Couponing 101- Using Store Coupons!

Walgreens isn't exactly one of my favorite places to shop. Well, there are two in my area that are perfectly pleasant - and the third (which happens to be the one I have easy access to)  has never been anything but a total nightmare.

I've even gone out of my way to call the manager & even corporate offices a couple of times because of the lousy service & rude employees. But, as I said- there are stores out there where that is not the case.

Publix takes competitors coupons. My Publix would rather me come to Publix and use the coupons from just about anywhere else instead of shopping with a different company. I think that is just plain smart.

Different stores have different rules- and I don't even mean necessarily the chains but even just different locations. I've heard some people say that their Publix won't take certain store coupons. I'd personally ask for a manager & then another & another until I got to the person who said - "store policy is 'we take other store coupons' and the customer is always right, thank you for shopping at Publix".  Sometimes you just have to stand up for yourself a little bit, and I've never been escorted out! They just carry my bags for me.

                                                                                       

 

Back to Walgreens- they do have some great coupons! Their weekly store flyer has many good coupons in it. I find several each week that I am able to use - so I always pick up a couple of them.

Now, they also have a smaller book- pictured above left on the outside - and center pic is of the inside coupons. See the Nabisco and the potato chips coupons? Great finds. When you pair those with a couple of manufacturer coupons and place them on BOGO's - well, you're shoppin' like a pro!

Not too bad even without the manufacturer if placed on a good BOGO- If Lays Potato chips are $3.99 - and on BOGO- that's $2 each- $1 off Walgreens coupon on the Buy One and $1 off Walgreens coupon on the Get One and you've just bought chips fo $1.00 each! Now, for me, that is really worth stopping by a Walgreens once a week! I pick up about 4-6 of the little ones each month.

Don't get me wrong- I do shop at Walgreens some too. Well, I try. I used to buy my Sunday paper there. But, the last few times I stopped in to buy it, they were out. Today I went in to buy eggs for $.99 - but they were out, and Libby Olives, but they were out. I had to get rain-checks. I tried to buy some Caress Body Wash. It was on sale for a decent price & I had a coupon for $1 off. Well, it turned out to be a Target coupon & the cashier acted like I was trying to rob the place. It was an honest mistake. Target allows you to print coupons from their site. A lot of them are manufacturer coupons, that one wasn't & I just didn't realize it. She was so rude about it that I told her that I didn't want the product. (nicely)

If you shop at Walmart- and bring in a competitors add- they will match the price. I had a cashier tell me that they didn't take competitor coupons- but the Walmart flyer clearly stated that they did. Right on the front cover!..... So, they did.

Sometimes, you have to stand up for yourself. But, like I said, I've never been escorted out. I am always polite. But firm. Know the store policy- look it up on the net- have flyer in hand - whatever, but then stand up for yourself. Maybe the cashier just needs to know & has been told wrong by someone else. Perfectly honest mistake. Keep smiling & ask for a manager.

So, keep your eyes open for those coupons. In-store booklets, flyers, little print machines, coupons attached to products (peelies). Walgreens coupons are great.

If you have an Albertsons nearby - they will mail you their weekly flyers with meat coupons & a $5 off when you spend $50! Check out the store policies for the ones around you.

Start stocking those binders. (See prior entry about binders). The time you invest now in getting started will pay off soon. After a few weeks, you'll be flying through your routine.

Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself- and ask for a manager. During the Christmas shopping crowds I went through several managers at Walgreens... but they DID take care of THEIR error.  :)

It helps if you remain friendly, keep smiling, & warn the customers walking up in line behind you if you have a large order. If I have a cart full of groceries, and a handful of coupons- I know it's going to take a few extra minutes to get checked out.

 When people walk up behind me I always smile & say "I could be a few minutes- I have coupons- It takes longer". Most people are very nice about it. The other ones- you really don't want standing behind you anyways - RIGHT? A lot of people ask if they can watch & want to know what I'm doing. Especially, when they see that I've just spent @ $55 and saved @ $80 !!! (yes, that's $135.00 of groceries for $55.00- this weeks total from my Publix trip)

Saving that much is really quite fun. And the time you've spent planning it is so much less trouble when you realize how much money you are putting back into the family budget! More money for family time - more money for family adventures!