I had to laugh when I got a message from my friend yesterday- she was excited about her KMart expedition, but lamented missed savings opportunities due to what she described as "rookie mistakes."I loved her description. When trying something new, mistakes are common- but here's a secret- I still make them from time to time... actually, more than that.
Mistakes are a bummer, because more often than not, it means spending more money than expected and necessary.
Awareness can make all the difference. Here are a few blunders I know I've made- hopefully a heads up can help you avoid them.
1. Coupon errors.
Read coupons carefully. There are often amount requirements. For example- the coupon will say
$1.oo OFF!
$1.oo OFF!
in big old letters at the top, and
When you buy 2
in teeny print underneath. Make sure to know what your coupon is for. Awareness can spare register bummers.
Also, coupons are sometimes for very specific items. Grab the wrong size or variety, and the coupon won't scan.
2. Expiration Dates.
Coupons expire. So do Extrabucks from CVS... and let me tell ya, I was shocked when I discovered $5.99 of my Extrabucks had expired last week- it has never happened to me before, because I usually spend them so quickly. I had a small personal tragedy over this loss... $5.99 is a huge amount to lose when you're cheap like me.
3. Register Errors
While it's important to be friendly with the cashier when working a deal, chatting too much can cost big bucks. Computers make mistakes. So do cashiers. Keep an eye on the screen, and if something doesn't seem right, speak up.
4. Giving coupons in the right order.
Sometimes, you might have a variety of coupons. The order they're rung in is important. Let's take CVS for example.
First- hand over $/$$ coupons- for example, if you have a "Save $4 off $20," it has to go first.
Next- manufacturer/store coupons
Last- Extrabucks
Using his order will get you the most savings.
5. Know the store's coupon policy.
Do they double coupons? Do they take internet coupons? Can you "stack" coupons (using a store and a manufacturer coupon for the same item)? The more familiar you are, the more likely you will be to get the savings you're entitled to.
OK- My brain is tired (two teething kids = pretty much no sleep), so those are the only mistakes I can come up with right now- I'll add more later when I remember them or make them. :)
In the meantime, what mistakes have you made? Put them in the comments section so we can learn from each other.
When you buy 2
Also, coupons are sometimes for very specific items. Grab the wrong size or variety, and the coupon won't scan.
2. Expiration Dates.
Coupons expire. So do Extrabucks from CVS... and let me tell ya, I was shocked when I discovered $5.99 of my Extrabucks had expired last week- it has never happened to me before, because I usually spend them so quickly. I had a small personal tragedy over this loss... $5.99 is a huge amount to lose when you're cheap like me.
3. Register Errors
While it's important to be friendly with the cashier when working a deal, chatting too much can cost big bucks. Computers make mistakes. So do cashiers. Keep an eye on the screen, and if something doesn't seem right, speak up.
4. Giving coupons in the right order.
Sometimes, you might have a variety of coupons. The order they're rung in is important. Let's take CVS for example.
First- hand over $/$$ coupons- for example, if you have a "Save $4 off $20," it has to go first.
Next- manufacturer/store coupons
Last- Extrabucks
Using his order will get you the most savings.
5. Know the store's coupon policy.
Do they double coupons? Do they take internet coupons? Can you "stack" coupons (using a store and a manufacturer coupon for the same item)? The more familiar you are, the more likely you will be to get the savings you're entitled to.
OK- My brain is tired (two teething kids = pretty much no sleep), so those are the only mistakes I can come up with right now- I'll add more later when I remember them or make them. :)
In the meantime, what mistakes have you made? Put them in the comments section so we can learn from each other.
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6 comments:
I didn't know you had to do coupons in a certain order!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Can you use a Walgreen's instant savings coupon AND a manufacturer coupon? By the way...you saved me about ten bucks last week. Thanks! :)
ditto on coco's comment! what's up w/ that?
I think my biggest mistake when I first started really couponing was not speaking up (in a polite way, of course) when a transaction didn't ring the way I thought it should. I've since let my embarassment of when the coupon "beeps" not bother me and I ask questions or tell the cashier to please take something off of my order if the coupon doesn't match up.
I agree with Colleen, don't be afraid to speak up when something doesn't add up or etc. One thing that I have learned is to really pay attention when the cashier is ringing up the coupons. I have had several occasions when the coupon didn't get accepted by the computer so the cashier just set it aside and didn't say anything. I have had to say, "Um, excuse me..." and usually it is something internally that is wrong, not with my order.
Anyways, my other big "rookie mistake" is using a coupon just because I have it versus it 1) being something that I would use and 2) paying full price because it might be about to expire.
Colleen (CoCo)- Think about it this way- when you have a coupon that in contingent on the amount spent, you want to get it in while your amount is at it's highest- before you use your other coupons. The extrabucks are like cash, so save them for last.
Carrie- YES! You can combine them. :)Congrats on the savings!
Colleen- I agree! Speak up!
Marie- No doubt- coupon are only useful if they help you get a really good price. Otherwise, just let them expire- there will likely be another one of the same thing out soon!
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