To Buy or Not To Buy? When to Use Your Coupons

Using coupons can be both a smart move and a dumb move. Want to know more? Read smart tips shared by rutlandgrl at the FDR forum.

 

TO BUY OR NOT TO BUY:

I remember the first time I ever used a coupon.

It was a tearpad coupon for .50 off a box of cereal. The cereal was ridiculously overpriced at around $5 for a small box, but I felt like such an awesome, smart person because I bought it USING A COUPON! I was saving money!

Not really. Buying something just because you have a coupon for it is not always a good idea. I always tell people to make sure they will actually USE the product before they buy it. Even if I am buying something like cat litter for $8 a container and only have a .50 coupon – I WILL use the coupon, because this is something I was going to buy anyway and WILL use, so I might as well save a bit of money while I buy it.

Some people can’t be bothered to use a coupon like that, they just think, ‘oh, it’s just .50, it won’t make a difference’. Guess what – it will. A coupon for .50 is .50 that stays in YOUR pocket and not the store’s cash register. Why anyone would turn down using a coupon for something they are already buying is beyond me.

Who cares what people think of you using coupons? You are using them to help save yourself some money. If other people want to pay full price for things let them. That’s just more deals for all of us smart people!
It is really easy to get trapped into the whole saving money thing when it comes to coupons. A bottle of ketchup (with sale price/coupon) that is normally at least $3.00. That .50 is an AWESOME price, but when don’t eat ketchup .50 can be too much money . Now, there are times that you should buy the ketchup and that would be if it was FREE (I would donate it) or very cheap meaning less than .25 a bottle (I would give it away to family/friends). Other than that, I would have to walk away from the deal and trust me – IT IS SO HARD.

You really have to think about whether a deal is actually a good deal for you and your family. If you will not use the item – DON’T GET IT, no matter how cheap it is. It’s not worth it.
Here are some tips to help you decide if your good deal, really is a good deal for you:

- Do you use the item?
- Can you use it before it expires?
- Do you have a place to store it?
- If you don’t use the item, can you afford to donate it?

 

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Thanks again to rutlandgrl for sharing your couponing strategies. This is fantastic information for new and seasoned couponers. Knowing your prices is the key to knowing what in fact IS a good deal. Try making a price book to help you identify the best shopping deals for the products you buy. Over time these strategies and tips will become second nature to you. Have fun couponing!

Organizing your Money Saving Coupons

Coupons are being more widely used across Canada and the USA in this economy. In order to maximize your savings, it's best to find a way to organize your coupons which will work for you. Whichever way you decide to organize your coupons, ALWAYS keep the expiry dates organized too!

The following information was shared at our discussion forums by rutlandgrl:

COUPON BINDER
A coupon binder is not for everyone, but if you’re like me and have more coupons than you can count, I would suggest having one. It does take time to set up and organize but it is certainly time well spent.

Here are the supplies you will need:
- Large 3 Ring Binder (zippered is best)
- Baseball Card Sheets (9 pockets on each sheet)
- Sheet Protectors
- Calculator
- Pen
- Scissors
- Zippered Bag (with holes in it so you can put it in your binder)
- Dividers With Tabs

Now, you need to decide on your categories. You may want something like this:
- Food
- Pets
- Baby
- Beauty
- Health
- Misc.

Once you have figured your categories out, write them down on your divider tabs and put them in your binder. Then add maybe 2 or 3 of the baseball card sheets (you can add more later if you need to) each category. Now just add your coupons into the proper category. You can fit a few of them into each slot.

I suggest having some regular sheet protectors at the back of your book that hold the following:
- coupon policies
- over-sized coupons
- mail in rebate forms
- bonus point coupons

Put your calculator, pen and scissors into the zippered bag and put that at the back (or front) of your binder as well.

That’s it! You’re good to go!

How To Sort Your Coupons:
Alphabetically – Set up divider tabs or your envelopes from A-Z and file your coupons away. If you have a very good idea of all the coupons you currently have, this may be a good system for you.

By Expiry Date – Check the expiry dates on all of your coupons. Write down the dates on your divider tabs or envelopes and sort your coupons this way.

By Category – Sorting by category is the easiest, especially if you have allot of coupons and can’t always remember each and every one that you have. The most common categories are: health, beauty, pets, baby/kids, food, household, and misc. but you could always go more in depth and do something like this: food – cereal, food – meat, food – fruits & vegetables, beauty – makeup, beauty – hair care, etc. Once you’ve created your categories, just put your coupons in the categories that they belong.

Note: Make sure that you go through your coupons and weed out the expired ones at least once a month! This prevents the task from becoming overwhelming, and also prevents embarrassment at the store if you try to use an expired coupon.

Do I really have to carry my coupons with me EVERYWHERE I go?
I do, suggest bringing them with you anywhere you go IF you think it’s possible you may end up in a store that accepts coupons. A good tip for this is to make sure to keep your coupons in your purse or car with you so that if you do make that unexpected trip, your coupons are right there and you don’t miss out on a good deal!

Some people suggest only carrying the coupons you plan on using when you go shopping. This idea is fine and dandy, but I suggest carrying ALL of your coupons in case of unexpected deals. Many stores have items on sale that are not advertised in their flyers. You can also almost always find clearance racks at stores and you would miss out on those deals if you don’t have all of your coupons with you! What if you see Secret Deodorant on the clearance shelf for .99 and that item wasn’t in the flyer so you didn’t bring your .75 coupon for it? That means you miss out on this deal or pay the .99 for it instead of the possible .24 (because odds are, if you leave the store to go get your coupon, by the time you get back, someone will have already bought this clearance item).

OTHER IDEAS

1. Envelopes – For a beginner, I would definitely suggest using envelopes to organize your coupons. Just write the categories (food, pets, health & beauty, etc.) on them and stuff your coupons inside.

2. Accordion File – This is another great system for a beginner. These have tabs for you to make categories for your coupons. Just clip your coupons and put them in their respective categories

3. Coupon Binder – These are great if you have a ton of coupons. Simply purchase a large binder, some divider tabs and either baseball card protector sheets or plain paper protector sheets. Divide your coupons by categories with your divider tabs and place your coupons in the protector sheets. It’s also a good idea to carry a pair of scissors, pen & pencil and calculator with you when you shop!

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Thanks rutlandgrl for sharing these great coupon organizing tips plus others at FDR!

Canadian Coupon Clippings Week of March 24th

Smart Canadian shoppers find good deals and pair them up with coupons to score an awesome deal! Here's a list of some of the hot coupon clippings that can be redeemed this week:

CANADIAN TIRE: Snuggle Dryer Sheet are $1 - Use the save $1 coupon from Save.ca and it's FREE

GIANT TIGER: Raisin Bran is $2 - Use the save $1 coupon from Natrel Milk Bags and it's only $1
GIANT TIGER: Secret Deodorant is $2 - Use the save $7 when you buy 3 coupon from Brandsaver and it's FREE or you use the save $4 when you buy 2 coupon and it's still FREE

HOME HARDWARE: Windex is $2.67 - Use the BOGO (buy 1 get 1 free) coupon from http://www.freebiesdealsandrewards.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15378 and each bottle will cost you $1.34

NO FRILLS: Schneiders Lunchmates / Smartsnax are $1 - Use the save $0.50 from Toonies for Tummies and you'll only pay $0.50
NO FRILLS: Ocean Spray Cocktails are $1 - Use the printable $1 coupon from Ocean Spray and it's FREE
NO FRILLS: Ziploc are $2 - Use the printable save $4 when you buy 2 coupon from http://www.freebiesdealsandrewards.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15378 and it's FREE
NO FRILLS: Catelli Bistro is $1 - Use the save $1 coupon from in-store tearpads and it's FREE

SHOPPERS DRUG MART: Scooby-Doo Snacks are $1.99 - Use the save $1 coupon from Life Made Delicious and Save.ca and it's only $0.99
SHOPPERS DRUG MART: Skipjack Tuna is $0.99 - Use the save $0.50 coupon from the Cloverleaf Promotion and it's only $0.49

VALUMART: Yoptimal Yogurt is $2.29 - Use the save $1 coupon from the home mailer and it's $1.29

WALMART: Sunlight Dishwashing Liquid is $2 - Use the save $1 coupon from Save.ca and it's $1

If you comment with a coupon deal and you're a forum member, post your forum name and you'll receive a cash rewards tip too! :)

Happy saving money Canada!

Printable Multibionta Vitamins Coupons for Canadians

Have you tried the new Multibionta Vitamins with probiotics? Now is a great time to stock up or try it for the first time with these great money saving coupons.

Save $10 with this printable coupon, expiring on December 31, 2011

Save $5 with this printable coupons, also expiring on December 31, 2011

If you are lucky enough to have access to a March 7 edition of Macleans Magazine, there's a $10 coupon inside valid until December 31, 2011. These are great for stacking at London Drugs if you live in Western Canada.

Stay healthy and save! :)

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$4 off Tylenol Rapid Release Gel Tabs - printable coupon - exp July 15/11

Have aches and pains or a headache that needs quick relief? Well, here's a great printable coupon for Canadians to save $4 off any Tylenol Rapid Release Gel Tabs, 40, 80 or 120 count. It expires on July 15, 2011 so there's plenty of time to stack with a sale to score an extreme coupon deal.

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Save $1 off Splenda Flavours - Printable Coupon - expires May 31/11

Save $1 on Splenda Flavours with this printable Canadian coupon offered by Living Well. They come in 2 delicious flavours, Hazelnut and French Vanilla. The coupon is valid through May 31, 2011.

Enjoy a cup of java with a flavoured sweetener at a fraction of the price.

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Extreme Couponing in Canada

TLC's Extreme Couponing is all the rage right now! Us Canadians North of the border don't have it as easy when it comes to saving money with coupons and snagging great deals like our American friends South of the border but we have the motivation and drive to save money and get cheap and free stuff too!

FDR has a number of tips to help Canadians with Couponing and Extreme Couponing, including:

1. Know your prices, so you know when a sale is a great deal. Make a price comparison book for the products that you regularly use and record the regular and sale prices of the items you shop for at different stores. The more you record the more informed shopper that you'll be.

2. Shop during sales and stack coupons on top of sale prices to save even more money.

3. Stack or double your coupons (where available). London Drugs is a wonderful Canadian store which offers coupon stacking. This is a fantastic way to stockpile and pay next to nothing for products that you need, want or are going to donate to those more unfortunate than yourself.

4. Take advantage of Scanning Code of Practice when shopping too. This can reduce the overall total of your shopping bill if there is a UPC scanning error and the store participates in the program.

5. Know where to find coupons. They are available all around us; on store shelves, in newspapers and magazines, on product packaging, online at product sites and coupon sites, coupon swap clubs and more. There are a number of excellent online sites offering manufacturer coupons including Save.ca, Websaver.ca, GoCoupons.ca, Brandsaver.ca, LifeMadeDelicious.ca, RightAtHome.ca, LivingWell.ca and for Costco members there is GetMoreOfWhatYouLove.ca. Ask friends and family to collect coupons for you. Start a coupon trading club and join Coupon Trains.

6. Research the coupon policies of the stores you shop at. If they aren't publicly advertised, don't be shy to ask. The store is getting your business and you should be entitled to know their couponing policy. Be polite, ask the store manager for the specifics and if you can get it in writing, keep a copy with your coupons.

7. Organize your coupons so you can easily identify what you have and the expiry dates of the coupons. Organize the coupons in a way that suits your saving style. You could use a binder, an accordian file or any method that helps you quickly save money!

8. Use store loyalty cards to rack up points to save off of future purchases. Most stores offer some type of loyalty program these days. From Shoppers Optimum, to Club Sobeys, Air Miles, Aeroplan, Esso Extra, petro Points, Sears Club, HBC Rewards and so many more!!

9. Take advantage of price and ad matching from retailer to retailer. If one retailer offers a lower price than an ad matching retailer, then you can ghet it for the same price. There are some retailers who will beat the advertised price of their competitor, so thoroughly research your stores policies.

10. Read and understand the fine print on the coupons you are using. When a coupon states “Limit one per purchase”, this actually means “Limit one per item.” Always check the expiration dates of your coupons before using them. This will avoid embarrassment and holding up the line.

We'd love to hear from our readers about the best couponing tips you have too!

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Canadian Coupons from Websaver.ca

Websaver.ca is a Canadian Coupon site which offers a variety of manufacturer coupons to reduce the amount you spend on grocery and beauty purchases.

They offer money savings on a variety of products such as: Colgate, French's, Kellogg's, Maple Leaf, Maybelline, Loreal, Garnier, Frank's, Cetaphil, Clorox, Greenworks, Melitta, Dr. Scholls, Pampers, Dial plus other coupons come available from time to time, including free product coupons.

You must order a minimum of 6 coupons each time and there are limits to how often you may request a duplicate coupon. They're mailed to you, usually within 2 weeks of ordering. What a convenient way to obtain money saving coupons.

Plus for every coupon that you redeem, Websaver.ca will donate 5 cents to Breakfast for Learning! How's that for a win-win situation!

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SC Johnson Printable Coupons Offered Each Month to Canadians

Saving money is a necessity these days. Some companies offer printable coupons for their products to help consumers save money on their purchases, like SC Johnson.

You can print a variety of coupons each month from the http://www.rightathome.ca/, but you must register and you are only allowed to print 1 time per month. There are many bogo (buy one get one free) coupons available which can really stretch your hard earned dollars.

Right now you can save up to $35 from SC Johnson Right @ Home, and there are 7 bogo coupons. The current coupons include:

Ziploc Brand - Buy 2 Save $4
Glade Scented Oil Candle Refill - Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Glade Sense & Spray Refill - Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Glade Jar Candle - Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Windex Glass Cleaner - Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Glade Plug Ins Scented Oil Refills - Buy 2 Get 2 Free
Scrubbing Bubbles Toilet Duck Cleaning Gel - Buy 1 Get 1 Free
Drano Product - Buy 2 Save $5
Pledge Multi-Surface Cleaner - Buy 1 Get 1 Free

The coupons change monthly, so start saving today!

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SportChek Canada Friends & Family Event - Save between 10% to 25% on March 23-24

SportChek, Atmosphere and Hockey Expert stores are offering a Friends and Family event sale. Save 25% on regular priced merchandise and save 10% off already reduced merchandise.

Sale begins on Wednesday March 23rd and runs through Thursday March 24th. Valid in stores only with the printable coupon.

Not valid in Quebec stores.

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Healthy Shoppers Printable Coupons For Natural and Organic Foods in Canada

Healthy Shoppers Coupons For Natural and Organic Foods

You must join Healthy Shoppers in order to access the coupons and they are printable and FREE.

Get savings on products such as the following:

Annie Chun's
Arla
Ascenta
Bach Original FlowRemedies
Barbara's Bakery
Blue Diamond
Blue Sky
Chelton House - Simply Natural Organic
Dr. Ken's
Easy To Take
Ecover
Eden Foods
Fiberrific
Garden of Life
greens
Hain Celestial Spectrum Cooking Oils
Hallelujah Organics
Just Juice
Kashi
Kiju Organic
Knudsen
Lily of the Desert Aloe Vera Products
Lorna Vanderhaeghe
NAHS
Natura
Naturally Liberté
Nature's Gate
Nature's Path
NewChapter Organics
Now
Organic SO Delicious
Parissa
Renew Life
Ryza
Salba
San-J
Sequel Vega
Seventh Generation
Sisu
So Nice
Stonyfield Farm
Swiss Natural Sources
Tom's of Maine
Traditional Medicinals
Vitasoy

Other brand coupons offered too!

http://www.thehealthyshopper.ca/

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Brandsaver.ca P&G Manufacturer Coupons By Mail

Proctor & Gamble Canada offers coupons for Canadians through the Brandsaver website while supplies last.

Canadians can save money on products such as: Head N Shoulders, Always, Tampax, Covergirl, Charmin, Puffs, Bounty, Tide, Cascade, Downy, Old Spice Febreze, Duracell, Secret, Aussie, Gillette, Iams, Pampers, Vicks, Pantene, Nyquil, Bounce, Olay, Nice N Easy, Satin Care, Swiffer, Mach 3, Venus, Cheer, Clairol, Crest, Gain, Mr. Clean and more.

They also have a site for French Canadians too, visit the French Brandsaver.

Coupons are available on a first come, first served basis and do run out. They offer the coupons several times per year and savings are usually around the $100 range.

Happy Clipping Coupons and Saving Money!!

New to Coupons in Canada? Get Couponing Tips to Get You Started!

Are you new to coupon clipping in Canada? There's lots of great tips to help you maximize your savings such as:

1. Know the stores' coupon policies for the stores you shop at. What type of coupons do they accept? (printable, competitor, text, expired, etc) Do they allow doubling or tripling of coupons? Do they accept competitor coupons? Do they offer store coupons?

2. Combine sales with coupons if allowed by the store and in the coupon terms and conditions. Signup for the online store flyers to arrive by email and check the flyers to your coupon stash to see where to can save money on products that you are already going to purchase.

3. Maintain a price book that helps you determine the best priced deals. Walk through the stores you shop at and record the regular prices of the items you purchase. When the flyers come out, you can easily see your savings.

4. Shop at stores which have rewards programs. For example, Shoppers Drug Mart has the Shoppers Optimum Rewards program; Metro has Air Miles Reward Miles; Real Canadian Superstore has PC Points; Zellers has HBC Rewards; Sobey's has Club Sobey's rewards; plus there's many more loyalty rewards programs available at other retailers. Shop during bonus point offers when prices fall into range with your price book.

5. Pay with a credit card which has rewards or cash back. However, you MUST always pay the balance in full in order to take the advantage of any savings.
6. Use the Student Price card (SPC card) or SPC VIP card in addition to sales and coupons to save even more money.

7. Find yourself a good coupon organizer/holder. Keep your coupons well organized and weed out any expired coupons each and every month.

8. Know where to look for coupons. You can find coupons in many places these days. You'll find them in stores on the shelves, in the newspaper or on magazine pages, there are coupon newspaper inserts such as Redplum, Smart Source and Valassis Canada, find them online at manufacturer sites. Facebook and Twitter have coupon offerings too. There are also a number of coupon clubs and swapping groups sprouting up too!

Where can you find coupons in Canada?

• Store Shelves
• Magazines
• Newspaper
• Coupon Circulars
• Online
• Manufacturers
• Store Flyers
• Ebay Auctions
• Coupon Trains
• Coupon Trades
• FDR Coupon Club
• Ask friends and family to collect coupons for you

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