Lesson 3
First, let’s learn the different TYPES of coupons & where to get them.
Manufacturer coupons:
These are coupons come from the manufacturer and have a bar code on the bottom, an expiration date and a remittance address as well as legal information on it. The usually begin with a “5″ or a “9″ (old bar code). New Bar codes are being implemented and do not have this leading number.
Catalina coupons: those that print out at the register and are long coupons are manufacturer coupons most of the time.
Store coupons:
These are coupons in flyers, newspapers, on their websites or emailed to you from the store. At CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, and Lowes Foods you can use these in conjunction with a manufacturer coupon.
Digital/Electronic coupons:
Lowes Foods, Harris Teeter and Food Lion each have digital coupon programs. You “load” coupons onto your savings card through their website. At this time you can stack them with paper coupons (according to policy) at only Harris Teeter.
Savingstar.com is another digital coupon program. Instead of discounting at the register, the savings is placed into your savingstar account to be “cashed” out in the form of gift cards. Upromise is a sister program of SavingStar. They both have the same offers so you will only be able to lead them in one of the sites.
Digital Rebate Apps
Most of these can be used in conjunction with coupons and store promos!
- Ibotta: Buy a product, scan your receipt and then see the money placed in your Ibotta account. Earn $5 and cash it out and have the money placed in a paypal account. You can use coupons in store too!
- Checkout51: Buy a product, scan your receipt with the app (you can also use a computer) and then see the money placed into your Checkout51 account. Save up $20 and cash out! You can use coupons in store too!
- Snap: Similar to Checkout 51 or Ibotta- you can cash out at $20.
- Shopkick: A fun app that allows you to earn gift cards to your favorite stores by entering participating stores (Target, Macy’s , Best Buy, Old Navy). You can earn bonus points for scanning specific items.
- Shopmium: Buy a product, scan your receipt and then see the money placed in your Shopmium account. Money is deposited right into your paypal or bank account. You can use coupons in store too!
- MobiSave: It works like so many of the other apps except as soon as your receipt is accepted- your money is deposited into your PayPal depost!
- Shrink: When you sign up here and use referral code ULPLNA and redeem your first rebate you get an extra $1 bonus! When you’ve earned $20 you can cash out to paypal!
Ok, So now we know the TYPES of coupons- let’s see where we can get them!
Manufacturer coupons:
- Your Sunday Newspaper is a primary source of coupons {see all the references to RP (red plum) SS (smart source) PG (proctor & gamble)? these are all found in your Sunday paper) www.Discountednewspapers.com is a good source of a single subscription.
- The internet: Coupons.com, SmartSource, RedPlum.com are my favorite sites to print coupons from. They change often so stay tuned to MSM for PRINT IT NOW alerts! That tell you a hot coupon has just come out!
- Face Book is a treasure trove of coupons. Many companies put a coupon out for just a little bit; again MSM will alert you to the awesome ones!
- Sign up for manufacturers newsletters or e-clubs. Find your favorite manufacturers and sign up with them. You never know what will show up in your mailbox- virtual and ‘real’!
- Coupon Databases: Say there is an item you need to buy use the Moola Saving Mom Coupon Database to locate any possible printable coupons for it.
- Tear pads & blinkies: throughout the store there are often awesome coupons floating around. Tear pads are similar to a sticky note pad. They are usually near the item the coupon is for. Blinkies are those black boxes hanging off the aisle and has a red light that “blinks” hence the name!
Store coupons:
CVS:
Red Kiosk at front of the store- I always scan it going in and going out! Really great coupons print out of that machine!
Sign up for newsletters and they will often mail $5 off $25 or other spending threshold coupons.
Walgreens:
In ad coupons
Walgreens booklet- found in store next to the sales flyer: a treasure trove of coupons!
Special Walgreens booklets found throughout the store
Food Lion:
Food Lion kiosk in front of the store- scan your card. these coupons are usually only good for 1 day
Lowes Foods:
Their sales flyer often has coupons- grab several flyers when they release them because these coupons are good for several weeks!
They sometimes put out special coupon booklets- again when they come out pick one up!
Harris Teeter:
Sometimes they mail these out, but they are rare.
Target
Online at Target.com you can print Target coupons.
Mobile coupons via Text
- Text OFFERS to 827438
- TEXT BABY TO 827438
Cartwheel is also a great place to get percentage discounts.