My friend Steve and his wife have recently also joined the bandwagon of super couponing...and I think my super vocalness about my love for this makes him think I know a little bit more than I do. He totally stumped me with his question. I'm going to see if I can find the answer, but thought I would put it out there for you guys to read and comment on.
Question - We're a little confused on the "per purchase" thing. Kroger has Crest toothpaste 10 for $10 this week and I have a 0.75 manufacturer coupon that says per purchase. Question is do i need 10 coupons to get the discount if I buy 10 toothpastes?
Hope I can find you the answer soon, Steve!
Friday, July 30, 2010
Update on the whole denied coupon at Jewel
So surprise, surprise....no one at Jewel has been able to locate the new "policy" for me, but they swear that they are going to call me back. We'll see.
In any case, my friend Melissa tried using the coupon at another Jewel and it was also a no go. So I don't think we'll get that option.
HOWEVER, I do have some fun news. I realized the coupon had a facebook logo on it, so I did on search for the facebook page for Athenos. Low and behold...it was super easy to find. So I decided it couldn't hurt to write them a note on their wall about the fact that Jewel wouldn't take the printed coupon.
I absolutely didn't expect to receive a response...but I did within an HOUR of posting. They were very apologetic and a bit surprised. I responded and explained that I was waiting on the policy from Jewel.
In the meantime, though, they offered to mail me a coupon in the mail that I can use later :) Probably won't be able to get the same deal as the one I was excited about, but an extra coupon for an extra hummus is pretty cool to me!
In any case, my friend Melissa tried using the coupon at another Jewel and it was also a no go. So I don't think we'll get that option.
HOWEVER, I do have some fun news. I realized the coupon had a facebook logo on it, so I did on search for the facebook page for Athenos. Low and behold...it was super easy to find. So I decided it couldn't hurt to write them a note on their wall about the fact that Jewel wouldn't take the printed coupon.
I absolutely didn't expect to receive a response...but I did within an HOUR of posting. They were very apologetic and a bit surprised. I responded and explained that I was waiting on the policy from Jewel.
In the meantime, though, they offered to mail me a coupon in the mail that I can use later :) Probably won't be able to get the same deal as the one I was excited about, but an extra coupon for an extra hummus is pretty cool to me!
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Coupon Fail! Athenos Hummus at Jewel
This morning I tried to use the Athenos Hummus coupon at my local Jewel (Pulaski and 51st). The very polite cashier told me that they no longer take "FREE" internet printed coupons.
I decided to push back and asked "since when?" I mentioned that I had previously used such a coupon at other Jewels. She said she knew it was a newer policy. So I asked if I could get a copy of the policy so that I could understand what I can and cannot use at their store.
After 20 minutes, neither she nor the manager could find the policy. I'm supposed to call back later in the day once they call someone else.
I'm absolutely calling back to get the policy and to raise a "polite" stink about it not being posted for us customers to know...
I also plan to write Athenos about it so that they know one of their local vendors does not accept their coupon. I will get my free Hummus!
Will keep everyone informed.
I decided to push back and asked "since when?" I mentioned that I had previously used such a coupon at other Jewels. She said she knew it was a newer policy. So I asked if I could get a copy of the policy so that I could understand what I can and cannot use at their store.
After 20 minutes, neither she nor the manager could find the policy. I'm supposed to call back later in the day once they call someone else.
I'm absolutely calling back to get the policy and to raise a "polite" stink about it not being posted for us customers to know...
I also plan to write Athenos about it so that they know one of their local vendors does not accept their coupon. I will get my free Hummus!
Will keep everyone informed.
Want to get Four Free Hummus?
Starting Thursday, July 29...Jewel has a Buy One, Get One Free deal on Athenos Hummus. This is a great find from Melissa!
There is also a Buy One, Get One Free Manufacturer's Coupon that you can find here:
http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/05/buy-one-athenos-hummus-get-one-free-coupon.html
This means that when you go to Jewel, pick up Three Hummus of your choosing because by using this coupon, you will only be paying for one! If you use both coupons (not sure if you can use them in one transaction)....you would pay for TWO of Hummus, but you would come home with SIX!
And the best part.....you can FREEZE Hummus :)
If you back space twice after printing, you should be able to print the coupon one more time. Then I think you're cut off!
Enjoy!
Thanks for the tip, Melissa!
There is also a Buy One, Get One Free Manufacturer's Coupon that you can find here:
http://moneysavingmom.com/2010/05/buy-one-athenos-hummus-get-one-free-coupon.html
This means that when you go to Jewel, pick up Three Hummus of your choosing because by using this coupon, you will only be paying for one! If you use both coupons (not sure if you can use them in one transaction)....you would pay for TWO of Hummus, but you would come home with SIX!
And the best part.....you can FREEZE Hummus :)
If you back space twice after printing, you should be able to print the coupon one more time. Then I think you're cut off!
Enjoy!
Thanks for the tip, Melissa!
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
My starting point
Until i can figure out how to add a box to my blog to start the debt countdown, I figured I should at least post the starting figure.
That is the total of my BAD debt....credit cards mostly. All have varying APRs so it will be interesting to see how this number will fluctuate, but this is the base number for now. Once I figure out how to best document my progress, I'll update properly. Couponing will only be one of the ways in which I will try to pay off my debt, but every little bit counts, right?
This number used to be almost $20,000 a couple of years ago, so I've already done well. I haven't reduced my debt in the smartest of fashions, but I have clearly made significant progress over the past 3-4 years. This is the final stretch.
Lord knows I also have about $70,000 in education and NEW car debt...but I'm going to consider those the way of life for many years. I don't even own my own home yet.
If I can just eliminate the $5600 here (which seems so small now that I tallied it), it would do wonders for my social life and scrapbooking business. Heck, I might even be able to start saving for my big property investment. Wowsers!
$5596.91
That is the total of my BAD debt....credit cards mostly. All have varying APRs so it will be interesting to see how this number will fluctuate, but this is the base number for now. Once I figure out how to best document my progress, I'll update properly. Couponing will only be one of the ways in which I will try to pay off my debt, but every little bit counts, right?
This number used to be almost $20,000 a couple of years ago, so I've already done well. I haven't reduced my debt in the smartest of fashions, but I have clearly made significant progress over the past 3-4 years. This is the final stretch.
Lord knows I also have about $70,000 in education and NEW car debt...but I'm going to consider those the way of life for many years. I don't even own my own home yet.
If I can just eliminate the $5600 here (which seems so small now that I tallied it), it would do wonders for my social life and scrapbooking business. Heck, I might even be able to start saving for my big property investment. Wowsers!
Using CVS bucks for the first time
So I'm home for another day battling this stomach bug and knew that I would have to run out to buy some additional bottles of Gatorade. So I decided to pre-plan my trip and looked through the CVS mailer to see if there were any household items on sale that I needed or would soon need.
I knew I needed lightbulbs and dish detergent.
Detergent was on sale and there was a manufacturer's coupon for 25 cents off a 20oz bottle of Palmolive (so I clipped that coupon and put in my CVS file).
I also failed to mention that when I got my CVS card, I signed up on-line and received a $4 coupon off my next $20 purchase. So my goal was to spend $20 so that I could use this $4 coupon and then use the $17 in bucks mentioned in the previous blog.
I purchased the following items:
I'm still chuckling at myself...I feel slick because I only ended up paying $5.41 after I turned in all my coupons!
I could get used to this!
I knew I needed lightbulbs and dish detergent.
Detergent was on sale and there was a manufacturer's coupon for 25 cents off a 20oz bottle of Palmolive (so I clipped that coupon and put in my CVS file).
I also failed to mention that when I got my CVS card, I signed up on-line and received a $4 coupon off my next $20 purchase. So my goal was to spend $20 so that I could use this $4 coupon and then use the $17 in bucks mentioned in the previous blog.
How did I do?
I purchased the following items:
- 2 12-packs of Diet Coke
- 2 boxes of Special K cereal
- 2 individual Gatorade bottles
- box of lightbulbs
- Dish detergent
- Renuzit room deodorizer for my apt hallway
I'm still chuckling at myself...I feel slick because I only ended up paying $5.41 after I turned in all my coupons!
I could get used to this!
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Answering my two questions about CVS bucks
The answer to my two questions from my inspiration (Missy Olson):
"CVS - I love CVS. Yes you can use as many as you want - they are like cash that you don't get change back for, so make sure you don't hand over more than you bill is for. They come as an "attachment" to your receipt (you'll see them on the bottom). You cut them off and use them whenever you want before they expire. If you got multiple ones in a transaction, you don't have to use all of them on your next purchase."
Also, I did a little homework....it looks like some CVS stores will accept expired bucks (most expire in about a month). So give it a shot!
"CVS - I love CVS. Yes you can use as many as you want - they are like cash that you don't get change back for, so make sure you don't hand over more than you bill is for. They come as an "attachment" to your receipt (you'll see them on the bottom). You cut them off and use them whenever you want before they expire. If you got multiple ones in a transaction, you don't have to use all of them on your next purchase."
Also, I did a little homework....it looks like some CVS stores will accept expired bucks (most expire in about a month). So give it a shot!
My first attempt at making money at CVS
So today I was cursed (and blessed) with having to stay home due to a stomach bug. I absolutely needed to buy myself some gatorade, so I knew that I was going to plan this trip to try out some of these super couponing tips.
I decided to go to CVS because there were many things in the mailer that were going to earn me bucks that I would be using immediately or in the future. I was prewarned that the first time you go to CVS to do this, you will be paying quite a bit...but you'll walk out with money to spend next time.
I don't have a child, but I am going to a baby shower in a few weeks, so why not? One box of diapers was $21.99 (down from $23.99) - side bar: diapers are crazy expensive! I have several friends with babies....they better get ready for me to call and find out what size their kids are using so I can earn money and get them cheap diapers!
Bucks earned: $10.00
This means that I essentially only paid $11.99 for the box of diapers because I've been given $10 to spend later.
Feminine products (Kotex brand)
Being female, this is something I buy on a regular basis. Though I didn't any now, I saw in the saver that if you bought the Kotex brand (pads or tampons), you would pay $4.99 but then also earn $4.99 bucks. Fair warning, I wanted to buy pads, but they were all out...so I had to either buy liners or tampons. I bought whatever to start a small stock-pile.
Bucks earned: $4.99
This means that in theory, I'm getting this item for free.
Bucks earned: $2.00
I essentially paid $1.00 for the bar soap.
Total bucks earned on this shopping trip: $16.99 (this is money I can spend on my next trip to CVS). It's like having a tab (only you have to save your receipts). Madness! Literally...I have money to spend on almost anything I want (excludes alcohol and other things).
So how is this going to eliminate my debt. I'm literally going to transfer $17 to my savings account as if I would have spent it...and then I'll send a payment to one of my remaining cards later :)
This is gonna be great!
I don't understand why they don't teach high school students how to do this super couponing thing. The amount of things I could have purchased for school or to eat rather than relying on ramen and rice. Ah the memories.
2. Bucks print out per item (so I have 3 from today's shopping trip)...can I stack them for one transaction?
I decided to go to CVS because there were many things in the mailer that were going to earn me bucks that I would be using immediately or in the future. I was prewarned that the first time you go to CVS to do this, you will be paying quite a bit...but you'll walk out with money to spend next time.
Buck earners
Baby Diapers I don't have a child, but I am going to a baby shower in a few weeks, so why not? One box of diapers was $21.99 (down from $23.99) - side bar: diapers are crazy expensive! I have several friends with babies....they better get ready for me to call and find out what size their kids are using so I can earn money and get them cheap diapers!
Bucks earned: $10.00
This means that I essentially only paid $11.99 for the box of diapers because I've been given $10 to spend later.
Feminine products (Kotex brand)
Being female, this is something I buy on a regular basis. Though I didn't any now, I saw in the saver that if you bought the Kotex brand (pads or tampons), you would pay $4.99 but then also earn $4.99 bucks. Fair warning, I wanted to buy pads, but they were all out...so I had to either buy liners or tampons. I bought whatever to start a small stock-pile.
Bucks earned: $4.99
This means that in theory, I'm getting this item for free.
Dove bar soap
Buying the two bar back cost $3.00Bucks earned: $2.00
I essentially paid $1.00 for the bar soap.
Total bucks earned on this shopping trip: $16.99 (this is money I can spend on my next trip to CVS). It's like having a tab (only you have to save your receipts). Madness! Literally...I have money to spend on almost anything I want (excludes alcohol and other things).
So how is this going to eliminate my debt. I'm literally going to transfer $17 to my savings account as if I would have spent it...and then I'll send a payment to one of my remaining cards later :)
This is gonna be great!
I don't understand why they don't teach high school students how to do this super couponing thing. The amount of things I could have purchased for school or to eat rather than relying on ramen and rice. Ah the memories.
Some questions on the Bucks that I promise to investigate:
1. Do you have to use all of the bucks at once, or do you get a receipt with a remaining balance?2. Bucks print out per item (so I have 3 from today's shopping trip)...can I stack them for one transaction?
Shop Your Way Rewards
If you think you might shop at Kmart, Sears, Land End, the Great Indoors or My Gopher...they also have a reward system. I signed up. Not sure how to redeem points and stuff, but I can't imagine that it would hurt :)
go to http://shopyourwayrewards.com
go to http://shopyourwayrewards.com
Create a Couponing email
This way you can get all the offers and emails to one place and not have it overwhelm your personal account.
What to do first
I went to the BBQ on a Sunday which was good timing. On our way home, my cousin and I made four important stops.
Please note: my tips are for Chicagoland area folks
Stop 1: Stopped by Walgreens to purchase a Sunday paper (Tribune seems to have the better coupon selection) and to pick up their store advertisement
Stop 2: Stopped by CVS to sign up for their ExtraCare card. I used to have one ages ago....but I have no idea where it is. It's important to have everything updated!
Stop 3: Stopped by Jewel-Osco to sign up for a new Preferred card (again to make sure everything was updated). I opted for the mailer too (this is key!).
Stop 4: Stopped by Dominicks to sign up for a new Fresh Values card. You will be surprised to learn that this will soon be your store of choice.
Tomorrow I'll post a few more of the tips/blogs to help you get started!
Please note: my tips are for Chicagoland area folks
Stop 1: Stopped by Walgreens to purchase a Sunday paper (Tribune seems to have the better coupon selection) and to pick up their store advertisement
Stop 2: Stopped by CVS to sign up for their ExtraCare card. I used to have one ages ago....but I have no idea where it is. It's important to have everything updated!
Stop 3: Stopped by Jewel-Osco to sign up for a new Preferred card (again to make sure everything was updated). I opted for the mailer too (this is key!).
Stop 4: Stopped by Dominicks to sign up for a new Fresh Values card. You will be surprised to learn that this will soon be your store of choice.
Tomorrow I'll post a few more of the tips/blogs to help you get started!
It all started with a BBQ
I don't even know how to begin talking about the madness that is about to start...all I can say is that I blame Melissa (Arch) Olson!
I honestly hadn't seen Melissa since the late 1990s, and she mentioned on facebook that she was super couponing. On of my our fellow classmates expressed an interest as did I....well, Melissa was ready for us with an invite to a special learning BBQ.
Oh my goodness....I had no idea what was about to come my way. And there is no way I have the energy to explain it this evening, but I promise to post some of the tips this week.
All I know is that I immediately saw that it's just plain dumb not to coupon...the cost savings can be ridiculous. So I internally decided that I would use my couponing to help me eliminate the bad debt in my life (which is already down significantly but not totally gone yet). So here goes nothing!
Tonight -- I'm organizing!
I honestly hadn't seen Melissa since the late 1990s, and she mentioned on facebook that she was super couponing. On of my our fellow classmates expressed an interest as did I....well, Melissa was ready for us with an invite to a special learning BBQ.
Oh my goodness....I had no idea what was about to come my way. And there is no way I have the energy to explain it this evening, but I promise to post some of the tips this week.
All I know is that I immediately saw that it's just plain dumb not to coupon...the cost savings can be ridiculous. So I internally decided that I would use my couponing to help me eliminate the bad debt in my life (which is already down significantly but not totally gone yet). So here goes nothing!
Tonight -- I'm organizing!
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