Reasonable Couponing

Or, "How I Learned to Stop Eyerolling and Love a Deal"

With some effort, you can spend only pennies (!) on items like shampoo and toothpaste at stores where you shop anyway.  I discovered this once I started staying home with my daughter and really focused on our overall budget and household expenses.  It turns out that a thrifty spirit here and there can make a noticeable difference.   

For some, couponing is honestly a full-time job; moms spend hours cataloging coupons, making detailed spreadsheets, and menu planning based on sales and weekly deals.  It is possible to dramatically stretch your household budget through dedicated couponing.  But make no mistake about it, this approach requires a LOT of work (tens of hours per week -- or more -- looking through deals and weekly ads, printing/clipping coupons, carefully planning visits different stores, etc.)  It isn't easy, and since coupons typically expire within a few weeks after they are issued, it is a continuous job to keep current with them.  

Those full-time couponers are the people featured on shows like Extreme Couponing.  While some of them are certainly lovely people trying to support their families on tight budgets, others seem more akin to Hoarders, stockpiling more bottles of barbecue sauce than anyone could ever consume.  I seriously saw an episode where a (seemingly single) childless woman had filled her garage with diapers, because she got such great deals on them.  What kind of guy is going to date a woman with a garage full of diapers?  I guess a guy who loves a bargain.  

In any event, that is not my kind of couponing.  I practice what my husband lovingly refers to as "Reasonable Couponing."  If I can get a deal on something I am buying anyway, without making myself nuts, I'll do it.  

There are a number of helpful websites, including The Krazy Coupon Lady and Money Saving Mom among others, that share current coupon information with their readers.  Yes, people do actually compile sale and coupon information each week, and share the best deals online!  They also include links to printable coupons and online offers.  In addition to clipping coupons from Sunday paper inserts, you can print coupons from free websites like Coupons.com and SmartSource.  Many manufacturers also offer deals directly through their websites or Facebook pages (usually in exchange for "likes").     

Here are the basics to get you on your way to Reasonable Couponing:

Pick a store and learn its policies.  You can find deals at lots of different retail locations.  But focusing on one or two can make things more manageable.  Every store has different promotions, coupon policies, deals, and items in stock.  You can coupon most effectively when you are familiar with the store's particulars.  

Also, some of the very best deals involve getting store credit (for future use) in exchange for a current purchase (ie, Target gift cards, CVS ExtraBucks, Walgreens Register Rewards).  If you get store credit at a store you rarely frequent, it's hardly a deal at all (especially if you never end up using your credits).  Because I shop at Target all the time, I focus there.  I know that if I receive a $5 Target gift card, I will definitely use it (probably on diapers).    

Brand (dis)Loyalty.  You will get the best deals by considering a wider variety of brands.  So, consider the brands to which you are particularly committed -- or not.  For example, I like my fragrance-free laundry detergent.  I won't switch.  So when I see coupons for my brand, I will clip/print them, but my savings are usually pretty limited.  I'm also not going to spend any money buying another type of detergent, no matter how great the deal is.  No senseless hoarding!  

On the other hand, I do not have brand loyalty to a specific shampoo or conditioner.  In fact, my hair seems happiest when I switch shampoos every few weeks.  This makes shampoo a perfect candidate for deal-hunting.  I'll also switch up brands for a variety of other products, including toothpaste, paper towels, body wash, dish soap, etc.

Stacks on stacks.  Here's where couponing gets X-treme.  One measly little manufacturer's coupon isn't going to get us the savings we're looking for.  You need to "stack" the coupon with something else, whether it's a sale price, a promotion (ie, "buy 3, get a $5 gift card"), or a store coupon.  Some stores (particularly grocery stores), also double or triple manufacturer's coupons up to a certain amount.  Look for these kinds of deals, or visit couponing websites that offer suggested deals.  

Here's a recent example of stacking in action: Almay Eye Makeup Remover Pads were $5.99, regular price, at Walgreens.  The store was running a buy one, get one 50% off promotion.  (Bringing us down to $8.99 for 2.)  A $5 off 2 manufacturer's coupon was available online.  ($3.99 for 2.)  The Walgreens December Savings Book also had a $2 off 1 coupon, which could be used once on each of the packages.  So: If you purchased 2 packages, they would be completely free.  Not bad!

Couponing at Target.  Here are links to Target's coupon and price match policies.  Know them, love them.  Here's what else you need to know:

Target Coupons.  Target store coupons can be "stacked" on top of manufacturer coupons.  Target's mobile smartphone app has a section for "Deals & Coupons," which sends mobile coupons to your phone.  The cashier scans the coupon barcode right on your screen.  Once you use a coupon for a specific item, it will be grayed out.  You can use each offer once.  Target also offers additional coupons on its website, which can be printed out.  You can typically print each coupon twice.     

Cartwheel.  Target has another, separate, money-saving app called Cartwheel.  I was initially hesitant to recommend Cartwheel because, until recently, it had to be linked with a Facebook account.  Sorry, but Target doesn't need a list of my Facebook friends.  But now, you can access Cartwheel with just an email address.  So I feel better saying it: Cartwheel is awesome.  It offers additional discounts on a wide variety of items (often 5-10% off, and sometimes more).  You can stack Cartwheel offers on top of manufacturer's coupons and Target coupons, and get some great deals.  If you're buying something at Target, it definitely makes sense to at least check Cartwheel before you get to the register.  I recently got a surprise 15% discount on packing tape (that I was buying anyway), and I have always found deals on diapers (including 20% off, a few months ago!).    

REDCard.  Target offers its own payment cards, the RedCard debit card or credit card.  The debit card links up to an existing checking account.  Here's the benefit: 5% off EVERYTHING at Target, whenever you use the card.  Plus free shipping for online orders.  Something to consider, particularly if you make frequent purchases at the store (hello again, diapers).  


I'll confess that I used to regard couponing as "super tacky."  Sorry.  I may have given couponers the same eyeroll as people who pay by check.  (Okay, not quite, but close.)  But if a retailer wants to offer deals to entice shoppers, I'll happily take advantage of them.  Why not?  Plus, especially since becoming a mom, I am trying to seriously chill out.  Yes, I will still pick the checkout lane with the shortest line, but if the customer in front of me wants to pay with some combination of pennies, personal check, and travelers' check, I can handle it.  It's fine.  Deep breaths.  Serenity now.  

And the person behind me can wait for the cashier to scan my coupons too.  But to keep things moving, I do always have them in my hand and ready to go by the time it's my turn.  I'm not a monster!