Two new great Nivea Body Lotion coupons have been added Coupons.com:

$4/2 Nivea Body Lotion coupon

$1.50/1 Nivea Body Lotion coupon

Get them while you can!

Thanks, reader Amy!

Do you want a quick and cheap meal tonight?  Then head over to Arby’s!  Right now you can go to Arbys.com and enter your name to get a coupon valid for a Roast Beef Classic Combo for just $3.99! This combo includes a Roast Beef Classic Sandwich with choice of side salad or small fry and a small drink.    How awesome is that?  This coupon is not only valid tonight but also 1/11-1/17, at participating locations only.  As always, I recommend that you call your local Arby’s ahead of time to make sure they are participating.  Enjoy!

Thanks, Hip2Save!

Coupons.com has a printable good for $0.30/1 Haribo Gummy Bears.  Starting Sunday 9/27 they will be on sale at Walgreens for $0.69.  You’ll only pay $0.39 after your coupon!  I love Haribo gummy bears.

$1/2 – Life Saver, Skittles or Starburst Fun Size or Grab Bag mix bags

If you know me you know that I love candy!   All my friends and family know I have a ton of secret stashes in my house!  You can bet that I’m excited about stocking up on all these great deals .  Here are two fantastic candy deals using a new printable coupon:

CVS

Buy 4 Mars or Wrigley’s Fun Size Assorted, 9.34-11.5 oz $2.50, On sale thru 9/20, Get 4 ECB
Buy 4, Receive $4.00 Extra Bucks, Limit 1
Use 2 $1/2 printable
$1 each when you buy 4 after coupons and ECBs

Walgreens

Buy 2 Nestle, Hershey’s or Mars Fun or Snack Size Candy $2.50, On sale thru 9/27
Use 2 $1/2 printable
And use $1/1 Nestle, Hershey’s or Mars Bagged Candy from Walgreens September Coupon Booklet (will subtract $2 for buying 2)
$1 each when you buy 2 after coupons

When visiting CVS this week be sure to scan your card at the Price Scanner at CVS.  Many people have emailed me reporting that they are getting a coupon for a free Milky Way or Dove candy bar.  Yum!

If you haven’t heard, there are a handful of Walmarts that are now doubling coupons!

If you want to be able to have a double coupon policy at your Walmart sign the Walmart Double Coupon Policy Petition.  After you submit your petition there is the option to donate $2 to ipetitions but it is completely your choice; you can still sign the petition at no cost.  Don’t forget to share this with your Facebook friends, Twitter followers, Google + contacts, and everyone else you know!

Here’s what I know about the pilot program so far:

1. They are doubling all MFG coupons up to $.99.
2. They are price matching and using double coupons in WV but customers must pick one or the other in Utah.
3. You must present each coupon with the item you are buying because they have to adjust each item’s price before scanning the coupon.
4. Limits are as stated on the coupon, if no limit is stated then no limit!

I am working on trying to get a list of participating locations and the differences between store policies.

Here is the list I have so far but this info is via readers so call ahead of time to double check if your location is participating.

Tucson, Arizona (Only doubles if the coupon states “subject to doubling”)
Mansfield Rd, Louisiana (Price matching OR doubling)
Madison, Ohio (May have stopped doubling, ask before shopping)
Hilton Head, South Carolina
Utah County, Utah (Price matching OR doubling)
Charleston, West Virginia
Huntington, West Virginia
Hurricane, West Virginia (Will accept Target coupons at face value only)
Ripley, West Virginia
Vienna, West Virginia
Wayne, West Virginia

Right now P&G is offering a free $1/1 Gain Ocean Escape laundry detergent coupon by mail.

________________________________________________________

Aldi

Coming soon…

CVS

• Does not have their coupon policy available on their web site and they reserve the right to change their policy at any time.
• Does not double coupons. They are redeemed at face value only.
• Accept competitor coupons only for prescriptions in the pharmacy department (example: $5 Rite Aid gift card for new or transferred prescription).
• Accepts coupons printed from the Internet if they have a barcode that scans at the register.
• If the coupon does not scan at the register, the cashier should  inform you that they are unable to accept your coupon. They do not allow manual overrides at the register for coupons printed from the Internet.  They can override clipped coupons and coupons that were mailed to you from the manufacturer.
• They allow 1 CVS coupon + 1 manufacturer coupon per item. They should allow you to use ECB (Extra Care Bucks) in combination with other CVS coupons since these are coupons you have “earned.” In addition, they should allow the use of “offer at the register” coupons which would be an open offer of $5 off of $20 or a certain dollar amount off of a specific item (ex. $2 off any Pampers product). Since their registers are programmed to only accept 2 coupons (1 CVS & 1 manufacturer) per item if the number of coupons exceed the items purchased, a manager will need to override the coupon.
• You can use coupons towards a clearance item but the coupon will be adjusted if it is more than the price of the item.
• The BOGO coupon allows you to purchase 2 items and get them both for free. With the manufacturer’s coupons you can combine one with one CVS coupon. You will be responsible for any tax due.
• Rain checks can be issued for items out of stock. They can also issue ECB on a rain check item. These never expire. Many stores will accept manufacturer’s coupons with the rain check, even if the coupon is expired.

Table of Contents

Dollar General

• Has their Coupon Policy available online.
• Does not double coupons. They are redeemed at face value only.
• Accepts coupons printed from the Internet if they have a barcode that scans at the register.
• If the coupon does not scan at the register, the cashier should inform you that we are unable to accept your coupon. They do not allow manual overrides at the register for coupons printed from the Internet.
• They allow 1 Dollar General coupon + 1 manufacturer coupon per item.
• You can use coupons towards a clearance item but the coupon will be adjusted if it is more than the price of the item.

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Harris Teeter

• Has their Coupon Policy available online.
• Doubles manufacturer’s coupons up to face value of $.99 every day.
• Accept 20 double coupons per customer/household per DAY; all others redeemed at face value. Orders may not be separated to  allow the 20 coupon limit to be exceeded.
• Double up to 3 like items with manufacturer coupon; additional coupons for like item will be honored at face value.
• Triple manufacturer’s coupons up to $.99 or double coupons $.99-$1.98 periodically. The same rules apply when doubling. Anything beyond those limits will be redeemed at face value.
• Only accept 1 coupon for BOGO Free items. If an item is B2G3 free, you may use 2 coupons. You may only use a coupon on the item you’re buying, not the “free” item.
• Accepts coupons printed from the Internet if they have a barcode that scans at the register.
• If the coupon does not scan at the register, they will not accept your coupon. They do not allow manual overrides at the register for coupons printed from the Internet.
• No internet printable coupons for “free” items. Mailed manufacturer “free” coupons are acceptable.
• With the purchase of 2 like products, they accept 2 internet manufacturer’s coupons, per store, per day.
• Accept local competitors’ ads or direct-mail coupons for money off total order (ex. Krogers $5 off $25 total purchase).
• Do not accept competitor’s coupons for money off specific items.
• Rain checks issued for up to 3 items out of stock. They do not expire.

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K-Mart

• Does not have an “official” coupon policy.
• Does not allow “stacking” of coupons. You can either use 1 K-Mart or 1 Manufacturer coupon per item.
• Doubles manufacturer’s coupons up to & including $2 value periodically.
• Doubled coupon amount can not exceed retail price of item (no overage).
• Limit of 10 coupons per customer/household, per DAY. Anything beyond that will be redeemed at face value only.
• You may only purchase 4 of the same item using double coupons.
• Buy One, Get One offers, Kmart Savings coupons and Kmart Store coupons are excluded from doubling.
• Accepts coupons printed from the Internet if they have a barcode that scans at the register.
• If the coupon does not scan at the register, they will not accept your coupon. They do not allow manual overrides at the register for coupons printed from the Internet.
• Will not accept coupons for more than about 75% of a product’s value. For example, a $4 off coupon for a product that retails for $4.50 is not likely to be legitimate.
• Will not accept “Free” product (no purchase required) internet coupons. Buy-one-get-one-free coupons and other values that have a purchase requirement are acceptable.
• Rain checks can be issued.  Limitations vary by location so check with your particular store for any limitations.

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Kroger

• Does not have an “official” policy.
• Doubles manufacturer’s coupons up to face value of $.50 every day with your Kroger Plus Card. Some regions will double up to $.55 or more.
• Does not accept any competitor coupons for grocery items.
• Accept competitor coupons only for prescriptions in the pharmacy department (ex: $5 Rite Aid gift card for new or transferred prescription).
• Corporate Policy does not limit the number of coupons you can use per transaction. However, the store manager does have the right to limit the quantity of coupons/items used/purchased in a single transaction, by a single customer, or in a single day.
• You may use 1 manufacturer coupon for every 1 item you purchase, unless the coupon says otherwise (example: Save $1 on 2 items, etc.)
• Accepts 2 manufacturer coupons for BOGO items.
• You can use a BOGO coupon on a BOGO sale. (The items will ring up at 50% off. The cashier will enter the coupon amount for the 50% off price).
• Allows e-coupons in addition to manufacturer coupons (Cellfire, Shortcuts etc.)
• Corporate Policy accepts coupons printed from the Internet if they have a barcode that scans at the register. However, some stores are not accepting any internet printable coupons. It is up to each  Store Manager’s discretion.
• No internet printable coupons for “free” items.
• With the purchase of 2 like products, they accept 2 internet manufacturer’s coupons.
• Store Manager has the right to accept, decline or limit use of ANY coupon upon view.
• Recently it’s been reported to me that many Kroger’s store managers are changing their policies without notifying customers.  It may be a good idea to check with them periodically to make sure of their policy.

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Publix

NOTE: This is a general “guideline” for the majority of Publix stores. Since each store varies in their acceptance, you should check with your store customer service or manager for their specific store policy on competitor coupons. I’ve heard that the policy is different in Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee than in  Florida and coastal Georgia.  Here is what you, my readers, have told me:

Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee:

• Does not have an “official” policy.
• Doubles manufacturer’s coupons up to face value of $.50 every day.
• Does not double Publix store coupons or competitor coupons.
• Does not limit the number of like/same coupons that you can double. The register is programmed to require a manager’s approval when the coupons total over $50 or when you have more coupons (store and manufacturer together) than items.
• Accepts coupons printed from the Internet if they have a barcode that scans at the register.
• Does not accept printable “free” item coupons if the value is over $5.
• You may use one Publix store coupon and one manufacturer’s coupon per item, unless either coupon explicitly prohibits it.
• Accepts competitor coupons from traditional grocery stores within a 5 mile radius. The individual store managers decides which stores to accept as competitor.
• Some stores will accept a competitor + Publix + manufacturer coupon for the same item, however most stores do not.
• Few stores accept drug store coupons as competitor while most do not.
• You may use 2 coupons for BOGO sale items if you buy 2 items. You may also use a store and manufacturer coupon for each item as well.
• With BOGO sale items you do not have to purchase 2 items, each will ring up as half price.

Florida and Coastal Georgia:
Most of the above applies in Florida and coastal Georgia. However, here are some differences:

• They do not double any coupons.
• You must buy 2 of the BOGO items to get the sale price. You must buy 2 items, one is full price and the second is free.
• Many stores will not let you use coupons for both items that are B1G1. You can still use one store and one manufacturer, but not 2 of both.

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Rite Aid

• Does not double coupons. They are redeemed at face value only.
• They do not accept competitor coupons.
• Accepts coupons printed from the Internet that are $5 in value or less. They must have a barcode that scans at the register. They do not allow manual overrides at the register for coupons printed from the Internet.
• They allow 1 Rite Aid coupon + 1 manufacturer coupon per item.
• They allow you to use “total purchase” coupons (ex. $5 off your $25 purchase). You may use more than one total purchase coupon per visit but they need to be separate transactions & each transaction must meet the minimum purchase requirement.
• Since their registers are programmed to only accept 2 coupons (1 Rite Aid & 1 manufacturer) per item if the number of coupons exceed the items purchased, a manager will need to override the coupon.
• You can use coupons towards a clearance item but the coupon will be adjusted if it is more than the price of the item.
• The BOGO coupon allows you to purchase 2 items and get them both for free. You can combine the sale price with manufacturer’s coupons . You will be responsible for any tax due.

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Target

• Has their coupon policy available online. I recommend printing a copy to take with you on your shopping trips.
• Does not double coupons. They are redeemed at face value only.
• Does not accept competitor coupons.
• Can combine Target and manufacturer coupons.
• You may use one Target and one manufacturer coupon per  item (unless either coupon prohibits).
• Super Target coupons can be used in any Target store if the store carries the item.
• Accepts valid Internet coupons if the bar code is able to scan at the register.
• Coupon amount may be reduced if it exceeds the value of the item after other discounts or coupons are applied.  Some stores allow overage to be applied to the rest of your order and some do not.

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Trader Joe’s

Coming soon…

Walgreens

• Has their coupon policy available online.  I recommend printing a copy to take with you on your shopping trips.
• Does not double coupons. They are redeemed at face value only.
• You can combine manufacturer’s coupons and store coupons (store coupons include those found in the weekly ad, online, or in various coupon booklets throughout the store).
• Walgreens issues Register Rewards with certain items as a promotion (ex. $3 RR back for a $10 Huggies purchase).  They are like cash, but are a manufacturer’s coupon.  Generally they expire 1.5-2 weeks after issued.  These may not be combined with another manufacturer’s coupon.
• Total number of Register Rewards and manufacturer’s coupons cannot exceed the number of items.  Walgreens’ store coupons are sometimes not considered part of your coupon total, but this varies.  For example: if you buy 1 bottle of shampoo with an in-ad, store coupon, and a manufacturer coupon, the register might beep and not let you continue.  You need to have a second “filler” item in your order to keep the items vs. coupons number the same.  It can be anything at all but lower priced items equal greater savings.  For example you could add a piece of candy or a ten-cent pencil.
• Store coupons may be valid for multiple items.  Example: a coupon that states “Dish Liquid 99¢, Limit 3″ will adjust the price for up to three bottles of Dish Liquid to 99¢ with one coupon.
• You can usually use two coupons on a BOGO Free sale.
• Walgreens does not handle the issuing of Register Rewards.  Any questions or issues you have, you can call the Catalina company at 1.888.8COUPON and give them the numbers on the Register Reward. (They have a great Customer Service dept.)
• Register Rewards cannot be used to pay sales tax.

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Walmart

• Has their coupon policy available online & their ad match policy online.  Last updated March, 2011.  I recommend printing a copy of each to take with you on your shopping trips.
• Does not double coupons. They are redeemed at face value only.
• Does not accept competitor coupons that offer dollars, cents or percentage off, B1G1 free, and double or triple value.
• Walmart does accept competitor’s coupons that have a specific price listed.
• Accepts internet printable coupons that read “Manufacturer Coupon,” with valid remit address for the manufacturer, an expiration date, and a scannable bar code.
• One coupon, per item.
• Walmart will offer change back or overage on your transaction when a coupon exceeds the price of a product.
• Walmart will accept Catalina coupons that are clearly marked as manufacturer’s coupons.
• Use of 40 or more coupons per transaction will require approval by Customer Service Manager.
• $50 or more in coupons per transaction or a coupon value over $20 will require approval from a manager.

Whole Foods

• The Whole Foods coupon policy is not available online to print or view. Whole Food’s coupon policy varies by region, so please ask your local store about their policy.
• Does not double coupons.  They are redeemed at face value only.
• Whole Foods policies vary by location, so always ask your store about their policies.
• Whole Foods prices may vary slightly by location, but are typically comparable.
• Most Whole Foods allow coupon stacking, but a few may not.   It varies by location, so ask your store about their policy.
• Deals at Whole Foods may last longer than 1 week, so some deals may look familiar each week.
• Bring a reusable bag for $0.10 your bill for every bag you use.
• Purchasing items in bulk or “by the case” will get you 10% of your purchase of that product.   Make sure to mention to the cashier that you purchased a case to get your discount.
• Whole Foods fliers and e-Newsletters often include additional coupons.
• “The Whole Deal” booklet is an in-store booklet filled with store coupons and is released monthly.
• Watch in-store for clearance and mark-down items.
• Get a wallet card at the bakery to get your 6th loaf of bread free!
• Talk to customer service for free healthy snacks for the kids while you shop.
• Whole Foods sales start on Wednesday and end on the following Thursday, which means there are always double the sale items if you shop on Wednesday!

10 Coupon Myths Debunked

Myth #1: Coupons are only for junk food.
While there are a lot of coupons for processed and junk foods, now a days there are just as many coupons for healthy and organic foods too.  I have seen coupons for fruit, eggs, milk, yogurt, bagged salads, frozen veggies, etc.

Myth #2: You can’t save money if a store doesn’t double/triple coupons.
Drug stores such as CVS, Rite Aid & Walgreen’s are great places to save money even though they don’t double or triple coupons.  Most drug stores have excellent store deals, sales, and rebate programs that most grocery stores don’t have. Don’t skip over a store  just because they don’t double coupons. There are many higher dollar coupons which you can combine with a sale for deep discounts and possibly free items.

Myth #3: Shopping at discount stores and dollar stores will save you more money than using coupons.
Dollar Stores are often as expensive as other stores and have many extra disadvantages.  They don’t have the store deals and rebates like other stores do.  Also the food they have was likely to have been sitting on the shelf for a lot longer than at a grocery store.

Myth #4: Only poor people use coupons.
Maybe it’s just me but I am never ashamed to use coupons.  Saving money is more important to me than giving the appearance of wealth.  According to statistics, people with lower income (under $25,000 a year) are less likely to use coupons.  Those in the middle class with a college background are the most likely to use coupons.  Interesting.

Myth #5: You should only use coupons for products you normally buy.
By using coupons, I’ve gotten things for free or incredibly cheap that I would never have bought otherwise.  Our family has new grocery favorites because of high value coupons. I’ve also learned to be more creative in meal planning to incorporate what’s on sale that week.

Myth #6: Store brand products are always cheaper than name brand products.
Yes, it’s true that store brands are typically a little cheaper than name brands.  However, generic is rarely cheaper than name brand when you combine a coupon with a sale.

Myth #7: People who use coupons spend more than people who don’t use coupons.
If you are going to the store and buying everything you have a coupon for especially if the item is not on sale, you will spend more.  However, if you use coupons the right way by combining coupons and store sales you will get rock bottom deals and will undoubtedly cut your grocery bill.

Myth #8: It’s not worth it to shop at multiple stores.
The 3 main stores I shop at are right near each other and 5 minutes from my house, so it really doesn’t take me much time to go from store to store. Even if your stores are not as close as mine, it can be worth it to shop at multiple stores. For instance, if you are able to get $100 worth of product you need for $15 and you only spent $4 extra in gas and an additional 20 minutes, then I would say that would certainly be worth it!  You have to do what is right for you and your family but I wouldn’t rule out going to multiple stores right away without giving it a try.

Myth #9: You shouldn’t clip coupons for products you won’t use.
I clip coupons for every item I might buy.  Some coupons I throw away after they expire because I never found an item on sale.  Don’t dismiss a deal just because you haven’t used a product in the past–keep the coupon and look for a sale. I also recommend swapping unused coupons with a family member or friend. If you don’t have any use for baby coupons save them and give them to a new mom. I also keep coupons for items I know I won’t use and if a sale comes up and I can get the item for super cheap or free I will do so and later donate the item to a local woman’s shelter.

Myth #10: You will save more money by shopping at big box stores.
Big box stores such as Costco or Sams will save you money because you buy items in bulk but you can have much bigger savings if you buy a smaller quantity and use coupons.

This is lesson 2 out of 10 so click here for lesson 3, “Where to Find Coupons.”

View other lessons in this Extreme Couponing series:

Lesson 1:  Change the Way You Shop & Coupon Vocabulary

Lesson 2:  10 Coupon Myths Debunked

Lesson 3:  Where to Find Coupons

Lesson 4: Get Organized

Lesson 5: Creating Your Price-List

Lesson 6: How to Maximize Coupon Savings