand Whole Grain Pasta, $.79 on sale this week
Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Pasta, $1 on sale last week
-Buy 2 and Use $1/2 Healthy Harvest printable = $.50 each
Price difference: $.29 each!!

And these are just a few examples!  Store brand prices are great but when you can add in coupons, sales, and promotions, the name brand is often the better deal.

When is the name brand not the better deal?  Some name brand products do not go on sale very often or do not have coupons.  Other times, you need a product and there is no sale or coupon.  In these cases, the store brand might be the better choice.

The Basics: Start Small

Are you new to couponing?  Or maybe you want to try adding another store to your bargain shopping list?  It can be easy to jump right in and try to do it all.  Shop at multiple stores without "mastering" any of them.  Spending lots of extra money to get your stockpile started.  As exciting (and tempting) as it may be, my best piece of advice when you are just starting out......Start Small!!

*Start with one store:  Before you start running from one store to the next, trying to get the best deals, pick just one store and master it.  Typically this would be your local grocery store.  For me, it was Meijer.  Since this is where you spend most of your time shopping, it is also the place you'll be able to save the most!  Get to know this store.  Learn the coupon policy, start making a mental note (or written note) of the prices on the things you buy regularly.  And get to know the sales.  How often does your favorite yogurt go on sale?  This takes time! 

*Stockpile slowly:  A great way to blow your budget when you get started is to stock up on all of the great deals each week!  Because I have been shopping with coupons for over 2 years, I have a decent stockpile built up.  When I go to the grocery store, I buy sale items and any staples I need.  But if you don't have a stockpile built up, you need to start building it slowly.  If there are five sale items with stockup prices, pick just two or three of the items to stockup on and then buy everything else you need for the week.  Pick the items you use the most.  The other items will go on sale again!

*Be patient:  You won't go from spending $150 per week to spending $60 per week overnight.  It takes time.  It will happen and it will be worth it!

The Basics: Buy Smaller

We are taught that bigger is better.  Buy in bulk and you'll get a better deal.  The larger the size, the better the deal.  But with couponing, sometimes you have to think differently.  Sometimes purchasing the smaller size is the best deal. 

Travel/Trial Sizes: From time to time a healthy/beauty or household coupon will come out that does not exclude trial sizes.  My favorite example is the $1/1 Satin Care coupon that comes out a few times a year (and doesn't exclude trial sizes).  Target sells the travel size for just $.99.  Use the coupon and get it for FREE.  Is that a better deal than the larger size?  Absolutely!

Smaller Size/More Coupons: When you're at the store, do you pay attention to the per unit cost of the item.  Oftentimes the larger size has a better per unit cost but when you throw coupons in there, that might change.  Buy more of the smaller items and use more coupons.  You end up spending less and getting more.

I'm not saying that smaller is always better but you will definitely benefit from looking at things a little differently when you head to the store!

The Basics: Buy More Than One Sunday Paper!

When I first started couponing and I brought multiple papers up to the register, it was common for my cashier to make sure that I wanted two (or more) of the same paper.   Why would she want more than one of the same paper?  The articles are all the same!  What could she possibly do with multiple papers?

Multiple papers = More coupons!!  More coupons = more deals!!
With more coupons I'm able to take advantage of the deals and build my stockpile.  If Skippy peanut butter goes on sale and I have just one coupon, I only get a great deal on one jar of peanut butter.  If I bought four papers that week, I can get a great deal on four jars.  When a product goes on sale, my goal is to buy enough to last until the next sale.  If I just have one coupon, I'll end up needing the product before the next sale arrives and probably pay full price.

What is the magic number?  How many newspapers should I buy each week?
Unfortunately there is no magic number.  Some people suggest buying a paper for every person in your household.  If you have 5 people in your house, buy 5 papers.  Others suggest always buying an even number of papers to combine more easily with BOGO sales.  My suggestion.....figure out what works for you!  I buy a minimum of two newspapers every week.  If I check the coupon preview and see that there will be a lot of coupons that I will use in the paper, I'll buy more.  Rarely more than 4 papers but on occasion, I've purchased up to 6.  Do you get coupons from friends and family?  If you do, you may not need as many inserts. 

Not all newspapers are equal!
Just a reminder that coupon inserts do vary by region!  Even though I live in Kalamazoo, I purchase the Detroit Free Press because the coupons are much better than the Kalamazoo Gazette!  The larger the area, the better the coupons!  Big cities = Better coupons!

The Basics: Keep Your Coupon Inserts

Do you keep your coupon inserts?  Or do you clip the coupons you think you'll use and toss the rest?  Every week, I clip all of the coupons that I think I'll use from an insert yet when I make my shopping list, I always end up heading back to my old inserts and cutting a few more out! 

But is it really worth it?  People are often a little skeptical when I suggest keeping your inserts.  If you've already cut out the coupons you know you'll use, then why would you keep the inserts! 

**What if you could get something for FREE with a coupon?  Maybe something that you didn't think you'd buy.  When a $2/1 Smart Balance milk coupon was printed in one of the inserts a few months ago, I didn't clip it out.  A half gallon is priced at $4.99!!  Even with the $2 coupon, it was a high price.  And then a $1/1 Meijer Mealbox coupon was released and the milk was on price drop for $3!  FREE milk!  If I had thrown out my inserts, I would not have gotten FREE milk!

**What if you could turn a deal into a moneymaker?  If you are a drugstore shopper or are planning on giving it a try, you'd be surprised at all of the things that you can turn into a moneymaker with a coupon and a promotion!  Since I will pick up anything that is FREE or a moneymaker (even products we don't use), I don't always have the coupons clipped.  Having my inserts saved allows me to take advantage of all of these deals!  And when it is a product we don't use, it gets donated!

What do you do with all of your inserts?  Just like with coupon organization, you have to figure out what works for you.  I just have a bin that I put them in.  I write the date on the cover and stick it in the bin.  Not the most organized system but it works great for me.  To help you keep the pile tamed, write the date of the last expiring coupon on the front.  When the date passes, you can toss it.  Do I do this.........no, but I should! 

Do you keep your coupon inserts?  How do you keep them organized?  Any tips or words of wisdom?