Couponing 101: Stockpiling, Read the Words Not the Image

To end the couponing 101 series, there are a few last points I want to mention.

First of all--always, always, always read the text on the front of your coupon.   Do NOT just look at the picture and assume that is what the coupon is for.  I don't know how many times over the years I've gotten great deals or free stuff just by carefully reading what the coupon includes or excludes and not assuming as much.

Unless a coupon states or excludes certain sizes, you can use the coupon on ANY size.  Watch for the wording on the coupon--if it says "Save $x.xx on ANY size, then use it for ANY size--including travel size.  Although your $.50 coupon for toothpaste shows an image of a 6.4 ounce tube, if it says ANY size, you can use it on the little travel sized ones that cost $.79.  If your store doubles coupons, then you have free toothpaste.  If your paper towel coupon shows an 8 pack on the image but does not say something like "Save $.75 on a purchase on 8 rolls or larger", then use it on a single roll and get it free.

There was recently an internet coupon for Knox.  The image showed a Knox nail strengthener that cost at least $10.  The wording, though, said "Save $4.00 on any Knox product".  It DID NOT specify which product, so I was able to use it on Knox gelatin from the baking aisle--it cost $3 and change, so I got it for free (actually I had 2 coupons so I got 2 for free).  Similarly, there are frequent $.35 coupons for Purex liquid laundry detergent.  One store I go to often has small 9 load bottles of Purex for $.99.  The coupons do not specify a size, so I stock up on the small bottles which cost me only $.29 each (after coupon).  At $2.99 per 100 loads, that is much cheaper than other brands which can be well over $10 for 100 loads.

A couple of months ago, there were small sample sized boxes of a new cereal selling for 2 for $1.00.  On the back of the sample sized box was a coupon to save $1.00 off  that kind of cereal, however, there was no size listed. I bought a couple of the little boxes and spent $1.00 out of pocket.  I used the $1.00 coupons on the back to get a few more little boxes for free the next week, and then filed away the coupons on the back of those until later.  The next month, the full sized boxes of cereal were on sale, and I used the $1.00 off coupons I had saved.  I got the full sized boxes for $1.00 each.  All in all, we got about 6 small boxes and 3 large boxes of cereal for about $4.00.  All because I carefully read the coupon and noticed there was no size exclusions.

Make it a habit to read the text of your coupons and see what it excludes, then look for the cheapest qualifying items! Remember, these items may be in a different aisle or at the checkout. Some small items you might want to look for are single rolls of toilet paper and paper towels; cheese sticks; snack packs of cookies,crackers and chips; single serving drinks; and travel sized lotions, deodorants, first aid products.

If you don't have a stockpile of coupons, you may not want to use your only coupon for toothpaste just to get one free travel sized tube.  This is why serious couponers stockpile.  If you have 5 of the same toothpaste coupons that all expire within 2 months instead of just the one, you can get 3 free travel tubes and use the remaining 2 coupons to get full sized tubes of toothpaste when they go on sale.

Stockpiling coupons is not hard.  Just be creative.  If you already get a subscription to your Sunday paper, ask if you can get a second copy for a discount.  Ask your family, friends and neighbors if they will give you their unused coupon inserts.  Many are happy to oblige!  Ask your local gas station or grocery store what they do with any un-purchased Sunday papers.  Can you have them or buy them for super cheap Monday morning?  Does your library have a coupon exchange--a box where people leave unwanted clipped or unclipped coupons and those who want them can take them?  If not, see if you can start a coupon box.  As for internet printed coupons, you can typically print 2 per computer.  If you have a PC and a laptop, print 2 from each.  If there is a really spectacular coupon out, offer to pay a neighbor a few cents for ink in exchange for printing a coupon.  Print the best coupons from the library and pay the $.10 per page fee (or whatever it is) if you will save more than that by using those coupons.


Just remember--if there is a great deal, you will be grateful to have a stockpile of coupons.  Also, you will be prepared for whatever deal comes up--you may stock up on a bunch of super cheap cereal with all your coupons this week, and get a bunch of cheap paper plates next week, and get 5 bags of shredded cheese and 5 free peanut butters the week after that.  Stockpiling coupons means you can take full advantage of the great deals that come up, and can in turn stockpile food and personal items.

Stockpiling coupons and items not only saves money for your family, it also enables anyone (even on the tightest budget) to be able to be charitable and donate some of that surplus to a shelter or food pantry.  Donate cheap or free dog food/treats to the dog shelter.  Donate free baby wipes to the pregnancy crisis center.  Donate your excess free peanut butter to your parish food pantry, or to a family going through a difficult time.

Why not make it a family service project?  Cut all those stockpiled coupons together while talking or playing word games.  Have a bag or bin set aside to collect all the extra free or super cheap items you get in the month, then make it a family trip to donate the items.

So--read the print, not the picture.  Think of ALL possibilities for the coupons you have.  Stockpile coupons so you can stock up on great sale priced items, and give away the surplus to help others.

Happy couponing!