Five Tips from the Coupon Contessa
1). The first key to saving money is to get multiple inserts of the Houston
Chronicle and lots of them. The coupons are usually with the magazine section
that is wrapped in the funny paper.
There are three kinds of inserts: the Redplum, the SmartSource and the once
a month General Mills and Procter & Gamble Brand Saver. There are not
coupons on Holiday weekends.
2). Once you have your coupon inserts, now it is time to get to know the
stores in your area.
Does your store double or triple coupons? Double means two times the amount
of the coupon and triple means three times the amount of the coupon
At most stores, your coupon will be accepted at face value. BUT some stores
double or even triple coupons. So a .50 cent coupon that is doubled will be
worth $1.00. and a .35 cent coupon that is tripled will now be worth $1.05.
This saving can quickly add up and you may even be getting the product for
free.
What are the maximum value to double or triple coupons?
In other words what is the highest amount of a coupon that will triple?
Usually up to and including 35 cents.
And what is the highest amount of a coupon that will double? Usually it is
up to an including 50 cents.
How many like coupons will double/ triple? If I am buying three toothpastes
and I have three coupons for 35 cents each. Will they triple only the first
coupon only or all three. This depends on the store policy.
3). Take advantage of store loyalty cards. They will help you save more
money. But make sure you always give your card to the cashier first, or at least
before any coupons. Sometimes it is the only way that you will be able to get
sale prices or the double / triple coupons.
Make sure the company has your correct mailing address. They may send you
valuable coupons in the mail.
4). Price Book: Very simply, it is a book, spiral notebook, spreadsheet or
piece of paper that you record a list of the items that you buy most often and
the best prices that you find in the grocery store.
In my opinion, this is one of the most helpful things you can do if want to
save money at the grocery store and using coupons. It will not take too much of
your time and it will be a great source for you to track the prices of the items
that you buy regularly. Start with the top ten items. You will even start to see
the sales cycle forming.
Prices should be recorded in price per unit (ounce, roll, pound), so that
you can compare larger sized packaging to smaller sizes and store to store. Some
stores have this price per unit listed on the shelf tag, for the other stores,
you will need to bring a small calculator along. To figure out the cost per
unit, take the cost of the item then divide by the number of units that will
give you the cost per unit.
Example: 4 roll Toilet paper is $1.19
1.19 / 4 = 29.75 cents per roll
Example of a Price Book:
Date Store Item / Brand Size Cost Price Per Unit
10-1 Sun Grocery Bar Soap / Flwr 3 bars 1.65 .55 cents / bar
11-1 Moon Grocery Bar Soap / Bug 4 bars 1.89 .47 cents / bar
11-4 Star Grocery Bar Soap / Bee 3 bars 1.78 .59 cents / bar
With the knowledge of how to start and use your price book, you will never
have to wonder if a sale price is the best possible price that you can get. Then
add your coupon savings in the mix, and you will soon be willing to pay less and
less for the everyday items that you purchase.
5). Take the coupons with you to the store! I know this sounds silly, but
this is the biggest complaint I hear. I spend my time to organize and cut the
coupons but I am never able to get hem to the store so that I can use them. Find
a system that works for you and stick them in your bag.
