Eons and Eons ago, just after the dinosaurs and before the Paleo Cuisine rage, I used to file mounds of paper coupons weekly. All the coupons I could get my hands on, I filed. Once a week, I’d get together with other young moms and we’d swap for what we needed. It was fun, but so much work it was really a hobby. Over the passing ages I’ve streamlined the method I use and I’m passing it along to you.
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1. Paper coupons can be combined to make thrifty deals at the register with rebate phone apps like Ibotta. (You are welcome to join my Ibotta team.)
At the time of this writing (March 2016) you can buy an item using a coupon, that is also on Ibotta and still get the Ibotta rebate without a penalty for using the coupon. I sometimes get things for almost nothing this way!
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2. You can usually use multiples of the same paper coupon. Did you get three coupon circulars with the same coupons this week? Lucky you!
For example: A coupon says ‘.50 cents off on one can of Florida OJ’. If you have 3 coupons you can use them for 3 different cans of OJ. Most stores don’t limit this; 5 coupons? Buy five cans, etc. Generally, you can only use loyalty card coupons and digital coupons once, unless it specifies multiples on the offer. And of course usually stores will not let you combine offers, ie, digital coupon + paper coupon is usually not acceptable.
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3. The Sunday paper coupons give you a bigger ‘bang for your bucks’ than you can find in online digital or printable coupons.
The most valuable offers and coupons come in the Sunday paper. It is where you will find the nicest BOGO coupons as well as the most money-saving coupons. Look for the Redplum, Proctor & Gamble, General Mills and Smart Source inserts in the Sunday paper. You can sign up to get some of these in the mail or online, but they aren’t the same coupons as the Sunday Paper inserts.
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4. Most stores (like Walmart) that will price-ad-match, will also let you use a coupon.
For instance: If it’s on advertised sale anywhere in town, they will match that price at Walmart. Sweeten the deal with a paper coupon. (As of 2018 Walmart no longer does this. 🙁 )
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5. All stores that take coupons will take a paper coupon, but they won’t necessarily accept phone digital, yet.
This policy varies from store to store. Some stores only allow digital coupons if they are from within their own loyalty app. Some are willing to scan them right off your phone and others insist on a paper coupon. Paper is the safe bet.
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6. Don’t cut out a coupon out till you need it!
Just file the whole page or circular according to the date it came out. Then using apps like , Flipp, Favado and Krazy Coupon Lady, scan for deals that will be useful to you. The apps (or the online site) will tell you exactly when the coupon was published and which circular it was in and how to match it up with a sale!