Now, on to those coupons! Did anyone watch the Extreme Couponing episode from last week? There were so many things about the show that didn't make sense that I had to take notes.
It bothered me that it showed a lady getting three cart loads of groceries and getting money back. I am sure they are lifting some coupon policies for the show to make that work. The things to remember about couponing here locally is
* The only local store that I am aware of that will give you change back on an overage is Walmart, and I find it hard to create a scenario where you would get anything back, let alone a gift card for $50+ dollars like in this episode.
*Pick N Save is the only local store I am aware of that will double coupons, and they have a limit built into the computer, so the spots in the show where they say " I have 382 coupons for $.75 off that will double to $1.50 making it free", yeah, not realistic, at least not around here. I think I'd like shopping in their stores, LOL.
Something else that I noticed about last week's episode, was the couscous scenario. I love couscous, and if I could get a couple boxes for free, I would definitely stock up, but honestly, 134 boxes of couscous could last me a decade, and I think it may be a little overkill, LOL. The she mentioned that she had never tried couscous and wondered if she'd like it! :) Just some funny things I noticed.
Another little something I think may need clarification is the catalinas. Catalinas are coupons that will print at the register when you check out provided you have purchased the correct number of items. Walgreens register rewards are a catalina coupon. On last weeks episode, the narrator said something about the yogurts generating a $.75 catalina for every three yogurts bought, bringing the price down to $.xx each after catalina. This can get confusing. I never count my catalinas or register rewards in as part of my saving because it is not taken off of your current total, it's taken off a FUTURE purchase. So they were paying more for those yogurts than they let you believe, they just got a future credit. This is why I only count my Catalina savings on the days I spend them, not earn them, because the true money savings takes place when you cash them in, and if you'd like an accurate account of your savings, you don't want to count them twice!
Some of the ad match ups will list things as "free after register rewards". This often confuses people, and is why I try and avoid that type of wording. If I $2 item will earn you $2 in register rewards, you still pay $2. The plus is when you can use that $2RR in the future. I love register rewards and catalinas, I just don't count them as immediate savings. :)
What other tricks have you found? Any great deals? I'd love to hear how you've saved your family money! Remember, we are all here to help each other! :)
Thank you!!! FINALLY someone who agrees that RR are FUTURE money savers, not immediate savings. It bugs me to no end how coupon sites will write..."it's like paying $x.xx after RR" NO IT'S NOT!! So THANK YOU!!!!!
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