Grab a circular, check for sales on items you need, then search a coupon database for those coupons. I use the one at CouponMom.com. Once you're in the store, compare what you're paying after coupons to what you'd pay for the generic.
Marsh doubles coupons up to $.50 unless the Q states DND (do not double).
Kroger, Brownsburg, IN - Coupon Friendly - Doubles!
Head directly to couponmom.com. They have a match-up database listing all the Kroger sales of the week and where to fine the coupons for the items on sale. Not perfect, so it's worth checking against the circular. Also, do a reality check on some items. If you can get Palmolive for 50% off, but Ajax works just as well, get the Ajax.
Kroger doubles coupons up to $.50 unless the Q states DND (do not double).
Super Target, Avon, IN - Coupon Neutral
Check the match-up at couponmom.com. Double check Target store coupons. Ease of checkout depends on your cashier. Some don't realize that store and manu Qs stack (offer to go to customer service if the cashier is concerned). One in particular got downright snotty with me.
Target, 38th St, Indianapolis, IN - Coupon Friendly
I went once for cleaning supplies. Netted $110 in supplies and $15 in gift certificates for $25 out of pocket. My cashier was extremely friendly, patient (even though I had 2 transactions) and even congratulated me on my savings.
Walgreens:
Each store sets their own coupon policy, and enforcement seems to vary by store and even by cashier. In general:
- You can use one manufacturer's coupon and one store coupon per item.
- Coupon value cannot exceed the value of the item.
- Register Reward coupons cannot exceed the value of the merchandise, not including tax.
- If you get a RR for an item, then use it to pay for another, identical item, you won't get another RR.
- You CAN use a RR from a different item to get a RR on the item you are purchasing.
- RRs are manufacturer coupons.
- Store coupons reduce sales tax, Manus do not.
- If RRs are available for 3-4 different items and you purchase them all in one transaction, you'll get 3-4 RR coupons.
Transaction 1:
1 bottle body wash, $2.99 ea
Manufacturer's coupon: $.75/1 body wash
Subtotal: $2.24
Tax: $0.21 (on 2.99)
Total out of pocket (OOP): $2.45
RR received: $2.00
Transaction 2:
1 shaving cream, 2.99 ea
1 candy bar, $0.34 ea
Coupons:
$1/1 shaving cream
$2 RR from transaction 1
Subtotal: $0.33
Tax: $0.24 (on 3.33)
OOP: $0.58
RR received: $2 for the shaving cream
Without the candy bar your RR would exceed the transaction total and manu coupons would exceed the number of items sold. Both are no-nos. You are technically using the $2 RR on the $0.34 candy bar. The candy bar is called a filler item.
Transaction 3:
3 cans black olives, $2.16 ea (6.48)
1 roll clear tape, .99 ea
Walgreen's coupons (from weekly circular):
olives for $0.99/can
tape for $0.39/roll
Prices after weekly Qs:
3 cans black olives, $.99 ea (2.97)
1 roll clear tape, .39 ea (filler)
Coupons:
$1/2 olives (manu)
$2 RR from transaction 2
Subtotal: $0.36
Tax: $0.24 (on 3.36)
OOP: $.60
RR received: none
Trip:
Retail value: $13.79
OOP: $3.63 (incl tax)
Savings: $10.16 or 74%
You could easily purchase all items in one transaction, pay $7.63 and bank $4 in RR. You could also go from transaction 2 back to transaction 1 (adding a filler item if you have another $0.75/1 coupon), use the shaving cream RR and get another $2 RR for the body wash. Once you get the hang of it, you can really clean up at Walgreen's!
Walgreens, Brownsburg, IN - Coupon Neutral Don't go during the day. The day cashier has obviously been instructed to be very critical of coupons. On my first trip there she actually told me that a Register Reward coupon that printed wasn't valid until the following day and that I was allowed only one transaction per day (NOT in keeping with Walgreen's corporate policy). For Walgreen's shopping I find it worth my while to go to the Avon store at Rockville and Dan Jones or wait until the evening hours when Geneva is running the register in Brownsburg. She's super sweet and easily identifiable by her bright white (not gray, not blond, white.) hair.
Walgreens, Avon, IN - Coupon Friendly
Never had a problem here. They've significantly gone out of their way to help me get the best deals. A manager even congratulated me once when I made off with 6 cans of black olives and 2 rolls of tape for $0.77!
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