How I shop

Want to know how Hudson's Coupon Lady get ready for a shopping trip? I will tell you:)I have been debating on whether or not I should tell you how I shop, for fear you will venture away and no long visit my site, but I figured that you should all have the proper tools to save the most. I just hope you will continue to check in every week, for the deals that I have posted, notes and of course the freebies and giveaways!! 

So, first I go through the weekly ads and make a list of the things I need that are on sale. I than visit We Use Coupons.com, I click on the "Find Coupons" than "Coupon Database" tabs. Once here, I enter in the brand or name of the item that I am looking to purchase. I than get a list of all coupons available to me! This can be printable coupons or coupons from the paper, and sometimes other sources. (NOTE: This data base is for our state and although 99% of the time we have the coupons available, sometimes they were not in out papers or were a different amount) 

After I have the coupons that I need, I make a list. I usually type it because it can get a bit messy. I make a list of what I am buying and what amount off I am going to be getting with coupons and how many coupons I have for that item. (In case I am able to stack coupons) That way, when I am at the store, I can look at the price to double check and know what it will cost with me with what I am getting off. 

I get all my items, and find an aisle that is not busy. I go through all my coupons and make sure I have all my coupons ready and the correct amount of items. I try and find a line that is not full and someone that looks like they are in a good mood. (I usually have a large stack of coupons) I also watch to make sure the correct amount is being taken off on the register. (NOTE: Some Target coupons will say Store Coupon $0.00, don't worry your coupon is working and it will show on your receipt.) 

That is how I get ready for a shopping trip and do my shopping! Did I miss anything? Any questions? 

Next to come is how I organize my coupons:)
-HCL

What the heck is stacking coupons?

Stacking coupons can be VERY hard to understand. So this will hopefully help explain it a little further.

Target:

Target has online coupons that you can print. (Note: some will print manufacture coupons and those can not be stacked) They will have the Target bulls eye on the bottom and at the top say Target Web Coupon. These coupons CAN be used with a coupon that comes from the manufacture.

Example:

Target + Manufacture

These two coupons can be used to get $4 off any Nivea Body Wash listed on the coupon, so in the end your body wash will more than likely be FREE!

There are also coupons from Target that you get in the paper, mail, or from peelie's off product you HAVE purchased. These coupons will say Target Coupon and have the Target Bulls Eye on them.

You can stack these the same as the Target Web Coupons. 

Walgreen's:

Walgreen's has a variety of online coupons every month, that are also in their coupon book. They are called Instant Value Coupons (IVC). You can get your coupon book at any Walgreen's store.Also every weekly ad has a variety of Walgreen's coupons in it too. 

This is an example of an Ad coupon, which if you had a MANUFACTURE Aquafina coupon you could use BOTH coupons. 

This is an Example of an Instant Value Coupon (IVC) you can use the

 Kotex Coupon with a MANUFACTURE coupon to get even more off! 

This is what the Walgreen's June Coupon book looks like.

(These are some of the coupons from the 8 weeks of savings. Although I am sure yours are not covered in spaghetti sauce... some little hands got to them!) Notice the Dawn one, there will more than likely be a .25/1 this weekend in the P&G Insert which means I will get the dish soap for .54 when I use both coupons. (Store + Manufacture)

Family Fresh will also have coupons from time to time that you can use with a manufacture coupon. The Coupons that you get that are for 8 weeks of savings can be stacked with a manufacture coupon. Also from time to time there are coupons in their ads that say Store Coupon, these if for a manufacture item like Oscar Mayer, Tide, Etc. can be stacked.

(If I had a Gold'n Plump Coupon from the Manufacture I could use the above coupon with that for even more savings.)

County Market has Coupons in their ad every week that say County Market Coupon as long as they are the Hudson, County Market Coupons you can use them at our location and use them with a Manufacture coupon for more savings.

One thing I need to make note of is that is it NOT ok to use multiple manufacture items for the same product. Even if the register does not beep at you I have yet to see a Manufacture coupon that states you can use more than one manufacture coupon on the same item. Doing so is considered fraud. While you may scam the cashier and save more money, in the end you are giving the coupon community a bad name. Also The retailer and manufacture are out money than, and eventually may stop accepting coupons. So if you are unsure, please be honest and ask a customer service member. There are many ways to save A LOT with coupons with out lying and scamming the system. 

If you have anymore questions about stacking coupons that I did not answer, please leave a comment or email me at hudsons.coupon.lady@gmail.com 

Happy Savings!

-HCL

Some Basics

Hello everyone!

A lot of people have no idea of where to start when it comes to the coupon world. It can be very difficult and overwhelming when you first get started. I know, I was once there and I am still learning new things! I had a few "Where to Start" posts, but I am going to rewrite those and try to give you more detail. I would also like to answer any questions that you may have so please feel free to email me or comment on a post with a question!

Today I am going to start with where to get your coupons. There are many different sources available to you to get coupons, so take advantage of them.

The Sunday papers are the biggest place to get coupons. In my experience the Star Tribune often has a bigger insert than the Pioneer Press. You can either become a subscriber and get the paper delivered to you or you can pick it up on Sundays. I pick mine up every Sunday, I also quickly glance through the ads and inserts to make sure the coupons that are suppose to be in there are in there. Sometimes they are not and that can be a big bummer!

Other places to get coupons are online. The following are great places to print coupons: Redplum.com, Smartsource.com,  Coupons.com,  Target.com, All You.com, Our Family Brand Coupons, Hudson County Market Coupons

You can also get coupons in or on different items you purchase (Peelies). P&G often has a whole coupon booklet in select products. Also, when you request different samples, the majority of the samples come with a coupon. 

Another way to get coupons is to write to the company and ask. It never hurts, the worst they are going to say is they do not offer coupons. I have done this multiple times and have only been told once, that they could not offer coupons. I wrote to a company recently thanking them for making such a great product, that was all and they sent me a coupon booklet for all of their products! So search the companies website, find an email address or business address and just let them know how much you appreciate their business. It never hurts to let a company know that you are thankful for them. Most people only ever think to send complaints! 

Also Facebook is a good place to get coupons. Different brands offer "HOT" coupons to their Facebook fans from time to time. Although they go quickly, if you Like them and get the info in your news feed at the right time you may just score some awesome coupons! 

So this is the different places that I use to get all my coupons. If I forgot any or you know of other great places for coupons please comment so we all know!

Happy Savings!

-HCL

Coupon Policies

It is always good to know a stores specific coupon policy. That way if you run into any issues you will know if you are incorrect or not.If you know that you are correct KINDLY ask for the manager. I think it is best to carry each stores coupon policy with you, so that you are just as informed about the policies as the Manager. If the manager is not allowing a coupon even though the policy CLEARLY states that it is accepted, have the corporates number. Just remember to be kind, other wise you are going to be the rude coupon person they notice the second you walk in the door. If they still are not accepting it, and it is not something you need right this minute, kindly ask them to take the product off your purchases and get your coupons back.Here are coupon policies:

Walmart  

There are new changes, WalMart now allows coupons to be over the actual product price. They will either apply the overage to your total or give you change. I ran into a problem with this and the employees and even supervisor were not aware of the change. That is why it is good to bring this with you!

Target
I was asked before on Facebook about after Holiday sales here is some info that I have found for Target:
Post Holiday sales:

• Day 1-3 50%
• Day 4-6 75%
• Day 7-8 90%
• Note: Sales may vary by store and depending on Holiday

This is the Target Mark Down Schedule:

• Monday: Electronics, Kids clothing, Stationary
• Tuesday: Domestics, Women's Clothing, Pets, Grocery
• Wednesday: Men's Clothing, Toys, Health & Beauty, Law & Garden
• Thursday: Housewares, Lingerie, Shoes, Sporting Goods, Movies, Music, Books, Decor, Luggage
• Friday: Auto, Cosmetics, Hardware, Jewelery

Walgreen's

 This is what I got back from County Market:

1. All manufacturer coupons are taken at face value, not doubled.
2. Most Legitimate Internet manufacturer coupons are accepted.
3. All of our Hudson County Market “store” coupons are accepted.
4. Store Coupons from other County Markets are not accepted.
5. Store Coupons from other non-County Markets are not accepted. 
6. On occasion throughout the year we will match competitors offers when outlined specifically in our ad or on our website.  

 This is the letter I got from CVS about their coupon policies:

1. CVS has a loyalty program where you can earn ExtraBucks coupons and receive additional savings offers for specific products.
2. CVS does NOT  match competitor's coupons
3. CVS does NOT double or triple coupons
4. You may use and ExtraBucks coupon and a manufacturer's coupon together
5. CVS does accept valid printable coupons as long as they have a barcode on them (the coupon must match the product)
6. You may use a manufacturer's coupon with a BOGO free offer, but it may only be applied to the actual item that you are paying for not the free item. (So if they are having a BOGO sale and you have a $2/1 coupon you can use that.You may end up getting both for free but you can not count any coupons towards the sales free item)
7. Store Management has the authority to place restrictions on the use of coupons at their discretion and the policies are subject to change.
8. CVS will NOT accept coupon barcode images displayed on a smartphone

I am still waiting to hear from Family Fresh, when I talked with the customer service desk worker she did tell me they do not have a written policy but that they for sure will not allow coupons that are over the items price. I will post their policy when I get it!
-HCL