How to properly read a coupon

Their are various parts to coupon that you really need to understand. Their are too many coupon misusers that are ruining it for legit couponers. Saying your are new, is not an excuse. Reading and understanding the coupon, before it is used will prevent policies from getting stricter.

In the 'fine print' is the redemption address, exclusion's as well as a key word we need to clarify. The word purchase can easily be misunderstood for transaction. Cashiers will try and tell you, one coupon per transaction. Which is incorrect. Its actually one coupon per purchase, which means 1 coupon per item being purchased.

Purchase vs Transaction

*Purchase- To buy or to get something by paying for it.
*Transaction- something that is transacted, such as a business deal. An agreement between a buyer and a seller to exchange an asset for payment.

Amount off / Size / Product Description / Exclusions / Off of (1), (2), Single bar or 6pk

*This information is key in using the coupon! This information will let you know exactly what the coupon is good for.

-Ex: $1 off of (1) 6 pack bar soap
-Some see the (1) and use it on a single bar of soap, which is incorrect. Read the words that follow.

-Ex: $5 off 5 Clorox items
-Meaning you have to buy 5 items in order to use this coupon. Buying one 5 pack of Clorox wipes does not qualify as '5' items. It qualifies as '1' item.

Manufacturer Coupon
*Means the coupon can be used at any store that accepts manufacturer coupons.
-If it has a store name in that section; that means the coupon can only be used at the specified store on coupon.

Expiration Date
*The coupon has to be used by the date specified. Unless a store accepts expired coupons


Remember: just because a coupon scans / cashier and/or manager approves you to use the coupon, does not make it correct! Only use the coupon it is specified for!

Here is an example of coupon misuse

Airborne is FREE at Dollar Tree!!

With allergies hitting me hard and the different temperatures we have going on, I need some vitamin C. A coupon buddy and I were going store to store and stumbled upon Airborne at the Dollar Tree. I knew it was a stock up price.....haha FREE!! I was able to pick up 9 today. After the Dollar Tree I went to Walmart for my MM's and found the same exact Airborne for $6.82!!! WHAT!?!?! Lets just say that was an awesome find!!

**Now just because you purchase an item, such as Airborne from the Dollar Tree, doesn't mean you can buy it there and return to Walmart. Theirs a such thing called 'fraudulent returns' which can put you in jail......so not worth it!**

WOW!!! I found a $7 MM today at Walmart!

The Tena items are BIG MM's in this transaction. I didn't need the Crayola brush markers, but thought they were cute and could make for a great gift down the road. The Fusion razors are hard to come by these days and the coupon expires in 8 days! In fact, to throw people off at Walmart, they took down the price tag. I guess thinking us couponers are going to be too lazy to go an isle or two over and do a price check! Lol WRONG! So those were a must!! The L'Oreal mascara, wasn't a need, but for $.50 you can't beat that! The OxiClean I received was a Smiley360 mission that I received in the mail the other day and that ended up being a MM as well! Let me break it down for you.....

First in order to receive the Tena/Serenity coupons, you'll need to visit their website at

www.tena.us

YOU WILL NEED TO SIGN UP TO RECEIVE EMAILS ETC. WHEN YOU REQUEST COUPONS

-SPECIAL OFFERS tab
-CLICK $14 OFF UNDERWEAR
-CLICK $7 OFF ONE PAD (Actually its $7 off any item)

Your probably thinking, I don't need these and neither does a family member. Remember that donating items is always a plus! Simple items such as these, can be difficult for some to purchase.

(Ignore bottom coupon. I received all of them today so I took a picture of my happy happy mail day!)


Oxiclean $7.52
-Used $10 Smiley360 Mission Walmart gift card
(2) Herbal Essence shampoos $1.50/each
-Used $3/2
(2) L'Oreal mascaras $2.50/each
-Used (2) $2 off eye cosmetic
(4) Crayola Brush Markers $2.50/each
-Used $2 off $10 tearpad
(3) Gillette Fusion razors $5/each
-Used (3) $4/1 Fusion razor

Total $6.73
*Tax was $4.38

SAVED $47

Weekly Ad Match Ups 4/16-4/22

**YMMV and some coupons are regional

****Fry's****

Beverages

*Coca-Cola, Pepsi, 7UP or Big K / Select Varieties 12pk, 12oz cans / 4 for $8.88 *WYB 4 in the same transaction with card. Quantities less than 4 are $2.50-$4.99 each. Limit 1 reward per transaction with additional $25 purchase
*Kendall Jackson or Clos du Bois or Folis a Deux Menage, Select Variety Wines $8.88 each / 10% off WYB 6 (Other wines and champagne also on sale)
*Coca-Cola, Pepsi or 7UP, select varieties 2 liter 4 for $5, Buy 3 Get 1 Free
*Gatorade or G2, select varieties 32oz. $.89 WYB 8
*Red Bull select varieties, 8.4oz 2/$3
*Arrowhead Water 24pk 16.9oz or Fry's Water 32pk. 16.9oz 3/$10
*Sparkling Ice Water, select varieties 10/$10

Snacks

*Lay's potato chips / Select Varieties 7.75-10oz or Cheetos 8.75-9.5oz / $1.87 *Earn D-Back Rewards
*Nabisco Ritz Crackers, select varieties 8.8oz-15.1oz or Snack Crackers 3.5-9.1oz $1.77
-$1.00/2 -Nabisco Wheat Thins Popped Chips or Wheat Thins Snacks, 4.5 oz or larger from SS 4/6
*Tostitos Tortilla Chips, select varieties 9-13oz $2.99 / Earn D-Back Rewards

*Thomas' Bagels or English Muffins, select varieties 6-10ct. BOGO Free
http://www.krogerkrazy.com/2014/04/thomas-coupon-3/

*Purex Laundry Detergent, selected varieties, liquid 72-75oz $2.99

*Birds Eye veggies, select varieties 10/$10

*Betty Crocker Potatoes, select varieties 4.6-6.6oz 10/$10
-$.50/2 Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes www.coupons.com

*Colgate Toothpaste, select varieties 4.6oz 10/$10
-$.50/1 Colgate Toothpaste SS 4/13


****Safeway****

Beverages

*12pack Pepsi or 7UP 12oz cans select varieties, 4/$10 must buy 4
*Tropicana Orange Juice 89oz chilled Selected Varieties $5
-IF coupon says or larger $1.00/1 Tropicana Farmstand Bottle, 46 oz from SS 4/13
*12 pack Coca-Cola 12oz cans selected varieties Buy 2 Get 2 Free
*Vitaminwater or Smartwater or Fruitwater 16.9-20oz or 700ml selected varieties $.88
*2 liter Refreshe Mixers selected varieties 10/$10
*2 liter Pepsi or 7UP selected varieties $.99 must buy4
*Red Bull 8.4oz selected varieties 3 for $5
*Refreshe flavored sparkling water 1 liter $.79

Snacks

*Doritos or Lay's 9.5-11oz, selected varieties $1.99
*Nabisco Snack Crackers or Toasted Chips 3.5-9.1oz, selected varieties $1.77
*Del Monte Fruit Cups or Squeezers 4pk 3.75-4oz cups or 4pk 3.2oz Squeezers Selected Varieties 2/$5
*Lays Kettle Chips 8-8.5oz selected varieties BOGO Free

Frozen

*Birds Eye Frozen Veggies or C&W 10-16oz, select varieties, 3/$5
-C&W Premium Vegetable variety $1/1 SS 4/14
*Gorton's Medium or Grilled Seafood selections 5.75-11.4oz frozen $3.49
-Gorton's Seafood Product $.50/1 3/2 RP
-Gorton's Seafood Product $1/2 2/2 SS
-Gorton's Seafood Product $.50/1 2/2 RP
-$1/2 Gorton's Seafood Products www.gortons.com/special-offers/coupons

*Best Foods Mayo 22-30oz, selected varieties $2.99
-$1.00/1 Best Foods Product, 16.5 oz or larger from RP 4/13
*Vlassic or Farmer's Garden Pickles 16-26oz Selected Varieties Buy 1 Get 1 Free

*McCormick AtoZ Spices .62-3.62oz Selected Varieties Buy 2 Get 1 Free
-$.75/1 McCormick Spice, Herb, Extract or Food Color 4/6 RP

Household

*Quilted Northern Bath Tissue or Safeways Home Paper Towels 12 double rolls tissue or 6-8roll towels selected varieties, $6.99
-$0.55/1 Quilted Northern Bath Tissue, 12 double rolls from RP 4/6
-Also visit Quilted Northern on Facebook or quiltednorthern.com for coupons as well
*Chinet Plates or Cup 15-35ct plates or 18-25ct. Cups selected varieties, $2.49
-Visit mychinet.com or Chinet on Facebook for a $1/1
*Gain Detergent, Gain Flings or Tide Pods 50oz liquid or 16ct Pods or Flings selected varieties $5 / Gain Fabric Softener or Gain Fireworks 51oz liquid, 120ct sheets or 9.7oz Scent Booster selected varieties $3.99
4/13 RP
-Gain or Era Detergent or Gain Fabric Enhancers $.50/1
-Gain or Era Detergents or Gain Fabric Enhancers $1/2
-Tide Pods Gain Flings Downy Unstopables Gain Fireworks or Bounce Bursts $1/1
-Gain or Era Detergent or Gain Fabric Enhancers $1/1
-Gain or Era Detergent or Gain Fabric Enhancers $2/2
3/16 RP
-Gain Detergent or Fabric Enhancer $.50/1
-Gain Detergent or Fabric Enhancer $1/2
*Lysol Cleaners or Windex Wipes 22-32oz Lysol Cleaners or 28-35ct Windex or Lyso Wipes selected varieties 2/$5
-Windex Product $1/2 3/16 SS
-Lysol wipes $.50/2 3/23 SS
*Cascade Dish Detergent 14-24ct Action Pacs or 45-75oz gel or powder select varieties $3.99
3/30 P&G
-Cascade Dishwasher Detergent or Rinse Aid $.50/1
-Cascade Dishwashing Detergents or Rinse Aids $1.50/2

Health & Beauty

*Dove or TRESemme Hair Care or Axe, Suave, Nexxus or Clean & Clear selected sizes and varieties Buy 2 Get 1 Free
-Various 3/23 RP exp 4/20
$1.50/1 Dove Hair Care
$2/1 Dove Hair Care
$2/1 Dove Advanced Hair Series
$2.50/1 Dove Men + Care Hair
$2.50/1 Axe Hair
$2/1 Tresemme shampoo & conditioner
$2/1 Tresemme styling product
$1/2 Suave Men hair products
*L'Oreal Advanced or Herbal Essences Naked Hair Care 5.7-8.3oz stylers 12.6oz L'Oreal or 10.1oz Herbal Essences
-L'Oreal Paris Advanced Style or Treatment $2/1 RP 4/13
-L'Oreal Paris Advanced Hair care Shampoo and Conditioner $3/2 4/13 RP
-L'Oreal Advanced Haircare Shampoo, Conditioner or Treatment $2/1 3/16 RP
-L'Oreal Advanced Hairstyle Product $2/1 3/16 RP
-Herbal Essences Shampoo, Conditioner or Styling Product $1/2 P&G 3/30
-Herbal Essences Shampoo, Conditioner or Styling Product 3/9 SS
*Cetaphil selected sizes and varieties 20% off
-$1/1 visit www.cetaphil.com/offers
*Gold Bond or Eucerin Lotion or Nivea or Aquaphor selected sizes and varieties 20% off
-Gold Bond Lotion $1/1 4/16 RP
-Gold Bond Lotion $1.50/2 RP 3/2
-Gold Bond Cream $1/1 3/2 RP
-Aquaphor Skin Care, Lip Care, or Baby Care Product $1.50/1 www.coupons.com
-Eucerin Hand or Body Lotion 3/30 SS
-Nivea or Nivea Men Body Lotion $2/1 4/06 SS
-Nivea Skin Firming Lotion, Gel Cream Serum or Sunkissed Radiance Lotion $2/1 4/06 SS

****Bashas****

Beverages

*Coca-Cola Products or Fuze Tea selected varieties 8 pack 12oz bottles 12 pack 12oz cans first 4 for $10, with $25 minimum purchase excluding tobacco, liquor, postage, gift cards and money orders
*Trop50, Tropicana Pure Orange Juice or Farmstand or Dole Juice Blends selected varieties 46-59oz $2.49
-Trop50 Raspberry Acai Juice $1/1 3/30 SS
-Tropicana Farmstand Bottle, 46 oz $1.00/1 SS 4/13
*7Up, RC Cola or Canada Dry Products 6pack 1/2liter, 12 pack 12oz cans 3 for $11
*PowerAde 32oz selected varieties $.59
*Fanta or Fuze Tea Products 2 liter selected varieties $.79
*Hansen's Monster Beverages 15-24oz selected varieties 2/$5
*Tradewinds Tea or Old Orchard Cranberry Naturals Juice tea 128oz or juice 64oz selected varieties $1.99
*Pepsi Products 2 liter selected varieties 4 for $4
*Pepsi Products 12 pack 12oz cans selected varieties 3 for $11
*Clamato Juice or Crystal Geyser Water selected varieties juice 32oz water 24 pack, 500ml 4 for $10


Breakfast

*General Mills Cereal or Treats or Nature Valley Granola Bars GM 5.1-12.25oz or Nature Valley 6-8.94oz selected varieties $1.88
-$0.50/1 Nature Valley Granola Bars, 5 ct or larger, Granola Thins, Soft-Baked Oatmeal Squares or Breakfast Biscuits from SS 4/13
-$0.50/2 Nature Valley Granola Bars, 5 ct or larger, Granola Thins, Soft-Baked Oatmeal Squares, Breakfast Biscuits or Fiber One Chewy Bars or 90 Calorie Products from SS 3/23
-$0.50/2 Nature Valley Granola Bars, 5 ct or larger, Granola Thins, Soft-Baked Oatmeal Squares, Breakfast Biscuits or Fiber One Chewy Bars or 90 Calorie Products from SS 2/23
-$1.00/1 General Mills Fiber One Protein Cereal from SS 4/6
-$1.00/2 General Mills Big G Cereals from SS 3/16
*Kellogg's Pop Tarts, Rice Krispies Treats or Fruit Snacks or Keebler Cookies selected varieties. Kellogg's 6.2-14.7oz or Keebler 10-14.8oz
-$1.00/2 Keebler Simply Made Cookies, 10 oz or larger from RP 3/2

Household

*Ajax Dish Detergent 30oz bottle $1.99
-$0.25/1 Ajax Dish Liquid, 14 oz or larger OR Auto Dish Pacs from SS 4/13
*Purex Laundry Products selected varieties 2x liquid 50oz or 43.5oz ultra pacs 18ct / Purex Fabric Softener selected varieties liquid 44-100oz sheets 120ct liquid bleach 66oz
*Finish dishwasher products 20ct tabs 14-75oz selected varieties $3.99
*Quilted Northern or Brawny paper towels towels 6-8 roll or tissue 12 double roll $5.99
-$0.55/1 Quilted Northern Bath Tissue, 12 double rolls from RP 4/6
-Also visit Quilted Northern on Facebook or quiltednorthern.com for coupons as well
-Brawny Paper Towels Pack from RP 4/6 $0.55/1 or $2/2

Health & Beauty
*Softsoap Hand Soap or Colgate Toothpaste/Toothbrush 1ct various sizes and varieties $1.99 WYB 4
-$0.50/1 Colgate Toothpaste, 3.4 oz or larger from SS 4/13
-$0.50/1 Colgate Adult or Kids Manual Toothbrush from SS 4/13
*Banana Boat or Hawaiian Trops sun protection products 33% off
Banana Boat 3/9 SS: $1.00/1 Banana Boat Sun Care Product, 3 oz or larger or $3.00/2 Banana Boat Sun Care Products, 3 oz or larger
-$2.00/1 Hawaiian Tropic Sun Care Products, 4 oz or larger from SS 3/9

*Birds Eye or Flav R Pac veggies, selected varieties 5 for $5

Baking & Spices
*McCormick Seasoning and Spices selected varieties 50% off
-$0.75/1 McCormick Spice, Herb, Extract or Food Color from RP 4/6
*Keebler Graham Tart or Pie Shells, C&H Brown or Powdered Sugar or Food Club Granulated Sugar select sizes & varieties $1.99

*Libby's Vegetables 14.5oz-15oz selected varieties $.69

*Idahoan Potatoes, Kool-Aid Bursts, Dole Fruit, Green Giant Vegetables or Bumble Bee Chunk White Tuna, select varieties and sizes $.99

Easter Ham Match Ups

Easter Ham Price Match Ups for 4/16-4/22

Fry's:
*Cook's Shank Portion Ham / Smoked, Bone In, Limit 1 with $25 Purchase / $.89lb
*Kroger Spiral Sliced Ham $1.67lb
*Private Selection Spiral Sliced Ham / Smoked, Bone In / $2.69lb

Albertsons:
*Hormel Premium Bon-In Spiral Cut Ham, limit 1 $1.57lb
*Cooks Ham Shank Portions $1.39lb
*American Chef Boneless Ham 4lbs. Reg. Retail $19.99, BOGO FREE
*Hormel Cure 81 Boneless Ham $3.99lb

Safeway:
*Safeway Spiral Sliced Half Ham or Smoked Shank Half Ham, limit 2 $1.59lb
*Safeway Select Half Boneless Ham, while supplies last $3.49lb
*Smithfield Premium Spiral Sliced Half Ham, bone in foil wrapped, while supplies last $2.99lb
*Open Nature Uncured Spiral Half Sliced Ham, bone in, while supplies last $4.99lb

Bashas:
*Cook's Spiral Cut Half Ham, first 1 please $1.47lb
*Farmland Boneless Whole Ham, $2.39lb
*Hormel Cure 81 Ham, whole or half small, quarter brown sugar or sliced, $4.49lb

Sprouts:
*Old Tyme Butcher Shop Gourmet Spiral Sliced Ham $1.99lb

Coupons available for ham:

$2/1 Hormel Cure 81 Boneless Ham / www.hormel.com
$1.00/1 Smithfield Ham from SS 4/6

Challenge for April: Write Companies For A GOOD Reason

A lot of people write to companies and complain about a product. But how many people write to companies and praise them? I'm sure companies would appreciate some positive feedback every now and again.

I have written to companies in the past and have received some great high value coupons. I've also gotten a 'thank you for liking our company'. I had a list of great companies to write and a list of companies that could care less that you wrote them a positive note. Unfortunately my Microsoft Office subscription has ended and I can't access the document. I do know that I wrote to Wolfgang Puck and let them know I liked their iced coffee that I bought at Fry's and all I received back was, 'thanks'. I have heard McCormick and Hormel are great companies to write too. I also know Colgate is also a great company!

What do I write? What should I say?

Let the company know why you like them. Be honest and maybe add a little bit more.

"My 2 year old son loves your Cheetos Puffs! Every day for snack time he watches his favorite cartoon Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and eats his Cheetos." Something like that. Add a bit more to it though.

Challenge yourself to write at least 2 companies per day. Keep track of who has responded and if they have sent you anything, such as coupons etc. Let others know as well; what companies we should write too and which ones we shouldn't.

How can we find the companies contact information?

Visit the companies website and click 'contact us'.

Also for more high value coupons, LIKE the companies on Facebook. Facebook is a great way to enter contests, sign up for samples and print high value coupons!

Ok.....get to writing!

High Value Coupons Using Hopster

I recently came across another coupon site while browsing the internet. Hopster is a coupon site that allows you to boost the value of your coupons by doing various activities. Activities such as; watching a video, LIKING a company on social pages, singing up for various company newsletters etc. Also their is an option to 'submit your receipt' to receive more points. When you use your Hopster coupons, keep your receipt and submit following the SUBMIT YOUR RECEIPT instructions. You will get an email saying you receipt has been submitted and points have been added.

A month or so ago I found a $2/1 Purrell hand santizer coupon. I was able to print 4 coupons! Most websites your only allowed to print 2 per computer.

The more points you have, the higher the value of the coupon.



Right now, if you have 2,000 point you can get War Heads jelly beans for free at Walgreens!

Deal scenario:

Walgreens War Heads jelly beans 14oz. 2/$5

Buy 2 and use (2) $2/1 War Heads jelly beans coupon from Hopster STACKED with Walgreens IVC $1/2 War Head Jelly Beans

Final Cost FREE!

To find out more about Hopster and to set up an account visit https://www.hopster.com/