I'll admit I'm a bit envious of all of the bloggers who share the wonderful deals they've gotten at stores that double coupons of all values. Dierberg's and Schnucks, the double coupon stores in our area are still using a policy from about 20 years ago when high value coupons weren't as common as they are now. (Double coupons apply to manufacturer coupons valued at $.40 or less; limit 3 identical coupons and 15 total coupons doubled. Anything over the 15 coupon limit or over $.40 are redeemed at face value. Whoopie!) So I go to Shop 'n Save on Coupon Thursday (No Coupon Necessary).
If you aren't familiar with Shop 'n Save's Coupon Thursday, their registers are programmed to automatically take $10 off your bill once your total reaches $50 excluding fuel, fresh milk, pharmacy, beer, wine, spirits, lottery, gift certificates, Entertainment books, stamps, MoneyGram, Rug Doctor rentals, gift cards, tobacco, and sales tax (but before coupons are deducted).
I thought I'd share a few of the strategies I use on Coupon Thursday to get the most bang for my buck.
1. Wait for Coupon Thursday
I watch my ads and wait for Coupon Thursday. While I may run to Shop 'n Save for a couple of necessities once in a while, I do not do big trips until Coupon Thursday. I think I need to track the freqency of Coupon Thursdays because currently the pattern of their occurance seems quite random.
2. Shoot for $50
Getting $10 off a $50 purchase is like getting 20% off your bill. The more you go over $50, the more that percentage goes down.
3. Carry a Calculator
I carry a calculator with me as I shop, keep a running total as I add items to my cart so I know when I reach the magical $50 goal.
4. Study the Ad
Now is the time to pick up sale items. Remember, that $10 is like 20% off the sale price, too.
5. Use Coupons for Free Items
If I have a coupon for a free item, I save it for Coupon Thursday. Anything I'm getting for free is like lowering the $50 goal. A $3.00 free item is like getting $10 off a $47 purchase. I've redeemed coupons for free pet food even though we don't own a pet and donated them to a local animal shelter.
6. Use High Value Coupons
Remember the $50 goal is before coupons are deducted.
7. Keep a List of Value Items Your Family Uses
There are certain items on which Shop 'n Save offers the best price or I can't get at Aldi, so I get them at Shop 'n Save during coupon Thursday (whole wheat macaroni noodles, unsweetened applesauce).
8. Take Advantage of "Catalina" Deals
Sometimes, companies reward you for buying a certain amount of their products, by issuing a coupon at the register good on your next purchase. These deals are sweeter if you can buy the items with coupons.
9. Use the Entertainment book
You can get an Entertainment book at the customer service desk at Shop 'n Save for $30. Inside the 2010 book are six coupons good for $5 off a $50 or more Shop 'n Save grocery or gift card purchase, so you break even on the purchase of the book and any other coupons you use make it a deal. They are also offered online here (regularly $35, but are currently discounted to $21 plus shipping).
10. Look for Pharmacy Promotions
Occasionally Shop 'n Save pharmacies offer gift card promotions for new or transferred prescriptions.
The more strategies you can combine, the bigger your savings. My best Shop 'n Save trip cost me $.67 out of pocket and yielded me a $3 coupon good on my next purchase. That's like being paid to take home more than $60 in groceries.
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