Stretching Your —— SMART Couponing Presenters Lu

Stretching Your $$$ ----- SMART Couponing Presenters: Lu Ann Reese and Spencer Reese

Stretching Your $$$ ----- SMART Couponing Key Questions to think about before using coupons 1. What are my priority needs that have to be met on a monthly basis? 2. What products do I use the most and how much do I use? 3. Should I buy store brands without coupons or name brands with coupons? 4. What do I need to do to prepare to shop with coupons? 5. Is there someone I can partner with to help me learn how to coupon? 6. What can agencies or organizations do to help others that are using coupons?

What are my priority needs that have to be met on a monthly basis? • Rent • Utilities – electric, phone, trash, water, etc • Insurance and medication – Co-pays/spend down, • Transportation expenses – car insurance, gas, bus pass

What products do I use the most and how much do I use? • Personal care items – Body wash, deodorant, shampoo, shaving supplies, etc • Household Supplies – Toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning products, trash bags • Laundry – Laundry soap, fabric softener, spot remover

Should I buy store brands without coupons or name brands with coupons? Couponing is hard work!!!! (Don’t spend time looking for good deals to use coupons if you have a store brand you like) • Great Value, Best Choice, Always Save, Aldi’s have good products and usually are reasonably priced. • Think before you decide to use a coupon to save money

What do I need to do to prepare to shop with coupons? • Store Coupon Policies • Coupons • Store Sale Ads • TIP: Coupon trips are usually more successful if you go to when they are not as busy.

How can I get the best deal with a coupon? • When items are on sale at your store • Price match at Wal Mart • Special sales (example: Dollar General)

Is there someone I can partner with to help me learn how to coupon? • Do you have a family member or friend who: – uses coupons – gets the Sunday paper or magazines with coupon’s – can help you find the “store coupon policy’s” for the stores near you – help you think through the questions about priority needs

KNOW YOUR COUPONS

KNOW YOUR COUPONS

KNOW YOUR COUPONS

What can agencies or organizations do to help others that are using coupons? • Organize a “Learn to Coupon” class for your employee’s and the people you provide services too • Have a location where employee’s can leave unwanted Coupons • Collect expired coupons to send to military families etc

Remember This • If you get to the check out counter and a coupon doesn’t scan or the cashier says you can’t use the coupon, you DON’T have to purchase the item you were going to purchase with the coupon. That’s why it is so important to know your coupons, store policies and be respectful as to the time of day you go shopping.

Happy Couponing Questions? ? ? ?