I recently had my 20-year high school reunion – oye! One of the most fun things to come out of it was hanging out with my BFF from high school – Sarah. And this girl is a couponer! She showed me her bins of free stuff that she’s gotten and gave me a coupon binder to get started. So I decided to give it a whirl. I’ve been doing a little bit of the couponing at CVS – but decided to expand to CVS, Target and Walgreens this week.

I wanted to share with you because maybe there are some of you that are more new to it – or not sure if it’s really worth the effort. So here are the pics and my deals!!!

First up was Target. Sarah told me to find their online coupons – so I did. Nice thing is you can combine a manufacturer coupon with a Target coupon! (I checked their policy.) You can click on the pic to see a larger image – but here’s what I got and how much it all cost:

Vitamin Water $1.02 each – Target Coupon Buy 2 Get 1 Free (more of a splurge) = $2.04

Papermate 10-pack of Pens $1.00 – Target Coupon $1 off Papermate product = FREE

Colgate Tootbrush $2.99 – Target coupon for $1 + Manufacturer Coupon for $.40 = $1.59

Sharpie Pens $1.49 – Target coupon for $1 = $.49

Revlon Nail Polish $2.48 on clearance – Target coupon for $1 = $1.48

Tums 12 ct $1.49 – Target coupon for $1 = $.49

White shirt $3.74 on clearance – Target coupon for $3 = $.74

All total I spent $7.30 and saved $9.42!

Key learnings:

* Look for the smallest size package (ex: Tums) and use that to your advantage!

* Look for clearance (ex: nail polish, shirt) and can sometimes find something you get for nearly free!

I had more coupons but they weren’t that good of a deal on things I don’t use that often – so I left them on the shelves with the products for others to use.

Next up – Walgreens! Now with Walgreens they have the Register Rewards – where you buy something and get the RR when you check out. It’s free money to use next time you go to Walgreens. No card is needed. This one took planning ahead because I went through the ad from the Sunday paper and then found coupons to match where I could. I forgot to take a pic of my first trip – but I’ll detail here. I had to go to a 2nd store because the 1st was out of the hair things. Here we go!

Scrunci Hair Bands – On sale for $1.50 each, Buy 2 get $3 in Register Rewards = FREE

Walgreens Brand Perfection Tampons – 8 pack on sale for $1.50. Get $1.50 in RR = FREE

Irish Spring Deodorant – On sale for $3, Buy 2 get $4 in RR + Manufacturer Coupon $1 = $1

All total I spent $9.50 and came home with $8.50 in Register Rewards. I’ll use these next week on stuff in their ad so basically I got all of the above for $1!

And lastly, my old favorite, CVS! They have something similar to the RR but they’re called Extra Bucks. You do have to use the free CVS card to get them. I had $12 in Extra Bucks from last week’s purchases – so I started with that. Here are the deals:

Soft soap/Mennen/Irish Spring – Buy 3 products, get $3 in Extra Bucks

Softsoap Body Wash $3 – $1 Manufacturer Coupon = $2

Softsoap Foaming Hand $2 – $1 Manufacturer Coupon = $1

Lady Speed Stick Deodorant $2.79 – .50 Manufacturer Coupon = $2.29

Spent $5.29 – got back $3 in Extra Bucks = $2.29 for all 3!

Kotex 18 ct Tampons $3.49, Earn $2 Extra Bucks + $1 Manufacturer Coupon = $.49

Crest Pro Health Toothpaste $2.99, Earn $2 Extra Bucks + $1 Manufacturer Coupon = FREE

Renu Contact Lens Solution $7.86, Earn $6 Extra Bucks + $2 Manufacturer Coupon = FREE

Papermate 10 pack of pens $1.99, Earn $1.99 Extra Bucks = FREE

All total I spent $12 in Extra Bucks + $7 cash and came home with $15 more in Extra Bucks!

On my trip as a whole I spent:

Target – $7.30

Walgreens – $9.50 ($8.50 RR)

CVS – $6.90 ($15 EB)

Cash out of pocket – $23.70

Extra Bucks & Register Rewards for Next Week – $23.50

THAT MEANS I PAID 20 CENTS FOR EVERYTHING I GOT HERE!!!

And it’s all things I will use! I’d love to hear some of your stories of great deals you got! I’m really excited to keep the momentum going and use my free money to get more free stuff next week!

No “stacking” isn’t placing your coupons neatly into a stack {although, many cashiers love it when you do!}. Instead, “stacking” is defined as combining a  manufacture coupon with a store coupon for additional savings. Many stores are now allowing customers to “stack” and I’ve become addicted to doing so!

First a manufacture coupon is any coupon that states “manufacture coupon” on the top next to the expiration date. These can be peelies, blinkies, coupon found inside packaging, printable coupon, etc. (If you are new to coupons and not sure what a peelie or blinkie is, check out the Coupon Terms and Abbreviations article to set ya straight!)

In the Cincinnati area, you can “stack” coupons at Target, Meijer, Kroger, CVS and Walgreens. Here’s how:

1. Currently Target offers Target Mobile coupons as well as Target Printable coupons along with Target coupons found in Sunday newspaper inserts (typically regional). These coupons can be combined with a manufacture coupon. Target is my absolute favorite store to shop and combine coupons. I often shop the end caps first, looking for clearance items that I can “stack” coupons with to score deep discounts!

2. Meijer was one of the first stores that I shopped and “stacked” coupons. I couldn’t believe how easy it was, until they made changes to their coupon policy. However, you can combine Meijer Mealbox printable coupons and MPerks with a manufacture coupon to stretch your dollars while shopping at Meijer. I’ve often scored free condiments at Meijer by “stacking”. Please note that Meijer will only double two identical coupons. Therefore you may have to do multiple transactions to maximize your savings.

3. Kroger is the store that is a little harder to “stack” at. See Kroger offers Kroger store coupons but they are typically on store brand items. However, there are often times that you’ll receive a $3 off $15 purchase in Frozen Foods, Produce, etc. coupons. This is how you are able to “stack” with a manufacture coupon.

4. CVS is great because you obtain CVS coupons in store by scanning your Extra Care card at the kiosk and by receiving the CVS newsletter. These coupons often contain $4 off the purchase of $20 or more and this is BEFORE coupons! This will allow you to pay a low out of pocket cost and will surely get you addicted to saving money!

5. Walgreens is great for “stacking” and it’s so easy! The most important thing to remember while “stacking” at Walgreens is that you must have a coupon for every item in your cart. This often calls for adding a few “filler” items (inexpensive item like gum, candy bar, etc.) to your order. At the front of the store (by the weekly ads) are the Walgreens Instant Value Coupon Booklet. These are Walgreens store coupons and can be combined with a manufacture coupon!

Be sure to read the Understanding The CVS Game,  How to Shop Smart At Target Stores, Krogering 101, Your Guide To Maximizing Savings at Walgreens articles if you are just starting out!

If you have any questions or comments be sure to leave a comment or email Marci@CincinnatiCoupons.net.

Have you checked out the Guide to Becoming Addicted to Saving Money? If not, you’ll want to take a few moments and check it out. It has some really good information that I teach beginner couponers. Even if you are a “coupon queen”, I’m sure you’ll find some useful information.

I have fallen in love with my lists. It keeps me organized and an easy resource to turn to every week! Be sure to print out your Shopping List and hang it on the refrigerator to add items as you are running low on or those much needed items!

Also, be sure to print out each individual store lists. This helps me to see what exactly I am purchasing at each store and my total! Keeps me organized, which is my #1 tip!

Click each store you would like to print or save:

Kroger Shopping List

The Kroger Shopping list has a column for Mega Sale Items. I know hard keeping track of how many Mega Sale items you have put into your cart (I always have to count even as I use to put tally marks down!). I think this is the easiest way to keep track. I fill that column out as I am shopping, because there may not be enough product to put into your cart.

Meijer Shopping List

There is a Special Sale item in this shopping list. This can be used if the sale is a One Day sale, if you have to do multiple transaction (trans #1, Trans #2, etc.).

Target Shopping List

The Target Shopping List includes Target Coupons as well as a gift card column. This will help checkout go a lot smoother if you know what gift cards you will be receiving.

Walgreens Shopping List

This list includes manufacture coupons, Walgreens coupons (Instant Value, In Ad and In Store) and a Register Reward column. The Register Reward column should be used for the Register Rewards you will receive at checkout. This is very helpful from having to go back to the store!

CVS Shopping List

Just like the Walgreen’s Shopping list, there is a Extra Bucks column specifically for Extra Bucks that you will receive at checkout.

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The hard part is finding out what deals are at what stores. But, that’s why I do what I love to do! I provide your weekly deals (Meijer, Kroger, CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, Target) and it simply takes less than 1 minute to read each store. From my site you can write down what inserts the coupon was in or even print coupons directly from my site. Saving you time and money!

Speaking of printing coupons, did you know that you can get your ink cartridges refilled at Walgreen’s for less than $10? Be sure to stop at the Photo Counter the next time you are there and watch for coupons in your weekly ads!

The best part about clipping coupons is that I can do it while I am watching a television program, on my couch and at my leisure. To make this process even faster you can order the coupons that you know you will use from Coupons by Dede or http://couponcarryout.com/affiliate/jrox.php?id=1067. That $.15 or less you will pay for the time of clipping the coupon, may be worth it in the end. Ordering coupons will also keep from getting those extra coupons that you will never use. Ordering coupons also allows you to order multiple coupons and to grow your stockpile!

Do you have extra coupons that sit around and expire? Did you know that you can trade with members on HCW? I use to do this frequently, but, now take my extra coupons to coupon swaps held throughout Cincinnati. If you would like to attend a coupon swap, email me at Marci@CincinnatiCoupons.net. If I have enough interest, I’d love to host one!

For those of you who are doubters, I challenge you on a journey. I challenge you to not become ADDICTED TO SAVING MONEY! Use coupons for frequent use throughout the next two weeks and let me know of your savings. To help get you started be sure to check out the sites listed below:

Coupons.com,printable grocery, medicine, toys, etc. coupons
RedPlum.com, printable grocery coupons
SmartSource.com, printable grocery coupons
Cellfire.com, upload coupons to your phone or grocery savings card.
UPromise.com, upload coupons to your savings card and shop online. The savings gets deposited into an account that you create for your child or grandchild.

Also, be sure to check out the store matchups and the FREE Items of the Week list.

If you are heading out to a restaurant be sure to visit the restaurants website. More often that not, they will email you a coupon for a FREE appetizer or dessert! You will also receive coupons throughout the month and a FREE appetizer or dessert on your birthday!

Be sure to come back and let me know your savings on a daily basis. I’ve got a few prizes to give away over the next 2 weeks!

Be sure to tell your friends on Facebook and Twitter. If you are not yet a fan of CincinnatiCoupons on Facebook or CintiCoupons on Twitter you should. I share deals that I find in stores!

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