The Coupon Policy

So excited my coupon binder is all put together :)  I'll have to make a few more tweaks over the next few weeks, but I don't have coupons sitting in piles all over the place.  It feels so good to be organized!  And my sweet husband has volunteered to make the cover page for the outside of my binder, thanks babe you are amazing.

My next step is to print out the coupon policy for each store that I plan to shop with.  Why?  From what I have been reading most cashiers don't really know their own coupon policy: some stores double coupons, some stores combine coupons, and some stores have limits on coupons, etc.  (e.x. Rite Aid does not let you use B1G1 coupons with a B1G1 sale, according to their policy.)  Hopefully, this will allow me to avoid a confrontation with the cashier at the checkout. 

I have already had two minor hick ups @ Winn Dixie when my coupon wouldn't scan and @ Publix the cashier accused me of photocopying an internet coupon.  The cashier at Winn Dixie validated the coupon and entered it manually and I explained to the cashier at Publix that each internet coupon is numbered and since each one of mine had a different number there was no way I could have photocopied them. 

Having the coupon policy on hand is also a confidence booster!  I can walk up to the checkout knowing that the coupons I have are going to be accepted and no cashier is going to try to give me his/her version of the coupon policy because I'll have a copy of the store's policy in my binder.

KCL also suggests making an appointment with the store manager and going over the coupon policy with him/her and then having them sign it.  Not many cashiers are going to question a piece of paper with their store manager's signature on it!  It is something I hope to do in the near future.

Savings $$

Went grocery shopping today.  Our first stop was Publix.  My total was $85.44, and I saved $49.17 :)  My next stop was Winn Dixie. Total: $22.11, Savings: $10.28.  So, my grand savings for today was....$59.45! YAY!!

Publix had a B1G1 sale and I used coupons on top of the sale.  Two items = two coupons! (or, one coupon if it is off two items) I was able to buy two boxes of cereal normal price $4.45/ea @ $1.75/ea; Country Crock spread normal price $2.29 @ $0.34; Fruit Snacks normal price $2.93 @ $0.97; Toaster Strudel normal price $2.89 @ $1.50.

What were your best savings this week?

Back on Board

It has been over a week since my last post.  Why? I was sick and out of the game for awhile, but I'm back in it today :)

I'm headed to the store why my coupons in hand.  I've been keeping them in an envelope, but today I am going to buy the supplies needed to create my very own coupon binder.

Supplies:

Binder 3-4"
Page Protectors 38-40
Baseball card holders
Labels

The clear baseball card holders will hold my like coupons that will be categorized and placed into the page protectors.

These are the categories suggested by the Krazy Coupon Ladies...

1. Produce
2. Salty Snacks
3. Granola Bars & Fruit Snacks
4. PB & J
5. Fruit
6. Vegetables
7. Pasta
8. Soup
9. Baking
10. Breakfast
11. Prepared Sides & Rice
12. Condiments & Salad Dressing
13. Drinks
14. Refrigerated
15. Yogurt
16. Freezer
17. Candy
18. Baby
19. Reynolds Ziploc
20. Paper Products
21. Surface Cleaners
22. Laundry
23. Dish Washing
24. Miscellaneous (batteries, school supplies, etc)
25. Air Fresheners & Candles
26. Vitamins
27. First Aid
28. Beauty
29. Oral Care
30. Soap & Body Wash
31. Hair Care
32. Lotion
33. Shaving & Deodorant
34. Feminine Hygiene
35. Pet
36. Cold & Allergy Medicine

I think I will tweak this list to fit my shopping preferences, but this is the general idea for organizing your binder by category.  KCL also suggests organizing your binder by date. 

Do you use a binder? If not, give it a try!