revised coupon presentation - amy larson strait
DESCRIPTION
Friend teaches a coupon class. She sent me a very plain presentation to revise/spruce up.TRANSCRIPT
Today’s Goal
• Understand grocery store sale cycles
• Effective use of coupons
• Save LOTS on your grocery spending
AND give more to charity!!!
Where I Started
• Two years ago I was spending $950/month for 2 adults & 4 kids
• Now I am spending $450/month for 2 adults & 5 kids
• Save over $4000 with sales & coupons
• I have not changed what/how we eat. I have only changed how I SHOP!!!!
A New Way of Thinking
Approach known as “stockpiling”
• When item is on sale buy as many as you need and can afford until the next time the item is on sale
• Approx. 3 month sales cycle
An Example
Cereal is on sale every other month
• How many will your family eat?
• If 7, then buy that many if you can afford it
• If you only buy 1 when on sale & 6 at full price, then you have not maximized your savings!
Get Low Prices
Is the advertised price a good price?
• Advertised price does not equal “on sale” or even a good price!!
Create Price List
• Notebook
• Recent grocery receipts
• One page per category
• Several columns per page• Item• Price• Stores you shop at
Price List Findings
• Things were NOT what I expected
• I was now an EMPOWERED shopper!!!
• I knew what to BUY and what to AVOID at each store – except during a sale!!!
How Do You Get ALL Those Coupons?
The real trick to maximizing your grocery savings…
You need to have multiple copies of the coupons!!!!!
Coupon Sources
1. Newspaper Coupon Inserts
• Asks friends, family, neighbors, etc.
• Check recycling bins at Dillon’s or the
recycling center
• Host a coupon swap/join coupon train
• Purchase coupons online
• Kansas City Star
• Dillon’s & QT (usually available all week)
2. Internet printable coupons
You can print 2 of each coupon
• Print first coupon• Press “Back” button• Press “Refresh” button• Click “Retry”• DO NOT COPY INTERNET COUPONS!
Coupon Sources con’t
3. E-savers Electronic Coupons (added to your Dillon’s Shoppers card).
4. Magazines
Best one: ‘All You’ magazine(available only at Wal-Mart or by subscription).
• $2.24 per issue at store
• $20+ worth of coupons each issue
• Can subscribe for much less
Coupon Sources con’t
Coupon Sources con’t
5. Catalina's (print at cash register)
6. Companies (call or visit website)
7. E-newsletters
8. Brochures
9. Blinkies, Tearpads & Peelies
10. Store coupons
How to Use Coupons
• Ideally:
• Use when items are on sale and then stock- up on that item
• If an item you need but not on sale:
• Go to store with lowest price
• Buy just one
• Use a coupon (if you have one)
• Wait for the item to go on sale
• Determine how many you will need until next sale
• Buy as many as you would need AND can reasonable afford until the next sale
• DO NOT stock-up on an item if you cannot afford it!!!
• Set a budget for stockpiling!
• More coupons than what you need; consider purchasing the item & donating it to charity.
How to Use Coupons
How does it really work?
• Look through insert and compare to coupons (watch for loss leaders)
• Determine net price (sale price less coupon); watch for a GREAT price!
• Make list, pull coupons, head to store
How to Use Coupons
Great price but no coupons?
• Check online database for printable coupons
Pay close attention to cashier when ringing coupons
• Most errors are accidental, but watch just to be sure!!
How to Use Coupons
Coupon Policies
• Most important thing you need to know: Most coupons state “Limit one coupon per purchase.”
• This means if buying 3 bottles of shampoo, then you have 3 purchases.
• Therefore, you can use 3 coupons in that transaction.
• “One coupon per transaction” is different!
Coupon Policies
• Double coupon up to $1: ($.50 = $1, $.75 = $1)
• No limit on how many coupons you can use
• Do not price match
• Do accept internet printable coupons
• Adjustment for forgotten coupons!!
Store Policies
Wal-Mart:
• Do not double
• DO NOT accept expired coupons!
• If more than 40 coupons need to be approved by customer service manager
• Do price match if you have inserts to show price.
Store Policies
Target:
• Do not double coupons
• Do accept internet printable
• Can combine store coupons with manufacturer coupons
• Do not price match
Store Policies
Walgreen’s:
• Do not double
• Do accept internet printable
• Can combine store coupon with manufacturers coupon
Sam’s Club and Aldi’s:
• Do not accept any kind of coupon
Tips & Tidbits
Reading shelf tags to know end of sale date at Dillon’s:
• Lower right side of tag under price
Tips & Tidbits
Buying SMALLER sizes often BETTER DEAL when using coupons:
• Better deal to use 2 coupons on 2 smaller sizes than 1 coupon on a larger size
Tips & TidbitsSyrup on sale for $1.50 for 24 oz.
• You have coupons for “$.50 off any size”
• You purchase 2
• $1.50 each, less $1.00 coupon ($.50 doubled), for a final cost of $.50 each or $1.00 total
Syrup on sale for $3.00 for 48 oz.
• You have coupons for “$.50 off any size”
• You purchase 1
• $3.00 each, less $1.00 coupon ($.50 doubled), for a final cost of $2.00
$1.00 (or 50%) cheaper in the first example for the same quantity of syrup.
General Coupon Info
1. Can stack Buy One, Get One Free coupons.
Use BOGO coupon with a $.50/1 to get 1st one $1 off ($.50 doubled) and 2nd one FREE.
2. Can only use 1 coupon per item
3. Only use picture on coupon as a guide. Read what the coupon says.
4. Again, you can combine store coupons with manufacturer coupons!
General Coupon Info
Expired coupons:
DO NOT use a coupon simply because it is about to expire!!!!
Pharmacy coupons:
Can be used for EACH new or transferred prescription, NOT on refills
Tips & Tidbits
Pricing errors:
• Overcharge at Dillon’s:
1st item FREE & adjustment on all like items on the same transaction!
Rain checks:
• 10 items per rain check
• Good for 90 days
• Buy when you have funds & additional coupons
• Put with item when purchasing
Sales
10/$10 sales:
DO NOT need to purchase 10 to get the sale price (unless stated otherwise)
Mega/Super Sale limits:
• Generally limit of 2 or 3 per transaction
• Ask customer service or check shelf tag
• Split order into multiple transactions
Sales
Great sales DO NOT come every week!
• Will not save 80% each week on your general grocery list
• Stockpiling will lead you to buying items when they are a GREAT price!
• 6-12 months to build good stockpile
• Your % savings will increase over time!
Questions
What about meat?
Sam’s Club (prices on 2/1/10)
• Whole Pork Loins: $1.97/lb.
• Pork Loin Chops: $2.88/lb.
• Beef Roast (Chuck): $2.88/lb.
• Jenny O Ground Turkey (93/7): $1.96/lb.
• Chicken Breasts (BL/SL): $2.80/lb.
• Chicken Thighs: $. 98/lb.
• Chickens, Whole: $ .85/lb.
Questions
Sam’s Club meat, cont.
Ground Beef (90/10)
$2.88/lb. from case$2.46/lb. in 10-lb. log$1.73/lb in bulk (8 – 10-lb. logs)
Ground Beef (80/20)
$2.68/lb. from case$2.24/lb. in 10-lb. log$1.57/lb in bulk (8 – 10-lb. logs)
Questions
Do I use coupons for everything I buy?
What items do I regularly get for FREE? Toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, etc.
Store brand vs. Name brandDepends on when and where you use your coupons
Questions
What are the sales cycles?
• January: health foods, hearty meal items, party supplies
• March: frozen food month
• March/April: eggs, ham
• May: picnic supplies
• September: canned goods
• November: baking supplies
Questions
What about organic food?
Walgreen’s: Isn’t it expensive??
• Store coupons• Register Rewards… be careful!
Questions
What do I do with all of this food?
• Plan meals based on what is in your pantry & freezer
• Keep inventory
• Websites to do ingredient searches\ or visit company websites for recipes